bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Age determination of the female Grant's gazelle
Authors: SPINAGE C. A. 
Published: April 2008

SummarySeveral complementary methods of age determination were investigated in the female Grant's gazelle from an equatorial latitude. It was found that, despite its probable year‐round homeostasis, there was an average of two prominent lines per year visible in the tooth cementum, most consistent results being obtained from the incisor teeth. Tentative corroboration was afforded by a wear model based on decreasing molar height. The female carries continuously growing horns with a distinctive zone of retarded growth at the base in adults, but the extent of this zone was too variable for use in field age determination; and the disappearance of the black lateral band, distinctive in young animals, was not consistent with increasing age.
Impala social behaviour: birth behaviour
Authors: JARMAN M. V. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryData collected from observations of eighteen parturient impala females are presented. Females attempt to isolate from the breeding herds 2 to 3 h before parturition. They have a characteristic appearance and behaviour at this stage and are having obvious labour contractions. Nearly all the females sought some cover and a vegetation type including many bushes was used frequently as a birth site. Only four of eleven females left the herd and found cover without harassment by either the territorial male or bachelor males. Many were also followed by impala females. The birth process is described; final expulsion of the foetus occurs in a recumbent position. All birth fluids and membranes are eaten by the mother. Much attention is paid to cleaning up the birth site, baby and herself. Time from birth to expulsion of the placenta is variable and the placenta is normally eaten as soon as it is expelled. Impalas can stand at about 15 min after birth and attempt to suckle soon after this. Only some mothers help the baby to find the udder. Unsteady running occurred at about 25 min after birth. Impalas have a preference for giving birth between 10·00 and 14·00 hours. The significance of this behaviour and the other behaviours shown as anti‐predator devices are discussed. Individual differences in behaviour and early care of the young are noted.
Rumen protozoa of the giraffe with a description of two new species
Authors: KLEYNHANS C. J. , HOVEN W. VAN 
Published: April 2008

SummaryAn analysis was carried out on the rumen ciliate population of giraffe. Eight giraffe shot on the Timbavati and adjoining private nature reserves in the north eastern Transvaal, South Africa, were sampled during 1973. Twenty‐six species of ciliates were found in the giraffe rumen. Two new species were found and they are described viz. Entodinium longicorpum sp.n. and Eodinium bispinosum sp.n. The genus Ento‐dinium with eleven species formed 41% of the total protozoa population. The holotrichs formed 19%, the genus Enoploplastron 16% and Eodinium 11% of the population.
Distribution of tree hyrax (Dendrohyrax validus validus True) on Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania
Authors: KUNDAELI J. N. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryDistribution of Dendrohyrax v. validus True which inhabits the forest belt of Mt Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, is discussed along with factors influencing this distribution. During December 1972 data were collected from the northern, eastern, southern and western slopes at 2000, 2310 and 2620 m a.s.l. to discover the effect of aspect and altitude on vegetation in relation to the densities of the tree hyrax. Using point‐centred quarter method (PCQ) the area around each tree was inspected for recent and abandoned defaecation sites; the tree species and its circumference at breast height were also recorded.Apparent densities of hyrax, as reflected by the density of defaecation sites, were higher on the southern and western slopes (av. twenty‐three and thirteen hyrax/ha) although a density of seventy hyrax/ha was obtained for the northern slope at the 2620 m elevation. The eastern slope was poorest with only one defaecation site recorded. Higher densities were obtained for the 2310 m elevation indicating less disturbance of this belt through logging and also showing the influence of Ocotea usambarensis Engl, on the southern and Nuxia congesta Fres. on the western slopes which are abundant at this elevation. The tree hyrax showed definite preference for certain tree species and for the larger individuals.Since food is not limiting, it is suggested that the availability of shelter, strong preference for solitary living, and the inability to withstand rigorous environment limit the density of hyrax within the forest, as well as providing a possible explanation for the inability of this hyrax to venture far outside the forest.
Mortality of wildlife in Nairobi National Park, during the drought of 1973–1974
Authors: HILLMAN JESSE C. , HILLMAN ALISON K. K. 
Published: April 2008

Summary(1) The mortality of wildlife in Nairobi National Park during the drought period of 1973/74 was monitored by monthly ground counts. (2) Highest mortality rate was recorded for kongoni at 27%, followed by wildebeest at 10% and zebra at 7% of the live populations present in the Park. (3) The dry period was marked by a massive influx into the Park of the three species most affected. Eland also moved in, and sub sequently left the Athi‐Kapiti ecosystem entirely, while populations of the other species in the Park remained relatively static. (4) Proportionally the highest mortality was recorded in the driest part of the Park and in the forest. (5) Immature and female animals died earliest, but the overall sex and age ratios reflected those reported for live populations, except that a greater proportion of female wildebeest died than expected. (6) Mortality was suspected to result from poor physical condition and lowered disease resistance caused by malnutrition. This occurred during the latter half of 16 consecutive months of below‐average rainfall, which considerably reduced vegetation growth. (7) The results are discussed in relation to those found elsewhere in this ecosystem, and in relation to domestic stock, human development and the future of Nairobi National Park.
Food of three upland game birds in Selengei Area, Kajiado District, Kenya
Authors: SWANK WENDELL G. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryFoods taken by yellow‐necked spurfowl, crested francolin and helmeted guinea‐fowl were investigated over a 22‐month period. Bulblets of sedge (Cyperus sp.) were the major plant item in the diet of all three species. Other foods were seeds and fruits of forbs, florets and fruits of grasses, leaves of forbs and grasses and insects. Insect use increased following the rains, as did the use of florets of the grasses.Except for Cyperus sp. there was little overlap of food items taken by the crested francolin and the guinea‐fowl, but both were in competition with the yellow‐necked spurfowl for some species of plants. This was probably due to size of food items, that is, there was a direct relationship between size of bird and size of foods taken. Forag ing habits also influence food intake.
The estimation of food intake, and its seasonal variation, in the Hartebeest
Authors: PRICE M. R. STANLEY 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThis paper describes a method of estimating the food intake of a grazing species, Coke's hartebeest, using material from thirty‐two freshly killed animals, taken in different seasons. The literature suggests that the retention time of particles in the cow's rumen is dependent on their specific gravity. The proportions of the leaf, sheath and stem of grasses in the hartebeest's rumen were assessed and their specific gravities measured. Their characteristic retention times, used in conjunction with the weight of rumen contents, allowed calculation of the daily intake of each hartebeest.The use of specific gravity is justified by the relationships between the specific gravity and proximate composition of the grass samples. The intakes showed a three fold range, with the lowest mean value of 26.1 ±4.7 g/kg.W*73. day in the dry season. A reduced intake of low quality feeds is consistent with published theories on the factors regulating the intakes of roughages by ruminants.The hartebeest's changing intake is paralleled by other changes in its digestive tract, notably the concentrations of nitrogen in the rumen and faeces. A regression predicting the hartebeest's intake from the faecal nitrogen concentration is developed.Intake is shown to depend upon the water content of the diet, through its effect on specific gravity and hence retention time. The water content is determined by the effective rainfall over the previous 3 months.The limitations of the method, particularly in the measurement of specific gravity, are discussed. A number of reported intakes by cattle and sheep, with the result of a feeding trial with one hartebeest, are presented to show that the estimated intakes may be close to their actual values.
Feeding and drinking habits of the black rhinoceros in Masai Mara Game Reserve
Authors: MUKINYA JOHN G. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryFeeding and drinking habits of the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis L.) population in Masai Mara Game Reserve, Kenya, were studied from May 1971 to August 1972. A total of 108 rhinoceros were recorded in the study area. Feeding rhinoceros were followed behind their feeding tracks until they stopped feeding (or changed to another activity) and the plants which they selected were identified. A technique was used which provided an indication of the relative importance of certain plants in the diet during May to September 1971 (wet‐semi‐dry), October 1971 to February 1972 (dry) and February to May 1972 (wet‐semi‐dry). A total of 240 h were spent actually watching feeding rhinoceros in thirteen distribution areas. During this period rhinoceros were observed eating seventy plant species from thirty botanical families. In all distribution areas rhinoceros were very selective for herbs and shrubs, and showed a marked preference for Solanum incanum, Dichrostachys cinerea and Acacia species. Rhinoceros were also observed to visit salt licks which contained sodium, magnesium, potassium and calcium.Two feeding peaks, one in morning and the other in the afternoon were recorded. Black rhinoceros drink water mainly at night. They spend most of the night time near the watering places for they were mostly located in the mornings walking to the feeding grounds.
Histology of the frontal sac in three species of Leaf‐nosed bats (Hipposideridae)
Authors: MAINOYA J. R. , HOWELL K. M. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryHistological studies were made of the median frontal sac from both male and female specimens of Hipposideros commersoni, H. ruber, and Triaenops persicus. In H. commersoni this organ which is more prominent in the male than in the female, con tained tri‐lobed sebaceous glands associated with hair follicles and modestly enlarged simple saccular apocrine glands. On the other hand this structure in H. ruber con sisted entirely of a coiled‐lobule type of apocrine gland. The female had only a rudi mentary gland without any sac. The complex frontal gland in T. persicus consisted of (1) a superficial haired layer containing sebaceous glands and saccular apocrine glands, (2) a deeper‐lying enormously convoluted peculiar type of apocrine gland which was more active in males than females. The sexual dimorphism expressed in both the development and activity of the frontal gland in these Hipposiderid bats suggests possible important roles in the mediation of behavioural and physiological responses related to reproduction.RésuméDes analyses histologiques ont CtC effectuees sur la poche médiofrontale du mile et de la femelle de l'Hipposideros commersoni, de 1'H. ruber et du Triaenops persicus. Chez 1'H. commersoni cet organe, plus développé chez le mâle que chez la femelle, contenait trois glandes sébacées trilobCes en association avec des follicules capillaires et avec des glandes apocrines sacciformes quelque peu dilatées. Chez le H. ruber d'autre part, cette structure consistait uniquement en une glande apocrine en spirale et lobulée. La femelle ne possédait qu'une glande rudimentaire dépourvue de poche. Chez le T. persicus, la glande frontale, complexe, comportait: (1) une couche capillaire super‐ficielle contenant des glandes sCbactes et des glandes apocrines sacciformes, (2) à un niveau plus profond, un type particulier de glande apocrine fortement convolutée, plus dans active chez le mile que chez la femelle. Ce dimorphisme sexuel qui se reflète tant dans le dCveloppement que dans I'activité de la glande frontale chez les Hipposiderid semblerait ainsi influer de faGon non négligeable sur le comportement et l'activité physiologique liés à la reproduction.
Field observations on the African giant rat Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse in southern Nigeria
Authors: AJAYI S. S. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe African giant rat Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse is found in a wide variety of habitats in Ibadan district. These include an abandoned farm in a degraded deciduous forest, a zoological garden complex, Agodi; and a forest plantation of teak (Tectona grandis L.F.), human habitation and derived Guinea savanna. They located their burrows in the most heavily shaded parts of the habitats. Burrows were found mostly inside deserted termite mounds and amongst roots of trees probably to provide insulation from heat. They are nocturnal, omnivorous rodents, feeding on a wide variety of root crops, fruits, molluscs and insects. Fruits of the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) or their remains were found in all burrows. Information on habitat preferences, food habits, as well as that obtained from the dimensions and design of burrows which are reported in this paper later provided a basis for the design of cages and husbandry techniques for a programme of domestication of this rodent, which is currently being carried out at University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Preliminary observations on the daytime activity patterns of lesser kudu in Tsavo National Park, Kenya*
Authors: MITCHELL A. W. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryFree‐ranging lesser kudu were observed during the day in Tsavo (East) National Park for periods of up to 12 h and records of activity patterns were obtained.Data grouped into the percentage of animals engaged in feeding, resting, and other activities in each time class show a changing pattern of behaviour through the day. The presence of a biphasic resting rhythm is demonstrated, the initiation and duration of which are variable. Feeding generally predominated in the early morning and late afternoon.Rumination took place during resting periods which were also used for the avoidance of excessive heat stress. Possible factors controlling the phasing of the behaviour seen are discussed.
Oesophageal fistulation of topi and wildebeest*
Authors: USENIK E. A. , KREULENZ D. A. , DUNCANS P. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryOesophageal fistulas were surgically made in three wildebeest and two topi using a lateral, mid‐cervical approach through a sterno‐mastoideus splitting incision. Two different types of plugs were used to maintain the fistulas closed. Various complications which responded to individual care and treatment are described.
Comparison of analysis of stomach contents and faecal samples from zebra
Authors: OWAGA MARY L. A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryStomach contents and faecal samples from the same individuals were collected and analysed from eighteen plains zebra in Kajiado district, Kenya. They were analysed microscopically using the point frame method (Chamrad & Box, 1964). The composition of the diets is expressed in terms of ‘parts’ (leaves, sheaths, and stems), while ten grass species which featured prominently in the diet are discussed. The results were tested statistically and regressions were drawn for leaf, sheath and stem proportions in stomach contents and faecal samples.The frequency of leaves appearing in the stomach was found to be consistently higher than that of the faeces while the reverse was the case for sheaths and stems. Out of about sixty species of grasses and five of sedges, the ten most important ones in stomach samples were also the most important species in faecal samples, although some appeared in different orders. All species which had a frequency of at least 3% in the stomach contents were identifiable in the faecal samples.
Live and carcass weights of giant rat Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse and domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L
Authors: Ajayi S. S. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThis paper presents a record of the live and carcass weights of the African giant rat Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse and the domestic rabbit Oryctolagus cuniculus L. Male and female giant rats have an average killing out percentage of 51.4% (n= 10, S.D. ± 3.8) and 516% (n = 7, S.D. ± 3.47) respectively. The difference between the killing‐out percentages of both sexes was not statistically significant at 5% probability level. There was also no significant difference at 5% probability level between the killing‐out percentages of giant rats and domestic rabbit. Very low fat content was observed in the carcasses of wild giant rats.
Buffalo movements and accessibility to a community of hunters in Zambia
Authors: MARKS STUART A. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThis paper describes the strategies for hunting and use of cape buffalo by hunters in the central Luangwa Valley of Zambia. Reduced in numbers by a severe epizootic at the close of the nineteenth century, buffalo have only become plentiful within the last 15 years. Currently this species comprises 39% of hunter kills. Hunters recognize three groupings of buffalo each with its own behaviour and movements. Conditional probability statements, based upon buffalo movements on a 60‐km2 area and information on buffalo‐hunter interactions observed for 3 consecutive months during 1973, indicate that the likelihood of hunters on a given day killing a buffalo is nine chances in one hundred. Given this daily probability value, these hunters are estimated to kill thirty‐three buffalo yearly. Subsistence hunters, whose weapon is primarily the muzzle‐loading gun, take mainly bulls, while others, who use modern rifles and shotguns and often market their kills, take cows in addition to bulls.RésuméCette étude décrit la perception et les stratagèmes employés pour chaser le buffle du Cap par des chasseurs de la Vallée Luangwa au centre de la Zambie. Le nombre des buffles était réduit par une maladie épizootique sévkre à la fin du XIXe siècle et ce nombre ne s'augmente que depuis quinze ans. Maintenant cette espèce comprend 39% de gibier tué par ces chasseurs. 11s reconnaissent trois groupes de buffle, chacun avec ses propres déplacements et façons d'agir. Les rapports de probabilité conditionnelle basés sur les deplacements des buffles dans une région de 60 km2 et sur les faits observés des rencontres entre buffle et chasseur dans une période de trois mois de suite en 1973 indiquent que la probabilité qu'un chasseur tue un buffle estneuf sur cent. Etant donné cette valeur de probabilité quotidienne, on calcule que ces chasseurs tuent 33 buffles par an. Les chasseurs pour qui le buffle est un moyen de subsistance et qui emploient principalement un fusil qui se charge à la bouche prennent le plus souvent des mâles tandis que les autres chasseurs qui emploient des fusils de chasse modernes et qui vendent quelquefois leur prise prennent des femelles ainsi que des mâles.
A survey of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in Kenyan birds of prey
Authors: FRANK LAURENCE G. , JACKSON RODNEY M. , COOPER JOHN E. , FRENCH M. C. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryPectoral muscle samples from forty‐five individuals representing eighteen species of resident Kenyan raptors of different trophic levels were analysed for the presence of chlorinated hydrocarbon residues. Most raptors from agricultural areas contained residues of DDT metabolites, and many contained dieldrin as well; raptors from non‐agricultural areas did not contain detectable levels of any organochlorines. While levels were generally low compared to those reported in populations of temperate latitude birds of prey which have shown decreases in reproductive success attributable to organochlorine pollutants, falcons and accipiters from highly agriculturalized areas such as Nairobi contain residue levels equivalent to those found to affect the reproduction of other raptorial species. It is also suggested that chlorinated hydrocarbon kinetics may not be the same in the tropics as in northern latitudes insofar as terrestrial ecosystems seem to show higher levels than aquatic systems. A permanent programme to monitor organochlorine residues in East African wildlife is recommended.RésuméDes echantillons de muscles pectoraux de 45 individux représentant 18 espèces de rapaces du Kenya, des différents niveaux trophiques, ont été analysés pour detecter la présence de résidus d'hydrocarbones‐chlorés. Des résidus de metabolites de DDT autant que le dieldrin ont été trouvés dans la plupart des rapaces des régions agricoles; par contre les rapaces des régions non‐agricoles, ne contenaient pas de niveaux détectables d'organochlorures. Les niveaux sont généralement bas comparés à ceux observés chez les oiseaux de proie des latitudes tempérées; ces populations ont montré recul, dans leur reproduction que I'on peut attribuer aux polluants organo‐chlorés. Toute fois les faucons et les accipitires des régions fortement agricoles comme celle de Nairobi contiennent des niveaux residuels comparables à ceux que l'on a trouvé affectant la reproduction d'autres espices de rapaces. C'est aussi suggéré que la cinétique des hydrocarbones‐chlorés n'est pas nécessairement la méme dans les tropiques que dans les latitudes plus nordiques. Les ecosystémes terrestres semblent indiquer des niveaux résiduels plus élevés que les ecosystémes marines. Un programme permanent pour évaluer les résidus organochlorés des oiseaux sauvages des pays de 1'Est Africain est recommandé.
Aberrations in the coat colour patterns of black and white Colobus monkeys
Authors: HULL DAVID B. 
Published: April 2008

SummaryThe coat colour pattern of the Black and White Colobus has served for almost two centuries as the primary means of classifying the genus. Observations on aberrations in the coat colour pattern, particularly of the ‘white’Colobus of Mt. Kenya, suggest a simple hypothesis explaining the development of the coat colour in terms of dorsal and ventral fields, which have been blocked in these aberrant individuals. The basic differences in the species patterns within the genus Colobus may be viewed as the result of differing degrees of extension of these fields. The evident rarity of aberrations in coat colour underlines the uniqueness of the Mt. Kenya populations containing these ‘white’ individuals.RésuméLa couleur de la robe de Colobus a servi de moyen principal pour classifier ce genre. Les remarques sur les anomalies dans la couleur de la robe, particulièrement les colobes ‘blancs’ du Mt. Kenya, suggèrent une hypothése qui explique le développement de la couleur de la robe sous form des champs dorsal et ventral, qui sont bloqués chez ces individus ‘blancs’. Les différences de base parmi les espèces du genre Colobus peuvent être envisagées comme le résultat de degrés différents de l'extension de ces champs. La rareté de ces anomalies dans la robe de Cofubus souligne le charactère unique de la population du Mt. Kenya qui contient ces individus ‘blancs’.