The functional diversity structure of a community can be represented as a combination of three additive components (species dominance D, functional redundancy R, and functional diversity Q) (DRQ approach in which different facets of functional differences between species are considered simultaneously). We applied this concept to assemblages of fleas and gamasid mites parasitic on small mammals at continental (across regions of the Palearctic) and regional (across sampling sites in Slovakia) scales and asked: What are the relative effects of host species, biome/habitat type, and geographic locality on the DRQ composition of a parasite assemblage? At the continental scale, regions were partitioned according to predominant biome or geographic position in a continental section. At the regional scale, sampling sites were partitioned according to habitat type or geographic locality. We tested for differences in the functional diversity structure (measured as the DRQ composition) of an ectoparasite assemblage (a) within a host species between biomes/habitat types or continental sections/localities and (b) between host species within a biome/habitat type or a continental section/locality. At both scales, the functional diversity structure of both flea and mite assemblages differed mainly between host species within a biome/habitat or geographic regions/locations, whereas differences in the DRQ composition between biomes/habitats or geographic regions/locations were only detected in a few host species. We compare our results with the results of earlier studies and conclude that the DRQ approach has an advantage over a single diversity metric and allows a better understanding of spatial variation in different facets of ectoparasite diversity.

The transition between the Paleocene and Eocene epochs (ca. 56 Ma) was marked by a period of rapid global warming of 5 °C to 8 °C following a carbon isotope excursion (CIE) lasting 200 ky or less referred to as the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). The PETM precipitated a significant shift in the composition of North American floral communities and major mammalian turnover. We explored the ecological impacts of this phenomenon by analyzing 173 mammal species from the Bighorn Basin, Wyoming, USA, including their associated body alongside a database of 30 palynofloral localities as proxies for habitat. For each time bin, we calculated mean and median differences in body mass and habitat preference between significantly aggregated and segregated mammal species. Aggregated species showed significant similarity in habitat preference only prior to the PETM, after which habitat preference ceased to be a significant factor in community assembly. Our measures of differences in body mass space provide no evidence of a significant impact of competitive interactions on community assembly across the PETM, aligning with previous work. Our results indicate the persistence of a stable mammalian functional community structure despite taxonomic turnover, climate change and broadening habitat preferences.

We applied a novel framework based on network theory and a concept of modularity that estimates congruence between trait-based ( = functional) co-occurrence networks, thus allowing the inference of co-occurrence patterns and the determination of the predominant mechanism of community assembly. The aim was to investigate the relationships between species co-occurrence and trait similarity in flea communities at various scales (compound communities: across regions within a biogeographic realm or across sampling sites within a geographic region; component communities: across sampling sites within a geographic region; and infracommunities: within a sampling site). We found that compound communities within biogeographic realms were assembled via environmental or host-associated filtering. In contrast, functional and spatial/host-associated co-occurrence networks, at the scale of regional compound communities, mostly indicated either stochastic processes or the lack of dominance of any deterministic process. Analyses of congruence between functional and either spatial (for component communities) or host-associated (for infracommunities) co-occurrence networks demonstrated that assembly rules in these communities varied among host species. In component communities, stochastic processes prevailed, whereas environmental filtering was indicated in 4 and limiting similarity/competition in 9 of 31 communities. Limiting similarity/competition processes dominated in infracommunities, followed by stochastic mechanisms. We conclude that assembly processes in parasite communities are scale-dependent, with different mechanisms acting at different scales.

The Asian tapir Tapirus indicus is the only tapir species in Southeast Asia. It is declining across its range and is categorized as Endangered on the IUCN Red List. The forests of Sumatra are critical to Asian tapir conservation as they contain some of the last remaining populations of the species, yet conservation efforts are hindered by a lack of information on habitat suitability. We collated camera-trap data from nine landscapes across 69,500 km2 of Sumatran rainforest to help predict suitable habitat for Asian tapirs on the island. Predictions from Bayesian occupancy models demonstrated that tapir occupancy was greatest in forests below 600 m elevation and exclusively in forests with high aboveground biomass. Forests around the Barisan Mountains on the west of Sumatra provide the most suitable habitat for the species. Only 36% of the most critical habitat (i.e. 80th percentile of predicted occupancy values, or above) for tapirs is formally protected for conservation, with much of the remainder found in forests allocated to watershed protection (35%) or logging (23%). We highlight several key areas in Sumatra where tapir conservation could be bolstered, such as by leveraging existing conservation efforts for other charismatic flagships species on the island.

We studied the relationships between functional alpha and beta diversities of fleas and their small mammalian hosts in 4 biogeographic realms (the Afrotropics, the Nearctic, the Neotropics and the Palearctic), considering 3 components of alpha diversity (functional richness, divergence and regularity). We asked whether (a) flea alpha and beta diversities are driven by host alpha and beta diversities; (b) the variation in the off-host environment affects variation in flea alpha and beta diversities; and (c) the pattern of the relationship between flea and host alpha or beta diversities differs between geographic realms. We analysed alpha diversity using modified phylogenetic generalized least squares and beta diversity using modified phylogenetic generalized dissimilarity modelling. In all realms, flea functional richness and regularity increased with an increase in host functional richness and regularity, respectively, whereas flea functional divergence correlated positively with host functional divergence in the Nearctic only. Environmental effects on the components of flea alpha diversity were found only in the Holarctic realms. Host functional beta diversity was invariantly the best predictor of flea functional beta diversity in all realms, whereas the effects of environmental variables on flea functional beta diversity were much weaker and differed between realms. We conclude that flea functional diversity is mostly driven by host functional diversity, whereas the environmental effects on flea functional diversity vary (a) geographically and (b) between components of functional alpha diversity.

Biodiversity systematic monitoring programmes have been expanding across the globe, especially in protected areas (PAs). Amongst sustainable-use PAs, medium- to large-sized mammals and birds comprise crucial groups to monitor, given their importance to forest functionality and subsistence for local residents. Here, we used 6 years of community-based monitoring data from a sustainable-use PA in the Brazilian Amazonia (Tapajós–Arapiuns Extractive Reserve) to examine the influence of anthropogenic stressors and time on the density and biomass of forest mammal and bird game species. We further assessed trends in population density of target groups over the period. A total of 1915 km of line-transect surveys were completed by trained local monitors along eight established transects, providing data from 12 medium-sized and five large-sized game genera. Generalized linear mixed models of all medium-sized species, all large species and four individual taxa (Tinamidae, Dasyproctidae, primates and Cervidae) showed that some species (e.g., Dasyprocta croconota) exhibited great density, whereas others (e.g., Tapirus terrestris and Tayassu pecari) were rarely detected. Anthropogenic variables did not affect the density and biomass of the overall medium-sized and large vertebrates. Dasyproctidae, Tinamidae and primates were the only taxa influenced by anthropogenic stressors, with negative influence occurring only for Tinamidae. Moreover, density of groups and taxa remained stable throughout the period in the Reserve, although the frequency of some species may indicate past population losses. Continuation of this monitoring programme is required to improve understanding of population fluctuations, but over the 6 years studied, game population density and biomass were not linked to anthropogenic stressors.

Species–environment relationships are often studied at large spatial scales, but effective conservation requires an understanding of local-scale environmental drivers and pressures. Widespread degradation and fragmentation of forests have increased the proportion of tropical mammal habitat that is affected by edge effects. Edge effects include greater exposure to anthropogenic disturbance and abiotic changes that synergistically influence how well populations can cope with climate change. We investigated relationships between distance to the forest edge, forest structure, microclimate and terrestrial mammal detections in a selectively logged forest at the boundary of Gunung Leuser National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia. We collected mammal detection data from motion-activated camera traps, microclimate data from automated climate data loggers and forest structure data from vegetation plots. Daily mean and maximum temperatures significantly decreased with distance from the forest edge, whereas tree height and minimum temperature increased. Mammal diversity was lower at the forest edge compared to the interior. Mammals were detected less frequently at the forest edge, although this relationship varied between mammal orders. Mammal detections were best explained by temperature, tree height and tree diameter at breast height. These results demonstrate that abiotic changes in forests brought on by edge effects have negative impacts on mammals, but these effects vary between mammal taxa because of differing sensitivities to human disturbance. Our findings highlight the importance of considering local-scale environmental drivers in determining species–environment relationships to identify key habitat features such as microclimate refuges that should be prioritized in ecosystem management.

There is a consensus in the literature that radiocarbon dating performed on bioapatite often produces ages younger than dating performed on collagen. We propose a general regression that could be used to convert the bioapatite radiocarbon ages to the simulated ages on collagen in fossil samples worldwide. This general regression presents several good indices of quality, high correlation (R2 = 0.98), lower values of percent predicted error (%PE = 0.01), and standard error of the estimate (%SEE = 21.83), showing that it is a good tool, as the predicted values are similar to those observed. Using this regression, we converted the radiocarbon ages of bioapatite to the expected age from the collagen fraction made for several taxa from the Brazilian Intertropical Region (BIR) and suggest that these dates could be 1–7 cal ka BP older than previously thought.

Mammals are unique among vertebrates in experiencing a need to carry out behaviours which are not necessary for their immediate survival. This poses questions as to the nature of these behavioural needs, how they evolved and their implications for the welfare of mammals in captivity. Evidence is provided to show that mammals carry out daily programmes of activity which meet four kinds of requirement, namely, for security, appropriate environmental complexity, novelty and opportunities for achievement. Within their programmes mammals perform two kinds of activity: work, which relates to day to day survival, and leisure, in the form of curiosity or play, which provides experience which may prove to be of value in the long term.

The existence of behavioural needs is consistent with our knowledge of mammalian evolution. Even the earliest known mammals, living over 120 million years ago, differed from reptiles in having brain to body size ratios four to five times greater. The increase in brain size resulted largely from the massive expansion of a region of the cerebral cortex, known as the neopallium, which acts as a co-ordinating centre for sensory data, and creates a model of the world which determines subsequent action. During the 60 million year tertiary era, relative brain size increased in most orders of eutherian mammals, so that only the more intelligent survived.

Because mammals rely for their survival on collecting and analyzing data and acting intelligently, they need facilities to search for information to establish and monitor their concept of the real world; their psychological well-being depends on an environment which offers such facilities. There are two kinds of behavioural needs; psychological needs, which appear to be unique to mammals, and ethological needs which are experienced by all vertebrates. It is concluded that environmental quality for captive mammals should not just be assessed negatively, by the absence of abnormal behaviours, but more positively by the extent to which it meets their psychological needs.

Millions of wild mammals are trapped annually for fur, pest control and wildlife management. Ensuring the welfare of trapped individuals can only be achieved by trapping methods that meet accepted standards of animal welfare. At the international level, the assessment of mechanical properties of killing and restraining traps is set out in two documents published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). Few traps currently in use have been tested according to the ISO standards and, in addition, new traps have been designed and old traps modified since the publication of the standards. In this paper we review trapping methods used in Europe and North America to see whether they meet the ISO standards and examine ways to improve the welfare performance of traps. In addition, international legislation is assessed to determine whether this ensures a sufficient level of welfare for trapped animals. Finally, trapping practices used in academic research are reviewed. We conclude that many of the practices commonly used to trap mammals cannot be considered humane. Current legislation fails to ensure an acceptable level of welfare for a large number of captured animals. New welfare standards for trapping wild mammals need to be established so that in future a minimum level of welfare is guaranteed for all trapped individuals.

In assessing the relative merits of farm animal production systems or research procedures using live animals, the impact on the welfare of the animals involved is increasingly being taken into account. Many human activities and human-induced environmental changes can, similarly, adversely affect the welfare of free-living wild animals. As part of a study to investigate the ways in which, and the extent to which this occurs, we considered methods for the assessment of wildlife welfare. Although it is widely accepted that animals can experience and suffer pain and stress, there are difficulties in measuring the intensities of these states (and continuing debate about the terminology and meaning of these and related concepts as applied to animals). In attempting to scale the degree of harm in the various cases examined, a number of factors need to be considered, including: the nature of the harm caused its duration, the numbers of animals affected and their capacity for suffering. We explored ways of quantifying these. The study was undertaken to provide a basis for prioritizing actions to alleviate existing wildlife welfare problems and for assessing the possible wildlife welfare impact of future environmental changes or changes in industrial, agricultural and other practices.

As part of a study into the effects of human activities on the welfare of free-living wildlife, the relative scale and severity of welfare problems in wild mammals and birds in Europe were investigated. Major cases were described and compared in terms of the nature and level of harm (pain, stress and fear) they cause, the duration of these effects and the number of individuals affected. The use of anticoagulant rodenticides, myxomatosis in rabbits, the poisoning of wildfowl by ingested lead shot, the contamination of seabirds with fuel oil, the effects of shooting, injuries due to collisions with road traffic and prédation by domestic cats all severely compromise the welfare of large numbers of animals. Practical approaches to the alleviation and prevention of some of these welfare problems are discussed. We suggest that in assessing the environmental impact of new developments and technologies prior to their implementation, possible consequences to wildlife welfare should always be considered.

Daily heterothermy is a strategy employed by endothermic birds and mammals to reduce their energetic costs by lowering their metabolic rate. We recorded nocturnal and diurnal rectal temperatures in three Moroccan Gerbillus rodent species to determine the level of heterothermy. A decrease in body temperature from night to day was observed by an average (±SD) of 8.7 (±4.2) in G. gerbillus, 11.1 (±3.0) in G. amoenus, and 7.7 (±3.3)°C in G. sp.1, the first records of heterothermy in the three species. The findings support a prediction that daily heterothermy is found in mammals from arid and semi-arid regions, contributing to further knowledge of thermoregulation in desert rodents.

Species-rich ecosystems as tropical forests are extremely vulnerable to anthropogenic destruction. Most tropical plant species rely on animals to disperse their seeds. However, patterns of mutualistic interactions have rarely been explored, and seed dispersal networks are still poorly studied in Africa. Here, we examine how forest edges’ (FE) seed dispersal networks differ from the mature forest (MF) at a West African sub-humid tropical forest within the National Park of Cantanhez (Guinea-Bissau). Additionally, we explore species’ roles within the network. MF had higher fruit availability, more frugivore visitors, and plant–frugivore interactions. Network structure was quite similar between habitats, showing signs of redundancy, and some robustness to species’ extinction. FE was more nested, modular, and specialized, whereas MF had higher connectance, interaction evenness, and robustness to extinction. Most species were generalists, but large-bodied frugivores prevailed at MF. FE showed a higher vulnerability, mostly to the loss of trees. Trees are key, keeping the structure of both networks. Large-bodied frugivores and fruiting-tree species that work as network connectors should thus be the focus of active conservation management in these forests. Only viable populations of these species will ensure a good performance of the seed dispersal network, promoting the natural regeneration of the ecosystem.

Human activity in African tropical rainforests continues to threaten wild mammals. Many rural communities are dependent on hunting, yet there is a widespread lack of baseline data on ecology and the sustainability of hunting. We investigated the impacts of human activity on mammal species composition and distributions within a community forest surrounding a village in the buffer zone of the Dja Biosphere Reserve in south-east Cameroon. We conducted a camera-trap survey in August–November 2017 and detected 24 mammal species, including Critically Endangered western lowland gorilla Gorilla gorilla gorilla, Endangered central African chimpanzee Pan troglodytes troglodytes and Endangered tree pangolin Phataginus tricuspis. We used occupancy analysis to explore relationships between indicators of human activity (distance to a road and the Reserve), habitat quality (distance to the river and tree cover) and the distributions of species. We found that the local distribution of threatened mammals was not apparently limited by human activity, and proximity to the road did not negatively influence occupancy for any species. However, most of the Reserve's large species were not detected, including the African forest elephant Loxodonta cyclotis and the largest ungulates, and the occupancy of two species commonly hunted for wild meat was positively correlated with distance from the village, indicating hunting may be unsustainable. Our results show that the community forest provides habitat for threatened species outside the Reserve and in close proximity to people. However, effective conservation management will require continued monitoring and research to determine whether current rates of hunting are sustainable.

Fibricola and Neodiplostomum are diplostomid genera with very similar morphology that are currently separated based on their definitive hosts. Fibricola spp. are normally found in mammals, while Neodiplostomum spp. typically parasitize birds. Previously, no DNA sequence data was available for any member of Fibricola. We generated nuclear ribosomal and mtDNA sequences of Fibricola cratera (type-species), Fibricola lucidum and 6 species of Neodiplostomum. DNA sequences were used to examine phylogenetic interrelationships among Fibricola and Neodiplostomum and re-evaluate their systematics. Molecular phylogenies and morphological study suggest that Fibricola should be considered a junior synonym of Neodiplostomum. Therefore, we synonymize the two genera and transfer all members of Fibricola into Neodiplostomum. Specimens morphologically identified as Neodiplostomum cratera belonged to 3 distinct phylogenetic clades based on mitochondrial data. One of those clades also included sequences of specimens identified morphologically as Neodiplostomum lucidum. Further study is necessary to resolve the situation regarding the morphology of N. cratera. Our results demonstrated that some DNA sequences of N. americanum available in GenBank originate from misidentified Neodiplostomum banghami. Molecular phylogentic data revealed at least 2 independent host-switching events between avian and mammalian hosts in the evolutionary history of Neodiplostomum; however, the directionality of these host-switching events remains unclear.