We document a new genus and species of shrew rat from the north peninsula of Sulawesi Island, Indonesia. The new taxon is known only from the type locality at 1,600 m elevation on Mt. Dako, in the district of Tolitoli. It is distinguished from all other Indonesian murines by its large, flat, pink nose with forward-facing nares. Relative to other Sulawesi murines, the species has extremely large ears (∼ 21% of head and body length), very long urogenital hairs, prominent and medially bowing hamular processes on the pterygoid bones, extremely long and procumbent lower incisors, and unusually long articular surfaces on the mandibular condyles. Morphologically, the new taxon is most similar to a group of endemic Sulawesi rats known commonly as “shrew rats.” These are long faced, carnivorous murines, and include the genera Echiothrix, Melasmothrix, Paucidentomys, Sommeromys, and Tateomys. Our Bayesian and likelihood analyses of DNA sequences concatenated from 5 unlinked loci infer the new shrew rat as sister to a clade consisting of Melasmothrix, Paucidentomys, and Echiothrix, suggesting that Sulawesi shrew rats represent a clade. The Sulawesi water rat, Waiomys mamasae, was sister to the shrew rats in our analyses. Discovery of this new genus and species brings known shrew rat diversity on Sulawesi to 6 genera and 8 species. The extent of morphological diversity among these animals is remarkable considering the small number of species currently known.

Kami mendokumentasikan genus dan spesies baru tikus cucurut dari bagian semenanjung utara pulau Sulawesi, Indonesia. Takson baru ini hanya diketahui dari lokasi spesimen tipe pada ketinggian 1,600 mdpl di Gunung Dako, Kabupaten Tolitoli. Ia dibedakan dari spesies tikus Indonesia lainnya berdasarkan ukuran hidung yang besar, datar, berwarna merah muda dengan moncong hidung menghadap ke arah depan. Jika dibandingkan dengan spesies tikus Sulawesi lainnya, spesies ini memiliki telinga yang sangat besar (∼ 21% dari panjang kepala dan badan), rambut urogenital yang sangat panjang, prosesus hamular yang jelas dan menonjol pada pertulangan pterygoid, gigi seri bagian bawah yang sangat panjang, dan penampang persendian yang panjang dan tidak biasa pada kondilus mandibula. Secara morfologi, takson ini lebih mirip dengan kelompok tikus endemik Sulawesi yang umumnya dikenal sebagai “tikus cucurut”. Kelompok ini dicirikan dengan mulut yang panjang, pemakan daging, dan termasuk didalamnya adalah genus Echiothrix, Melasmothrix, Paucidentomys, Sommeromys, dan Tateomys. Analisis Bayesian dan likelihood menggunakan sambungan sekuens DNA dari 5 lokus yang tidak terpaut menunjukkan spesies tikus cucurut baru ini berkerabat dekat dengan kelompok yang terdiri dari Melasmothrix, Paucidentomys, dan Echiothrix, memberi kesan tikus cucurut Sulawesi merepresentasikan suatu clade atau kelompok tersendiri. Tikus air Sulawesi, Waiomys mamasae, diketahui berkerabat dekat dengan tikus cucurut dalam analisis yang dilakukan. Penemuan genus dan spesies baru ini menambah keanekaragaman jenis tikus cucurut di Sulawesi yang telah diketahui menjadi 6 genera dan 8 spesies. Besarnya perbedaan morfologi di antara spesies-spesies tersebut merupakan sesuatu yang luar biasa mengingat sedikitnya jumlah spesies yang telah diketahui saat ini.

Mating with multiple males within a single reproductive event is a common female mating strategy in mice and voles, but its adaptive function is often unclear. In this study, we used 7 microsatellite loci to investigate if multiple paternity occurs in wild populations of the socially promiscuous Calomys musculinus. We also analyzed if multiple paternity increases litter size and/or genetic variability among offspring. In addition, we examined if multiple paternity occurs more frequently in litters conceived at high population density than those conceived at low population density. By genotyping 23 females and their 135 embryos (5.9 ± 1.6 SE pups per female), we found that 56.5% of the litters were sired by 2 or 3 males. We found no association between multiple paternity, litter size, and genetic variability. In addition, multiple paternity did not vary in relation to population density. Our results provide clear evidence of multiple paternity and offer the first genetic documentation of mating systems in mice in Argentina. We discuss the extent of multiple paternity in relation to potential adaptive strategies in female corn mouse.

El apareamiento con múltiples machos durante un solo evento reproductivo es una estrategia común de acoplamiento en hembras de ratones y ratas de campo, sin embargo su función adaptativa a menudo es poco clara. En este estudio, hemos utilizado 7 loci de microsatélites para investigar si existe paternidad múltiple en poblaciones silvestres del ratón maicero (Calomys musculinus) especie socialmente promiscua. También analizamos si la paternidad múltiple aumentaó el tamaño de la camada y/o su variabilidad genética. Además, se analizó si la paternidad múltiple ocurre con más frecuencia en camadas concebidas a alta densidad poblacional, que las concebidas a baja densidad poblacional. El genotipado de 23 hembras y sus 135 embriones (5.9 ± 1.6 ES crías por hembra) demostró que, al menos el 56.5% de las camadas son engendradas por dos o tres machos. No se encontró asociación entre la paternidad múltiple, tamaño de la camada y la variabilidad genética. Además, la paternidad múltiple no varió en relación con la densidad de la población. Nuestros resultados proveen clara evidencia de paternidad múltiple y ofrecen la primera documentación genética de sistemas de apareamiento en ratones en Argentina. Discutimos el alcance de la paternidad múltiple con relación a potenciales estrategias adaptativas en hembras del ratón maicero.

Risk of predation shapes the physiology, behavior, and demography of prey. Among the many studies that have examined effects of risk in ungulates, most have focused on large (> 40kg) and gregarious species. Much less is known about the effect of risk on smaller or territorial ungulates, which is a diverse group of species that can have pronounced effects on plant communities in tropical ecosystems. Using GPS telemetry, we examined spatial responses of Guenther's dik-dik (Madoqua guentheri) to scent marks from a common predator (African wild dogs, Lycaon pictus) or cattle. In response to predator scent marks, dik-diks increased fidelity within territories, avoided scent marks, and decreased use of overstory cover. Similar behaviors occurred in response to cattle scent marks, with the exception that use of overstory cover relative to controls did not change. Total amount (length) of movement did not change in response to either type of scent mark. Thus, an increase in perceived risk of predation changed the pattern and distribution of dik-dik movement but did not change total amount of movement. Our results suggest that territoriality may constrain the options available for prey to avoid predation risk.

While they are among the most ecologically important animals within forest ecosystems, little is known about how bats respond to habitat loss and fragmentation. The threatened lesser short-tailed bat (Mystacina tuberculata), considered to be an obligate deep-forest species, is one of only 2 extant land mammals endemic to New Zealand; it plays a number of important roles within native forests, including pollination and seed dispersal, and rarely occurs in modified forests. We used radiotelemetry to study the movements, roosting behavior, and habitat use of M. tuberculata within a fragmented landscape comprised of 3 main habitat types: open space (harvested forest and pastoral land), native forests, and exotic pine plantations. We found that the bats had smaller home-range areas and travelled shorter nightly distances than populations investigated previously from contiguous native forest. Furthermore, M. tuberculata occupied all 3 habitat types, with native forest being preferred overall. However, individual variation in habitat selection was high, with some bats preferring exotic plantation and open space over native forest. Roosting patterns were similar to those previously observed in contiguous forest; individual bats often switched between communal and solitary roosts. Our findings indicate that M. tuberculata exhibit some degree of behavioral plasticity that allows them to adapt to different landscape mosaics and exploit alternative habitats. To our knowledge, this is the first such documentation of plasticity in habitat use for a bat species believed to be an obligate forest-dweller.

Croplands have expanded dramatically during the last century, frequently leading to severe biodiversity losses within occupied areas. In addition to such direct influences, croplands may also have affected biodiversity within adjacent natural habitats, yet such potential indirect effects have rarely been quantified. Here, we test for effects of cornfields on small mammal communities inhabiting forest fragments in the Atlantic Forest biodiversity hotspot, Brazil. We test the hypotheses that cornfields increase the abundance and dominance of granivorous small mammals in adjacent forest fragments but reduce the abundance of nongranivorous species and community richness. To test these hypotheses, we used a replicated randomized block design, comparing communities located at forest interiors, forest-cornfield edges, and also forest-road edges. The abundance of granivorous small mammals was significantly higher at forest-cornfield edges compared to the other treatments, whereas insectivorous—omnivorous species had an apparently neutral response to the edges. Forest-cornfield edges harbored fewer small mammal species and tended to have a greater dominance of granivores. Forestcornfield and forest-road edges harbored species characteristic of both forested and nonforested habitats. Our findings suggest that cornfields alter the structure of native small mammal communities, mostly by providing complementary resources for granivores.

We characterized population dynamics of nonmigratory cave bats, Myotis velifer, in Oklahoma by locating all 21 caves known to be occupied in an exhaustively searched, large study area, marking representative samples with numbered wing bands and conducting annual winter counts and recaptures over a decade. Bats moved readily among maternity caves during summer and among hibernating caves from winter to winter. The aggregate population of adults during lactation was about 13,600, including 10,500 females, of which 96% produced young. The aggregate population during winter was about 23,850 for the first 2 years of the study, declined to about 14,200 in the 3rd year, and recovered to > 20,000 for the last 4 years of the study. Mortality events and threats documented included flooding, subfreezing temperatures, and rock collapses in caves, as well as in-cave disturbance by humans, but the cause of the decline was not identified. We used capture—mark—recapture methods to estimate and model capture probability (P) and apparent survival (φ) from 1967–1968 to 1976–1977. Based on bats marked as weaned juveniles at maternity caves, survival was lowest in the first 6 months of age and increased steadily in later age classes. Females survived better than males. Based on subadult and adult bats marked in winter, survival increased over the 1st half of the bats' 10-year life span and then declined over the 2nd half. These results show that survival is strongly sex- and age-specific, with lower survival for juveniles than for older bats and lower survival for males than for females. Site fidelity was relatively weak, apparently enabled by the local abundance and proximity of caves. Rapid recovery from a large population decline indicates substantial resilience in this metapopulation. In contrast, relatively stable numbers in the years before and after the decline suggest that some factor may limit population size under normal conditions.

Scansoriality (climbing) allows access to valuable resources in the arboreal niche and is widespread among mammals, yet little is known about how it originates from obligate terrestriality. The northern red-backed vole (Myodes rutilus) is a small, Holarctic rodent long presumed to be strictly terrestrial, yet 3 of its congeners (M. gapperi, M. glareolus, and M. californicus) have been observed climbing in trees. We conducted paired arboreal and ground trapping surveys in interior Alaska to investigate anecdotal accounts of tree-climbing behavior in M. rutilus. Results indicate that they readily climb up to 2 m above ground in trees of their own volition, a phenomenon heretofore undocumented in the literature. Camera trap videos show M. rutilus exhibiting behavior and dexterity—such as terminal branch arboreal quadrupedalism and head-first descent mediated by hindfoot rotation—generally associated with more arboreal species. Northern red-backed voles may therefore provide a new perspective on early stages of scansoriality in small-bodied mammals.

From August 2010 to December 2013, field photo-identification surveys were conducted to explore the social organization and distribution patterns of a threatened Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) population in Xiamen Bay, China. Out of 58 photo-identified dolphins, 56 dolphins that were sighted at least 2 times were used for social structure analysis. The association pattern among individuals was divided into 2 discrete communities with strong geographic adherence: 27 dolphins assigned to an eastern community (EC) and 29 dolphins assigned to a western community (WC). Among the WC individuals, 9 dolphins formed mixed groups with EC individuals at Tongan Bay and the mouth of Tongan Bay, leading to low-level intercommunity association. The 50% kernel density estimate and minimum convex polygon of each community were calculated, with the core habitats presented here differing substantially from those reported in previous studies. We propose that the geographical segregation of these 2 communities and the apparent shift in core habitats could be the result of adaptation by dolphins to local environmental conditions, notably intensive anthropogenic activities.

Migratory tree bats comprise the majority of casualties at wind energy facilities across North America and some species, like Lasiurus borealis, are suspected to be in decline. We took advantage of the large numbers of L. borealis and L. cinereus salvaged during fall migration at 1 wind farm in Texas and 3 wind farms in Minnesota to evaluate the ability of current genetic methods to estimate population size and detect genetic bottlenecks in these species. Using DNA extracted from wing membrane tissue samples, we genotyped 439 L. borealis and 246 L. cinereus at 6 microsatellite loci and a 550 bp segment of the mitochondrial COI gene. Both microsatellite loci and mitochondrial haplotypes showed high levels of genetic diversity in each species. Historical estimates of N_e were large for both species. Estimates of N_Ef from the COI gene were almost 2 times higher for L. borealis than L. cinereus, whereas estimates utilizing microsatellite heterozygosity were higher for L. cinereus. We found a strong signal of rapid historical population growth and range expansion in L. borealis, but not in L. cinereus. The majority of our estimates of current N_e had upper 95% confidence intervals that encompassed infinity. There is some indication from contemporary estimates of N_e that L. borealis may have a lower current N_e than historical estimates and that L. cinereus may currently have a very large N_e. We found no genetic evidence of recent population declines and no evidence of population structure in either species. Genetic monitoring of migratory tree bats, specifically for the purpose of detecting population declines caused by wind turbine mortality, may be impractical due to the large effective population sizes and high levels of gene flow in these species. Future efforts should focus on developing genomic resources for these species, obtaining better estimates of mutation rates, and conducting range-wide population genetic studies in order to better estimate historical and current population sizes.

Domestic cats (Felis catus) have caused the extinction of many island species and are thought to kill many billions of birds and mammals in the continental United States each year. However, the spatial distribution and abundance of cats and their risk to our protected areas remains unknown. We worked with citizen scientists to survey the mammals at 2,117 sites in 32 protected areas and one urban area across 6 states in the eastern United States using camera traps. We found that most protected areas had high levels of coyote (Canis latrans) activity, but few or no domestic cats. The relative abundance of domestic cats in residential yards, where coyotes were rare, was 300 times higher than in the protected areas. Our spatial models of cat distribution show the amount of coyote activity and housing density are the best predictors of cat activity, and that coyotes and cats overlap the most in small urban forests. Coyotes were nocturnal at all sites, while cats were nocturnal in protected areas, but significantly more diurnal in urban sites. We suggest that the ecological impact of free-ranging cats in the region is concentrated in urban areas or other sites, such as islands, with few coyotes. Our study also shows the value of citizen science for conducting broadscale mammal surveys using photo-vouchered locations that ensure high data quality.

Reliable methods for identification of individual animals are advantageous for ecological studies of population demographics and movement patterns. Photographic identification, based on distinguishable patterns, unique shapes, or scars, is an effective technique already used for many species. We tested whether photographs of whisker spot patterns could be used to discriminate among individual Australian sea lion (Neophoca cinerea). Based on images of 53 sea lions, we simulated 5,000 patterns before calculating the probability of duplication in a study population. A total of 99% (± 1.5 SD) of patterns were considered reliable for a population of 50, 98% (± 1.7 SD) for 100, 92% (± 4.7 SD) for 500, and 88% (± 5.7 SD) for 1,000. We tested a semiautomatic approach by matching 16 known individuals at 3 different angles (70°, 90°, and 110°), 2 distances (1 and 2 m), and 6 separate times over a 1-year period. A point-pattern matching algorithm for pairwise comparisons produced 90% correct matches of photographs taken on the same day at 90°. Images of individuals at 1 and 2 m resulted in 89% correct matches, those photographed at different angles and different times (at 90°) resulted in 48% and 73% correct matches, respectively. Our results show that the Chamfer distance transform can effectively be used for individual identification, but only if there is very little variation in photograph angle. This point-pattern recognition application may also work for other otariid species.

Tropical forests support a rich biodiversity of terrestrial mammals, yet our knowledge of the conservation of forest reserves is lacking. We investigate the relationship between human activities and the abundance of medium-sized terrestrial mammals within 4 forest reserves in Uganda. These reserves allow firewood collection, timber cutting, gardening, and pole cutting. Illegal hunting also takes place. We found a general decline in terrestrial mammal signs in the reserves compared to the better protected adjacent Kibale National Park. Signs of aardvarks, bushbucks, bush pigs, duikers (blue and red), giant pangolin, giant forest hogs, porcupines, and jackals are still present in some of our reserves.

Capturing and collaring mammalian newborns is a valued technique in studies focused on survival, cause-specific mortality, maternal investment, and other aspects of animal behavior and ecology. Abandonment of ungulate neonates has been highly variable and often may be underestimated due to limited understanding of this maternal behavior. In a study of survival and cause-specific mortality of GPS-collared moose (Alces americanus) calves in a declining population in northeastern Minnesota, 9 of 49 (18.4%) neonates (25 females and 24 males) were abandoned postcapture (8–17 May 2013) by 7 of 31 (22.6%) mothers. During the 1–6-h-interval postcapture, nonabandoning and abandoning mothers were similar distances from their calves. However, for nonabandoning mothers, from 13 to 48 h postcapture mean 6-h-interval distances to their calves steadily approached 0 m, whereas for abandoning mothers, mean distances to their calves continued to increase from 7 to 48 h. Five of the 7 abandoning mothers stayed with their calves immediately after capture for up to 11 h before leaving. Additionally, 5 abandoning mothers and 5 that did not abandon returned a mean 1.4 and 1.3 times, respectively, but abandoning mothers were notably farther from their calves just 1 h prior to returning than nonabandoning mothers. There were no differences in birth date, capture date, bonding or handling times, metrics of body size, or rectal temperature of neonates abandoned versus not abandoned, or in mean age of their mothers. Our study improves understanding of capture-induced abandonment and postcapture behavior of mothers that abandoned and mothers that did not. Employment of GPS collars and associated monitoring technology will continue to enhance our recognition and understanding of human-induced abandonment as it occurs for many species, allow rapid mortality investigations, limiting introduction of biases into analyses due to inaccurate data, and should help to minimize the occurrence of human-induced abandonment.

This study reports a high rate of ventro—ventral (VV) copulation in 2 species of the African four-striped mouse— Rhabdomys—and explores its causes. VV postures were observed in 67% encounters with mating attempts, in both species and during intra- and interspecific trials, although discrimination between the species occurred (i.e., duration of sexual behavior or social investigation varied between intra- and interspecies encounters). Striped mice displayed more investigatory behavior during encounters with VV coitus postures than during encounters without mating attempts or with only dorso—ventral postures. Furthermore, mating solicitation was greater in females than in males exclusively when VV coitus occurred, suggesting that females' initiative could explain the high rate of VV postures in our model organism. We propose different hypotheses among which the role of pleasure through its supposed direct and indirect adaptive implications in triggering female initiative.

Habitat selection by the 1st reintroduced population of giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) was studied at Iberá Nature Reserve (northeastern Argentina), a subtropical region of wetlands, grasslands, and forests, with properties dedicated to nature conservation or livestock production. Eighteen animals were released and radiotracked between 2007 and 2012 for periods of 6–46 months, producing 1,181 locations. The effect of land use was assessed using chi-square tests. Resource selection functions were used to assess habitat selection at 2 spatial scales using as covariates habitat type (grassland, open savanna, closed savanna, and hygrophilous forest), distance to forest edge, and distance to a main road. Habitat selection was modeled for different ages (juveniles and adults), activity (resting or active), and seasons (summer, transition, and winter) and was validated with individuals previously excluded from our analysis. Anteaters strongly selected areas dedicated to nature conservation. Adults showed higher model fit. Hygrophilous forest was positively selected and open savanna was avoided. Anteaters rested almost exclusively in forests. While active they increased the use of other habitats, except for open savanna. Grasslands were most used during the winter season, probably because they provide a constant food source and better cover than savannas. Even though < 4% of the landscape was covered by forests, this habitat proved to be important for giant anteaters. Deforestation and traditional cattle management may have caused the local extinction of the species at Iberá. Establishment of strict conservation areas in nonflooded areas combined with proper management of forests and livestock may be essential for the long-term survival of reintroduced populations in Iberá and similar regions.

Riparian areas often are assumed to be necessary sites for foraging by insectivorous bats because of high insect availability and ease of movement and echolocation in the forest. However, effects of vegetation clutter and insect availability on bat activity have not been compared between riparian and nonriparian areas. We used autonomous recorders to evaluate the effects of vegetation structure, insect mass, and assemblage composition on the activity of the aerial insectivorous bat Pteronotus parnellii along stream channels and nonriparian areas in a tropical rainforest in central Brazilian Amazonia. We quantified vegetation clutter using horizontal photographs, captured nocturnal insects with light traps, and recorded bat activity for 110 nights (1,320 h) in 22 sampling plots. Pteronotus parnellii was more active in sites with dense understory vegetation, which were more common away from riparian zones. Bat activity was related to insect availability (mass and composition), independent of the habitat type. Ability to detect insects on vegetation and avoid obstacles should not restrict the activity of P. parnellii in cluttered sites. This suggests that mass and species composition of insects had stronger influences on habitat use than did vegetation clutter. Pteronotus parnellii probably selects cluttered places as feeding sites due to the availability of higher quality prey.

Áreas ripárias são muitas vezes consideradas locais necessários para o forrageio por morcegos insetívoros por causa da alta disponibilidade de insetos e facilidade de movimento e recepção da ecolocalização na floresta. No entanto, os efeitos da obstrução da vegetação e disponibilidade de insetos sobre a atividade de morcegos não têm sido comparados entre as áreas ripárias e não ripárias. Nós usamos gravadores autônomos de ultrassom para avaliar os efeitos da estrutura da vegetação, massa e composição da assembleia de insetos sobre a atividade do morcego insetívoro aéreo Pteronotus parnellii ao longo do canal central de riachos e áreas não ripárias em uma floresta tropical na Amazônia central brasileira. Nós quantificamos a obstrução da vegetação usando fotografias horizontais da floresta, capturamos os insetos noturnos com armadilhas luminosas e gravamos a atividade dos morcegos durante 110 noites (1.320 h) em 22 pontos de amostragem. Pteronotus parnellii foi mais ativo em locais com vegetação arbustiva densa, que foram mais comuns longe das zonas ripárias. A atividade dos morcegos foi relacionada com a disponibilidade de insetos (massa e composição), independente do tipo de habitat. A capacidade de detectar insetos sobre a vegetação e evitar obstáculos não deve restringir a atividade de P. parnellii em locais obstruídos. Isto sugere que a massa e a composição de espécies de insetos tiveram forte influência sobre o uso do habitat do que a obstrução da vegetação. Pteronotus parnellii provavelmente seleciona lugares obstruídos como locais de alimentação devido à disponibilidade de presas de maior qualidade.

Northern sea otters (Enhydra lutris kenyoni) are experiencing rapid population growth and expansion in Southeast Alaska. Fluctuations in population density can produce profound changes in ecological constraints, influencing growth and sexual maturity of animals in a population, and can transform the ecology of newly populated ecosystems. Using morphometric measurements and reproductive tracts collected from 40 sea otters by an Alaska Native subsistence hunter, we evaluated growth rates and age at sexual maturity of male sea otters near Gustavus, Alaska. Standard length of mature otters (asymptotic size = 148.2 ± 2.9 cm [SE]) was greater than previous studies in Alaska. At puberty, mean seminiferous tubule diameter, baculum length, and testes mass increased abruptly at 130 cm body length. Animals in this study reached sexual maturity earlier than previous studies, at age 3–4 years. Baculum length increased rapidly at sexual maturity and was a good indication of maturity status (< 14 cm = immature). Increased body size and lower age of sexual maturity suggests resources are not limiting growth and maturation of sea otters near Gustavus, Alaska.

Data collected on life-history parameters of known-age animals from the northern (NR) and southern resident (SR) killer whales (Orcinus orca) of the eastern North Pacific were compared with life-history traits of killer whales located at SeaWorld (SEA) facilities. For captive-born SEA animals, mean age and body length at 1st estrus was 7.5 years and 483.7 cm, respectively. Estimated mean age at 1st conception was different (P < 0.001) for the combined data from both northern and southern resident (NSR) free-ranging populations (12.1 years) compared to SEA (9.8 years), as was the estimated mean age at 1st observed calf (SEA: 11.1 years, NSR: 14.2 years, P < 0.001). Average calf survival rate to 2 years of age for SEA animals (0.966) was significantly greater (P = 0.04) than that for SR (0.799). Annual survival rate (ASR) for SEA increased over approximately 15-year increments with rates in the most recent period (2000–2015 ASR: 0.976) improved (P < 0.05) over the first 2 periods of captivity (1965–1985: 0.906; 1985–2000: 0.941). The SR (0.966) and NR ASR (0.977) were higher (P ≤ 0.05) than that of SEA until 2000, after which there were no inter-population differences. Based on ASR, median and average life expectancy were 28.8 and 41.6 years (SEA: 2000–2015), 20.1 and 29.0 years (SR), and 29.3 and 42.3 years (NR), respectively. The ASR for animals born at SEA (0.979) was higher (P = 0.02) than that of wild-caught SEA animals (0.944) with a median and average life expectancy of 33.1 and 47.7 years, respectively. These data present evidence for similar life-history parameters of free-ranging and captive killer whale populations and the reproductive potential and survivorship patterns established herein have application for use in future research concerning the overall health of both populations.

Knowledge of feeding habits of small rodents is necessary for understanding food webs, trophic structure, and plant-animal interactions in Neotropical forests. Despite several studies that have investigated community structure and feeding behavior of rodents, large gaps remain in our understanding of their guild occupancy. Our objective was to investigate the diets of 7 species of small (< 100 g) sympatric sigmodontine rodents in a high (3,500 m) Andean montane rainforest in Peru. We qualitatively and quantitatively assessed diet items in fecal samples from livetrapped rodents from 2009 to 2012. Frequency data for 4 diet categories indicated that all 7 species of rodents contained 4 diet categories in fecal samples: arthropods (88%), remains of leaves and fibers from plants (61%), intact seeds (with or without fruit pulp; 50%), and mycorrhizal spores (45%). Omnivory was found to be a strategy used by all species, although contingency table analysis revealed significant differences among and within species in diet categories. Cluster analysis showed 2 main groupings: that of the Thomasomys spp. plus Calomys sorellus group which included high amounts of intact seeds and plant parts in their fecal samples, and those of the genera Akodon, Microryzomys, Oligoryzomys, which included a greater proportion of arthropods in their fecal samples, but still consumed substantial amounts of fruit and plant parts. Intact seed remains from at least 17 plant species (9 families) were found in fecal samples. We concluded that this assemblage of sigmodontine rodents is omnivorous but that they likely play an important role as frugivores and in seed dispersal in tropical montane forests in Peru.

We present a comprehensive systematic study of Holochilus, a sigmodontine genus of large, herbivorous, and semiaquatic rodents widely distributed in South America. Remarkably, given its complex taxonomic history and large economic as well as epidemiological importance, the alpha taxonomy of Holochilus has not benefited from a molecular-based approach. The study is based on sequences of 1 mitochondrial and 3 nuclear loci that were analyzed by maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference. Analyses include sequences of specimens from localities from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, and Uruguay, representing all but 2 of the species currently recognized in the genus. Of the 4 data matrices, the mitochondrial data set contains the largest geographic coverage and recovered 6 species-level lineages that form 2 well-supported species groups: the brasiliensis species group formed by H. brasiliensis and H. vulpinus and the sciureus species group composed by H. chacarius, H. sciureus, and 2 currently unnamed forms. Surprisingly, in the cytochrome b gene analyses, the 2 species groups are not sister to each other; i.e., Holochilus is not monophyletic, although these topologies lack significant support. However, the monophyly of Holochilus was supported by the 3 nuclear loci as well as by the combined analysis of all 4 loci. These genealogical results are the basis of taxonomic and biogeographic considerations.

Presentamos un estudio sistemático comprensivo sobre Holochilus, un género sigmodontino de grandes roedores herbívoros y semi-acuáticos ampliamente distribuido en América del Sur. Llamativamente, dada su compleja historia taxonómica y el gran impacto económico y epidemiológico, la taxonomía alfa de Holochilus no se ha beneficiado de un abordaje basado en evidencia molecular. El estudio se basa en secuencias de 1 gen mitocondrial y de 3 nucleares que fueron analizadas con máxima verosimilitud e inferencia Bayesiana. Los análisis incluyen secuencias de especímenes colectados en localidades de Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Paraguay, Perú, Surinam y Uruguay, representando todas, con excepción de 2, las especies actualmente reconocidas en el género. La genealogía mitocondrial, que es la que tiene la mayor cobertura geográfica de Holochilus, recobra 6 linajes de nivel de especie que forman 2 grupos de especies bien apoyados: el grupo de especies brasiliensis integrado por H. brasiliensis y H. vulpinus y el grupo de especies sciureus que está compuesto por H. chacarius, H. sciureus y 2 formas aparentemente sin nominar. Llamativamente, en los análisis basados en el gen mitocondrial los 2 grupos de especies no son hermanos; i.e., Holochilus no es monofilético, aunque esta topología no tiene apoyo significativo. Sin embargo la monofilia de Holochilus es apoyada por los análisis de los 3 genes nucleares y por el análisis combinado de los 4 genes. Estos resultados genealógicos son la base de consideraciones taxonómicas y biogeográficas.

The threatened and poorly known thin-spined porcupine (Chaetomys subspinosus) is endemic to the highly deforested central portion of the Atlantic Forest of eastern Brazil. In southern Bahia, anecdotal observations suggested that native forest and shade cacao (Theobroma cacao) plantations are important habitats for this species. However, no studies have examined habitat preferences. We estimated the home-range size and determined the factors influencing habitat selection at landscape, home range, and tree scales in the cacao-growing region of southern Bahia. Radiotelemetry data from 21 individuals followed for 3–25 months from April 2005 to November 2013 showed a relatively small home range (0.5–9.5 ha using minimum convex polygon methods), with males showing larger home ranges than females. Habitat selection was congruent across spatial scales, with preference for structurally complex environments at all scales. The tagged porcupines preferred trees that were large, harboring many lianas, and closer to forest limits. Tree selection was specific for each animal activity. On landscape and home-range scales, they preferred secondary forest and avoided structurally simplified, highly disturbed vegetation types such as shade cacao and rubber plantations, early secondary forest, and open areas. All these man-modified habitats were rarely used, if at all, which considerably reduces the suitable habitat within the core distribution area and profoundly impacts conservation.

The August 2015 issue of Journal of Mammalogy (96.4) was embargoed to publish online July 31. Due to a technical problem, the issue did not publish on that date and subsequently published online August 3 before the online publication dates within the issue were updated. The incorrect dates appeared on pages i, 800, and 839; they have since been corrected online and published correctly in print.