In the past 30 years, leaders in undergraduate education have called for transformations in science pedagogy to reflect the process of science as well as to develop professional skills, apply new and emerging technologies, and to provide more hands-on experience. These recommendations suggest teaching strategies that incorporate active learning methods that consistently increase learning, conceptual understanding, integration of subject knowledge with skill development, retention of undergraduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) majors, and inclusivity. To gain insight into current practices and pedagogy we surveyed members of the American Society of Mammalogists in 2021. The survey consisted of both fixed-response questions (e.g., multiple-choice or Likert-scale) and open-ended questions, each of which asked instructors about the structure and content of a Mammalogy or field Mammalogy course. In these courses, we found that lecturing was still a primary tool for presenting course content or information (x̄= 65% of the time); nonetheless, most instructors reported incorporating other teaching strategies ranging from pausing lectures for students to ask questions to incorporating active learning methods, such as debates or case studies. Most instructors reported incorporating skill development and inclusive teaching practices, and 64% reported that they perceived a need to change or update their Mammalogy courses or their teaching approaches. Overall, our results indicate that Mammalogy instructors have a strong interest in training students to share their appreciation for mammals and are generally engaged in efforts to increase the effectiveness of their teaching through the incorporation of more student-centered approaches to teaching and learning.

Educators of natural history have long resisted incorporating digital technology into their pedagogy for several reasons, including a perceived loss of biophilia tied to the near-ubiquitous use of digital tools. Simultaneously, a push to embrace educational technology exists for several reasons, including expanding access to educational opportunities, increasing resource availability, addressing diverse learning modalities, and approaching ‘digital natives’ in a familiar space. While the debate continues, the COVID-19 pandemic forced nearly all educators, including mammalogists, to transition rapidly to digital education and to use technology to teach students effectively. While exceedingly difficult in some respects, this pivot to remote learning provided the opportunity to identify and to use online resources to enhance student learning. I propose that this integration of technology into Mammalogy courses resulted in the development of pedagogical tools that introduced students to skills and resources that they may not have accessed in traditional learning environments and that may have enhanced the educational experience of these same students. I present the results of a survey of online mammalogy education during the pandemic, provide examples of pedagogical tools developed during the pandemic, and propose that these tools should be integrated into Mammalogy courses in the future, but not supplant traditional lab and field experiences. These online resources are particularly useful for programs with limited resources and budgets or with limited geographic access to field experiences with live mammals.

Undergraduate research is a high-impact educational practice that helps students develop essential professional and personal skills. These skills include tangible field methods and lab techniques, critical thinking, effective communication, integrated and complex problem-solving, metacognition, self-confidence, collegiality, information literacy, and identity development. Participation in undergraduate research experiences increases academic performance, program retention, degree completion, and the number and diversity of students pursuing postbaccalaureate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics degrees. Mentors (faculty, postdoctoral fellow, and graduate students) also benefit from the undergraduate research process by generating publishable scholarship, improvement in leadership skills, and developing rich personal mentoring relationships. Further, a university or college itself benefits from increased institutional reputation and visibility within the scientific community. Nonetheless, many barriers impede students from pursuing research experiences, including a lack of awareness of research opportunities, unfamiliarity with the benefits of a research experience, personal or financial constraints, noncompetitive grade point averages, financial and family needs, maturity, and imposter syndrome. To help mitigate these issues and build a culture of undergraduate research, pathways for implementing undergraduate research in the field of mammalogy are discussed, in addition to advice on mentorship.

The teaching practices used in college science classrooms have a profound influence on which students pass their courses (and continue to major in science) and which are ‘weeded out.’ Students from traditionally marginalized backgrounds have lower grades and learning gains compared to their nonmarginalized peers in courses that rely heavily on lecture and high-stakes exams. This achievement gap narrows or disappears when instructors use student-centered, evidence-based teaching practices. These teaching practices can include actions that shape our classroom environment, communicate course material, and assess student learning. In this paper, we provide a summary of the evidence supporting the use of student-centered teaching practices, followed by examples of several effective evidence-based teaching practices that can be integrated into organismal courses. Examples include faculty mindset for inclusion, teaching practices to increase student confidence and to reduce stereotype threat, increasing course structure by spreading points among several different types of activities, several active learning methods, jigsaws, Scientist Spotlights, course-based undergraduate research experiences, and inquiry-based labs. Each example is linked to supporting resources to help instructors easily implement these practices in their classrooms. The American Society of Mammalogists endeavors to be equitable and inclusive through numerous initiatives, and modifying our teaching practices can increase equity and inclusion of future mammalogists into our own classrooms.

While the traditional goals of undergraduate courses are often content-based, the development of career-readiness and professional skills, such as those listed by the National Association of Colleges and Employers, are increasingly recognized as important learning outcomes. As Mammalogy courses embrace more hands-on learning activities, they provide the opportunity to embed these professional skills, which are directly relevant to many careers in science. For example, many Mammalogy courses may include projects that incorporate experimental design and data analysis that focus on quantitative literacy, in addition to technical skills including small mammal trapping and handling, or preparing voucher specimens, that focus on problem-solving and attention to detail. Here, we review the professional skills that can be developed through a Mammalogy course and evaluate evidence-based approaches to build those skills into our courses. One approach, using Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs), provides opportunities for both student skill development and instructor research program development. Because they invite students to participate in authentic scientific inquiry—from study design and data collection, to analysis and reporting of results—students participating in CUREs reported significant gains in their comfort with several important professional skills, including conducting field procedures, formulating and analyzing data, normalizing failure, and attempting new procedures on their own. Finally, we review the literature to demonstrate how active learning approaches inherent in CUREs can help students to build familiarity with technologies and techniques for collecting and assessing data from wild mammal populations, as well as to build important professional skills such as teamwork, leadership, problem-solving, and written and oral communication.

North American mammals follow a well-established latitudinal diversity gradient in species richness. However, the degree to which species in different mammal clades follow the same latitudinal gradient—and to which each clade contributes to the pattern observed for all mammals remains unknown. Here, we separate the overall mammalian latitudinal diversity gradient by mammal orders and investigate the impact of climate and topography on the distribution of each major mammal clade. We joined an equal-area grid (100 × 100 km cells) of continental North America embedded with environmental variables (n = 10) with mammalian species ranges (n = 753). We used spatial regression models to quantify the relationship between species richness and latitude for all mammals, all mammals excluding select clades, and for each individual subordinate clade (n = 9). We used multiple linear regression and simultaneous autoregressive regression models to determine which environmental variables best explained patterns of species richness for each mammal order. Whereas North American mammals altogether exhibit a strong latitudinal diversity gradient in species richness, most orders deviate from the species richness pattern observed for all mammals and their gradients are weak or entirely absent. Bats (Chiroptera) exhibit the strongest latitudinal gradient—their removal from the pattern for all mammals substantially weakens the total mammalian gradient, more so than when rodents are removed. Environmental variables explain patterns of species richness well for some clades, but poorly for others. The gradient we observe for North American mammals today is likely a combined product of multiple diversification events, dispersals, and climatic and tectonic histories.

La riqueza de especies de mamíferos en Norte América sigue un gradiente latitudinal de diversidad bien establecido. Sin embargo, se desconoce si la riqueza de especies entre clados de mamíferos sigue el mismo patrón latitudinal. También se desconoce la contribución individuales de los clados al patrón observado de la riqueza de especies. En este artículo, se separa el gradiente de diversidad latitudinal general de mamíferos por órdenes de mamíferos y se investiga el impacto del clima y la topografía en la distribución de cada clado principal de mamíferos. La riqueza de especies de mamíferos se obtuvo mediante la sobreposición de sus áreas de distribución (n = 753) sobre una cuadricula (celdas de 100 × 100 km) integrada con variables ambientales (n = 10) de América del Norte continental. Se utilizan modelos de regresión espacial para cuantificar la relación entre la riqueza de especies y la latitud para todos los mamíferos. Este procedimiento se repitió para todos los mamíferos excluyendo clados seleccionados y para cada clado subordinado individual (n = 9). Se utilizaron modelos de regresión lineal múltiple y modelos de regresión autorregresivos para determinar que combinación de variables ambientales explicaban mejor los patrones de riqueza para cada orden de mamíferos. Mientras que los mamíferos de América del Norte en conjunto exhiben un fuerte gradiente de diversidad latitudinal en la riqueza de especies, la mayoría de los órdenes se desvían del patrón de riqueza de especies observado para todos los mamíferos y sus gradientes son débiles o están completamente ausentes. Nuestros resultados muestran que mientras los mamíferos de América del Norte en su conjunto exhiben un fuerte gradiente de diversidad latitudinal en la riqueza de especies, la mayoría de los órdenes se desvían del patrón de riqueza observado para todos los mamíferos y sus gradientes son débiles o están completamente ausentes. Los murciélagos (orden Chiroptera) exhiben el gradiente latitudinal más fuerte: su remoción del patron debilita substancialmente el gradiente latitudinal observado de riqueza de todos los mamíferos, es más acentuada que cuando se remueve el orden de roedores. Las variables ambientales explican bien los patrones de riqueza de especies para algunos clados, pero debilmente para otros. El gradiente observado en la actualidad para los mamíferos de América del Norte es probablemente el resultado combinado de múltiples eventos de diversificación, dispersiones e historias climáticas y tectónicas.

Roost selection by insectivorous bats in temperate regions is presumably influenced by roost microclimates in relation to thermoregulatory strategies, but few studies have included temperature measurements in habitat selection models. Rocky landscape features are an important source of roosts that provide both shelter from predators and beneficial microclimates for bats. Most information about rock-roosting bats has been derived from western North America. We studied microhabitat selection by the Eastern Small-footed Myotis (Myotis leibii) on natural talus slopes and human-made stone structures in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia and New Hampshire, relative to thermal and structural characteristics of rock crevices. Roosts were located with a combination of radiotelemetry and randomized visual surveys. Roost-switching behavior and structural characteristics of roosts did not appear to be influenced by the methods we used to locate roosts. Compared to random crevices, both sexes selected crevices with narrow openings, likely to provide protection from predators. Reproductive females also selected rocks that were larger and more thermally stable than random crevices, whereas males selected crevices that were structurally similar to random crevices but warmed more during the day. Rock size and other structural characteristics influenced temperatures of roosts and random crevices alike by inhibiting excessive daytime heating and nighttime cooling. Because large rocks were important for reproductive females, and talus slopes with large rocks could be limited, we recommend including rock size as a variable in landscape scale habitat assessments for Eastern Small-footed Myotis. Protecting or managing for habitat features with large rocks that receive high solar exposure could benefit Eastern Small-footed Myotis, and perhaps other rock-roosting species.

Reproductive bats switch frequently among roosts to select the most advantageous microclimates and avoid predation or parasitism. Many bats use human-made structures, such as bat boxes and buildings, in areas where natural structures are less abundant. Artificial structures, which may be warmer and larger than natural structures, may affect bat behavior and roost use. We studied Yuma Myotis (Myotis yumanensis) and Little Brown Myotis (M. lucifugus) in artificial structures at two sites to understand how roost conditions and reproductive pressures influenced roost switching in maternity colonies in the lower mainland of British Columbia, Canada. During summer 2019, we used Passive Integrated Technology (PIT tags and scanners) to track daily roosting locations of individuals. Yuma myotis and little brown myotis used at least five roosts at each site and switched almost daily among roosts. Bats were less likely to switch from roosts that were 25–42°C and switch roosts during lactation, particularly when the young were nonvolant. Our findings suggest that reproductive female myotis that use artificial roosts seek out warm roosts to limit energy expenditure and speed up offspring development. We also found that bats boxes were not thermally stable environments and the behavior of bats reflected temperature variability. Land managers should ensure that multiple nearby roosts are available to maternity colonies, as reproductive bats require a range of temperatures and roost types during summer.

Los murciélagos reproductores cambian entre refugios frecuentemente para seleccionar los microclimas más ventajosos y evitar depredación o parasitismo. Muchos murciélagos usan estructuras artificiales, como cajas para murciélagos y edificios, en áreas donde las estructuras naturales son menos abundantes. Estudiamos las especies Miotis de Yuma (Myotis yumanensis) y (M. lucifugus) en estructuras artificiales en dos sitios para comprender cómo las condiciones de refugio y las presiones reproductivas influyeron en el cambio de refugio en las colonias de maternidad en Columbia Británica, Canadá. Durante el verano de 2019, utilizamos tecnología integrada pasiva (PIT marbetes y escáneres) para rastrear los patrones diarios de refugios. Los murciélagos/ Las especies Miotis de Yuma y pequeño murciélago café usaron al menos cinco refugios en cada sitio y cambiaran de lugar casi a diario entre los refugios. Existió una menor probabilidad de que los murciélagos cambiaran de dormideros que estaban a 25–42°C. Los murciélagos eran menos propensos a cambiar de refugio durante la lactancia, particularmente cuando los jóvenes no eran voladores. Nuestros hallazgos sugieren que las miotis femeninas reproductivas que usan estructuras artificiales buscan refugios cálidos para limitar el gasto de energía y acelerar el desarrollo de la descendencia. También encontramos que las cajas de murciélagos no eran ambientes térmicamente estables y el comportamiento de los murciélagos mostró algunos de estos cambios. Los administradores de tierras deben asegurarse de que haya múltiples refugios cercanos disponibles para las colonias de maternidad, ya que los murciélagos reproductivos requieren una variedad de temperaturas y tipos de refugios durante el verano.

Natural selection should favor individuals that synchronize energy-demanding aspects of reproductive activity with periods of high resource abundance and predictability, leading to seasonal patterns of reproduction at the population level. Nonetheless, few studies—especially those on bats in the Neotropics—have used rigorous quantitative criteria to distinguish among phenological patterns for different populations from the same habitat or for the same species in different habitats. To explore such issues, we quantified annual patterns of reproduction in male and in female bats from lowland Amazonia (environs of Iquitos, Peru), and did so at the level of populations and ensembles. Five species exhibited unimodal patterns including Artibeus obscurus, A. planirostris, Carollia benkeithi, Phyllostomus hastatus, and Rhinophylla pumilio. Two species (A. lituratus and Glossophaga soricina) evinced bimodal patterns with reproductive peaks separated by patterns of inactivity, whereas four species (C. brevicauda, C. perspicillata, Sturnira lilium, and S. tildae) evinced a bimodal pattern in which peaks in activity occur in tandem, with the first peak generally markedly higher than the second peak. Frugivore, gleaning animalivore, and nectarivore ensembles exhibited bimodal, unimodal, and bimodal reproductive phenologies, respectively. Nonetheless, interannual variation in phenology (i.e., the monthly timing of peaks within a season rather than the number of peaks per year) characterized four (A. obscurus, C. brevicauda, C. perspicillata, and S. lilium) of the eight species and each of the three ensembles (frugivores, gleaning animalivores, and nectarivores) with adequate sampling. Regardless of interspecific variation in strategies, the phenology of reproduction enhances the likelihood that parturition and recruitment of young into the population occurs during the wet season, the period of likely highest resource abundance. Based on a comparison of our results with those from other well-studied bat populations, four species did not exhibit geographic variation in reproductive phenologies (A. obscurus, G. soricina, C. brevicauda, and R. pumilio), whereas three species evinced such geographic variation (A. lituratus, A. planirostris, and C. perspicillata). Climate change will likely alter the seasons and extents of propitious times for reproductive activities, as well as the reliability of proximate cues for initiating reproduction, compromising current reproductive strategies and leading to altered phenological patterns of reproduction or reproductive success, possibly resulting in local extinction of some species.

La selección natural debería favorecer a individuos que sincronicen aspectos de alta demanda de energía en su actividad reproductiva con períodos de alta abundancia y previsibilidad de recursos, lo que conduciría a patrones estacionales de reproducción a nivel poblacional. No obstante, pocos estudios, especialmente estudios sobre murciélagos en el Neotrópico, han utilizado criterios cuantitativos rigurosos para distinguir entre patrones fenológicos ya sea para diferentes poblaciones dentro del mismo hábitat o para la misma especie en diferentes hábitats. Para explorar este tema, cuantificamos los patrones anuales de reproducción de murciélagos machos (porcentaje de la población con testículos escrotales) y hembras (porcentaje de la población embarazada o lactante) en regiones bajas de la Amazonía (alrededores de Iquitos, Perú) a nivel de poblaciones y de ensamblajes. Cinco especies exhibieron patrones unimodales, incluidos Artibeus obscurus, Artibeus planirostris, Carollia benkeithi, Phyllostomus hastatus, y Rhinophylla pumilio. Dos especies (Artibeus lituratus y Glossophaga soricina) mostraron patrones bimodales, con picos reproductivos separados por patrones de inactividad, mientras que cuatro especies (Carollia brevicauda, Carollia perspicillata, Sturnira lilium, y Sturnira tildae) mostraron un patrón bimodal en el que los picos de actividad ocurren en tándem, con un primer pico considerablemente más alto que el segundo. Los grupos de frugívoros, animalívoros y nectarívoros exhibieron fenologías reproductivas bimodales, unimodales y bimodales respectivamente. No obstante, la variación interanual en la fenología (es decir, el mes dentro de una temporada en que ocurren los picos en lugar del número de picos por año) caracterizó a cuatro (A. obscurus, C. brevicauda, C. perspicillata y S. lilium) de las ocho especies y cada uno de los tres ensamblajes (frugívoros, animalívoros y nectarívoros) con un tamaño de muestra adecuado. Independientemente de la variación en las estrategias, la fenología en la reproducción aumenta la probabilidad de que el parto y el reclutamiento de crías en la población ocurran en la estación húmeda, el período de mayor abundancia de recursos. Cuando comparamos nuestros resultados con los de otras poblaciones de murciélagos mejor estudiadas, cuatro especies no mostraron variación geográfica en sus estrategias reproductivas (A. obscurus, G. soricina, C. brevicauda y R. pumilio), mientras que tres especies si mostraron esta variación geográfica (A. lituratus, A. planirostris y C. perspicillata). Es probable que el cambio climático altere las estaciones y la duración de los periodos propicios para el desarrollo de actividades reproductivas de alta demanda de energía, así como la regularidad de las señales activantes para iniciar la actividad reproductiva, comprometiendo las estrategias reproductivas actuales y conllevando a patrones fenológicos de reproducción alterados, lo que para algunas especies podría resultar en extinciones locales.

Circadian rhythms of bats are simultaneously influenced by both abiotic and biotic factors that vary across different landscapes. Since cities modify environmental conditions in which bats forage and roost, their temporal activity can be altered. Based on acoustic surveys, we described hourly activity patterns of eight aerial insectivorous bat species in an urban–rural landscape of Lima, Peru. We also explored whether bats show temporal partitioning at the assemblage level and, for three common species, if activity patterns change between landscape units (urban and rural areas) or moonlight intensity (dark and bright nights). At the assemblage level, bats displayed high temporal overlap, especially in rural areas. At the species level, Mormopterus kalinowskii and Tadarida brasiliensis displayed bimodal patterns at both landscape units, and Promops davisoni showed an almost uniform pattern or bimodal pattern at urban and rural sites, respectively. In rural areas, other bat species exhibited either unimodal patterns (Nyctinomops laticaudatus, N. aurispinosus, N. macrotis, and Tomopeas ravus) or a bimodal pattern (Myotis). Moonlight intensity had little influence on activity periods of most bat species. Our study provides valuable information for sampling designs and future studies on activity patterns focused on coexistence among insectivorous bat species in arid landscapes.

Los ritmos circadianos de los murciélagos están influenciados simultáneamente tanto por factores bióticos como abióticos, los cuales varían en los diferentes paisajes. Dado que las ciudades modifican las condiciones ambientales en las cuales los murciélagos forrajean y descansan, su actividad temporal podría alterarse. Mediante una evaluación acústica, describimos los patrones de actividad horarios de ocho especies de murciélagos insectívoros aéreos en un paisaje urbano-rural de Lima-Perú. También exploramos si los murciélagos muestran una partición temporal al nivel de ensamblaje y, para las tres especies más comunes, si los patrones de actividad cambian entre las unidades de paisaje (zonas rurales y urbanas) o la intensidad lumínica lunar (noches oscuras e iluminadas). A nivel del ensamblaje, los murciélagos muestran un alto solapamiento temporal, especialmente en zonas rurales. A nivel de especie, Mormopterus kalinowskii y Tadarida brasiliensis mostraron patrones bimodales en ambas unidades de paisaje, y Promops davisoni mostró un patrón casi uniforme y uno bimodal en los sitios urbanos y rurales, respectivamente. En zonas rurales, las otras especies de murciélago mostraron patrones unimodales (Nyctinomops laticaudatus, Nyctinomops aurispinosus, Nyctinomops macrotis y Tomopeas ravus) y un patrón bimodal (Myotis). Los periodos de actividad para la mayoría de las especies de murciélagos tuvieron poca variación asociada con la intensidad lumínica lunar. Nuestro estudio proporciona información valiosa para diseños de muestreo y estudios futuros que se enfoquen en la coexistencia entre murciélagos insectívoros aéreos en paisajes áridos.

Population density has been widely understood to be a key influencer of dispersal behavior; however, the generality of density-dependent (DD) dispersal in vertebrates is unclear. We conducted a review of the available empirical data on small mammal DD dispersal, distinguishing between the three dispersal stages: emigration, immigration, and transience (dispersal distance). We focused on small mammals because they are a well-studied, functionally similar group of vertebrates, with a distinct ecological importance. We also examined the effect of season, body mass, study length, and study type on the strength and direction of DD dispersal. The majority of emigration and dispersal distance studies reported negative density dependence, while immigration was mostly independent of density. No correlative patterns were detected; however, interpretation of the available data was hindered by inconsistencies in experimental and analytical approach across studies. Our results suggest that the three phases of the dispersal process may be influenced differently by density and highlight the importance of distinguishing between emigration, immigration, and transience when considering the effects of density dependence. As well, our study identifies several limitations with the current available data which limit the ability to compare DD dispersal behavior across systems, and calls for future investigations that consider all three phases of dispersal in the same system.

The Heteromys pictus–spectabilis species complex currently consists of two species: H. pictus, which is distributed across western, central, and southern Mexico; and H. spectabilis, an endangered species which is restricted to a small region of southeastern Jalisco. Previous phylogenetic studies have indicated that H. spectabilis renders H. pictus as paraphyletic, and therefore revisions are needed to resolve this paraphyly. Phylogenetic trees based on mitochondrial DNA and nuclear DNA genes were constructed using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods, grouping individuals into previously established Cytochrome b (Cytb) haplogroups across the geography. Phylogenetic trees were run through bPTP and GMYC analyses to estimate the number of predicted species that may be present, and when these lineages likely diverged based on the genes tested. To assist with species delimitation predictions (based on the Genetic Species Concept), intra- and interspecific Kimura two-parameter (K2P) values were calculated to predict species-level lineages within the species complex. We found evidence to support the hypothesis that there are multiple cryptic species present within H. pictus, with some K2P values between the Cytb haplogroups being on par with what is expected between different species and genera within Rodentia. This is further supported by the phylogenetic trees (individual and concatenated) constructed from Cytb and three nuclear genes (Bfib, IRBP, and PRKCI), which consistently group certain Cytb haplogroups together in ways that correspond to geographic filter barriers in Mexico.

En la actualidad, el complejo de especies Heteromys pictus–spectabilis está constituido por las susodichas dos especies. Heteromys pictus está distribuida por el oeste, centro y sur de México, y H. spectabilis (una especie en peligro de extinción) está limitada a una pequeña región del sureste de Jalisco. Estudios filogenéticos previos indican que H. spectabilis hace que H. pictus sea parafilética, por lo cual es necesaria una revisión para resolver esta parafilesis. Usando métodos Bayesianos y de Máxima Verosimilitud, fueron construidos árboles filogenéticos basados en ADN mitocondrial así como genes nucleares agrupando a los individuos en haplogrupos de Citocromo b (Cytb) previamente establecidos a lo largo y ancho de la geografía. Los árboles filogenéticos resultantes fueron analizados usando bPTP y GMYC para estimar el número de especies previstas que pudieran estar presentes y cuando estos linajes eran más dados a divergir entre si sobre la base de los genes usados en los análisis. Para apoyar las predicciones de linajes de especies (predicciones basadas en el Concepto Genético de Especies), los valores de dos parámetros de Kimura (K2P) fueron calculados para pronosticar el número de linajes en el complejo de especies. Encontramos evidencia para apoyar la hipótesis de que existen múltiples especies crípticas dentro de lo que se conoce en la actualidad como H. pictus, incluyendo algunos valores de K2P entre haplogrupos de Cytb comparables con valores entre especies o géneros del orden Rodentia. Esta evidencia se apoya además en los árboles filogenéticos basados en Cytb y tres genes nucleares (Bfib, IRBP y PRKCI), los cuales agrupan consistentemente a ciertos haplogrupos de Cytb de forma que corresponde a barreras de filtro geográficas en México.

Carnivores play critical roles in ecosystems, yet many species are declining worldwide. The Sierra Nevada Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes necator; SNRF) is a rare and endangered subspecies of red fox limited to upper montane forests, subalpine, and alpine environments of California and Oregon, United States. Having experienced significant distribution contractions and population declines in the last century, the subspecies is listed as at-risk by relevant federal and state agencies. Updated information on its contemporary distribution and density is needed to guide and evaluate conservation and management actions. We combined 12 years (2009–2020) of detection and nondetection data collected throughout California and Oregon to model the potential distribution and density of SNRFs throughout their historical and contemporary ranges. We used an integrated species distribution and density modeling approach, which predicted SNRF density in sampled locations based on observed relationships between environmental covariates and detection frequencies, and then projected those predictions to unsampled locations based on the estimated correlations with environmental covariates. This approach provided predictions that serve as density estimates in sampled regions and projections in unsampled areas. Our model predicted a density of 1.06 (95% credible interval = 0.8–1.36) foxes per 100 km² distributed throughout 22,926 km² in three distinct regions of California and Oregon–Sierra Nevada, Lassen Peak, and Oregon Cascades. SNRFs were most likely to be found in areas with low minimum temperatures and high snow water equivalent. Our results provide a contemporary baseline to inform the development and evaluation of conservation and management actions, and guide future survey efforts.

Understanding the drivers of population dynamics informs management actions and assures the public that harvest activities are not detrimental to the long-term stability of wildlife populations. We examined the survival and cause-specific mortality of 66 adult coyotes (34 males, 32 females) using GPS radiotelemetry in southwestern Wisconsin during October 2016 to March 2020. We paired our study with a literature review of coyote survival and mortality across the United States and Canada, focusing on the geographical distribution of studies, demographic aspects of survival, and the level of exploitation by humans on coyote populations. In Wisconsin, annual survival did not differ between sexes or across years but did vary among seasons and social statuses. The relative risk for a coyote dying was higher during the winter compared to the summer. A transient coyote had a higher relative risk of mortality compared to a resident coyote. Mean annual survival probability (sexes combined) was higher for a year-long resident compared to a year-long transient. The predominant sources of known mortality (n = 37) were harvest (83.8%) and vehicle collisions (13.5%). For our literature review, we identified 56 studies estimating coyote survival or mortality from 1971 to 2021 spanning the geographic range of coyotes. We found no distinct temporal or regional patterns in survival probability or the proportion of human-induced mortality, although fewer studies originated from the northeast region of the United States. Additionally, we detected weak correlation between survival probability and proportion of human-induced mortality, suggesting coyote harvest may be compensatory. Although our findings indicate that the Wisconsin coyote population had relatively higher human-induced mortality than populations in other regions, these mortality rates appear to be sustainable for this population under current landscape and habitat conditions.

Comprender los factores que gatillan las dinámicas poblacionales sirve de base para las medidas de gestión y garantiza que las actividades de captura no son perjudiciales para la estabilidad a largo plazo de las poblaciones de fauna. Examinamos la supervivencia y la mortalidad por causas específicas de 66 coyotes adultos (34 machos y 32 hembras) mediante radio telemetría por GPS, en el suroeste de Wisconsin, desde octubre de 2016 hasta marzo de 2020. Combinamos nuestro estudio con una revisión bibliográfica sobre la supervivencia y la mortalidad del coyote en Estados Unidos y Canadá, y nos enfocamos en la distribución geográfica de los estudios, los aspectos demográficos de supervivencia, y el nivel de explotación por parte del hombre de las poblaciones de coyotes. En Wisconsin, la supervivencia anual no difiere entre sexos ni a través de los años, pero sí varía según las estaciones y el estatus social. El riesgo relativo de que un coyote muera durante el invierno en comparación con el verano. Un coyote en estado de tránsito tiene un mayor riesgo relativo de mortalidad en comparación con un coyote residente. La probabilidad media de supervivencia anual (ambos sexos) para un coyote residente durante un año en comparación con un para un coyote en estado de tránsito durante un año. Las fuentes de mortalidad predominantes conocidas (n = 37) fueron las capturas (83.8%) y las colisiones con vehículos (13.5%), lo que dio lugar a una incidencia acumulada para las capturas y para las colisiones con vehículos en todos los coyotes. Para la revisión bibliográfica, identificamos 56 estudios que estimaban la supervivencia o mortalidad del coyote desde 1971 hasta 2021, abarcando toda el área de distribución geográfica de esta especie. No identificamos patrones temporales o regionales distintivos en la probabilidad de supervivencia o en la proporción de mortalidad provocada por el hombre, aunque el menor número de estudios se iniciaron en la región noreste de Estados Unidos. Además, observamos una leve correlación entre la probabilidad de supervivencia y la proporción de mortalidad provocada por el hombre, lo que sugiere que la captura de coyotes puede ser compensatoria. Si bien nuestros hallazgos indican que la población de coyotes en Wisconsin tuvo una mortalidad provocada por el hombre relativamente más alta que las poblaciones en otras regiones, estos índices de mortalidad parecen mantenerse en esta población, en particular en las condiciones actuales de entorno y hábitat.

Wolves have been the archetype of wildlife persecution by humans for centuries all over the world, and still are heavily persecuted in some regions. Facultative diurnal/nocturnal wild mammals are known to become more nocturnal when persecuted. Conversely, little is known regarding the possibility of wolves becoming more diurnal if not persecuted. We took advantage of a 9-year natural experiment of restricted human access to a restored coal mine debris dump to study the daily activity patterns of wolves under conditions of infrequent human presence. Results were compared with a paired control site with frequent human use. Circadian wolf activity was monitored using camera traps (3 years in human-restricted site; 2 years in control). Additionally, data from two GPS–GSM-collared wolves monitored in a second control site were also analyzed. In our control sites, wolves were nearly inactive during daylight hours. In contrast, in the human-restricted site wolves extended their activity toward noon, with a daily activity peak between 10:00 and 12:00, and showed some activity throughout the entire circadian 2-h interval cycle considered. Wolves clearly had higher diurnality in the human-restricted area with 78% greater incidence of capture with remote cameras during the day than in the control site. We suggest that the shift toward increased diurnality was related to the loss of fear of humans. Evidence in support of this hypothesis comes from flight initiation distance (FID) data. Wolves showed relatively short FIDs when faced with a human observer (range 70–183 m) in broad daylight at the human-restricted site, but were so afraid of humans in the control site that we were unable to conduct FID trials there. Based on these results, we suggest that wolves may increase their diurnality in those European countries with currently increasing movement of human populations from rural to urban areas and that do not conduct lethal control of wolves. This would represent a historical landmark for a species that has been persecuted for many centuries. However, such behavioral shifts could bring new human–wolf conflicts that would require new policies.

Interactions between animals and their environments are reflected in behavior, which is an indicator of perceived risk and habitat quality. Behavioral studies can therefore provide a rapid assessment of conservation actions. We evaluated the behavior of reintroduced and translocated New England cottontails (Sylvilagus transitionalis)– a species for which the benefits of habitat management, reintroductions, and translocations have been difficult to demonstrate via demographic studies. We first used a random forests model to create a behavioral library for the species using triaxial accelerometers deployed on captive animals that were also monitored with video. We then applied our library to compare time-activity budgets among wild catch-and-release rabbits, wild-caught translocated rabbits, and rabbits introduced into the wild from a captive population. Our library included six behaviors (feeding, grooming, vigilant, movement, resting, and investigating) with an overall classification accuracy of 96.63% and class error rates <14%. For all three groups of rabbits, resting, vigilance, and grooming were the most frequent behaviors; however, captive-bred and translocated rabbits spent significantly more time vigilant and moving than did catch-and-release rabbits. The results raise concern that time spent exploring a new environment may make reintroduced and translocated New England cottontails more vulnerable to predation than local wild rabbits and contribute to low survival rates in reintroduction programs. Our approach shows promise for developing behavioral studies as a rapid indicator of response to conservation efforts for cryptic mammals.

Habitat use data are key to understanding species ecology and extinction risk. However, such information is lacking for the elusive deer species of Neotropical region. In this context, fecal sampling has emerged as an alternative tool, in which development and evaluation are essential to obtaining unbiased ecological data. We aimed to compare data from GPS-tracked animals and fecal sampling using scat detection dogs to evaluate the noninvasive performance of this method in habitat selection analysis. We carried out the study in the Brazilian Pantanal, where we monitored six free-living Gray Brocket Deer (Mazama gouazoubira) with GPS collars for 1 year (average of 584 GPS locations/animal) and collected fecal samples (n = 649) simultaneously along a set of transects designed for a scat detection dog survey. We evaluated habitat selection using the chi-square test in an availability/utilization analysis and submitted both data to a bootstrap procedure to assess its precision and accuracy with increasing sample size. GPS data indicated habitat selection at a fine utilization scale, in which savanna and cerrado were preferred and open grassland habitat was avoided. Exclusive fecal sampling also indicated habitat selection, revealing the preference for cerrado and avoidance of open grassland. The GPS and fecal habitat utilization estimates did not differ significantly and fecal sampling increased precision and accuracy with increased sample size, reaching minimal values once n = 200 which should be considered a sufficient survey effort. The similarity between the two methods suggested the reliability of fecal sampling, as long as a standardized sampling design is used. This noninvasive sampling framework can provide previously unavailable ecological data for threatened Neotropical deer as well as other elusive species.

Os dados de uso do habitat são fundamentais para compreender aspectos ecológicos e risco de extinção de uma espécie. No entanto, essa informação é escassa para os veados elusivos da região Neotropical. Nesse contexto, a amostragem fecal surgiu como uma ferramenta alternativa, e o seu desenvolvimento e avaliação são essenciais para a obtenção de dados ecológicos de forma não enviesada. Nosso objetivo foi comparar dados de animais rastreados por sistema de posicionamento global (GPS) e por amostragem fecal usando cães de detecção de fezes para avaliar o desempenho deste método não invasivo em análises de seleção de habitat. Realizamos o trabalho no Pantanal brasileiro, onde monitoramos seis veados-catingueiros (Mazama gouazoubira) com colares GPS por um ano (média de 584 localizações GPS/animal) e coletamos amostras fecais (n = 649) simultaneamente ao longo de um conjunto de trajetos projetados para amostragem com cães de detecção fecal. Avaliamos a seleção de habitat usando o teste do qui-quadrado em uma análise de disponibilidade/utilização e submetemos os dados a um procedimento de bootstrap para avaliar sua precisão e acurácia com o aumento do tamanho amostral. Os dados do GPS indicaram a seleção de habitat em uma escala de utilização fina, na qual a savana e o cerrado foram preferidos e o habitat de campo limpo foi evitado. Amostragem fecal exclusiva também indicou seleção de habitat, revelando preferência pelo cerrado e evitação do campo limpo. As estimativas de utilização de habitat por GPS e fezes não diferiram significativamente e a amostragem fecal aumentou sua precisão e acurácia com o aumento do tamanho da amostra, atingindo valores mínimos uma vez n = 200, o qual deve ser considerado um esforço amostral suficiente. A similaridade entre os dois métodos sugere a confiabilidade da amostragem fecal, desde que um delineamento de amostragem padronizado seja utilizado. Esse método não invasivo pode fornecer dados ecológicos anteriormente indisponíveis para os veados neotropicais ameaçados, bem como outras espécies elusivas.

Interspecific competition from introduced and naturally colonizing species has potential to affect resident populations, but demographic consequences for vertebrates have rarely been tested. We tested hypotheses of interspecific and intraspecific competition for density, body mass, and fertility of adult female Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) across a heterogeneous forest landscape occupied by two introduced deer species: Mediterranean Fallow Deer (Dama dama); and subtropical Reeve's Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi). Species-specific deer densities in buffers around culling locations of 492 adult female Roe Deer, sampled over seven years, were extracted from spatially explicit models calibrated through annual nocturnal distance sampling. Roe Deer fertility and body mass were related to species-specific deer densities and extent of arable lands using piecewise structural equation models. Reeve's Muntjac density was lower at higher Fallow Deer densities, suggesting interspecific avoidance via interference competition, but greater when buffers included more arable land. Roe Deer body mass was marginally greater when buffers included more arable land and was independent of deer densities. However, Roe Deer fertility was unrelated to female body mass, suggesting that fertility benefits exceeded an asymptotic threshold of body condition in this low-density population. However, Roe Deer fertility was slightly greater rather than reduced in areas with greater local Roe Deer density, suggesting negligible intraspecific competition. In contrast, Roe Deer was less fertile in areas with greater Reeve's Muntjac densities; thus, interspecific exceeded intraspecific competition in this assemblage. In contrast, we found no support for any effects of Fallow Deer density on Roe Deer density, body mass, or fertility. Complex networks of interspecific competition operating in this deer assemblage include: interspecific interference from Fallow Deer exceeded habitat effects for Reeve's Muntjac; and interspecific competition from introduced, smaller sedentary Reeve's Muntjac reduced fertility, unlike intraspecific, or potential competition with larger, more mobile, Fallow Deer for native Roe Deer. Mechanisms driving Roe Deer fertility may include interspecific behavioral interference or stress–resource depletion is considered less likely because Roe Deer fertility was independent of body mass. Findings emphasize the importance of ensuring appropriate management strategies for controlling invasive species.

Photoluminescence in the pelage of mammals, a topic that has gained considerable recent research interest, was first documented in the 1700s and reported sporadically in the literature over the last century. The first detailed species accounts were of rabbits and humans, published 111 years ago in 1911. Recent studies have largely overlooked this earlier research into photoluminescent mammalian taxa and their luminophores. Here we provide a comprehensive update on existing research on photoluminescence in mammal fur, with the intention of drawing attention to earlier pioneering research in this field. We provide an overview on appropriate terminology, explain the physics of photoluminescence, and explore pigmentation and the ubiquitous photoluminescence of animal tissues, before touching on the emerging debate regarding visual function. We then provide a chronological account of research into mammalian fur photoluminescence, from the earliest discoveries and identification of luminophores to the most recent studies. While all mammal fur is likely to have a general low-level photoluminescence due to the presence of the protein keratin, fur glows luminously under ultraviolet light if it contains significant concentrations of tryptophan metabolites or porphyrins. Finally, we briefly discuss issues associated with preserved museum specimens in studies of photoluminescence. The study of mammal fur photoluminescence has a substantial history, which provides a broad foundation on which future studies can be grounded.