Frankfurt Zoological Society

Deer abundances and distributions have expanded at increasing rates in several regions across the globe due to human-driven land use change, uncontrolled (re)introductions, and insufficient top-down control by human or natural predators. Yet, the impact of unsustainable deer density on the belowground component of ecosystems is understudied. Ireland is a good model for anthropogenic environmental context, where populations of large herbivores are not regulated by large predators nor by structured hunting management. Using a combination of camera trapping, soil and vegetation surveys, with phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and bioinformatic approaches, we monitored 50 sites in Irish woodlands. The effects of varying sika deer ( Cervus nippon ) disturbances on soil biota were then assessed using structural equation modelling. Site-level deer intensity of use correlated with vegetation through an increase in litter and moss quantity and reduction in understory vegetation. We also found that variation in deer intensity of use directly affect vertebrate communities, which shifted towards a dominance of foxes, squirrels, cats and dogs – species more commonly associated to human-dominated landscapes – and a reduction in birds and mustelids, which also cascaded on soil biota. Our results thus support the hypothesis that deer overabundance has a potential to drive the structure of soil biota but mostly through indirect effects via vertebrate fauna and vegetation, acting as an ecosystem engineer. Future studies will have to experimentally tease apart the mechanisms underpinning the patterns documented in this study.

Host-parasite arms races facilitate rapid evolution and can fuel speciation. Cuculus cuckoos are deceptive egg mimics that exhibit a broad diversity of counterfeit egg phenotypes, representing host-adapted subpopulations (gentes). Genome analysis of 298 common (Cuculus canorus) and 50 oriental cuckoos (Cuculus optatus) spanning 15 egg morphs revealed that eggshell background coloration is predominantly influenced by matrilineal genetic variation. Recurrent mitochondrial mutations and an ancient W chromosome-linked translocation of an autosomal assembly factor for respiratory complex I provide a tentative link between mitochondrial function and pigment synthesis through the heme pathway. Biparentally inherited loci contribute to phenotypic variation in both species, mainly for maculation. The evolutionary tug-of-war over a sex-limited, mimetic trait integrates autosomal components with the nonrecombining, matrilineal genome without catalyzing genome-wide divergence between gentes.

Abstract The rapid development of genome sequencing techniques in recent decades has revolutionized the field of evolutionary biology, facilitating the study of adaptation and speciation at the genome level. Genomic data has also become a cornerstone in conservation management, allowing inferences of population demography and genetic diversity. Here, we sequenced the genome of the holotype specimen of the elusive lesula (Cercopithecus lomamiensis), a recently described member of the guenons (tribe Cercopithecini) endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Using published and novel genomic data, we explore the evolutionary and demographic history ofC. lomamiensisand its sister speciesC. hamlyni, the only two members of thehamlynispecies group. We estimate that the two species split ca. 3-4 million years ago, and find that they both show high genetic diversity despite being listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. We identify signatures of positive selection in thehamlynigroup in genes involved in, e.g., pelage coloration and immune functions, as well as skeletal morphology and locomotor behavior, potentially related to their terrestrial lifestyle which stands out among the otherwise arborealCercopithecusgenus. We specifically explored whether introgression from more distantly related terrestrial guenons was involved in the evolution of terrestriality in thehamlynigroup. However, molecular convergence with other terrestrial species was low, suggesting that putative terrestrial adaptations occurred largely independently. By sequencing theC. lomamiensisgenome, this study provides insights into the demography and evolutionary history in a threatened primate lineage, with relevance to conservation management.

Abstract Research on impacts of subsistence hunting on habitat use and species communities of forest wildlife is limited. Subsistence hunting of mammals in one of the world's most biodiverse region, Manu National Park, Peru, is considered sustainable, but this is based on sparse evidence. We analyzed change in species relative abundance and functional composition of mammal communities, including non‐hunted species along a hunting pressure gradient. We used camera trap data and tested for confounding effects of environmental and disturbance gradients (distances to rivers, lakes, settlements, and trails; NDVI at survey point). We found that sites with no hunting or at further distances from settlements harbor relatively more species with a larger body mass, long generation lengths, and small litters (primarily carnivores: 36% at non‐hunted site vs. 13%–29% at hunted sites), indicating selective impacts of hunting pressure on mammal communities. However, all carnivore species still occurred at all sites. Species with a smaller body mass, short generation lengths, and large litters were more prevalent at the hunted sites (mostly rodents: 23%–31% at hunted sites vs. 20% at non‐hunted site). Surprisingly, large herbivores appeared unaffected by hunting despite being one of the most hunted mammals in Manu (25% at non‐hunted site vs. 23%–27% at hunted sites). Our findings suggest that current hunting pressure is largely sustainable with only local depletion of a few sensitive species. Habitat is more important for some species than hunting pressure (e.g., distance to lake), further emphasizing the importance of local forest management.

terbrechungen und Umgangsweisen mit dem Unbestimmten sind, was sich hier etwa durch die Bildkonjunktionen artikuliert. Die Bildkonjunktionen wären demnach Ausdruck dieser genuin ikonischen Methode einer testimonialen Bildepistemologie, deren primäre Funktion darin besteht, in der Kontingenzbewältigung des Unbestimmten Notwendigkeiten zu identifizieren und damit Handlungsunterbrechungen, Zurückhaltungen und andere generative Negationsformen zu erkennen und selbst auch einzuleiten. Welche Konsequenzen lassen sich aus den Bildkonjunktionen für eine Obliterationsästhetik ziehen? Im ersten Teil war noch von einer "Kunst der Obliteration" die Rede, die sich an Sacha Sosno, am Nouveau Réalisme und der Art Sociologique orientierte mit all den damit einhergehenden sprachorientierten, semiotischen und ideologiekritischen Ausrichtungen. Mit dem ikonischen Denken von Levinas und der Neuorientierung am Bild hat sich die Perspektive auf die Obliteration verschoben: zwar ist die Obliteration in das Spiel mit Zeichen und in eine Ideologiekritik an Massenmedien eingelassen, erschöpft sich darin aber nicht. Levinas erwähnt in seinen Schriften nur wenige Künstler und äußert sich nur sporadisch zur bildenden Kunst. So erwähnt Levinas im Interview mit Armengaud

The Hemiptera are insects that feed on plants and animals and can be found in both land and water. They can be small or big, oval or long, and sometimes flattened. Their bodies can change shape, and they have simple metamorphosis and sucking and piercing mouth parts. Their heads can be free and either prognathous or hypognathous, and their antennae can be two to ten or even twenty-five segments. Their eyes can be large, and they have ocelli or absence. Labium modifications can be simple or segmented rostrums, beaks or probosciss, palpi atrophied, and wings can be long or short, and ocelli can be present or absent. The common Indian water boatman belongs to a family of aquatic insects. In the present study an effort is made to explore bionomics of Micronecta striata Fieb. To introduce its habitat, habit, food, feeding and morphology. It is very common in ponds of rural area of India. Sound observations were made to ensure the validity of study. These insects are harmless, so that no special management to control them exists today.

Botulismus ist eine zwar gemeinhin bekannte, aber dennoch dank Lebensmittelkontrolle und Hygienerichtlinien in der Lebensmittelindustrie sehr selten auftretende Intoxikation bakteriellen Ursprungs. In Frankfurt am Main wurde seit Einführung des IfSG im Jahre 2001 bis dato kein einziger Fall gemeldet.

Abstract Human activities increasingly result in disturbance of wild animal populations. Behavioral responses vary according to the type, duration, frequency and intensity of disturbance. Exposure to disturbance, for example, arising from ecotourism, may promote tolerance of humans and drive a decrease in vigilance and avoidance behaviors, whereas disturbance resulting from extractive activities is typically more intense and is likely to be perceived as a threat. To understand how animals cope with land transformation and human presence, it is imperative to study their responses under different disturbance regimes. We performed behavioral sampling of groups of the giant otter, a charismatic top carnivore, exposed to ecotourism, extractive activities (mining and fishing) and control sites without disturbance to compare their responses. Foraging efficiency was impacted by fish abundance and thus was reduced in mined and fished areas. Giant otters in lakes with managed ecotourism did not show avoidance of research vessels and demonstrated reduced rates of defensive behavior compared to control lakes. Groups from lakes with fishing and gold mining showed increased avoidance, suggesting that these types of disturbance may involve more direct conflict. Our findings suggest that noninvasive disturbance such as ecotourism may promote giant otter tolerance to the presence of humans, whereas extractive activities may be perceived as riskier. Current protected area conservation strategies of strict ecotourism regulation and the maintenance of no‐access oxbow lakes may ensure the maintenance of behavioral flexibility in giant otter populations. However, resource depletion and more intense human‐giant otter interactions in disturbed areas may not be sustainable. Further studies are necessary to determine whether distinct disturbance regimes drive longer‐term demographic effects.