Search Results (96)

Kozarnika Cave revealed a lengthy archaeological sequence covering the Lower, Middle, and Upper Paleolithic periods. The site is a significant milestone in understanding the various stages of early human colonization and migration into Europe. The available paleomagnetic data indicate that the lower boundary of the deposits corresponds to the Brunhes–Matuyama reversal. During the archaeological excavations, an exceptionally rich assemblage of small mammal remains was recovered. Based on small mammals, two biozones have been delineated—lower (Biozone B) and upper (Biozone A)—which correspond to the Late Biharian and Toringian, respectively. In the present study, a total of 75 species of terrestrial small mammals (Eulipotyphla, Lagomorpha, Rodentia) are analyzed in detail. One new species, Nannospalax sirakovi sp. n., is described. Based on geometric analysis of the mass material of voles (Microtina and Lagurus), the controversial taxonomic positions of some species have been clarified. It has been proven that Microtus arvalinus is a distinct species. Rapid evolution within the species Lagurus transylvanicus towards the modern species L. lagurus has been demonstrated. In all layers of Biozone B, two important guide fossils, Mimomys savini and M. blanci, occur. They are indicative of the second stage of the Early Biharian, which is considered earlier than the Brunhes/Matuyama reversal. Besides this, multiple species characteristic of the Early Pleistocene (Villanyian and the Early Biharian) have been identified (Borsodia newtoni, B. arankoides, Prolagurus pannonicus, Ungaromys nanus, Villanyia cf. exilis, Allophaiomys deucalion, A. cf. pliocaenicus, A. cf. burgondiae, Mimomys pitymyoides, M. cf. tornensis, Lagurus arankae). Although very scarce, they occur regularly in the stratigraphic assemblages of Biozone B, which is dominated by typical Late Biharian species, such as Allophaiomys gregaloides, Microtus arvalidens, M. nivalinus, M. nivaloides, and L. transylvanicus. The occurrence of Mesocricetus newtoni and Spermophilus citellus in Biozone B marks the earliest known occurrence of these species. The faunal turnover within the lower part of the deposits has been analyzed in detail. A reorganization of the fauna has resulted from the gradual disappearance of the Early Pleistocene species. Paleoecological reconstructions based on stratigraphic assemblages of small mammals suggest that the faunal turnover recorded in Biozone B is associated with paleoclimatic changes during the MIS19–MIS17 interval and reflects a reorganization of the biota related to the mid-Pleistocene transition. This period was marked by significant changes in Earth’s climate, shifting from low-amplitude 41,000-year obliquity-driven cycles to high-amplitude, roughly 100,000-year fluctuations that define the later Pleistocene and Holocene. Full article

The Upper Niger National Park (UNNP) is the oldest park and one of the most promising conservation areas in Guinea; yet, its mammalian fauna remains poorly documented. Camera trapping has become an essential tool for revealing the diversity and assemblage structure of such communities. This study employed camera traps to improve knowledge about terrestrial and semi-terrestrial mammals with body mass > 0.5 kg (Sciuridae and heavier) in the Mafou Fully Protected Area (Mafou FPA), the principal core zone of the UNNP. The survey was conducted during the dry season, from January to May 2025. Sampling targeted animal trails within forest habitats in the Mafou FPA and involved the deployment of 53 camera traps with an average inter-trap distance of 2 km. Across 4239 camera-days of sampling effort, we collected 10,334 usable images and videos, yielding 2634 independent detection events. Thirty taxa across 15 families and five orders, including six species of high conservation concern according to the IUCN Red List (version 2025-1) were recorded. The mammal assemblage consists of species from the three known trophic levels (prey, mesopredators, and apex predators), with predominance of medium-sized prey species. Our results demonstrate a remarkable richness in frugivorous seed-dispersing species, ecosystem-engineering species, and the presence of a megaherbivore, which all contribute to its ecological dynamics. Despite a notable human activity index of 0.42, occupancy models revealed broad spatial distribution of medium-sized mammals within this protected area. The occupancy patterns demonstrated that occurrence of some species might be sensitive to human disturbances in the area. These findings are an important contribution to Guinean and West African biodiversity assessments. They highlight the critical conservation value of the UNNP within the subregion. Full article

Detailed knowledge of biodiversity is fundamental to supporting conservation and management strategies in protected natural areas, especially in mountain systems located in biogeographic transition zones (Chihuahuan Desert and Sierra Madre Oriental regions). The Sierra de Zapalinamé State Natural Reserve is a priority system in northeastern Mexico; however, comprehensive long-term inventories of its terrestrial vertebrate fauna have been limited. The objective of this study was to comprehensively characterize the richness and composition of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of the Sierra de Zapalinamé State Natural Reserve using a long-term, multi-source dataset integrating systematic field surveys, biological collections, and citizen science records, and to assess the extent to which the reserve represents the vertebrate diversity of northeastern Mexico. A total of 415 terrestrial vertebrate species were recorded, comprising 299 birds, 67 mammals, 42 reptiles, and 7 amphibians. Despite its proximity to urban areas and industrial activities, the reserve maintains high levels of biodiversity, harboring a substantial proportion of the terrestrial vertebrate fauna of northeastern Mexico. The results emphasize the importance of the Sierra de Zapalinamé State Natural Reserve as a regional biodiversity hotspot and support the strengthening of long-term monitoring and management strategies to improve wildlife conservation in underrepresented ecoregions facing increasing environmental pressures. Full article

The Anatolian Diagonal is a major mountain system in Türkiye, yet its community-level structuring effect on mammalian assemblages remains understudied. This study provides a comprehensive inventory of the mammal fauna in Ağrı Province and evaluates the biogeographical role of the Diagonal by comparing 14 provinces. Field surveys in Ağrı (2014–2015) across 228 localities identified 16 medium- and large-sized mammal species (705 individuals), including Felis silvestris as a new provincial record. Community structure followed a lognormal distribution (AIC: 95.29). Regional patterns were analysed using presence–absence data on medium- and large-sized mammals using alpha and beta diversity indices, PERMANOVA, and Partial Canonical Correspondence Analysis (PCCA). PERMANOVA revealed significant differences in mammal assemblages between the western and eastern sides of the Diagonal (F = 3.08, R² = 0.19, p = 0.007). Beta diversity was driven predominantly by species turnover (83.8%) rather than by nestedness (16.2%). Notably, PCCA confirmed that biogeographical position significantly influenced community variation independently of habitat, elevation, and slope. These findings support a biogeographical filtering effect associated with the Anatolian Diagonal, where species replacement drives diversity patterns. The results emphasize the necessity of trans-regional conservation strategies that account for the distinct faunal compositions across this evolutionary boundary. Full article

Kenya has a long history of both legal and illegal wildlife trade, functioning as a source, consumer, and transit hub within global wildlife markets. Yet, despite its increasing prominence, the scale and composition of Kenya’s captive-bred and ranched wildlife trade sectors remain poorly characterized, particularly following the enactment of the Wildlife Conservation and Management Act (WCMA) in 2013. This study addresses this gap by analyzing Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) annual report data from 2013 to 2023 to: (1) identify trends in the volume and taxonomic composition of CITES-listed species exported as captive-bred or ranched from Kenya; (2) quantify the number of specimens and individuals traded; (3) assess their conservation status and legal classification; and (4) identify key export destinations. Between 2013 and 2023, Kenya reported 886 CITES export records involving captive-bred and ranched specimens from 28 vertebrate taxa across nine orders. Reptiles dominated exports (81% of records), followed by birds (15%) and mammals (4%). Live animals accounted for 80% of records (with reptiles comprising 96.1% of all live animal export records), totaling more than 870,000 individuals traded over the study period. The annual number of export records more than doubled across the decade, while exports of individual live reptiles increased more than tenfold, from 8551 individuals in 2013 to 86,330 in 2023. Most exports were commercial (93%) with the United States, Germany, Spain, Taiwan, and the Republic of Korea identified as major importers. 77% of exported species have unknown or declining wild population trends, and seven species are internationally threatened, including the Critically Endangered pancake tortoise (Malacochersus tornieri). We highlight the animal welfare, conservation, and biosecurity implications of this rapidly expanding trade, as well as consistent discrepancies between exporter- and importer-reported quantities that indicate substantial monitoring and regulatory challenges. The findings provide timely evidence to inform national wildlife management and protection measures, and ongoing policy discussions including those surrounding the forthcoming Wildlife Conservation and Management Bill (2025) and the role of captive breeding in Kenya’s wildlife trade. Full article

Background: Africa is a continent with diverse climates, landscapes, rainfall patterns, and vegetation types, all of which significantly influence its mammalian fauna, particularly small mammals. Rodents, which are highly diverse across the continent, serve as reservoirs for various zoonotic pathogens. Frequent human–rodent interactions heighten the risk of zoonotic disease transmission, posing a serious public health concern. Methods: This study conducted a comprehensive review of rodent control methods and their effectiveness in mitigating zoonotic diseases in Africa. Literature searches were performed using PubMed, Web of Science, ResearchGate, and Google Scholar. Additionally, one study was manually identified from the reference lists of the retrieved papers. Results: Thirteen relevant studies were identified, including seven field-based studies, five model evaluations, and one review. The distribution of studies varied by country, with the highest numbers conducted in Guinea (n = 3) and Nigeria (n = 3), followed by Sierra Leone (n = 2), Uganda (n = 2), Morocco (n = 1), Tanzania (n = 1), and Madagascar (n = 1). Two primary rodent control methods, kill traps and rodenticides, were used, targeting multimammate rats (Mastomys natalensis) and black/roof rats (Rattus rattus), the species most frequently encountered in human settings. Conclusion: Most studies examined short-term rodent management strategies, which proved insufficient in significantly reducing zoonotic disease prevalence. These findings highlight the need for Africa to adopt more sustainable, ecologically based rodent control approaches to effectively curb zoonotic risks in the long term. Full article

Vampire bats likely first appeared in South America in the early Miocene (~20 Ma) and evolved to feed upon the blood of native South American mammals of medium to large body size, in particular, xenarthrans–ground sloths, armadillos, pampatheres, and glyptodonts, and native ungulates–notoungulates and litopterns. Following the formation of the Panamanian Isthmus (~5 Ma), vampire bats immigrated into North America as participants in the Great American Biotic Interchange, following their preferred prey species, probably xenarthrans. The earliest records of vampire bats are the extinct species Desmodus archaeodaptes from three early Pleistocene faunas in Florida. The large extinct vampire D. stocki occurs in 18 late Pleistocene faunas in the southern US and Mexico. The giant extinct vampire D. draculae is known from eight late Pleistocene faunas from Mexico and Belize south to Brazil and Argentina. The late Pleistocene extinction of D. draculae and D. stocki coincided with the extinction of their primary source of blood, the mammalian megafauna. The common vampire bat D. rotundus survived and now occurs throughout tropical America because it had a broader prey base, feeding on the blood of a variety of medium- to large-sized mammals, and currently preying preferentially on non-native domestic livestock. Full article

Vertebrate remains from the Upper Cretaceous of Portugal have been studied for more than 140 years, beginning with the pioneering work of the Geological Commissions and early vertebrate specialists. The Cenomanian of Portugal occupies a key position in understanding vertebrate assemblages from the south-western European Late Cretaceous archipelago. Recent discoveries in the Cenomanian of the onshore northern sector of the Portuguese West Iberian Margin have revealed two new genera of Squamata and Crocodylomorpha, as well as extended biogeographical ranges for groups such as Obaichthyidae. Although Campanian–Maastrichtian fossils are limited to the northern sector, they provide valuable insights into the composition and evolution of western Iberian vertebrate faunas, including significant remains of small dinosaurs and mammals, and the westernmost European occurrences of Pycnodontiformes, Holostei, Elopiformes, Amphibia, Testudines, Squamata, and Crocodylomorpha. The Upper Cretaceous of the Portuguese onshore northern sector of the West Iberian Margin has yielded six vertebrate holotypes, four lectotypes, and syntypes though much material remains undescribed or in need of revision. Identifying additional fossil sites is essential to further expand the dataset. This contribution integrates historical and current knowledge and highlights key priorities for future research. Full article

A first attempt has been made to systematically present the achievements of several archaeozoological fields in Bulgaria: archaeomalacology, archaeoichthyology, archaeoherpetology, archaeornithology, and archaeomammalogy. The main results and some of the more significant studies in each of these fields are presented. In summary, archaeozoological studies began in the first decade of the 20th century. A list of established authors of archaeozoological publications in Bulgaria has been compiled. Of the identified species, four species of birds and six species of mammals have disappeared from the modern fauna of the country. Two species have completely disappeared globally. Full article

The taiga shrew (Sorex isodon), a boreal forest species widely distributed across northern Eurasia, had not previously been recorded in the Baltic states. We report the first occurrence of S. isodon in Lithuania, which extends the species range westward into the Baltic region. The specimen, which was initially misidentified as Sorex araneus, was collected in 2023 near Vilnius during non-systematic snap-trapping. A detailed examination of tail, cranial, and dental characteristics confirmed the identification as S. isodon. The individual was a non-adult male, weighing 5.8 g, and was trapped in a wet mixed forest influenced by beaver activity. This suggests that the microhabitat conditions are similar to those reported in Belarus and Ukraine. This finding extends the western boundary of S. isodon distribution by approximately 200–630 km. This study underscores the potential underreporting of this species in the Baltic region and highlights the importance of revisiting existing skull collections, conducting targeted trapping, and performing genetic analyses. Verifying additional records will clarify the habitat preferences and conservation relevance of S. isodon at the western edge of its range. Full article

Marine mammals are important ecological bio-indicators of marine ecosystems impacted by a plethora of anthropogenic and environmental threats. Genomics detects genetic variation, adaptation to environmental shifts, and susceptibility to diseases in marine mammal species. In this study, eDNA was utilized for the first time in the Pagasitikos Gulf over three consecutive years (2022–2024) in order to detect marine mammal species. Additionally, visual monitoring and eDNA results were compared to reveal the pros and cons of the two methodologies. The gulf was zoned into five different areas with respect to oceanographic features for sampling. DNA extraction was assessed by using a standard protocol of phenol–chloroform followed by PCR amplification using the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 5,209,613 highly filtered sequence reads were attributed to 108 species. Among these, Monachus monachus, Tursiops truncatus, and Ziphius cavirostris species were detected. This novel detection of Z. cavirostris in the relatively shallow waters of the Gulf of Pagasitikos raised the question of whether it was a random event or a new ecological trend. Z. cavirostris and M. monachus appeared to share the same marine areas within the gulf. In the era of the climate crisis, eDNA provides essential information on marine mammals’ ecological status, yields novel detections, and predicts behavioral changes essential to deep-diving species. Full article

DNA metabarcoding is a powerful biodiversity monitoring tool, enabling simultaneous assessments of diverse biological communities. However, its accuracy depends on the reliability of reference databases that assign taxonomic identities to obtained sequences. Here we provide a DNA barcode dataset for aquatic fauna of the Panama Canal, a region that connects the Western Atlantic and Eastern Pacific oceans. This unique setting creates opportunities for trans-oceanic dispersal while acting as a modern physical dispersal barrier for some terrestrial organisms. We sequenced 852 specimens from a diverse array of taxa (e.g., fishes, zooplankton, mollusks, arthropods, reptiles, birds, and mammals) using COI, and in some cases, 12S and 16S barcodes. These data were collected for a variety of studies, many of which have sought to understand recent changes in aquatic communities in the Panama Canal. The DNA barcodes presented here are all from captured specimens, which confirms their presence in Panama and, in many cases, inside the Panama Canal. Both native and introduced taxa are included. This dataset represents a valuable resource for environmental DNA (eDNA) work in the Panama Canal region and across the Neotropics aimed at monitoring ecosystem health, tracking non-native and potentially invasive species, and understanding the ecology and distribution of these freshwater and euryhaline taxa. Full article

We examined three decades of changes in the mammal fauna of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the context of climate variability, land use transformation, and anthropogenic pressures. We compiled distributional, abundance, and status data from publications, atlases, official game statistics, and long-term monitoring programs, and we evaluated trends using compound annual growth rates or temporal indices. Our review identified losses such as regional extinctions of garden dormice and European mink, declines in small insectivores (e.g., pond bats and shrews) and herbivores (e.g., Microtus voles), and the contraction of boreal specialists (e.g., Siberian flying squirrels). However, we also identified gains, including increases in ungulate numbers (e.g., roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, moose, and wild boars before African swine fewer outbreak) and the recovery of large carnivores (e.g., wolves and lynxes). Invasions by non-native species (e.g., American mink, raccoon dog, and raccoon) and episodic disturbances, such as African swine fever and the “anthropause” caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have further reshaped community composition. The drivers encompass climatic warming, post-socialist forest succession, intensified hunting management, and rewilding policies, with dispersal capacity mediating the responses of species. Our results underscore the dual legacy of historical land use and contemporary climate forcing in structuring the fauna dynamics of Baltic mammal communities in the face of declining specialists and invasive taxa. Full article

Background/Objectives: In South China, Lithocarpus species dominate mixed evergreen broadleaf forests, forming symbiotic relationships with ectomycorrhizal fungi and serving as food resources for diverse fauna, including frugivorous birds and mammals. The limited understanding of chloroplast genomes in this genus restricts our insights into its species diversity. This study investigates the chloroplast genome (cp genome) sequences from seven Lithocarpus species, aims to elucidate their structural variation, evolutionary relationships, and functional gene content to provide effective support for future genetic conservation and breeding efforts. Methods: We isolated total DNA from fresh leaves and sequenced the complete cp genomes of these samples. To develop a genomic resource and clarify the evolutionary relationships within Lithocarpus species, comparative chloroplast genome studies and phylogenetic investigations were performed. Results: All studied species exhibited a conserved quadripartite chloroplast genome structure, with sizes ranging from 161,495 to 163,880 bp. Genome annotation revealed 130 functional genes and a GC content of 36.72–37.76%. Codon usage analysis showed a predominance of leucine-encoding codons. Our analysis identified 322 simple sequence repeats (SSRs), which were predominantly palindromic in structure (82.3%). All eight species exhibited the same 19 SSR categories in similar proportions. Eight highly variable regions (ndhF, ycf1, trnS-trnG-exon1, trnk(exon1)-rps16(exon2), rps16(exon2), rbcL-accD, and ccsA-ndh) have been identified, which could be valuable as molecular markers in future studies on the population genetics and phylogeography of this genus. The phylogeny tree provided critical insights into the evolutionary trajectory of Fagaceae, suggesting that Lithocarpus was strongly supported as monophyletic, while Quercus was inferred to be polyphyletic, showing a significant cytonuclear discrepancy. Conclusions: We characterized and compared the chloroplast genome features across eight Lithocarpus species, followed by comprehensive phylogenetic analyses. These findings provide critical insights for resolving taxonomic uncertainties and advancing systematic research in this genus. Full article

The introduction of alien species may pose an enormous threat to indigenous flora and fauna. Among introduced animals, probably the most destructive to the natural environment are mammals. This is true at least in regard to the Afrotropical Region (sub-Saharan Africa). This review attempts to summarize our knowledge on alien mammals in this region and their impact on indigenous vertebrate fauna. This review includes 56 mammal species, belonging to 20 families, introduced to sub-Saharan Africa over the last 2000 years. Most are representatives of the following orders: Artiodactyla, Carnivora, and Primates. Most species introduced to sub-Saharan Africa originated from the Oriental (n = 20) and Palearctic (n = 19) regions. Two species, Mus musculus and Rattus rattus, were introduced before 1400 (probably as early as 800 AD), while three others were introduced between 1401 and 1700. The first half of the 17th century saw the highest number (n = 10) of introduced species. Between 1651 and 1850, only two species were introduced; in the following 175 years (1851–2025), as many as 24 species were introduced. Ten of the introduced mammal species, namely Sus scrofa, Capra hircus, Rattus rattus, R. norvegicus, Mus musculus, Felis catus, Canis familiaris, Viverricula indica, Urva auropunctata, and Maccaca fuscicularis, have become invasive species. A total of 39 mammal species were relocated (mainly for hunting purposes) within sub-Saharan Africa. Most of them were representatives of the family Bovidae (76.9%). Relocations are not considered introductions. Based on published records of the impacts of alien mammals on the vertebrate fauna of sub-Saharan Africa, the following mechanisms may be distinguished: predation, competition, hybridization, transmission of diseases and parasites, and habitat destruction (grazing, herbivory, browsing). Most vertebrate species (79.4%) were affected through direct predation, predation and habitat destruction (7.1%), or predation and competition (1.4%). Alien mammals have caused habitat destruction for only 10 species (7.1%). Other effects (competition and genetic pollution) were marginal (3.5%). At least 144 vertebrate species, representing 52 families, have been affected by alien mammals in sub-Saharan Africa: 3 amphibians, 23 reptiles, 89 birds, and 29 mammals. As a result of mammal introductions, 65 species in sub-Saharan Africa have become globally extinct, 45 are considered threatened (listed in the RDB), and 31 other species are in decline, although not included in the RDB. Most extinct birds were affected by introduced rats, mice, feral cats, and dogs. In continental Africa, only seven vertebrate species have been negatively affected by alien mammals. All other affected vertebrates occur on islands. An especially high rate of extinction has been recorded in the Mascarene Islands. In comparison with alien birds in sub-Saharan Africa, the number of introduced mammal species is much lower, but their negative impact on vertebrate fauna is significantly greater. Full article