Ictonyx Striatus Research Articles

A Preliminary Survey of Medium- and Large-Sized Mammals and Their Conservation Status in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, Semiarid Highlands of Northern Ethiopia

Mammal species provide vital environmental and economic functions although they globally face numerous threats. Knowledge of the composition and diversity of mammal species provide information for appropriate management interventions. We conducted this study from July 2019 to February 2020 to assess the species composition, diversity, and conservation of medium- and large-sized mammals in the Asimba Forest Priority Area, northern Ethiopia. Data were collected through direct and indirect evidence from three habitat types, namely, natural forest, bushland, and plantation forest. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and the Species Diversity Index. We also used χ2 to compare differences in the number of observations and species richness of the mammal species in different habitats between the dry and wet seasons. A total of 263 observations were compiled, and 15 medium- and large-sized mammalian species were recorded in the Asimba Forest Priority Area. The Species Diversity Index and Evenness of the area were H′ = 2.436 and J = 0.899, respectively. Hamadryas baboon (Papio hamadryas) was the most commonly observed species, with 20.7 and 19.2 relative frequencies in the dry and wet seasons, respectively, whereas striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) was the rarest species, with 3.0 and 0.0 relative frequencies during the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The number of observations (χ2 = 2.298, df = 2, and p=0.316) and species richness (χ2 = 0.115, df = 2, and p=0.943) did not differ significantly in the three habitats. Anthropogenic factors, mainly habitat destruction and overgrazing, were widely observed in the Asimba forest as conservation threats to the mammal species. The current study helps to increase knowledge about the mammal species of the area and is essential for their future conservation strategies.

A large mammal survey in Koyli Alpha Community Wildlife Reserve and its surroundings in the Great Green Wall extension area in Senegal

Wildlife in the Great Green Wall (GGW) area, northern Senegal, is threatened by the cumulative effects of anthropogenic activities, drought, and climatic changes. To support conservation planning in line with the GGW management objectives, we studied large mammal diversity in the Koyli Alpha Community Wildlife Reserve in the GGW extension area. We interviewed local communities, made reconnaissance & transect walks, placed camera traps, and carried out fixed point surveys to map the distribution of mammals & to estimate their relative abundance. The surveys were conducted between May 2017 and December 2019. We identified the presence of nine mammal species belonging to six families: one lagomorph, Cape Hare Lepus capensis; seven carnivores, Common Jackal Canis aureus, Pale/Sand Fox Vulpes pallida, Wild Cat Felis silvestris, Marsh Mongoose Atilax paludinosus, Honey Badger Mellivora capensis, Zorilla Ictonyx striatus, Common Genet Genetta genetta, and one primate, Patas Monkey Erythrocebus patas. Our results indicate that the most of the observed species range broadly across the Koyli Alpha Reserve. The Wild Cat and the Sand Fox were also found outside the reserve around the village of Koyli Alpha. Camera trapping events of humans and domestic animals were high throughout the survey area, and the majority of the large mammals observed were mainly nocturnal. The diversity of large wild mammals identified during this study points to the urgent need for the implementation of a management plan of the biodiversity in this area of the Ferlo.

Identity of Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) muhsamae Santos Dias, 1954 (Acari: Ixodidae) and H. (R.) subterra Hoogstraal, El Kammah & Camicas, 1992, parasites of carnivores and rodents in eastern and southern Africa.

Haemaphysalis (Rhipistoma) muhsamae Santos Dias, 1954 (Acari: Ixodidae) and H. (R.) subterra Hoogstraal, El Kammah & Camicas, 1992, are redescribed based on males and females. Adults of H. muhsamae were mostly collected from various mongooses (Carnivora: Herpestidae) but also from the striped polecat, Ictonyx striatus (Perry) (Carnivora: Mustelidae), serval, Leptailurus serval (Schreber) (Carnivora: Felidae), red veld rat, Aethomys chrysophilus (de Winton) and Selinda veld rat, Aethomys silindensis Roberts (Rodentia: Muridae) in Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Adults of H. subterra were mostly found on various species of African mole rats, Tachyoryctes spp. (Rodentia: Spalacidae) but also on striped polecat, I. striatus and slender mongoose, Galerella sanguinea (Rüppell) (Carnivora: Herpestidae) in Ethiopia and Kenya. Males and females of both species can be differentiated from each other and other H. spinulosa-like ticks by their size, pattern of punctations on conscutum/scutum, shape of genital structures, shape and size of posterodorsal and posteroventral spurs on palpal segment II, hypostome dentition, and shape and size of spurs on coxae. Taxonomic issues of both species and those related to the identity of H. (R.) spinulosa Neumann, 1906 are discussed and a neotype of H. muhsamae has been designated.

The Occurrence of Some Nonblood Protozoan Parasites in Wild and Domestic Mammals in South Africa.

Relatively little is known about protozoan parasites in African animals. Here we investigated the occurrence of protozoan parasites in mammals from South Africa. Oocysts of protozoan parasites were detected in 13 of 56 (23%) fecal samples using conventional microscopic examination methods. Cryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora spp. were detected in eight (14%) and five (9%) samples, respectively. Mixed parasitic infection of Cryptosporidium spp. and Cystoisospora spp. was recorded in banded mongoose ( Mungos mungo). Cryptosporidium spp. was detected for the first time in cheetah ( Acinonyx jubatus), spotted hyena ( Crocuta crocuta), and African polecat ( Ictonyx striatus). Antibodies to Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum were not detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in any of 32 sera tested. We detected T. gondii by PCR in tissues of five of 243 (2%) animals: domestic dog ( Canis lupus familiaris), gerbil ( Gerbilliscus spp.), greater kudu ( Tragelaphus strepsiceros), honey badger ( Mellivora capensis), and white-tailed mongoose ( Ichneumia albicauda). Our isolation of T. gondii from white-tailed mongoose and honey badger was a unique finding. All tissue samples were negative for N. caninum. The study increases our knowledge on the occurrence of protozoan parasites in populations of wild and domestic animals in South Africa.

Competition and coexistence in a small carnivore guild.

The potential for strong competition among small sympatric carnivores results in a need for coexistence strategies whereby competitors partition along spatial, temporal and dietary axes as a means to reduce ecological overlaps. We determined spatial and temporal partitioning patterns of a guild of small African carnivores: the African wildcat Felis silvestris lybica, grey mongoose Galerella pulverulenta, small-spotted genet Genetta genetta, striped polecat Ictonyx striatus, and the yellow mongoose Cynictis penicillata. We quantified the degree of spatial and temporal co-occurrence of the small carnivores using camera trap data over a year-long period. Carnivores separated into two temporal groups: nocturnal species (wildcat, polecat and genet) and diurnal species (mongooses). In addition, carnivores within the same temporal group had strong patterns of reduced spatial co-occurrence. The smaller bodied carnivores showed lower co-occurrence with the larger bodied African wildcat than expected by chance, supporting the idea of dominant competitor avoidance. Thus, small carnivores likely minimise competitive interactions through spatio-temporal habitat partitioning.

Staying safe from top predators: patterns of co-occurrence and inter-predator interactions

Top predators often have cascading effects on mesopredator communities by driving behavioural changes. Using camera-trapping surveys, we explored the site-detection probability of sympatric predators and temporal overlap and examined behavioural patterns to explore hypotheses of carnivore guild interactions between and within large and small predators in the presence/absence of lion (Panthera leo) in open and closed habitat cover. We used single-season two-species occupancy models to test inter-predator interactions at 205 camera sites spread across five Protected Areas of the Maputaland Conservation Unit, South Africa. These data showed the respective associations between the presence of large carnivores and smaller carnivores. We observed that leopard (Panthera pardus) and hyena (Crocuta crocuta) tended to avoid interference encounters, as they were less likely co-detected at the same sites. There was a decrease in detection of leopard and hyena as a function of lion presence. Small predators such as the group honey badger (Mellivora capensis)-striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus) and the slender mongoose (Herpestes sanguineus) were detected less often at cameras where leopards were detected. Detection probabilities of the group badger-polecat and slender mongoose were much higher in the closed habitat than in open habitat where leopards were detected. At camera sites where hyenas were detected, badger-polecat and genet (Genetta tigrina) detection probability was much higher in the closed habitat than open habitat. Slender mongoose overlapped less temporally with large predators while others did not. Our study showed that large predator guilds can affect the probability of detecting subordinate mesopredators; therefore, reintroduction of large carnivores can have a cascading effect on subordinate carnivores, and it is necessary to consider this effect when planning recovery programmes for carnivore conservation. We think this study is of importance and interest as top predators often shape mesopredator communities by inducing apparent avoidance behaviour based on associations between the presence of large carnivores and smaller carnivores. As a consequence, smaller predators use closed habitat to minimize the risk of larger predators due to intraguild interference interaction. We explored behavioural patterns of sympatric predators’ site detection probability and temporal overlap and examined hypotheses about carnivore guild interactions between leopard and spotted hyena, these two and small predators with and without lion in open and closed habitat cover. Reintroduction of one carnivore population can have cascading effects on the other, and this nature of consequences needs to be accounted when planning conservation or species recovery programmes. Therefore, we extended our study to explore these important aspects. Our study is novel as there are no studies documenting species interactions between/within large and small predators from co-occurrence patterns in South Africa.

Vocalizations of South African mustelines.

Vocalizations of African weasels (Poecilogale albinucha) and polecats (Ictonyx striatus) were tape recorded and analysed sonagraphically. Calls are described in terms of function. Adult calls of both species are divided into the categories: threat, defence, and greeting. Female polecats also vocalized during copulation. Three calls peculiar to the young of both species were recorded. Basically similar tonal patterns of homologous vocalizations by both mustelines can be recognized. Calls of blind young could be recognized as primitive versions of adult calls. The limited vocal repertoire of the animals, with most sounds of a threatening or defensive nature, is typical of solitary species. Similarities between the languages of the two study species and other mustelines can be recognized.

Species Richness and Habitat Use of Small Carnivores in the Arusha National Park (Tanzania)

The carnivore community of Arusha National Park, Tanzania, was monitored using live trapping and diurnal and nocturnal visual counts and recording of tracks and signs along line transects. Nine carnivore species were recorded. Hyena (Crocuta crocuta), the most common large species, leopard (Panthera pardus) and African civet (Civettictis civetta) were detected along line transects, while the smaller species were counted and/or captured. Mungos mungo, Galerella sanguinea, and Genetta maculata were the most prevalent at transect counts, while G. sanguinea, Bdeogale crassicauda, and G. maculata were most frequently captured. Ichneumia albicauda and Ictonyx striatus were captured at only a single site. Carnivores selected natural habitat types, multilayered forest, open shrubs and herbaceous savannah, and were absent, or tended to avoid disturbed (man-made) habitats. Species of which sufficient data were gathered seemed to behave as habitat generalists (C. crocuta, G. sanguinea, G. maculata, M. mungo and I. striatus). The need for more detailed studies on small carnivore ecology and the importance of smaller protected areas for their conservation are discussed.

The Zoril, Ictonyx striatus erythreae De Winton, 1898 in Egypt.

The Zoril Ictonyx striatus is one of the rarest mammals of Egypt, known from only two specimens collected more than 50 years ago. The collection of two new specimens and the observation of others in the Gabal Elba area provide new data on this little-known animal in Egypt. In this paper we provide information on the morphology of this species, and its cranial and dental characters, in comparison with published data on the species from Egypt and rest of Africa. We also present some data on its habitat requirements and feeding habits.

Additional sulfur compounds from the anal glands of the striped polecat, Ictonyx striatus (Mustelidae, Mammalia).

Two sulfur compounds have been identified in the anal gland secretions of captive-raised adults of the striped polecat (Ictonyx striatus), an African mustelid. 3-Ethyl-1,2-pentanedithiolane was observed in the secretions of an adult male and an adult female. 1,3-Pentanedithiol was observed in the male; this compound has not previously been reported from mustelid anal glands.

Volatile components of the anal gland secretion of the striped polecatIctonyx striatus

The volatile components of the anal gland secretion of an adult, male, Ictonyx striatus were separated and identified by dynamic solvent effect sampling, capillary gas-liquid chromatography, and mass spectrometry. The major component was 2-ethylthiacyclobutane. Nine other sulphur compounds, a ketone, and a hydrocarbon were also identified. Some of these occur in the anal gland secretions of other mustelids.

The Brown Ear Tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus Neumann (Acarina: Ixodidae) and Associated Tick Species on Wild and Domestic Hosts at Muguga, Kenya

During a study of an experimental population of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and its transmission of bovine theileriosis to cattle, some supplementary information was obtained on the role of rodents and the small carnivores in the development and maintenance of R. appendiculatus populations. Observations were also made on other common tick species found on these hosts. A total of 530 individual hosts were examined during the 4-yr period, of which the majority included, among the carnivores, the white-tailed mongoose (Ichneumia albicauda), the large spotted genet (Genetta tigrina) and the zorilla (Ictonyx striatus). Among the 482 rodents 95% included Otomys irroratus, Rhabdomys pumilio and Lophuromys flavopunctatus. While all stages of R. appendiculatus thrived on cattle the role of rodents and carnivores was negligible. Similarly, while the other tick species like H. leachi group, immatures of R. hurti/jeanneli group and I. thomasae avoided cattle, they thrived on the carnivores and rodents. However, the adults of R. hurti and R. jeanneli preferred cattle to carnivores and rodents.

Reproduction and Post-Natal Development of South African Mustelines (Carnivora: Mustelidae)

Ictonyx striatus and Poecilogale albinucha were bred in captivity. Data indicate a breeding season which extends from the beginning of spring to the end of summer. In both species copulation was pr...

Serological survey of plague in rodents and other small mammals in Kenya

During a survey from 1963 to 1966 over 8000 sera from rodents and other animals from different parts of Kenya were tested for HA antibodies to the fraction 1 antigen of P. pestis. HA antibodies were present in high titre (1 in 512 to 1 in 2048) in sera from Arvicanthis niloticus, Praomys natalensis, Rattus rattus, and Acomys spp. and in lower but significant titres (1 in 16 in 256) in sera from Otomys angoniensis, Aethomys kaiseri, Tatera spp. Lemniscomys striatus, L. griselda and Rhabdomys pumilio. Serum from a Thamnomys dolichurus reacted at 1 in 256. Other animals tested included a few genet cats ( Genetta tigrina), bush squirrels ( Paraxerus ochraceus) dwarf mongooses ( Helogale parvula), an African striped polecat ( Ictonyx striatus) and a giant elephant shrew ( Petrodromus tetradactylus); of these, sera from a Helogale reacted at 1 in 32 and from a Petrodromus at 1 in 256; the other animals were negative. In 1962–1965 10% of the sera were positive and in 1966 only 6%. The percentage of sera positive in 1962–1965 was very high at Kisumu (41%) and at Taveta (42%); at Rongai only 2%. Quite high positive rates were found at Kombeni and Mombasa (both 13%), and at Malindi (16·5%). The positive rate in the Nairobi area was 7%; in 1966 this had fallen to 1%. Since 1950 human plague has occurred sporadically in the Nairobi area (Kiambu in 1952), at Rongai (1952, 1954) and at Konza (1953) near Masaku. It was not uncommon at Nyeri, but a serological survey remains to be done. There are grounds for believing that the permanent reservoir of plague is frequently associated with foothill areas, at medium altitudes. This does not account, however, for its evident persistence in such low-lying coastal areas as Mombasa, Kombeni and Malindi. The HA test is reliable. It remains to explain the persistence of P. pestis in the absence of overt signs of plague by isolating and studying strains from different localities, when the serological results indicate its continued existence.