Wild Animal Life Research Articles

BIOLOGY AND SPECIATION OF ECHINOCOCCUS GRANULOSUS†

SUMMARY: The biology of Echinococcus granulosus is reviewed and attention given to recent advances in our understanding of this parasite. In particular, studies on the parasite within the definitive host, an area which has been neglected in the past, have demonstrated our lack of knowledge concerning the cytodifferentiation of the adult cestode during its development, and events which take place at the host‐parasite interface. An important aspect of the biology of the parasite is the nature of its reproductive mechanism which involves both sexual and asexual multiplication. Such a reproductive pattern is considered to be the major factor responsible for the appearance of subspecific variants of E. granulosus adapted both to domestic and wild animal life cycles.The speciation pattern that exists within the species E. granulosus is extremely complex. Numerous subspecific variants have been described and attempts to unravel the situation taxonomically have resulted in controversy. Criteria used in the recognition of specific and subspecific varieties have all too often over emphasised morphological details, while the presence of biological differences between varieties or strains has been neglected. Recently, however, comparative studies on various strains have demonstrated the value of considering epidemiological, developmental and biochemical criteria. The significance of these criteria beyond pure taxonomic considerations is becoming increasingly evident, and future studies may help to explain differences in reproductive potential and host specificity.In Australia, hydatid disease is of considerable economic and public health significance, yet there has been little work undertaken on the speciation of the parasite. The potential for the existence of speciation differences within Australia is greater than in some other countries, since geographical separation may act as a factor in the selection of subspecific strains. Of particular importance is whether the existence of wild‐animal cycles is dependent upon the maintenance of domestic life cycles in Australia.

Whither National Parks?

Wild life preservation in Africa and the national park system has as its foundation the 1933 London Convention for the Protection of African Fauna and Flora. Article 2 of this international convention reads: “The expression national park shall denote an area … set aside for the propagation, protection and preservation of wild animal life and vegetation for the benefit, advantage and enjoyment of the general public …” and … “facilities shall, so far as possible, be given to the general public for observing the fauna and flora in national parks.”

The Mammals of Lakeland

The Faunal Area of Lakeland comprises Cumberland, Westmorland and Lancashire North of the Sands. Relatively well defined, mainly by sea coast and lengthily by the Pennines, it originates in the central mountain mass cradling many broad waters, which is the Lake District of universal appeal. This lake and fell region and its surroundings extending to about two-thirds of the whole area, is the Lake District National Park, the first park to be designated by the National Parks Commission. During the present century, the National Trust has acquired many properties with a view to preserving their natural amenities. On the other hand, towns and villages have spread apace, following upon all those human enterprises which, through the ages, have transformed the land into its present state. Besides agriculture there are, for example, the sheep-rearing industry, with its effect on hill vegetation and bygone mining activities to which so much of the native tree growth was sacrificed. Now the work of the Forestry Commission is bringing a new aspect to parts high and low between the northern and southern limits of the area. Some older features remaining to be considered in relation to the wild animal life are the varied tree plantations on the landed estates, together with well wooded river valleys and still extensive birch and pine-fringed peat mosses. Sweeping though they have been down the centuries, the surface changes in Lakeland have had far from a completely adverse effect on the native mammals. While for some the fells have perhaps meant salvation, there are two of the most ancient residents which, from mere survival, have rather astonishingly increased and spread.

Uganda

In a foreword to the report Mr. R. Dreschfield, the Chairman, writes: “There has been steady and thorough work in the field of game preservation. The wardens have got to know their areas, have set up ranger posts, have practically stopped poaching, and have carried on considerable research into the game. This is our most important work and the work to which we, as trustees, are by law committed. The long title to the Ordinance which is the fount of our existence reads: ‘An Ordinance to provide for the Establishment of National Parks for the purpose of preserving Wild Animal Life, Wild Vegetation, and providing for other matters incidental thereto.’ Necessary, therefore, as it is to provide transport, accommodation, and observation facilities within the parks, we and the public must remember that these activities are only incidental to our main purpose.

The Sex Life of Wild Animals. A North American Study.Eugene Burns

Previous articleNext article No AccessNew Biological BooksThe Sex Life of Wild Animals. A North American Study. Eugene Burns Lorus J. Milne and Margery J. MilneLorus J. Milne Search for more articles by this author and Margery J. Milne Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The Quarterly Review of Biology Volume 29, Number 1Mar., 1954 Published in association with Stony Brook University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/400064 PDF download Crossref reports no articles citing this article.

The Kruger—An Outsider's Point of View

The inspiration of most recent thought upon National Parks springs from the work done in 1933 at the London Conference for the Protection of African Fauna and Flora. The definition there adopted for the term “National Park” was, shortly, that it should mean an area placed under public control and set aside for the protection of wild animal life and wild vegetation, for the benefit and enjoyment of the general public. From this definition, already shortened, it is important to extract the object for which a National Park is formed and for which it is maintained. This object is the protection of wild life. It is not the enjoyment of the general public, for that is a different thing altogether, a result following the attainment of the object.

Seasonal and Daily Activities of the Columbian Ground Squirrel at Pullman, Washington

How little we realize the complexities attendant upon the lives of wild animals until we have undertaken to investigate and reveal them. So it was in connection with the gathering of material for this paper, when observations were undertaken to determine the active life movements of the Columbian ground (Citellus columbianus columbianus) in regard to seasonal and daily activities, aside from its normal periods of aestivation and hibernation. To gain the information recorded here, field observations were made, supplemented by studies of the animals in the very liberal confinement provided for those under control and study (Shaw, '25a). Binoculars were used for more certain identification in the field, while temperatures were taken in degrees Fahrenheit. The elevation at Pullman is 2536 feet at the Campus of the State College of Washington. The hours of each day of observation were continuous throughout as to time and made by one person, the writer. The time involved extended across four years, 1910 to 1914, with the chief investigations of these problems pursued in 1910 and 1911. For the sake of economy and brevity, wherever the term squirrel is used through the text, it will be understood to refer to the Columbian ground squirrel. In studying the activities of this and to some extent its related forms, it was necessary to regard them especially from two view points, seasonal and daily. Such investigations showed that these movements were subject to and modified by many influences such as season, sun, wind, rain and snow, drought, slope of the land and altitude. It was also noticed that the species was influenced both seasonally and daily by such complexities as the warmth and brightness of the sun's rays and their ability to reach all parts of the earth's surface equally; bringing the animals from their winter nests later in spring on the north slopes of hilly territory, where the snow remains piled deep and also later of a morning, on a sunless slope (Shaw, '25c). Of course the action of the sun on the vegetation and the relation of the animal to surounding food so produced, is of intimate association (Dice, '19, pp. 17-18).

The Hunter in Southern California versus Wild Animal Life

The Hunter in Southern California versus Wild Animal Life Get access W. Lee Chambers W. Lee Chambers Eagle Rock, California Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 38, Issue 5, 1 September 1936, Pages 199–202, https://doi.org/10.2307/1363385 Published: 01 September 1936

Further Facts concerning Losses to Wild Animal Life Through Pest Control in California

Journal Article Further Facts Concerning Losses to Wild Animal Life through Pest Control in California Get access Jean M. Linsdale Jean M. Linsdale Museum of Yertebrate Zoology, Berkeley, California Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 34, Issue 3, 1 May 1932, Pages 121–135, https://doi.org/10.2307/1363541 Published: 01 May 1932

Some Observations and Study on the Life of Wild Animals in Zoological Gardens

Some Observations and Study on the Life of Wild Animals in Zoological Gardens

Wholesale Poisoning of Wild Animal Life

Wholesale Poisoning of Wild Animal Life Get access J. Grinnell J. Grinnell Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 33, Issue 3, 1 May 1931, Pages 131–132, https://doi.org/10.2307/1363579 Published: 01 May 1931

Real Estate and Real Estate Problems

AS used by economists, the term is at the same time more comprehensive and in some respects less inclusive than the term Land has been defined to include not only the solid, physical surface of the earth, but all such factors as mineral deposits, fertility of soil, natural produce, wild animal life, bodies of water, climate, and so forth, which are attributes of land. It is questionable whether or not the term estate, in common parlance, is extended to embrace wild animal life and climate, although these may affect the value of land. On the other hand, real estate includes all improvements of a permanent nature erected or constructed upon land, such as buildings and wharves, which are called by some economists and by others, consumers' capital, or instrumental capital, depending upon their nature and use.

Grinnell on Wild Animal Life and National Forests Wild Animal Life as a Product and as a Necessity of National Forests Joseph Grinnell

Grinnell on Wild Animal Life and National Forests Wild Animal Life as a Product and as a Necessity of National Forests Joseph Grinnell

Two Books of Travel 1

IN its general scope and character the first-named of these two works is very similar to Hudson's “The Naturalist in Plata”; the one giving as excellent a picture of wild animal life in the more remote parts of the United States as the other does for the Argentine Republic. Mr. Fountain, although evidently not a trained naturalist, appears to be an excellent observer of the habits of animals, and many of the facts he records, if not new, are certainly not matters of common knowledge. So far as the title is concerned, it might well be concluded that the work is a record of observations made during recent travel, but this is far from being the case, the author's journeys having been made during the 'sixties and early 'seventies, when a large part of the territory of the United States was more or less unexplored, and when the bison still swarmed in its untold thousands on the prairies. Consequently, in many respects, the observations on the fauna of the various districts traversed and on the habits and distribution pf the larger mammals are far more valuable and important than any which could be made at the present day. It is perhaps to be regretted that greater pains were not taken to identify some of the animals referred to, which would have avoided certain corrections made in the appendix and have considerably increased the value of the work. Not improbably, however, the author may have had only his notes, and not actual specimens, to rely upon; and if this be so, he may well be excused the lack of the details in question. Taken altogether, with a certain allowance for more or less pardonable faults, it may truly be said to be one of the most delightful works of its kind that it has been our pleasure to read for a very long time, and it may be recommended to all lovers of Nature and a life in the wilds without a shadow of reserve.