Outdoor Habitats Research Articles

A novel method for mapping village-scale outdoor resting microhabitats of the primary African malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae.

BackgroundKnowledge of Anopheles resting habitats is needed to advance outdoor malaria vector control. This study presents a technique to map locations of resting habitats using high-resolution satellite imagery (world view 2) and probabilistic Dempster-Shafer (D-S) modelling, focused on a rural village in southern Mali, West Africa where field sampling was conducted to determine outdoor habitat preferences of Anopheles gambiae, the main vector in the study area.MethodsA combination of supervised and manual image classification was used to derive an accurate land-cover map from the satellite image that provided classes (i.e., photosynthetically active vegetation, water bodies, wetlands, and buildings) suitable for habitat assessment. Linear fuzzy functions were applied to the different image classes to scale resting habitat covariates into a common data range (0–1) with fuzzy breakpoints parameterized experimentally through comparison with mosquito outdoor resting data. Fuzzy layers were entered into a Dempster-Shafer (D-S) weight-of-evidence model that produced pixel-based probability of resting habitat locations.ResultsThe D-S model provided a highly detailed suitability map of resting locations. The results indicated a significant difference (p < 0.001) between D-S values at locations positive for An. gambiae and a set of randomly sampled points. Further, a negative binomial regression indicated that although the D-S estimates did not predict abundance (p > 0.05) subsequent analysis suggested that the D-S modelling approach may provide a reasonable estimate locations of low-to-medium An. gambiae density. These results suggest that that D-S modelling performed well in identifying presence points and specifically resting habitats.ConclusionThe use of a D-S modelling framework for predicting the outdoor resting habitat locations provided novel information on this little-known aspect of anopheline ecology. The technique used here may be applied more broadly at different geographic scales using Google Earth, Landsat or other remotely-sensed imagery to assess the malaria vector resting habitats where outdoor control measures can reduce the burden of the disease in Africa and elsewhere.

The hidden perks of grad school.

When I was in grad school, I couldn't wait to get out. The learning curve was distressingly steep, everyone seemed to know more than I did, and I was scraping by at just above the poverty line. That's why, after successfully convincing the university that I could graduate without being a total embarrassment, I was thrilled to take a job with a small nongovernmental organization that provides outdoor environmental education and habitat restoration activities to the local community. Just 1 year in the rat race, however, has given me a new perspective. I'm just far enough removed from graduate school to look back fondly on many of the experiences I had and to truly appreciate some of the lessons I learned. ![Figure][1] ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT NEUBECKER > “I took for granted the fact that I could get my hands on just about any paper.” Easy access to peer-reviewed literature is one of the biggest perks of grad school. Mining this resource was a crucial part of my first semester, when my adviser was on sabbatical and decided (wisely) that I should hold off on beginning my research until she returned. Instead, she gave me a reading list and told me to learn my way around the lab and help the other graduate students with their research so that we could hit the ground running when she got back. This freedom to read and explore was particularly important for me because I was a business major in college and lacked much of the scientific background that the rest of my graduate school cohort had. I was determined to show that I belonged in my program, so I made a goal of reading three papers a day to catch up. By the time my adviser returned, I had read more than 100 papers and gained the knowledge and confidence I needed to design and carry out my master's research. I took for granted the fact that I could get my hands on just about any paper I wanted. If you leave academia, there's a good chance that your access to the literature will be limited. If you have friends who are still in grad school, you can usually trade drinks for PDFs, but it's not as easy as logging on with an institutional subscription. So, if you're in school and you aren't already an avid reader, my advice is to start now. A second privilege of being a graduate student is having the time to read in the first place. I left academia partly because I wanted to work on applying research findings to make a difference in the world. The thing I didn't acknowledge, though, is the basic principle of scarcity (I never said I was a good business major): The more time you spend implementing research, the less time you have to consume and digest new research in your field. These days, I squeeze in most of my reading on evenings and weekends. It's difficult to find time during the workday to read primary literature when you're also responsible for advancing projects with lofty deliverables and tight deadlines, often on a tight budget. In academia, in contrast, many advisers value students who dedicate time to reading the literature. I wish I had more fully appreciated the culture of curiosity that academia fosters while I was part of it. There are many perks to working outside academia, including, in my case, the incredibly rewarding and satisfying opportunity to work on projects that apply scientific knowledge to real-world problems. And there are things about grad school that I'm happy to have left behind: I despised grading papers and resented living in near poverty, and I still fundamentally disagree with the publish-or-perish mentality that drives most academics. But there are also things unique to higher education that are pretty amazing. And although graduate school can seem endless at times, in hindsight, the time between your orientation and your thesis defense will feel like a blur. So, to those of you still in grad school, my advice is to appreciate what you have while you have it because, for better or worse, it won't last forever. [1]: pending:yes

Short-term success of a translocation of Otago skinks (Oligosoma otagense) to Orokonui Ecosanctuary

ABSTRACTNatural habitat is not always available for translocations due to habitat modification or pressure from introduced predators. We followed the release of 30 captive-bred Otago skinks (Oligosoma otagense) into a 109 m2 outdoor enclosure of artificial habitat at Orokonui Ecosanctuary in southeastern New Zealand. We evaluated the short-term success of the translocation by assessing visibility and survival of the skinks over the 3 summer months following release in spring 2013, plus survival the following spring. Skinks were visible most days, especially in warm, dry conditions. Survival was high over the first summer; 80% of skinks were seen at least once during February 2014. The following spring 63% of skinks were resighted during three surveys and breeding has since been reported. Thus, it is feasible to maintain captive-bred adults of this Nationally Endangered skink in artificially constructed, outdoor habitat in a coastal location. However, to avoid predation of juveniles by adult skinks, future translocations should avoid releasing juveniles close to adults.

Investigation of outdoor habitat for cockroaches in an urban environment

Investigation of outdoor habitat for cockroaches in an urban environment

A review of necrophagous insects colonising human and animal cadavers in south-east Queensland, Australia

A review of insects collected from decomposing human remains in south-east Queensland yielded 32 species in three orders (Diptera, Coleoptera, Hymenoptera) and 11 families (Calliphoridae, Sarcophagidae, Muscidae, Phoridae, Sepsidae, Chironomidae, Dermestidae, Cleridae, Histeridae, Staphylinidae, Encyrtidae). There were 15 cases where remains were located indoors and five cases where remains were outdoors, in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Coleoptera were strongly associated with outdoors remains, while dipteran species composition was similar in both indoor and outdoor habitats. Some Diptera were only associated with indoors remains, while others were similarly restricted to remains recovered outdoors. Hymenopteran parasitoids were active in both habitats. Comparative collections were made from other vertebrate remains, including road-kill and farmed animals throughout south-east Queensland (Qld) and northern New South Wales (NSW) during the same period.

Life History and Biology of the Invasive Turkestan Cockroach (Dictyoptera: Blattidae)

The Turkestan cockroach, Blatta lateralis (Walker), has become an important invasive species throughout the southwestern United States and has been reported in the southern United States. It is rapidly replacing the oriental cockroach, Blatta orientalis (L.), in urban areas of the southwestern United States as the most important peri-domestic species. They typically inhabit in-ground containers such as water meter, irrigation, and electrical boxes, raises of concrete, cracks and crevices, and hollow block walls. On occasion, they will invade dwellings. At 26.7 degrees C, male and female nymphs developed into adults in an average of 222 and 224 d, respectively. Both males and females had five nymphal instars. Adult females deposited up to 25 oothecae. The oothecae averaged 16.8 eggs and 13.9 nymphs emerged per egg capsule, resulting in an 82.7% hatch rate. Adults lived for at least 612 d. Two parameters that might contribute to the success of Turkestan cockroaches compared with oriental cockroaches are that the developmental period of the nymphs of Turkestan cockroaches are shorter and adult female Turkestan cockroaches produce considerably more oothecae than do oriental cockroaches. These may explain the observations by Pest Management Professionals that Turkestan cockroaches are displacing oriental cockroaches in outdoor habitats throughout the southwestern United States.

Low Pathogenic Influenza A Virus Activity at Avian Interfaces in Ohio Zoos, 2006–2009

This investigation to examine influenza A virus activity in avian species at four Ohio zoos was initiated to better understand the ecology of avian-origin influenza A (AIV) virus in wild aquatic birds and the possibility of spill-over of such viruses into captive zoo birds, both native and foreign species. Virus isolation efforts resulted in the recovery of three low pathogenic (LP) AIV isolates (one H7N3 and two H3N6) from oral-pharyngeal or cloacal swabs collected from over 1000 zoo birds representing 94 species. In addition, 21 LPAIV isolates possessing H3N6, H4N6, or H7N3 subtype combinations were recovered from 627 (3.3%) environmental fecal samples collected from outdoor habitats accessible to zoo and wild birds. Analysis of oral-pharyngeal and cloacal swabs collected from free-ranging mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) live-trapped at one zoo in 2007 resulted in the recovery of 164 LPAIV isolates (48% of samples) representing five HA and six NA subtypes and at least nine HA-NA combinations. The high frequency of isolate recovery is undoubtedly due to the capture and holding of wild ducks in a common pen before relocation. Serologic analyses using an agar gel immune diffusion assay detected antibodies to the influenza A virus type-specific antigen in 147 of 1237 (11.9%) zoo bird sera and in 14 of 154 (9%) wild mallard sera. Additional analyses of a limited number of zoo bird sera demonstrated HA- and NA-inhibition activity to 15 HA and nine NA subtypes. The spectrum of HA antibodies indicate antibody diversity of AIV infecting zoo birds; however, the contribution of heterologous cross-reactions and steric interference was not ruled out. This proactive investigation documented that antigenically diverse LPAIVs were active in all three components of the avian zoologic-wild bird interfaces at Ohio zoos (zoo birds, the environment, and wild birds). The resulting baseline data provides insight and justification for preventive medicine strategies for zoo birds.

Aliquid novi ex Africa? Lamyctes africanus (Porath, 1871) found in Europe (Chilopoda: Lithobiomorpha: Henicopidae)

Lamyctes africanus Porath, 1871) was collected from several localities in Denmark in 2011 – the first records of the species in outdoor habitats in Europe. Based on Danish specimens, which are all females, suggesting parthenogenesis, L. africanus is re-described and compared with Lamyctes emarginatus (Newport, 1844). Several previous records of L. africanus are shown probably to concern other species. An account of species distribution and habitats suggests a typical pioneering species. The taxonomy of the genus Lamyctes is discussed, including a detailed account of the use of antennomere number in species description and a key to the four European Lamyctes species. Two mitochondrial genes, 16S and COI from Danish specimens are sequenced and analysed but do not contribute to clarifying the identity of the species.

Spatio-temporal distribution of stored-product insects around food processing and storage facilities

Grain storage and processing facilities consist of a landscape of indoor and outdoor habitats that can potentially support stored-product insect pests, and understanding patterns of species diversity and spatial distribution in the landscape surrounding structures can provide insight into how the outdoor environment can be more effectively monitored and managed. The spatial and temporal distribution of stored-product pests was assessed at three food processing facilities using two types of traps and the influence of landscape features on their outside distribution was evaluated. For corrugated traps, targeting walking individuals, placed both inside and outside facilities, the predominant groups, accounting for 59% of captures, were Cryptolestes spp. (Coleoptera: Laemophloeidae), Oryzaephilus surinamensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) and Sitophilus spp. (Coleoptera: Curculionidae). Numbers captured in outside corrugated traps tended to be less than captures inside structures, and while level of species diversity was similar fungal feeding species were more common in outside traps. In outside corrugated traps, Cryptolestes spp., Typhaea stercorea (L.) (Coleoptera: Mycetophagidae) and O. surinamensis were most abundant and in outside Lindgren traps that targeted flying individuals, T. stercorea, Cryptolestes spp. and Ahasverus advena (Waltl) (Coleoptera: Silvanidae) were most abundant. No correlation was observed between total captures and species diversity between inside and outside traps. Distribution of stored-product insects in corrugated traps tended not to be spatially clustered (Global Moran's I values ranged from −0.25 to 0.22). However, Anselin local Moran's I indicated that at local level some traps with greatest captures had traps in the vicinity with similar values, but these specific locations were temporally variable. Landscape around each outside corrugated trap was characterized, and increased captures were associated with proximity to grain storage or processing structures, but not with presence of spillage as originally hypothesized. Overall, results support hypothesis that there is considerable movement of insects in landscape surrounding facilities, resulting in limited spatial pattern other than temporally variable hot spots inside or near structures.

Frequency and Rates of Outdoor Activities, and Perceptions of Places to Perform these Activities by Native Americans and Caucasians Interviewed in Tennessee

Activity patterns and perceptions play a key role in human health risk, management, and planning. A sample of 233 people attending a Native American festival in Cookeville, Tennessee was interviewed to determine the types, percent participation, and outdoor activities rates, and their perceptions of the importance of characteristics of nuclear sites. Results indicate that: (1) a high percentage of respondents used outdoor environments, (2) they used them for consumptive (hunting, fishing), non-consumptive (hiking, walking, bird-watching), and religious/sacred activities, (3) a higher percentage of respondents engaged in non-consumptive than consumptive activities, (4) praying or meditating, communing with nature, and bird-watching had the highest uses rates (5) the environmental characteristics rated the highest were lack of radionuclides that presented a health risk, no visible smog, clean air, and unpolluted water, (6) the presence of people, buildings and roads were rated the lowest, and (7) Native Americans had higher outdoor participation rates, participated more frequently, and evaluated environmental characteristics higher than did Caucasians. This information can be used by managers to create and maintain outdoor habitats that fit the needs of local people. Planning and management require information on public policy, human needs and requirements, and human perceptions and evaluations of environmental characteristics.

Contact Toxicity and Residual Efficacy of Indoxacarb against the European Earwig (Dermaptera: Forficulidae).

Indoxacarb (Arilon 20WG) was evaluated against a nuisance pest, the European earwig (Forficula auricularia), and was found to be an effective contact toxicant with residual activity on substrates commonly encountered in urban environments. Within 16 h of being directly sprayed with indoxacarb, ≥90% of earwigs from two populations were either ataxic, moribund, or dead, and 100% displayed these symptoms of severe intoxication at 1 d. Brief exposure (5 min or 1 h) to dried residues on either a porous (pine wood) or non-porous (ceramic tile) substrate also was sufficient to cause severe intoxication of earwigs within 1 d. In all bioassays, indoxacarb-treated earwigs showed no signs of recovery during the 21-d observation period. In outdoor urban habitats, intoxicated earwigs would be more vulnerable to desiccation, predation, or pathogens leading to higher mortality than in a laboratory setting.

Linking biomechanics and ecology through predator–prey interactions: flight performance of dragonflies and their prey

Aerial predation is a highly complex, three-dimensional flight behavior that affects the individual fitness and population dynamics of both predator and prey. Most studies of predation adopt either an ecological approach in which capture or survival rates are quantified, or a biomechanical approach in which the physical interaction is studied in detail. In the present study, we show that combining these two approaches provides insight into the interaction between hunting dragonflies (Libellula cyanea) and their prey (Drosophila melanogaster) that neither type of study can provide on its own. We performed >2500 predation trials on nine dragonflies housed in an outdoor artificial habitat to identify sources of variability in capture success, and analyzed simultaneous predator-prey flight kinematics from 50 high-speed videos. The ecological approach revealed that capture success is affected by light intensity in some individuals but that prey density explains most of the variability in success rate. The biomechanical approach revealed that fruit flies rarely respond to approaching dragonflies with evasive maneuvers, and are rarely successful when they do. However, flies perform random turns during flight, whose characteristics differ between individuals, and these routine, erratic turns are responsible for more failed predation attempts than evasive maneuvers. By combining the two approaches, we were able to determine that the flies pursued by dragonflies when prey density is low fly more erratically, and that dragonflies are less successful at capturing them. This highlights the importance of considering the behavior of both participants, as well as their biomechanics and ecology, in developing a more integrative understanding of organismal interactions.

Changing domesticity of Aedes aegypti in northern peninsular Malaysia: reproductive consequences and potential epidemiological implications.

BackgroundThe domestic dengue vector Aedes aegypti mosquitoes breed in indoor containers. However, in northern peninsular Malaysia, they show equal preference for breeding in both indoor and outdoor habitats. To evaluate the epidemiological implications of this peridomestic adaptation, we examined whether Ae. aegypti exhibits decreased survival, gonotrophic activity, and fecundity due to lack of host availability and the changing breeding behavior.Methodology/Principal FindingsThis yearlong field surveillance identified Ae. aegypti breeding in outdoor containers on an enormous scale. Through a sequence of experiments incorporating outdoors and indoors adapting as well as adapted populations, we observed that indoors provided better environment for the survival of Ae. aegypti and the observed death patterns could be explained on the basis of a difference in body size. The duration of gonotrophic period was much shorter in large-bodied females. Fecundity tended to be greater in indoor acclimated females. We also found increased tendency to multiple feeding in outdoors adapted females, which were smaller in size compared to their outdoors breeding counterparts.Conclusion/SignificanceThe data presented here suggest that acclimatization of Ae. aegypti to the outdoor environment may not decrease its lifespan or gonotrophic activity but rather increase breeding opportunities (increased number of discarded containers outdoors), the rate of larval development, but small body sizes at emergence. Size is likely to be correlated with disease transmission. In general, small size in Aedes females will favor increased blood-feeding frequency resulting in higher population sizes and disease occurrence.

Phenology and attraction of potential Culicoides vectors of bluetongue virus in Basque Country (northern Spain)

Bluetongue virus is transmitted by Culicoides biting midges (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae). Culicoides associated with livestock were captured using CDC blacklight traps at three BTV-infected farms in Basque Country between November 2007 and December 2008. Twenty-seven and nineteen Culicoides species were collected in outdoor and indoor habitats respectively. Indoor insect community represented 86.1% of the whole captured individual biting midges. Culicoides obsoletus/Culicoides scoticus (two sibling species of the Obsoletus complex) were dominant throughout all months and sexes with maximum phenological peaks in November 2007 and June–July 2008. Culicoides lupicaris was the second most dominant species followed by Culicoides pulicaris (both species of the Pulicaris complex). Few specimens of Culicoides imicola, the principal Afro-Mediterranean vector of BTV, as well as four new species recorded for the Iberian Peninsula, were also collected. BTV was detected by RT-PCR from pools of C. obsoletus/C. scoticus, C. lupicaris and C. pulicaris parous females. dl-Lactic acid significantly attracted more C. obsoletus/C. scoticus females and males, C. lupicaris females, C. pulicaris females and Culicoides punctatus females and males; whereas acetone increased only the captures of Culicoides achrayi.

An attempt to reconstruct the natural and cultural history of the webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella Hummel (Lepidoptera: Tineidae)

It is generally accepted that the natural habitats of most pest insects can be found outside the synanthropic environment in layers of leaf litter, under bark, as well as in rodent or bird nests. Indeed, most of the common pests have been reported as being facultative nidicolous. Therefore infestation of commodities by pest insects out of these reservoirs is one considerable possibility. However, the likelihood of a pest&amp;acute;s occurrence and survival out-doors largely depends on its ecological potential and competitiveness against other species of the same ecological guild. Some pest species are rarely found in wild habitats, especially in those regions where they are not native and where they have been introduced by man. The fabric pest Tineola bisselliella serves as a good example. Most likely originating in Central or Southern Africa this insect was introduced into Europe probably not earlier than the late 18th century. Being more tolerant to dry environments than other fabric pests its economical importance increased during the 20th century when in-door climates changed because of central heating systems. Its occurrence in out-door natural habitats must be regarded as accidental. Reported founds of webbing clothes moth larvae in bird nests e.g. have been largely overstated in the literature. T. bisselliella should be regarded as an eusynanthropic species.

Distribution and Ecological Niches of Gamasid Mites (Acari: Mesostigmata) on Small Mammals in Southwest China

The ectoparasitic gamasid mites found on small mammals are important arthropods in the field of medical entomology. This paper studied the distribution and ecological niches of ectoparasitic gamasid mites on small mammal hosts in Yunnan Province of southwest China. Levins' niche breadth and Colwell-Futuyma's method were used to quantitatively evaluate host-specificity and similarity of host selection, and hierarchical analysis was used to illustrate niche overlap among gamasid mite species. Species diversity of both small mammals and gamasid mites was lower in indoor habitats than that in outdoor habitats. Most gamasid mite species were found on the body surface of the host species and niche breadths varied from species to species. A species with low niche breadth indicates high host specificity and most gamasid mites showed a relatively low niche overlap. The results suggest that a coevolutionary relationship may exist between some species of gamasid mites and their small mammal hosts.

Acoustic characteristics and variations in grunt vocalizations in the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau

Acoustic communication is critical for reproductive success in the oyster toadfish Opsanus tau. While previous studies have examined the acoustic characteristics, behavioral context, geographical variation, and seasonality of advertisement boatwhistle sound production, there is limited information on the grunt or other non-advertisement vocalizations in this species. This study continuously monitored sound production in toadfish maintained in an outdoor habitat for four months to identify and characterize grunt vocalizations, compare them with boatwhistles, and test for relationships between the incidence of grunt vocalizations, sound characteristics and environmental parameters. Oyster toadfish produced grunts in response to handling, and spontaneous single (70% of all grunts), doublet (10%), and trains of grunts (20%) throughout the May to September study period. Grunt types varied in pulse structure, duration, and frequency components, and were shorter and of lower fundamental frequency than the pulse repetition rate of boatwhistles. Higher water temperatures were correlated with a greater number of grunt emissions, higher fundamental frequencies, and shorter sound durations. The number of grunts per day was also positively correlated with daylength and maximum tidal amplitude differences (previously entrained) associated with full and new moons, thus providing the first demonstration of semilunar vocalization rhythms in the oyster toadfish. These data provide new information on the acoustic repertoire and the environmental factors correlated with sound production in the toadfish, and have important implications for seasonal acoustic communication in this model vocal fish.

Genetic structure of black rat populations in a rural plague focus in Madagascar

The genetic structure of reservoir populations is a key characteristic in understanding the persistence of infectious diseases in natural systems. In the Highlands of Madagascar, where plague has persisted since 1920, the black rat, Rattus rattus (L., 1758), is the sole species acting as a reservoir of the disease. Ecological surveys have shown a clear correlation between the locations of the plague-persistence area in Madagascar (above 800 m elevation) and the distribution area of one endemic plague vector, the flea Synopsyllus fonquerniei , which is found exclusively on rats living outdoors. This clear habitat segregation has led to the suggestion that R. rattus populations in the central highlands are divided into indoor- and outdoor-dwelling populations. Using eight microsatellite markers, we analysed the genetic structure of R. rattus populations living within a human plague focus in relation to habitat and geographic distance. We found that habitat by itself was not a structuring factor, unlike geographic distance. Nevertheless, the significant genotypic differentiation of R. rattus populations that was found at a fine spatial scale might relate to differences in population dynamics between rats in indoor and outdoor habitats.

Influence of physical environmental characteristics and anthropogenic factors on the position and structure of a contact zone between two chromosomal races of the house mouse on the island of Madeira (North Atlantic, Portugal)

AbstractAim This study aimed to investigate if and how environmental characteristics (physical factors of the natural environment and the human impact on the landscape) influence the position and structure of a contact zone between two chromosomal races of the house mouse (Mus musculus domesticus Rutty 1712) from the island of Madeira.Location The western part of Madeira, a volcanic island in the North Atlantic.Methods Mice were sampled along a south/north‐western transect following the main road, in human‐modified outdoor habitats. Karyotypes of mice were determined using the yeast‐stimulated bone marrow cell method. Trapping sites were characterized in terms of their physical (altitude, temperature, precipitation and soil type) and habitat (human landscape use and occupancy) features. Demographic parameters of mouse populations, based on trapping‐with‐removal techniques, were also analysed (relative abundance, sex‐ratio, juvenile ratio and female fertility ratio), as well as body size (weight and length).Results Four chromosomal zones were identified on the basis of the frequency of two diagnostic rearrangements (Rb(6.7) in race E. Calheta and Rb(7.15) in race A. Cruz). E. Calheta was present in the two southern‐most zones, followed by the contact zone characterized by the presence of two inter‐racial hybrids and the co‐occurrence of mice belonging to the two races. The northern‐most part of the transect was occupied by A. Cruz. Environmental features differed leading us to split the transect into two parts. The southern part is characterized by lower altitude and precipitation, milder temperature, better soil quality supporting vegetable crops and vineyards, and more abundant and evenly distributed human habitats. This southern part is occupied by E. Calheta mice. The north‐western part presents characteristics opposite to those described above with cereals as the main cultivated crop, and it includes the contact zone as well as the zone inhabited by A. Cruz mice. The demographic parameters evaluated in this study did not differ significantly between chromosomal zones.Main conclusions This ecological survey highlights differences in climatic and edaphic features that have moulded the agricultural activities of humans, contributing to a differentiation of their spatial development, and hence the structure of potential habitats for mice. Results are interpreted within the source–sink framework of population dynamics, following which E. Calheta may function as a source and the areas where A. Cruz and the contact zone are located may function as a sink. Our study suggests that the position and chromosomal composition of the contact zone is influenced by the human component underlying broader environmental features. Similar characteristics were most likely present during the historical settlement of Madeira. They may have favoured the independent divergence of the two races and influenced the dynamics of the contact zone.

Behavior of captive Bulwer's wattled pheasants, Lophura bulweri (Galliformes: Phasianidae).

Bulwer's wattled pheasant (Lophura bulweri) have traditionally been housed in pairs in captivity, although it is unknown whether monogamy is the species' natural mating system. In 1998 we placed our group of 3.3 L. bulweri together in a complex outdoor habitat, in order to investigate several questions. These included whether monogamous pairing was the natural mating system for the species, how the new grouping would affect their behavior, and what microhabitats the individuals preferred within the complex habitat. Initially, all six individuals remained in the same enclosure without conflict. After a period of approximately 6 weeks, 2.1 of these individuals were removed for their safety, due to increasingly aggressive interactions. The data we collected indicate that the species may have an exploded lek type of mating system in the wild and that individuals may flock together in the nonbreeding season. In addition, males and females seem to prefer different types of shade regimes. These results suggest ways to improve husbandry and breeding success of the species in captivity. Zoo Biol 20:15-25, 2001. Copyright 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.