Bassariscus Astutus Research Articles

Ecological Characteristics of Diurnal Rest Sites Used by Ringtails (Bassariscus astutus)

Ecological Characteristics of Diurnal Rest Sites Used by Ringtails (Bassariscus astutus)

Ecological Characteristics of Diurnal Rest Sites Used by Ringtails (Bassariscus astutus)

Ecological Characteristics of Diurnal Rest Sites Used by Ringtails (Bassariscus astutus)

Opossums cleaning our cities: consumption of rodent carcasses in an urban reserve

Abstract Rodent carcasses are a source of food and a biological hazard that can commonly be found in natural and anthropic ecosystems. Therefore, this article aims to determine which organisms consume those carcasses in an urban reserve. For this, 53 rodent carcasses were placed in front of camera traps to record their consumers. The final destiny of 41 carcasses is known: 76 % were consumed by opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and 24 % by ringtails (Bassariscus astutus). Flies and ants attempted to take advantage of the carcasses but in all cases ended up losing the competition to mammals. Opossums are the most efficient carrion consumers, as they exhibit learning as to where the carcasses are located and are able to consume old carcasses (up to 10 days old). This suggests that mid-size mammals, especially opossums, are providing an important ecological and health service for both natural ecosystems and human populations by removing rodent carcasses that otherwise could become sources of infection.

A MIXTURE OF NALBUPHINE, AZAPERONE, AND MEDETOMIDINE FOR IMMOBILIZING RINGTAILS (BASSARISCUS ASTUTUS).

We evaluated a combination of nalbuphine HCl (40 mg/mL), azaperone tartrate (10 mg/mL), and medetomidine HCl (10 mg/mL), a combination known as NAM or NalMed-A, in 23 ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) during 29 handling events for a radio-collaring study in southern Oregon, US, from August 2020 to March 2022. The combination was delivered to ringtails by hand injection at 0.075 mL NAM per estimated 1 kg body mass. The mean (± standard deviation, SD) dosage calculated post hoc was 3.366 (±0.724) mg/kg nalbuphine, 0.841 (±0.181) mg/kg medetomidine, and 0.841 (±0.181) mg/kg azaperone. All captured ringtails were effectively immobilized with a mean (SD) induction time of 13.24 (±3.57) min. The medetomidine and nalbuphine components were antagonized with a combination of atipamezole and naltrexone HCl with a mean (SD) recovery time of 2.48 (±1.94) min. This combination appeared to be safe and effective for immobilizing ringtails with a low volume dose, smooth antagonism, and rapid recovery. In addition, NAM does not contain any drugs that are US Drug Enforcement scheduled, which makes it useful for immobilization procedures by wildlife professionals in the US.

Assessing the impact of free-ranging cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) on wildlife in a natural urban reserve in Mexico City

Conservation of natural ecosystems embedded in urban contexts is a big challenge because diverse anthropogenic factors continuously impact native biodiversity and ecological processes. One such factor is the pervasive presence of free-ranging predators, especially cats (Felis silvestris catus) and dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), which may severely affect local wildlife. The “Reserva Ecológica del Pedregal de San Ángel” (REPSA), located within the main campus of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), in southern Mexico City, is an important natural area that protects a peculiar volcanic spill ecosystem holding native and endemic biodiversity. In 2012, UNAM launched a control program of cats and dogs in REPSA that is still active. To assess the potential impact of cats and dogs on wildlife species, we used live and camera traps coupled with capture-recapture analyses to evaluate changes in the vertebrate community, particularly in the presence and abundance of two medium-size native mammals (Didelphis virginiana and Bassariscus astutus), before (2008–2009) and during (2017–2019) the control program. Results showed that the abundance of dogs decreased between the two periods, but not so the abundance of cats, whereas the native vertebrate diversity increased from the pre-control stage to the control period. Furthermore, we found a negative, non-significant relationship between the abundance of D. virginiana and that of dogs, and a positive, also non-significant relationship between the presence and abundance of B. astutus with the abundance of dogs. We conclude that the control program of free-ranging predators has been beneficial for the conservation of native vertebrates and recommend its continuation and enhancement.

Threatened Habitats of Carnivores: Identifying Conservation Areas in Michoacán, México

The present study contributes to bridging the gap in research related to the presence and distribution patterns of carnivore mammals in western México and identifies priority areas for biodiversity conservation in western Michoacán, México. The distribution of 11 carnivore species (Canis latrans; Urocyon cinereoargenteus; Herpailurus yagouaroundi; Leopardus pardalis; Leopardus wiedii; Puma concolor; Panthera onca; Conepatus leuconotus; Bassariscus astutus; Nasua narica; Procyon lotor) in western México was modeled through the application of a two-scale approach, including a large modeled region that corresponded to the western part of the country, for which consensus models were obtained that represent the species’ bioclimatic envelopes (historic occurrence records); and the second modeled study area that includes only the western portion of the state of Michoacán in which compounded models of the species’ habitat suitability (field occurrence records) for this region were proposed. Using species’ habitat suitability models as biodiversity units, prioritization exercises were carried out on important areas for the conservation of these species, as well as the comparison and analysis of the existing natural protected areas (NPA) and existing proposed conservation areas in the study area. The different exercises for prioritizing areas for conservation yielded similar results and show the potential percentages of the landscape that can be subjected to conservation programs. The highest conservation priority values were mainly located in the Costas del Sur and Cordillera del Sur provinces. This study signifies a flexible basis from which future studies on planning and designing a network of natural protected areas can be carried out in this region.

Predation risk in tree squirrels: implications of the presence of free‐ranging dogs

AbstractSmall mammals show variations in activity patterns due to the use of resources and the risk of predation. However, in the case of tree squirrel species, the factors that affect their activity patterns are poorly studied. We used camera trapping to investigate the activity patterns of three different squirrel species of the genus Sciurus, two species of squirrel (Sciurus aureogaster and S. oculatus) from Mexico and one from the Iberian Peninsula (S. vulgaris). In addition, we compared their activity patterns with the potential predator community and their most important predators (Mexico: gray fox Urocyon cinereoargenteus, ringtail Bassariscus astutus, Opossum Didelphis virginiana; Spain: red fox Vulpes vulpes, pine and stone marten Martes spp.), and with feral and free‐ranging dogs (Canis lupus familiaris). We evaluated the predation risk by the carnivore community on the squirrels when they descend to the ground by studying their temporal overlap and observing if the squirrels have different activity patterns adjusted to the carnivore community in each study area. The results showed that the three species of squirrels consistently descended to the ground during the day, showing a variable maximum peak of activity between 8:00 and 12:00 h. Temporal overlap of activity patterns of the three species with the carnivore community was low (Δ = 0.12–0.36), same as with the main predators (Mexico: gray fox Δ = 0.14–0.21, ringtail Δ = 0.08–0.09, opossum Δ = 0.06–0.07; Spain: red fox Δ = 0.39, martens Δ = 0.22). However, temporal overlap of activity patterns with the domestic dog was moderate‐high in the three squirrel species (Mexico Δ = 0.55–0.88, Spain Δ = 0.79). These results show that the species of the genus Sciurus have adjusted their activity patterns of ground use to reduce predation risk by wild predators but not with feral and free‐ranging dogs, something which can pose a serious conservation problem for these species.

Characterization of triatomine bloodmeal sources using direct Sanger sequencing and amplicon deep sequencing methods

Knowledge of host associations of blood-feeding vectors may afford insights into managing disease systems and protecting public health. However, the ability of methods to distinguish bloodmeal sources varies widely. We used two methods—Sanger sequencing and amplicon deep sequencing—to target a 228 bp region of the vertebrate Cytochrome b gene and determine hosts fed upon by triatomines (n = 115) collected primarily in Texas, USA. Direct Sanger sequencing of PCR amplicons was successful for 36 samples (31%). Sanger sequencing revealed 15 distinct host species, which included humans, domestic animals (Canis lupus familiaris, Ovis aries, Gallus gallus, Bos taurus, Felis catus, and Capra hircus), wildlife (Rattus rattus, Incilius nebulifer, Sciurus carolinensis, Sciurus niger, and Odocoileus virginianus), and captive animals (Panthera tigris, Colobus spp., and Chelonoidis carbonaria). Samples sequenced by the Sanger method were also subjected to Illumina MiSeq amplicon deep sequencing. The amplicon deep sequencing results (average of 302,080 usable reads per sample) replicated the host community revealed using Sanger sequencing, and detected additional hosts in five triatomines (13.9%), including two additional blood sources (Procyon lotor and Bassariscus astutus). Up to four bloodmeal sources were detected in a single triatomine (I. nebulifer, Homo sapiens, C. lupus familiaris, and S. carolinensis). Enhanced understanding of vector-host-parasite networks may allow for integrated vector management programs focusing on highly-utilized and highly-infected host species.

Wildlife visitation at abandoned mines

AbstractAbandoned mines provide habitat for bats, but their importance to other wildlife is less understood. This descriptive study was designed to answer the following questions with an emphasis on carnivores: are wildlife species other than bats visiting abandoned mines, is wildlife entering abandoned mines, does wildlife visitation at abandoned mines differ seasonally, and does wildlife visitation differ at individual mines? To address these questions, we monitored 50 abandoned mines using remote cameras in the northern Sangre de Cristo Mountains, Colorado, USA, for 25,201 camera days from May 2017 to August 2020. We monitored mines in 2 phases. During phase 1 (May 2017–May 2019), we monitored 30 randomly selected mines to gather baseline data on carnivore visitation and to model carnivore visitation. During phase 2 (May 2019–August 2020), we monitored 27 mines to test the visitation model and to determine if carnivores visited multiple mines as they traveled across the landscape. We observed >48 species of vertebrates at mines, including 11 of 14 carnivore species known to occur in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Carnivores ranged in size from ringtails (Bassariscus astutus) to American black bears (Ursus americanus). Pumas (Puma concolor) visited mines most frequently and we observed pairs of adult pumas entering mines, presumably during courtship and mating. We also observed American black bears, pumas, and common gray foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) visiting and entering mines with young. Carnivores visited mines at low levels throughout the year and visitation differed by season, temperature, and carnivore species, size, and family. Our most parsimonious generalized linear models identified mine elevation, entrance (portal) size, land cover type, tree cover, and aspect as significant predictors of visitation. Our top models explained ≥78% of the variation in carnivore visits and indicated that carnivores in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains were most likely to visit small horizontal mines at lower elevations in dense piñon (Pinus edulis)—juniper (Juniperus sp.) woodlands. We encourage resource managers to monitor abandoned mines for ≥1 year prior to closing or gating mines to understand which wildlife species might be affected by closures.

Natural co-infection of divergent hepatitis B and C virus homologues in carnivores.

In humans, co-infection of hepatitis B and C viruses (HBV, HCV) is common and aggravates disease outcome. Infection-mediated disease aggravation is poorly understood, partly due to lack of suitable animal models. Carnivores are understudied for hepatitis virus homologues. We investigated Mexican carnivores (ringtails, Bassariscus astutus) for HBV and HCV homologues. Three out of eight animals were infected with a divergent HBV termed ringtail HBV (RtHBV) at high viral loads of 5×109 -1.4×1010 copies/ml serum. Two of the RtHBV-infected animals were co-infected with a divergent hepacivirus termed ringtail hepacivirus (RtHV) at 4×106 -7.5×107 copies/ml in strain-specific qRT-PCR assays. Immunofluorescence assays relying on HBV core and RtHV NS3/4a proteins indicated that none of the animals had detectable hepadnavirus core-specific antibodies, whereas one RtHV-infected animal had concomitant RtHV-specific antibodies at 1:800 end-point titre. RtHBV and RtHV complete genomes showed typical HBV and HCV structure and length. All RtHBV genomes were identical, whereas RtHV genomes showed four amino acid substitutions located predominantly in the E1/E2-encoding genomic regions. Both RtHBV (>28% genomic nucleotide sequence distance) and RtHV (>30% partial NS3/NS5B amino acid sequence distance) formed new species within their virus families. Evolutionary analyses showed that RtHBV grouped with HBV homologues from different laurasiatherian hosts (carnivores, bats, and ungulates), whereas RtHV grouped predominantly with rodent-borne viruses. Ancestral state reconstructions showed that RtHV, but not RtHBV, likely emerged via a non-recent host switch involving rodent-borne hepacivirus ancestors. Conserved hepatitis virus infection patterns in naturally infected ringtails indicate that carnivores may be promising animal models to understand HBV/HCV co-infection.

Rediscovering an old friend: the case of Ixodes dampfi in a protected natural reserve in central Mexico.

The tick Ixodes dampfi Cooley 1943, a member of the Pholeoixodes subgenus, was first described from gophers (Geomys sp.) collected in the state of Mexico. However, information on the origin and parasite-host association of I. dampfi is lacking. Here, new records of the occurrence of this tick species were provided nearly 80years since its original description, in addition to new localities, genetic data, and host-parasite records. A total of four hosts (one Bassariscus astutus, two Didelphis virginiana, and one Peromyscus gratus) from three orders (Carnivora, Didelphimorphia, and Rodentia) were parasitised by seven I. dampfi females. Sequences of the 16S rDNA gene from the ticks exhibited a similarity ranging from 97 (389/403bp) to 100% (403/403bp), with the unique sequence of I. dampfi available on GenBank (AF549837). Additionally, Rickettsia-specific 16S rDNA, htrA, and ompA gene assays generated sequences in four of the seven I. dampfi specimens (57.14%). Partial sequences revealed 99-100% genetic identities with Candidatus Rickettsia angustus (GenBank accession HF935069, HF935072, HF935078) and Candidatus Rickettsia kingi (GenBank accession HF935068, HF935071, HF935077) from Canada. Our results represent the first record of this elusive ectoparasite in a natural protected area, which is a triumph for conservation, as accelerated defaunation processes pose the risk of coextinction for many groups of vertebrates and their ectoparasites.

Evaluating the efficacy and decay of lures for improving carnivore detections with camera traps

AbstractAbundance and occupancy estimates are essential to wildlife research, but are often hampered by limited detections, especially for cryptic species like carnivores. While scientists can account for limited detections during statistical analyses, increasing detections in the field is the best way to reduce uncertainty. Camera traps are an effective, noninvasive method of monitoring wildlife, and using attractants with camera traps can increase the likelihood of detecting carnivores. We tested two scent lures (sardines and fatty acid tablets) against a control of no lure to determine whether either lure increased detections of six carnivore species, bobcat (Lynx rufus), coyote (Canis latrans), gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), raccoon (Procyon lotor), striped skunk (Memphitis memphitis), and ringtail (Bassariscus astutus). We also examined how detection of carnivores was affected as the lure decayed over time. We used occupancy modeling for each species to determine whether either lure increased detection probability. We then modeled how lure decay affected carnivore detections and determined the optimal length of deployment using generalized linear mixed models. Sardines increased detections across all carnivores, but also had a high rate of decay and were no different than the control at day 18. Fatty acid tablets decayed more slowly, but were not significantly different from the control at any point. Among species, detections of gray foxes and raccoons increased with both sardines and fatty acid tablets, while detections of ringtails increased only with sardines, and other species did not respond significantly to either lure. Our analysis shows that lures can increase detections of carnivores, but species‐specific responses and study objectives must be considered when choosing a lure. These results will allow future researchers to improve the accuracy of abundance and occupancy estimates through increased detections of difficult to study species which ultimately leads to better conservation and management of those species.

El Modelling potential distribution of the endemic ringtail (Bassariscus astutus saxicola) on an island in the Gulf of California

Objective: Analyze the topography of the island with a digital elevation model (DEM) at 30 m spatial resolution and generate the first distribution model for an endemic carnivore from the islands of the Gulf of California.
 Design/Methodology/Approach: This study employed the Maxent species distribution model to find the distribution of the ringtail in its habitat on Espíritu Santo Island. In 2015–2016, through four surveys, ringtails were trapped in eight glens on the west of the island. A total of 74 individuals were captured, with nine recaptures.
 Results: The variables with the greatest contributions to the models were elevation, contributing 71.6%; heat load index 15% and ruggedness 11.8%. The model predicts > 0.5 probabilities of presence of this carnivore in 3,018 hectares of the island. We obtained a high AUC value (0.928), which indicates that the model is accurate, and subsequently confirmed it with a value of pAUC = 1.917.
 Study Limitations/Implications: The habitat of the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus saxicola) was little known mainly because it is an endemic species. And there was not a published article that will show its distribution within the island.
 Conclusions: This model shows that topographic variables are useful to explain the potential distribution of the ringtail, mainly because the topography is related to sites that can offer thermal refuge, abundance of food, and escape routes from predators, among other features.

Myological and Osteological Correlates of Hindfoot Reversal in the Kinkajou (Potos flavus)

The kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a South and Central American procyonid that can plantarflex and invert its hindfoot around multiple joints in order to fully reverse the hindfoot 180°. However, the myological and osteological adaptions that facilitate this behavior have not been quantified metrically. Osteological correlates of hindfoot reversal have been described in the past, but recent advances in data collection allow for a more comprehensive evaluation of shape differences. Osteological features of the astragalus (talus), calcaneus, and distal tibia of P. flavus were collected and compared to other carnivoran species, including species that are full, partial, and non-reversers of the hindfoot. Hindfoot reversing procyonids were found to possess a relatively smaller medial malleousl, a wider sustentaculum tali, narrower calcaneal tuberosity, and a relatively longer astragalus. In general, the dimensions of the astragalus tend to discriminate hindfoot reversing taxa from other locomotor categories more reliably than the dimensions of the calcaneus or distal tibia. A detailed dissection, description, and documentation of the hind limb muscles in P. flavus was undertaken, and we present the first comprehensive review of its muscular anatomy utilizing muscle maps of the pelvis, femur, tibia, and fibula. Potos flavus has well-developed plantarflexor and invertor muscles, traits which have been hypothesized to characterize species that perform hindfoot reversal. This finding contrasts with other procyonid hindfoot reversing species, such as Bassariscus astutus, which appear to lack muscular adaptations to hindfoot reversal. Muscle semimembranosus, a muscle that facilitates hind limb suspension, was also enlarged. Overall, the hind limb musculature and hindfoot osteology of the kinkajou are consistent with proposed adaptations to hindfoot reversal.

Endozoochorous dispersal of forest seeds by carnivorous mammals in Sierra Fría, Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Some carnivorous mammals ingest fruit and disperse seeds of forest plant species capable of colonizing disturbed areas in ecosystems. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the dissemination of Arctostaphylos pungens and Juniperus deppeana seeds by the gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargenteus), coyote (Canis latrans), and other carnivores in the Protected Natural Area Sierra Fría, in Aguascalientes, Mexico. Scat collection was undertaken via transects using the direct search method, while the seasonal phenology of A. pungens and J. deppeana was evaluated by recording flower and fruit abundance on both the plant and the surrounding forest floor ground. Seed viability was assessed by optical densitometry via X‐ray and a germination test. It was found that the gray fox, coyote, ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), and bobcat (Lynx rufus) disseminated seeds of A. pungens (212 ± 48.9 seeds/scat) and J. deppeana (23.6 ± 4.9 seeds/scat), since a large proportion of the collected scat of these species contained seeds (28/30 = 93.33%, 12/43 = 27.9%, 6/12 = 50% and 7/25 = 28% respectively). The gray fox, coyote, ringtail, and bobcat presented an average of seed dispersion of both plant species of 185.4 ± 228.7, 4.0 ± 20.0, 12.1 ± 30.4, and 0.8 ± 1.5 per scat; the seed proportions in the gray fox, coyote, ringtail, and bobcat were 89.6/10.4%, 82.3/17.7%, 90.4/9.6%, and 38.1/61.9% for A. pungens and J. deppeana, respectively. The phenology indicated a finding related to the greater abundance of ripe fruit in autumn and winter (p < .01). This coincided with the greater abundance of seeds found in scats during these seasons. Endozoochory and diploendozoochory enhanced the viability and germination of the seeds (p > .05), except in those of A. pungens dispersed by coyote. These results suggest that carnivores, particularly the gray fox, the coyote, and the bobcat, play an important role in forest seed dissemination, and thus forest regeneration, by making both a quantitative and qualitative contribution to the dispersal of the two pioneer species under study.

Immunochromatographic antibody screening for diagnosis of Trypanosoma cruzi in South Texas meso‐mammals

ABSTRACTAmerican trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease) is caused by the flagellated protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi (T. cruzi), a zoonotic parasite found in meso‐mammal species in South Texas, USA. Chagas disease is of growing concern in vertebrate species, and not well‐understood. Protocols for detection of mammalian T. cruzi infection are available, but have poor specificity and sensitivity and require a secondary disease confirmation assay. The utility of combining an antibody‐based and a DNA‐based assay for simultaneous T. cruzi infection detection has been largely underexplored. Our objectives were to evaluate commercially available single‐use Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. DPP® (Dual Path Platform) immunochromatographic rapid detection assay device for the detection of antibodies to T. cruzi in meso‐mammal species as compared with standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for T. cruzi DNA. In May and June 2016, we tested the device on whole blood serum from 50 meso‐mammals including raccoons (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossums (Didelphis virginiana), fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), rock squirrels (Otospermophilus variegatus), a striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis), a nine‐banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus), and a ringtail (Bassariscus astutus) in central Texas. Our results showed the Chembio Diagnostics, Inc. DPP® immunochromatographic rapid detect assay system identified infection in 74% of meso‐mammals that tested positive by PCR. This testing device shows promise as an effective first‐line T. cruzi antibody detection device to mass screen for disease infection in meso‐mammals. © 2019 The Wildlife Society.

Analysis of the effect of recreational dog walking on the occupancy probability of the ringtail Bassariscus astutus (Carnivora: Procyonidae) within an urban ecosystem

Despite being highly modified environments, cities are important reservoirs of biodiversity. The ecological reserve situated within southern Mexico City houses several species of mammals, including the ringtail Bassariscus astutus. However, the urban areas surrounding the reserve are subject to various types of uses that could affect the presence of wild species inside and out of the reserve areas. Here, I tested the hypothesis that recreational activities, especially the walking of domestic dogs, can cause the ringtails, smaller sized carnivores, to avoid certain areas. To achieve this, I carried out a survey throughout the reserve and urban landscape, and registered the presence of domestic dogs and ringtails by direct observation or via the detection of feces and latrines during two sampling seasons. I used single species occupancy models to determine the environmental covariates associated with the presence of these carnivores within the reserve and the urban areas around it. In addition, I used two-species occupancy models to estimate the species interaction factor between these species to assess if the presence of domestic dogs has a negative effect over the presence of ringtails. My results reveal that shrub cover in the area affects the occurrence of these species, and that there is no clear evidence that domestic dogs negatively affect the occupancy of ringtails during the studied seasons. These results highlight the capacity of the ringtails to adapt to rapid urbanization, but do not guarantee that recreational activities, especially those involving dogs, have no negative effects on the local distribution of other smaller mammals within this urban reserve.

Hindlimb myology of the kinkajou (Potos flavus )

The kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a common exotic pet in the United States, and is also found in many zoo collections. However, basic information about its anatomy, which is essential for proper veterinary care, is poorly documented. Captive kinkajous often suffer from metabolic bone disorders resulting from inappropriate captive diet. Unfortunately, these bone diseases are difficult to diagnose due to a lack of understanding of baseline anatomy and available references, such as normal radiographs. There is also little understanding of kinkajou locomotion, which is important for understanding how they interact with their environment. The kinkajou can plantarflex and invert its pes (hindfoot) around multiple ankle and pes joints in order to fully reverse the pes 180°; however the myological and osteological adaptions that facilitate this behavior are unclear. Well‐developed plantarflexor and invertor muscles were recently hypothesized in species exhibiting hindfoot reversal. However, recent studies of other procyonids do not support this hypothesis.To address the issue of the lack of understanding of basic kinkajou anatomy and its locomotor behaviors, the left and right hindlimbs of an adult male kinkajou were dissected. A detailed description, and documentation of the hindlimb muscles in P. flavus was conducted. Here, we present the first comprehensive review of the muscular anatomy of the hindlimb of P. flavus including detailed anatomical description, muscle maps of the pelvis, long bones, and pes, and comparisons to other documented species of the Carnivoran order.Our dissections revealed that the anatomy of the hindlimb muscles was generally consistent with previous descriptions of other carnivoran taxa, although we observed a few interesting differences. In the thigh, the kinkajou had three bellies of m. semimembranosus, in contrast to two bellies in another procyonid, the ringtail (Bassariscus astutus), giant panda, and the domestic dog. The only other taxa with three bellies were the lesser grison and red panda. In the quadriceps femoris group, the kinkajou most closely resembled the red panda; however, it also shared some similarities in the quadriceps femoris with the ringtail and lesser grison. In the leg, the kinkajou closely resembles the domestic dog and lesser grison in the morphology of the m. gastrocnemius. In m. popliteus, the kinkajou most closely resembles the ringtail.Having this baseline understanding of kinkajou hindlimb functional anatomy, can provide insight into adaptations for its unique locomotor style. This understanding also has implications for proper husbandry by lending itself to the development of more exceptional habitats and enrichments for captive specimens and creating awareness for how any potential changes to environmental habitat could affect their health and well‐being.Support or Funding InformationThis study was funded by the Department of Biomedical Sciences, Midwestern University.This abstract is from the Experimental Biology 2019 Meeting. There is no full text article associated with this abstract published in The FASEB Journal.

Dynamic occupancy modelling reveals a hierarchy of competition among fishers, grey foxes and ringtails.

Determining how species coexist is critical for understanding functional diversity, niche partitioning and interspecific interactions. Identifying the direct and indirect interactions among sympatric carnivores that enable their coexistence is particularly important to elucidate because they are integral for maintaining ecosystem function. We studied the effects of removing nine fishers (Pekania pennanti) on their population dynamics and used this perturbation to elucidate the interspecific interactions among fishers, grey foxes (Urocyon cinereoargenteus) and ringtails (Bassariscus astutus). Grey foxes (family: Canidae) are likely to compete with fishers due to their similar body sizes and dietary overlap, and ringtails (family: Procyonidae), like fishers, are semi-arboreal species of conservation concern. We used spatial capture-recapture to investigate fisher population numbers and dynamic occupancy models that incorporated interspecific interactions to investigate the effects members of these species had on the colonization and persistence of each other's site occupancy. The fisher population showed no change in density for up to 3years following the removals of fishers for translocations. In contrast, fisher site occupancy decreased in the years immediately following the translocations. During this same time period, site occupancy by grey foxes increased and remained elevated through the end of the study. We found a complicated hierarchy among fishers, foxes and ringtails. Fishers affected grey fox site persistence negatively but had a positive effect on their colonization. Foxes had a positive effect on ringtail site colonization. Thus, fishers were the dominant small carnivore where present and negatively affected foxes directly and ringtails indirectly. Coexistence among the small carnivores we studied appears to reflect dynamic spatial partitioning. Conservation and management efforts should investigate how intraguild interactions may influence the recolonization of carnivores to previously occupied landscapes.

Puma (Puma concolor), a top predator in Sierra del Tentzo Nature Reserve in Central Mexico

The puma ( Puma concolor ) is the felid with the broadest distribution in America and plays a key role in the environment. However, there is scarce information about the species, as well as on how habitat loss, prey depletion and hunting have affected puma population along its range. Thus, it is imperative to generate information on the presence and distribution of puma in highly fragmented habitats like Central Mexico. We conducted a camera trapping survey to determine deer densities during September 2012 along trails in remnants of oak forest near the town of San Nicolas Huajuapan in the municipality of Huehuetlan el Grande, Puebla (18° 46ʹ 57.18ʺ N, -98° 07ʹ 18.95ʺ W). A photograph of an adult puma of undetermined sex was obtained at 00:32 hours on September 16 near a dry river bed at 1,680 masl. During the same season, we also captured other species like white tailed deer ( Odocoileus virginianus ), ringtail ( Bassariscus astutus ), coyote ( Canis latrans ) and grey fox ( Urocyon cinereoargenteus ). This record is important as the closest protected area presumably inhabited by puma is the Izta-Popo Nature Reserve; other sightings have also been recorded in the Mixteca Poblana and the Tehuacan-Cuicatlan Biosphere Reserve. This record is noteworthy because the species distribution in the state is unknown. A distance analysis showed that this site is relevant for connecting different puma populations in Central Mexico.