land). We compared the tibiotarsus and the tarsometatarsus shape between the two species using a geometric morphometric approach. Our data illustrate distinct differences between click here species with a more medially oriented intertarsal joint in the ringed teal than in the common quail, which may be linked to the kinematics of walking and paddling. This study lays the foundations

to understand the functional requirements for moving in both terrestrial and aquatic environments in Anatidae, and suggests morphological characteristics of the bird hindlimb skeleton that may help to predict the motions it is capable of. “
“Movement behaviour is a key component of species’ vulnerability to extinction. African wild dogs’ Lycaon pictus endangerment has been linked to their wide-ranging behaviour, which is hypothesized to expose them to anthropogenic threats in fragmented habitats. I therefore investigated wild dog movement patterns in an area of Kenya where livestock out-number wild ungulates. In the 9 years of the study, wild

dog population density increased from 0.9 to 3.4 adults and yearlings per 100 km2. Home-range size remained unchanged over this time, but overlap between BIBW2992 solubility dmso neighbouring home ranges increased. Nevertheless, packs avoided one another and showed evidence of territoriality. Home ranges were of similar size on commercial ranches and community lands, even though people and livestock were abundant, and competitors and large prey depleted, in the latter land use. Packs showed significant habitat preference; in particular, low human densities on commercial ranches, and zoning of settlement on community lands, facilitated wild dog avoidance of human activities and livestock. These findings suggest that, selleck inhibitor under the right circumstances, wild dogs may be able to avoid anthropogenic threats and thrive in human-dominated landscapes. However, elsewhere in Kenya traditional livestock husbandry is being

abandoned and community land is being subdivided. Such changes would greatly reduce wild dogs’ ability to survive in pastoral areas. “
“Department of Biology, University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, USA The diversity of feeding mechanisms among predators reflects phenotypic modifications that may improve feeding performance on a preferred prey type. I compared trophic morphology, feeding performance (time and upper-jaw walks) and behavior (initial bite and ingestion directions) among three species of natricine snakes that were fed fish and frogs over a broad range of relative prey sizes. Feeding behavior was influenced by prey type but did not differ among the snake species.