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Breaking the constraint on the number of cervical vertebrae in mammals: On homeotic transformations in lorises and pottos

Mammals almost always have seven cervical vertebrae. The strong evolutionary constraint on changes in this number has been broken in sloths and manatees. We have proposed that the extremely low activity and metabolic rates of these species relax the stabilizing selection against changes in the cervical count. Our hypothesis is that strong stabilizing selection in other mammals is largely indirect and due to associated pleiotropic effects, including juvenile cancers. Additional direct selection can occur due to biomechanical problems (thoracic outlet

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Protecting endangered megafauna through AI analysis of drone images in a low-connectivity setting: a case study from Namibia

Assessing the numbers and distribution of at-risk megafauna such as the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) is key to effective conservation, yet such data are difficult to obtain. Many current monitoring technologies are invasive to the target animals and expensive. Satellite monitoring is emerging as a potential tool for very large animals (e.g., elephant) but detecting smaller species requires higher resolution imaging. Drones can deliver the required resolution and speed of monitoring, but challenges remain in delivering automated monitoring systems where

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Anatomy Of The Female Urogenital System Of The West African Giraffe (Giraffa Camelopardalis Peralta)

The knowledge of the anatomy of organs of the urogenital system is vital in understanding aetiologies of anomalies. To this end, morphology and morphometry of the organs of reproduction and urine formation, from autopsies of two adult non-gravid West African giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria were studied. In situ, two encapsulated kidneys were found to be retroperitoneal and asymmetrically pressed against the dorsal abdominal wall on each side of the

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Assessment of characteristics and severity of giraffe skin disease in Tarangire, Manyara ecosystem

Giraffe Skin Disease (GSD) is a recently observed illness, mainly affecting adult and subadult giraffes, causing gray or crusty lesions on giraffe body. The general objective of this study was to assess and characterize GSD and its severity in Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem (TME). The study used road transects to gather field information on GSD. Eighty-four giraffes were sighted by systematic random sampling in the six study sites. Examination of giraffes involved body distribution of lesions, severity of the lesions and whether

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Distribution and prevalence of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of wild animals in South Africa: A systematic review

Ticks are significant ectoparasites of animals and humans. Published data indicate that most vectors that transmit livestock and human pathogens in sub-Saharan Africa, are native to the region and originate from wild animals. Currently, there is a paucity of information on the role of wild animals on the epidemiology of zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in South Africa. This systematic review focuses on the distribution of ticks and prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in different wild animals in South Africa to identify potential

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Giraffe Foraging Ecology In The Tarangire Manyara Ecosystem, Tanzania

Management of rangelands requires knowledge of forage species that are preferred or avoided by wildlife and livestock. The recent and rapid transformation of habitat by humans has led to increased concerns about the proper management of rangelands. In East African savanna ecosystems, the expansion of woody vegetation into previously open grasslands has led some rangeland managers to advocate for the active removal of native bushes to maintain grazing lawns in African savanna ecosystems. However, little is known about how browsing

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Risk factors for stereotypic behaviour in captive ungulates

Behavioural needs are highly motivated actions critical to a species’ survival and reproduction. Prolonged restriction of these behaviours can lead to stereotypic behaviours (SB) in captive animals, and this is particularly common in ungulate species. While risk factors for SB have been suggested for some ungulates, no study has integrated these findings to identify which aspects of ungulates’ wild behavioural biology and captive husbandry are potential drivers for SB across this clade. We collated SB data from 15,236 individuals across

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Terrestrial Megafauna Response to Drone Noise Levels in Ex Situ Areas

Drone use has significantly grown in recent years, and there is a knowledge gap on how the noise produced by these systems may affect animals. We investigated how 12 species of megafauna reacted to drone sound pressure levels at different frequencies. The sound pressure level on the low frequency generated by the drone did not change species’ behavior, except for the Asian elephant. All other studied species showed higher noise sensitivity at medium and high frequencies. The Asian elephant was

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Changes to water management and declining pastoral resilience in Marsabit County, northern Kenya: The example of Gabra wells

In this article, we provide a review of research on the existing and abandoned wells in Marsabit County, Northern Kenya, and associated Indigenous Knowledge concerning water governance, institutions of leadership, and how these have contributed to sustaining a resilient pastoral economy in these harsh landscapes. The article discusses the socio-ecological systems that have been maintained by pastoralists for generations, linking their sustainability to leadership structures and institutional memory, with a particular focus on the Gabra. It further highlights internal and

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The frst molecular identifcation and phylogenetic analysis of tick‑borne pathogens in captive wild animals from Lohi Bher Zoo, Pakistan

Tick-borne pathogens are causing severe diseases in livestock, wild animals, and humans. Wild animals play a crucial role in tick-borne pathogens’ transmission life cycle by serving as reservoir hosts or intermediate hosts, posing a continuous risk for domestic animals and humans. The presence of tick-borne pathogens is often ignored in wild animals kept in zoos, which is a public health concern. In the present study, we investigated these pathogens in tick-infested captive wild animal at the Lohi Bher zoo, Pakistan.

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