MAMMAL NEWS - MAMMAL SOCIETY 2017 REVIEW WATER VOLE DNA DORMICE MOLE-RATS IN THE DESERT LIVING WITH HYENAS FINDING THE FOSSORIAL
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MAMMAL NEWS
www.mammal.org.uk Spring 2018 • Issue 180
MAMMAL SOCIETY 2017 REVIEW • WATER VOLE DNA • DORMICE
MOLE-RATS IN THE DESERT • LIVING WITH HYENAS • FINDING THE FOSSORIAL
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk
Rina Quinlan
Information Officer
I joined the Mammal Society as Information More recently I have been conducting research
Officer in September 2017, taking over from with the University of Aarhus in Denmark
the brilliant Charlotte Marshall who has on European megafauna, looking at the
moved on to start her master’s degree in ecological benefits of wild equids in Europe,
Biodiversity and Conservation. and I am also hoping to set up surveys
Having spent a few days training in August to monitor stoats and weasel populations
with Charlotte and the Mammal Society team in Sussex this Spring. In my spare time I
in their previous offices at University of Exeter, enjoy hiking, horse riding, mountaineering
Contents I had a small taster of the busy and diverse
role that I would be taking on. As a small
and spending time amongst nature with my
friends and family. I have a real fondness for
Scotland, especially the Cairngorms, and try
charity we shout rather loudly in the world
03 Spring Conference of mammal conservation and it has been to visit at least a few times a year.
clear to me from the start that the focus on It looks set to be a
04 Review of 2017
evidence-based conservation is key in both busy but exciting
08 Student Conference the mission statement and every day actions year ahead both
of the organisation. Since joining I have helped personally and in
09 University Mammal arrange the Autumn Symposium, showcasing my role with the
Challenge 2017 the very latest in marine mammal research, Mammal Society.
launched National Mammal Week, the Mammal In 2018 we will
10 Project Splatter Photographer of the Year 2018 competition and be focusing on
the 2017 Hedgehog Watch Survey. I have also non-native and
12 DNA in the Water joined a coalition of environmental organisations invasive species,
campaigning towards safeguarding mountain with a special
14 Securing a future for
hare populations in Scotland. issue of Mammal
Warwickshire’s dormice
I have lived in Sussex all my life, apart from News and a
16 Researching Damaraland travels overseas and a short time spent living in dedicated scientific
mole-rats in the Kalahari Sabah, Malaysia, working with horses, so I was symposium to raise Cairngorms winter hiking.
Desert delighted when I saw this position advertised, awareness. There are both new and well-known
and that it would be based with the Mammal mammals that take on the label invasive and
18 Cohabiting with Hyenas Society Chair, Prof. Fiona Mathews alongside I find it fascinating to explore what makes a
her new position as Professor of Environmental mammal friend or foe in the converging world
20 Finding the Fossorial
Biology at the University of Sussex. that we live in today. What is more important,
rather than when or how a mammal made a
21 Book Reviews I am a passionate conservationist and I am landscape its home, is what impact – good
particularly interested in restoration ecology, or bad, it currently has on the fauna and flora
22 Book Reviews and mammalian biology and ecosystem health. I
Mammal Training around it, especially in one that has already
am on the committee for the Sussex Mammal been heavily fragmented and impacted upon
Group. I am also a freelance wildlife guide and
23 Thanks to our supporters
ecologist, which keeps me on my toes during
by humans. The Mammal Society’s evidence-
based approach to conservation is therefore
the survey season. extremely important as we start to unravel
I have volunteered this complex subject in the year ahead. Aside
on local projects, from this, we are also busy with the release of
such as monitoring two important and much needed publications,
Editor’s apology the exciting otter compiling the newest addition of the National
We failed to acknowledge reappearance Mammal Atlas and pulling together a Red List
our thanks to Sophie Watts in Sussex and of British and Irish Mammals. Lastly, of course,
for writing up the Student on celebrated there’s the Spring Conference 20th – 22nd April
Seminar in the Autumn 2017 reintroduction in Exeter, at which I hope to meet many of you.
issue. My grateful thanks projects further
to all those who agree to afield, such as In the meantime I look forward to
write up seminar/conference radio tracking pine keeping you updated with our blog at
events and provide photos martens with the www.mammal.org.uk and I can also be
for these articles. Radio tracking pine martens Vincent Wildlife contacted in the Mammal Society Office
in Wales with VWT. Trust in Wales. on email at info@themammalsociety.org
Officers of The Mammal Society MAMMAL NEWS is published by:
President: Dr Paul Chanin The Mammal Society
Chair: Prof Fiona Mathews
www.mammal.org.uk Tel. 02380 010981
Vice Chair: Kate Hills
Hon Secretary: Dr Merryl Gelling Registered Charity No 278918
Hon Treasurer: Rodger Pressland Editor: Hilary Conlan. Contributions to the next issue of Mammal News
Conference Secretary: Kate Williamson should be emailed to editor@themammalsociety.org
Print & Design: Lonsdale Direct Solutions 01933 228855
Cover image: Beavers. Photography by Rhona Forrester.
The opinions and points of view expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of The Mammal Society or the Editor. Advertisements for services, products and other organisations in this journal are accepted
in good faith. However, The Mammal Society gives no guarantees or endorsements of the services, products and other organisations nor that the advertisers will fulfil their obligations or claims. All rights reserved; no part of
this publication may be reprinted or reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of
the publishers. While every effort is made to ensure that Mammal News is published on the stated date and all advertisements and advertising matter appear correctly and in the issue requested, The Mammal Society cannot
guarantee this and bookings are therefore accepted on this understanding. The Mammal Society cannot accept responsibility for transparencies or other contributions submitted on a speculative basis.
2 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk
The Mammal Society’s
64th Spring Conference
University of Exeter 20th – 22nd April 2018
Our 64th Spring Conference will act as a forum The conference will be begin on Friday evening, with a chance to
view the winners from the ‘Mammal Photographer of the Year’ from
for mammal experts and enthusiasts to meet in 6.30pm. The prize-giving will be at 7.30pm, followed immediately
a friendly and relaxed atmosphere to hear the by the prestigious Cranbrook lecture. The Cranbrook lecture is
open to the public.
results of new research, discuss contemporary
The scientific sessions open on the Saturday morning, followed by
issues in conservation and network with other further fascinating 2 days of workshops, presentations and rapid
fire talks.
like-minded people. Join the gala dinner on Saturday evening to mingle, relax and
enjoy our fun raffle and quiz.
Workshops will cover
• Bat Mitigation – new research to improve evidence-base
PRICES
FROZEN
• Beavers
• Camera trapping
Prices (frozen at 2017 rates): AT 2017
RATES!
Full weekend package* Members £295 Non-members £345
Restricted weekend package** Members £255 Non-members £305
Day delegate*** Members £85 Non-members £115
Student full package* Members £245 Non-members £295
Student day ticket*** Members £50 Non-members £80
*Full package includes 2 nights accommodation, breakfasts, teas/coffees, lunches, Friday evening dinner and Conference Dinner on
the Saturday night.
Evening meals on Friday at the venue are included within the full package this year between 17.30 – 18.30.
**Restricted weekend package is Sat. night accommodation, teas/coffees, lunches and the Conference Dinner
***Day tickets include teas/coffees and lunch
To assist members in spreading the cost of attendance we are offering the option to pay for attendance over 3 monthly payments (the
final payment being made in February 2017). Please call the office on 02380 010984 or email training@themammalsociety.org.
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 3
The Mammal Society
Review of 2017
The focus of this year this year, have delivered training to more than 100 people and
has been on data introduced a range of popular new courses. Our Spring Conference
and how to make was as popular as ever and we were fortunate to have as our plenary
the best use of it to speaker Prof. Bill Sutherland, a leading proponent of evidence-
inform evidence- based conservation. We also held an extremely successful autumn
Dr Fiona Mathews based conservation. symposium on recent advances in monitoring marine mammals.
Chair of the Mammal Society We have been Over recent years the Society has focused largely on terrestrial
chair@themammalsociety.org hard at work on species, but this successful event highlighted the synergies between
several milestone terrestrial and marine research and has opened opportunities for
publications – the Review of the Population and Conservation Status collaborative ventures in the future.
of British Mammals, the first Red List for British Mammals and the Following last year’s success, we have continued to undertake
UK Mammal Atlas – all of which are close to completion. These research to address important knowledge gaps that hinder the
projects are based very largely on records submitted and verified conservation of British mammals. Following the fantastic response to
by volunteers, many of whom are Mammal Society members. The our Hedgehog Watch Questionnaire, we decided to launch a citizen
challenge for the future is to make records more useful and our science project to assess whether artificial night lighting adversely
projects have highlighted the difficulties of knowing where particular affects hedgehogs. Despite being such an iconic nocturnal animal,
species are NOT present. We are therefore developing a new phone surprisingly little work has been done on the impacts of lighting on
App, which will be launched in late Spring, to allow volunteers hedgehogs compared with other animals such as bats and moths.
to undertake mammal transect surveys. This will provide a step- The data are currently being analysed by an MSc student and the
change in the type of data we have available for future monitoring: results will be presented at the Spring conference.
for the first time, we will be able to collect data on absences as well
The year saw some changes in Mammal Society staff. Our
as presences. We also launched a new suite of tools, ‘Ecobat’, on
information officer, Charlotte Marshall, left to pursue an MSc and
our website to assist with the more systematic interpretation of bat
our science officer Laura Kubasiewicz went on to pastures new
survey data and plan to follow this initiative with similar tools for
(almost literally) at the Donkey Sanctuary in Sidmouth. We are very
other species. Several of our members have also played a key role
grateful to both of them for their work and are pleased to welcome
this year in a partnership project led by the Bat Conservation Trust
as their replacements Rina Quinlan and Frazer Coomber. These staff
which aims to assist local authorities in improving their screening of
members are now based at the University of Sussex with our Chair,
planning applications for potential wildlife impacts. Our academic
Fiona Mathews.
journal Mammal Review continues to be one of the leading zoology
publications, and we have also begun publishing papers in our open- We have continued our trajectory of ensuring financial stability for the
access journal Mammal Communications. Society. Savings from no longer paying rent or for a Chief Executive
have been deployed to deliver our research initiatives, including
We are proud of our tradition of providing excellent training and,
Photograph by
Ben Porter
4 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk
Photograph by
Milly Kendall
partially funding our new Mammal Transect App, and we have also each species and compares the findings with the previous Atlas
made small investments in improving our website and infrastructure published in 1993. We currently hold more than 140 datasets,
in ways that will help to secure future income. We are supported by with over a million records. The Atlas working group includes 49
dedicated volunteers working at all levels, from serving as Trustees members who verify records and support the development of the
to conducting training courses, writing our Good Practice Guidance Atlas. The publication of the Atlas has been delayed slightly by the
Handbooks and collecting biological records. Their energy and production of the Population Review and it is currently scheduled for
efforts, together with those of our paid staff, backed by financial release in October 2018.
contributions from our members and corporate supporters, have
ensured that 2017 was another productive year for the Society.
Research
Our goal for 2017 is to build on this foundation, raising the profile
of the Society as the primary organisation working to secure the The Water Vole Mitigation Handbook identified the lack of information
conservation of Britain’s mammals. on the consequences of water vole displacement through habitat
destruction as a major information gap. This technique is widely
used by developers, as well as by agencies managing waterways.
MONITORING AND RESEARCH However, there is little evidence that the water voles do actually
move away from the development zone, rather than being
One of The Mammal Society’s strengths is a well-informed predated or starving. Therefore, Mammal
membership of mammalogists. Our members, particularly those Society staff Charlotte Marshall
on the Scientific Advisory Committee, feed into conservation and intern Emily
thinking across the board. Haddy
assisted
Review of the Population Size and Conservation Status Dr Merryl
of British Mammals Gelling
from the
Commissioned by Scottish Natural Heritage, Natural Resources University
Wales and Natural England, this is the first review of the status of of Oxford in
British mammals for 25 years. Working closely with the Biological assessing
Records Centre, and with the input of more than 100 experts, we this
have used data collected by our volunteers to delineate species technique
ranges and estimate population sizes. In addition we have assessed at multiple
current and future threats, and synthesised all available evidence sites in central
from other surveys on population trends. We have also produced the England.
first ever Red List of British Mammals. This assesses the short-term Initial analyses
probability of extinction using IUCN criteria and is largely based suggest that the
on trends seen in the last 10 years. The findings of these review voles remained
projects will be released in early May 2018. in situ with likely
implications for
The National Mammal Atlas survival.
Work also continues on our National Mammal Atlas. This differs
from the Population Review by showing for each hectad of the UK
whether species are present or absent. Led by society trustee Derek
Crawley, the publication also discusses in detail the distribution of
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 5
State of Nature Campaign
Following the widespread interest in the State of Nature Report
RAISING SKILLS
published in 2016, the partners in the project have met to Training
continue working towards a new report in 2019. In addition we We provide the most extensive
have submitted a paper to an academic journal summarising range of mammal training courses
some of the findings of the project. in the British Isles. We have
courses for beginners, including
Biodiversity Planning in Partnership Project our consistently highly rated How
to Find and Identify Mammals
This project, funded by the Esmée Fairburn Trust and led by the
course, all the way through to
Bat Conservation Trust aims to improve the resources available
expert level courses such as
to local planners when making decisions relating to biodiversity.
Dormouse Conservation and
Society members who are practicing ecological consultants
Badger Mitigation, suitable
have generously supported this project on behalf of the Mammal
for consultants. All of our
Society, helping to ensure the relevance of the outcomes for
courses can be used for
mammal conservation.
continuing professional
development and our trainers
New Apps are acknowledged leaders in their
We have almost finished designing a new mobile phone App field. This year, we have also introduced new
that will allow volunteers to record mammals seen along timed workshops for practitioners and policy makers and included
transects. The App will be released in late Spring and we plan to workshops at our Spring Conference.
target particular key species that have important data deficiencies. Detailed Information on each training course is available online and
The data generated by the surveys differs from that recorded in the regular updates on forthcoming training are circulated in our monthly
Mammal Tracker App in that it enables information go be inferred E-bulletin.
about the absence of target species as well as positive records to
be submitted. The Mammal Tracker App (and iRecord) will still be
University Mammal Challenge
important routes for volunteers to record ad hoc sightings, but the
transect App will provide very powerful datasets for the analyses of This year we launched an extremely successful new initiative
trends. We are hoping that the App will be used particularly by the to engage university students with mammal conservation and
local Mammal Groups in addition to the wider public. biological recording. Proposed by one of our student members, and
supported by one of our Council members, the Challenge proved
We are also working on a collaborative App ‘Ancient Animals’ with
extremely successful. 46 teams (203 students) from 29 Universities
academic colleagues working in the Humanities. This App will
and Colleges spanning the whole of the UK participated and they
enable people to record cultural representations of these animals
generated more than 14,000 records of 46 species. The University
(e.g. church carvings) and will also carry information about the
Challenge is running again in 2018 and we already have lots of
Mammal Society and the sister Apps. We therefore anticipate that it
teams signed up.
will give the Society engagement with new audiences who may also
be interested in mammal conservation and recording.
Photograph by
Richard Bowler
6 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk
Photograph by
Richard Watson
Events
The Annual Spring Conference, held in central England, brought
COMMUNICATION AND PUBLICATIONS
together a diverse group of people including volunteers, professional Journals
ecologists and academics to hear the latest research findings and Our international journal, Mammal Review is one of the best ranking
to develop new projects. The plenary speaker, Prof. Bill Sutherland, zoology journals and a desirable publication for academics. The
heads the Centre for Conservation Evidence in Cambridge – an journal makes a very significant contribution to the income of the
organisation with interests very much aligned with our own. The Society, as well as to its academic standing. Dr Danilo Russo, our
photographic competition, which was judged by TV presenter and new Editor in Chief, has instituted a new ‘perspectives’ section into
camera-man Simon King (who also gave the Cranbrook Lecture) was the journal, which provides the opportunity for academics to focus
extremely well-covered by national media. The Student Conference, on topical areas. Dr Nancy Jennings continues to act as the journal’s
which is entirely set up and run by the student committee, was held Managing Editor.
separately from the main conference in Newcastle, but was again
very well received. It provided opportunities for students to network To provide a platform for people to share new techniques and
with their peers and to gain experience in delivering presentations in information on British mammal research we have published several
a supportive environment. The Autumn Symposium was once again papers in our on-line journal Mammal Communications. Mammal
very generously supported by our sponsors Arup. The topic, which Communications is now integrated as a subsection of the Mammal
had been suggested by our members, considered recent advances Society website, improving the management of the site.
in the monitoring of marine mammals. Over recent years the Society
has tended to focus more on terrestrial than marine species and the
symposium provided a useful opportunity to consider how we can Photograph by
Shane Stanbridge
contribute to partnership projects in the future.
MEMBERSHIP
The Mammal Society was set up to support members in their
research and conservation work, be that as a student, academic,
consultant or interested (and frequently very expert) amateur. A
large membership provides an excellent opportunity for networking
and learning skills from each other.
Recognising that the administrative costs of membership (e.g.
sending reminders for unpaid subscriptions) we formally switched
to a direct-debit only system of membership from January 2017 and
most of our income is now received in this way.
This year we continued with a strategic advertising campaign to
recruit new members and raise awareness of the Society more
generally. We also continued with improvements to our website,
making it more suitable for mobile phones, and ensuring that the
process of joining the Society or donating money is easier for users.
We have also been working on developing information to provide to
members or the wider public who may be interested in legacy giving.
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 7
Books, Magazines and Electronic Communications three silver members; CJ Wildlife, Spike’s World and Conservation
Constructions – and we are grateful for their support and our
We dedicate considerable effort to communicating about mammal
business partners (See page 23). We are also grateful to Arup who
conservation and research. Our information officer produces press
sponsor our Autumn Symposium.
releases, social media feeds and makes an e-bulletin for members
and an e-bulletin for local groups. We currently have more than
31,000 twitter followers (up 6,000 this year) and 7,400 Facebook
followers, with these numbers increasing weekly. We have also Photograph by
launched a new Instagram account this year which currently has Matthew Gould
around 800 followers. In addition, Mammal News, our magazine for
members which is edited by one of our volunteers, contains updates
on mammal research and conservation. We regularly contribute
information to television and radio programmes such as Spring
Watch and Countryfile plus printed media such as BBC Wildlife
Magazine and Country Living. Our Hedgehog Watch survey was
featured on Radio 4’s Today Programme as well as numerous other
media outlets.
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves:
The Society receives two forms of income: unrestricted funds from
membership, sale of books, equipment, training and Mammal
Review, which are available to cover any costs of running the
organisation; and we receive restricted funds in the shape of grants
and bequests which have to be used for a specific purpose, such
as student bursaries to attend the Spring Conference or grants to
undertake surveys. It is The Mammal Society’s policy to maintain a
balance on unrestricted funds (if possible), which equates to at least
four months unrestricted payments to cover emergency situations
that may arise from time to time. The balance held on unrestricted
funds, after designations, at the year-end was in line with this policy.
We are therefore confident that the changes have not impeded our
ability to deliver the charitable aims of the organisation.
The Society is seeking to develop corporate support with
appropriate partners. In 2017 we had four corporate supporters:
Platinum member Clarkson & Woods Ecological Consultants and
THE MAMMAL SOCIETY
Student Conference
th Date:
Location:
27th April, 2018
University of Worcester, St John’s Campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester WR2 6AJ, UK
The 7th Mammal society student and posters on display. It provides an Ticket prices:
conference provides a fantastic excellent opportunity to showcase your
research among peers, talk to mammal Members £12
opportunity for students at all
stages of study with an interest in experts and to make connections which Non-members (with discounted
mammals to meet in a friendly and might help you in your future career. membership) £25
relaxed atmosphere. This year’s Mammal Society student
The student conference is run by students conference promises to be an event
for students with an exciting range of talks not to be missed!
Mustelid Monitoring Workshop
Saturday 28th April 2018.
Only available to Student Conference delegates
Run by The Vincent Wildlife Trust
Hands-on experience: Camera traps, radio collars, hair traps and radio tracking
Also Tunnel systems, citizen science and small mammal trapping.
Limited places.
More conference information: https://tinyurl.com/MSSC18
8 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk
University Mammal
Challenge 2017
29 46 203
STUDENTS
TEAMS
UNIVERSITIES
& COLLAGES
Aberdeen, Bournemouth,
Brighton, Bristol, Cardiff, Cumbria,
Derby, Exeter, Farnborough,
Glasgow, Gloucestershire, Hadlow,
Hartpury, Kent, Lancaster,
Nottingham Trent, Peter Symons,
Plymouth, Reading, South Devon,
South Staffordshire, Southampton,
Surrey, Swansea, UEA, West of
England, Wolverhampton,
Worcester, Wrexham Glyndwr
SPECIES (including) SURVEYS
Habitat
7,232
1,408
Field signs
4
Camera traps
Line transects
639
1,747 Standard walks
58
Bat surveys
14,463 Live traps (supervised)
RECORDS
Footprint tunnels
Contact: unichallenge@themammalsociety.org
The Mammal Society - Tel: 02380 010 982 - Web: www.mammal.org.uk - Email: info@themammalsociety.org
A registered company not having a share capital and limited by guarantee - Registered in Cardiff No 1455136 - Registered Charity No 278918
Infographic by: Kim Haddrell - kimhaddrell@hotmail.com
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 9
Project Splatter
Using citizen scientists to
monitor wildlife roadkill
Amy Williams Schwartz, PhD researcher, Project Splatter
WilliamsSchwartzAL@cardiff.ac.uk
Cardiff University Otter Project.
Project Splatter is a citizen science weekly top 5 ‘splatter report’ and across • Bank Vole (near Thetford, Norfolk –
project that collates UK wildlife road all species badgers are currently the most August 2017)
casualty data submitted by members reported roadkill animals. It is unclear As unfortunate as they are, wildlife-vehicle
of the public – primarily through social whether badgers are the easiest for our collisions can also offer opportunities for
media sites Twitter and Facebook. splatter spotters to see or are particularly rare or interesting species to be recorded,
The project began life as a student project bad at crossing roads. A debate frequently including confirmation of species presence
at Cardiff University in January 2013, but flares up on social media, suggesting that in a particular location. Some examples of
since then has grown exponentially; >30,000 badgers are being illegally killed and then interesting species recorded to the project
reports have been submitted to the project placed on the road to appear as if they were includes a wallaby reported in Lincolnshire
in those four years including >18,000 roadkill. Although there have been a very in April 2016 and several reports of
records of mammal roadkill – representing small number of cases of this occurring collisions with re-introduced beavers,
nearly 60% of all records! Project Splatter in isolated incidents, we have no data to sometimes in unexpected places...
was inspired by Cardiff University’s Otter support that this occurs at all frequently and
this theory is currently unsubstantiated. Months and records: There are clear
Project – a long term environmental patterns in reporting rates of different
surveillance scheme which examines otter Interesting species: Small mammals species throughout the year. We believe
carcasses, most of which are roadkill. can be difficult to identify and to record these changes are linked with changes in
Frequent updates on the project are fed on roads. Some recording difficulties arise an animal’s behaviour, with more reports
back to our reporters through our social because of the speed of the car and the (and therefore more roadkill) when species
media pages in the form of a weekly ‘splatter size of the animal (one reason why we are more active during activities such as
report’ published every Monday. This would love to get more cyclists involved in mating and foraging. Overall, most of our
report summarises the sightings over the recording!) but also because they are ideal mammal records occur in the spring and
past week in terms of number of species food for scavenger species. late summer, with significantly fewer reports
reported, allowing us to see the changing Here are some examples of species from the end of October through to the
reporting rate of species through the year. for which we only have a single record beginning of February. The highest number
The data we receive will then help to identify identified to species level from our of records that the project has received in a
roadkill hotspots and quantify the impacts database of 18,000+ mammal records: single month occurred in April of 2017, with
roads are having on UK wildlife, as this • Yellow-necked mouse (near Thetford, a total of 1640 records received, verified,
impact, and the number of animals killed on Norfolk – July 2017) and logged by the Project Splatter team!
our roads, is currently unknown. Where is all the roadkill?: Although we
• House mouse (near Rothbury,
Which mammals?: A total of 35 mammal Northumberland – August 2017) have a fairly good spread of reporters
species living wild or feral in the UK have across the UK, some counties have
• Field Vole (Brockbridge, Hampshire –
been reported to the project since 2013. significantly more roadkill reports. The
September 2015)
Almost without fail badgers make it into the top three counties in terms of numbers of
Most commonly reported
species (by percentage of
all mammal records):
1. Badger – 24%
2. Rabbit – 18%
3. Fox – 16%
4. Hedgehog – 13%
5. Grey Squirrel – 7%
These 5 species make up
over three quarters of all
mammal records submitted
to the project! Caption?. Jochen Langbein
10 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.ukIndividual Mammal Roadkill Records
submitted to Project Splatter.
Red fox road casualty on hard shoulder A41 by
Tring Park (SP 924 107) Hertfordshire, 21 November
2017. Lee Evans
reports are Sussex (2,185), Norfolk (1,495)
and Hampshire (1,074). Location data such
as these can allow us to inform mitigation
measures, such as locating the most
appropriate site for a wildlife crossing. For
example, there have been several instances
of ‘otter ledges’ under bridges and culverts
to allow otters to cross under roads safely
in areas that have been identified as having
high road death incidences for this species.
Road types and mammals: The UK has
several types of road; namely motorways,
‘A’ roads, ‘B’ roads and minor roads.
It would be reasonable to believe that
motorways would have be the more
deadly roads for mammals, due to their
large size and high speeds but we actually
find that A roads are the most dangerous,
with 64% of reported roadkill along these Mammal Roadkill Reports, by Month
roads. This may suggest that animals are
2500
actually avoiding motorways, perhaps due
NUMBER OF ROADKILL MAMMAL REPORTS
to disturbance from excessive noise and
artificial lighting. 2000
How does it work? Members of
the public send the project a record
identifying the species seen, the date the 1500
animal was seen and the location. Most of
the records are submitted through Twitter 1000
and Facebook, but we have a variety of
other platforms through which records
can be submitted, such as smartphone 500
apps for Android and iOS phones and a
submission form on our website.
0
Project Splatter is unique in the UK, being
the only organisation to solely focus on
y
ry
ch
ril
ay
ne
ly
st
r
er
r
r
be
be
be
ar
Ju
Ap
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ua
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Ar
Ju
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em
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recording incidences of all wildlife roadkill,
ct
M
Ja
Fe
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O
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Se
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D
year-round and across the entire United ROAD TYPES
Kingdom. We have already established
partnerships with several NGOs such
as local recording centres and wildlife Mammal Roadkill Reports, by Road Type
groups, and share our data with the NBN
Atlas. We would be interested to hear 14000
NUMBER OF ROADKILL MAMMAL REPORTS
from any organisations that collect any
UK wildlife roadkill data that would be 12000
interested in collaborating with us!
10000
The Project Splatter team currently 8000
consists of project co-ordinator Dr Sarah
Perkins, PhD researcher Amy Williams 6000
Schwartz and Professional Training Year
student Manon Jobic. 4000
If you would like more information or
would like to share your records you can 2000
contact us through:
Facebook (facebook.com/SplatterProject13/) 0
and Twitter (@ProjectSplatter) pages, Motorway A B Minor
or our website (projectsplatter.co.uk). ROAD TYPES
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 11DNA in
the water
Detecting the presence of water vole
using environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis
Carl M. Halford¹, Karl J. Moreton-Jones¹, ¹Crestwood Environmental Ltd,
Pendeford Business Park, Wolverhampton WV9 5HF, UK.
Contact email: c.halford@crestwoodenvironmental.co.uk Telephone: 01902 229 563
J.Hibbert
Britain’s population of water vole (Arvicola vison) and the fragmentation and loss of Introduction to eDNA analysis
amphibius) is under serious threat. suitable habitat (Rushton et al. 2000). The
The detection of eDNA was first utilised
Habitat loss and fragmentation, combined species is fully protected under Schedule
in the field of microbiology. The DNA of
with predation by the invasive American 5 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981
microbial communities was extracted
mink (Neovison vison), has reduced the and is a priority conservation species.
directly from bacterial cells in sediment to
species’ population and distribution However, if the population continues to
decline, water vole may soon become identify the species present (Ogram et al.
significantly. Can analysis for the presence
extinct in Britain. 1987). Subsequently, advances in DNA
of its environmental DNA (eDNA) provide
a more effective method for detection of analysis technologies led to the detection
The availability of accurate data for the of a vertebrate species, the American
the species to help monitor and conserve distribution and population sizes of an
populations before the species disappears bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), from species-
endangered species is imperative for specific eDNA present in water samples
from Britain all together? the efforts to manage its conservation. (Ficetola et al. 2008).
Traditional survey methods often involve
Introduction direct observation, or identification of The technique relies on the fact that the
physical or visual indicators marking the nucleotide sequence of DNA (the genetic
Many species across the globe are facing material that codes for organisms’ hereditary
unprecedented challenges and risks to presence or potential presence of the
species at a location. However, these characteristics) differs between species.
their survival. These range from the effects
techniques can be time-consuming, Biologists can take advantage of this, by
of climate change and habitat loss, to the
inaccurate and expensive. designing assays that specifically target
seemingly relentless spread of invasive
regions of species-specific DNA. Aquatic
species. These challenges are leading to The fields of molecular biology and
species release DNA into the environment
population declines and, in some cases, conservation biology are rarely
that they inhabit through excretions, skin
the extinction of species. There is a growing associated; however, this is starting
cells, mucous and other sources. This DNA
body of evidence that suggests that the to change. A range of innovative
disperses within the body of water and can
planet is entering a 6th mass extinction biotechnology techniques have emerged
that are dramatically altering how be collected in water samples, extracted and
event. The loss of vertebrate species over
conservation work is monitored and analysed to determine the species of origin.
the past 100 years was over 100 times
higher than expected without anthropogenic informed. An example is the detection of a A highly sensitive technique, known as
activities (Ceballos et al. 2017). The water species through the presence of its DNA real-time quantitative Polymerase Chain
vole (Arvicola amphibius) is an example of a in the environment (environmental DNA or Reaction (qPCR), is used. qPCR uses short,
species that has been negatively impacted eDNA), a technique that allows ecologists complementary DNA molecules to bind to
by human activities. This species has to detect the presence of rare or elusive species-specific regions of DNA, enabling
undergone a severe population decline in species quickly and reliably. This article those regions to be amplified by the qPCR
Britain over the past 70 years (Jefferies et al. explores the potential for the use of eDNA technique and analysed. As the species-
1989), largely attributed to the introduction to detect the water vole, and the hope it specific DNA is amplified, a fluorescent
of the invasive American mink (Neovison could offer for the species’ survival. molecule is released and detected.
1. Water 1. Water sample 3. Filter
sample filtered on site to Stored and
collected collect DNA sent to lab
5. Sample tested for the 4. DNA
presence of target extracted from
eDNA
The eDNA analysis
species DNA by qPCR filter paper sampling.
workflow. L. Cash
12 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.ukPros Cons Under CCBY.
P. Trimming
Results often obtained quickly compared Presence/absence only – cannot yet
to traditional methods of detection (Jerde accurately determine population size.
et al. 2011).
More accurate presence/absence results, Potential laboratory error through poor
even when populations are small (Biggs laboratory systems.
et al. 2015).
Non-invasive. The technique does not Initial eDNA assay design is difficult and
damage the species or the environment time-consuming (Wilcox et al. 2015).
that it inhabits (Torresdal et al. 2017).
Sampling techniques are easy to use.
Allows easier survey of difficult or
hazardous to access sites.
Table 1: The pros and cons of the eDNA analysis technique
This allows the scientist to detect the DNA absent. Excitingly, the initial results have Although there is insufficient evidence to
of the target species and therefore identify proved to provide reliable results in still and support interpretation of results to accurately
whether the species is present at the site flowing water. Field testing is ongoing to measure the size of a population, a positive
where the sample was taken. increase the knowledge base and further correlation found between biomass and
inform the application of the sampling the eDNA concentration for Stream fish
Using eDNA analysis for technique and interpretation in different species (Doi et al. 2017) suggests that
situations. The success of the trials has led this may be possible in the future. Careful
species conservation to the development of the technique for use interpretation when correlating the location
The technique has now been used to detect by ecologists to help detect, monitor and of the source of the eDNA in relation to the
the presence of a range of species, from conserve the water vole. sampling points will be required in flowing
invasive pythons in the everglades of Florida water, requiring a methodical approach
(Hunter et al. 2015), to threatened Tree Frog to sampling design to maximise the
Using eDNA to conserve the
species in Trinidad (Torresdal et al. 2017). technique’s effectiveness.
Its usefulness has been demonstrated water vole
the world over by quickly and accurately The advantages and the limitations of
eDNA and the future of water
detecting the presence of a target species. the use of eDNA and qPCR techniques
The accurate data that is produced allows (generally) in relation to traditional vole conservation
conservationists to reliably plan and monitor methods, as shown by past studies are The key to the future of water vole
the success of management strategies, listed in Table 1 (above). conservation is to provide conservationists
leading to improved targeting of resources There are many potential uses of eDNA with the best possible methods and tools so
and better outcomes for the species. analysis for water vole conservation. By that they can make well-informed, evidence-
In Britain, the technique is now well- periodically sampling and analysing water based decisions. An assay that can be used
established for the detection of great for eDNA, it could be established whether by ecologists has been developed that can
crested newt (Triturus cristatus) (Thomsen populations are expanding or contracting accurately detect water vole DNA from water
et al. 2012), with thousands of sites being (e.g. for monitoring re-introduction samples. Utilised in the correct manner, and
surveyed every year. programmes or population changes). The interpreted correctly, molecular methods,
technique is especially useful when the such as eDNA analysis, could prove to be
So, can this technique be applied to
results are needed quickly, access to the a key, practical and cost-effective method
detect semi-aquatic mammalian species?
site is difficult or hazardous, or there are to secure a positive future for this and many
A well-advanced research project,
many sites to survey. other endangered species.
undertaken by a partnership between the
University of Wolverhampton and Crestwood
Environmental Ltd., that set-out to answer Reference:
this question by applying the technique to
Biggs, J. et al., 2015. Using eDNA to develop Ogram, A., Sayler, G.S. & Barkay, T., 1987. The
the water vole, is providing strong positive
a national citizen science-based monitoring extraction and purification of microbial DNA from
evidence that it is an effective method of programme for the great crested newt (Triturus sediments. Journal of Microbiological Methods, 7(2),
detecting the presence of the species. cristatus). Biological Conservation, 183, pp.19–28. pp.57–66.
Ceballos, G., Ehrlich, P.R. & Dirzo, R., 2017. Rushton, S.P. et al., 2000. Modelling the effects of
Developing eDNA to detect the Biological annihilation via the ongoing sixth mass mink and habitat fragmentation on the water vole.
extinction signaled by vertebrate population losses Journal of Applied Ecology, 37(3), pp.475–490.
water vole and declines. Proceedings of the National Academy Sigsgaard, E.E. et al., 2015. Monitoring the
of Sciences, p.201704949.
A qPCR assay was designed to target near-extinct European weather loach in Denmark
species-specific regions of the water vole’s Doi, H. et al., 2017. Environmental DNA analysis for based on environmental DNA from water samples.
estimating the abundance and biomass of stream Biological Conservation, 183, pp.46–52.
mitochondrial genome with reliable variation fish. Freshwater Biology, 62(1), pp.30–39. Thomsen, P.F. et al., 2012. Monitoring endangered
between separate species. The assay
Ficetola, G.F. et al., 2008. Species detection using freshwater biodiversity using environmental DNA.
was then tested against DNA from both environmental DNA from water samples. Biol. Lett, Molecular Ecology, 21(11), pp.2565–2573.
water voles and a wide variety of sympatric 4, pp.423–425. Torresdal, J.D., Farrell, A.D. & Goldberg, C.S., 2017.
non-target species, including the brown Hunter, M.E. et al., 2015. Environmental DNA Environmental DNA detection of the golden tree frog
rat (Rattus norvegicus) and Eurasian otter (eDNA) sampling improves occurrence and (Phytotriades auratus) in bromeliads. PLoS ONE,
(Lutra lutra), to confirm the specificity of the detection estimates of invasive Burmese pythons. 12(1).
assay. The assay was then optimised to PLoS ONE, 10(4). Wilcox, T.M. et al., 2015. The dual challenges
maximise and ensure high sensitivity. Jefferies, D.J., Morris, P.A. & Mulleneux, J.E., 1989. of generality and specificity when developing
An enquiry into the changing status of the Water environmental DNA markers for species and
The project then progressed to the field Vole (Arvicola terrestris) in Britain. Mammal Review, subspecies of Oncorhynchus. PLoS ONE, 10(11),
testing stage, with water samples collected 19(3), pp.111–131. pp.1–13.
from different habitats and tested for Jerde, C.L. et al., 2011. “Sight-unseen” detection
the presence of water vole DNA, where of rare aquatic species using environmental DNA.
populations are known to be present and Conservation Letters, 4(2), pp.150–157.
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 13Securing a future for
Warwickshire’s
dormice
Ruth Moffatt (Dormouse Conservation Warwickshire)
rmof22@yahoo.co.uk
Deborah Wright (Hedgehog Officer for Rugby)
Deborah.Wright@wkwt.org.uk
On June 20th 2017, the People’s Trust for Endangered Species,
Warwickshire Wildlife Trust and other partners released 38
dormice into an ancient woodland near Royal Leamington Spa.
It is intended that a further release will follow at a later stage
in a nearby woodland. The two reintroductions form part of the
Princethorpe Woodlands Living Landscape Scheme (supported
by the Heritage Lottery Fund), which aims to restore ancient
wooded landscapes and connect them by trees and hedgerows.
Preparations for the release were underway in 2015, when 300
A release cage at Wappenbury Wood. Deborah Wright nest boxes (150 in each woodland) were installed by Warwickshire
Wildlife Trust to test out various designs against use by other
mammals and birds; they were monitored weekly between May and
Release day at September for two years. In April this year the boxes were located
Wappenbury Wood. and cleaned or replaced by members of Dormouse Conservation
Steven Cheshire
Warwickshire (DCW) and Warwickshire Mammal Group (WMG),
which had joined forces for fieldwork. In June 150 more nest boxes
were installed and 18 large mesh release cages assembled and
positioned in the woodland, ready for the dormice’s arrival.
June 20th was a much anticipated and exciting day. The dormice
had been captive bred by members of the Common Dormouse
Captive Breeders Group and quarantined prior to the release for
6 weeks at the Zoological Society of London and Paignton Zoo to
conduct health checks and minimise any threat of disease. On their
arrival, they were placed into the release cages in their nest boxes,
in pairs to encourage breeding. They were provided with food and
water and left to acclimatise themselves to their new home. A daily
feeding rota was set up and after 10 days, a small door was opened
in the cages so the dormice could go off and explore the woodland.
Feeding continued at a reduced frequency until it was thought that
the dormice were self-sufficient, at which stage the cages were
removed. All the dormice had been electronically tagged to enable
their progress to be followed when they are found during box checks
each year by members holding handling licences.
This is the fourth attempt in Warwickshire to bring back a much-loved
animal to the heart of England. Years of surveys and monitoring, and
several earlier releases spanning more than two decades – including
the first release of wild dormice at Bubbenhall Wood in 1998 – have
gone into trying to repopulate the Midlands with this charismatic,
squirrel-like rodent, sadly better known in literature than in the
wild. In Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, the dormouse is an adjective:
‘Awake your dormouse valour’, says Fabian, meaning sleepy,
dozing or slumbering. In Alice
in Wonderland, a sleeping
Dormouse is used as a cushion
by the March Hare and the Mad
Hatter when Alice arrives at
the tea table. This lazy, slightly
hopeless depiction seems to
have made the attractive little
animal a popular pet; in the late
19th century the species was
common, indeed it was known
in almost every English and
Welsh county.
The dormouse is distinguished
from other mice by its furry A very young dormouse at Windmill
Scanning the pit tags for ID at Wappenbury Wood. Deborah Wright
tail and its habit of sleeping Naps. Andy Bucklitch
14 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.ukDormouse coming for food in release
cage at Windmill Naps. Ian Tanner
Feeding the dormice at Wappenbury Wood.
Deborah Wright
through the winter – strictly speaking, it Victoria County History for Warwickshire is natural population in Warwickshire. Our
hibernates. The name perhaps comes from equivocal: ‘The dormouse has been said to only other known dormouse population
the French dormir, meaning to sleep, or the occur in the county though the writer has not is at Windmill Naps, the only successful
Middle English dormous, meaning sleepy. met with it.’ Between 1999 and 2000, English introduction so far, which seems to thrive;
Regional names reflect this sleepiness: dory Nature conducted a survey of dormice in since 2009, annual counts of individuals
mouse, derry mouse, dozing mouse, sleep- Warwickshire, in recognition that the county have built up to 82 captures in 2016,
mouse, sleeper and seven-sleeper. was at the northern edge of the animal’s although numbers recorded may include
In the north of England contemporary range and repetition since dormice can be very mobile
the name ‘dozy it was known from only and found in more than one box during the
mouse’ may come
In the north of England a few sites. The survey, checking season, hence the term ‘captures’.
from the Old Norse the name ‘dozy mouse’ which covered 27 woods These releases will be true reintroductions,
dusa, and in Devon may come from the and relied on searching rather than introductions, as both sites have
the species acquired for nuts eaten by dormice, past records of dormice, although surveys
the curious name Old Norse ‘dusa’ and found evidence of the by DCW in 2012-13 indicated a current
of ‘chestlecrumb’. in Devon the species animal in only five places. absence. The woods have good dormouse
In 1993 the Great In 1991, a hibernating habitat and fit the recommendations for
Nut Hunt, organised acquired the curious
dormouse had been suitability, being more than 20ha in area and
by Royal Holloway name of ‘chestlecrumb’. found at Weston Wood having appropriate management. Natural
College, London, (not included in the England’s criterion that reintroduction
to find and identify English Nature survey), sites should be in clusters to create viable
hazelnuts eaten by dormice, suggested that close to Bubbenhall Wood, after which nest- meta-populations, rather than one large
in the hundred or so years since Alice’s trip box monitoring, a more efficient technique woodland, is also met by these and other
to Wonderland this once common mouse than nut searches, was established by the woods in the area. Dormice thrive in low-
had disappeared from about half of its Forestry Commission. Records were erratic growing woodland, with a diversity of tree
former range, and was now concentrated in for a time, with a productive year in 2009 species, and with continuous above-ground
southern England and Wales. when 25 nests were found – including nine routes which these arboreal animals can
Warwickshire is one of a band of six Midland animals in one month. Sadly, dormice were use. The long-rotation hazel-coppicing that
counties from Staffordshire to Hertfordshire last recorded there in 2013, but the decline is taking place here should create more
where dormice are now rare. Records began may be just a natural dip; the number of than 150ha of dormouse-friendly habitat, all
in 1871 with the report of a single dormouse nest-boxes has since been doubled in order well connected by good quality hedgerows.
in the Rugby area, at a location now in the to see if the population has moved within Over the next two years DCW and the WMG
centre of the town. There is a record from the wood. Weston Wood and neighbouring will help to establish these new populations
1885 of a stuffed specimen caught at Edge Waverley Wood, managed by the by checking nest boxes for survival and
Hill, near Stratford-on-Avon, and another Commission as one unit (the latter was also breeding. For many members, this will
of similar date of a live animal from Yardley not included in the English Nature survey), provide their first sight of a dormouse.
Wood, now part of Birmingham. The 1904 remain the only place with a confirmed
Reference:
This article contains edited extracts from
‘Much Ado about Something – securing a
future for Warwickshire’s Dormice’ which
appeared in the August issue of British
Wildlife 2017, vol.28, no.6: p.399-404.
A 45-page report of the search for
Warwickshire’s dormice since 2009
‘The status of the Hazel Dormouse
(Muscardinus avellanarius) in
Warwickshire, Coventry & Solihull in
2016’ can be viewed on the Mammal
Checking nest boxes at Wappenbury Wood. Sleeping dormouse at Windmill Naps. Society website.
Louise Sherwell James Littlemore
Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.uk 15TUNNELLING FOR ANSWERS
The Kalahari Desert.
Researching
Damaraland
mole-rats in the
Kalahari Desert
Article by Jack Thorley, Large Animal Research Group,
University of Cambridge. jbt27@cam.ac.uk, @ThorleyJack
All photos from Kyle Finn, Kalahari Research Centre, Kuruman
Fig.1. A bird’s eye view of four mole-rat groups, with each point representing
River Reserve, Van Zylsrus, South Africa. kyletfinn@gmail.com a mound. Each burrow system will have many additional active tunnels
underground that are not marked by mounds above ground.
Long shadows stretch over the red sand of the Kalahari Desert as maintain and defend the group, and assist in offspring care in early
I slump idly on a tattered mattress. I am in the far north-western life. Mammalogists even borrow terms from entomology to talk about
corner of South Africa and, silhouetted against the setting sun, mole-rats, speaking the language of ‘queens’ and ‘colonies’ and
a group of wildebeest eyes me warily from the crest of a nearby ‘workforces’. But how far do the similarities go? In eusocial insects,
dune, readying themselves for a cold night. It is too early for the queen lifespan far exceeds that of the workers. Individuals develop
cast of nocturnal oddities to appear; the aardvarks and aardwolves into morphological ‘castes’ with discrete behavioural differences
and porcupines. The rise and fall of the sun acts as the pacemaker associated with reproduction, work or defence. Is the same true of
for the mammals of this arid environment, all except the mammal Damaraland mole-rats? How are mole-rat societies structured? And
I am here to capture through the night. The ground around gives what ecological factors promoted this form of group living in the first
its presence away, pimpled with rough lines of extruded sand place? These are the type of questions that motivate our studies of
that remind me of the lugworm casts that pepper beaches at low mole-rats and put me on a mattress in the middle of the desert.
tide. Fly a drone over the landscape and similar ‘mounds-lines’ I awake groggily at
would appear as sporadic clusters. The makers of these mounds midnight to find the
live an entirely subterranean existence, cut-off from the surface in door of one of the
climate-stable burrows the width of a Pringles tube, digging blindly traps is down, so I
in search of their principle food source, the storage organs of the gently open it and
Gemsbok cucumber. The maker of these mounds are Damaraland slide the occupant
mole-rats (Fukomys damarensis), each cluster mapping the recent onto the sand. Taking
excavations of a single group. care to avoid a bite
Damaraland mole- from a formidable
rat is somewhat of set of incisors, I lift
a misnomer, being the individual up
neither moles nor and immediately
rats and sitting on notice her prominent
a branch of the nipples. She is the Fig.3. Damaraland mole-rat in a trap following early
evolutionary tree sole breeding female, morning capture.
that is closer to and the unique chip
guinea-pigs than that was previously implanted beneath her skin confirms that she
it is to true mice has held that position for the last four years. Over the same four-
or rats. However, year period, many of the non-reproductive individuals that were
what Damaraland initially present have either disappeared or are recovered in a new
Fig.2. In the process of building their tunnels, mole-rats lack in location, a sizeable share of the latter emigrants being females
mole-rats push soil to the surface creating mounds nomenclatorial that have settled solitarily and now wait in the darkness for a male
that resemble a pile of sausage links. I use these originality, they to find them. Overground dispersal is a risky enterprise for a 100g
mounds to locate and monitor wild colonies.
surpass in rodent accustomed to life below and must be associated with an
behavioural uniqueness, displaying the most extreme form of increased chance of mortality, albeit in some cases individuals have
sociality observed in vertebrates. Researchers have classified travelled over 5km to successfully find a mate. This risk is not faced
their social system as eusocial (or ‘truly’ social), a tag they share by reproductive individuals, allowing them to live relatively long
with their hairless and better-known cousin, the naked mole-rat lives safe underground. I place the captured female in a box for the
(Heterocephalus glaber). Eusociality has three components: a rest of the night with some food, sand and shelter, and continue to
reproductive division of labour, overlapping generations and check the traps episodically for her group members. In the morning,
cooperative care of the offspring of breeders. Such a system is a few mole-rats heavier, the nightly haul is taken back to the nearby
commonplace in certain insect groups like ants and termites, but Kalahari Research Centre, the laboratory that has been set-up by
exceptionally rare in mammals, the exact number of instances Professor Tim Clutton-Brock of the University of Cambridge.
in the latter depending on the stringency with which the above Here, I take several samples from the wild-caught individuals.
criteria are applied. If we consider Damaraland mole-rats, a One of these samples is an x-ray, as I wish to investigate the
single female and one or two males are responsible for all process that underpins the larger size and greater elongation of
reproduction. The other group members are their offspring, reproductive females (Young & Bennett 2010). New breeders are no
postponing their dispersal and staying group-bound to forage, longer reproductively suppressed by the presence of the previous
16 Mammal News Spring 2018 • www.mammal.org.ukYou can also read
