No abstract

We describe an outbreak of rabies in a pack of African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in the Limpopo-Lipadi Private Game and Wilderness Reserve in the Tuli region of south-eastern Botswana. We define the pack's behavioural response to the disease, clinical signs, and management interventions undertaken and make recommendations to mitigate against future disease outbreaks of this nature. The outbreak, which occurred in late 2014 and early 2015, resulted in the death or disappearance of 29 individuals out of a pack of 35 wild dogs. The disruption to the social structure within the pack, the behaviour of the animals and clinical signs were similar to that documented during previous rabies outbreaks amongst African wild dogs in Southern and East Africa in recent years. Management interventions taken during the outbreak were aimed at preventing extirpation of the pack and reducing the risk of further disease spread to other mammals in the reserve.

No abstract

The burrow structure and microhabitat variables of the little known theraphosid Nesiergus insulanus Simon 1903 was determined on Frégate Island, Seychelles. The species constructed burrows in fossorial substrates, including rocks, leaf litter and bare soil as well as the trunks of decaying trees, both recumbent and standing. The majority of burrows were predominantly found in sandy loam soil with partial protection from the sun. The density of burrows was determined to be weakly positively correlated to soil and substrate type and strongly negatively correlated to degree of exposure to the sun. The pH of the soil in which burrows are found was not significantly related to burrow sites and variability in burrow structure was revealed. Burrows aggregations vary from single burrows to aggregations exceeding 100, distributed randomly.

No abstract