While the importance of viral infections is well studied in domestic cats, only limited information is available on their occurence and prevalence in the European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of antibodies to feline coronavirus (FCoV), calicivirus (FCV), herpesvirus (FHV), parvovirus (FPV), immunodeficiency virus (FIV), leukemia virus (FeLV), and FeLV antigenemia in 51 European wildcat sera. Samples were collected between 1996 and 1997 from wildcat populations in France, Switzerland, and Germany. Antibodies to FCoV were detected in two cats (4%) and FCoV RNA was detected in feces of one of these two cats. Antibodies to FCV, FHV and FPV were found at relatively low frequencies of 16%, 4%, and 2%, respectively. Antibodies to FIV were not detected. Although antigen and antibodies to FeLV were detected in 49%, and 75%, respectively, no evidence of FeLV-associated pathology was found. From the low prevalence of FCoV, FCV, FHV and FPV infections and from the fact that the European wildcats live solitarily, it was concluded that these viral infections do not spread readily within a population. Therefore, it may be assumed that release into the wild of European wildcats bred in captivity would not bring about a high risk of introducing of these viral infections to the free-ranging wildcats. As an exception, wildcats should be tested for absence of FIV infection before release if they were at risk to acquire this infection from domestic cats.

In addition, the length, width, and height of all teeth except the vestigial first premolar were measured in 24 skulls of juvenile badgers (12 of each sex). All skulls originated in Switzerland. M 1 length was weakly but positively correlated with condylobasal length in adult skulls of both sexes. There was a significant sex difference in condylobasal length but not in M 1 length. Juvenile skulls showed a rostro-caudal gradient in tooth size in both jaws and both sexes within the incisor row (including the canine) and within the cheek teeth row. The size gradient in the cheek teeth was more expressed in the upper jaw. A strong sexual dimorphism in tooth size existed in the canines but not in the cheek teeth. We suggest that sexual dimorphism in canine size is more related to sexual and social behaviour than to feeding.

The ecophysiological response of an alpine grassland to recent climate change and increasing atmospheric CO 2 concentration was investigated with a new strategy to go back in time: using a time-series of Capra ibex horns as archives of the alpine grasslands' carbon isotope discrimination ( 13 D). From the collection of the Natural History Museum of Bern, horns of 24 males from the population of the Augstmatthorn-Brienzer Rothorn mountains, Switzerland, were sampled covering the period from 1938 to 2006. Samples were taken from the beginning of each year-ring of the horns, representing the beginning of the horn growth period, the spring. The horns' carbon 13 C content (D 13 C) declined together with that of atmospheric CO 2 over the 69-year period, but 13 D increased slightly (1 0.4%), though significantly (Po0.05), over the observation period. Estimated intercellular CO 2 concentration increased (1 56 lmol mol À1 ) less than the atmospheric CO 2 concentration (1 81 lmol mol À1 ), so that intrinsic water-use efficiency increased by 17.8% during the 69-year period. However, the atmospheric evaporative demand at the site increased by approximately 0.1 kPa between 1955 and 2006, thus counteracting the improvement of intrinsic water-use efficiency. As a result, instantaneous water-use efficiency did not change. The observed changes in intrinsic water-use efficiency were in the same range as those of trees (as reported by others), indicating that leaf-level control of water-use efficiency of grassland and forests followed the same principles. This is the first reconstruction of the water-use efficiency response of a natural grassland ecosystem to last century CO 2 and climatic changes. The results indicate that the alpine grassland community has responded to climate change by improving the physiological control of carbon gain to water loss, following the increases in atmospheric CO 2 and evaporative demand. But, effective leaf-level water-use efficiency has remained unchanged.

Qualitative und quantitative Angaben zur Nahrungswahl des Dachses Meles meles im Schweizerischen Mittelland ! von

We report the contents of 138 badger stomachs collected in central Switzerland between 1973 and 1982. Fifty-three stomachs were classified as * empty' (ie containing less than 20 ml of material). The contents of the remaining 85 stomachs were analysed in terms of the volume of material in each of eight categories : voles, slugs, earthworms, wasps, cherries, plums, maize, and Other*. The main conclusions are :1) There were no sex differences either in the total volume of stomach contents, in the proportion of stomachs classified as * empty', or in the relative importance of different prey types.2) Earthworms (Lumbricus sp.) were the most important prey type overall, accounting for 25 % by volume of total stomach contents and occurring in 54 % of stomachs. Wasps, cherries, plums and maize each contributed between 10 and 20 % of total contents ; slugs and voles were less important prey.3) Earthworms were eaten frequently but were not usually present in large volumes in any one stomach. Wasps, cherries, plums and maize, by contrast, were eaten infrequently but in large volumes ; and sometimes they were the only prey eaten in a single night. 4) A variety of foods which were present in the environment and which are known to be eaten by badgers elsewhere (eg. acorns, apples, wheat) did not appear in the stomach contents.5) It is misleading to characterise badgers either as food specialists or as generalists. Consumption of any one food in any one night depends on a variety of factors, including availability of that food, availability of alternatives, intrinsic taste preferences and previous experience.Zusammenfassung. -Von 135 in den Jahren 1973-1982 gesammelten Dachsen wurde der Mageninhalt untersucht. Bei 53 fanden sich 20 ml oder weniger absiebbaren Inhalts ; sie wurden als « leer » nicht weiter analysiert. Der Inhalt der übrigen 85 wurde den folgenden Nahrungskategorien zugeordnet : Wühlmäuse, Nacktschnecken, Regenwürmer, Wespen, Kirschen, Zwetschgen/Pflaumen, « übriges ». Folgende Schlüsse werden gezogen :l. Beide Geschlechter haben sich gleichermassen ernährt (keine Unterschiede im Gesamtvolumen, in der Anzahl « leerer » Mägen und der Häufigkeit des Vorkommens der einzelnen Nahrungskategorien). Mammalia, t. 51, n° 4, 1987. Brought to you by | New York University Bobst Library Technical Servi Authenticated Download Date | 6/29/15 9:51 PM 560 MAMMALIA 2. Regenwürmer (Lumbricus sp.) bilden die Hauptnahrung (25 % des Gesamtvolumens, in 54 % der Mägen vorhanden). Wespen, Kirschen, Zwetschgen/Pflaumen und Mais machten je zwischen 10 und 20 % des Volumens aus. Wühlmäusen und Schnecken kam untergeordnete Bedeutung zu. 3. Regenwürmer wurden häufig gefressen, waren aber relativ selten die dominierende Beute. Wespen, Kirschen, Zwetschgen/Pflaumen und Mais dagegen wurden selten (entsprechend ihrem zeitlich begrenzten Angebot) gefressen, dann aber jeweils in grosser Menge, oft als einzige Nahrungskategorie pro Nacht. 4. Die Ausnutzung des durch den Menschen direkt (z.B. Mais, Kirschen) oder indirekt (z.B. Wühlmäuse, Regenwü...