Multivariate Analyses of the Activity Pattern and Behavior of the Lesser Anteater on Open and Closed Days at Córdoba Zoo, Argentina

Chiapero, Florencia; Ferrari, Héctor Ricardo; Prieto, María Valentina; Capocasa, María Constanza García; Busso, Juan Manuel

doi:10.1080/10888705.2020.1799214

Cited by 8 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…This striking result is hard to interpret. No major ecological differences were reported between T. mexicana and the other Tamandua species studied, T. tetradactyla (Brown 2011;Hayssen 2011;Navarrete and Ortega 2011;Chiapero et al 2021). Among their few behavioral differences, one can cite the larger home range of T. tetradactyla (Montgomery 1985;Rodrigues et al 2001;Brown 2011) and an activity budget of T. mexicana that is characterized by a greater percentage time spent feeding compared to locomotion (Brown 2011).…”

Section: Unexpected Results For T Mexicanamentioning

confidence: 80%

Integrative Approach Uncovers New Patterns of Ecomorphological Convergence in Slow Arboreal Xenarthrans

et al. 2021

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Identifying ecomorphological convergence examples is a central focus in evolutionary biology. In xenarthrans, slow arboreality independently arose at least three times, in the two genera of ‘tree sloths’, Bradypus and Choloepus, and the silky anteater, Cyclopes. This specialized locomotor ecology is expectedly reflected by distinctive morpho-functional convergences. Cyclopes, although sharing several ecological features with ‘tree sloths’, do not fully mirror the latter in their outstandingly similar suspensory slow arboreal locomotion. We hypothesized that the morphology of Cyclopes is closer to ‘tree sloths’ than to anteaters, but yet distinct, entailing that slow arboreal xenarthrans evolved through ‘incomplete’ convergence. In a multivariate trait space, slow arboreal xenarthrans are hence expected to depart from their sister taxa evolving toward the same area, but not showing extensive phenotypical overlap, due to the distinct position of Cyclopes. Conversely, a pattern of ‘complete’ convergence (i.e., widely overlapping morphologies) is hypothesized for ‘tree sloths’. Through phylogenetic comparative methods, we quantified humeral and femoral convergence in slow arboreal xenarthrans, including a sample of extant and extinct non-slow arboreal xenarthrans. Through 3D geometric morphometrics, cross-sectional properties (CSP) and trabecular architecture, we integratively quantified external shape, diaphyseal anatomy and internal epiphyseal structure. Several traits converged in slow arboreal xenarthrans, especially those pertaining to CSP. Phylomorphospaces and quantitative convergence analyses substantiated the expected patterns of ‘incomplete’ and ‘complete’ convergence for slow arboreal xenarthrans and ‘tree sloths’, respectively. This work, highlighting previously unidentified convergence patterns, emphasizes the value of an integrative multi-pronged quantitative approach to cope with complex mechanisms underlying ecomorphological convergence.

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Section: Unexpected Results For T Mexicanamentioning

confidence: 80%

Integrative Approach Uncovers New Patterns of Ecomorphological Convergence in Slow Arboreal Xenarthrans

et al. 2021

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“…Lesser anteaters (Tamandua tetradactyla) and flamingos (Phoenicopterus sp.) did not show any significant changes in their activity budgets or space use in response to higher visitor numbers (Chiapero et al, 2021;Rose et al, 2018). Some individuals have also been observed to approach visitors during periods of higher density, suggesting visitors were stimulating or otherwise promoted positive affect (Eltorai & Sussman, 2010).…”

Section: __________________________________________________________________________________mentioning

confidence: 87%

“…This model is consistent with many studies that have demonstrated adverse impacts of visitors on primates (Chamove et al, 1988;Mallapur et al, 2005;Stoinski et al, 2012;Wells, 2005), which are often diurnal, omnivorous, and inhabit heavily forested areas (Mittermeier et al, 2013). However, the model has shown less consistent results when compared to visitor effect studies of other mammals such as bobcats (Lynx rufus) (Suárez et al, 2017), lesser anteaters (Chiapero et al, 2021, and black-tailed prairie dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) (Eltorai & Sussman, 2010). Based on the model, red kangaroos would be classified as a relatively low level of concern for potential visitor effects because of their tendency to be found in open grasslands and their predisposition to sleeping during the time of day when visitors are present.…”

Section: __________________________________________________________________________________mentioning

confidence: 99%

Effects of Visitor Presence and Crowd Size on Zoo-Housed Red Kangaroos (Macropus Rufus) During and After a COVID-19 Closure

Jones¹,

Gartland²,

Fuller³

2021

AB&C

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Macropods, particularly kangaroos and wallabies, are common species included in walk-through habitats that put them in close proximity to zoo visitors. However, there has been little research into how visitor presence and density impact the welfare of these individuals. We monitored the behavior and space use of fifteen red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) for a total of ten weeks during and after a nearly three-month zoo closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings revealed potential visitor effects, evidenced by more time spent in social proximity, greater inactivity, and more restricted space use after the zoo reopened. Although temperature and weather likely played a role in at least some of these behavioral changes, social proximity and space use changed with crowd size in a manner consistent with our zoo status (i.e., open or closed) results. Additionally, time spent feeding was significantly related to crowd size but not zoo status, such that the kangaroos spent more time feeding when there were no visitors in the habitat. These findings suggest that visitor effects explain these behavioral changes better than seasonal confounds. We also noted several individual differences in response to visitor presence and crowd size, highlighting the importance of evaluating behavioral responses to visitors on an individual basis.

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“…The aim of this question was to assess visitors' opinions about management strategies that impact on zoo‐housed lesser anteater welfare. Each statement was based on lesser anteater and/or similar mammalian studies: for 5.1, Superina et al (2008) and Young et al (2020); for 5.2, Morgan and Tromborg (2007); for 5.3, Catapani et al (2018); 5.4, Superina et al (2008); for 5.5, Chiapero et al (2020), Hosey (2000), and Queiroz and Young (2018); for 5.6, Hosey et al (2010). Answers to all questions presented values from 5 to 1, for the options “totally agree” and “totally disagree,” respectively.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Zoos provide an opportunity to work on crucial issues of biodiversity while reaching out to the public with education programs (Mascarelli, 2013). We have been studying the behavior and physiology of Tamandua tetradactyla at Córdoba Zoo since 2013 (i.e., Chiapero et al, 2020; Eguizábal et al, 2013; Eguizábal et al, 2019) but have not yet covered the visitor‐lesser anteater relationship. T. tetradactyla is a specialized mammalian myrmecophage (ant and termite eater) endemic to South America (Mammalia: Xenarthra: Pilosa; Redford & Eisenberg, 1992).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visitors' perceptions of zoo‐housed lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) welfare: Observation plays a larger role than a brief informative talk

et al. 2020

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There is a growing ethical concern in modern society about animals' quality of life. We hypothesize that zoo visitors' perception of zoo animal welfare, particularly in the case of lesser anteaters, changes positively after listening to scientific information. Visitors observing active lesser anteaters in their enclosures at Córdoba Zoo (Argentina) were asked to respond to a questionnaire about animal welfare. The treatment group (T) answered the questionnaire after listening to a brief informative talk based on local scientific studies on lesser anteaters. The control group (C) answered the questionnaire without hearing the informative talk. Visitors (87.2%) considered biological, sanitary, and sociocultural aspects to be necessary conditions for optimum wild zoo‐housed animal welfare. The majority of visitors considered that natural surroundings provide the highest level of welfare for wild animals. Visitors in the T group ranked the zoo as providing a higher level of animal welfare than those in group C. In reference to management measurements, the T group agreed on the positive effect of the application of environmental enrichment (Likert Medians: C = 4 and T = 5; p = .0443). On the basis of their perception, most visitors in both groups stated that the lesser anteaters at Córdoba Zoo appeared to be in a good state of welfare. We interpret this as meaning that, what these Córdoba zoo visitors personally perceived while observing the lesser anteaters carried greater weight than what they learned from the informative talk, though the talk did slightly affect their opinion.

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Multivariate Analyses of the Activity Pattern and Behavior of the Lesser Anteater on Open and Closed Days at Córdoba Zoo, Argentina

Cited by 8 publications

References 34 publications

Integrative Approach Uncovers New Patterns of Ecomorphological Convergence in Slow Arboreal Xenarthrans

Integrative Approach Uncovers New Patterns of Ecomorphological Convergence in Slow Arboreal Xenarthrans

Effects of Visitor Presence and Crowd Size on Zoo-Housed Red Kangaroos (Macropus Rufus) During and After a COVID-19 Closure

Visitors' perceptions of zoo‐housed lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla) welfare: Observation plays a larger role than a brief informative talk

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