Species Profile: Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering one of the three species of wombat from Australia. Belonging to the family Vombatidae (wombats), this wombat is the largest of the three species and is lesser known of the wombats. Say hello to the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (Lasiorhinus krefftii).

As stated in the introduction, the Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat is the largest of the wombat species that can measure up to a meter long and can weigh up to 32-40kg. They are characterized by their wide muzzle, longer/pointer ears and has softer fur than the other wombats. Despite there large size, this wombat can reach a speed of 40km/h, but only over short distances (australiangeographic.com, 2020).

Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat (gender unknown) by Tina Janssen / Safe Haven AACE.

Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat prefer savanna and open eucalypt woodlands along inland river systems as they feed on a wide variety of native/introduced grasses. They only eat the leaves instead of the stem as it provides the wombat with good nutrition. They feed for at least six hours in winter and two hours and summer compared to Eastern grey Kangaroo that must feed for 18 hours a day. This is because of their burrows have a cool, humid temperature which helps conserve the wombat’s energy. Female wombats reach sexual maturity at 2.5 years old while males take 3 years to sexually mature. Most baby wombats are born in summer and stay in their mother’s pouch for 8/9 months (environment.des.qld.gov.au, 2020).

Originally thought to be extinct in the early 20th century, a small population was found in Epping Forest National Park in Central Queensland. Currently the population size is estimated around 160-200 individuals (theconversation.com, 2020). Classed as critically endangered by the IUCN, the major threats to the wombat are agricultural development, droughts, invasive species, and fire/fire suppression. Agricultural development for livestock destroys the grass the wombat feeds on and decreases the available land for wombats to burrow. Droughts and fire management also destroys the grasses the wombat feeds on and affect the availability on water the wombat can access. Invasive species destroy/remove wombats from their burrows and attack wombats that is leading to increase risk in inbreeding due to lack of genetic diversity (Taggart et al, 2016).

Next time, we will be covering a species of mustelid from Europe.References

https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2015/09/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat/

https://theconversation.com/australian-endangered-species-northern-hairy-nosed-wombat-13148

https://environment.des.qld.gov.au/wildlife/threatened-species/endangered/northern-hairy-nosed-wombat#how_many_species_of_wombats

Taggart, D., Martin, R. & Horsup, A. 2016. Lasiorhinus krefftii. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T11343A21959050.

Species Profile: Cross River Gorilla

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a subspecies of Western Gorilla that is found near the Cross River in Nigeria. This subspecies was once considered to be extinct in the wild until scientists found a small population in 1980’s. Classed by the IUCN as Critically endangered and is one of Africa’s most endangered species. Say hello to the Cross River Gorilla (Gorilla gorilla spp. diehli).

This subspecies looks similar to the Western lowland Gorilla with the only differences in the skull size and tooth dimensions (Bergl et al, 2016). Cross River Gorillas prefer dense forest habitat but can live in riparian forests and high altitude grasslands. Their diet depends on which habitat they reside in as they prefer fruit during periods of seasonal abundance and herbs and bark through out the rest of the year (Etiendem & Tagg, 2013).

Photo of Cross River Gorilla eating by Nicky Lankester, Limbe Wildlife Centre (above) and Male gorilla by Wildlife Conservation Society (below).

 

Cross River Gorilla are one of the lesser known species as current studies estimated that there are 200-300 individuals left in the wild with estimated number of individuals in a group to be around 11 by examining nests left by the Gorillas (Funwi-Gabga et al, 2012). Each group is led by a male and the females and his young make up the rest of the group. Lead male Gorillas are sometimes called “silverbacks” due to the silver colour on their back (Worldwildlife.org, 2020).

Poaching, habitat destruction, climate change and inbreeding are some of the major threats to the Cross River Gorilla survival. Gorillas are sometimes caught in snares set by poachers to catch other animal species. The trapped Gorilla struggles to escape the snare this can result in injury or death. Habitat destruction of their major food sources for agricultural reasons has led to conflict between humans and Gorillas and with increasing climate change has force the Cross River Gorilla to move to other areas where they may be unable to survive in. Due to the small population, inbreeding is a big risk as lack of genetic flow between groups and lead to deformities in future generations and higher risk of diseases due to poor immune systems (Bergl et al, 2016).

Next time, we will be covering a species of wombat from Australia.

References

Bergl, R.A., Dunn, A., Fowler, A., Imong, I., Ndeloh, D., Nicholas, A. & Oates, J.F. 2016. Gorilla gorilla ssp. diehli (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T39998A102326240.

Etiendem, D.N. & Tagg, N. 2013, "Feeding Ecology of Cross River Gorillas (Gorilla gorilla diehli) at Mawambi Hills: The Influence of Resource Seasonality", International Journal of Primatology, vol. 34, no. 6, pp. 1261-1280.

Funwi-Gabga, N., Funwi-Gabga, N., Mateu, J. & Mateu, J. 2012, "Understanding the nesting spatial behaviour of gorillas in the Kagwene Sanctuary, Cameroon", Stochastic Environmental Research and Risk Assessment, vol. 26, no. 6, pp. 793-811.

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/cross-river-gorilla retrieved 28/6/2020

Picture references

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/39998/102326240

Species Profile: Trumpeter Swan

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a species of bird from the genus Cygnus that was at the brink of extinction but is making a comeback. It is also called North America’s heaviest flying bird with males weighing over 26 pounds and the main character in E. B. White’s 1970 children’s book the Trumpet of the swan. Give a warm welcome to the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator).

The Trumpeter swan is one of three species of swans that resides in North America along with the Mute swan (Cygnus olor) which was introduced and the Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus). Trumpeter and tundra swans look similar to each other, but Trumpeter swans are characterized by their solid black straight beak and white feathers while Tundra swans have yellow markings under their eyes (ebird.org, 2020). Male Swans are called the Cob and usually weigh more and are larger than female swans which are called the Pen (trumpeterswansociety.org, 2020).

Trumpeter Swans by Jakub Fryš

Trumpeter Swans prefer to live in areas that are shallow freshwater lakes with lots of aquatic vegetation to feed on. They also need large areas of open water in order to do their running-take-off. Female Trumpeter swans also need lake areas with small islands or beaver dams of nesting (allaboutbirds.org, 2020). Weighing over 26 pounds and 1.8 long in length, the Trumpeter swans gather at the end of lakes/rivers in order to start their take off run. During their take off run, the swan will flap its 3m wingspan in order to take off from the water (Britannica.com, 2018).

Video by Lisbasan

Adult Trumpeter swans mainly feed on aquatic vegetation while they are swimming, terrestrial grasses and agricultural grains when on land. Young juvenile swans however feed on insects, small fish and fish eggs and small crustaceans before changing to a plant-based diet in the first few months. Adults and juveniles will up-end or dabbling in order to reach food that is underwater which makes them look like they are upside down and adults will dig into muddy substrates to reach roots and tubers (Johnson & Lockwood, 2013).

swan feeding by Rodger Beardmore (above) and silly swans by Kayo Roy (below)

Trumpeter swans build their nests on a site that is surrounded by water and is 600m from the shore. The nest is usually built on top of a beaver/muskrat dam and dens with both parents collecting plant that usually consist of aquatic vegetation to build the nest (Wells & Wells, 2007). The female uses her body and bill to shape the nest on top of an aquatic vegetation mound. The female will lay a clutch of eggs that can range between 4-6, are a creamy white colour and are incubated for 32-37 days. Young swans are called cygnets and are covered in grey colour down and can leave the nest after 24 hours to swim and feed. Adult swans usually mate for life although there have been cases where if one dies, the other will sometimes take another mate (ebird, 2020).

juvenile by Greg Hume

This species was once driven close to extinction by poaching, habitat destruction and lead poisoning. Trumpeter swans were poached for their feathers which were popular for designing, meat for eating and game and skin for powder puffs (Johnson and Lockwood, 2013). Destruction of wetlands that the swans need for feeding and nesting has affected the swan’s population as they cannot survive without it. Lead poisoning from discarded lead shots also affected the population as young swans fed on the shots which led to lead poisoning and death of young swans (Wells & Wells, 2007).

Next time, we will be covering a subspecies of Western Gorilla and is found near the Cross River, Nigeria.

References (retrieved 27/03/2020)

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Trumpeter_Swan/overview

https://www.britannica.com/animal/swan published 2018

https://ebird.org/species/truswa

Johnson, WP, & Lockwood, MW 2013, Texas Waterfowl, Texas A&M University Press, College Station. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [26 March 2020].

Wells, JV, & Wells, JVV 2007, Birder's Conservation Handbook : 100 North American Birds at Risk, Princeton University Press, Princeton. Available from: ProQuest Ebook Central. [26 March 2020].

https://www.trumpeterswansociety.org/swan-information/identification/overview.html retrieved 27/03/2020

Picture references

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpeter_swan (Trumpeter Swans by Jakub Fryš)

https://search.macaulaylibrary.org/catalog?taxonCode=truswa&q=Trumpeter%20Swan%20-%20Cygnus%20buccinator (swan feeding by Rodger Beardmore)

https://search.macaulaylibrary.org/catalog?taxonCode=truswa&q=Trumpeter%20Swan%20-%20Cygnus%20buccinator (silly swans by Kayo Roy)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trumpeter_swan (juvenile by Greg Hume)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ENpxcPBtRw (video)

Species Profile: Maned Wolf

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering an animal that looks like a giant fox that lives in South America and has the nickname “fox on stilts”. It is the only known species in the genus Chrysocyon and belongs to the Canidae family. Please give a warm welcome to the Maned Wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus).

The Maned wolf is a largest canid that resides in Central and Eastern South America. It is characterized by its red fur similar to the red fox and stands on end giving the appearance of a mane. Black markings on its long legs, muzzle and the tips of the mane. It also has a white bib underneath its muzzle and on the tip of its tail (nationalzoo.si.edu, 2020). Its preferred habitat are grasslands, swamps, scrub forest, woodlands with open canopy and mixed forest. Maned wolfs can reach a height of 1m and can weigh over 20-25kgs (wwf.panda.org, 2020).

Chrysocyon brachyurus by Edu Fortes

The Maned wolf is an omnivore which means its diet is both meat and vegetation material. It feeds on small mammals, birds and fish, but majority of its diet is plant martial that includes sugar cane, tubers, and fruit. The most common plant found in Maned wolf fecal matter is the Solanum lycocarpum or Wolf Apple (Aragona & Setz, 2001). A graph from the article “feeding habits of the Maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Carnivora: Canidae), in southeast Brazil" shows that during the dry season, Maned wolves mostly fed on small mammals and the wolf apple. During wet season, the diet changes to fruits that are more plentiful during that season (de Arruda Bueno & Motta-Junior, 2009).

Wolf fruit By João Medeiros (above) and graph by de Arruda Bueno, A. & Motta-Junior, J.C. 2009 (below)

Maned wolves are mostly solitary animals unlike most wolf species and only get together when it is breeding season. They use urine to mark their territory, hunting paths or where they buried prey. Mating season for Maned wolves is between November to April and gestation can last up to 60 days. A female Maned wolf can have up to 2-6 pups in a litter and the pups have dark black fur compared to their parents. After 3 weeks, the pups fur begins to turn red and follow their mother while she forges for food. Both parents do care for the pups, but the female does most of the work, up to one year where they are fully matured and leave the parent territory to find their own (Mannise et al, 2017).

(wolf pup 1) by Michael stone (above) and (wolf pup 2) by Trisha M Shears

The Maned wolf is classed by the IUCN red list as near threatened as there are currently four major threats to this species. The first threat is habitat loss/alteration for crops has affected the wolfs food supply as a majority of the wolfs diet is vegetation. Human persecution is the second threat as the Maned wolf is blamed for the attacks on livestock and are killed in retaliation. The third threat is vehicular collision as increasing traffic on highways has led increase in fatality in Maned wolfs crossing the roads. The final threat is pathogens introduced by domestic animals. Pathogens such as canine distemper virus and canine adenovirus can affect both pups and adults leading to fatalities (Paula & DeMatteo, 2015).

Next time, we will be covering a species of bird from the genus Cygnus that was at the brink of extinction but is making a comeback.

References

Aragona, M. & Setz, E.Z.F. 2001, "Diet of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Mammalia: Canidae), during wet and dry seasons at Ibitipoca State Park, Brazil", Journal of Zoology, vol. 254, no. 1, pp. 131-136

de Arruda Bueno, A. & Motta-Junior, J.C. 2009, "Feeding habits of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Carnivora: Canidae), in southeast Brazil", Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 67-75.

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/maned-wolf retrieved 25/03/2020

Mannise, N., Cosse, M., González, S., Emmons, L.H., Duarte, J.M.B., Beccaceci, M.D. & Maldonado, J.E. 2017, "Maned wolves retain moderate levels of genetic diversity and gene flow despite drastic habitat fragmentation", Endangered Species Research, vol. 34, pp. 449-462.

Paula, R.C. & DeMatteo, K. 2015. Chrysocyon brachyurus (errata version published in 2016). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2015: e.T4819A88135664

https://wwf.panda.org/our_work/wildlife/profiles/mammals/wolf_maned/ retrieved 25/03/202

picture references

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4819/88135664 (maned wolf 1 Edu Fortes)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maned_wolf Wolf fruit By João Medeiros

de Arruda Bueno, A. & Motta-Junior, J.C. 2009, "Feeding habits of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus (Carnivora: Canidae), in southeast Brazil", Studies on Neotropical Fauna and Environment, vol. 44, no. 2, pp. 67-75. (graph)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maned_wolf (wolf pup 1) by Michael stone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maned_wolf (wolf pup 2) by Trisha M Shears

Species Profile: Green Sea Turtle

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a species of sea turtle that got its name by the colour of fat underneath its carapace/shell. This species is well documented as studies are been continuing to help prevent the species from going extinct. Please give a warm welcome to the Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas).

As stated above, Green sea turtles get their name from the colour of fat underneath its carapace/shell. This turtle is the one of largest sea turtles and is the only one of its species in the genus Chelonia. It is also the only sea turtle that feed on vegetation (Worldwildlife.org, 2020). Green sea turtle has a unique feature that distinguishes them from other species of sea turtles. This feature is a single pair of prefrontal scales (scales in front of its eyes) instead of two pairs which other sea turtles have. The carapace of the Green sea turtle is bony, has large non-overlapping scales and the body is almost oval shaped. The flippers each have one claw and the carapace colour varies from white, yellow, green and brown with radiating stripes (conserveturtles.org, 2020).

turtle swimming by Brocken Inaglory

Green sea turtles can weigh up to 700 pounds and can measure up to 5 feet. Males are slightly larger than females and have a longer tail. Adult turtles feed primarily on sea grass/algae while juvenile sea turtles feed on invertebrates such as crabs, jellyfish and sponges (nationalgeographic.com, 2020). 

sea turtle eating by P.Lindgren

Green sea turtle become sexually mature between 25 to 40 years old and breeding occurs between late spring to early summer. Males can mate every year, but females have to migrate every 2-5 years from foraging areas to nest. Females will lay over 100 eggs per nest before leaving the nesting area to return back to their foraging areas (fisheries.noaa.gov, 2020).

mother turtle nesting (above) by Nicolas Pilcher and baby turtle (below) by Kathryn Pintus

After 2 months, the young turtles hatch and make their way out of nest to the open ocean. They follow the brightest horizon to find the sea, but artificial light from houses/cities can confuses the turtles causing them to follow the artificial light instead of heading to the ocean. Young turtles are also preyed on by predators, however due to the large number of young turtles hatching and fleeing to the ocean, some of the turtles reach the ocean (Hannah et al, 2013).

Baby turtles 2 (above) by Nicolas Pilcher and baby turtle 3 swimming (below) by Dr Oguz Turkozan

Unfortunately, the Green sea turtle has reached endangered status due to pollution, hunting, coastal development and mortality by fishing nests. Young sea turtles mistake plastic bags as jellyfish causing them to choke and block the digestive track causing the turtle to die. Hunting turtles for their meat, shell and eggs has caused the population to decrease although efforts have been made to stop this. Coastal development of beaches has destroyed nesting sites and nests that have been established there. Green sea turtle can hold its breath for a long time but when entangled in nets, the turtles thrash around becoming stress and use more oxygen causing them to drown.

(caught turtles) by unknown

Next time, we will be covering an animal that looks like a giant fox that lives in South America.

References

https://conserveturtles.org/information-sea-turtles-green-sea-turtle/ retrieved 22/03/2020

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/green-turtle retrieved 22/03/2020

Hannah B. Vander Zanden, Arthur, K.E., Bolten, A.B., Popp, B.N., Lagueux, C.J., Harrison, E., Campbell, C.L. & Bjorndal, K.A. 2013, "Trophic ecology of a green turtle breeding population", Marine Ecology Progress Series, vol. 476, pp. 237-249.

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/g/green-sea-turtle/ retrieved 22/03/2020

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4615/11037468 retrieved 22/03/2020

https://www.worldwildlife.org/species/green-turtle retrieved 22/03/2020

Picture references

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4615/11037468 (baby turtle 2 by Nicolas Pilcher)

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4615/11037468  (mother turtle by Nicolas Pilcher)

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4615/11037468 (baby turtle 1 by Kathryn Pintus)

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/4615/11037468 (baby turtle 3 by Dr Oguz Turkozan)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle (swimming sea turtle) By Brocken Inaglory

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle  (sea turtle eating) By P.Lindgren

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_sea_turtle (caught turtles) by unknown

Species Profile: Basking Shark

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering the second largest species of shark that feeds on plankton. Reaching over 40 feet/12m in length and weight of 10,000/4.5 metric tons, this species of shark has reach endangered status from boat collisions, overfishing and harvesting of fins and livers. Say hello to the Basking Shark (Cetorhinus maximus).

Being the second largest shark in the world, the Basking shark is characterized by their pointed snout, enormous mouth, 5 gill slits that almost encircle its head, rows of minute curved teeth in jaws, large first dorsal, pectoral and pelvic fins and small second dorsal/anal fins (Bray, 2018). This species of shark is mostly found worldwide in temperate/arctic oceanic waters (australianmuseum, 2020).

Basking sharks are normally seen swimming close to the surface with its mouth open and are known to swim in pairs or large groups up to 100 members. This species of shark does breach similar to great white sharks and whales, although scientists have not figured out why they do this (floridamuseum, 2020).

Basking shark by Greg Skomal and world distribution by floridamuseum.

The current population of the Basking shark is unknown leading them to classed as endangered by the IUCN red list. Basking sharks feed in a unusual way as they have their mouth open while swimming which allows water to flow through its pharynx. By suction/pumping the water through the pharynx, zooplankton is strained from the water by gill rakers that is located in the gills (floridamuseum, 2020).

Zooplankton and gill rakers by Floridamuseum

Basking sharks’ mate via internal fertilization and females give birth to live young. Unlike Whale sharks which give birth to hundreds of small young, Basking sharks give birth to large young and in fewer numbers (Oceana.org, 2020). Basking sharks are also ovoviviparous which means developing embryos rely on a yolk sack but have no placental connection to the mother. This also means that embryos that are developing in the eggs remain in their mother’s body until they are ready to hatch (Matthews, 1950).

Breaching Basking shark by Nat Geo Wild.

This species of shark is endangered due to boat collisions, overfishing and harvesting of fins and livers. Due to the Basking shark’s nature of feeding and swimming near the surface, commercial ships/boats have collided with the sharks leaving them injury/dead. Overfishing for the shark’s liver and fins is also having an impact on the species population as the fins are harvested for shark fin soup and other meals/medicine which can be worth over US$57,000 while the liver was collected to use the oil for lamps in early industrial era (Rigby et al, 2019).

Feeding shark (above) by Martin Prochazkac and Caught shark (below) by Michihiko Yano

Next time, we will be covering a well-known species of sea turtle.

References
https://australianmuseum.net.au/learn/animals/fishes/basking-shark-cetorhinus-maximus-gunnerus-1765/ retrieved 21/03/2020

Bray, D.J. 2018, Cetorhinus maximus in Fishes of Australia, accessed 21 Mar 2020, http://136.154.202.208/home/species/1847

https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/cetorhinus-maximus/ retrieved 21/03/2020

Gore, M.A., Frey, P.H., Ormond, R.F., Allan, H. & Gilkes, G. 2016, "Use of photo-identification and mark-recapture methodology to assess basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) populations", PLoS ONE, vol. 11, no. 3, pp. e0150160.

Matthews, L.H. 1950, "Reproduction in the Basking Shark, Cetorhinus maximus (Gunner)", Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London. Series B, Biological Sciences, vol. 234, no. 612, pp. 247-316.

https://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/basking-shark retrieved 21/03/2020

Rigby, C.L., Barreto, R., Carlson, J., Fernando, D., Fordham, S., Francis, M.P., Herman, K., Jabado, R.W., Liu, K.M., Marshall, A., Romanov, E. & Kyne, P.M. 2019. Cetorhinus maximus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2019: e.T4292A2988471.

Picture references
https://fishesofaustralia.net.au/home/species/1847 (gill rakers)
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/cetorhinus-maximus/ (Michihiko Yano) (caught Basking shark).
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/cetorhinus-maximus/ (zooplankton)
https://www.floridamuseum.ufl.edu/discover-fish/species-profiles/cetorhinus-maximus/ (world map)
https://oceana.org/marine-life/sharks-rays/basking-shark (Martin Prochazkac) (feeding shark)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basking_shark
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsC61g36EqM (video)

Species Profile: Ethiopian wolf

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering one of Africa’s rarest and most endangered carnivore that resides in Ethiopia, Africa. This beautiful canid is under threat from agriculture development and disease. Say hello to the Ethiopian Wolf (Canis simensis).

The Ethiopian wolf is a canid that is characterized by their long-limbed legs and slender body. They have a black bushy tail that can measure up to 40cm in length and have a red/rusty coloured coat with white fur underbelly, chest, throat and muzzle. Females Ethiopian wolves are smaller and paler in colour than their male counterpart (awf.com, 2020).

Canis simensis by Brent Huffman 

Unlike most canid species that feed on a variety of animals, the Ethiopian wolf has evolved to be a specialized feeder of small rodents. Their bodies have evolved a long slender snout, long legs, and well-spaced teeth to extract prey from their burrows. In order to hunt, the wolf explores area’s with rich food and slowly walk up to the burrows to investigate using their hearing (Yihune & Bekele 2014).

Video of young wolf's attempt at hunting by BBC America.

Once the prey has been located, the wolf slowly approaches it which this can take up to an hour or more. If the prey runs, the wolf will run a zigzag pattern to catch any rodents in the area (Yihune & Bekele 2014). Their preferred prey is the big-headed African mole rat, (Tachyoryctes macrocephalus) and Ethiopian highland hare (Lepus starcki) (Sillero-Zubiri, & Gottelli, 1995).

Mole Rat by Charles J Sharp (above) and Hare by unknown (Below)

Ethiopian wolves are family oriented with most packs containing extended family members that help raise the dominant pair pups. The alpha female wolf digs a burrow under a boulder or in a rocky crevice and can give birth to 2-6 pups (iucnredlist.org, 2020). All members of the pack care and protect the pups with younger females helping the dominant female with suckling. Young females leave their parent pack at the age of two and search for another pack. This is called female-biased dispersal which can help prevent inbreeding in packs as related member cannot breed with other relatives (awf.com, 2020)

Canis simensis and pups by Dada Gottelii and Claudio Sillero-Zubiri

The Ethiopian wolf is under threat from increasing agriculture development and disease. Diseases such as rabies and canine distemper from infected domestic dogs has had a negative impact on the wolf’s population as this can lead to death of adults and pups (Marino et al, 2017). Increasing agriculture development has had an impact on the wolf’s prey as the habitat their prey lives in is being destroyed from agriculture (iucnredlist.org, 2020).

Next time, we will be covering a second largest species of shark that feeds on plankton.

References

https://www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/ethiopian-wolf retrieved 20/03/20

Marino, J., Sillero-Zubiri, C., Deressa, A., Bedin, E., Bitewa, A., Lema, F., Rskay, G., Banyard, A. & Fooks, A.R. 2017, "Rabies and Distemper Outbreaks in Smallest Ethiopian Wolf Population", Emerging infectious diseases, vol. 23, no. 12, pp. 2102-2104.

Yihune, M. & Bekele, A. 2014, "Feeding ecology of the Ethiopian wolf in the Simien Mountains National Park, Ethiopia", African Journal of Ecology, vol. 52, no. 4, pp. 484-490

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3748/10051312

Sillero-Zubiri, C. & Gottelli, D. 1995, "Diet and Feeding Behavior of Ethiopian Wolves (Canis simensis)", Journal of Mammalogy, vol. 76, no. 2, pp. 531-541.

picture references

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3748/10051312

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopian_highland_hare

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big-headed_African_mole-rat   By Charles J Sharp

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/3748/10051312  Canis simensis and pups by Dada Gottelii and Claudio Sillero-Zubiri

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ZOqPsz1LnE  (video)

Species Profile: Spoon-billed Sandpiper

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a species of bird from the genus Calidris. This species has become critically endangered due to loss of their breeding habitat during winter by coastal development. Say hello to the Spoon-billed Sandpiper (Calidris pygmaea).

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper is a critically endangered migratory shorebird that breeds along coastal tundra in the north-east arctic of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug and northern Kamchatka Kraj, Russia. In non-breeding seasons, this bird migrates to Southern Russia, China, Korea and Japan (Clark et al, 2018).

Spoon-billed Sandpiper is characterized by a unique black spatulate beak. During non-breeding seasons, the feathers of this bird are a mixture of white, black and gray with a lightly gray streaked cap on its head. During breeding seasons, the feathers turn a rich red/brown colour on the head, breast and back. The breast is also covered with black spotting that extends to the belly that is white (Birds.cornell, 2020).

Non-breeding Calidris pygmaea (below) by Zheng Jianping and baby bird (above)by John O’Sullivan

The Spoon-billed Sandpiper requires a very specialized habitat that it needs in order to breeding in. this habitat is made of lagoon spits that contain crowberry-lichen vegetation or dwarf birch and willow sedges with adjacent estuary/mudflats in which the adults that are nesting can use as a feeding ground (BirdLife international, 2017).

Dwarf Birch by unknown.

They mostly feed on moss, small insects and marine vertebrates. Male Spoon-billed Sandpipers preform a courtship dance over their territory in order to attract a mate. When laying eggs, females lay 1-4 eggs on a shallow tundra depression and take turns incubating for 19-23 days before the young hatch. Males will look after the chicks until they fledge 20 days later while the females leave soon as the young hatch. When the young reach fledging age, the males will leave them, and the chicks migrate south after a few weeks (Birds.cornell, 2020).



Spoon-billed Sandpipers are under threat from loss of their breeding habitat and trapping/poisoning. Coastal development has removed the specialized habitat that the birds rely on for breeding and feeding as they require lagoon spits with the vegetation adjacent from mudflats. Trapping and poisoning have also reduced population numbers as the birds are accidentally/purposely caught in nets and also feed on poison bait in the traps (Peng et al, 2017).


Next time, we will be covering a rare wolf that lives in the Ethiopian Highlands.



References

BirdLife International 2017. Calidris pygmaea (amended version of 2017 assessment). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22693452A117520594.



Clark, N.A., Anderson, G.Q.A., Li, J., Syroechkovskiy, E.E., Tomkovich, P.S., Zöckler, C., Lee, R. & Green, R.E. 2018, "First formal estimate of the world population of the Critically Endangered spoon-billed sandpiper Calidris pygmaea", Oryx, vol. 52, no. 1, pp. 137-146.



https://www.birds.cornell.edu/home/spoon-billed-sandpiper-facts/ retrieved 9/03/2020



Peng, H., Anderson, G.Q.A., Chang, Q., Choi, C., Chowdhury, S.U., Clark, N.A., Gan, X., Hearn, R.D., Li, J., Lappo, E.G., Liu, W., Ma, Z., Melville, D.S., Phillips, J.F., Syroechkovskiy, E.E., Tong, M., Wang, S., Zhang, L. & Zockler, C. 2017, "The intertidal wetlands of southern Jiangsu Province, China - globally important for Spoon-billed Sandpipers and other threatened waterbirds, but facing multiple serious threats", Bird Conservation International, vol. 27, no. 3, pp. 305-322.



picture references

https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/22693452/117520594#assessment-information Non-breeding Calidris pygmaea



https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2019/dec/29/wildfowl-wetlands-trust-spoon-billed-sandpiper-conservation (baby bird)



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betula_nana (drawf birch)

Species Profile: Franklin's Bumble Bee

Hello again, welcome back to animals under threat. Today, we will be covering a species of bee that has come under threat from habitat loss and introduction of exotic diseases. Please give a warm welcome to Franklin's Bumble Bee (Bombus franklini).

Franklin’s bumble bee belongs to the genus Bombus which contains over 250 different species of bumble bee. This species of bumble bee can be distinguished by their solid black abdomen and yellow U-shaped on the thorax. Females have black hair on their faces while males have yellow hair on their face. Franklin's Bumble Bee has the most restricted range out of all the bee species and is only found in Southern Oregon to Northern California, USA (BOMBUS SANDERSONI FRANKLIN, 1913).

Female (above) and male (below) Franklin's Bumble Bee by SANDERSON.

As with most species of bees, the Franklin's Bumble Bee lives in large social colonies made up of one queen and her offspring. This species of bee prefers to nest in abandoned rodent burrows, on the ground or in a pile of rocks so long as there is room, shelter, food and resting available.

As this species of bee belongs to the Bombus genus, they have a unique genetic system where unfertilized (haploid) eggs become males that carry a single set of chromosomes while fertilized (diploid) eggs become females that carry two sets of chromosomes. This is called the haplodiploid sex determination system (Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants, 2019). This can lead to inbreeding due to lack of genetic diversity in the colony.

Franklin's bumble bee in flower by Pete Schroeder.

Due to the commercial use of Franklin's Bumble Bee colonies in greenhouse for pollinating of crops as lead to an increase of exotic diseases/pathogens affecting the native population. Some of these diseases are tracheal mites (Locustacarus buchneri) and intestinal protozoa (Crithidia bombi, Nosema bombi) which can transfer to other bees by flowers that an infected bee has fed on or within the colony itself. Loss of habitat due to agricultural reason has also affect the population due to the removal of native flower species which the bees depend on (Kevan, 2008).

Next time, we will be covering a species of bird from the genus Calidris.


References
BOMBUS SANDERSONI FRANKLIN, 1913 SANDERSON BUMBLE BEE 2014.

Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Endangered Species Status for Franklin's Bumble Bee (Bombus franklini)2019, , Federal Information & News Dispatch, Inc, Washington.

Kevan, P.G. 2008. Bombus franklini . The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2008: e.T135295A4070259.

Picture reference
BOMBUS SANDERSONI FRANKLIN, 1913 SANDERSON BUMBLE BEE 2014. (male and female bee)
https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/135295/4070259 (bee in flower)