摘要:

Summary1. The paper is based on a collection of 385 lower jaws of the African elephant (Loxodonta a. africanaBlumenbach) from western Uganda.2. Thirty age groups are described and illustrated, which are related to the progress of eruption and wear of the six teeth in each side of the lower jaw.3. Correct identification of individual teeth in the series is essential and several checks are described. Thus, when length is plotted against width for the six teeth the points fall into six well ‐ defined groups. Frequency distributions of laminary indices and lamella numbers support the belief that teeth have been correctly identified, but overlapping, distributions preclude identification on these characters alone.4. The presence of abnormal seventh molars in four jaws is described.5. Chronological ages have been assigned to the relative age groups. Information on age and growth of captive animals has been considered and the general form of the growth curve established. Arbitrary estimates of the intervals between successive age groups were made and subsequently checked against growth and seasonal ridges on the roots. These indicate an upper age limit of about 60 years, which is compatible with fuller information on Indian elephants.6. Growth curves support the validity of the ages assigned. Asymptotic heights at shoulder (∞) are respectively 317 cm and 298 cm for males from Murchison Falls and Queen Elizabeth National Parks. For females no distinction is made (because the sample from the latter area is small) and ∞ is 272 cm.7. Growth in weight has also been established but shows no significant differences between the two populations. The mean maximum weight of females is 2766 kg (6100 lb), and of males 5450 kg (12000 lb). Growth apparently continues throughout life.8. Tusk growth is analysed. There is a linear increase in weight of female tusks from eruption at 1–3 years up to the oldest group, with an indicated mean combined weight of 17.7 kg (39 lb) at 60 years. Male tusks show an increasing rate of growth throughout life to a mean combined weight of about 109 kg (240 lb) at 60 years.Big tusks are generally the result of prolonged growth; extremely big tusks probably result from prolonged and above average rate of growth.9. Seasonal and annual incremental layers on the root 3 of the teeth are briefly described; these give an objective estimate of the chronological intervals between the relative age groups.10. Field age criteria are presented which are derived from these growth curves.11. The age at puberty in the female elephant is discussed and compared with earlier conclusions. There is evidence of a retardation in recent years in the Murchison Falls National Park (South bank) population and of a lengthening of the mean calving interval. This considerable depression of the reproductive rate, which is almost certainly density dependent, agrees with the observed lower recruitment in this population.12. Survivorship curves constructed from material representing 325 natural deaths are presented for the two populations. If estimates of the age at puberty and the reproductive rate are taken into account, the expected differences in recruitment are found.13. The calculated mean expectation of life is less than 15 years.14. Mean individual weight is estimated at about

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00878.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryPercentage cover of game trails is discussed as a possible measure of total habitat utilisation by larger mammals and a technique for its measurement is described. Game trail cover in Tsavo National Park (East) at Voi has been analysed in two areas, woodland and grassland. Of these the woodland had the higher trail cover (10.69%) and grassland the lower (7.57%). The interpretation of these results is discussed.

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00879.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00880.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00881.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryA female elephant was observed throughout most of oestrus, and was then shot. The cow was mated by many different bulls during the course of oestrus. Initially, there seemed to be little competition between bulls for the cow, but as oestrus wore on, fighting broke out amongst the bulls and one eventually appeared to establish mastery, driving the other bulls away. It was interesting that this master bull showed no discharge from his temporal glands.

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00882.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryDuring a study of the rhinoceros population at Ngorongoro Crater and Olduvai Gorge, mating or courtship behaviour was observed on six occasions. Precopulatory, copulatory and post‐copulatory behaviour is described and illustrated. Mating takes place at any time of the year and there is little doubt that the species is polygamous and polyandrous. The impermanence of the mating bond, and the pugnacity of the male rhinoceros when a female is in oestrus, is shown with the aid of a documented descriptio

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00883.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryIn late 1984 and throughout 1965 the feeding habits ofPternistis leucoscepuswere studied in the north of Tanzania and in the Tsavo West National Park in Kenya.The main food of this bird was found to be the corms of the sedgeCyperus rotundus.Grass and legume seeds and insects formed a small proportion of the diet.P. leucoscepusis not dependent on free water and can occupy waterless country.The species' main habitat is the edge of flood plains with abundantC. rotundussedge, bounded by shrub and small tree cover.In the two main study areas, Ngase‐rai and Tarangire, the difference in the general density of the habitats is reflected in the occurrence ofP. leucoscepusandFrancolinus sephaenatogether in the former area, and ofP. leucoscepus, P. cranchii, F. sephaenaandF. hildebrandtiin the latter. The sympat‐ric occurrence of these related game birds and the apparent similarity of the two spurfowls' feeding habits presents a fascinating ecological problem for further st

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00884.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryThe scarcity of dugong (Dugong dugonMiiller) throughout their former range and lack of knowledge of the species' ecology justifies this record of the opinions of the fishermen in the Lamu district of Kenya, where the species is still plentiful.The area and the programme of questioning are described. The social life, reproduction, movements and predators of the dugong are recorded as reported by the fishermen. The present distribution is contrasted with the past. My observations on the food plants and their distribution are given, as well as the fishermen's estimation of the part each plays in the dugong's diet.The need for calm water over feeding grounds, afforded by depth of water or shelter from winds, seems to be a controlling factor in the distribution of dugong. Man appears to be the main predator.

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00885.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

SummaryNatural animal populations are adapted to and in equilibrium with their natural environment. Sudden changes in composition of flora or fauna of climax communities may cause serious consequences and even the collapse of the system. This is especially true in Africa where shallow soil and precarious energy cycles are easily upset. With this in mind, it is suggested that serious consideration be given in tsetse‐control schemes and land‐use plans to the feasibility of game‐farming, especially when marginal lands are involved. It would be advantageous in many instances to keep all large and some smaller tracts of marginal lands for wildlife conservation purposes; the large areas as national parks and as a valuable source of government income and prestige, the smaller areas as a permanent animal‐protein supply through game‐harvesting operations. The advantages of game‐farming over domestic livestock‐raising are discussed in detail. A schematized tsetse‐control plan is also presented as an example of land‐use in sava

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00886.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

Summary1. The required habitat of impala, association with other herbivores and the relation to predators are outlined.2. The commonest types of group formation ‐ female herd with dominant male and bachelor herd ‐ and the factors determining the dynamic aspect of these formations are discussed.3. The daily activity rhythm is described, distinct activities are charac‐terlised as such and in relation to the social situation.4. The relationship between the dominant male and the female herd is analysed more closely. The herding activity of the male, the main forms of his courtship, and “roaring”, which occurs in the context of courting and as showing off and threat displays in male rivalry, are described.5. Social conflict amongst females and bachelors is of short duration and suggests the existence of a social hierarchy within the herds. Severe encounters and fighting occur between rival males exclusively over the possession of a female herd. The different forms of fightings and encounters are summarised and explained on the basis of the proportion of aggressiveness and inhibition of the rivals.6. Pre‐mating behaviour and copulation are described.7. The mother‐child bond is outlined in a preliminary form.8. The special features of impala sociology are discussed and compared with similar behaviour in

ISSN:0141-6707    

DOI:10.1111/j.1365-2028.1966.tb00887.x

出版商:Blackwell Publishing Ltd    

年代:1966

数据来源: WILEY