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Many highly invasive plant species produce fleshy fruit that are consumed and dispersed by frugivorous birds. However, little is known about assimilation efficiency of invasive fruit by indigenous and invasive avian species. We investigated whether indigenous Knysna (Tauraco corythaix) and Purple-crested (Gallirex porphyreolophus) Turacos and invasive alien Rose-ringed Parakeets (Psittacula krameri) met their energy demands when fed fruits of four fleshy- fruited invasive alien plant species:Solanum mauritianum,Cinnamomum camphora,Psidium guajavaandMorus alba. Birds were fed single-fruit diets for two consecutive days and energetic parameters were calculated for all fruit diets. Our results showed that generally both invasive and indigenous avian species managed to gain their daily energy requirements from fruits of the four respective invasive plants, suggesting that they can meet their energetic demands by feeding on them only. The exception wasP. krameri, which did not feed onS. mauritianumfruit. These findings may explain why fruits of invasive alien plants are attractive to most avian frugivores and highlight the role of avian frugivores in their dispersal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand how Cape porcupines are able to successfully occupy many agricultural lands, we studied their digestive parameters and energy assimilation when fed three economically important agricultural crops (potatoes [Solanum tuberosum], sweet potatoes [Ipomoea batatas] and butternut [Juglans cinerea]). Daily food intake, daily gross energy intake, daily faecal energy loss, daily energy assimilated, daily water intake and apparent assimilation efficiency were calculated for each porcupine and for each diet trial. Cape porcupines maintained body mass on all three experimental diets and energy intake ranged from 3 002.36 kJ kg−1 d−1 (potato) to 4 499.00 kJ kg−1 d−1 (sweet potato). The moisture content in each experimental diet was relatively high (>60%) and preformed water intake of winter acclimated Cape porcupines ranged from 60 ml kg−1 d−1 (potato) to 100 ml kg−1 d−1 (sweet potato). Assimilation efficiencies were high (>85%) on all three diets. Cape porcupines ingested c. 1.5–2.7 kg of each crop daily, translating to potentially large economic impacts on farmers. Knowledge and understanding of Cape porcupine food intake and dietary requirements give insight to their potential impact on commercial crops. This may aid in developing management and conservation strategies needed to manage this human–wildlife conflict. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals secrete glucocorticoids to deal with daily stressors. Studies have found that supplemental melatonin decreases glucocorticoid metabolite levels in stressed animals. We determined the effect of light interference (LI) and supplemental melatonin on (1) body mass, (2) food intake and (3) glucocorticoid metabolite levels of the striped mouse (Rhabdomys pumilio). Experiment was split into three phases: 8 L: 16 D; 8 L: 16 D with a 15 min light interruption every 4 h; and 8 L: 16 D with a 15 min light interruption every 4 h and melatonin (0.2 μg/ml) added to the water. Body mass was significantly different between phases with lowest body mass (89.17 ± 6.56 g) occurring during standard 8 L: 16 D. LI and melatonin significantly increased body mass. LI increased and melatonin decreased glucocorticoid metabolite levels. LI significantly increased and melatonin significantly decreased assimilation efficiencies possibly due to changes in energetic demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blue SwallowsHirundo atrocaeruleaare Critically Endangered within South Africa. They nest in natural underground holes in mist-belt grasslands. Temperature dataloggers were used to record ground cavity nest (Tn) and ambient temperature (Ta) for one artificial and 11 natural Blue Swallow nests. Mean ground cavityTnwas significantly different to meanTa.Tnranged from 17.0 ± 0.1 °C to 28.5 ± 0.3 °C and varied less thanTa(14.0 ± 0.2 to 47.7 ± 0.4 °C). Mean ground cavityTnaveraged 3.3 ± 0.9 °C warmer than meanTafor 58% of nests, and meanTaaveraged 2.6 ± 0.5 °C warmer than mean ground cavityTnfor 42% of nests. There was no significant difference in mean ground cavityTnfor the aardvark-excavated holes (22.7 ± 1.6 °C) and sinkholes (21.5 ± 1.2 °C). Blue Swallows also nest in man-made holes, potentially a way to increase nesting sites. Mean aardvark-excavatedTn(19.2 ± 0.1 °C) was significantly warmer than mean artificial cavityTn(18.5 ± 0.2 °C). Further investigation of breeding success of Blue Swallows in relation toTn, incubation strategies and predation risk needs to be addressed in future studies for a better understanding of their reproductive ecology. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]