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Few studies on the welfare of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) have been carried out. Of these, most include information on animals kept in closed facilities or pools. The aim of this study was to assess the effect on the behavior of a group of dolphins by changing it from closed facilities, where it had been housed for nine years, to open facilities or sea pens. Ten bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), one male and nine females, with an age range of 16 to 24 years were observed. Using a combination of scan and focal sampling a total of 96 hours were used to obtain information on the proportion of time on individual and social behaviors in both type of facilities. The results show that dolphins kept in closed facilities spent less time swimming and more time floating than in open facilities (P = 0.01). Likewise, the swimming pattern in closed facilities is in circles (P = 0.009) while in open facilities the linear pattern predominates (P = 0.02). Furthermore, while kept in closed facilities, dolphins spent more time interacting socially than in open facilities (P = 0.02). This information is useful to better understand the effect of different types of facilities on the behavior of captive dolphins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present here the first record of the velvety fruit-eating bat (Enchistenes hartii; Phyllostomidae) for the state of Morelos, Mexico. Our record gives more insight into the range of the species in Mexico, extending it ca. 52 km into central Mexico, east of the closest reported locality, Malinaltenango, in the state of México. We provide external and cranial measurements of one individual, and information about the habitat where it was captured and other species of bats recorded at the same locality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on Phyllostomus discolor. It is described as a medium-sized robust bat with narrow pointed ears, short tail, large interfemoral membrane, and no facial stripes. It occurred from Vera Cruz, Mexico, South to Northern Peru, Eastward to Northern Bolivia to Western Paraguay to Southeastern Brazil. It is common at lower elevations and up to 610m which is associated with agriculturally developed areas, forested lowlands, streams and other moist areas. It also visits plant families and species that include Anacardiaceae, Mangifera indic, Bignoniaceae, Cresentia alata, and Ceiba aesculifolia. Details on the form and function, ontogeny, reproduction, husbandry, and behavior of the bat are included.

Potential resource overlap between howling monkeys and other arboreal mammals was studied in the rain forest of Los Tuxtlas, Veracruz, Mexico. Eight species of mammals belonging to the orders Primates, Carnivora, Rodentia, and Marsupialia were found to share the canopy and to overlap trophically with howling monkeys. These mammals made up 77% and Alouatta 23% of the arboreal mammalian biomass under consideration. The arboreal porcupine and spider monkey were the only mammals that also fed on leaves. However, in this feeding niche, Alouatta is the only important mammalian folivore in Los Tuxtlas, and resource depression derived from leaf eating insects is more important. Tile eight arboreal mammals may exert more pressure upon fruit resources, for they consumed 75% of the estimated total dry weight of fruit/ha/yr consumed by arboreal mammals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]