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Home range and activity patterns of animals are important elements for wildlife management and conservation practices. We examined seasonal home range and daily activity patterns of the endangered Swayne’s hartebeest (Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei) in Maze National Park, Ethiopia. We tracked two groups of Swayne’s hartebeests in open grassland for 1 year. Each group’s daily activities (0700–1900 h) and GPS locations were recorded at 15-min intervals on 5 days every month. Activities were grouped into five behavioral categories: feeding, resting, traveling, vigilance, and other. In addition, we carried out nocturnal monitoring during full moon periods to further document movements patterns. We produced 95% and 50% kernel density estimates (KDE) of home range sizes for each group. Home range estimates did not vary across seasons. Feeding and traveling peaked during the early morning and late afternoon, whereas resting occurred most frequently during the midday hours in both seasons. The proportion of time spent feeding was higher during the dry season, whereas a greater proportion of time was spent resting during the wet season. Vigilance behavior occurred consistently throughout the day during both seasons. Time spent feeding and traveling did not vary significantly between seasons. Activity patterns of Swayne’s hartebeests are strongly influenced both by time of day and season, while home range size is less influenced by seasonality and may instead reflect temporal variation in food availability. Our findings will help to inform management strategies and conserve one of the last two extant populations of Swayne’s hartebeests.

Human–wildlife conflict presents major challenges to both wildlife managers and rural livelihoods. Here, we investigated human–wildlife conflict in and around Senkele Swayne's Hartebeest Sanctuary (SSHS). We estimated the densities of wild animals within SSHS and conducted questionnaire interviews about livestock predation and crop raiding patterns with individuals in 378 households occurring <3000 m outside the Sanctuary's borders. Respondents reported that hyenas Crocuta crocutaand African wolves Canis anthuswere the only livestock predators and were responsible for combined losses of ~ 10% (29 207 USD) of their livestock over a three-year period. Hyenas predated cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys and horses, whereas African wolves targeted only goats and sheep. Hyena predation occurred both inside and outside SSHS, whereas African wolf predation occurred mainly near the inside periphery of the sanctuary. Most (58%) of the respondents experienced crop raiding of their farms by Swayne's hartebeest Alcelaphus buselaphus swaynei, warthogs Phacochoerus africanusand/or crested porcupines Hystrix cristata. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of the crop raiding occurred 1–1500 m from the sanctuary. Potatoes and maize were the most commonly raided crops. Local communities used guarding, patrolling, loud noises, smoky fires, flashes of light, fences and trenches as deterrence methods. Of the crop raiding species, only Swayne's hartebeests were regarded positively, while warthogs and crusted porcupines were viewed negatively by respondents. We conclude that although SSHS is of critical conservation value to the Swayne's hartebeest, the surrounding communities endure significant livestock predation and crop raiding by wild animals sheltered in the sanctuary. The survival of this relict population of Swayne's hartebeest in the sanctuary remains at risk unless the human–wildlife conflict in surrounding areas is resolved. This calls for site-specific measures in consultation with the local community.

Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) reveal that the genital papillae (= ring organs) of Hormosianoetus mallotae (Fashing) consist of a central disk of modified cuticle surrounded by a thickened ring of normal cuticle. Beneath the disk is an electron-lucent chamber separating it from modified cells below that contain numerous mitochondria in close association with plasma membrane plications, a fine-structural characteristic of cells with an active transport function. Hormosianoetus mallotae is an obligate inhabitant of water-filled treeholes and a completely aquatic species. Evidence points toward osmoregulation and/or ion regulation as the probable function of genital papillae in freshwater mites, and, based on fine structure, this is their probable function in Hormosianoetus mallotae as well. To date, the genital papillae of only one other species of histiostomatid, Histiostoma feroniarum (Dufour), have been investigated. Although both species share many fine-structural characteristics, they also differ in a number. Histiostoma feroniarum is found in a wide variety of habitats (e.g., stable manure, decaying vegetation, rotting mushrooms, fungal beds, under tree bark), and is usually only partially submerged and wading in the semi-aquatic environment. Differences in fine-structural characteristics of the genital papillae between Hormosianoetus mallotae and Histiostoma feroniarum are thought to be associated with habitat differences.

Eastern black and white colobus monkeys, or guerezas (Colobus guereza), are among the few primate species that have traditionally been regarded as not being adversely affected by habitat degradation. This view was recently challenged by von Hippel et al.(2000) who, using data from short-term censuses in 1992 and 1998, reported a striking decline in guereza density over a six-year period of light to moderate habitat degradation at Isecheno study site in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya. In this paper, I present evidence from my own more intensive study during the same period that suggests that the guereza population at Isecheno is actually quite robust and may in fact be increasing. I provide evidence to suggest that the census methods adopted by von Hippel and his colleagues are prone to overestimating density and that the decline in guereza density that they reported probably did not occur. My study suggests that brief censuses based on group counts over a given area, even when conducted by multiple observers, are not sufficient for accurately determining primate distributions and densities in rainforest environments. Data on animal distribution and density play a critical role in the development of conservation strategies and it is therefore important that these data be relatively accurate if biologists are to make informed conservation decisions.

A new species, Naiadacarus nepenthicola, is described from adults and deutonymphs collected in Belait District, Brunei Darussalam, from the fluid-filled pitchers of Nepenthes bicalcarata Hook. f. This constitutes the first record of a member of the family Acaridae inhabiting Nepenthes pitchers. It is quite probable that N. nepenthicola feeds on decomposing leaves that fall into pitchers as well as on decomposing insects trapped by pitchers. Dispersal is accomplished through phoresy on Campanotus schmitzi Staercke, an ant that nests exclusively in the hollow tendrils of N. bicalcarata pitchers.

In assays investigating the abdominal sternal secretion of the cockroach Eurycotis floridana, it was determined that the secretion provides an effective deterrent against potential predators. Analysis of grooming patterns of Peromyscus leucopusmice revealed significant increases in mouth grooming and loss of coordination following exposure to E. floridanasecretion. Mouse–cockroach interactions also changed following exposure of the mouse to the spray, as the mouse incited fewer interactions and more frequently struck with its forepaws than with its mouth. Monomoriumsp. and Camponotussp. ants also were repelled by the secretion, and Periplaneta americanawere significantly irritated by the application of E. floridanasecretion. The secretion is able to deter without physical contact, presumably via noxious volatiles. Eurycotis floridanais capable of accurately aiming the discharge as well as ejecting it several times the length of its body. It also was found that E. floridanaexhibits autotoxic responses following contact with the secretion of conspecifics.

A new genus, Lamingtonacarus, gen. nov., and two new species, L. oreillyorum, sp. nov. and L. posidonis, sp. nov., are described from adults and deutonymphs collected from water-filled treeholes in an Australian subtropical rainforest. This constitutes the first described species of Algophagidae from Australia. The discovery of a deutonymphal instar in the ontogeny of L. oreillyorum, sp. nov. is the first for a member of the subfamily Algophaginae.

A new species of Carpoglyphidae, Carpoglyphus nidicolous, (Acarina : Astigmata) is established based on specimens collected from the nests of cliff swallows (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota Vieillot) and barn swallows (Hirundo rustica Linnaeus) in Oregon, U.S.A.

A new species of Hyadesidae, Algophagus pennsylvanicus, is established based on specimens collected from water-filled treeholes in Pennsylvania. A key to the species of the subfamily Algophaginae is provided.

The immature instars of Algophagus pennsylvanicus are described and illustrated. The addition of the following idiosomal setae accompanies the molt from larva to protonymph: a2, a4, l4, l5 and d5. Setae cx4 and g1 are added in the protonymph-tritonymph molt, and a1 is added in the tritonymph-adult molt. The developmental changes in leg chaetotaxy and solenidiotaxy are in agreement with that reported for astigmatid mites by Grandjean (1935) and Hughes (1964).

Rhizoglyphus robini Claparede, commonly known as the bulb mite, has been reported to complete its life-cycle utilizing filter paper as a sole dietary source. However, a complete cellulase complex necessary for crystalline cellulose degradation rarely occurs in arthropods. Experiments demonstrate that R. robini probably derives nutrients from the fungal mycelia growing on the filter paper rather than from the filter paper itself.

Morphological as well as biological evidence indicates that Algophagus pennsylvanicus, an obligate inhabitant of water-filled treeholes in eastern North America, is a “scraper” (= grazer) and feeds by shearing fungal hyphae from the surface of decomposing leaves. In addition, it is probable that this species filters fine particulate organic matter from the water surface film and is therefore a filtering “collector” as well.