IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Volume 36(A) Special Issue (April 2019)
PROCEEDINGS OF THE 14th INTERNATIONAL OTTER CONGRESS
8 - 19th April 2019
Tangjiahe, China
Abstracts
Aquatic Habitat Classifications: Implications For Otter Conservation
Pages 3 - 12 (Article)
Robert P. Brookes and Thomas L. Serfass
Understanding the full range of aquatic habitats used by otters can influence how conservation protections are implemented. The distributional ranges of some species are restricted to geographic regions contained within defined political boundaries (e.g., states, provinces, nations) or management units (e.g., river basins, watersheds, conservation reserves), which can facilitate how conservation strategies are applied. For species distributed more widely, the conservation challenges become more complex. Additional factors, such as a species’ population status, extent and enforcement of legal protections, and local environmental threats also influence how conservation strategies should be and can be implemented effectively. Several aquatic habitat classification systems, including Ramsar, were examined and matched to known species requirements to illustrate the importance of merging and communicating conservation concerns for otter species with other water-based protections that either carry greater legal standing or have greater visibility
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Behavioral Adaptations of Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) to Winter Conditions of Northern Latitudes
Pages 13 - 19 (Report)
Aleksey Yu. Oleynikov
The study of behavioral responses of otter to life in northern latitudes was carried out in the Far East of Russia in 2011-2018. We carried out a comparative measurement of atmospheric air temperature, the temperature in under-ice hollows and water temperature in the cold period of the year using DS1921 thermochrons. We have observed the daily activity of the otter in winter and tracing along the tracks in the snow. The otter’s behavioral traits used daily fluctuations in air temperature and subglacial voids with a favorable microclimate to help the otter live the harsh conditions of northern latitudes.
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Monthly Patterns of Scat Marking by River Otters (Lontra canadensis) at Latrines along Pine Creek in Northcentral Pennsylvania, USA
Pages 21 - 27 (Report)
Thomas L. Serfass, Robert P. Brooks and, Kelly J. Pearce
Beginning December 1986 through November 1987 we examined monthly patterns of scat marking by North American river otters (Lontra canadensis) at 13 latrines distributed along about a 40 km section of the Pine Creek drainage in Northcentral Pennsylvania. Percentage of latrines marked, scats, and number of scats deposited both varied considerably among months. The percentage of latrines marked by month ranged from 31% (n = 4) in February and September to 100% in March and October. The number of scats counted among months ranged from 74.2 in June to 177 in March. Marking intensity by river otters was highest during March, April, and October through December. Outcomes of this study along with results from a more recent work elsewhere in Pennsylvania suggest that time of year should be an important consideration in designing surveys to detect river otter scats, with portions of spring and fall being the periods when river otters are most actively scat marking at latrines.
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Relationship between Microhabitat Structure and Otter Presence in an Oil Palm Dominated Landscape of Sabah, Malaysia
Pages 28 - 38 (Report)
Annabel Pianzin, Anna Wong, and Henry Bernard
Land-use changes derived from agricultural expansion and urbanization is a global conservation concern in Southeast Asia. Impacts from these activities particularly oil palm plantation intensification has a detrimental effect on aquatic habitats, leading to biodiversity loss and degraded water quality. Riparian species such as otters whose habitats expand linearly beyond undisturbed habitats may be sensitive towards human-modified landscapes due to changes in the surrounding forests and water bodies. The present study investigates the relationship between microhabitat structure and otter presence based on tracks and spraints in an oil palm dominated landscapes located in southeastern Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. To examine the relation between habitat parameters and otter occurrence, we conducted Principle Component Analysis (PCA) and Generalized Linear Model (GLM). Several microhabitat structures were found to be positively associated with otter presence. Results from the GLM analysis showed that substrates with high exposed soil or a combination of exposed soil and rocks, and substrate with low rock content supported higher otter presence. The proximity to oil palm plantations is also a good predictor of otter presence with a positive effect, where streams located closer to plantations contained higher signs of otters. In contrast, the presence of otter was negatively affected by narrow stream width, narrow stream banks and stream located further away from the nearest human settlement. Result of this study revealed the persistence of otters in human-modified areas especially in oil palm dominated landscapes provided that important habitat parameters are present for otter activities (sprainting, grooming, denning) and for successful conservation planning.
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Notes on Distribution, Status and Ecology of Asian Small-Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus) in Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve, Hainan Island, China
Pages 39 - 46 (Report)
Li Fei, Luo Fanqiang, and Bosco P. L. Chan
Due to decades of wildlife and forest exploitation, otters on the Chinese island of Hainan have undergone a dramatic population crash. The last confirmed record of Asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus), in Mt. Diaoluoshan in southeast Hainan, dated back to 2009. At the beginning of 2017, we launched an otter conservation project at Diaoluoshan National Nature Reserve, Hainan. Our fieldwork confirmed the continued existence of Asian small-clawed otter, in low densities, in three major streams below 1,000 m asl. Decapods were the major food items based on spraint found. Compared to previous studies, latrine sites appeared to have shifted upstream, most likely to avoid the intense human disturbance in the lower reaches. Enhancing patrolling effort and curbing human disturbance are keys to the survival of the highly threatened Asian small-clawed otter in Mt. Diaoluoshan, which is the only reliable site for the species in Hainan.
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