IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Abstracts
Past Holocene Exploitation of Eurasian Otters (Lutra lutra) in Romania, based on Archeozoological Discoveries
Pages 120 - 129 (Report)
George Bouroș
The current paper aims to present archeozoological and historical data about the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra) distribution and its exploitation in Romania from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages. Little is known about Eurasian otter ancient history, because most attention is given to study of the present populations. In order to be able to give information about the past exploitation of otters in Romania, literature reviews were used as a tool to provide answers, and more than 200 literature titles about faunal samples found in the area comprising modern Romania were consulted. This study is based on archeozoological data concerning 16 archeological sites dating from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages, where Eurasian otter remains were identified in ancient settlements and cemeteries. The otter was not hunted solely for fur as today, but also for ceremonial and religious reasons and for its meat. In addition, data suggests that various cultures that lived in the present territory of Romania knew the Eurasian otter and its ecology. It has to be highlighted that it was difficult to coordinate the disparate data. Under these conditions the aim was to present a state of knowledge, avoiding generalization.
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A Rare Photographic Record of a Group of Smooth-Coated Otters Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli in Hawr Ol-Azim Wetland in Southwestern Iran with Notes on their Social and Foraging Behavior
Pages 129 - 132 (Short Communication)
Omar F. Al-Sheikhly, Bernhard Gutleb, and Seyed B. Mousavi
The Smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli) is endemic to the Mesopotamian wetlands of southeastern Iraq and it has been recently recorded in southwestern Iran. In April 2019, a rare photographic record of a large group of Smooth-coated otter gathering at one location in Hawr ol-Azim Wetland in southwestern Iran was obtained for the first time. In addition, the social and foraging behavior of the Smooth-coated otter group was carefully observed.
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Riparian Reserves serve as a Critical Refuge for Asian Otters (Aonyx cinereus and Lutrogale perspicillata) in Oil Palm Dominated Landscapes of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo
Pages 133 - 154 (Article)
Annabel Pianzin, Anna Wong and Henry Bernard
We determined the occupancy of otter species and assessed several habitat features influencing their occurrence in four different land-use types: continuous logged forests (CF), heavily degraded forest (DF), riparian reserves within oil palm plantation (RR), and oil palm plantations without riparian reserves (OP). Our aim was to ascertain the usefulness of retaining riparian reserve in oil palm dominated landscape for otter conservation. This study was conducted in the Malaysian state of Sabah, northern part of Borneo. We surveyed 36 stream sub-transects across all of the different land-use types and detected otter presence based on their tracks and spraints. Overall, two out of the four otter species found in Sabah were detected within the surveyed areas, i.e., the Asian Small-clawed Otter, A. cinereus and Smooth-coated Otter, L. perspicillata. Streams in agricultural sites were found to have significantly higher otter occupancy compared to forested areas: RR (psi = 0.97), OP (0.83), DF (0.44), and CF (0.37). Using Generalised Linear Modelling (GLM), we identified that otter occupancy in oil palm landscapes was positively influenced by the availability of large trees and other vegetation along the banks. Deeper streams were also more preferred by otters. Interestingly, streams in oil palm plantations located nearer to human settlements recorded higher detection of otter signs. In general, this study suggests that streams in oil palm plantation with riparian vegetation are useful habitat for otter species. Hence, retaining riparian reserves within oil palm plantations is a useful management strategy to improve biodiversity conservation in an agricultural landscape.
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Knowledge and Perception of the Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis annectens) by Local Inhabitants of a Protected Area in the State of Campeche, Mexico
Pages 155 - 172 (Article)
Laura Elena Vázquez-Maldonado, Alberto Delgado-Estrella, and Juan Pablo Gallo-Reynoso
The Neotropical otter is a protected species under the Mexican General law of wildlife listed as threatened (NOM-059-ECOL-2010); it is listed as near-threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and in Appendix I of CITES. The Neotropical otter is mentioned in the management program for the Laguna de Términos federal protected area but is seldom mentioned in other management programs of protected areas of Mexico. As very few scientific studies conducted in the State of Campeche make reference to the Neotropical otter, we conducted a survey among the inhabitants of the margins of the Laguna de Términos system to learn about their perceptions of this species. Data were gathered from June to October 2015 through an ad hoc questionnaire applied to 101 local inhabitants. We asked questions about their empirical knowledge of the biology of the Neotropical otter and their perception of the status of the species. Data were summarized in terms of percentages and subjected to statistical analyses (Kruskal-Wallis tests) for comparison and interpretation. We found that the local inhabitants are familiar with Neotropical otters and provided candid and consistent information. They showed some ambivalence with regard to the protection of the species: although they recognized the conservation status of the species, they also admitted that otters are occasionally exploited (hunting for their fur) as a source of revenue. Most respondents (94-100%) supported establishing a conservation plan. This information should be taken into account when planning and implementing eco-tourism activities in the Laguna de Términos protected area.
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Vascularization of the Aortic Arch in Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis, Olfers 1818)
Pages 173 - 182 (Article)
Procassia M. L. Barbosa, Pricila S. Esteves, Alan L. Santos, and Oldemar Carvalho Junior
Lontra longicaudis is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal that belongs to the Mustelidae family and Lutrinae subfamily. It is found in South and Central America, from southern Mexico to Uruguay and up to 3,000 m altitude. In this study, vascularization of the aortic arch is described in the neotropical otter. Eight animals were studied, three puppies and five adults from the Otter Project of the Instituto Ekko Brasil. The results indicate that the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery originated from the aortic arch in all animals studied. This pattern is similar to that found in wild and domestic carnivores. The brachiocephalic trunk arises three arteries, the left common carotid artery, the right common carotid artery, and the right subclavian artery, the latter two being emitted from a common trunk. The right and left subclavian arteries give origin to five vessels represented by the vertebral artery, the superficial cervical artery, the internal thoracic artery, the costocervical trunk, and the axillary artery.
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