Radio Telemetry

Locomotor activity in a field population of the freshwater crab, Potamon fluviatile, was studied during the breeding season by means of radio-telemetry and by direct counts of active animals along a transect of the stream. The basic pattern of crabs' locomotor activity can be described as a sequence of short distance movements around the shelters (foraging movements), followed by rarer long distance displacements (wandering movements). Whilst direct counting showed that the crabs exhibit a broadly nocturnal rhythm in foraging movements, no daily periodicity in wandering activity was revealed by telemetry. There is sexual difference in these latter excursions: females move farther along the stream and into the surrounding terrestrial habitat than do males. This behaviour is in contrast to observations made during the non-breeding season and is probably related to the stage of female reproduction.

Conservation of fauna breeding in vernal pools is challenging given their complex life histories. Many species, including the widespread North American Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica), require both aquatic and terrestrial habitat, yet insufficient information exists about movements between these environments, nor fine-scale selection patterns within them. To inform conservation planning, we conducted a radio-telemetry study of seasonal patterns of Wood Frog movements and habitat selection in southern Maine. Forty-three frogs were tracked an average of 25.6 days each, April to November 2003. In early spring, Wood Frogs generally selected damp leaf litter retreats on the margins of breeding pools. Following breeding, frogs selected forested wetlands (9.3% of the landscape) over forested uplands (90.7% of the landscape) in 75.3% of radio locations (N 5 544). Postbreeding movements from breeding pools to nearby, closed-canopy, forested wetlands ranged from 102-340 m (median 169m, N 5 8) and included stopovers in upland forest floors ranging from one to 17 days (median two days, N 5 7). Summer refugia were characterized by shady, moist (nonaquatic), and sphagnum-dominated microhabitats. In urbanizing areas, we recommend a shift from a core-habitat conservation model to a spatially explicit approach that considers pool-breeding amphibian habitat as a network of migration-connected habitat elements (e.g., breeding pools, upland forest, nearby forested wetlands). In our study, this approach reduced the amount of land potentially requiring protection by . 2/3 from that of core habitat models. With the rapid dissemination of GIS technology, spatially explicit planning for pool-breeding amphibians is increasingly feasible.

Recovery of the endangered Vancouver Island marmot (Marmota vancouverensis) is contingent upon releases of captive-born marmots into natural habitats. Success of such re-introduction programs largely depends on the ability of released animals to survive in the wild. However, whether and to what extent survival and cause-specific mortality rates of captive-born marmots differ from those of their wild-born counterparts remains unknown. We used radio-telemetry (1992-2007) and mark-resighting (1987-2007) data to estimate seasonal and annual survival rates of the Vancouver Island marmot, to compare survival and cause-specific mortality rates of captive-born marmots that have been released into the natural habitat with those of wild-born marmots, and to test for the effect of age-at-release on survival of the released marmots. Analysis of radio-telemetry data suggested no difference in survival of males versus females. However, annual survival of captive-born marmots released into the wild was low (S = 0.605; 95% CI = 0.507-0.696) compared to wild-born marmots (S = 0.854; 95% CI = 0.760-0.915). Marmots released as 2-year-old or older survived more successfully than those released as yearlings. Additional forensic evidence reinforced the idea that predation was the most important cause of mortality. Causes of death differed significantly between captive-born and wild-born marmots. Predation by golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetus) was the most important cause of mortality for captive-born marmots, whereas predation by wolves (Canis lupus) and cougars (Felis concolor) was more important for wild-born marmots. Agespecific apparent annual survival rate, estimated using the combined mark-resighting and radio-telemetry data, was lowest for pups (S = 0.500; 95% CI = 0.375-0.616) and highest for yearlings and adults (S = 0.656; 95% CI = 0.604-0.705); and apparent survival of 2-year-old was similar to that of yearlings and adults (S = 0.649; 95% CI = 0.527-0.754). Our results, based on the analysis of radio-telemetry data, suggest that delaying release of captive-born marmots until 2 years of age may enhance their probability of survival in the wild, and will likely improve the success of the release program.

To gain information on the microhabitat use, home range and movement of a species, it is often necessary to remotely track individuals in the field. Radio telemetry is commonly used to track amphibians, but can only be used on relatively large individuals. Harmonic direction finding can be used to track smaller animals, but its effectiveness has not been fully evaluated. Tag attachment can alter the behaviour of amphibians, suggesting that data obtained using either technique may be unreliable. We investigated the effects of external tag attachment on behaviour in the laboratory by observing 12 frogs for five nights before and five nights after tag attachment, allowing one night to recover from handling. Tag attachment did not affect distance moved or number of times moved, indicating that the effects of tag attachment are unlikely to persist after the first night following attachment. We then compared harmonic direction finding and radio-telemetry using data collected in the field. We fitted rainforest stream frogs of three species with tags of either type, located them diurnally and nocturnally for approximately two weeks, and compared movement parameters between techniques. In the field, we obtained fewer fixes on frogs using harmonic direction finding, but measures of movement and habitat use did not differ significantly between techniques. Because radio telemetry makes it possible to locate animals more consistently, it should be preferred for animals large enough to carry radio tags. If harmonic direction finding is necessary, it can produce reliable data, particularly for relatively sedentary species.

This technical report update presents use case of CCSDS DVB-S2 for space telemetry. The DVB-S2 space telemetry blue book has been issue in 2013 by CCSDS. The following use cases are presented in the slides of this report :

- CNES DVB-S2 X-band use case for post-Pleiade

- CNES/ESA X-band telemetry for cubesats

- ESA/DGA ( with CNES support ) DVB-S2 coding for ARTEMIS – LOLA optical telemetry links

- Exemple of NASA’s future work on DVB-S2 Ka band space telemetry

- TDRS – ISS DVB-S2 Ka band coms

- NASA DVB-S2 modem test with HPA for telemetry

- DVB-S2 : Option for TDRS-Cubsat links using for instance VCM or ACM, HOM, Ka-band :

- DVB-S2 telemetry studied in China among other solutions

- Miniature DVB-S2 Ka-band telemetry transmitter Development activity for NASA-AMES center

- NASA LRCD DVB-S2 codes

- DVB-S2 LEO to GEO RF Cross Links

- Use of DVB-S2 telemetry by Aerospace corp

- Ka band for Cubesat with DVB-S2, exemple of DVB-S2 image telemetry for cubesat in Ka band

- NASA SBIR/STTR Technologies : DVB-S2 LEO-LEO Intersatellite links in Ka band

- DVB-S2 TM studied for cubesats for VHF links

- DVB-S2 Telemetry on DOVE-1 nanosatellite

- Constellation of more than 100 LEO nanosats with X-band DVB-S2 ACM telemetry : Flock

- DVB-S2 Telemetry on 6U-Cubsats : Cranfield University

- Pre-project use case DVB-S2 X-band telemetry

- High Efficiency transmitter for nanosatellite - master thesis - use of DVB-S2 - TU Delft & ISIS

- DVB-S2 Telemetry use case on GEOS-R (NOAA - NASA)

- Antartic Broadband nanosat DVB-S2 (Australia Space Research Program)

- EUMETSAT DVB-S2 use case to send meteo images to end users

- Use of DVB-S2 in Asia to send meteo and earth observation images to end users

- GEO-KOMPSAT-2 (Geostationary - Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite-2) Program / Cheollian-2 / GK-2

- Outernet cubesat LEO DTE data casting

- Exemple of Space Agency space telemetry ground network compatible with CCSDS DVB-S2 (NASA NEN and SN)

- Two Exemples of commercial space telemetry ground network compatible with DVB-S2

- Presentation of DVB-S2 eXtension (DVB-S2x)

- Technical possibility of reactive TT&C Ka band LEO terminal using a DVB-S2 variant via Inmarsat 5

As shown by the slides, numerous projects have already adopted or earmarked DVB-S2 for their near earth space telemetry, for a wide variety of scenarii ( LEO DTE, LEO-GEO ISLs, LEO-LEO ISLs, … ). Significant current and future use of the DVB-S2 CCSDS standard (CCSDS 131.3-B-1) for telemetry is a fact. CCSDS DVB-S2 telemetry is used in X band, Ka band and optical band, and also in VHF, UHF,  L and S band. Several space agencies are significant DVB-S2 telemetry users, and other earth observation operators as well

Animals that rely on refuges for safety can theoretically increase their foraging area without simultaneously increasing predation risk and travel costs by using more refuges. The key prediction of this theory, a negative correlation between food abundance, home range size and the number of refuges used, has never been empirically tested. We determined how home range size and refuge use by the Central American agouti (Dasyprocta punctata) varied across a gradient of abundance of the agoutis' principal food source: seeds and fruits of the palm Astrocaryum standleyanum. We used both manual and automated radio telemetry to measure space use of 11 agoutis during 2 mo of the Astrocaryum fruiting season, and of another set of 10 agoutis during 6 mo in which the animals largely relied on cached Astrocaryum seeds. We found that agoutis living in areas of lower food density had larger home ranges, and that all individuals used multiple refuges. The number of refuges, however, was not correlated with home range size. Consequently, agoutis that had larger home ranges roamed farther from their refuges. These results suggest that agoutis increase their home range size in response to food scarcity at the cost of their safety.

Telemetry A B S T R A C T Leopards (Panthera pardus) are endangered in South East Asia yet little is known about which resources need to be secured for their long-term conservation or what numbers of this species this region can support. This study uses radio telemetry to investigate seasonal variation in habitat selection and home range size of Leopards in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, Thailand. Over a five year period, 3690 locations were recorded from nine individuals. The mean ± standard error of fixed kernel home range size for six adult females was 26 ± 8.2 km 2 , for two adult males was 45.7 ± 14.8 and for two sub-adult females was 29 km 2 ± 5.5. Adult female wet and dry season home range sizes did not differ significantly.

The paper reviews several data compression methods for signal and image digital processing and transmission, including both established and more recent techniques. Attention is also given to methods of prediction-interpolation, differential pulse code modulation, delta modulation and transformations. The processing of two dimensional data is also considered, and the results of the application of these techniques to space telemetry and

Free-ranging heart rate, body temperature and energy metabolism in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) and red kangaroos (Macropus rufus) in the arid regions of South East Australia Abstract Eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) are generally regarded as mesic inhabitants. Even though access to drinking water in permanent stock watering troughs is commonly available, these animals are still found in only low densities in arid pastoral areas. We hypothesised that the dierential success of red and grey kangaroos in the arid zone may be due to higher energy requirements of M. giganteus with a concomitant need for increased food, rather than limitations imposed by inadequate water access. We set out to test this by indirectly measuring energy expenditure through the monitoring of heart rate by radio telemetry in semi-free-ranging eastern grey and red kangaroos (Macropus rufus). Radio telemetry measurements of heart rate were calibrated against oxygen consumption and were used in the assessment of energy expenditure of animals maintained in an 8-ha enclosure in the arid zone of southeast Australia. Heart rate provided a reliable estimate of oxygen consumption. This well-correlated relationship was curvilinear and was established for each individual. Behavioural observations revealed that both kangaroo species spent most of the day in low energy demanding activities. M. rufus were more active at night whilst M. giganteus were more active in the early mornings and late afternoons. Like other marsupials, both species had low ®eld metabolic rates (FMRs). However, M. giganteus in keeping with their mesic history had higher FMRs than the more arid-adapted M. rufus, particularly during water restriction. Body temperature telemeters revealed a further species dierence in that under hot conditions when water is freely available, M. rufus exhibits a higher and more labile daytime body temperature than M. giganteus. During the hottest part of the day M. giganteus maintain body temperature, relying upon increased evaporative cooling mechanisms, such as licking. Indeed, only when access to drinking water was restricted was thermolability evident in M. giganteus. Dierences in behaviour and concomitant energy expenditure may thus contribute substantially to the divergent distribution and abundance of these two kangaroo species.

IET indexes its books and journal in SCOPUS and IEEE Xplore.
Computer Vision (CV) and Sensors play a decisive role in the operation of Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), but there exists a void when it comes to analysing the extent of their impact on the entire UAV system. In general, the fact that a UAV is a Cyber-Physical System (CPS) is not taken into account. In this proposal, we propose to expand on earlier books covering the use of CV and sensing in UAVs. Among other things, an entirely autonomous UAV can help to (i) obtain information about the environment, (ii) work for an extended period of time without human interference, (iii) move either all or part of itself all over its operating location devoid of human help and (iv) stay away from dangerous situations for people and their possessions. A Vision System (VS) entails the way CV data will be utilized, the appropriate architecture for total avionics integration, the control interfaces, and the UAV operation. Since the VS core is its sensors and cameras, multi-sensor fusion, navigation, hazard detection, and ground correlation in real time are important operational aspects that can benefit from CV knowledge and technology. This book will aim to collect and shed some light on the existing information on CV software and hardware for UAVs as well as pinpoint aspects that need additional thinking. It will list standards and a set of prerequisites (or lack of them thereof) when it comes to CV deployment in UAVs. The issue of data fusion takes a centre place when the book explores ways to deal with sensor data and images as well as their integration and display. The best practices to fuse image and sensor information to enhance UAV performance by means of CV can greatly improve all aspects of the corresponding CPS. The CPS viewpoint can improve the way UAVs interact with the Internet of Things (IoT), use cloud computing, meet communications requirements, implement hardware/software paradigms necessary to handle video streaming, incorporate satellite data, and combine CV with Virtual/Augmented Realities.

VOLUME 1-CONTROL AND PERFORMANCE: This tome explores how sensors and computer vision technologies are used in unmanned aerial vehicles for the navigation, control, stability, reliability, guidance, fault detection, self-maintenance, strategic replanning and reconfiguration of the entire system. It helps analyse the manner UAVs interact with the Internet of Things (IoT), use cloud computing, meet communications requirements, implement hardware/software paradigms necessary to handle still imagery, video streaming, incorporate satellite data, and combine computer vision with virtual/augmented realities (VR/AR).NB: This is planned to be the companion volume of Estrela, Hemanth, Saotome (Eds) / Imaging and Sensing for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles: Volume 2-Deployment and Applications

Estimates of utilization distributions (UDs) are used in analyses of home-range area, habitat and resource selection, and social interactions. We simulated data from 12 parent UDs, representing 3 series of increasingly intense space-use patterns (clustering of points around a home site, restriction of locations to a network of nodes and corridors, and dominance of a central hole in the UD) and compared the ability of kernel density estimation (KDE) and local convex hull (LCH) construction to reconstruct known UDs from samples of 10, 50, 250, and 1,000 location points. For KDE, we considered 4 bandwidth selectors: the reference bandwidth, least-squares cross-validation (LSCV), direct plug-in (DPI), and solve-the-equation (STE). For the sample sizes and UD patterns tested here, KDE achieved significantly higher volume-ofintersection (VI) scores with known parent UDs than did LCH; KDE also provided less biased home-range area estimates under many conditions. However, LCH minimized the UD volume that occurred outside the true home range boundary (V out ). Among the KDE bandwidth estimators, relative performance depended on the type and intensity of space use patterns, sample size, and the metric used to evaluate performance. Biologists should use KDE for UD and home range estimation within a probabilistic context, unless their objective is to exclude potentially unused areas by defining the area delimited by data. ß 2011 The Wildlife Society.

The year-round food habits of lynx were studied using radio-telemetry and snow-tracking in the boreal forest of southeastern Norway. The main objectives of the study were to clarify the importance of domestic sheep and small prey species in the diet of lynx in an area with a very low density of roe deer. During the period 1995–1999, we found 193 scats and 358 kills made by lynx. Our results indicate that roe deer were the most common prey species (contributing to 83 and 34% of the biomass consumed in winter and summer, respectively), although a wide range of other species were also found, including mountain hares, tetranoids, red foxes, domestic sheep, wild reindeer, and even moose. Most of the diet was obtained by predation, although we did document several cases of scavenging. Roe deer were more important in the diet in winter than in summer, perhaps because they were easier to locate in winter as they clustered around feeding sites. In summer, domestic sheep and small prey increased in importance. Despite the very low density of roe deer in this study area, lynx seemed to still specialise on them, although domestic sheep did constitute a significant amount to their diet, especially for males and yearlings. However, the contribution of sheep to summer diet was far from that expected if their relative density was considered.

To examine the antihypertensive action of the centrally acting antiadrenergic drugs moxonidine and clonidine, systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as heart rate were monitored by radio telemetry in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) with established high blood pressure. Increasing doses were administered with regular rat chow for 6-8 day periods. Moxonidine reduced (p < 0.05) diastolic blood pressure at a dose of 8 mg/kg/day and systolic blood pressure at 13 mg/kg/day. Heart rate was reduced during high activity of rats corresponding to an antitachycardiac action. After withdrawal of 18 mg/kg administered for only 1 day, blood pressure returned to pretreatment values within 8 days. Clonidine reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure at 0.3 mg/kg/day. At 0.8 and 1.3 mg/kg/day, systolic blood pressure reduction was less pronounced, although heart rate was reduced further, reaching values that were below those of untreated sleeping rats. When 1.3 mg/kg/day clonidine was discontinued, systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure increased above pretreatment values within I day. A rebound was also observed in heart rate, which increased by 150 beats/ min. A comparable rebound in blood pressure was observed after withdrawal of 0.3 mg/kg/day. Since a blood pressure rebound occured also after withdrawal of 0.3 mg/kg/day clonidine in normotensive rats, the rebound phenomenon was independent of the presence of high blood pressure. No blood pressure rebound was observed when moxonidine (8 mg/kg/ day) was administered (chow or gavage) in normotensive rats. These findings in unanesthetized undisturbed rats demonstrate distinct differences in the mode of action of moxonidine and clonidine, which can be accounted for by specific interactions of moxonidine with imidazoline Ii-receptors, whereas clonidine would interact not only with Ii-receptors but also with alpha2-adrenoceptors, and most probably also with the vagal activity. In view of our previous studies demonstrating a rise in blood pressure and heart rate after a hypercaloric dietary intake, the selective Ii-receptor agonist moxonidine appears particularly appropriate for treating overweight hypertension associated with an enhanced sympathetic outflow of the brain. Of importance in this respect is that a moxonidine-induced reduction in sympathetic outflow was not associated with a gain in body weight but resulted in reduced caloric intake.

Abundance and home range of the Yellow-knobbed Curassow (Crax daubentoni) in the Venezuelan Central Llanos. -The Yellow-knobbed curassow (Crax daubentoni) is one of most threatened cracid species to the north of the Orinoco river in Venezuela and Colombia. Despite this fact, its habitat requirements are poorly known and very few population abundance data are available. Here we show estimates of population abundance, home range and habitat use of Yellow-knobbed Curassows in a protected private ranch of central Venezuela. Firstly, we estimated abundance by means of transect surveys. Secondly, we studied curassows home range by using kernel probabilistic methods after radio tracking six individuals. Finally we overlapped home range contours on a vegetation map of the study area in order to assess habitat use by these birds. We found up to 100 birds per km 2 in the area. These densities may represent possible maximum values for an area with high quality habitat and no hunting. Home range was estimated to be 150-200 ha depending on the habitat considered. Curassows used gallery and dry forests mainly. Nevertheless, these birds were also found in open areas, hedges and borders, as revealed by radio tracking. Curassows seem to use a heterogeneous landscape comprising forested areas but open areas, borders and hedges as well.

Anomaly detection refers to the problem of finding patterns in data that do not confirm to expected behaviour. The survey tries to provide a structured and comprehensive overview of the research on anomaly detection. There are grouped existing techniques into different categories based on the underlying approach adopted by each technique. For each category there are identified key assumptions, which are used by the techniques to differentiate between normal and anomalous behaviour. Further, for each category, identifying the advantages and disadvantages of the techniques in that category is a part of the projects goal. And find out the model which is best suited for detecting and prediction of anomaly from the telemetry data. The aim is to identify a simple automated process which only verifies if a certain parameter crosses upper or lower thresholds and is robust enough to detect the various types of anomalies that may occur in the telemetry data. We will be analysing data and use machine learning algorithms to attempt a realistic prediction, gain experience in machine learning algorithms and their applicability to satellite telemetry data analysis. Combining satellite data and machine learning algorithms to predict the dynamic characteristics of a satellite, such that an outcome is obtained with good accuracy rate.

GHz. The fully integrated FM transceiver design in standard 0.18 m CMOS process incorporates a transmit/receive switch, a single-ended input differential output low noise amplifier, differential input single-ended output power amplifier, an LC tuned quadrature voltage controlled oscillator, mixer, IF amplifier, a g m -C based oscillator and a chopper stabilized amplifier used for wireless sensor applications. The power output is about 50mW.

The ability of nonhuman animals to project individual actions into the future is a hotly debated topic. We describe the caching behaviour of tayras (Eira barbara) based on direct observations in the field, pictures from camera traps and radio telemetry, providing evidence that these mustelids pick and cache unripe fruit for future consumption. This is the first reported case of harvesting of unripe fruits by a nonhuman animal. Ripe fruits are readily taken by a variety of animals, and tayras might benefit by securing a food source before strong competition takes place. Unripe climacteric fruits need to be harvested when mature to ensure that they continue their ripening process, and tayras accurately choose mature stages of these fruits for caching. Tayras cache both native (sapote) and non-native (plantain) fruits that differ in morphology and developmental timeframes, showing sophisticated cognitive ability that might involve highly developed learning abilities and/or prospective thinking.

Over the past 50 years European populations of the lesser horseshoe bat Rhinolophus hipposideros have severely declined, probably because of the loss of foraging habitat. To date, studies of the foraging behaviour of this species have been limited as its low mass (4±8 g) precluded the use of radio-telemetry because commercially available radio-transmitters exceeded 10% of its body mass. In this study, radiotransmitters weighing < 0.35 g were built. These increased the body mass of the animals from 4.5% to 8.1%, with no demonstrable adverse effect on their¯ight behaviour. The habitat selection of eight female lesser horseshoe bats was studied in Monmouthshire, U.K. The bats had foraging ranges between 12 and 53 ha (100% kernel). Although one bat foraged 4.2 km from the roost, for 50% of the time tracked bats were recorded within 600 m of the nursery roost. The estimated density within 200 m of the roost was 5.8 foraging bats/ha. This decreased to 0.01 bats/ha at 1200 m. Compositional analysis revealed that this species used woodlands, predominately broadleaf, more than any other habitat. In addition, the bats foraged in areas of high habitat diversity. Conservation management of this species should concentrate on such areas within 2.5 km of the nursery roost.

In the past century, our understanding of the processes driving plant invasion and its consequences for natural and anthropogenic systems has increased considerably. However, the management of invasive plants remains a challenge despite ever more resources being allocated to their removal. Often invasive plants targeted for 'eradication' are well-established, have multiple modes of reproduction, long-term seed banks, and strong associations with native and non-native mutualists that ensure dispersal and facilitate spread. The pantropical weed, Lantana camara (Lantana), is one of the most invasive woody plants globally. We illustrate that, for Lantana, eradication is an unrealistic management goal given the short-term removal approaches, irrespective of the effectiveness of removal methods. We assessed the role of dispersal by avian frugivores in the recolonization of managed areas by Lantana in the seasonally dry, tropical forests of northern and southern India. We estimated the distribution of Lantana, its dispersal potential and the proximity between managed areas and source populations. We found that Lantana was dispersed by many generalist frugivorous birds and that most managed areas were well within the median dispersal distance from source plants facilitating rapid recolonization of managed areas. We conclude that given the difficulty of eradicating long-established invasive plants, management practices should entail long-term monitoring and control in priority areas for as long as Lantana occurs in the landscape.

A field trial to test the efficacy of brodifacoum pellets against house mice (MU domesticus) inhabiting wheat crops in the Victorian Wimmera was conducted in spring 1996. The density of mice in wheat crops was approximately 50 mice per hectare. There were two treatments (1 kg ha -_ ' and 2 kg ha ~ ') applied aerially using pellets (10 mm in length) with 0.005% brodifacoum. We examined three population indices, minimum number known to be alive, adjusted trap success and population density using the Petersen estimate. In two out of three plots, 1 kg ha -' was equally as effective as 2 kg ha -I, but in a third it failed for no apparent reason. There were significant reductions in these population indices by up to 99% 7 days after treatment. An application rate of 1 kg ha -' of brodifacoum is sufficient for effective control of mice in wheat crops which are at maximum tillering and when densities of mice are ~80 ha ~ '. There was substantial bait unconsumed after 3 days which suggests that a reduced application rate could have sufficed. Nineteen mice were fitted with radiocollars prior to baiting to monitor their fate and location of death at one site treated at 2 kg ha --I. Three disappeared without trace. Of the remainder, 25% (n = 4) were located dead on the surface or half submerged in burrows and 75% (n = 12) died underground. All mice died at least 3 days after baiting. Mice were observed on the surface during the day indicating that ingestion of brodifacoum may have changed their behaviour, especially their activity patterns. This may increase the risk of predation and hence the risk of secondary poisoning. No bodies of non-target species were found in the treated crops up to 9 days after application of brodifacoum. 0

Fifty-two radio-tagged salmon were released below and above the Lower Tuloma hydroelectric plant at the outlet of the River Tuloma, Kola Peninsula. Their route seeking behaviour between the spillway, tailrace and fish pass was monitored below the dam. Fish released above the dam were tracked with emphasis on studying the migration speed, spatial distribution, and fishing mortality in the ca. 50-km long Lower Tuloma reservoir. Fish that reached the outlet of the main spawning tributary, River Petcha, at the upper end of the reservoir, were monitored for their behaviour when confronted with a nearly impassable waterfall and an adjacent fish pass. In general, salmon were observed to be rather reluctant to enter both fish passes, occasionally even backing out after entering the pass. Fish preferred to seek their way in stronger current, i.e., the tailrace and spillway discharges below the Lower Tuloma dam, and the natural channel with waterfall at the mouth of the River Petcha. Nineteen fish reached the River Petcha, the mean duration of the migration being 39 h (range: 23-70 h). Fishing mortality appeared to be reasonably high as 20 radiotags (39%) were returned by fishermen. In the scope of the salmon restoration project, the results give ground for consideration of possible improvements in the efficiency of the existing fish passes.

Natterer's bat Myotis nattereri is one of the least known European bats, using roosts inaccessible to humans and shifting to alternative roosts every few days. The characteristics of day and night roosts used by maternity colonies during summer was assessed. Roosts were located by radio-tracking. Roost sites (which may contain more than one roost) were concentrated mainly in core areas of up to 2 km 2 , within which roost site density ranged from 7 to 15 per km 2 . Day roosts included tree cavities, apices of attics, mortises in attics and in barns, soffit boxes at eaves, tops of gable walls, crevices in stone walls and a modern cavity wall. Trees comprised 67% of roost sites. Two maternity colonies each used between 21 and 31 roosts distributed across 15 to 25 roost sites. During late summer, the temperature of roosts adjacent to a roof covering averaged 22.5 • C during the day and were significantly warmer than roosts in trees, which averaged 17.3 • C. Attic mortise roosts were intermediate at 20.0 • C. The maximum ambient roost temperature in which bats remained was 32 • C and the maximum body surface temperature recorded while roosting was 37.6 • C. Thus, bats seem to require access to a large number of roosts with a range of temperatures that they can use depending on their reproductive state and energy requirements. The study colonies also exhibited high inter-annual fidelity to roosts. Attic maternity roosts used during late gestation and early lactation were reused for the same function in successive years, as were heavily timbered barns during late lactation and post-lactation. This continuing dependence upon established roosts indicates that these types of maternity roost should be given high conservation priority. Field boundaries should also be managed to maintain mature trees with cavities for potential day roosts and hedges suitable as night perches.

Kinship analysis using 12 microsatellites was compared with radio-telemetry data to examine the social structure of bobcats Lynx rufus in southern Texas. Genetically identified kinship relationships combined with capture data were used to reconstruct pedigrees. Three family groups were constructed from parent/ offspring pairs identified from shared alleles. All parents identified by genetic analysis had established home ranges. Individuals with no distinct home ranges were not genetically observed to have offspring among the bobcats sampled. This suggests that establishing a home range is necessary for bobcats to breed. Of three identified male offspring and three identified female offspring, two female offspring were philopatric. These females became a part of the breeding population in their natal area. Among sibling pairs that included nine female and four male individuals, four females and one male were residents suggesting male-biased dispersal.

Sloths are arboreal mammals strictly dependent upon forested habitats. The southern part of the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil harbors important forest remnants and the highest genetic diversity known for the maned sloth (Bradypus torquatus), an endangered species endemic to the Atlantic forest. Large extents of cacao agroforests (cabrucas) connected to forest patches mitigate the effects of fragmentation in this region. We radio-tracked three maned sloths during 40 months in a cabruca at the vicinity of Una Biological Reserve, southern Bahia, and estimated their home range using two commonly employed estimators (minimum convex polygon (MCP) and kernel). Overall cabrucas comprised a significant portion of the home range of the three study animals (MCP: 7-100%) and at least a third of the areas of more intensive use (kernel: 27-99%). The tagged sloths used cabrucas more than expected according to the availability of this habitat in their home range and in the surrounding landscape. In addition to the tagged individuals, maned sloths were observed five times in the study area, twice in cabrucas. Eleven tree species present in cabrucas were used as food sources by maned sloths. Results indicate that biologically rich cacao agroforests immersed in a landscape still largely composed of native forests, as is the case here, can provide habitat for the maned sloth. This finding spells good news for the conservation of this species, as southern Bahia is one of the most important strongholds for the maned sloth. However, further actions are necessary to protect the species from local extinction, including active management of protected areas, forest fragments, cabrucas and pastures in an integrated, landscape-level manner.

Large flying-foxes in insular Southeast Asia are the most threatened of the Old World fruit bats due to high levels of deforestation and hunting and effeetively little loeal eonservation eommitment. The forest at Subie Bay, Philippines, supports a rare, large eolony of vulnerable Philippine giant fruit bats {P ter opus vampyrus lanensis) and endangered and endemie golden er owned flying-foxes (Acerodon jubatus). These large flying-foxes are optimal for eonservation foeus, beeause in addition to being keystone, flagship, and umbrella speeies, the bats are important to Subie Bay&apos;s eeonomy and its indigenous eultures. Habitat seleetion information stream lines management&apos;s efforts to proteet and eonserve these popular but threatened animals. We used radio telemetry to deseribe the bats&apos; nighttime use of habitat on two eeologieal seales: vegetation and mierohabitat. The fruit bats used the entire 14,000 ha study area, ineluding all of Subie Bay Watershed Reserve, as well ...

GSM is most widely used cellular standard in the world. Mobile network is the shared media and any user of the media can intercept the network. When the media are shared, any one can listen to or transmit on the media. Thus communication is no longer private. When media are shared, privacy and authentication are lost unless some method is established to regain it. Cryptography provides the mean to regain control over privacy and authentication. A5/x are the encryption algorithms used in order to ensure privacy of conversations on GSM mobile phones. A5/x algorithms to secure the information sent over the air interface. The strong version A5/1 is used in most countries. A5/2 is weaker version used in countries on which export restrictions apply. A5/3 encryption algorithm used for GSM and ECSD and GEA3 encryption algorithm for GPRS. The following paper is based on simulation of A5/1 and A5/3 algorithms.

The extent of spatial partitioning in insectivorous bats, whose prey is patchily distributed and transient in nature, remains a contentious issue. The recent separation of a common Palaearctic bat, the pipistrelle, into Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus pygmaeus, which are morphologically similar and sympatric, provides an opportunity to examine this question. The present study used radio telemetry to address the spatial distribution and foraging characteristics of P. pipistrellus and P. pygmaeus in northeast Scotland, to test the hypothesis that coexistence between these species is facilitated through spatial segregation. We reveal large and significant differences in the spatial distribution and foraging characteristics of these two cryptic species. Individual P. pipistrellus home ranges were on average three times as large as that of P. pygmaeus, and they foraged for approximately an hour longer each night. Inter-specific spatial overlap was minimal (<5%) and core foraging areas of either species were essentially mutually exclusive despite the proximity of the two roosts. Interspecific differences in range size were associated with the spatial dispersion of productive foraging sites within individual foraging ranges. P. pipistrellus foraging sites were highly dispersed, necessitating larger ranges. It is predicted that the spatial segregation revealed by the present study is a result of selection favouring the avoidance of competition in these species through differential habitat use.

Haying Injury Mortality Survivorship A B S T R A C T In North America, the spatio-temporal scale of deforestation has resulted in a 94% decrease in temperate forests within 360 years. Despite the enormous scale of this disturbance, agriculture is so pervasive in modern society that its impacts are highly underappreciated. We investigated the impact of current agricultural practices on a disturbance-dependent species in southern Qué bec, Canada. Of 30 wood turtles (Glyptemys insculpta) followed via radio-telemetry, 20% died as a result of agricultural activities. Anthropogenic mortality estimates for adults and juveniles in 1998 were 0.10 and 0.18, respectively. For 1999, these values were 0.13 and 0.17, respectively. Of those turtles that survived, many had injuries inflicted by agricultural machinery. Sub-lethal mutilation rates for adults were 90 ± 3% in both years, whereas the maximum frequency for juveniles was 57%. A Carapace Mutilation Index was derived to quantify the distribution and severity of injuries observed. Only male and juvenile Carapace Mutilation Index values differed significantly. Adults had significantly more carapace injuries and limb amputations on their right sides. This bilateral asymmetry of injuries resulted from of a combination of turtle flight behavior and traditional harvesting practices. We reiterate the recommendations of forage researchers: setting the cutting height of disc mowers to 100 mm increases harvest yields, reduces wear on machinery, and decreases soil erosion. A by-product of such a change in cutting height is that turtle mortality and injury rates should be reduced, as wood turtle carapace height is <87 mm. Without changes in agricultural practices, this population will be extirpated.

"The establishment of terrestrial buffer zones around vernal pools has been recommended to provide upland habitat for pool-breeding amphibians in areas where forestry practices occur adjacent to breeding sites. However, few studies have empirically tested the effectiveness of buffers. We assessed post-breeding emigration behavior (net emigration distance, rate of movement, proportionate use of available habitats) of radio-tagged adult wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) at nine vernal pools with
experimental forest buffer treatments in central Maine, USA. Buffer treatments were either 30-m (N=3) or 100-m (N= 3) forest buffers surrounded by a 100-m wide clearcut; pools surrounded by uncut forest served as reference sites (N= 3). We tracked 33 individuals in 2004 and 2005, for an average of 41 days, as they emigrated from breeding pools. Recently clearcut habitat was permeable to emigrating adult wood frogs, particularly females. A higher proportion of frogs at 30-m buffer sites than at 100-m buffer sites traveled through the clearcuts to reach intact forest beyond, suggesting that 30-m buffers may not provide sufficient upland habitat to support adult wood frog populations. There was high variability in emigration behavior among frogs, regardless of buffer treatment, and males and females tended to exhibit differential responses to different buffer sizes and to clearcut habitat. Although wood frogs in this study utilized both 30-m and 100-m forest buffers, variability between sexes and density-dependent effects could render small buffers (e.g., 30m or less) inadequate to support these populations."

We studied the dietary composition of urban populations of Common Kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) and Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) under fluctuating vole abundance in Èeské Budìjovice during 20022005. Common Voles were the dominant prey. In poor vole years, the dietary proportion of alternative prey increased in both species. Long-eared Owls fed more on mice and related rodents, whereas the Common Kestrels diet shifted to insects. The different alternative diets may be due to species-specific daily activity, hunting techniques and/or hunting habitats. Furthermore, we examined the possible relationship between the distance from a nest to the city centre and the proportion of voles in the diet. The Kestrel diet was not markedly influenced by distance, but for Long-eared Owls an increasing distance was associated with an increasing dietary proportion of voles.

Knowledge of tropical raptor habitat use is limited and yet a thorough understanding is vital when trying to conserve endangered species. We used a well studied, reintroduced population of the vulnerable Mauritius Kestrel Falco punctatus to investigate habitat preferences in a modified landscape. We constructed a high resolution digital habitat map and radiotracked 13 juvenile Kestrels to quantify habitat preferences. We distinguished seven habitat types in our study area and tracked Kestrels from 71 to 130 days old during which they dispersed from their natal territory and settled within a home-range after reaching independence. Mean home-range size was 0.95 km 2 characterized by a bimodal pattern of intensity around the natal site and post-independence home-range. Compositional analysis showed that home-ranges were located non-randomly with respect to habitat but there was no evidence to suggest differential use of habitats within home-ranges. Native and semi-invaded forest and grassland were consistently preferred, whereas agriculture was used significantly less than other habitats. No difference was found between the available length of edge dividing native forest and grassland within a home-range when compared to that available within a 2.35-km buffer around their nest-site, based on the maximum distance a juvenile was found to disperse. Repeating the analysis in three dimensions gave very similar results. Our results suggest that Mauritius Kestrels are not obligate forest dwellers as was once thought but can also exploit open habitats such as grassland. Kestrels may be using isolated mature trees within grassland as vantage points for hunting in the same way as they use the natural stratified forest structure. We suggest that the avoidance of agriculture is partly due to a lack of such vantage points. The conservation importance of forest degradation and agricultural encroachment is highlighted and comparisons with the habitat preferences of other tropical falcons are discussed.

The purpose of the study is to define the effectiveness of spring release of Chukar Partridge (Alectoris
chukar). In the spring of 2010, 49 Chukar Partridges were marked with radio-telemetric transmitters.
After the release, the disposal of birds, survivability of the species and the reasons for losses have been
established. In the regions studied, the released birds remain around the resettlement place and only single
specimen move away at a larger distance. On average, the survivability of the farm resettled Chukar Partridges
in natural habitats of the species is 12.24%. The resettled birds gave the greatest losses during the
first 20 days after the resettlement – 61.22% (n=49).

Information on seed dispersal distances is critical for understanding plant species persistence in habitat fragments and vegetation recovery when disturbance is reduced. In the degraded upland landscape of Hong Kong (22°N), the bulbuls Pycnonotus sinensis and P. jocosus are responsible for a large proportion of seed movements. Dispersal distances were estimated from gut passage times (GPTs) and movement patterns determined by radio-telemetry. Estimates were also made for the hwamei, Garrulax canorus. Seven adult P. sinensis and four adult G. canorus were tracked in winter, and six juvenile P. sinensis, three juvenile P. jocosus and two juvenile G. canorus in summer. GPTs were 5-122 min in the bulbuls and 18-61 min in the hwamei. Most 10min movements were < 100 m for the bulbuls and < 50 m for the hwamei, but the largest were >1300 m for both bulbuls and 940 m for the hwamei. Displacement-time graphs generally levelled off rapidly, with median displacements < 60 m after an hour, except with summer juvenile bulbuls. Median displacements during median gut passage times for seeds from single-seeded fruits were 40, 116 and 131 m, respectively, for winter adult P. sinensis and summer juvenile P. sinensis and P. jocosus. Maximum observed displacements during the maximum measured GPTs were >1 km for all bulbuls. Estimated dispersal distances were shorter for hwameis. The radio-telemetry results were supplemented by 49 h of visual observations, during which 1,510 bird movements across open areas were observed, 64% by P. sinensis, 13% by P. jocosus, and 0.5% by G. canorus. The bulbuls, therefore, connect habitat fragments in upland Hong Kong for plants with fruits within their maximum gape width.