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A Comparison Of Social Organization In Asian Elephants And African Savannah Elephants, Shermin De Silva, George Wittemyer
A Comparison Of Social Organization In Asian Elephants And African Savannah Elephants, Shermin De Silva, George Wittemyer
Shermin de Silva
Asian and African elephant species have diverged by ca. 6 million years, but as large, generalist herbivores they occupy similar niches in their respective environments. Although the multilevel, hierarchical nature of African savannah elephant societies is well established, it has been unclear whether Asian elephants behave similarly. Here we quantitatively compare the structure of both species’ societies using association data collected using the same protocol over similar time periods. Sociality in both species demonstrates well-defined structure, but in contrast to the African elephants of Samburu the Uda Walawe Asian elephants are found in smaller groups, do not maintain coherent core …
Demography Of Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus) At Uda Walawe National Park, Sri Lanka Based On Identified Individuals, Shermin De Silva, Ashoka Ranjeewa, Devaka Weerakoon
Demography Of Asian Elephants (Elephas Maximus) At Uda Walawe National Park, Sri Lanka Based On Identified Individuals, Shermin De Silva, Ashoka Ranjeewa, Devaka Weerakoon
Shermin de Silva
We provide estimates of population size and other demographic variables for individually-identified Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) in Uda Walawe National Park (UWNP), Sri Lanka based on systematic year-round observations. Two hundred and eighty-six adult females and 241 adult males were identified, of which four adults (2% of males) had tusks. Sightings-based demographic models showed seasonal immigration and emigration from the study area. The total population, including non-adults, was between 804 and 1160 individuals. Density ranged from 102 to 116 adult females per 100 km2 and remains at this level throughout the year. This large, un-fragmented population of Asian elephants should …
Acoustic Communication In The Asian Elephant, Elephas Maximus Maximus, Shermin De Silva
Acoustic Communication In The Asian Elephant, Elephas Maximus Maximus, Shermin De Silva
Shermin de Silva
Existing knowledge of acoustic communication in elephants is based primarily on African species (Loxodonta africana and Loxodonta cyclotis). There has been comparatively less study of communication in Asian elephants (Elephas maximus). In order to provide a basis for understanding the evolution and function of acoustic communication in proboscideans, I present a quantitative description of vocal communication in wild Asian elephants. I classify calls by acoustic features into 8 ‘single’ calls, 5 ‘combination’ calls and one possibly unique male call for a total of at least 14 distinct call types. Some of these vocalizations have never before been described. Certain low-frequency …