Majelantle, Tshepiso LesediMcIntyre, TrevorGanswindt, Andre2020-11-232020-07Majelantle, T.L., Mcintyre, T. & Ganswindt, A. 2020, 'Monitoring the effects of land transformation on African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) using fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations as a measure of stress', Integrative Zoology, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 293-306.1749-4869 (print)1749-4877 (online)10.1111/1749-4877.12428http://hdl.handle.net/2263/77145In a time of increasing environmental change caused by anthropogenic disturbance, there is a greater need to understand animal adaptations to manmade environments. In this regard, the measurement of stress‐related endocrine markers provides a useful tool to examine the impact of environmental challenges and the physiological consequences for wildlife occupying such space. The aims of the present study were to validate fecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM) concentrations as a measure of stress using samples from a male African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis; n = 1) and to compare fGCM concentrations of otters occurring in a transformed and in 2 natural areas in South Africa. From the 5 different enzyme‐immunoassays (EIA) tested, a cortisol and oxoetiocholanolone (measuring 11,17 dioxoandrostanes) EIA revealed the highest response (74% and 48% increase, respectively) 30 and 24 hours after a stress event (translocation of a captive individual as part of its rehabilitation prior to release), respectively. For both EIAs, fGCM concentrations were comparable for samples collected up to 3 h post‐defecation. Using the cortisol EIA for subsequent analyses, fGCM concentrations of animals from the transformed area (n = 20; mean [± SD]: 0.468 [± 0.539] µg/g dry weight [DW]) were significantly higher (P = 0.013) than those from otters in the natural areas (n = 17; 0.242 [± 0.226] µg/g DW). These preliminary results suggest that African clawless otters may have increased adrenocortical activity that could be due to conditions linked to living in a transformed environment.en© 2020 International Society of Zoological Sciences, Institute of Zoology/Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. This is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article : 'Monitoring the effects of land transformation on African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis) using fecal glucocorticoid metabolite concentrations as a measure of stress', Integrative Zoology, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 293-306, 2020, doi : 10.1111/1749-4877.12428. The definite version is available at : https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/17494877.African clawless otter (Aonyx capensis)Non‐invasive hormone measurementStressUrbanizationFecal glucocorticoid metabolite (fGCM)Veterinary science articles SDG-15Veterinary science articles SDG-14SDG-15: Life on landSDG-14: Life below waterPostprint Article