1
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Naidoo SK, Chamberlain D, Reynolds C. Contrasting morphometric responses to increasing urbanisation in congeneric sparrow species. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16170. [PMID: 39003406 PMCID: PMC11246440 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Increased urbanisation influences the morphometric traits of various species, often resulting in urban individuals being smaller than their non-urban counterparts. Urbanisation can affect fundamental eco-evolutionary patterns and impact species' ability to adapt to and occupy rapidly changing environments through morphological changes. We investigated the morphometric responses of two passerine species, the non-native house sparrow (Passer domesticus) and its native congener, the Cape sparrow (Passer melanurus), along gradients of spatial and temporal urbanisation in South Africa over a 52-year period. The house sparrow was significantly heavier, larger and in better condition with increasing urban infrastructure and lower urban vegetation cover, while the Cape sparrow showed opposing trends along these gradients. Temporally, the house sparrow's body mass increased consistently over the 52-year study period, suggesting changes in morphology were concomitant with increasing urbanisation over time. This study demonstrates distinct differences in the morphological responses of the non-native house sparrow and the native Cape sparrow to increasing urban development. These morphological responses may also underpin community-level changes caused by urbanisation, enhancing the capabilities of non-native species to thrive over their native counterparts in these environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sage K Naidoo
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa
| | - Dan Chamberlain
- Department of Life Sciences and Systems Biology, University of Turin, Via Accademia Albertina 13, 10123, Turin, Italy
| | - Chevonne Reynolds
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Private Bag 3, Johannesburg, 2050, South Africa.
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2
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Lewis A. A non-adaptationist hypothesis of play behaviour. J Physiol 2024; 602:2433-2453. [PMID: 37656171 DOI: 10.1113/jp284413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2023] [Accepted: 08/16/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Play is a suite of apparently non-functional, pleasurable behaviours observed in human and non-human animals. Although the phenomenon has been studied extensively, no adaptationist behavioural theory of how play evolved can be supported by the available evidence. However, the advancement of the extended evolutionary synthesis and developments in systems biology offer alternative avenues for non-adaptationist physiological hypotheses. I therefore propose a hypothesis of play, based upon a complex ACh activity that is under agential control of the organism, whereby play initiates ACh-mediated feedforward and feedback processes which act to: (i) regulate metabolic processes; (ii) form new ACh receptors via ACh mRNA activity; (iii) mediate attention, memory consolidation and learning; and (iv) mediate social behaviours, reproduction and embryonic development. However, play occurs across taxa, but does not occur across all taxonomic groups or within all species of a taxonomic group. Thus, to support the validity of the proposed hypothesis, I further propose potential explanations for this anomaly, which include sampling and observer biases, altricial versus precocial juvenile development, and the influence of habitat niche and environmental conditions on behaviour. The proposed hypothesis thus offers new avenues for study in both the biological and social sciences, in addition to having potential applications in applied sciences, such as animal welfare and biomedical research. Crucially, it is hoped that this hypothesis will promote further study of a valid and behaviourally significant, yet currently enigmatic, biological phenomenon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amelia Lewis
- Independent Researcher, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, UK
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3
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Fusco NA, Cosentino BJ, Gibbs JP, Allen ML, Blumenfeld AJ, Boettner GH, Carlen EJ, Collins M, Dennison C, DiGiacopo D, Drapeau Picard AP, Edmonson J, Fisher-Reid MC, Fyffe R, Gallo T, Grant A, Harbold W, Heard SB, Lafferty DJR, Lehtinen RM, Marino S, McDonald JE, Mortelliti A, Murray M, Newman A, Oswald KN, Ott-Conn C, Richardson JL, Rimbach R, Salaman P, Steele M, Stothart MR, Urban MC, Vandegrift K, Vanek JP, Vanderluit SN, Vezina L, Caccone A. Population genomic structure of a widespread, urban-dwelling mammal: The eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). Mol Ecol 2024; 33:e17230. [PMID: 38078558 DOI: 10.1111/mec.17230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 11/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/21/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization is a persistent and widespread driver of global environmental change, potentially shaping evolutionary processes due to genetic drift and reduced gene flow in cities induced by habitat fragmentation and small population sizes. We tested this prediction for the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis), a common and conspicuous forest-dwelling rodent, by obtaining 44K SNPs using reduced representation sequencing (ddRAD) for 403 individuals sampled across the species' native range in eastern North America. We observed moderate levels of genetic diversity, low levels of inbreeding, and only a modest signal of isolation-by-distance. Clustering and migration analyses show that estimated levels of migration and genetic connectivity were higher than expected across cities and forested areas, specifically within the eastern portion of the species' range dominated by urbanization, and genetic connectivity was less than expected within the western range where the landscape is fragmented by agriculture. Landscape genetic methods revealed greater gene flow among individual squirrels in forested regions, which likely provide abundant food and shelter for squirrels. Although gene flow appears to be higher in areas with more tree cover, only slight discontinuities in gene flow suggest eastern grey squirrels have maintained connected populations across urban areas in all but the most heavily fragmented agricultural landscapes. Our results suggest urbanization shapes biological evolution in wildlife species depending strongly on the composition and habitability of the landscape matrix surrounding urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole A Fusco
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bradley J Cosentino
- Department of Biology, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, Geneva, New York, USA
| | - James P Gibbs
- Department of Environmental Biology, State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, New York, USA
| | - Maximilian L Allen
- Illinois Natural History Survey, Prairie Research Institute, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, Illinois, USA
| | - Alexander J Blumenfeld
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - George H Boettner
- Department of Environmental Conservation, University of Massachusetts-Amherst, Amherst, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Elizabeth J Carlen
- Department of Biology, Washington University-St. Louis Campus, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Merri Collins
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | | | - Devin DiGiacopo
- Yreka Fish and Wildlife Office, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Yreka, CA, USA
| | | | - Jonathan Edmonson
- Sonderegger Science Center, Edgewood College, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
| | - M Caitlin Fisher-Reid
- Department of Biological Sciences, Bridgewater State University, Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rebecca Fyffe
- Landmark Pest Management, ABC Humane Wildlife Control & Prevention Inc., Arlington Heights, Illinois, USA
| | - Travis Gallo
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland, USA
| | - Alannah Grant
- Department of Integrative Biology, College of Biological Sciences, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | - William Harbold
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Monitoring and Non-Tidal Assessment Division, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - Stephen B Heard
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Diana J R Lafferty
- Department of Biology, Northern Michigan University, Marqeutte, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Shealyn Marino
- Department of Biology, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John E McDonald
- Department of Environmental Science, Westfield State University, Westfield, Massachusetts, USA
| | | | - Maureen Murray
- Department of Conservation and Science, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Amy Newman
- Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Monitoring and Non-Tidal Assessment Division, Annapolis, Maryland, USA
| | - Krista N Oswald
- Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Midreshet Ben-Gurion, Israel
| | - Caitlin Ott-Conn
- Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife Disease Laboratory - Wildlife Division, Naubinway, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Rebecca Rimbach
- Department of Behavioural Biology, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Paul Salaman
- Galapagos Conservancy, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Michael Steele
- Department of Biology, Wilkes University, Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Mason R Stothart
- Department of Ecosystem and Public Health, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mark C Urban
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Center of Biological Risk, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut, USA
| | - Kurt Vandegrift
- Department of Biology, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics, The Pennsylvania State University, State College, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - John P Vanek
- New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, New York, USA
| | | | - Lucie Vezina
- Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada
| | - Adalgisa Caccone
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
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4
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Stidsholt L, Scholz C, Hermanns U, Teige T, Post M, Stapelfeldt B, Reusch C, Voigt CC. Low foraging rates drive large insectivorous bats away from urban areas. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17063. [PMID: 38273536 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 10/31/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Urbanization has significant impacts on wildlife and ecosystems and acts as an environmental filter excluding certain species from local ecological communities. Specifically, it may be challenging for some animals to find enough food in urban environments to achieve a positive energy balance. Because urban environments favor small-sized bats with low energy requirements, we hypothesized that common noctules (Nyctalus noctula) acquire food at a slower rate and rely less on conspecifics to find prey in urban than in rural environments due to a low food abundance and predictable distribution of insects in urban environments. To address this, we estimated prey sizes and measured prey capture rates, foraging efforts, and the presence of conspecifics during hunting of 22 common noctule bats equipped with sensor loggers in an urban and rural environment. Even though common noctule bats hunted similar-sized prey in both environments, urban bats captured prey at a lower rate (mean: 2.4 vs. 6.3 prey attacks/min), and a lower total amount of prey (mean: 179 vs. 377 prey attacks/foraging bout) than conspecifics from rural environments. Consequently, the energy expended to capture prey was higher for common noctules in urban than in rural environments. In line with our prediction, urban bats relied less on group hunting, likely because group hunting was unnecessary in an environment where the spatial distribution of prey insects is predictable, for example, in parks or around floodlights. While acknowledging the limitations of a small sample size and low number of spatial replicates, our study suggests that scarce food resources may make urban habitats unfavorable for large bat species with higher energy requirements compared to smaller bat species. In conclusion, a lower food intake may displace larger species from urban areas making habitats with high insect biomass production key for protecting large bat species in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Stidsholt
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
- Zoophysiology, Department of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Carolin Scholz
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | | | - Tobias Teige
- Büro für faunistisch-ökologische Fachgutachten, Berlin, Germany
| | - Martin Post
- Natura-2000 Station für Fledermäuse, Förderverein Naturpark Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide e.V., Karow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Bianca Stapelfeldt
- Natura-2000 Station für Fledermäuse, Förderverein Naturpark Nossentiner/Schwinzer Heide e.V., Karow, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany
| | - Christine Reusch
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Christian C Voigt
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
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5
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Leighton GRM, Froneman W, Serieys LEK, Bishop JM. Trophic downgrading of an adaptable carnivore in an urbanising landscape. Sci Rep 2023; 13:21582. [PMID: 38062237 PMCID: PMC10703923 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-48868-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Urbanisation critically alters wildlife habitat and resource distribution, leading to shifts in trophic dynamics. The loss of apex predators in human-transformed landscapes can result in changes in the ecological roles of the remaining mesocarnivores. Decreased top-down control together with increased bottom-up forcing through greater availability of anthropogenic foods can result in a predation paradox. Understanding these changes is important for conserving ecological function and biodiversity in rapidly urbanising systems. Here, we use stable isotope analysis to provide insight into longer term changes in trophic position, niche width and overlap of an elusive, medium-sized urban adapter, the caracal (Caracal caracal) in and around the city of Cape Town, South Africa. Using fur samples (n = 168) from individuals along a gradient of urbanisation we find that overall caracals have a broad isotopic dietary niche that reflects their large variation in resource use. When accounting for underlying environmental differences, the intensity of anthropogenic pressure, measured using the Human Footprint Index (HFI), explained variation in both food subsidy use (δ13C values) and trophic status (δ15N values). The significantly higher δ13C values (P < 0.01) and lower δ15N values (P < 0.001) of caracals in more urbanised areas suggest that predator subsidy consumption occurs via predictable, anthropogenic resource subsidies to synanthropic prey. These prey species are predominantly primary consumers, resulting in shifts in diet composition towards lower trophic levels. Further, caracals using areas with higher HFI had narrower isotope niches than those in less impacted areas, likely due to their hyperfocus on a few lower trophic level prey species. This pattern of niche contraction in urban areas is retained when accounting for caracal demographics, including sex and age. The removal of apex predators in human-transformed landscapes together with reliable resource availability, including abundant prey, may paradoxically limit the ecological influence of the remaining predators, and bring about a degree of predator trophic downgrading. The dampening of top-down control, and thus ecosystem regulation, likely points to widespread disruption of trophic dynamics in rapidly developing areas globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriella R M Leighton
- SARChI Chair in Marine Ecology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa.
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa.
| | - William Froneman
- SARChI Chair in Marine Ecology, Department of Zoology and Entomology, Rhodes University, PO Box 94, Grahamstown, 6140, South Africa
| | - Laurel E K Serieys
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
- Panthera, 8 W 40th St, New York, NY, 10018, USA
- Cape Leopard Trust, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Jacqueline M Bishop
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife in Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7701, South Africa
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6
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Lokatis S, Jeschke JM, Bernard-Verdier M, Buchholz S, Grossart HP, Havemann F, Hölker F, Itescu Y, Kowarik I, Kramer-Schadt S, Mietchen D, Musseau CL, Planillo A, Schittko C, Straka TM, Heger T. Hypotheses in urban ecology: building a common knowledge base. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2023; 98:1530-1547. [PMID: 37072921 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12964] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/04/2023] [Indexed: 04/20/2023]
Abstract
Urban ecology is a rapidly growing research field that has to keep pace with the pressing need to tackle the sustainability crisis. As an inherently multi-disciplinary field with close ties to practitioners and administrators, research synthesis and knowledge transfer between those different stakeholders is crucial. Knowledge maps can enhance knowledge transfer and provide orientation to researchers as well as practitioners. A promising option for developing such knowledge maps is to create hypothesis networks, which structure existing hypotheses and aggregate them according to topics and research aims. Combining expert knowledge with information from the literature, we here identify 62 research hypotheses used in urban ecology and link them in such a network. Our network clusters hypotheses into four distinct themes: (i) Urban species traits & evolution, (ii) Urban biotic communities, (iii) Urban habitats and (iv) Urban ecosystems. We discuss the potentials and limitations of this approach. All information is openly provided as part of an extendable Wikidata project, and we invite researchers, practitioners and others interested in urban ecology to contribute additional hypotheses, as well as comment and add to the existing ones. The hypothesis network and Wikidata project form a first step towards a knowledge base for urban ecology, which can be expanded and curated to benefit both practitioners and researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Lokatis
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Puschstr. 4, Leipzig, 04103, Germany
| | - Jonathan M Jeschke
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Maud Bernard-Verdier
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Sascha Buchholz
- Institute of Landscape Ecology, University of Münster, Heisenbergstr. 2, Münster, 48149, Germany
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam University, Maulbeerallee 2, Potsdam, 14469, Germany
| | - Frank Havemann
- Institut für Bibliotheks- und Informationswissenschaft, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Dorotheenstraße 26, Berlin, 10117, Germany
| | - Franz Hölker
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Yuval Itescu
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Ingo Kowarik
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, 10315, Germany
| | - Daniel Mietchen
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute for Globally Distributed Open Research and Education (IGDORE), Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Camille L Musseau
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
| | - Aimara Planillo
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (IZW), Alfred-Kowalke-Str. 17, Berlin, 10315, Germany
| | - Conrad Schittko
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
| | - Tanja M Straka
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Institute of Ecology, Technische Universität Berlin, Rothenburgstr. 12, Berlin, 12165, Germany
| | - Tina Heger
- Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), Müggelseedamm 310, Berlin, 12587, Germany
- Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research, Königin-Luise-Str. 2-4, Berlin, 14195, Germany
- Technical University of Munich, Restoration Ecology, Emil-Ramann-Str. 6, Freising, 85350, Germany
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7
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García-Arroyo M, MacGregor-Fors I, Quesada J, Borràs A, Colomé-Menoyo L, Senar JC. House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) escape behavior is triggered faster in smaller settlements. Sci Rep 2023; 13:2545. [PMID: 36781888 PMCID: PMC9925442 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-26988-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 12/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
A recurrent behavioral trait model to study adaptation to urban environments is the flight initiation distance (FID), measured as the distance at which animals flee from an approaching threat. It has previously been shown that urban birds display shorter FID than their non-urban (rural) counterparts. However, discerning whether this is the result of habituation to human presence and frequentation, or of ecological factors related to the size of the city (considered as "systemic habituation"), has not yet been addressed. In this study, we analyzed House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) FIDs in a network of 26 small towns and villages within the same region in northeastern Spain. Our aim was to relate FID to human population density and settlement size. If the habituation to human presence hypothesis was supported, we should expect FIDs to decrease with the density of the human population across the human settlements, since this type of habituation is related to the rate of human exposure and this is proportional to human density. However, if the systemic habituation hypothesis was supported, FIDs should instead relate to the size of the human settlements, as the abundance of predators, similarly to other ecological variables, is often proportional to the size of towns. Results showed House Sparrows to be bolder in larger human settlements, but not necessarily the ones with a higher density of human population. This supports the idea that the fact that urban birds display shorter FIDs than their rural counterparts is the result of systemic ecological factors rather than the results of a simple habituation to humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle García-Arroyo
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland
| | - Ian MacGregor-Fors
- Ecosystems and Environment Research Programme, Faculty of Biological and Environmental Sciences, University of Helsinki, Niemenkatu 73, 15140, Lahti, Finland.
| | - Javier Quesada
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | - Antoni Borràs
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
| | | | - Juan Carlos Senar
- Museu de Ciències Naturals de Barcelona, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
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8
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Deviche P, Sweazea K, Angelier F. Past and future: Urbanization and the avian endocrine system. Gen Comp Endocrinol 2023; 332:114159. [PMID: 36368439 DOI: 10.1016/j.ygcen.2022.114159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/18/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Urban environments are evolutionarily novel and differ from natural environments in many respects including food and/or water availability, predation, noise, light, air quality, pathogens, biodiversity, and temperature. The success of organisms in urban environments requires physiological plasticity and adjustments that have been described extensively, including in birds residing in geographically and climatically diverse regions. These studies have revealed a few relatively consistent differences between urban and non-urban conspecifics. For example, seasonally breeding urban birds often develop their reproductive system earlier than non-urban birds, perhaps in response to more abundant trophic resources. In most instances, however, analyses of existing data indicate no general pattern distinguishing urban and non-urban birds. It is, for instance, often hypothesized that urban environments are stressful, yet the activity of the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis does not differ consistently between urban and non-urban birds. A similar conclusion is reached by comparing blood indices of metabolism. The origin of these disparities remains poorly understood, partly because many studies are correlative rather than aiming at establishing causality, which effectively limits our ability to formulate specific hypotheses regarding the impacts of urbanization on wildlife. We suggest that future research will benefit from prioritizing mechanistic approaches to identify environmental factors that shape the phenotypic responses of organisms to urbanization and the neuroendocrine and metabolic bases of these responses. Further, it will be critical to elucidate whether factors affect these responses (a) cumulatively or synergistically; and (b) differentially as a function of age, sex, reproductive status, season, and mobility within the urban environment. Research to date has used various taxa that differ greatly not only phylogenetically, but also with regard to ecological requirements, social systems, propensity to consume anthropogenic food, and behavioral responses to human presence. Researchers may instead benefit from standardizing approaches to examine a small number of representative models with wide geographic distribution and that occupy diverse urban ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pierre Deviche
- School of Life Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA.
| | - Karen Sweazea
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, USA
| | - Frederic Angelier
- Centre d'Etudes Biologiques de Chizé, UMR7372, CNRS - La Rochelle Universite, Villiers en Bois, France
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9
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City comfort: weaker metabolic response to changes in ambient temperature in urban red squirrels. Sci Rep 2023; 13:1393. [PMID: 36697502 PMCID: PMC9876937 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-28624-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The ecophysiological responses of species to urbanisation reveal important information regarding the processes of successful urban colonization and biodiversity patterns in urban landscapes. Investigating these responses will also help uncover whether synurban species are indeed urban 'winners'. Yet we still lack basic knowledge about the physiological costs and overall energy budgets of most species living in urban habitats, especially for mammals. Within this context, we compared the energetic demands of Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) from the core of an urban environment with those from a nearby forest. We measured oxygen consumption as a proxy for resting metabolic rate (RMR) of 20 wild individuals (13 urban, 7 forest), at naturally varying ambient temperature (Ta) in an outdoor-enclosure experiment. We found that the variation in RMR was best explained by the interaction between Ta and habitat, with a significant difference between populations. Urban squirrels showed a shallower response of metabolic rate to decreasing Ta than woodland squirrels. We suggest that this is likely a consequence of urban heat island effects, as well as widespread supplemental food abundance. Our results indicate energy savings for urban squirrels at cooler temperatures, yet with possible increased costs at higher temperatures compared to their woodland conspecifics. Thus, the changed patterns of metabolic regulation in urban individuals might not necessarily represent an overall advantage for urban squirrels, especially in view of increasing temperatures globally.
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Morozov NS. The Role of Predators in Shaping Urban Bird Populations: 2. Is Predation Pressure Increased or Decreased in Urban Landscapes? BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s106235902208012x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
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11
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Morozov NS. The Role of Predators in Shaping Urban Bird Populations: 1. Who Succeeds in Urban Landscapes? BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359022080118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
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12
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Lamarre J, Cheema SK, Robertson GJ, Wilson DR. Foraging on anthropogenic food predicts problem-solving skills in a seabird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:157732. [PMID: 35931163 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 07/05/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Species and populations with greater cognitive performance are more successful at adapting to changing habitats. Accordingly, urban species and populations often outperform their rural counterparts on problem-solving tests. Paradoxically, urban foraging also might be detrimental to the development and integrity of animals' brains because anthropogenic foods often lack essential nutrients such as the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are important for cognitive performance in mammals and possibly birds. We tested whether urbanization or consumption of EPA and DHA are associated with problem-solving abilities in ring-billed gulls, a seabird that historically exploited marine environments rich in omega-3 fatty acids but now also thrives in urban centres. Using incubating adults nesting across a range of rural to urban colonies with equal access to the ocean, we tested whether urban gulls preferentially consumed anthropogenic food while rural nesters relied on marine organisms. As we expected individual variation in foraging habits within nesting location, we characterized each captured gulls' diet using stable isotope and fatty acid analyses of their red blood cells. To test their problem-solving abilities, we presented the sampled birds with a horizontal rendition of the string-pull test, a foraging puzzle often used in animal cognitive studies. The isotopic and fatty acid profiles of urban nesters indicated a diet comprising primarily anthropogenic food, whereas the profiles of rural nesters indicated a high reliance on marine organisms. Despite the gulls' degree of access to urban foraging habitat not predicting solving success, birds with biochemical profiles reflecting anthropogenic food (less DHA and a higher carbon-13 ratio in their red blood cells) had a greater probability of solving the string-pull test. These results suggest that experience foraging on anthropogenic food is the main explanatory factor leading to successful problem-solving, while regular consumption of omega-3s during incubation appears inconsequential.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessika Lamarre
- Cognitive and Behavioural Ecology Program, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Canada.
| | - Sukhinder Kaur Cheema
- Department of Biochemistry, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Canada
| | - Gregory J Robertson
- Wildlife Research Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Mount Pearl, Canada
| | - David R Wilson
- Department of Psychology, Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, Canada
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13
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Morozov NS. The Role of Predators in Shaping Urban Bird Populations. 3. Are Predators a Barrier to the Synurbization of Prey Species in Russia’s Cities? BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359022090230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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14
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Morozov NS. The Role of Predators in Shaping Urban Bird Populations. 4. The Urban Predation Paradox and Its Probable Causes. BIOL BULL+ 2022. [DOI: 10.1134/s1062359022090242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
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15
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Disentangling Morphological and Environmental Drivers of Foraging Activity in an Invasive Diurnal Gecko, Phelsuma laticauda. J HERPETOL 2022. [DOI: 10.1670/21-030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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16
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Chen Y, Li L, Zhu X, Shen Y, Ma A, Zhang X, Chen P, Lu C. Urban Low-Rise Residential Areas Provide Preferred Song Post Sites for a Resident Songbird. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12182436. [PMID: 36139294 PMCID: PMC9494978 DOI: 10.3390/ani12182436] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is expanding rapidly worldwide, and brings additional selection pressure on animals. The song differences between urban and rural songbirds have been widely verified, but the effects of urban morphological variation on long-settled urban birds have been poorly explored. Here, we investigated the distribution and song differences of a common resident songbird—the oriental magpie-robin (Copsychus saularis) between three urban morphology types (i.e., urban park, low-rise residential area, and high-rise residential area). The results indicated that the population density in low-rise residential areas was significantly higher than in urban parks, while it was the lowest in high-rise residential areas. Males in low-rise residential areas had greater song length, syllable numbers, frequency bandwidth, and song diversity than those in urban parks. The song differences were mainly related to habitat types, independent of singing height and perch type. Our findings suggest that low-rise residential areas may provide preferred song post sites for the oriental magpie-robin, which is well-adapted to the low-rise building morphology, but rejects the emerging high-rise buildings. Future studies are needed to assess the effects of urban morphological variation on more resident animals to determine which urban morphologies are conducive to enhancing biodiversity and encouraging animals to settle in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanhong Chen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Lijing Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Xiaotian Zhu
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Yicheng Shen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Anran Ma
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Pan Chen
- Anhui Provincial Key Laboratory of the Conservation and Exploitation of Biological Resources, College of Life Sciences, Anhui Normal University, Wuhu 241000, China
- Correspondence: (P.C.); (C.L.)
| | - Changhu Lu
- College of Biology and the Environment, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
- Correspondence: (P.C.); (C.L.)
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17
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Brunk KM, West EH, Peery MZ, Pidgeon A. Failed despots and the equitable distribution of fitness in a subsidized species. Behav Ecol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arac064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Territorial species are often predicted to adhere to an ideal despotic distribution and under-match local food resources, meaning that individuals in high-quality habitat achieve higher fitness than those in low-quality habitat. However, conditions such as high density, territory compression, and frequent territorial disputes in high-quality habitat are expected to cause habitat quality to decline as population density increases and, instead, promote resource matching. We studied a highly human-subsidized and under-matched population of Steller’s jays (Cyanocitta stelleri) to determine how under-matching is maintained despite high densities, compressed territories, and frequent agonistic behaviors, which should promote resource matching. We examined the distribution of fitness among individuals in high-quality, subsidized habitat, by categorizing jays into dominance classes and characterizing individual consumption of human food, body condition, fecundity, and core area size and spatial distribution. Individuals of all dominance classes consumed similar amounts of human food and had similar body condition and fecundity. However, the most dominant individuals maintained smaller core areas that had greater overlap with subsidized habitat than those of subordinates. Thus, we found that (1) jays attain high densities in subsidized areas because dominant individuals do not exclude subordinates from human food subsidies and (2) jay densities do not reach the level necessary to facilitate resource matching because dominant individuals monopolize space in subsidized areas. Our results suggest that human-modified landscapes may decouple dominance from fitness and that incomplete exclusion of subordinates may be a common mechanism underpinning high densities and creating source populations of synanthropic species in subsidized environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin M Brunk
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1630 Linden Drive, Madison WI 53706 , USA
| | - Elena H West
- Department of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities , 2003 Upper Buford Circle, St. Paul, MN 55108 , USA
| | - M Zachariah Peery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1630 Linden Drive, Madison WI 53706 , USA
| | - Anna Pidgeon
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison , 1630 Linden Drive, Madison WI 53706 , USA
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Source Areas as a Key Factor Contributing to the Recovery Time of Controlled Feral Pigeon ( Columba livia var. domestica) Colonies in Low-Density Urban Locations. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12091056. [PMID: 35565483 PMCID: PMC9101645 DOI: 10.3390/ani12091056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Revised: 04/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Today, governments and administrations strive to minimise issues associated with Feral Pigeon (Columba livia var. domestica) colonies in urban areas. Scientific evidence has demonstrated that control measures are ineffective in the long term, and colonies recover rapidly. Most scientific research has occurred under high-density circumstances, primarily in large city centres. Moreover, very few studies have been conducted in residential zones or suburban areas where colony densities are lower, but where Feral Pigeons generate the same issues. In this study, we analysed the recovery time of Feral Pigeon colonies in 11 buildings in low-density urban areas where control campaigns were previously conducted to reduce their abundance. Recovery times were highly variable among the buildings (50−3072 days). Distance to the nearest uncontrolled colony of Feral Pigeons, i.e., a source area, was the primary factor that contributed to recovery time, which significantly increased with increasing distance to source colonies. Thus, buildings closest to the Pigeons’ source areas (<500 m) were recolonised more rapidly than were buildings that were >500 m away from source areas. Our findings highlight the relevance of identifying an effective management unit for the implementation of control programmes to reduce immigration rates and increase long-term effects.
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The Feeding Landscape: Bird and Human Use of Food Resources across a Biocultural Landscape of the Colombian Andes. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14084789] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Agriculture impacts both human welfare and biodiversity at the same time. Still, social and ecological assessments have commonly analyzed the relevance of agroecosystems separately. We evaluated the human and avian feeding use of the biocultural landscape in Jardín, Colombia, using a socioecological approach. Together with farmers, we identified the main socioecological units of the landscape (i.e., fincas, grazing lands, town, forests) and determined the use of each unit in terms of food foraging from forests, crop cultivation, cattle grazing, food commercialization, and food industrialization. We compared the richness of the food resources produced among finca sections (i.e., gardens, coffee–banana plantations, grazing lands). Then, we surveyed avian behavior to contrast the richness of bird species, feeding use and intensity, and food types consumed by birds among the units. Fincas were shown to play a pivotal role in feeding both humans and birds. Gardens provide food for people as well as nectarivore and frugivore birds. Coffee–banana plantations are economically relevant, but their food provision is limited and could be enhanced by increasing the diversity of the food crops within them. The town supports commerce and granivorous birds, whereas grazing lands have limited feeding importance. Forests are used by birds to capture invertebrates but do not supply much food for the people. Our approach fosters the identification of key socioecological units, demonstrating that studying both humans and wildlife enhances the comprehension of biocultural landscapes.
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Cronin AD, Smit JAH, Muñoz MI, Poirier A, Moran PA, Jerem P, Halfwerk W. A comprehensive overview of the effects of urbanisation on sexual selection and sexual traits. Biol Rev Camb Philos Soc 2022; 97:1325-1345. [PMID: 35262266 PMCID: PMC9541148 DOI: 10.1111/brv.12845] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2021] [Revised: 02/11/2022] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Urbanisation can affect mating opportunities and thereby alter inter- and intra-sexual selection pressures on sexual traits. Biotic and abiotic urban conditions can influence an individual's success in pre- and post-copulatory mating, for example through impacts on mate attraction and mate preference, fertilisation success, resource competition or rival interactions. Divergent sexual selection pressures can lead to differences in behavioural, physiological, morphological or life-history traits between urban and non-urban populations, ultimately driving adaptation and speciation. Most studies on urban sexual selection and mating interactions report differences between urban and non-urban populations or correlations between sexual traits and factors associated with increased urbanisation, such as pollution, food availability and risk of predation and parasitism. Here we review the literature on sexual selection and sexual traits in relation to urbanisation or urban-associated conditions. We provide an extensive list of abiotic and biotic factors that can influence processes involved in mating interactions, such as signal production and transmission, mate choice and mating opportunities. We discuss all relevant data through the lens of two, non-mutually exclusive theories on sexual selection, namely indicator and sensory models. Where possible, we indicate whether these models provide the same or different predictions regarding urban-adapted sexual signals and describe different experimental designs that can be useful for the different models as well as to investigate the drivers of sexual selection. We argue that we lack a good understanding of: (i) the factors driving urban sexual selection; (ii) whether reported changes in traits result in adaptive benefits; and (iii) whether these changes reflect a short-term ecological, or long-term evolutionary response. We highlight that urbanisation provides a unique opportunity to study the process and outcomes of sexual selection, but that this requires a highly integrative approach combining experimental and observational work.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew D Cronin
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Judith A H Smit
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Matías I Muñoz
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Armand Poirier
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Peter A Moran
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Jerem
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
| | - Wouter Halfwerk
- Department of Ecological Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, De Boelelaan 1085, Amsterdam, 1081 HV, The Netherlands
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21
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Kinnunen RP, Fraser KC, Schmidt C, Garroway CJ. The socioeconomic status of cities covaries with avian life‐history strategies. Ecosphere 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Riikka P. Kinnunen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Building University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Kevin C. Fraser
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Building University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Chloé Schmidt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Building University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
| | - Colin J. Garroway
- Department of Biological Sciences, Biological Sciences Building University of Manitoba Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
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22
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Does the Urban Environment Act as a Filter on the Individual Quality of Birds? BIRDS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/birds3010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic divergences of birds are common between urban and natural habitats and can result from different selective pressures between habitats or maladaptation to the city. No uniform patterns were observed, especially concerning markers of bird health, such as, for example, telomere length. Telomeres are involved in maintaining genome integrity and naturally shorten with age, but environmental stressors can accelerate their attrition. Thus, telomere length can be an indicator of individual quality. Some studies showed that urban breeders had longer telomeres than forest individuals. Two hypotheses can explain this result: (1) urban breeders are younger than forests breeders, and (2) cities act as a filter on individuals and only high-quality birds can successfully reproduce. In this context, we compared the age category (molting pattern) and morphological and physiological characteristics of urban and forest Great Tits before and during breeding. No differences in age or body condition were observed. However, urban breeders were smaller and had shorter telomeres than birds captured in winter. Urban birds had longer telomeres than forest birds, only in winter. These results highlight that urban habitats potentially favor smaller birds. However, the decrease in telomere length between winter and reproduction only in the city suggest a higher cost of reproduction in the city compared to the forest.
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23
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Wist B, Stolter C, Dausmann KH. Sugar addicted in the city: impact of urbanisation on food choice and diet composition of the Eurasian red squirrel ( Sciurus vulgaris). JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juac012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Urban wildlife faces a great variety of human-induced habitat alterations, among others changes in resource availability and composition, often resulting in serious declines in biodiversity. Nevertheless, Eurasian red squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) occur in high densities in urban areas and seem to benefit from supplementary feeding. However, we still lack knowledge about consequences of urbanisation on mammalian foraging behaviour and nutrient intake. Thus, we investigated body mass, food choice and diet composition in squirrels from an urban core area versus a forest population in a cafeteria experiment. Urban individuals were lower in initial body mass and condition, but consumed significantly more g and kJ per day and significantly gained weight over the course of the experiment (around 2 weeks); nevertheless, the difference in body mass and condition persisted. All squirrels preferred hazelnuts, but urban squirrels had a wider dietary range and consumed more non-natural food items. Both groups prioritised fat and there was no difference in protein intake. Urban squirrels though had a significantly higher sugar intake, mainly by eating biscuits. Our results demonstrate clear effects of urbanisation on foraging behaviour and preferences, which has the potential for nutritional mismatch or negative side effects due to consumption of non-natural food items. Our findings show that highly supplemented urban core fragments might not serve as adequate refuge for wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca Wist
- Functional Ecology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, Universität Hamburg , 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Caroline Stolter
- Department of Nature Conservation and Landscape Planning, Anhalt University of Applied Sciences, Strenzfelder Allee 28 , 06406 Bernburg, Germany
| | - Kathrin H Dausmann
- Functional Ecology, Institute of Cell and Systems Biology of Animals, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3, Universität Hamburg , 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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25
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Lato KA, Madigan DJ, Veit RR, Thorne LH. Closely related gull species show contrasting foraging strategies in an urban environment. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23619. [PMID: 34880306 PMCID: PMC8655058 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02821-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The expansion of urban landscapes has both negative and positive effects on wildlife. Understanding how different species respond to urbanization is key to assessing how urban landscapes influence regional wildlife behavior and ecosystem structure. Gulls are often described as strong urban adapters, but few studies have explored species-specific differences in habitat use. Here, we use GPS tracking in conjunction with stable isotope analysis (SIA) to quantify the habitat use and trophic ecology of great black-backed gulls (Larus marinus) and herring gulls (L. argentatus) in an urbanized area. Non-Metric Multidimensional Scaling (NMDS) of foraging locations revealed significant differences in the habitat use between species. Great black-backed gulls foraged primarily in marine habitats and herring gulls foraged primarily in specific urban habitats (e.g., landfills, dumpsters) and showed higher site fidelity in terms of the proportion of foraging sites revisited. Further, great black-backed gulls had significantly higher δ15N and δ13C than herring gulls, reflecting the use of marine, rather than urban, food sources. This study highlights the variability in urban habitat utilization among closely related species, assesses stable isotope signatures of urban diets in wild birds, and discusses ecological implications of the relative contribution of urban and marine foraging.
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Affiliation(s)
- K A Lato
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA.
| | - D J Madigan
- Department of Integrative Biology, University of Windsor, Windsor, ON, Canada
| | - R R Veit
- Department of Biology, College of Staten Island (CSI), CUNY, Staten Island, NY, USA
| | - L H Thorne
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY, USA
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Heinen‐Kay JL, Kay AD, Zuk M. How urbanization affects sexual communication. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:17625-17650. [PMID: 35003629 PMCID: PMC8717295 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.8328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization is rapidly altering landscapes worldwide, changing environmental conditions, and creating novel selection pressures for many organisms. Local environmental conditions affect the expression and evolution of sexual signals and mating behaviors; changes in such traits have important evolutionary consequences because of their effect on reproduction. In this review, we synthesize research investigating how sexual communication is affected by the environmental changes associated with urbanization-including pollution from noise, light, and heavy metals, habitat fragmentation, impervious surfaces, urban heat islands, and changes in resources and predation. Urbanization often has negative effects on sexual communication through signal masking, altering condition-dependent signal expression, and weakening female preferences. Though there are documented instances of seemingly adaptive shifts in trait expression, the ultimate impact on fitness is rarely tested. The field of urban evolution is still relatively young, and most work has tested whether differences occur in response to various aspects of urbanization. There is limited information available about whether these responses represent phenotypic plasticity or genetic changes, and the extent to which observed shifts in sexual communication affect reproductive fitness. Our understanding of how sexual selection operates in novel, urbanized environments would be bolstered by more studies that perform common garden studies and reciprocal transplants, and that simultaneously evaluate multiple environmental factors to tease out causal drivers of observed phenotypic shifts. Urbanization provides a unique testing ground for evolutionary biologists to study the interplay between ecology and sexual selection, and we suggest that more researchers take advantage of these natural experiments. Furthermore, understanding how sexual communication and mating systems differ between cities and rural areas can offer insights on how to mitigate negative, and accentuate positive, consequences of urban expansion on the biota, and provide new opportunities to underscore the relevance of evolutionary biology in the Anthropocene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justa L. Heinen‐Kay
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & BehaviorUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulUSA
| | - Adam D. Kay
- Biology DepartmentUniversity of St. ThomasSt. PaulUSA
| | - Marlene Zuk
- Department of Ecology, Evolution & BehaviorUniversity of MinnesotaSt. PaulUSA
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27
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Peneaux C, Grainger R, Lermite F, Machovsky-Capuska GE, Gaston T, Griffin AS. Detrimental effects of urbanization on the diet, health, and signal coloration of an ecologically successful alien bird. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 796:148828. [PMID: 34271392 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 06/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Theory suggests that overcrowding and increased competition in urban environments might be detrimental to individual condition in avian populations. Unfavourable living conditions could be compounded by changes in dietary niche with additional consequences for individual quality of urban birds. We analysed the isotopic signatures, signal coloration, body condition, parasitic loads (feather mites and coccidia), and immune responsiveness of 191 adult common (Indian) mynas (Acridotheres tristis) captured in 19 localities with differing levels of urbanization. The isotopic signature of myna feathers differed across low and high urbanized habitats, with a reduced isotopic niche breadth found in highly urbanized birds. This suggests that birds in high urban environments may occupy a smaller foraging niche to the one of less urbanized birds. In addition, higher degrees of urbanization were associated with a decrease in carotenoid-based coloration, higher ectoparasite loads and higher immune responsiveness. This pattern of results suggests that the health status of mynas from more urbanized environments was poorer than mynas from less modified habitats. Our findings are consistent with the theory that large proportions of individual birds that would otherwise die under natural conditions survive due to prevailing top-down and bottom-up ecological processes in cities. Detrimental urban ecological conditions and search for more favourable, less crowded habitats offers the first reasonable explanation for why an ecological invader like the common myna continues to spread within its global invasive range.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Peneaux
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia.
| | - Richard Grainger
- Charles Perkins Centre, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia
| | - Françoise Lermite
- School of Psychology, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | | | - Troy Gaston
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
| | - Andrea S Griffin
- School of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW 2308, Australia
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Pikus E, Włodarczyk R, Jedlikowski J, Minias P. Urbanization processes drive divergence at the major histocompatibility complex in a common waterbird. PeerJ 2021; 9:e12264. [PMID: 34707940 PMCID: PMC8500109 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.12264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Urban sprawl is one of the most common landscape alterations occurring worldwide, and there is a growing list of species that are recognised to have adapted to urban life. To be successful, processes of urban colonization by wildlife require a broad spectrum of phenotypic (e.g., behavioural or physiological) adjustments, but evidence for genetic adaptations is much scarcer. One hypothesis proposes that different pathogen-driven selective pressures between urban and non-urban landscapes leads to adaptations in host immune genes. Here, we examined urbanization-related differentiation at the key pathogen-recognition genes of vertebrate adaptive immunity-the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-in a common waterbird, the Eurasian coot (Fulica atra). Samples were collected from an old urban population (established before the 1950s), a new urban population (established in the 2000s), and two rural populations from central Poland. We found strong significant divergence (as measured with Jost's D) at the MHC class II between the old urban population and the remaining (new urban and rural) populations. Also, there was a moderate, but significant divergence at the MHC between the new urban population and two rural populations, while no divergence was found between the two rural populations. The total number of MHC alleles and the number of private (population-specific) MHC alleles was lower in old urban populations, as compared to the rural ones. These patterns of differentiation at the MHC were not consistent with patterns found for neutral genetic markers (microsatellites), which showed few differences between the populations. Our results indicate that MHC allele composition depended on the level of anthropogenic disturbance and the time which passed since urban colonization, possibly due to the processes of genotype sorting and local adaptation. As such, our study contributes to the understanding of genetic mechanisms associated with urbanization processes in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ewa Pikus
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Radosław Włodarczyk
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
| | - Jan Jedlikowski
- Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
| | - Piotr Minias
- Department of Biodiversity Studies and Bioeducation, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland
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29
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Amiot C, Harmange C, Ji W. Morphological differences along a chronological gradient of urbanisation in an endemic insectivorous bird of New Zealand. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-021-01156-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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30
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Petrozzi F, Akani GC, Eniang EA, Ajong SN, Funk SM, Fa JE, Amadi N, Dendi D, Luiselli L. Generalist, selective or ‘mixed’ foragers? Feeding strategies of two tropical toads across suburban habitats. J Zool (1987) 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - G. C. Akani
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation & Cooperation Rome Italy
| | - E. A. Eniang
- Department of Forestry and Wildlife University of Uyo Uyo Nigeria
| | - S. N. Ajong
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation & Cooperation Rome Italy
- Department of Fisheries Lagos State University Ojo Lagos Nigeria
| | - S. M. Funk
- NatureHeritage Jersey, Channel Islands UK
| | - J. E. Fa
- Department of Natural Sciences School of Science and the Environment Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
- Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) CIFOR Headquarters Bogor Indonesia
| | - N. Amadi
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria
| | - D. Dendi
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation & Cooperation Rome Italy
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biology University of Lomé Lomé Togo
| | - L. Luiselli
- Department of Animal and Environmental Biology Rivers State University of Science and Technology Port Harcourt Rivers State Nigeria
- Institute for Development, Ecology, Conservation & Cooperation Rome Italy
- Department of Zoology and Animal Biology University of Lomé Lomé Togo
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31
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Fingland K, Ward SJ, Bates AJ, Bremner‐Harrison S. A systematic review into the suitability of urban refugia for the Eurasian red squirrel
Sciurus vulgaris. Mamm Rev 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/mam.12264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kathryn Fingland
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Samantha J. Ward
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Adam J. Bates
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
| | - Samantha Bremner‐Harrison
- School of Animal Rural and Environmental Sciences Nottingham Trent University Southwell NottinghamshireNG25 0QFUK
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32
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Winandy GSM, Félix RP, Sacramento RA, Mascarenhas R, Batalha-Filho H, Japyassú HF, Izar P, Slabbekoorn H. Urban Noise Restricts Song Frequency Bandwidth and Syllable Diversity in Bananaquits: Increasing Audibility at the Expense of Signal Quality. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.570420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Anthropogenic noise can interfere with animal behavior through masking of acoustic communication. In response to masking, animals may change their acoustic signals as an apparent adjustment strategy, but this may have a drawback on signal quality. Songs and calls may show noise-dependent changes in frequency and duration, which may yield some masking avoidance, but may also constrain other acoustic parameters that might carry information about the sender. In the present study, we investigated whether noise-dependent reduction in frequency bandwidth or song duration restricted syllable diversity or song elaboration in a Neotropical songbird, the bananaquit (Coereba flaveola). We show that bananaquits sing higher frequency songs, of narrower bandwidth, in noisier territories, independent of variation in territory density, without significant variation in song duration. We also show that songs with higher minimum frequencies, narrower bandwidths, and shorter durations have on average a lower number of syllable types and higher syllable rates. This finding is in line with an acoustic restriction and may reflect a functional trade-off between audibility and signal value: higher frequencies may be more audible but less elaborate songs may weaken the message of sender quality. Consequently, noise pollution may not only alter avian communities, but also shape acoustic diversity and processes of sexual selection in urban environments.
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33
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Mirkin S, Tucker MR, Williams DA. Predation release of Texas horned lizards ( Phrynosoma cornutum) living in small towns. Ecol Evol 2021; 11:5355-5363. [PMID: 34026012 PMCID: PMC8131779 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.7426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Texas horned lizards (Phrynosoma cornutum) have a number of ways to avoid predation, including camouflage, sharp cranial horns, flattening of the body, and the ability to squirt blood from the eyes. These characteristics and their relatively low survival rates in the wild suggest these lizards are under high predation pressure. These lizards have been declining in much of their eastern range due to increased urbanization, agriculture, and loss of prey species. However, they can be still be found in some small south Texas towns where they can reach densities that are much higher (~50 lizards/ha) than in natural areas (~4-10 lizards/ha). We hypothesized that one reason for the high densities observed in these towns may be due to reduced predation pressure. We used model Texas horned lizards to test whether predation levels were lower in two south Texas towns than on a nearby ranch. We constructed models from urethane foam, a material that is ideal for preserving marks left behind by predators. Models (n = 126) and control pieces of foam (n = 21) were left in the field for 9 days in each location in early and late summer and subsequent predation marks were categorized by predator taxa. We observed significantly more predation attempts on the models than on controls and significantly fewer attempts in town (n = 1) compared with the ranch (n = 60). On the ranch, avian predation attempts appear to be common especially when the models did not match the color of the soil. Our results suggest that human-modified environments that have suitable habitat and food resources may provide a refuge for some prey species like horned lizards from predators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephen Mirkin
- Department of BiologyTexas Christian UniversityFort WorthTXUSA
| | - Mary R. Tucker
- Department of BiologyTexas Christian UniversityFort WorthTXUSA
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34
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Leveau L. United colours of the city: A review about urbanisation impact on animal colours. AUSTRAL ECOL 2021. [DOI: 10.1111/aec.13005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Lucas Leveau
- Departamento de Ecología Genética y Evolución Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales Universidad de Buenos Aires – IEGEBA (CONICET – UBA) Ciudad Universitaria, Pab 2, Piso 4 Buenos Aires1426Argentina
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35
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Dulisz B, Dynowska M, Nowakowski JJ. Body condition and colonization by fungi of House Sparrows Passer domesticus in the urban and rural environment. THE EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL 2021. [DOI: 10.1080/24750263.2020.1857447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- B. Dulisz
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - M. Dynowska
- Department of Microbiology and Mycology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - J. J. Nowakowski
- Department of Ecology and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Olsztyn, Poland
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36
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An avian urban morphotype: how the city environment shapes great tit morphology at different life stages. Urban Ecosyst 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01077-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
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37
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Spelt A, Soutar O, Williamson C, Memmott J, Shamoun-Baranes J, Rock P, Windsor S. Urban gulls adapt foraging schedule to human-activity patterns. THE IBIS 2021; 163:274-282. [PMID: 33343022 PMCID: PMC7116490 DOI: 10.1111/ibi.12892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Numerous animals are able to adapt to temporal patterns in natural food availability, but whether species living in relatively novel environments such as cities can adapt to anthropogenic activity cycles is less well understood. We aimed to assess the extent to which urban gulls have adapted their foraging schedule to anthropogenic food source fluctuations related to human activity by combining field observations at three distinct urban feeding grounds (park, school and waste centre) with global positioning system (GPS) tracking data of gulls visiting similar types of feeding grounds throughout the same city. We found that the birds' foraging patterns closely matched the timing of school breaks and the opening and closing times of the waste centre, but gull activity in the park appeared to correspond to the availability of natural food sources. Overall, this suggests that gulls may have the behavioural flexibility to adapt their foraging behaviour to human time schedules when beneficial and that this trait could potentially enable them to thrive in cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anouk Spelt
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
| | - Oliver Soutar
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Cara Williamson
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
| | - Jane Memmott
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TQ, UK
| | - Judy Shamoun-Baranes
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, 1098XH, The Netherlands
| | - Peter Rock
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
| | - Shane Windsor
- Department of Aerospace Engineering, University of Bristol, Bristol, BS8 1TR, UK
- Corresponding author.
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38
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Fehlmann G, O'riain MJ, FÜrtbauer I, King AJ. Behavioral Causes, Ecological Consequences, and Management Challenges Associated with Wildlife Foraging in Human-Modified Landscapes. Bioscience 2021; 71:40-54. [PMID: 33442328 PMCID: PMC7791362 DOI: 10.1093/biosci/biaa129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Humans have altered up to half of the world's land surface. Wildlife living within or close to these human-modified landscapes are presented with opportunities and risks associated with feeding on human-derived foods (e.g., agricultural crops and food waste). Understanding whether and how wildlife adapts to these landscapes is a major challenge, with thousands of studies published on the topic over the past 10 years. In the present article, we build on established theoretical frameworks to understand the behavioral causes of crop and urban foraging by wildlife. We then develop and extend this framework to describe the multifaceted ecological consequences of crop and urban foraging for the individuals and populations in which they arise, with emphasis on social species for which interactions with people are, on balance, negative (commonly referred to as raiding species). Finally, we discuss the management challenges faced by urban and rural land managers, businesses, and government organizations in mitigating human-wildlife conflicts and propose ways to improve the lives of both wildlife and humans living in human-modified landscapes and to promote coexistence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Justin O'riain
- Institute for Communities and Wildlife, Africa, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Ines FÜrtbauer
- Behavioural Ecology and Endocrinology Laboratory and Andrew King is an associate professor and head of the SHOAL group in the Department of Biosciences at Swansea University, Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J King
- Max Planck Institute for Animal Behavior, Bodensee, Germany
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39
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Patch use and site selection by a rock hyrax ( Procavia capensis) in a human-dominated landscape in the West Bank of Palestine. MAMMALIA 2020. [DOI: 10.1515/mammalia-2019-0147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Populations of rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) increasingly occur in urbanizing areas of the Palestinian West Bank, and throughout the Middle East, in part due to construction methods that create rock piles that shelter hyraxes. We quantified activity densities of the hyraxes, environmental variables, and plant cover at four sites that differ in urbanization. The highest numbers occurred in the most urban site and peaked in June and October, with hyraxes traveling farther distances from their dens late in the season (October). Sites with higher activity densities of hyraxes had higher vapor pressures, signifying more mesic conditions. Thus, urbanization aids the expansion of hyraxes.
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40
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Mohring B, Henry PY, Jiguet F, Malher F, Angelier F. Investigating temporal and spatial correlates of the sharp decline of an urban exploiter bird in a large European city. Urban Ecosyst 2020. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-020-01052-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
AbstractIncreasing urbanisation and human pressure on lands have huge impacts on biodiversity. Some species, known as “urban exploiters”, manage to expand in urban landscapes, relying on human resources. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is the perfect example of a human-commensal species. Surprisingly, this urban exploiter has been declining all over Europe over the past decades. The proximate causes of this decline remain poorly understood. We particularly lack understanding about urban habitat characteristics that are particularly unfavourable for House Sparrows. In the present study, we analysed fine-scale habitat characteristics of House Sparrow population sizes and trends using a fifteen-year House Sparrow census (2003–2017) covering the urban diversity of Paris (nearly 200 census sites), one of the densest European cities. We documented for the first time the dramatic decline (−89%) of the species in Paris over the study period. The temporal decline over the whole city correlates with the concomitant increase in the number of breeding Sparrowhawks. We could not detect statistical influences of annual variations in weather conditions and pollution. The decline of House Sparrows is spatially heterogeneous. Indeed, site-scale analyses revealed sharpest declines at sites that initially hosted the largest numbers of sparrows, which are areas with a relatively high proportion of green spaces and new buildings. Further experimental studies are now needed to disentangle the exact impact of specific characteristics of the urban environment on House Sparrow populations.
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41
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Huang P, St.Mary CM, Kimball RT. Habitat urbanization and stress response are primary predictors of personality variation in northern cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis). JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Behavioral traits that vary consistently among individuals across different contexts are often termed as ‘personality traits,’ while the correlated suite formed by those traits is called a ‘behavioral syndrome’. Both personality trait and behavioral syndrome are potentially responsive to animal ‘states’, defined as strategically relevant individual features affecting the cost-and-benefit trade-offs of behavioral actions. Both extrinsic ‘states’ (e.g. urban versus rural habitats), and intrinsic ‘states’ (e.g. sex), may shape among-individual variation in personality traits, as well as behavioral syndromes. Here, we used northern cardinals sampled from four locations to examine the effect of habitat type (urban versus rural, an extrinsic state), stress hormone corticosterone (CORT) parameters, body weight and sex (intrinsic states) on personality traits and behavioral syndrome variation. We used behavioral trials to measure five personality traits. Using principal component analysis to quantify personality traits first, followed by general linear mixed models, we found that habitat type, CORT at capture and 2-day CORT response affected some personality traits, while body weight and sex did not. Cardinals inhabiting more urbanized areas had lower CORT metabolite levels at capture and were more neophilic, less neophobic and also less aggressive than their rural conspecifics. Using structural equation modeling to construct behavioral syndromes formed by our selected personality traits, we found that urban and rural cardinals varied in the models representing syndrome structure. When utilizing the shared syndrome structural model to examine the effects of states, habitat type and 2-day CORT response appear to affect syndrome variation in a coordinated, not hierarchical, manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram Hall, P. O. Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
| | - Colette M St.Mary
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram Hall, P. O. Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
| | - Rebecca T Kimball
- Department of Biology, University of Florida, 220 Bartram Hall, P. O. Box 118525, Gainesville, FL 32611-8525, USA
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42
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Dammhahn M, Mazza V, Schirmer A, Göttsche C, Eccard JA. Of city and village mice: behavioural adjustments of striped field mice to urban environments. Sci Rep 2020; 10:13056. [PMID: 32747632 PMCID: PMC7400609 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-69998-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
A fundamental question of current ecological research concerns the drives and limits of species responses to human-induced rapid environmental change (HIREC). Behavioural responses to HIREC are a key component because behaviour links individual responses to population and community changes. Ongoing fast urbanization provides an ideal setting to test the functional role of behaviour for responses to HIREC. Consistent behavioural differences between conspecifics (animal personality) may be important determinants or constraints of animals' adaptation to urban habitats. We tested whether urban and rural populations of small mammals differ in mean trait expression, flexibility and repeatability of behaviours associated to risk-taking and exploratory tendencies. Using a standardized behavioural test in the field, we quantified spatial exploration and boldness of striped field mice (Apodemus agrarius, n = 96) from nine sub-populations, presenting different levels of urbanisation and anthropogenic disturbance. The level of urbanisation positively correlated with boldness, spatial exploration and behavioural flexibility, with urban dwellers being bolder, more explorative and more flexible in some traits than rural conspecifics. Thus, individuals seem to distribute in a non-random way in response to human disturbance based on their behavioural characteristics. Animal personality might therefore play a key role in successful coping with the challenges of HIREC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Dammhahn
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Valeria Mazza
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Annika Schirmer
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Claudia Göttsche
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jana A Eccard
- Department of Animal Ecology, Institute for Biochemistry and Biology, University of Potsdam, Potsdam, Germany
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43
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Zellmer AJ, Wood EM, Surasinghe T, Putman BJ, Pauly GB, Magle SB, Lewis JS, Kay CAM, Fidino M. What can we learn from wildlife sightings during the COVID-19 global shutdown? Ecosphere 2020; 11:e03215. [PMID: 32834907 PMCID: PMC7435357 DOI: 10.1002/ecs2.3215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
During the worldwide shutdown in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many reports emerged of urban wildlife sightings. While these images garnered public interest and declarations of wildlife reclaiming cities, it is unclear whether wildlife truly reoccupied urban areas or whether there were simply increased detections of urban wildlife during this time. Here, we detail key questions and needs for monitoring wildlife during the COVID-19 shutdown and then link these with future needs and actions with the intent of improving conservation within urban ecosystems. We discuss the tools ecologists and conservation scientists can use to safely and effectively study urban wildlife during the shutdown. With a coordinated, multicity effort, researchers and community scientists can rigorously investigate the responses of wildlife to changes in human activities, which can help us address long-standing questions in urban ecology, inspire conservation of wildlife, and inform the design of sustainable cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda J. Zellmer
- Department of BiologyOccidental CollegeLos AngelesCalifornia90041USA
- Arroyos & Foothills ConservancyPasadenaCalifornia91102USA
- Department of Herpetology and Urban Nature Research CenterNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
| | - Eric M. Wood
- Department of Biological SciencesCalifornia State UniversityLos AngelesCalifornia90032USA
| | - Thilina Surasinghe
- Department of Biological SciencesBridgewater State UniversityBridgewaterMassachusetts02325USA
| | - Breanna J. Putman
- Department of Herpetology and Urban Nature Research CenterNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
- Department of BiologyCalifornia State UniversitySan BernardinoCalifornia92407USA
| | - Gregory B. Pauly
- Department of Herpetology and Urban Nature Research CenterNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
| | - Seth B. Magle
- Urban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park ZooChicagoIllinois60614USA
| | - Jesse S. Lewis
- College of Integrative Sciences and ArtsArizona State UniversityMesaArizona85212USA
| | - Cria A. M. Kay
- Urban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park ZooChicagoIllinois60614USA
| | - Mason Fidino
- Urban Wildlife InstituteLincoln Park ZooChicagoIllinois60614USA
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44
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Jarman TE, Gartrell BD, Battley PF. Differences in body composition between urban and rural Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos. JOURNAL OF URBAN ECOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1093/jue/juaa011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Anthropogenic feeding of wildlife provides a valuable opportunity for people to engage with animals, but such feeding has the potential to be detrimental to the species involved. Ducks are frequently fed at urban ponds globally, yet the health impacts of an urban lifestyle for birds are poorly documented. We studied urban and rural Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in the Manawatū-Whanganui region (New Zealand). Mallards are opportunistic omnivores that have a phenotypically flexible gastrointestinal system. As urban Mallards consume considerable amounts of low-fibre, high carbohydrate foods via anthropogenic feeding, we predicted that urban Mallards would have smaller gastrointestinal tract organs and higher fat levels than rural ducks. We compared gross body composition of Mallards in a modified environment with high levels of feeding by humans and in rural habitats. We also evaluated other health-associated aspects including fat deposit size, liver fat content and haemosiderin (liver iron deposit) levels. Contrary to predictions, urban birds had larger gizzards and caeca and were no fatter than rural birds; rural birds additionally had larger pectoralis major muscles. These differences are probably associated with broader ecological and behavioural factors than with the provision of anthropogenic food per se [in particular the presence of hard foods (acorns and nuts) for urban birds, and higher flight activity of rural birds]. Longer caeca in urban birds could, however, relate to immunity rather than microbial fermentation of cellulose. Overall, while the nature of the local environment does affect Mallard physiology, no detrimental effects of urban living were evident in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler E Jarman
- Wildlife and Ecology Group, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Brett D Gartrell
- Wildbase, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
| | - Phil F Battley
- Wildlife and Ecology Group, School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Private Bag 11-222, Palmerston North 4442, New Zealand
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45
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Adams BJ, Li E, Bahlai CA, Meineke EK, McGlynn TP, Brown BV. Local- and landscape-scale variables shape insect diversity in an urban biodiversity hot spot. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02089. [PMID: 32017294 PMCID: PMC7317463 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2019] [Revised: 12/03/2019] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Local community structure is shaped by processes acting at local and landscape scales. The relative importance of drivers operating across different spatial scales is difficult to test without observations across regional or latitudinal gradients. Cities exhibit strong but predictable environmental gradients overlaying a mosaic of highly variable but repeated habitat types within a constrained area. Thus, cities present a unique opportunity to explore how both local and landscape factors influence local biotic communities. We used insect communities to examine the interactions among local environmental variables (such as temperature and relative humidity), local habitat characteristics (such as plant community composition), and broad-scale patterns of urbanization (including biophysical, human-built, and socioeconomic variables) on local insect abundance, species richness, and species composition in Los Angeles, a hot, dry, near-desert city. After accounting for seasonal trends, insect species richness and abundance were highest in drier and hotter sites, but the magnitude of local environmental effects varied with the degree of urbanization. In contrast, insect species composition was best predicted by broad-scale urbanization trends, with the more native communities occurring in less urbanized sites and more cosmopolitan insects occurring in highly urbanized sites. However, insect species richness and abundance were >30% higher and insect composition was similar across sites that hosted either native or drought-tolerant plants, regardless of the degree of urbanization. These results demonstrate that urban insect biodiversity is a product of interacting mechanisms working at both local and landscape scales. However, local-scale changes to urban habitats, such as cultivating plants that are adapted to the natural environment nearest the city, can positively impact urban biodiversity regardless of location.
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Affiliation(s)
- Benjamin J. Adams
- Urban Nature Research CenterNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
| | - Enjie Li
- Urban Nature Research CenterNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
| | | | - Emily K. Meineke
- Department of Entomology and NematologyUniversity of CaliforniaDavisCalifornia95616USA
| | - Terrence P. McGlynn
- Department of BiologyCalifornia State UniversityDominguez HillsCarsonCalifornia90747USA
- Department of EntomologyNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
| | - Brian V. Brown
- Urban Nature Research CenterNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
- Department of EntomologyNatural History Museum of Los Angeles CountyLos AngelesCalifornia90007USA
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Biondi L, Fuentes G, Córdoba R, Bó M, Cavalli M, Paterlini C, Castano M, García G. Variation in boldness and novelty response between rural and urban predatory birds: The Chimango Caracara, Milvago chimango as study case. Behav Processes 2020; 173:104064. [DOI: 10.1016/j.beproc.2020.104064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2018] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Jokimäki J, Suhonen J, Benedetti Y, Diaz M, Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki ML, Morelli F, Pérez-Contreras T, Rubio E, Sprau P, Tryjanowski P, Ibánez-Álamo JD. Land-sharing vs. land-sparing urban development modulate predator-prey interactions in Europe. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02049. [PMID: 31762100 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 10/21/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas are expanding globally as a consequence of human population increases, with overall negative effects on biodiversity. To prevent the further loss of biodiversity, it is urgent to understand the mechanisms behind this loss to develop evidence-based sustainable solutions to preserve biodiversity in urban landscapes. The two extreme urban development types along a continuum, land-sparing (large, continuous green areas and high-density housing) and land-sharing (small, fragmented green areas and low-density housing) have been the recent focus of debates regarding the pattern of urban development. However, in this context, there is no information on the mechanisms behind the observed biodiversity changes. One of the main mechanisms proposed to explain urban biodiversity loss is the alteration of predator-prey interactions. Using ground-nesting birds as a model system and data from nine European cities, we experimentally tested the effects of these two extreme urban development types on artificial ground nest survival and whether nest survival correlates with the local abundance of ground-nesting birds and their nest predators. Nest survival (n = 554) was lower in land-sharing than in land-sparing urban areas. Nest survival decreased with increasing numbers of local predators (cats and corvids) and with nest visibility. Correspondingly, relative abundance of ground-nesting birds was greater in land-sparing than in land-sharing urban areas, though overall bird species richness was unaffected by the pattern of urban development. We provide the first evidence that predator-prey interactions differ between the two extreme urban development types. Changing interactions may explain the higher proportion of ground-nesting birds in land-sparing areas, and suggest a limitation of the land-sharing model. Nest predator control and the provision of more green-covered urban habitats may also improve conservation of sensitive birds in cities. Our findings provide information on how to further expand our cities without severe loss of urban-sensitive species and give support for land-sparing over land-sharing urban development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jukka Jokimäki
- Nature Inventory and EIA-services, Arctic Centre, University of Lapland, P. O. Box 122, FI-96101, Rovaniemi, Finland
| | - Jukka Suhonen
- Department of Biology, University of Turku, FI-20014, Turku, Finland
| | - Yanina Benedetti
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Mario Diaz
- Department of Biogeography and Global Change, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (BGC-MNCN-CSIC), E-28006, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Federico Morelli
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Department of Applied Geoinformatics and Spatial Planning, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | | | - Enrique Rubio
- Behavioral and Physiological Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Philipp Sprau
- Department of Biology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Piotr Tryjanowski
- Institute of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, PL-60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Juan Diego Ibánez-Álamo
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada, Spain
- Behavioral and Physiological Ecology Group, Centre for Ecological and Evolutionary Studies, University of Groningen, 9700 CC, Groningen, The Netherlands
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de Andrade AC. Metropolitan lizards? Urbanization gradient and the density of lagartixas ( Tropidurus hispidus) in a tropical city. Ecol Evol 2020; 10:1740-1750. [PMID: 32128113 PMCID: PMC7042683 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.5518] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Urbanization, with its cohort of environmental stressors, has a dramatic effect on wildlife, causing loss of biodiversity and decline in population abundance customarily associated with increasing levels of impervious surface and fragmentation of native habitats. Some studies suggest that faunal species from open habitats, and with higher abundance in natural environments, seem more likely to tolerate and live in urban environments. Here I evaluate how the level of urbanization affects lagartixas (Tropidurus hispidus) one of the most common lizards found in open vegetation ecosystems in NE Brazil. I surveyed a total of 47 transects across sites that differed in proportion of impervious surface (high, mild, peri-urban, and rural). I also collected specific biotic (herbaceous cover, tree, and arthropod abundance) and abiotic (amount of shelters and impervious surfaces) factors that could affect lagartixas abundance. Ants were the most common arthropod both in the rural and urban environment. Lagartixas thrive in urban environments, and trees and shelter were key predictors of their abundance. Lagartixas show a clear association with use of artificial structures. The low densities of lagartixas in rural areas and higher density in urbanized areas suggest that they colonized urban areas due to the hard surfaces and they probably are not exploiting a novel habitat, but somewhat responding to conditions resembling those in which they evolved. Finally, lagartixas are extremely common in tropical cities, they have a suite of features that are associated with selective pressures in cities and they might play a key functional role in urban ecosystems making this lizard an excellent system for the study of ecology and adaptation to the urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio C. de Andrade
- Departamento de Engenharia e Meio AmbienteUniversidade Federal da ParaibaRio TintoBrazil
- Centre of Urban EnviromentsUniversity of Toronto MississaugaMississaugaONCanada
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Do small cities affect bird assemblages? An evaluation from Patagonia. Urban Ecosyst 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s11252-019-00915-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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