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Arévalo-Ayala DJ, Real J, Mañosa S, Aymerich J, Durà C, Hernández-Matías A. Age-Specific Demographic Response of a Long-Lived Scavenger Species to Reduction of Organic Matter in a Landfill. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3529. [PMID: 38003146 PMCID: PMC10668657 DOI: 10.3390/ani13223529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Food availability shapes demographic parameters and population dynamics. Certain species have adapted to predictable anthropogenic food resources like landfills. However, abrupt shifts in food availability can negatively impact such populations. While changes in survival are expected, the age-related effects remain poorly understood, particularly in long-lived scavenger species. We investigated the age-specific demographic response of a Griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) population to a reduction in organic matter in a landfill and analyzed apparent survival and the probability of transience after initial capture using a Bayesian Cormack-Jolly-Seber model on data from 2012-2022. The proportion of transients among newly captured immatures and adults increased after the reduction in food. Juvenile apparent survival declined, increased in immature residents, and decreased in adult residents. These results suggest that there was a greater likelihood of permanent emigration due to intensified intraspecific competition following the reduction in food. Interestingly, resident immatures showed the opposite trend, suggesting the persistence of high-quality individuals despite the food scarcity. Although the reasons behind the reduced apparent survival of resident adults in the final four years of the study remain unclear, non-natural mortality potentially plays a part. In Europe landfill closure regulations are being implemented and pose a threat to avian scavenger populations, which underlines the need for research on food scarcity scenarios and proper conservation measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diego J. Arévalo-Ayala
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
| | - Joan Real
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santi Mañosa
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Aymerich
- Grup d’Anellament de Calldetenes-Osona (GACO), 08506 Calldetenes, Spain; (J.A.); (C.D.)
| | - Carles Durà
- Grup d’Anellament de Calldetenes-Osona (GACO), 08506 Calldetenes, Spain; (J.A.); (C.D.)
- Estació Biològica del Montseny, Institut Català d’Ornitologia (ICO), Edifici Fontmartina, 08081 Fogars de Montclús, Spain
| | - Antonio Hernández-Matías
- Equip de Biologia de la Conservació, Departament de Biologia Evolutiva, Ecologia i Ciències Ambientals, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Avda. Diagonal 643, 08028 Barcelona, Spain; (J.R.); (S.M.); (A.H.-M.)
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
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Tesfahunegny W, Assefa A. Diversity and abundance of birds in dumpsites of Afar region, Ethiopia: implication for conservation. BMC ZOOL 2023; 8:16. [PMID: 37653462 PMCID: PMC10468859 DOI: 10.1186/s40850-023-00177-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 09/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dumpsites play key role in conservation of birds. A study was conducted to assess the diversity and abundance of birds in dumpsites of Afar region, Ethiopia from August, 2019 to March, 2020, covering both the wet and dry seasons. A total of nine dumpsites that contain domestic wastes found in different towns of Afar region were selected. Point count technique was employed to identify and count the birds. Shannon-Weiner diversity index was used to estimate species diversity and Two-way ANOVA was used to test birds' species richness and abundance variation across dumpsites and seasons. RESULTS A total of 48 bird species consisting of one endemic and 10 globally threatened species were recorded. Red-billed Quelea, Marabou Stork and Egyptian Vulture were the most abundant species. There was a significant difference in bird species richness and abundance among dumpsites (F = 8.44, df = 8, P < 0.05) and F = 15.507, df = 8, P < 0.05), respectively. Moreover, a significant difference in abundance was also observed between the two seasons (F = 19.339, df = 1, P < 0.05). The highest species diversity (H' = 3.18) was observed during wet season in Abala and Afambo dumpsites and the highest species evenness (E = 0.86) was observed during dry season in Afdera. CONCLUSION Bird species diversity and abundance among dumpsites was high, and man-made disturbance are main threats for conservation of birds in the area. Therefore, conservation measures are needed to maintain survival of birds mainly the globally threatened species. Moreover, proper management of dumpsites is vital to support the waste dependent birds.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weldemariam Tesfahunegny
- Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Mekelle Biodiversity Center, Animals Biodiversity Case Team, Mekelle, Tigray, Ethiopia
| | - Alembrhan Assefa
- Department of Biology, College of Natural and Computational Science, Aksum University, P.O. Box, 1010, Axum, Tigray, Ethiopia.
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Herrero-Villar M, Mateo-Tomás P, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Camarero PR, Taggart MA, Mateo R. Determinants of the exposure of Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) to fluoroquinolones used in livestock: The role of supplementary feeding stations. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119923. [PMID: 35961576 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119923] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Veterinary pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, are emerging contaminants of concern worldwide. Avian scavengers are exposed to pharmaceuticals through consumption of livestock carcasses used for feeding wildlife for conservation purposes at supplementary feeding stations. Here we tested the hypothesis that griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) would be more exposed to antibiotics (i.e., quinolones) when feeding on livestock carcasses from intensive farming than when they rely on carcasses from extensive farming or wild animals. We sampled 657 adult griffon vultures captured between 2008 and 2012. In addition, we sampled tissues from domestic livestock supplied at feeding stations in the study area between 2009 and 2019; pig (n = 114), sheep (n = 28), cow (n = 1) and goat (n = 2). Samples were analysed by liquid chromatography with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS). Quinolones were detected in plasma from 12.9% of the griffon vultures analysed. Quinolone prevalence in griffon vultures varied significantly among feeding stations but was also affected by the total amount of carcasses supplemented, especially the mass of pig carcasses. These results aligned with a 21.1% quinolone prevalence in pig carcasses sampled at feeding stations, wherein enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin levels of up to 3359 ng/g and 1550 ng/g, respectively, were found. Given enrofloxacin pharmacokinetics in pig tissues, 5.3% of the analysed pigs may have died no more than one day after treatment. Quinolone presence in vultures was negatively associated with blood lead levels, which mostly originates from lead ammunition and indicates a higher consumption of game animal carcasses. Carcass disposal for feeding avian scavengers must always assess and manage the risks posed by veterinary pharmaceuticals, especially when livestock provided may have died soon after treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Herrero-Villar
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Patricia Mateo-Tomás
- Biodiversity Research Institute (University of Oviedo - CSIC - Principado de Asturias), 33600, Mieres, Spain
| | - Inés S Sánchez-Barbudo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Mark A Taggart
- Environmental Research Institute, University of the Highlands and Islands, Castle Street, Thurso, Caithness, Scotland, KW14 7JD, UK
| | - Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos-IREC, CSIC-UCLM-JCCM, Ronda de Toledo 12, 13005, Ciudad Real, Spain
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Almaraz P, Martínez F, Morales-Reyes Z, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Blanco G. Long-term demographic dynamics of a keystone scavenger disrupted by human-induced shifts in food availability. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2022; 32:e2579. [PMID: 35279905 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Scavenging is a key ecological process controlling energy flow in ecosystems and providing valuable ecosystem services worldwide. As long-lived species, the demographic dynamics of vultures can be disrupted by spatiotemporal fluctuations in food availability, with dramatic impacts on their population viability and the ecosystem services provided. In Europe, the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in 2001 prompted a restrictive sanitary regulation banning the presence of livestock carcasses in the wild on a continental scale. In long-lived vertebrate species, the buffering hypothesis predicts that the demographic traits with the largest contribution to population growth rate should be less temporally variable. The BSE outbreak provides a unique opportunity to test for the impact of demographic buffering in a keystone scavenger suffering abrupt but transient food shortages. We studied the 42-year dynamics (1979-2020) of one of the world's largest breeding colonies of Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). We fitted an inverse Bayesian state-space model with density-dependent demographic rates to the time series of stage-structured abundances to investigate shifts in vital rates and population dynamics before, during, and after the implementation of a restrictive sanitary regulation. Prior to the BSE outbreak the dynamics was mainly driven by adult survival: 83% of temporal variance in abundance was explained by variability in this rate. Moreover, during this period the regulation of population size operated through density-dependent fecundity and subadult survival. However, after the onset of the European ban, a 1-month delay in average laying date, a drop in fecundity, and a reduction in the number of fledglings induced a transient increase in the impact of fledgling and subadult recruitment on dynamics. Although adult survival rate remained constantly high, as predicted by the buffering hypothesis, its relative impact on the temporal variance in abundance dropped to 71% during the sanitary regulation and to 54% after the ban was lifted. A significant increase in the relative impact of environmental stochasticity on dynamics was modeled after the BSE outbreak. These results provide empirical evidence on how abrupt environmental deterioration may induce dramatic demographic and dynamic changes in the populations of keystone scavengers, with far-reaching impacts on ecosystem functioning worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo Almaraz
- Department of Ecology and Coastal Management, Instituto de Ciencias Marinas de Andalucía, ICMAN-CSIC, Campus Río San Pedro, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Félix Martínez
- Escuela Internacional de Doctorado, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos (URJC), Móstoles, Spain
| | - Zebensui Morales-Reyes
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - José A Sánchez-Zapata
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales (MNCN-CSIC), Madrid, Spain
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Quinby BM, Kluever BM, Burcham GN, Humberg LA, Jones LR, Wahl ML, Zollner PA. Spatial risk modeling of cattle depredation by black vultures in the midwestern United States. J Wildl Manage 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/jwmg.22231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Brandon M. Quinby
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University 195 Marsteller Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
| | - Bryan M. Kluever
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Wildlife Services, National Wildlife Research Center Florida Field Station 2820 East University Avenue Gainesville FL 32641 USA
| | - Grant N. Burcham
- Heeke Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory Dubois IN 47527 USA
- Department of Comparative Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine Purdue University West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Lee A. Humberg
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Wildlife Services 901 W. State Street West Lafayette IN 47907 USA
| | - Landon R. Jones
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University 195 Marsteller Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
| | - Marian L. Wahl
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University 195 Marsteller Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
| | - Patrick A. Zollner
- Department of Forestry and Natural Resources Purdue University 195 Marsteller Street West Lafayette IN 47906 USA
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Ibáñez-Pernía Y, Hernández-Moreno D, Pérez-López M, Soler-Rodríguez F. Use of poisoned baits against wildlife. A retrospective 17-year study in the natural environment of Extremadura (Spain). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119098. [PMID: 35248623 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 02/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the results obtained from toxicological analyses of different types of baits referred to the laboratory of the Toxicology Area (Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cáceres, Spain) over a 17-year period (2002-2018). These baits were suspicious materials found in the environment of the region of Extremadura (Western Spain), where such malpractices are a problem to be addressed, as wide livestock farming and hunting activities are combined with a significant wealth of wildlife (especially birds of prey). A total of 246 baits, including 32 commercial chemical products to be used in baits, were analysed. Samples from 183 cases were received and classified according to the material used for their preparation and the toxic substance found. Overall, the most common bait consisted of meat preparations (56.3% of cases) intended to eliminate predators considered 'annoying' for livestock and hunting practices, such as carnivores and scavengers. It should be noted that contact baits (as fenthion-impregnated perches) were also detected (7.6%). Regarding the substances detected, anticholinesterase compounds (organophosphates and carbamates) were the most commonly used substances for the preparation of baits (detected in 85.3% of positive baits). Moreover, 8% of the positive baits presented more than one toxic substance in their composition. Due to the types of toxic compounds and the methods used to prepare the baits, this study shows that the malicious use of highly toxic substances in the environment to kill wildlife is a common and current issue and poses a serious risk to different species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yolanda Ibáñez-Pernía
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda de La Universidad S.n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain.
| | - David Hernández-Moreno
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda de La Universidad S.n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain
| | - Marcos Pérez-López
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda de La Universidad S.n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain
| | - Francisco Soler-Rodríguez
- Toxicology Area, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Extremadura, Avda de La Universidad S.n, Cáceres, 10003, Spain
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Richard FJ, Southern I, Gigauri M, Bellini G, Rojas O, Runde A. Warning on nine pollutants and their effects on avian communities. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
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8
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Pirastru M, Mereu P, Manca L, Bebbere D, Naitana S, Leoni GG. Anthropogenic Drivers Leading to Population Decline and Genetic Preservation of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture ( Gyps fulvus). Life (Basel) 2021; 11:life11101038. [PMID: 34685409 PMCID: PMC8540517 DOI: 10.3390/life11101038] [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: 08/28/2021] [Revised: 09/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Human activities are having increasingly devastating effects on the health of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Studying the adaptive responses of animal species to changes in their habitat can be useful in mitigating this impact. Vultures represent one of the most virtuous examples of adaptation to human-induced environmental changes. Once dependent on wild ungulate populations, these birds have adapted to the epochal change resulting from the birth of agriculture and livestock domestication, maintaining their essential role as ecological scavengers. In this review, we retrace the main splitting events characterising the vultures’ evolution, with particular emphasis on the Eurasian griffon Gyps fulvus. We summarise the main ecological and behavioural traits of this species, highlighting its vulnerability to elements introduced into the habitat by humans. We collected the genetic information available to date, underlining their importance for improving the management of this species, as an essential tool to support restocking practices and to protect the genetic integrity of G. fulvus. Finally, we examine the difficulties in implementing a coordination system that allows genetic information to be effectively transferred into management programs. Until a linking network is established between scientific research and management practices, the risk of losing important wildlife resources remains high.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Pirastru
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Paolo Mereu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.P.); (L.M.)
- Correspondence:
| | - Laura Manca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale San Pietro 43b, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (M.P.); (L.M.)
| | - Daniela Bebbere
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.B.); (S.N.); (G.G.L.)
| | - Salvatore Naitana
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.B.); (S.N.); (G.G.L.)
| | - Giovanni G. Leoni
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Sassari, Via Vienna 2, 07100 Sassari, Italy; (D.B.); (S.N.); (G.G.L.)
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Oro D, Sanz-Aguilar A, Carbonell F, Grajera J, Torre I. Multi-species prey dynamics influence local survival in resident and wintering generalist predators. Oecologia 2021; 197:437-446. [PMID: 34550444 PMCID: PMC8505301 DOI: 10.1007/s00442-021-05042-2] [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: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 09/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Stochasticity in food availability influences vital rates such as survival and fertility. Life-history theory predicts that in long-lived organisms, survival should be buffered against environmental stochasticity showing little temporal variability. Furthermore, to optimize survival prospects, many animal species perform migrations to wintering areas where food availability is larger. Species with large latitudinal distribution ranges may show populations that migrate and others that are resident, and they may co-occur in winter. One example of these species is the predatory raptor buzzard Buteo buteo. Here, we test whether temporal variability in the density of five small mammal species of prey inhabiting different habitats (shrubland and forests) influences local annual survival of buzzards in a wintering area depending on their age and residency status (residents versus wintering individuals). We found that prey density explained a considerable amount of annual changes in local survival, which was higher for older and resident birds. This difference in local survival likely corresponded to philopatry to the wintering area, which was larger for residents and increased when prey density was larger. The total density of prey inhabiting open shrublands was the variable explaining more variance in temporal variability of local survival, even though the study area is mostly occupied by woodlands. Temporal population dynamics of the different small mammals inhabiting shrublands were not synchronous, which suggests that buzzards preyed opportunistically on the most abundant prey each winter. Generalist predation may buffer the impact of resource unpredictability for pulsed and asynchronous prey dynamics, typical of small mammals in winter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Oro
- Theoretical and Computational Ecology Group, Center for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Accés Cala Sant Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain.
| | - Ana Sanz-Aguilar
- Animal Demography and Ecology Unit, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, 07190, Esporles, Spain.,Applied Zoology and Conservation Group, University of the Balearic Islands, Crtra. Valldemossa s/n, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | | | - Joan Grajera
- Catalan Ornithological Institute, Girona 168, 08037, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ignasi Torre
- BiBio Research Group, Natural Sciences Museum of Granollers, Francesc Macià 51, 08402, Granollers, Spain
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Walker MA, Uribasterra M, Asher V, Getz WM, Ryan SJ, Ponciano JM, Blackburn JK. Factors influencing scavenger guilds and scavenging efficiency in Southwestern Montana. Sci Rep 2021; 11:4254. [PMID: 33608624 PMCID: PMC7895951 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83426-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Scavenging of carrion shapes ecological landscapes by influencing scavenger population demography, increasing inter- and intra-specific interactions, and generating ecosystem services such as nutrient cycling and disease moderation. Previous research found the cues promoting, or the constraints limiting, an individual's propensity or ability to scavenge vary widely, depending on anthropogenic and environmental factors. Here we investigated differences in scavenging patterns in a complex scavenger guild in Southwestern Montana. We used camera traps established at 13 carcass sites to monitor carcass detection, visitation, and consumption times, during 2016-2018 and generalized linear models to explore the influence of carcass characteristics, habitat features, and seasonality, on carcass selection and scavenging efficiency. We found that scavenger species diversity was higher at higher elevations and in grassland habitats. Scavenging efficiency was influenced inter alia by seasonality, distance to water, and elevation. We found that most carcass consumption was via facultative scavengers (bears, wolves, magpies, Corvus spp.) rather than turkey vultures, the only obligate scavengers in the study area. However, growing populations of turkey vultures may lead to increased competition with facultative scavengers over carrion, and could have cascading effects on food webs in this ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Morgan A Walker
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maria Uribasterra
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Valpa Asher
- Turner Enterprises Inc., 1123 Research Drive, Bozeman, MT, USA
| | - Wayne M Getz
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Policy, and Management, University of California, Berkeley, 130 Mulford Hall, Berkeley, CA, USA.,School of Mathematical Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sadie J Ryan
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,Quantitative Disease Ecology and Conservation Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.,College of Agriculture, Engineering, and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | | | - Jason K Blackburn
- Spatial Epidemiology & Ecology Research Laboratory, Department of Geography, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA. .,Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
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Donázar JA, Barbosa JM, García-Alfonso M, van Overveld T, Gangoso L, de la Riva M. Too much is bad: increasing numbers of livestock and conspecifics reduce body mass in an avian scavenger. ECOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS : A PUBLICATION OF THE ECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA 2020; 30:e02125. [PMID: 32167643 DOI: 10.1002/eap.2125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2019] [Revised: 01/15/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Individual traits such as body mass can serve as early warning signals of changes in the fitness prospects of animal populations facing environmental impacts. Here, taking advantage of a 19-yr monitoring, we assessed how individual, population, and environmental factors modulate long-term changes in the body mass of Canarian Egyptian vultures. Individual vulture body mass increased when primary productivity was highly variable, but decreased in years with a high abundance of livestock. We hypothesized that carcasses of wild animals, a natural food resource that can be essential for avian scavengers, could be more abundant in periods of weather instability but depleted when high livestock numbers lead to overgrazing. In addition, increasing vulture population numbers also negatively affect body mass suggesting density-dependent competition for food. Interestingly, the relative strength of individual, population and resource availability factors on body mass changed with age and territorial status, a pattern presumably shaped by differences in competitive abilities and/or age-dependent environmental knowledge and foraging skills. Our study supports that individual plastic traits may be extremely reliable tools to better understand the response of secondary consumers to current and future natural and human-induced environmental changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- José A Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avenida Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jomar M Barbosa
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avenida Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Applied Biology, University Miguel Hernández, Elche, Spain
| | - Marina García-Alfonso
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avenida Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Thijs van Overveld
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avenida Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Laura Gangoso
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avenida Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
- Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics, University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098 XH, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Manuel de la Riva
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Avenida Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Sevilla, Spain
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12
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Brink CW, Santangeli A, Amar A, Wolter K, Tate G, Krüger S, Tucker AS, Thomson RL. Perceptions of vulture supplementary feeding site managers and potential hidden risks to avian scavengers. CONSERVATION SCIENCE AND PRACTICE 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/csp2.237] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Christiaan W. Brink
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | - Andrea Santangeli
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
- The Helsinki Lab of Ornithology, Finnish Museum of Natural HistoryUniversity of Helsinki Helsinki Finland
| | - Arjun Amar
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
| | | | - Gareth Tate
- Birds of Prey ProgrammeEndangered Wildlife Trust Modderfontein South Africa
| | - Sonja Krüger
- Ezemvelo KwaZulu‐Natal Wildlife Cascades South Africa
| | | | - Robert L. Thomson
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DST‐NRF Centre of Excellence, Department of Biological SciencesUniversity of Cape Town Cape Town South Africa
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Margalida A, Jiménez J, Martínez JM, Sesé JA, García‐Ferré D, Llamas A, Razin M, Colomer M, Arroyo B. An assessment of population size and demographic drivers of the Bearded Vulture using integrated population models. ECOL MONOGR 2020. [DOI: 10.1002/ecm.1414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) E‐13005 Ciudad Real Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Baltzerstrasse 6 CH‐3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - José Jiménez
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) E‐13005 Ciudad Real Spain
| | - José M. Martínez
- Gobierno de Aragón Subdirección General de Desarrollo Rural y Sostenibilidad Departamento Medio Ambiente C/ General Lasheras 8 E‐22003 Huesca Spain
| | - José A. Sesé
- Gobierno de Aragón Subdirección General de Desarrollo Rural y Sostenibilidad Departamento Medio Ambiente C/ General Lasheras 8 E‐22003 Huesca Spain
| | - Diego García‐Ferré
- Generalitat de Catalunya Departament de Territori i Sostenibilitat Servei de Fauna i Flora. C/Provença 204 08036 Barcelona Spain
| | - Alfonso Llamas
- Gestión Ambiental de Navarra C/ Padre Adoain 219 E‐31015 Pamplona Spain
| | - Martine Razin
- Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (LPO/BirdLife) Fonderies Royales 8/10 rue du Dr Pujos F‐17305 Rochefort Cedex France
| | - MªÀngels Colomer
- Department of Mathematics Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering University of Lleida E‐25198 Lleida Spain
| | - Beatriz Arroyo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos (IREC, CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) E‐13005 Ciudad Real Spain
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14
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Colomer MÀ, Oliva‐Vidal P, Jiménez J, Martínez JM, Margalida A. Prioritizing among removal scenarios for the reintroduction of endangered species: insights from bearded vulture simulation modeling. Anim Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12549] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- M. À. Colomer
- Department of Mathematics Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering University of Lleida Lleida Spain
| | - P. Oliva‐Vidal
- Department of Animal Science (Division of Wildlife) Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering University of Lleida Lleida Spain
| | - J. Jiménez
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
| | - J. M. Martínez
- Subdirección General de Desarrollo Rural y Sostenibilidad Departamento Medio Ambiente Gobierno de Aragón Huesca Spain
| | - A. Margalida
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research IREC (CSIC‐UCLM‐JCCM) Ciudad Real Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology Institute of Ecology and Evolution University of Bern Bern Switzerland
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15
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Plaza PI, Martínez-López E, Lambertucci SA. The perfect threat: Pesticides and vultures. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 687:1207-1218. [PMID: 31412456 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2019] [Revised: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/10/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Probably the most important threat currently affecting vultures worldwide is exposure to pesticides, both accidentally and through deliberate abuse. This is of special concern since around 70% of vulture species are threatened by human activities. However, information about this threat is sparse and geographically biased. We compiled existing knowledge about pesticide exposure in vulture species globally, providing unifying criteria to mitigate this problem with a joint global effort. Most information available about accidental exposure to pesticides in vultures is related to organochlorine pesticides. Non-lethal exposure to these compounds occurs on every continent that vultures inhabit. While concentrations of organochlorine pesticides reported in different samples appear to be too low to produce health impacts, some studies show vultures with levels compatible with health impacts. In addition, there are some reports of vultures contaminated accidentally by anticoagulant rodenticides and external antiparasitic drugs used in veterinary practices. Deliberate abuse of pesticides to poison wildlife also occurs on every continent where vultures live, affecting most (78%) vulture species. However, little information is available for some regions of America, Asia and Europe. The exact number of vultures killed due to deliberate poisoning with pesticides is not well known, but the available figures are alarming (e.g. up to 500 individuals in a single event). The most widely used pesticides affecting vulture populations, and associated with deliberate poisoning, are carbamates and organophosphorus compounds. Of particular concern is the fact that massive poisoning events with these compounds occur, in some cases, within protected areas. This suggests that if this situation is not reversed, some vulture populations could disappear. A combination of measures such as banning pesticides, controlling their distribution-acquisition and environmental education could produce better results that banning pesticides alone. If poisoning with pesticides is not stopped, this threatened avian group could inadvertently go extinct very soon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pablo I Plaza
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA (Universidad Nacional del Comahue - CONICET), Quintral 1250 (R8400FRF), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina.
| | - Emma Martínez-López
- Area of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary, University of Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, 30100 Murcia, Spain; Laboratory of Toxicology, Biomedical Research Institute of Murcia (IMIB-Arrixaca), University of Murcia, Spain
| | - Sergio A Lambertucci
- Grupo de Investigaciones en Biología de la Conservación, Laboratorio Ecotono, INIBIOMA (Universidad Nacional del Comahue - CONICET), Quintral 1250 (R8400FRF), San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
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16
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Margalida A, Braun MS, Negro JJ, Schulze-Hagen K, Wink M. Cosmetic colouring by Bearded Vultures Gypaetus barbatus: still no evidence for an antibacterial function. PeerJ 2019; 7:e6783. [PMID: 31143529 PMCID: PMC6525594 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.6783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Accepted: 03/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Bearded Vultures regularly visit ferruginous springs for cosmetic purposes to obtain their reddish plumage colouration. Different hypotheses have been proposed to explain this deliberate application of adventitious colouration: (1) to signal individual dominance status; (2) to exploit an anti-bacterial effect of iron oxides or ochre to reduce feather degradation by bacteria and, in parallel (3) to enable incubating birds to transfer this protection to their developing embryos to increase hatching success. Here, we re-evaluate the antibacterial hypothesis using three experimental approaches: (a) by applying feather-degrading bacteria to stained and unstained bearded vulture feathers; (b) by assessing the antibacterial activity of ochre; and (c) by comparing the breeding success of orange individuals with pale ones. Our findings suggest that the in vitro addition of feather degrading Bacillus licheniformis to naturally stained Bearded Vulture feathers did not retard feather degradation compared to controls. Iron particles from red soil (ochre) or iron salts had no antibacterial effect on the growth of three species of bacteria (Escherichia coli, Kocuria rhizophila and Bacillus licheniformis), incubated either in the dark or under visible light. Finally, breeding success did not differ between territories occupied by pale individuals versus orange ones. These results run counter to the hypothesis that iron oxides have an antibacterial role in Bearded Vultures. The use of red soils by Bearded Vultures may function as a territorial status signal, but may also be involved in other processes, such as pair formation and the long-term maintenance of the pair bond, as suggested for the closely related Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Institute for Game and Wildlife Research, IREC (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ciudad Real, Spain.,University of Bern, Division of Conservation Biology, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Markus S Braun
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael Wink
- Heidelberg University, Institute of Pharmacy and Molecular Biotechnology, Heidelberg, Germany
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17
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Gryz J, Krauze-Gryz D. Indirect Influence of African Swine Fever Outbreak on the Raven ( Corvus corax) Population. Animals (Basel) 2019; 9:E41. [PMID: 30704017 PMCID: PMC6407008 DOI: 10.3390/ani9020041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2018] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 01/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Carrion plays a crucial role in the raven's diet. In the past, domestic pig carrion was widely available in Poland. This changed with an African swine fever (ASF) outbreak and the introduction of strict procedures aimed at stopping the virus from spreading. We compared data from Central Poland (field and forest mosaic, study area of 105 km²) for two periods, i.e., before (2011⁻2014) and after the ASF outbreak (2015⁻2018). In breeding seasons, nests of ravens were found, juveniles were counted, and the time when juveniles left their nests was recorded. Diet composition data were based on pellet analysis and direct observations of feeding birds. The number of breeding pairs dropped from 12.3 to 7.5 in the second period. Breeding parameters were similar. However, birds in the second period had fewer fledglings per successful pair. Domestic pig carrion was found to be an important food item, and with its limited supply, ravens changed their diet, i.e., they fed on the carrion of dogs and cats or preyed on small vertebrates more often. Overall, our study points to a crucial role of the availability of the carrion of big farm animals (i.e., domestic pig) in maintaining the high density of breeding raven populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Gryz
- Department of Forest Ecology, Forest Research Institute, Sękocin Stary, Braci Leśnej 3, 05-090 Raszyn, Poland.
| | - Dagny Krauze-Gryz
- Department of Forest Zoology and Wildlife Management, Faculty of Forestry, Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Nowoursynowska 159, 02-776 Warszawa, Poland.
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18
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García-Jiménez R, Pérez-García JM, Margalida A. Drivers of daily movement patterns affecting an endangered vulture flight activity. BMC Ecol 2018; 18:39. [PMID: 30268111 PMCID: PMC6162909 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-018-0195-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2018] [Accepted: 09/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The development of satellite tracking technology enables the gathering of huge amounts of accurate data on animal movements over measured time intervals, to reveal essential information about species’ patterns of spatial use. This information is especially important in optimizing the design of conservation and management strategies for endangered species. In this study, we analysed the main drivers of daily patterns in the flight activity of the threatened Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus. We studied 19 Bearded Vultures tagged with solar-powered GPS transmitters from 2006 to 2016 in the Pyrenees (Spain). We assessed the relative influence of external factors (season and daylight time) and internal factors (sex, breeding season and territorial status) on their daily activity behaviour by computing mean hourly distance travelled, maximum displacement and cumulative distance travelled per hour. Results Our findings showed a clear difference in all the estimators between territorial and non-territorial (floating) members of the population, showing that non-territorial individuals spent much longer in flight and travelled larger distances per day. We detected an important influence of daylight time and season on the daily rhythms of Bearded Vultures; flight activity increased during the last three quarters of daylight and was greatest in the spring. Breeding period and sex had also an effect on the maximum displacement and cumulative distance travelled. Individuals flew more during the breeding period and females tended to exhibit greater cumulative and maximum distances per hour than males regardless of breeding season. Conclusions Pyrenean Bearded Vultures flight daily activity was strongly influenced by daylight time, season, and territorial status, while individual sex and breeding season showed a milder effect on the birds’ movement behaviour. This study gives a novel insight into how external factors act as main drivers of the daily flight activity pattern of a long-lived avian scavenger. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12898-018-0195-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruth García-Jiménez
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198, Lleida, Spain
| | - Juan M Pérez-García
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198, Lleida, Spain.
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198, Lleida, Spain.,Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, 3012, Bern, Switzerland.,Institute for Game and Wildlife Research (CSIC-UCLM-JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071, Ciudad Real, Spain
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19
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Marin C, Torres C, Marco-Jiménez F, Cerdà-Cuéllar M, Sevilla S, Ayats T, Vega S. Supplementary feeding stations for conservation of vultures could be an important source of monophasic Salmonella typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 636:449-455. [PMID: 29709862 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Revised: 04/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/23/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Vultures are nature's most successful scavengers, feeding on the carcasses of dead animals present in the field. Availability of domestic carrion has been unstable due to rapidly changing agro-grazing economies and increasing sanitary regulations that may require burial or burning of livestock carcasses. Thus, several griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) recoveries are based on European legislation that guarantees the animals' welfare, avoids intense persecution of the vultures and allows the feeding of threatened wildlife in supplementary feeding stations (SFS). However, in recent years, many studies have speculated on the likelihood that avian scavengers may be infected by feeding on pig carcasses at SFS from intensive livestock. In this context, the present study evaluated whether free-living griffon vultures and pig farms share zoonotic Salmonella strains to test the hypothesis that vulture are infected during consumption of carcasses provided at SFS. Here, the occurrence, serotypes and genomic DNA fingerprinting (phage typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) of isolated strains were carried out in griffon vultures and pig farms authorised to provided carcasses at SFS in Castellón province (eastern Spain). The bacteriological analyses revealed that 21.1% of vultures and 14.5% for pig farms samples tested were Salmonella-positive. Monophasic S. typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:- was the most frequently isolated serovar. Comparison of Salmonella strains isolated from vultures and pig farms revealed that monophasic S. typhimurium 1,4,[5],12:i:-, S. Derby and S. Rissen strains were highly genetically homogeneous (similar DNA fingerprint). In conclusion, the current study indicates that free-living griffon vultures and pig farms that provide the carcasses at SFS share several zoonotic Salmonella strains. On this basis, and although transmission could be bidirectional, our result seems to corroborate the pig carcasses-to-vulture transmission and cross-infection at SFS. As an immediate Salmonella control strategy in wild avian scavengers, we suggest the implementation of a programme to guarantee that solely pig carcasses from Salmonella-free farms arrive at SFS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clara Marin
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Departamento de Producción Animal, Sanidad Animal y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Cristobal Torres
- Ministry of Infrastructures, Territory and Environment (Regional Government/Generalitat Valenciana), Spain
| | - Francisco Marco-Jiménez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marta Cerdà-Cuéllar
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sandra Sevilla
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Departamento de Producción Animal, Sanidad Animal y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Teresa Ayats
- Centre de Recerca en Sanitat Animal (CReSA), IRTA, Campus de la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, 08193, Bellaterra, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Santiago Vega
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas, Departamento de Producción Animal, Sanidad Animal y Ciencia y Tecnología de los Alimentos, Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, 46115 Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
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20
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Hernández M, Colomer MÀ, Pizarro M, Margalida A. Changes in eggshell thickness and ultrastructure in the Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) Pyrenean population: A long-term analysis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2018; 624:713-721. [PMID: 29272840 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.12.150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 12/13/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
The Spanish Bearded Vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) population has suffered from negative trends in a number of reproductive parameters that could jeopardize its long-term viability. From 1989 to 2012, 27 entire eggs and 63 eggshell fragments were collected from nests after breeding failure and/or fledging. Longer-term changes in eggshell thickness were made by examining 69 eggs collected in Spain from 1858 to 1911, and now held in European museums. Low levels of contamination with organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls were found in whole eggs and in conjunction with the high fertility rates observed in the field (66.7%) do not indicate a population suffering from the effects of organochlorine contamination. However, a decrease in the Ratcliffe Index and eggshell thickness were observed in eggs collected since 2001, increasingly so in samples post-2004, indicating an abrupt loss of egg quality. We found no significant relationship between organochlorine residues and eggshell in any of the variables measured. In contrast, we found a positive relationship between food availability and the Ratcliffe Index, eggshell thickness and eggshell surface area. A density-dependent explanation of reduced egg quality could arise from ecological constraints as the decrease of food resources. The impact of sudden changes in food availability due to sanitary regulations between 2006 and 2011 could be related with the loss of Bearded Vulture egg quality.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ma Àngels Colomer
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain
| | - Manuel Pizarro
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Veterinary Faculty, University Complutense of Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Science (Division of Wildlife), Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, Lleida, Spain; Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland.
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González-Medina E, Castillo-Guerrero JA, Herzka SZ, Fernández G. High quality diet improves lipid metabolic profile and breeding performance in the blue-footed booby, a long-lived seabird. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0193136. [PMID: 29462199 PMCID: PMC5819808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0193136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 02/05/2018] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the role of diet in the physiological condition of adults during reproduction and hence its effect on reproductive performance is fundamental to understand reproductive strategies in long-lived animals. In birds, little is known about the influence of the quality of food consumed at the beginning of the reproductive period and its short-term effects on reproductive performance. To assess the role of diet in the physiological condition of female blue-footed booby, Sula nebouxii (BFBO), during reproduction we evaluated whether individual differences in diet (assessed by using δ13C and δ15N values of whole blood from female birds and muscle tissue of the principal prey species) prior to egg laying and during incubation influenced their lipid metabolic profile (measured as triglyceride levels and C:N ratio) and their reproductive performance (defined by laying date, clutch size and hatching success). Females with higher δ15N values in their blood during the courtship and incubation periods had a higher lipid metabolic profile, earlier laying date, greater clutch size (2-3 eggs) and higher hatching success. Females that laid earlier and more eggs (2-3 eggs) consumed more Pacific anchoveta (Cetengraulis mysticetus) and Pacific thread herring (Opisthonema libertate) than did other females. These two prey species also had high amounts of lipids (C:N ratio) and caloric content (Kcal/g fresh weight). The quality of food consumed by females at the beginning of reproduction affected their physiological condition, as well as their short-term reproductive performance. Our work emphasizes the importance of determining the influence of food quality during reproduction to understand the reproductive decisions and consequences in long-lived animals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erick González-Medina
- Posgrado de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad Universitaria, México D.F., Mexico
- * E-mail: (GF); (EGM)
| | - José Alfredo Castillo-Guerrero
- CONACYT- –Universidad de Guadalajara, Departamento de Estudios para el Desarrollo Sustentable de la Zona Costera, Centro Universitario de la Costa Sur, San Patricio– Melaque, Municipio de Cihuatlán, Jalisco, Mexico
| | - Sharon Zinah Herzka
- Departamento de Oceanografía Biológica, Centro de Investigación Científica y de Educación Superior de Ensenada (CICESE), Baja California, Mexico
| | - Guillermo Fernández
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Mazatlán, Mexico
- * E-mail: (GF); (EGM)
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Not in wilderness: African vulture strongholds remain in areas with high human density. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0190594. [PMID: 29385172 PMCID: PMC5791984 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0190594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 12/17/2017] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Vultures constitute an important functional group in many ecosystems, providing crucial ecosystem services both in natural and humanized environments. These scavengers are facing massive declines worldwide, but in several African countries virtually nothing is known on populations’ status and threats, hampering the development of adequate conservation strategies. In Guinea-Bissau, globally important populations of Hooded Necrosyrtes monachus and African white-backed vultures Gyps africanus were recently reported. Using the country as a study area, we aim to characterize human-vulture interactions in West Africa applying a multidisciplinary approach. We assessed the status and distribution of vulture populations using data from 1711 km of roadside transects, examined predictors of their distribution, and produced a nationwide population estimate for the Hooded Vulture, using an innovative method based on the relationship between the size of human population in settlements and vulture numbers. We conducted 47 stakeholder interviews to assess perceived roles played by vultures, and to investigate potential anthropogenic threats. Hooded vultures were strongly associated with high human population densities, whereas no relation was found between African white-backed and Rüppell’s vultures and any of the tested predictors, which included cattle density, precipitation and Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, among others. We estimate a national population of 43347 Hooded vultures, the largest population reported in the species range. Respondents were generally aware of the services provided by vultures, especially waste and carcass removal, including in urban areas. Hunting for witchcraft and traditional medicine was the most frequently recognised threat, while poisoning was ranked as having the highest impact. We hypothesise that poisoning-related mortality may be affecting African white-backed and Rüppell’s vultures’ distribution and explain their scarcity in apparently highly suitable habitats. Our results suggest a mutualistic rather than a commensalistic relationship between vultures and humans, with important implications for designing and implementing conservation strategies.
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23
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Mazumdar S, Ghose D, Saha GK. Offal dumping sites influence the relative abundance and roosting site selection of Black Kites (Milvus migrans govinda) in urban landscape: a study from Kolkata metropolis, India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2017; 190:20. [PMID: 29238878 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-017-6391-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/05/2017] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Although Black Kites (Milvus migrans govinda) serve as major scavenging raptor in most of the urban areas, scientific studies on this important ecosystem service provider are almost non-existent in Indian context. The present study was carried out in a metropolis in eastern India to find out the factors influencing relative abundance and roosting site selection of Black Kites. Separate generalized linear models (GLMs) were performed considering encounter rate and roosting Black Kite abundance as response variables. The study conclusively indicated that encounter rates of Black Kites were significantly influenced by the presence of garbage dumps in its vicinity. Numbers of Black Kites were also higher in the roosting sites situated closer to garbage dumps and open spaces. In addition, expected counts of Black Kites significantly increased in roosting sites situated away from buildings and water bodies. However, built-up area and tree cover around the roosting sites had no influence on the abundance of Black Kites therein. With rapid urbanization and changing offal disposal patterns, our findings would be useful to ensure continued availability of food and roosting sites of Black Kites in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subhendu Mazumdar
- Department of Zoology, Shibpur Dinobundhoo Institution (College), Shibpur, Howrah, India.
- Department of Zoology, University of Calcutta, Kolkata, India.
| | - Dipankar Ghose
- Species & Landscapes Division, WWF-India, 172B Lodi Estate, New Delhi, India
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Saran R. Population monitoring and annual population fluctuation of migratory and resident species of vultures in and around Jodhpur, Rajasthan. JOURNAL OF ASIA-PACIFIC BIODIVERSITY 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.japb.2017.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022] Open
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Gomo G, Mattisson J, Hagen BR, Moa PF, Willebrand T. Scavenging on a pulsed resource: quality matters for corvids but density for mammals. BMC Ecol 2017; 17:22. [PMID: 28619108 PMCID: PMC5472881 DOI: 10.1186/s12898-017-0132-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2017] [Accepted: 06/08/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Human food subsidies can provide predictable food sources in large quantities for wildlife species worldwide. In the boreal forest of Fennoscandia, gut piles from moose (Alces alces) harvest provide a potentially important food source for a range of opportunistically scavenging predators. Increased populations of predators can negatively affect threatened or important game species. As a response to this, restrictions on field dressing of moose are under consideration in parts of Norway. However, there is a lack of research to how this resource is utilized. In this study, we used camera-trap data from 50 gut piles during 1043 monitoring days. We estimated depletion of gut piles separately for parts with high and low energy content, and used these results to scale up gut pile density in the study area. We identified scavenger species and analyzed the influences of gut pile quality and density on scavenging behavior of mammals and corvids (family Corvidae). Results Main scavengers were corvids and red fox (Vulpes vulpes). Parts with high energy content were rapidly consumed, mainly by corvids that were present at all gut piles shortly after the remains were left at the kill site. Corvid presence declined with days since harvest, reflecting reduction in gut pile quality over time independent of gut pile density. Mammals arrived 7–8 days later at the gut piles than corvids, and their presence depended only on gut pile density with a peak at intermediate densities. The decline at high gut pile densities suggest a saturation effect, which could explain accumulation of gut pile parts with low energy content. Conclusions This study shows that remains from moose harvest can potentially be an important food resource for scavengers, as it was utilized to a high degree by many species. This study gives novel insight into how energy content and density of resources affect scavenging patterns among functional groups of scavengers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jenny Mattisson
- Norwegian Institute for Nature Research (NINA), 7484, Trondheim, Norway
| | | | | | - Tomas Willebrand
- Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences, 2418, Elverum, Norway
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A clear and present danger: impacts of poisoning on a vulture population and the effect of poison response activities. ORYX 2017. [DOI: 10.1017/s0030605316001137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
AbstractVultures in Africa are being poisoned deliberately by poachers to prevent the birds alerting authorities to the poachers’ illegal activities, or for harvesting and sale of body parts for use in witchcraft. Hundreds of vultures can be killed at a single poisoned elephant Loxodonta africana carcass, and although field staff trained in poison response activities can limit the damage, mortalities remain numerous. We used the population viability analysis programme VORTEX to simulate seven 100-year-long scenarios investigating various rates of poisoning mortalities and the remedial effects of poison response activities on a population of Critically Endangered white-backed vultures Gyps africanus breeding in Kruger National Park, South Africa. In six scenarios the population declined (λ < 1); in three scenarios the population remained extant over the 100-year simulations but declined by 60–90% from a starting size of 2,400 individuals. In two scenarios one poisoned elephant carcass left untreated and causing the greatest number of vulture deaths was modelled as a catastrophic event with a 50% probability of annual occurrence, which resulted in a 100% probability of population extinction, with a mean time to extinction of 55–62 years. Effective poison response activities were modelled as a 70% reduction of mortality at each poisoned elephant carcass and resulted in population persistence after 100 years but with a c. 90% reduction in size (final n = 205). We highlight that although poison response activities will not prevent poisoning from occurring, they form an essential part of wider conservation actions designed to prevent local extinctions of vultures or other vulnerable species.
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Morales-Reyes Z, Pérez-García JM, Moleón M, Botella F, Carrete M, Donázar JA, Cortés-Avizanda A, Arrondo E, Moreno-Opo R, Jiménez J, Margalida A, Sánchez-Zapata JA. Evaluation of the network of protection areas for the feeding of scavengers in Spain: from biodiversity conservation to greenhouse gas emission savings. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Zebensui Morales-Reyes
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada; Universidad Miguel Hernández; Avda. de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche Alicante Spain
| | - Juan M. Pérez-García
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada; Universidad Miguel Hernández; Avda. de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche Alicante Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Conservation Biology; Doñana Biological Station-CSIC; C/Americo Vespucio s/n La Cartuja 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Francisco Botella
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada; Universidad Miguel Hernández; Avda. de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche Alicante Spain
| | - Martina Carrete
- Department of Conservation Biology; Doñana Biological Station-CSIC; C/Americo Vespucio s/n La Cartuja 41092 Sevilla Spain
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural Systems; Pablo de Olavide University; Ctra. de Utrera, km 1 41013 Sevilla Spain
| | - José A. Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology; Doñana Biological Station-CSIC; C/Americo Vespucio s/n La Cartuja 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Ainara Cortés-Avizanda
- Department of Conservation Biology; Doñana Biological Station-CSIC; C/Americo Vespucio s/n La Cartuja 41092 Sevilla Spain
- Infraestruturas de Portugal Biodiversity-Chair; CIBIO-InBIO Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos da Universidade do Porto Campus Agrário de Vairão Rua Padre Armando Quintas 7; 4485-661 Vairão Portugal
- CEABN/InBio; Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”; Instituto Superior de Agronomia; Universidade de Lisboa; Tapada da Ajuda 1349-017 Lisboa Portugal
| | - Eneko Arrondo
- Department of Conservation Biology; Doñana Biological Station-CSIC; C/Americo Vespucio s/n La Cartuja 41092 Sevilla Spain
| | - Rubén Moreno-Opo
- Evolution and Conservation Biology Research Group; University Complutense of Madrid; C/José Antonio Novais, 2 28049 Madrid Spain
| | - José Jiménez
- Institute of Research in Game Resources; CSIC; Ronda de Toledo 12 13071 Ciudad Real Spain
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Science; Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering; University of Lleida; Av. Alcalde Rovira Roure 191 25198 Lleida Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology; Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Baltzerstrasse 6 CH-3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - José A. Sánchez-Zapata
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada; Universidad Miguel Hernández; Avda. de la Universidad s/n 03202 Elche Alicante Spain
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Spatial and temporal movements in Pyrenean bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus): Integrating movement ecology into conservation practice. Sci Rep 2016; 6:35746. [PMID: 27779179 PMCID: PMC5078842 DOI: 10.1038/srep35746] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2016] [Accepted: 10/03/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the movement of threatened species is important if we are to optimize management and conservation actions. Here, we describe the age and sex specific spatial and temporal ranging patterns of 19 bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus tracked with GPS technology. Our findings suggest that spatial asymmetries are a consequence of breeding status and age-classes. Territorial individuals exploited home ranges of about 50 km2, while non-territorial birds used areas of around 10 000 km2 (with no seasonal differences). Mean daily movements differed between territorial (23.8 km) and non-territorial birds (46.1 km), and differences were also found between sexes in non-territorial birds. Daily maximum distances travelled per day also differed between territorial (8.2 km) and non-territorial individuals (26.5 km). Territorial females moved greater distances (12 km) than males (6.6 km). Taking into account high-use core areas (K20), Supplementary Feeding Sites (SFS) do not seem to play an important role in the use of space by bearded vultures. For non-territorial and territorial individuals, 54% and 46% of their home ranges (K90), respectively, were outside protected areas. Our findings will help develop guidelines for establishing priority areas based on spatial use, and also optimize management and conservation actions for this threatened species.
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León-Ortega M, Delgado MDM, Martínez JE, Penteriani V, Calvo JF. Factors affecting survival in Mediterranean populations of the Eurasian eagle owl. EUR J WILDLIFE RES 2016. [DOI: 10.1007/s10344-016-1036-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Casas-Díaz E, Cristòfol C, Cuenca R, Agustí S, Carneiro M, Marco I, Lavín S, Margalida A. Determination of fluoroquinolone antibiotic residues in the plasma of Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) in Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2016; 557-558:620-626. [PMID: 27037883 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2015] [Revised: 03/11/2016] [Accepted: 03/11/2016] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Due to the possible toxicological impact, the accumulation of pharmaceuticals in wildlife as a consequence of human practices is of growing concern. The consumption of carrion at feeding stations - the so-called 'vulture restaurants' - with no management of the veterinary drugs it contains may expose scavengers to pharmaceuticals. To demonstrate this, we analyzed plasma from Eurasian griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) originating from two different areas of Spain for antibiotics such as enrofloxacin and ciprofloxacin, its primary metabolite. Quinolone residues were detected in about 65% (n=106) of birds, of which 15.1% (16/106) had quantifiable amounts of enrofloxacin (0.049±0.102μg/mL) and 5.7% (6/106) of ciprofloxacin (0.009±0.007μg/mL). The differences in exposure between the two sampled areas are attributable to different types of carrion management: the vultures that fed in areas with a high density of dead livestock (supplied directly to feeding stations) were more prone to exposure than those that sought food in areas where carcass availability is more unpredictable. Our findings are evidence that vultures have access to medicated livestock and that there are quantifiable levels of livestock antibiotics in vulture plasma. However, the vultures analyzed in this study had maximum antibiotic concentrations of only 0.4μg/mL, much less than the concentrations used in the clinical treatment of scavengers and a level that is probably too small to cause intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
- Encarna Casas-Díaz
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS) - Wildlife Health Research Group, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Carles Cristòfol
- Servei d'Anàlisi de Fàrmacs (Drug Analysis Service), Departament de Farmacologia, Terapèutica i Toxicologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Rafaela Cuenca
- Servei d'Hematologia Clínica Veterinària (SHCV) - Veterinary Clinical Hematology Service, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Susana Agustí
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS) - Wildlife Health Research Group, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Manuela Carneiro
- Centre for the Research and Technology of Agro-Environmental and Biological Sciences (CITAB), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal; Department of Veterinary Sciences, School of Agrarian and Veterinary Sciences (ECAV), University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro (UTAD), Vila Real, Portugal.
| | - Ignasi Marco
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS) - Wildlife Health Research Group, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Santiago Lavín
- Servei d'Ecopatologia de Fauna Salvatge (SEFaS) - Wildlife Health Research Group, Departament de Medicina i Cirurgia Animals, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Science (Division of Wildlife), Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25003 Lleida, Spain; Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution. University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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Green RE, Donázar JA, Sánchez-Zapata JA, Margalida A. Potential threat to Eurasian griffon vultures in Spain from veterinary use of the drug diclofenac. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Rhys E. Green
- Conservation Science Group; Department of Zoology; University of Cambridge; Downing Street Cambridge CB2 3EJ UK
- RSPB Centre for Conservation Science; Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; The Lodge Sandy SG19 2DL UK
| | - José A. Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology; Estación Biológica de Doñana - CSIC; Avenida de Américo Vespucio s/n Seville E-41092 Spain
| | - José A. Sánchez-Zapata
- Department of Applied Biology; Universidad Miguel Hernández; Ctra Beniel km 3·2 Alicante E-03312 Spain
| | - Antoni Margalida
- Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering; University of Lleida; Lleida E-25003 Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology; Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern 3012 Switzerland
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Margalida A, Martínez JM, Gómez de Segura A, Colomer MA, Arlettaz R, Serrano D. Supplementary feeding and young extraction from the wild are not a sensible alternative to captive breeding for reintroducing bearded vulturesGypaetus barbatus. J Appl Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.12541] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Production (Division of Wildlife); Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering; University of Lleida; 25198 Lleida Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology; Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Baltzerstrasse, 6 3012 Bern Switzerland
| | - José M. Martínez
- Sección de Biodiversidad; Servicio Provincial de Agricultura; Ganadería y Medio Ambiente de Huesca; Gobierno de Aragón; C/General Lasheras, 8 22071 Huesca Spain
| | - Amaia Gómez de Segura
- Oficina Comarcal Agroambiental del Sobrarbe; Servicio Provincial de Agricultura; Ganadería y Medioambiente; Departamento de Agricultura; Ganadería y Medio Ambiente; Gobierno de Aragón; C/Samper, 4 E-22430 Boltaña Spain
| | - Maria A. Colomer
- Department of Mathematics; Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering; University of Lleida; 25198 Lleida Spain
| | - Raphaël Arlettaz
- Division of Conservation Biology; Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Baltzerstrasse, 6 3012 Bern Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute; Valais Field Station; Rue du Rhône 11 1950 Sion Switzerland
| | - David Serrano
- Department of Conservation Biology; Estación Biológica de Doñana; EBD-CSIC; Avda de Américo Vespucio s/n Isla de la Cartuja E-41092 Sevilla Spain
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Olson ZH, Beasley JC, Rhodes OE. Carcass Type Affects Local Scavenger Guilds More than Habitat Connectivity. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0147798. [PMID: 26886299 PMCID: PMC4757541 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0147798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2015] [Accepted: 01/09/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Scavengers and decomposers provide an important ecosystem service by removing carrion from the environment. Scavenging and decomposition are known to be temperature-dependent, but less is known about other factors that might affect carrion removal. We conducted an experiment in which we manipulated combinations of patch connectivity and carcass type, and measured responses by local scavenger guilds along with aspects of carcass depletion. We conducted twelve, 1-month trials in which five raccoon (Procyon lotor), Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), and domestic rabbit (Oryctolagus spp.) carcasses (180 trials total) were monitored using remote cameras in 21 forest patches in north-central Indiana, USA. Of 143 trials with complete data, we identified fifteen species of vertebrate scavengers divided evenly among mammalian (N = 8) and avian species (N = 7). Fourteen carcasses (9.8%) were completely consumed by invertebrates, vertebrates exhibited scavenging behavior at 125 carcasses (87.4%), and four carcasses (2.8%) remained unexploited. Among vertebrates, mammals scavenged 106 carcasses, birds scavenged 88 carcasses, and mammals and birds scavenged 69 carcasses. Contrary to our expectations, carcass type affected the assemblage of local scavenger guilds more than patch connectivity. However, neither carcass type nor connectivity explained variation in temporal measures of carcass removal. Interestingly, increasing richness of local vertebrate scavenger guilds contributed moderately to rates of carrion removal (≈6% per species increase in richness). We conclude that scavenger-specific differences in carrion utilization exist among carcass types and that reliable delivery of carrion removal as an ecosystem service may depend on robust vertebrate and invertebrate communities acting synergistically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zachary H. Olson
- Department of Psychology, University of New England, 11 Hills Beach Road, Biddeford, Maine, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - James C. Beasley
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, United States of America
- D. B. Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Olin E. Rhodes
- Savannah River Ecology Laboratory, University of Georgia, Aiken, South Carolina, United States of America
- Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, United States of America
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Moreno-Opo R, Trujillano A, Margalida A. Behavioral coexistence and feeding efficiency drive niche partitioning in European avian scavengers. Behav Ecol 2016. [DOI: 10.1093/beheco/arw010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
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Fondo EN, Chaloupka M, Heymans JJ, Skilleter GA. Banning Fisheries Discards Abruptly Has a Negative Impact on the Population Dynamics of Charismatic Marine Megafauna. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0144543. [PMID: 26657412 PMCID: PMC4676608 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0144543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2015] [Accepted: 11/19/2015] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Food subsidies have the potential to modify ecosystems and affect the provision of goods and services. Predictable Anthropogenic Food Subsidies (PAFS) modify ecosystems by altering ecological processes and food webs. The global concern over the effects of PAFS in ecosystems has led to development of environmental policies aimed at curbing the production or ultimately banning of PAFS. However, the effects of reducing or banning PAFS are not known. We explore the consequences of PAFS removal in a marine ecosystem under two scenarios: 1) gradual reduction, or 2) an abrupt ban, using a mass balance model to test these hypotheses–The reduction or loss of PAFS will: i) modify trophic levels and food webs through effects on foraging by opportunistic species, ii) increase the resilience of opportunistic species to food shortages, and iii) modify predator–prey interactions through shifts in prey consumption. We found that PAFS lower the trophic levels of opportunistic scavengers and increase their food pathways. Scavengers are able to switch prey when PAFS are reduced gradually but they decline when PAFS are abruptly banned. PAFS reduction to a certain minimal level causes a drop in the ecosystem’s stability. We recommend gradual reduction of PAFS to a minimal level that would maintain the ecosystem’s stability and allow species exploiting PAFS to habituate to the food subsidy reduction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Esther N. Fondo
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, Mombasa, Kenya
- * E-mail: (ENF); (GAS)
| | - Milani Chaloupka
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Johanna J. Heymans
- The Scottish Association for Marine Science, Oban, Scotland, United Kingdom
| | - Greg A. Skilleter
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
- * E-mail: (ENF); (GAS)
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Mateo R, Sánchez-Barbudo IS, Camarero PR, Martínez JM. Risk assessment of bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) exposure to topical antiparasitics used in livestock within an ecotoxicovigilance framework. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2015; 536:704-712. [PMID: 26254071 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.07.109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/28/2015] [Revised: 07/23/2015] [Accepted: 07/23/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Between 2004 and 2013, 486 suspected scavenger poisoning cases, including 24 bearded vultures (Gypaetus barbatus), were investigated in the Pyrenees and surrounding areas in Spain as part of a monitoring programme regarding accidental and intentional poisoning of wildlife. Poisoning was confirmed in 36% of all analysed cases where scavenger species were found dead within the distribution range of bearded vultures. Organophosphates and carbamates were the most frequently detected poisons. Four of the bearded vulture cases were positive for the presence of topical antiparasitics (3 with diazinon and 1 with permethrin). These likely represented accidental exposure due to the legal use of these veterinary pharmaceuticals. In order to confirm the risk of exposure to topical antiparasitics in bearded vultures, pig feet (n=24) and lamb feet (n=24) were analysed as these are one of the main food resources provided to bearded vultures at supplementary feeding stations. Pig feet had no detectable residues of topical antiparasitics. In contrast, 71.4% of lamb feet showed residues of antiparasitics including diazinon (64.3%), pirimiphos-methyl (25.4%), chlorpyrifos (7.1%), fenthion (1.6%), permethrin (0.8%) and cypermethrin (27.8%). Washing the feet with water significantly reduced levels of these topical antiparasitics, as such, this should be a recommended practice for lamb feet supplied at feeding stations for bearded vultures. Although the detected levels of antiparasitics were relatively low (≤1 μg/g), a risk assessment suggests that observed diazinon levels may affect brain acetylcholinesterase and thermoregulation in bearded vultures subject to chronic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Mateo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain.
| | - Inés S Sánchez-Barbudo
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - Pablo R Camarero
- Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, IREC (CSIC, UCLM, JCCM), Ronda de Toledo s/n, 13071 Ciudad Real, Spain
| | - José M Martínez
- Departamento de Agricultura, Ganadería y Medio Ambiente, Dirección General de Desarrollo Sostenible y Biodiversidad, Zaragoza, Spain
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Margalida A, Colomer MÀ, Oro D, Arlettaz R, Donázar JA. Assessing the impact of removal scenarios on population viability of a threatened, long-lived avian scavenger. Sci Rep 2015; 5:16962. [PMID: 26593059 PMCID: PMC4655339 DOI: 10.1038/srep16962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2015] [Accepted: 10/22/2015] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The removal of eggs or chicks from wild populations to create captive populations, reinforce free-ranging populations or reintroduce species into the wild is a restoration tool that requires an assessment of potential detrimental effects upon the donor population. This is an absolute prerequisite when wild donor populations are scarce and small. Here, we forecast the population trend of the largest European population of the bearded vulture (Gypaetus barbatus) over the next 30 years under different demographic and management scenarios (removal of eggs, chicks or fledglings). Projections derived from the combination of a PDP model (Population Dynamic P-system) and a Box-Behnken design would lead to a decline in 77% of all 57 scenarios analysed. Among the 13 scenarios predicting a population increase, only 4 seem realistic in terms of growth rate (0.04%-1.01%), at least if current age at first breeding and productivity would remain constant over time. Our simulations thus suggest that most extraction scenarios would have detrimental effects on the demography of the donor population. Release of captive-born young or removal of only the second hatched chick for subsequent captive rearing and translocation into the wild appear to represent much better supplementation and reintroduction options in this threatened species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antoni Margalida
- Department of Animal Production (Division of Wildlife), Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse, 6 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Mª Àngels Colomer
- Department of Mathematics, Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain
| | - Daniel Oro
- Population Ecology Group, Institut Mediterrani d’Estudis Avançats IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marques 21, E-07190 Esporles, Spain
| | - Raphaël Arlettaz
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse, 6 3012 Bern, Switzerland
- Swiss Ornithological Institute, Valais Field Station, Rue du Rhône 11, 1950 Sion, Switzerland
- Grupo de Investigaciones de la Biodiversidad, IADIZA, CONICET–CCT, Av. Ruiz Leal, Parque General San Martín, Mendoza, Argentina
| | - José A. Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Avda de Américo Vespucio s/n, Isla de la Cartuja, E-41092, Sevilla, Spain
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Berny P, Vilagines L, Cugnasse JM, Mastain O, Chollet JY, Joncour G, Razin M. VIGILANCE POISON: Illegal poisoning and lead intoxication are the main factors affecting avian scavenger survival in the Pyrenees (France). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2015; 118:71-82. [PMID: 25913360 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2015.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2014] [Revised: 04/03/2015] [Accepted: 04/06/2015] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
A specific surveillance program has been set up to monitor avian scavenger populations in the French Pyrenean Mountains, hosting a high proportion of the French populations. The two main purposes of the study were to identify all causes of death and to investigate poisoning cases. All 170 birds found dead during the 7-year program were submitted to full necropsy, X-Ray, parasitological investigations and consistent analytical toxicology screenings (Cholinesterase inhibitors, anticoagulant rodenticides, organochlorine insecticides, Pb, Cd). Over the study period, 8 Bearded Vultures, 120 Griffon Vultures, 8 Egyptian Vultures and 34 Red kites were eventually collected. Mortality events were often multifactorial, but poisoning was by far the most common cause of death (24.1%), followed by trauma/fall (12%), bacterial diseases and starvation (8%) and electrocution (6%). Illicit use of banned pesticides was identified as a common cause of poisoning (53% of all poisoning cases) and lead poisoning was also identified as a significant toxicant issue (17% of all poisoning cases). Lead isotopic signature could be associated primarily with ammunition. Last, a positive association between trauma and lead contamination was detected, indicating that lead could be a significant contributor to different causes of death. These results urge for severe restrictions on the use of lead ammunition to prevent scavengers from detrimental exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippe Berny
- Vetagro Sup, USC-1233-INRA, Campus vétérinaire, 1 av Bourgelat, F-69280 Marcy l'étoile, France.
| | | | - Jean-Marc Cugnasse
- ONCFS Direction des Etudes et de la Recherche 18 rue Jean Perrin Actisud, Bâtiment 12, F-31110 Toulouse, France.
| | - Olivier Mastain
- ONCFS Unité sanitaire de la faune - DER, BP 20, F-78612 Le Perray en Yvelines Cedex, France; Ministère de l'Ecologie Grande Arche, Tour Pascal A et B, F-92055 Paris La Défense Cedex, France.
| | - Jean-Yves Chollet
- ONCFS Unité sanitaire de la faune - DER, BP 20, F-78612 Le Perray en Yvelines Cedex, France.
| | - Guy Joncour
- Clinique vétérinaire de Callac, 26, rue de Cleumeur, F-22610 Callac de Bretagne, France.
| | - Martine Razin
- Ligue pour la Protection des Oiseaux (Bird Life) - Fonderies Royales 8/10 rue du Dr Pujos, F-17305 Rochefort Cedex, France.
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Moreno-Opo R, Trujillano A, Margalida A. Optimization of supplementary feeding programs for European vultures depends on environmental and management factors. Ecosphere 2015. [DOI: 10.1890/es15-00009.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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41
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Hui TCY, Gryba R, Gregr EJ, Trites AW. Assessment of Competition between Fisheries and Steller Sea Lions in Alaska Based on Estimated Prey Biomass, Fisheries Removals and Predator Foraging Behaviour. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0123786. [PMID: 25950178 PMCID: PMC4424003 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0123786] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2014] [Accepted: 03/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
A leading hypothesis to explain the dramatic decline of Steller sea lions (Eumetopias jubatus) in western Alaska during the latter part of the 20th century is a change in prey availability due to commercial fisheries. We tested this hypothesis by exploring the relationships between sea lion population trends, fishery catches, and the prey biomass accessible to sea lions around 33 rookeries between 2000 and 2008. We focused on three commercially important species that have dominated the sea lion diet during the population decline: walleye pollock, Pacific cod and Atka mackerel. We estimated available prey biomass by removing fishery catches from predicted prey biomass distributions in the Aleutian Islands, Bering Sea and Gulf of Alaska; and modelled the likelihood of sea lions foraging at different distances from rookeries (accessibility) using satellite telemetry locations of tracked animals. We combined this accessibility model with the prey distributions to estimate the prey biomass accessible to sea lions by rookery. For each rookery, we compared sea lion population change to accessible prey biomass. Of 304 comparisons, we found 3 statistically significant relationships, all suggesting that sea lion populations increased with increasing prey accessibility. Given that the majority of comparisons showed no significant effect, it seems unlikely that the availability of pollock, cod or Atka mackerel was limiting sea lion populations in the 2000s.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabitha C. Y. Hui
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
- * E-mail:
| | - Rowenna Gryba
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
| | - Edward J. Gregr
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
| | - Andrew W. Trites
- Marine Mammal Research Unit, Fisheries Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
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Planillo A, Kramer-Schadt S, Malo JE. Transport infrastructure shapes foraging habitat in a raptor community. PLoS One 2015; 10:e0118604. [PMID: 25786218 PMCID: PMC4365038 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0118604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2014] [Accepted: 01/21/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Transport infrastructure elements are widespread and increasing in size and length in many countries, with the subsequent alteration of landscapes and wildlife communities. Nonetheless, their effects on habitat selection by raptors are still poorly understood. In this paper, we analyzed raptors' foraging habitat selection in response to conventional roads and high capacity motorways at the landscape scale, and compared their effects with those of other variables, such as habitat structure, food availability, and presence of potential interspecific competitors. We also analyzed whether the raptors' response towards infrastructure depends on the spatial scale of observation, comparing the attraction or avoidance behavior of the species at the landscape scale with the response of individuals observed in the proximity of the infrastructure. Based on ecological hypotheses for foraging habitat selection, we built generalized linear mixed models, selected the best models according to Akaike Information Criterion and assessed variable importance by Akaike weights. At the community level, the traffic volume was the most relevant variable in the landscape for foraging habitat selection. Abundance, richness, and diversity values reached their maximum at medium traffic volumes and decreased at highest traffic volumes. Individual species showed different degrees of tolerance toward traffic, from higher abundance in areas with high traffic values to avoidance of it. Medium-sized opportunistic raptors increased their abundance near the traffic infrastructures, large scavenger raptors avoided areas with higher traffic values, and other species showed no direct response to traffic but to the presence of prey. Finally, our cross-scale analysis revealed that the effect of transport infrastructures on the behavior of some species might be detectable only at a broad scale. Also, food availability may attract raptor species to risky areas such as motorways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimara Planillo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stephanie Kramer-Schadt
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research, Berlin, Germany
| | - Juan E. Malo
- Terrestrial Ecology Group (TEG), Departamento de Ecología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain
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Morales-Reyes Z, Pérez-García JM, Moleón M, Botella F, Carrete M, Lazcano C, Moreno-Opo R, Margalida A, Donázar JA, Sánchez-Zapata JA. Supplanting ecosystem services provided by scavengers raises greenhouse gas emissions. Sci Rep 2015; 5:7811. [PMID: 25589381 PMCID: PMC4295086 DOI: 10.1038/srep07811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2014] [Accepted: 12/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Global warming due to human-induced increments in atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHG) is one of the most debated topics among environmentalists and politicians worldwide. In this paper we assess a novel source of GHG emissions emerged following a controversial policy decision. After the outbreak of bovine spongiform encephalopathy in Europe, the sanitary regulation required that livestock carcasses were collected from farms and transformed or destroyed in authorised plants, contradicting not only the obligations of member states to conserve scavenger species but also generating unprecedented GHG emission. However, how much of this emission could be prevented in the return to traditional and natural scenario in which scavengers freely remove livestock carcasses is largely unknown. Here we show that, in Spain (home of 95% of European vultures), supplanting the natural removal of dead extensive livestock by scavengers with carcass collection and transport to intermediate and processing plants meant the emission of 77,344 metric tons of CO2 eq. to the atmosphere per year, in addition to annual payments of ca. $50 million to insurance companies. Thus, replacing the ecosystem services provided by scavengers has not only conservation costs, but also important and unnecessary environmental and economic costs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zebensui Morales-Reyes
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Juan M Pérez-García
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Marcos Moleón
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Francisco Botella
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Martina Carrete
- Departamento de Sistemas Físicos, Químicos y Naturales, Área de Ecología, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Ctra. de Utrera, km 1, 41013 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Carolina Lazcano
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Rubén Moreno-Opo
- Vertebrate Biology and Conservation Group, University Complutense of Madrid, 28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Antoni Margalida
- 1] Department of Animal Production (Division of Wildlife), Faculty of Life Sciences and Engineering, University of Lleida, 25198 Lleida, Spain [2] Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution. University of Bern, Baltzerstrasse 6, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - José A Donázar
- Departamento de Biología de la Conservación, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/Americo Vespucio, s/n, La Cartuja, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José A Sánchez-Zapata
- Departamento de Biología Aplicada, Universidad Miguel Hernández, Avda. de la Universidad, s/n, 03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
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Kane A, Jackson AL, Monadjem A, Colomer MA, Margalida A. Carrion ecology modelling for vulture conservation: are vulture restaurants needed to sustain the densest breeding population of the African white-backed vulture? Anim Conserv 2014. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12169] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- A. Kane
- Department of Zoology; School of Natural Sciences; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
- Centre for Biodiversity Research; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
| | - A. L. Jackson
- Department of Zoology; School of Natural Sciences; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
- Centre for Biodiversity Research; Trinity College Dublin; Dublin Ireland
| | - A. Monadjem
- All Out Africa Research Unit; Department of Biological Sciences; University of Swaziland; Kwaluseni Swaziland
- Mammal Research Institute; Department of Zoology & Entomology; University of Pretoria; Pretoria South Africa
| | - M. A. Colomer
- Department of Mathematics; University of Lleida; Lleida Spain
| | - A. Margalida
- Department of Animal Production (Division of Wildlife); University of Lleida; Lleida Spain
- Division of Conservation Biology; Institute of Ecology and Evolution; University of Bern; Bern Switzerland
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Blanco G. Can livestock carrion availability influence diet of wintering red kites? Implications of sanitary policies in ecosystem services and conservation. POPUL ECOL 2014. [DOI: 10.1007/s10144-014-0445-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Zabala J, Zuberogoitia I. Individual quality explains variation in reproductive success better than territory quality in a long-lived territorial raptor. PLoS One 2014; 9:e90254. [PMID: 24599280 PMCID: PMC3943913 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0090254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2013] [Accepted: 01/31/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Evolution by natural selection depends on the relationship between individual traits and fitness. Variation in individual fitness can result from habitat (territory) quality and individual variation. Individual quality and specialization can have a deep impact on fitness, yet in most studies on territorial species the quality of territory and individuals are confused. We aimed to determine if variation in breeding success is better explained by territories, individual quality or a combination of both. We analysed the number of fledglings and the breeding quality index (the difference between the number of fledglings of an individual/breeding pair and the average number of fledglings of the monitored territories in the same year) as part of a long term (16 years) peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) monitoring program with identification of individuals. Using individual and territory identities as correlates of quality, we built Generalised Linear Models with Mixed effects, in which random factors depicted different hypotheses for sources of variation (territory/individual quality) in the reproductive success of unique breeding pairs, males and females, and assessed their performance. Most evidence supported the hypothesis that variation in breeding success is explained by individual identity, particularly male identity, rather than territory. There is also some evidence for inter year variations in the breeding success of females and a territory effect in the case of males. We argue that, in territorial species, individual quality is a major source of variation in breeding success, often masked by territory. Future ecological and conservation studies on habitat use should consider and include the effect of individuals, in order to avoid misleading results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Iñigo Zuberogoitia
- Icarus Estudios Medioambientales, Logroño, Spain
- Ornithology Department, Sociedad de Ciencias Aranzadi, Donostia/San Sebastian, Spain
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