scholarly journals Reproductive behavior of White-tailed Kites (Elanus leucurus) in the Pampas of Argentina

2019 ◽  
Vol 27 (3) ◽  
pp. 153-157
Author(s):  
Alejandro V. Baladrón ◽  
Matilde Cavalli ◽  
Matías G. Pretelli ◽  
María S. Bó

AbstractThe White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) is a raptor that has been less studied in the Neotropics than in the Nearctic region, especially in relation to its reproductive behavior. In this study, we report information about the phenology and activity patterns of this raptor at the Pampas of Argentina. We found that White-tailed Kites have a prolonged breeding season, from October to May. Time-activity budgets of mating pairs indicated a pronounced division of roles in parental care between sexes. Females devoted most of their time to nest construction, incubation and chick care (80% of total time) and males to food provisioning and vigilance (70% of total time). We registered 11 cases of prey transfer from the male to the female. In four cases the transfer occurred in flight and in the remaining seven cases while individuals were perched. Our results agree with general patterns on breeding behavior of White-tailed Kites from North America, suggesting a consistent behavioral pattern throughout the species’ distribution.

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5040 (2) ◽  
pp. 283-288
Author(s):  
XIN ZHAO ◽  
DANDAN FENG ◽  
YUNTAO LI ◽  
HAOYU LIU

Based on the geographic distribution database of the Orthoptera Species File, the diversity and distribution of the superfamily Grylloidea in the Nearctic region was studied using the statistics and Sorensen dissimilarity coefficient. A total of 164 species or subspecies belonging to 4 families, 9 subfamilies and 27 genera were recorded from this region; among which Gryllidae (93, 56.70%), followed by Trigonidiidae (44, 26.83%), Mogoplistidae (25, 15.24%), and Phalangopsidae (2, 1.22%). The diversity exhibits an asymmetric distribution pattern, with the southeastern coastal plain, the Interior Plateau and Piedmont of the United States was the most abundant. At the same time, the regional similarity of species distribution was analyzed, and the Nearctic was divided into four subregions: Boreal & Arctic zone of North America, Eastern temperate North America, Northeast temperate North America, and Southern North America & western temperate North America.  


Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 5027 (3) ◽  
pp. 351-375
Author(s):  
TANIA ESCALANTE ◽  
GERARDO RODRÍGUEZ-TAPIA ◽  
JUAN J. MORRONE

We provide a preliminary nomenclatural proposal and a digital map of the Nearctic region, based on published regionalizations, especially Dice (1943), and applying the International Code of Area Nomenclature. The Nearctic region is comprised of three subregions (one of them with two dominions), one transition zone and 29 provinces. The Arctic subregion, in northern North America and Greenland, includes the Eskimoan, Hudsonian, Aleutian and Sitkan provinces. The Western subregion, in western North America, includes the Californian dominion, with the Californian and Oregonian provinces; and the Rocky Mountain dominion, including the Montanian, Saskatchewan, Palusian, Artemisian, Coloradan, Kansan, Mohavian, Navahonian, Sonoran, Chihuahuan, Comanche, and Baja California provinces. The Alleghany subregion, in eastern North America, includes the Illinoian, Canadian, Carolinian, Texan, Austroriparian, and Tamaulipan provinces. The Mexican Transition Zone, situated in the area of overlap with the Neotropical region, includes the Sierra Madre Occidental, Sierra Madre Oriental, Transmexican Volcanic Belt, Sierra Madre del Sur and Chiapas Highlands provinces.  


Zootaxa ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 4319 (1) ◽  
pp. 53
Author(s):  
WERNER MOHRIG ◽  
ELLEN KAUSCHKE

In the Nearctic region the genus Eugnoriste includes 7 species currently. Four of them are new to science. These are Eugnoriste brachycostalis sp. n., Eug. florea sp. n., Eug. hirsuta sp. n. and Eug. ptilosis sp. n. The male of Eug. brevirostris Coquillett, which has been unknown until now, was identified and described herein. Moreover, an additional description and figures were given for Eug. occidentalis Coquillett. Eugnoriste villosoabdominalis Mohrig is reported as new for North America. The genus Keilbachia includes three species in the Nearctic region presently. Two of them are new to science. These are Keilbachia americana sp. n. and K. semiacuta sp. n.        All species presented here were diagnosed, keyed and illustrated by figures as well as data of their distribution provided. 


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel Dansereau ◽  
Pierre Legendre ◽  
Timothée Poisot

Aim: Local contributions to beta diversity (LCBD) can be used to identify sites with high ecological uniqueness and exceptional species composition within a region of interest. Yet, these indices are typically used on local or regional scales with relatively few sites, as they require information on complete community compositions difficult to acquire on larger scales. Here, we investigate how LCBD indices can be used to predict ecological uniqueness over broad spatial extents using species distribution modelling and citizen science data. Location: North America. Time period: 2000s. Major taxa studied: Parulidae. Methods: We used Bayesian additive regression trees (BARTs) to predict warbler species distributions in North America based on observations recorded in the eBird database. We then calculated LCBD indices for observed and predicted data and examined the site-wise difference using direct comparison, a spatial autocorrelation test, and generalized linear regression. We also investigated the relationship between LCBD values and species richness in different regions and at various spatial extents and the effect of the proportion of rare species on the relationship. Results: Our results showed that the relationship between richness and LCBD values varies according to the region and the spatial extent at which it is applied. It is also affected by the proportion of rare species in the community. Species distribution models provided highly correlated estimates with observed data, although spatially autocorrelated. Main conclusions: Sites identified as unique over broad spatial extents may vary according to the regional richness, total extent size, and the proportion of rare species. Species distribution modelling can be used to predict ecological uniqueness over broad spatial extents, which could help identify beta diversity hotspots and important targets for conservation purposes in unsampled locations.


Zootaxa ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 4543 (2) ◽  
pp. 261
Author(s):  
WERNER MOHRIG ◽  
ELLEN KAUSCHKE

In the Nearctic region the genus Pseudolycoriella currently includes 13 species. The following seven species are new to science: Psl. basisetosa sp. n., Psl. brevialata sp. n., Psl. chlorothoracica sp. n., Psl. flavipila sp. n., Psl. longisetosa sp. n., Psl. nocturna sp. n. and Psl. subjucunda sp. n. All species are keyed, figured and distribution data is given. Ostroverkhovana Komarova, 2002 is regarded as a junior synonym of Pseudolycoriella Menzel & Mohrig, 1998. Phytosciara (Prosc.) plusiochaeta (Hippa & Vilkamaa, 1991) is reported from North America for the first time. 


1977 ◽  
Vol 89 (3) ◽  
pp. 551-563 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. G. Lewis

SummaryStudies of the day-time activity of night-enclosed eland, oryx, buffalo and cattle in a hot, semi-arid area in Kenya showed that, on average, eland spent 70% of the day feeding, oryx 60% and buffalo and cattle 52%.The distribution of activity throughout the day of all species was similar and the mobile activities of feeding and walking tended to be concentrated in the early morning and late evening.Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to investigate changes in the activity of the animals in relation to changes in meterological and vegetative factors. The activity of both eland and buffalo was found to be particularly sensitive to the meterological factors.The duration of feeding for cattle and buffalo was related to the state of the vegetation, but that of the oryx was not. Similar analyses were not possible for eland.The activity of each species could be related to mouth size, feeding habits and the effectiveness of the animals' coat in dealing with conditions of high heat load.It is concluded that a naturally short daily feeding time and an independence of activity from the environmental heat load on the animals are advantageous characteristics for a species under domestication in a hot semi-arid environment.


2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura Thompson ◽  
Maggie Sugg ◽  
Jennifer Runkle

Few studies have evaluated the benefits of reporting back participatory environmental monitoring results, particularly regarding participant motivation toward behavioural modification concerning workplace heat exposure. This study evaluated the individual data report-back for geo-located environmental temperature and time activity patterns in grounds maintenance crews in three geographic regions across the South-eastern United States. Surveys collected information on worker interpretation of their results and intended action(s) to reduce heat exposure. Worker response was highly positive, especially among more experienced workers who expressed a greater willingness to modify personal behaviour to reduce heat stress. Individual-level report-back of environmental data is a powerful tool for individuals to understand and act on their personal exposure to heat.


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