Phenological differences among selected residents and long-distance migrant bird species in central Europe

2013 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 809-817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lenka Bartošová ◽  
Miroslav Trnka ◽  
Zdeněk Bauer ◽  
Martin Možný ◽  
Petr Štěpánek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Migrant Bird

scholarly journals Genetic characterization of a novel picornavirus distantly related to the marine mammal-infecting aquamaviruses in a long-distance migrant bird species, European roller (Coracias garrulus)

2013 ◽  
Vol 94 (9) ◽  
pp. 2029-2035 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ákos Boros ◽  
Tamás Kiss ◽  
Orsolya Kiss ◽  
Péter Pankovics ◽  
Beatrix Kapusinszky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Marine Mammal ◽  
Genetic Characterization ◽  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Coracias Garrulus ◽  
Faecal Samples ◽  
European Roller ◽  
Migrant Bird

Despite the continuously growing number of known avian picornaviruses (family Picornaviridae), knowledge of their genetic diversity in wild birds, especially in long-distance migrant species is very limited. In this study, we report the presence of a novel picornavirus identified from one of 18 analysed faecal samples of an Afro-Palearctic migrant bird, the European roller (Coracias garrulus L., 1758), which is distantly related to the marine-mammal-infecting seal aquamavirus A1 (genus Aquamavirus). The phylogenetic analyses and the low sequence identity (P1 26.3 %, P2 25.8 % and P3 28.4 %) suggest that this picornavirus could be the founding member of a novel picornavirus genus that we have provisionally named ‘Kunsagivirus’, with ‘Greplavirus A’ (strain roller/SZAL6-KuV/2011/HUN, GenBank accession no. KC935379) as the candidate type species.

scholarly journals Impacts of landscape-scale windthrow and subsequent, variable reforestation on bird communities in Central Europe

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johannes Kamp ◽  
Johanna Trappe ◽  
Luca Dübbers ◽  
Stephanie Funke
Keyword(s):  
Norway Spruce ◽  
Community Composition ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Tree Species ◽  
Secondary Succession ◽  
Forest Disturbance ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
European Beech ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Long Distance

AbstractWith climate change, the area affected by and the intensity of forest disturbances such as windthrow, insect outbreaks and fire will be increasing. Post-disturbance forest management will be varied, and it is difficult to predict how much natural succession will be allowed in comparison to reforestation. Both, disturbance and reforestation will affect forest biodiversity globally, but potential shifts in species distribution, abundance and community composition are poorly understood.We studied the response of breeding bird communities to windthrow and different reforestation strategies in one of Central Europe’s largest contiguous windthrow areas created by storm Kyrill in 2007. A decade after the disturbance, we compared bird species diversity, population densities and community composition on plots in replanted beech, replanted conifers and secondary succession (all salvage-logged after the storm), with undisturbed old Norway spruce Picea abies as a control, in the setting of a natural experiment.Of the stands blown down, 95% were Norway Spruce. Reforestation strategies varied, with Spruce and non-native conifers planted on twice the area that was replanted with European Beech Fagus sylvestris. Large areas were still dominated by successional tree species a decade after the storm, especially birch, mirroring recommendations of sub-national forestry agencies to include secondary succession in future forest development. Birds responded strongly to windthrow, with a pronounced community turnover. Species associated with high conifer stands reached significantly lower densities on sample plots in disturbed areas. Replanted areas were characterized by mostly ubiquitous bird species. Areas dominated by secondary succession, especially birch Betula spp., were characterized by high densities of long-distance migrants (often species of conservation concern) and shrubland species, among them several indicator species.Our results suggest that an increase of forest disturbance across Central Europe will lead to a pronounced reorganisation of biodiversity. Strategies that allow more secondary succession, and avoid replanting allochthonous tree species are likely to benefit populations of depleted bird species, even at salvage-logged and cleared disturbance sites.

Focal bird species and risk assessment approach for nonagricultural grassland scenarios in Central Europe

2014 ◽  
Vol 33 (9) ◽  
pp. 2055-2061 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jens Schabacker ◽  
Jochen Gerlach ◽  
Marcel Münderle ◽  
Christian Dietzen ◽  
Jan-Dieter Ludwigs
Keyword(s):  
Risk Assessment ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Assessment Approach

An unexpected new record of the Mediterranean orchid, Ophrys bertolonii (Orchidaceae) in Central Europe

Biologia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 66 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Attila Molnár V ◽  
András Máté ◽  
Gábor Sramkó
Keyword(s):  
Central Europe ◽  
New Record ◽  
Dispersal Ability ◽  
Long Distance Dispersal ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Permanent Establishment ◽  
Adriatic Coast ◽  
Northward Expansion ◽  
Mediterranean Plant

AbstractOne flowering specimen of Ophrys bertolonii (s. str.) — a plant with a Circum-Adriatic distribution and hitherto unknown in other regions — was found on 7th May 2010 in the vicinity of Kunadacs (Central Hungary; N 47°00′ E 19°17′). The nearest known populations of this Mediterranean plant inhabit the Adriatic coast (ca. 450 km away) in Croatia, therefore this new occurrence represents a significant long distance dispersal event. The circumstances of the occurrence argue against introduction, but we can not decide now whether this new appearance is temporary or permanent. The permanent establishment of this strictly entomophilous plant requires the presence of its specific pollinator in the close neighbourhood of the habitat. However, no pollination was observed on the three flowers of the plant until 9th May, and one day later the stem had disappeared most likely due to grazing. Whatever the long-term fate of the plant is, this discovery represents a significant long distance (jump) dispersal event, and testifies to the dispersal ability of Ophrys species. Additionally, the appearance of a mature Adriatic plant in Central Europe fits well into the currently observed, climate change driven northward expansion of European orchids, therefore this finding most likely reflects a growing Mediterranean-like climatic influence in the region.

scholarly journals Brain regions associated with visual cues are important for bird migration

2015 ◽  
Vol 11 (11) ◽  
pp. 20150678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Orsolya Vincze ◽  
Csongor I. Vágási ◽  
Péter L. Pap ◽  
Gergely Osváth ◽  
Anders Pape Møller
Keyword(s):  
Visual Cues ◽  
Optic Lobe ◽  
Brain Size ◽  
Relative Size ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Interspecific Variation ◽  
Brain Regions ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Migration Distance ◽  
Whole Brain

Long-distance migratory birds have relatively smaller brains than short-distance migrants or residents. Here, we test whether reduction in brain size with migration distance can be generalized across the different brain regions suggested to play key roles in orientation during migration. Based on 152 bird species, belonging to 61 avian families from six continents, we show that the sizes of both the telencephalon and the whole brain decrease, and the relative size of the optic lobe increases, while cerebellum size does not change with increasing migration distance. Body mass, whole brain size, optic lobe size and wing aspect ratio together account for a remarkable 46% of interspecific variation in average migration distance across bird species. These results indicate that visual acuity might be a primary neural adaptation to the ecological challenge of migration.

scholarly journals Flight range, fuel load and the impact of climate change on the journeys of migrant birds

2018 ◽  
Vol 285 (1873) ◽  
pp. 20172329 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Howard ◽  
Philip A. Stephens ◽  
Joseph A. Tobias ◽  
Catherine Sheard ◽  
Stuart H. M. Butchart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Change ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Climate Impact ◽  
Fuel Load ◽  
Migratory Species ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Avian Flight ◽  
Flight Range ◽  
Combine Information ◽  
The Impact

Climate change is predicted to increase migration distances for many migratory species, but the physiological and temporal implications of longer migratory journeys have not been explored. Here, we combine information about species' flight range potential and migratory refuelling requirements to simulate the number of stopovers required and the duration of current migratory journeys for 77 bird species breeding in Europe. Using tracking data, we show that our estimates accord with recorded journey times and stopovers for most species. We then combine projections of altered migratory distances under climate change with models of avian flight to predict future migratory journeys. We find that 37% of migratory journeys undertaken by long-distance migrants will necessitate an additional stopover in future. These greater distances and the increased number of stops will substantially increase overall journey durations of many long-distance migratory species, a factor not currently considered in climate impact studies.

The stone fortifications of the settlement at Spišský Štvrtok. A contribution to the discussion on the long-distance contacts of the Otomani-Füzesabony culture

2014 ◽  
Vol 89 (2) ◽  
pp. 291-304
Author(s):  
Mateusz Jaeger
Keyword(s):  
Bronze Age ◽  
Present Article ◽  
Central Europe ◽  
Alternative Explanation ◽  
Comparative Approach ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The World ◽  
Long Distance Relationships ◽  
Stone Walls

Zusammenfassung: In den letzten Jahrzehnten nahm die Siedlung von Spišský Štvrtok eine wichtige Rolle in der Debatte über jene Fernbeziehungen ein, die die Welt der mykenischen Kultur mit Mitteleuropa verbanden. Obwohl die Ergebnisse der Ausgrabungen auf dem Gelände noch immer nicht in ihrer Gesamtheit veröffentlicht sind, postulierte der Ausgräber J. Vladár eine Übereinstimmung der Steinmauern und Bastionen mit solchen mykenischer Architektur und fand für diese Thesen wissenschaftlichen Zuspruch. Im vorliegenden Artikel wird der Annahme jedoch widersprochen. Die Befestigungen von Spišský Štvrtok werden in einem vergleichenden Ansatz diskutiert und Siedlungsstrukturen gegenübergestellt, die aus der Otomani-Füzesabony-Kultur und der mykenischen Kultur bekannt sind. Der Autor zeigt im Vergleich mit weiteren Befunden bronzezeitlicher Verteidigungsarchitektur die Alleinstellung der vorliegenden Anlage. Die dabei sichtbar werdenden Unterschiede rechtfertigen die Notwendigkeit, nach alternativen chronologischen Ansätzen für die steinerne Befestigungsanlage von Spišský Štvrtok zu suchen. Résumé: L’habitat fortifié de Spišský Štvrtok a joué un rôle important au cours des dernières décennies dans le débat sur les relations à longue portée entre le monde de la civilisation mycénienne et l’Europe centrale. Quoique les résultats des fouilles de ce site n’aient pas été entièrement publiés, les opinions de leur auteur, J. Vladár, proposant que les murs et bastions en pierre encerclant le site démontrent des affinités avec l’architecture mycénienne, ont largement été acceptées. L’auteur du présent article conteste cette thèse. Les fortifications de Spišský Štvrtok font ici l’objet d’une approche comparative, les confrontant à d’autres structures d’habitat appartenant à la culture d’Otomani-Füzesabony et à la civilisation mycénienne. L’auteur démontre ainsi le caractère distinct de Spišský Štvrtok par rapport aux modèles courants de l’architecture de l’âge du Bronze. Cette disparité demande un autre modèle pour expliquer la chronologie des fortifications en pierre sur le site en question. Abstract: In recent decades, the settlement at Spišský Štvrtok played an important role in the debate concerning the long-distance relationships linking the world of the Mycenaean civilisation with Central Europe. Although the findings of the excavations at the site have not been published in their entirety, the views of its excavator, J. Vladár, who suggested that the site’s stone walls and bastions bore a similarity to Mycenaean architecture, have been widely accepted. In this article, the author challenges this thesis. The Spišský Štvrtok fortifications are discussed in a comparative approach, set against other settlement structures known from the Otomani-Füzesabony culture and the Mycenaean culture. The author demonstrates the apparent distinctiveness of Spišský Štvrtok when compared with the known models of Bronze Age defensive architecture. The disparity justifies the need to seek an alternative explanation for the chronology of the stone fortifications at the site in question.

scholarly journals Birdsong and Sound Transmission: The Benefits of Reverberations

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (3) ◽  
pp. 564-573 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hans Slabbekoorn ◽  
Jacintha Ellers ◽  
Thomas B. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Sound Transmission ◽  
Acoustic Properties ◽  
Signal Design ◽  
Signal Attenuation ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Animal Vocalizations ◽  
Distance Communication ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Insight Into

Abstract Animal vocalizations used for long-distance communication are shaped by acoustic properties of the environment. Studies of the relationship between signal design and sound transmission typically focus on habitat-induced limitations due to signal attenuation and degradation. However, signal design may not entirely be explained by habitat limitations, but rather by beneficial consequences of reverberations. Narrow-frequency bandwidth notes (NFB notes) are pure notes that change little in frequency, and are typical for many bird species living in dense tropical forests. In contrast to frequency-modulated notes, we show that reverberations lead to a longer and louder signal after transmission for NFB notes. Furthermore, playback experiments to territorial males of an African passerine indicated that longer notes led to a stronger behavioral response. These results suggest that reverberations may benefit signal efficiency depending on the signal design, and add new insight into the selection pressures imposed on acoustic signals by the environment. Canto de Aves y Transmisión de Sonido: Beneficios de las Reverberaciones Resumen. Las vocalizaciones utilizadas por animales para la comunicación a larga distancia están condicionadas por las propiedades acústicas del entorno. Los estudios sobre la relación entre el diseño de las señales y la transmisión del sonido suelen centrarse en los límites impuestos por el hábitat debido a la atenuación y degradación de la señal. Sin embargo, es posible que el diseño de la señal no esté regido exclusivamente por las limitaciones del habitat, sino por las consecuencias beneficiosas de las reverberaciones. Las notas de frecuencia de banda estrecha (notas NFB) son notas puras que cambian poco de frecuencia y son típicas de varias especies que habitan bosques tropicales densos. Al contrario que en las notas de frecuencia modulada, mostramos que las reverberaciones alargan y aumentan la señal de las notas NFB. Asimismo, experimentos de playback con machos territoriales de un paseriforme africano indican que las notas más largas provocan una mayor respuesta. Estos resultados sugieren que las reverberaciones pueden mejorar la eficiencia de la señal, dependiendo del diseño de la misma, y añaden un nuevo componente a nuestro conocimiento sobre las presiones selectivas impuestas por el entorno sobre las señales acústicas.

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