scholarly journals Very rapid long-distance sea crossing by a migratory bird

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
José A. Alves ◽  
Maria P. Dias ◽  
Verónica Méndez ◽  
Borgný Katrínardóttir ◽  
Tómas G. Gunnarsson
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Round Trip ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Energetic Costs ◽  
Ground Speed ◽  
Shortest Route ◽  
Wind Support

Abstract Landbirds undertaking within-continent migrations have the possibility to stop en route, but most long-distance migrants must also undertake large non-stop sea crossings, the length of which can vary greatly. For shorebirds migrating from Iceland to West Africa, the shortest route would involve one of the longest continuous sea crossings while alternative, mostly overland, routes are available. Using geolocators to track the migration of Icelandic whimbrels (Numenius phaeopus), we show that they can complete a round-trip of 11,000 km making two non-stop sea crossings and flying at speeds of up to 24 m s−1; the fastest recorded for shorebirds flying over the ocean. Although wind support could reduce flight energetic costs, whimbrels faced headwinds up to twice their ground speed, indicating that unfavourable and potentially fatal weather conditions are not uncommon. Such apparently high risk migrations might be more common than previously thought, with potential fitness gains outweighing the costs.

scholarly journals Migrating curlews on schedule: departure and arrival patterns of a long-distance migrant depend on time and breeding location rather than on wind conditions

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Schwemmer ◽  
Moritz Mercker ◽  
Klaus Heinrich Vanselow ◽  
Pierrick Bocher ◽  
Stefan Garthe
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Timing Of Migration ◽  
Weather Parameters ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Breeding Location ◽  
Departure Decisions ◽  
Selection Operator

Abstract Background Departure decisions in long-distance migratory bird species may depend on favourable weather conditions and beneficial resources at the destination location, overarched by genetic triggers. However, few studies have tried to validate the significance of these three concepts simultaneously, and long-term, high-resolution tagging datasets recording individual movements across consecutive years are scarce. We used such a dataset to explore intraspecific and intra-individual variabilities in departure and arrival decisions from/to wintering grounds in relation to these three different concepts in bird migration. Methods We equipped 23 curlews (Numenius arquata) wintering in the Wadden Sea with Global Positioning System data loggers to record their spatio-temporal patterns of departure from and arrival at their wintering site, and the first part of their spring migration. We obtained data for 42 migrations over 6 years, with 12 individuals performing repeat migrations in consecutive years. Day of year of departure and arrival was related to 38 meteorological and bird-related predictors using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to identify drivers of departure and arrival decisions. Results Curlews migrated almost exclusively to Arctic and sub-Arctic Russia for breeding. They left their wintering site mainly during the evening from mid- to late April and returned between the end of June and mid-July. There was no difference in departure times between the sexes. Weather parameters did not impact departure decisions; if departure days coincided with headwind conditions, the birds accounted for this by flying at higher altitudes of up to several kilometres. Curlews breeding further away in areas with late snowmelt departed later. Departures dates varied by only < 4 days in individual curlews tagged over consecutive years. Conclusions These results suggest that the trigger for migration in this long-distance migrant is largely independent of weather conditions but is subject to resource availability in breeding areas. The high intra-individual repeatability of departure days among subsequent years and the lack of relationship to weather parameters suggest the importance of genetic triggers in prompting the start of migration. Further insights into the timing of migration in immatures and closely related birds might help to further unravel the genetic mechanisms triggering migration patterns.

scholarly journals Migrating Curlews on Schedule: Departure and Arrival Patterns of a Long-Distance Migrant Depend on Time Rather than on Wind Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Schwemmer ◽  
Moritz Mercker ◽  
Klaus Heinrich Vanselow ◽  
Pierrick Bocher ◽  
Stefan Garthe
Keyword(s):  
Wadden Sea ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Internal Clock ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
Timing Of Migration ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Selection Operator

Abstract Background: Choosing the appropriate time to depart for spring migration is crucial to achieving a successful subsequent breeding season among migratory bird species. We expected Eurasian Curlews (Numenius arquata) to start their migration during favourable weather conditions and to adjust their flight heights to prevailing wind conditions.Methods: We equipped 23 curlews with Global Positioning System data loggers to record the spatio-temporal patterns of their departure from and arrival at their wintering site in the Wadden Sea, as well as the first part of their migration. We obtained data for 42 curlew migrations over a period of 6 years. Departure and arrival dates were related to 73 meteorological and bird-related predictors using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to identify drivers of departure and arrival decisions.Results: Curlews migrated almost exclusively to the western part of Russia for breeding. They left the Wadden Sea mainly during the evening hours from mid- to late April and returned between the end of June and mid-July. There was no difference in departure times between the sexes, but males tended to return from their breeding sites later than females. Flight speeds of the birds increased significantly with increasing tailwind component, suggesting that they timed their migration according to favourable wind conditions. However, curlews left the Wadden Sea during various wind and weather conditions, with significant numbers leaving during headwind conditions, in contrast to the apparent wind-driven start of migration. Curlews migrated at very low altitudes during tailwind conditions, but flew significantly higher during headwind conditions, at altitudes of up to several kilometres. Departure dates varied by <4 days in individual curlews that were tagged over consecutive years. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the start of migration in a long-distance migrant mainly depends on the date and is independent of weather conditions. Given the high repeatability of the departure day among subsequent years, this clearly suggests the existence of an internal clock prompting the start of migration. Further insights into the timing of migration in immatures and closely related birds might help us to understand the genetic mechanisms triggering temporal migration patterns.

scholarly journals Migrating Curlews on Schedule: Departure and Arrival Patterns of a Long-distance Migrant Depend on time and Breeding Location Rather than on Wind Conditions

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp Schwemmer ◽  
Moritz Mercker ◽  
Klaus Heinrich Vanselow ◽  
Pierrick Bocher ◽  
Stefan Garthe
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Weather Conditions ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Timing Of Migration ◽  
Weather Parameters ◽  
Spatio Temporal ◽  
Breeding Location ◽  
Departure Decisions ◽  
Selection Operator

Abstract Background: Departure decisions in long-distance migratory bird species may depend on favourable weather conditions and beneficial resources at the destination location, overarched by genetic triggers. However, few studies have tried to validate the significance of these three concepts simultaneously, and long-term, high-resolution tagging datasets recording individual movements across consecutive years are scarce. We used such a dataset to explore intraspecific and intra-individual variabilities in departure and arrival decisions from/to wintering grounds in relation to these three different concepts in bird migration.Methods: We equipped 23 curlews (Numenius arquata) wintering in the Wadden Sea with Global Positioning System data loggers to record their spatio-temporal patterns of departure from and arrival at their wintering site, and the first part of their migration. We obtained data for 42 migrations over 6 years, with 12 individuals performing repeat migrations in consecutive years. Departure and arrival dates were related to 73 meteorological and bird-related predictors using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) to identify drivers of departure and arrival decisions.Results: Curlews migrated almost exclusively to Arctic and sub-Arctic Russia for breeding. They left their wintering site mainly during the evening from mid- to late April and returned between the end of June and mid-July. There was no difference in departure times between the sexes. Weather parameters did not impact departure decisions; if departure days coincided with headwind conditions, the birds accounted for this by flying at higher altitudes of up to several kilometres. Curlews breeding further away in areas with late snowmelt departed later. Departures dates varied by only <4 days in individual curlews tagged over consecutive years.Conclusions: These results suggest that the trigger for migration in a long-distance migrant is largely independent of weather conditions but is subject to resource availability in breeding areas. The high intra-individual repeatability of departure days among subsequent years and the lack of relationship to weather parameters suggest the importance of genetic triggers in prompting the start of migration. Further insights into the timing of migration in immatures and closely related birds might help to further unravel the genetic mechanisms triggering migration patterns.

scholarly journals Molecular characterization of high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) in women in Lomé, Togo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Akouélé P. Kuassi-Kpede ◽  
Essolakina Dolou ◽  
Théodora M. Zohoncon ◽  
Ina Marie Angèle Traore ◽  
Gnatoulma Katawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Papillomavirus ◽  
High Risk ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Hpv Infection ◽  
Cervical Lesions ◽  
Hpv Genotypes ◽  
Precancerous Cervical Lesions ◽  
High Risk Hpv ◽  
First Time

Abstract Background The causative agent of cervical cancer referred to as Human papillomavirus (HPV) remains a real public health problem. Many countries in West Africa, such as Togo have no data on the high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection and genotypes distribution. In order to fill the knowledge gap in the field in Togo, the main objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of pre-cancerous lesions of the cervix and HR-HPV genotypes among Togolese women. Methods Samples were collected from 240 women by introducing a swab in the cervix. Then, the screening of precancerous cervical lesions using the visual inspection with acetic acid and lugol (VIA / VIL) was conducted. The HR-HPV genotypes were characterised by real-time multiplex PCR. Results Out of 240 women recruited, 128 (53.3%) were infected by HR-HPV. The most common genotypes were HPV 56 (22.7%), followed by HPV 51 (20.3%), HPV 31 (19.5%), HPV 52 (18.8%) and HPV 35 (17.2%). The least common genotypes were HPV 33 (2.3%) and HPV 16 (2.3%). Among the women, 1.3% (3/240) were positive to VIA/VIL. Conclusion This study allowed HR-HPV genotypes to be characterised for the first time in Lomé, Togo. This will help in mapping the HR-HPV genotypes in West Africa.

scholarly journals Temporal changes in reproductive success and optimal breeding decisions in a long-distance migratory bird

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cynthia Reséndiz-Infante ◽  
Gilles Gauthier
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Environmental Changes ◽  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Laying Date ◽  
Negative Consequences ◽  
Breeding Phenology ◽  
Additional Time ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Seasonal Decline

AbstractMany avian migrants have not adjusted breeding phenology to climate warming resulting in negative consequences for their offspring. We studied seasonal changes in reproductive success of the greater snow goose (Anser caerulescens atlantica), a long-distance migrant. As the climate warms and plant phenology advances, the mismatch between the timing of gosling hatch and peak nutritive quality of plants will increase. We predicted that optimal laying date yielding highest reproductive success occurred earlier over time and that the seasonal decline in reproductive success increased. Over 25 years, reproductive success of early breeders increased by 42%, producing a steeper seasonal decline in reproductive success. The difference between the laying date producing highest reproductive success and the median laying date of the population increased, which suggests an increase in the selection pressure for that trait. Observed clutch size was lower than clutch size yielding the highest reproductive success for most laying dates. However, at the individual level, clutch size could still be optimal if the additional time required to acquire nutrients to lay extra eggs is compensated by a reduction in reproductive success due to a delayed laying date. Nonetheless, breeding phenology may not respond sufficiently to meet future environmental changes induced by warming temperatures.

scholarly journals Author Correction: Age-dependent carry-over effects in a long-distance migratory bird

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Cosme López Calderón ◽  
Javier Balbontín Arenas ◽  
Keith A. Hobson ◽  
Anders Pape Møller
Keyword(s):  
Migratory Bird ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
Age Dependent ◽  
Carry Over

scholarly journals Controlling Shipping Along the North European Trade Axis

1971 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 553-556
Author(s):  
D. J. Lindsay
Keyword(s):  
Weather Conditions ◽  
North Coast ◽  
Baltic Basin ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
The North ◽  
Large Numbers ◽  
Straight Line ◽  
European Trade ◽  
Trade Route ◽  
The Baltic

By the North European Trade Axis is meant the trade route from Ushant and Land's End, up the English Channel, through the Dover Strait fanning out to serve eastern England, the north coast of continental Europe and leading to the Baltic Basin. Recent events in this area have left a feeling that some form of tightening of control is not only desirable, but is rapidly becoming imperative. There is a basic conflict between the two forms of shipping using the area: the local users who use the area more or less constantly, and the long-distance traders, usually much larger, which arrive in the area for a brief stay after a prolonged period at sea, which has usually been in good weather conditions. Frequently these latter ships have a very poor notion of the hornet's nest into which they are steaming when they arrive. The net result is all too often the same: the local users, with familiarity breeding contempt, wander about as they see fit, with scant regard for routing or the regulations; all too often the big ships arrive from sea with navigating staffs who are too confused, sometimes too ignorant—and sometimes too terrified—to do much more than blunder forward in a straight line hoping for the best. Quite obviously this is not a total picture, and there are large numbers of ships which navigate perfectly competently, but the minority of those which do not seem to be rising rapidly, and show every sign of continuing to increase.

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