Energetic consequences of a major change in habitat use: endangered Brent GeeseBranta bernicla hrotalosing their main food resource

AbstractVineyards can be valuable habitats for biodiversity conservation. For example, in Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany) over a third of the state’s critically endangered Woodlark (Lullula arborea) population breeds in vineyards along the western margin of the Upper Rhine Valley. We here aim to elucidate how local ground cover management, food availability and the proximity to settlements affect territory selection by this bird species in the region. As climate, site conditions and management differ greatly from more continental or Mediterranean wine-growing areas, conditions for Woodlark conservation may differ as well.We compared 26 Woodlark territories in vineyards with 26 nearby reference areas from which Woodlarks were absent. We recorded vineyard ground cover in the inter-rows (% cover) as well as vegetation height and composition (forbs vs. grasses). Arthropods were sampled using pitfall traps, since they are the main food resource of Woodlarks during the breeding season. In addition, the distance to built-up areas was measured. The vegetation in Woodlark territories was shorter (mean 14.2 vs. 19.6 cm) and more dominated by forbs (39% vs. 27% cover) than in absence areas. The vegetation cover in the inter-rows had no effect on Woodlark territory presence or absence. Woodlarks also favoured areas with a higher abundance of arthropods (mean abundance 69.1 vs. 57.5) and a greater distance to built-up areas (mean distance 554 vs. 373 m). We conclude that to promote the Woodlark in wine-growing areas, short, forb-rich swards should be created, facilitating arthropod detectability. This is likely to require low levels of nitrogen fertilization since fertilizers favour tall-growing grasses that outcompete forbs. Pesticide applications should be kept at a minimum to enhance arthropods as the main food source for Woodlarks and their chicks. In addition, the expansion of settlements into breeding areas of Woodlarks should be avoided.

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Aquatic insects as the main food resource of fish the community in a Neotropical reservoir

Neotropical Ichthyology ◽

10.1590/s1679-62252009000400020 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 7 (4) ◽

pp. 701-708 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Ana Paula Vidotto-Magnoni ◽

Edmir Daniel Carvalho

Keyword(s):

Aquatic Insects ◽

Food Resource ◽

Gravimetric Method ◽

Stomach Contents ◽

Food Resources ◽

Food Category ◽

Main Food ◽

Tietê River ◽

Two Samples ◽

Terrestrial Insects

We evaluated the feeding of fish species of the Nova Avanhandava Reservoir, low Tietê River, São Paulo State, Brazil. Fishes were collected in two stretches of the reservoir: Santa Bárbara (14 samples) and Bonito (two samples) between September 2002 and March 2004, using gill and seining nets. The results of stomach contents analysis were expressed with the frequency of occurrence and gravimetric method, combined in the Alimentary Index (AI). The 20 species studied consumed 52 food items, grouped in 10 food categories: aquatic insects, terrestrial insects, crustaceans, fish, macroinvertebrates, microcrustaceans, algae, vegetal matter, detritus/sediment and scales. The aquatic insects (mainly Chironomidae, Odonata and Ephemeroptera) were the most common food resources, consumed by 18 species. The diet composition of the community (species grouped) indicated that the dominant food category in the diet of fishes was aquatic insects (AI = 77.6%), followed by crustaceans (AI = 7.1%). Four trophic guilds were identified according a cluster analysis (Pearson distance): insectivorous (10 species), omnivorous (4 species), detritivorous (3 species) and piscivorous/carcinophagous (3 species). Despite the highest number of species, the insectivorous guild was responsible for more than 80% in captures in number and biomass (CPUEn and CPUEb). The low values of niche breadth presented by all species, along with the low values of diet overlap between species pairs indicate a high degree of food resources partitioning among species. The aquatic insects, despite being the main food resource of insectivorous fishes, also complemented the diet of other species, which demonstrate the importance of this food resource for the fish community, sustaining a high diversity, abundance and biomass of fishes.

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Frugivory and seed dispersal by the yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula, in a subtropical forest of China

Journal of Tropical Ecology ◽

10.1017/s0266467408004793 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 24 (2) ◽

pp. 219-223 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

You-Bing Zhou ◽

Eleanor Slade ◽

Chris Newman ◽

Xiao-Ming Wang ◽

Shu-Yi Zhang

Keyword(s):

Seed Dispersal ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Tropical Forests ◽

Systematic Study ◽

Food Resource ◽

Subtropical Forest ◽

Geographical Range ◽

Important Food ◽

Living Species ◽

Comprehensive Study

The yellow-throated marten, Martes flavigula, is the only living species of the genus Martes found in subtropical and tropical forests (Harrison et al. 2004). It is distributed throughout central and southern Asia in a wide variety of habitats. Despite its extensive geographical range, the ecology and behaviour of this species has so far received little attention, aside from a study of habitat use (Grassman et al. 2005). Studies on other martens have shown that fruits are an important food resource (e.g. M. martes, Bermejo & Guitian 2000; M. foina, Pandolfi et al. 1996). Thus, they are considered to be important potential seed dispersers (Corlett 1998, Herrera 1989, Willson 1993), as confirmed by recent studies (M. melampus, Otani 2002; M. americana, Hickey et al. 1999; M. foina and M. martes, Schaumann & Heinken 2002). Although no systematic study of the diet of M. flavigula has been conducted (Harrison et al. 2004), it is known to be omnivorous and to consume fruit (Gao & Wang 1987). To date, however, there has been no comprehensive study of frugivory and seed dispersal by M. flavigula (but see Corlett 1998).

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IMPORTÂNCIA DE MICROHABITATS NA OCORRÊNCIA DE GÊNEROS DE EPHEMEROPTERA E TRICHOPTERA EM UMA ILHA NO RIO XINGU

Oecologia Australis ◽

10.4257/oeco.2021.2503.03 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (03) ◽

pp. 662-673

Author(s):

Samantha Ribeiro da Silva ◽

◽

Ana Luiza-Andrade ◽

Suyana Karla Ferreira da Silva ◽

Tamyris Pegado de Souza e Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fine Particles ◽

Food Resource ◽

Aquatic Insect ◽

Coastal Region ◽

Small Island ◽

Coastal Environments ◽

Food Groups ◽

Insect Communities ◽

Main Food ◽

Coastal Margin

IMPORTANCE OF MICROHABITATS IN THE OCCURRENCE OF EPHEMEROPTERA AND TRICHOPTERA SPECIES IN AN ISLAND IN RIO XINGU. This work described the abundance, richness and composition of genera and the functional food groups (GFA) of Ephemeroptera and Trichoptera (ET), in different microhabitats of a fluvial island, in Volta Grande of the Xingu River, Brazilian Amazon. Aquatic insects were collected from 30 samples located in puddles situated in the interior of the island (rocks as substrate); and another 30 samples located in the coastal margin of the island (pebble as substrate). The different facets of diversity (abundance, richness and composition of genera and GFA) were compared between puddle samples with rock substrate and those from the coastal region with pebble substrate. In total, 56 individuals were collected, distributed in 15 genera ET. The greatest estimated genera richness and the largest number of individuals occurred in the rocks of the puddle environments. The composition of genera differed between the rocks in the puddle environments and the pebbles in the coastal environments, with the community of the latter being more homogeneous. There were more scraper organisms distributed predominantly in the rocks of the puddle environments and filtering organisms arranged predominantly in the pebbles of the coastal environments. The distribution of scrapers is related to the availability of food, since the island has little vegetation and the light on the rocks is favorable for colonization by biofilm, its main food resource. In the coastal region, the greater distribution of filters is related to the greater number of fine particles suspended in water, its main food resource. The results demonstrate that even in spatially close environments, such as on a small island, differences in the availability of food resources in different microhabitats can influence the distribution in multiple facets of diversity. Thus, even in dynamic environments such as large rivers, maintaining microhabitats is important for aquatic insect communities.

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Aquatic habitat use in a semi-aquatic mammal: the Eurasian beaver

Animal Biotelemetry ◽

10.1186/s40317-021-00259-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 9 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Rasmus Mohr Mortensen ◽

Stefanie Reinhardt ◽

Marina Eraker Hjønnevåg ◽

Rory Paul Wilson ◽

Frank Rosell

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Building Materials ◽

Aquatic Vegetation ◽

Food Resource ◽

Aquatic Habitat ◽

Fine Scale ◽

Aquatic Habitats ◽

Aquatic Mammal ◽

Clay Sediment ◽

Selection For

Abstract Background Semi-aquatic mammals exploit resources both on land and in water and may require both to meet their habitat requirements including food- and building resources, refuges, and for social interactions with conspecifics. Within this, the specific availability of both terrestrial and aquatic resources is expected to impact individual fitness. Beavers are highly dependent on water for movement and protection from predators. They are central place foragers and mostly forage on woody vegetation near water although aquatic vegetation may also be an important food resource. However, little is known about their use of aquatic habitats. We aimed to address this knowledge gap by dead-reckoning fine-scale movement tracks and classifying fine-scale diving events, which we then related to the spatial distribution of aquatic vegetation and habitat components within the territory. Results Overall, there was a statistically clear decrease in probability that diving would occur at dawn and with increasing distance from territory borders. In addition, the distance from the lodge at which animals dived decreased through the night and during the spring/early summer. There was strong selection for diving habitats located closer to the riverbank, with stronger selection for these areas being observed in individuals with larger home ranges. We saw a higher selection for diving above clay sediment, and within 150 m from the lodge, presumably because mud and clay sediment tended to be located closer to the lodge than sand and rock sediment. Furthermore, we found a clear selection for diving in the presence of quillwort (Isoetes spp.), shoreweed (Littorella uniflora), and stonewort (Nitella spp.). Selection for these focal species was stronger among subordinate individuals. Individuals with lower body condition dived closer to the beaver lodge, and dives located further from the lodge were associated with high densities of aquatic vegetation. Conclusion We provide new knowledge on the aquatic habitat use in a semi-aquatic mammal and show how energetic constraints may shape how beavers spatially use the aquatic environment, whereby short and shallow dives appear most beneficial. We show how aquatic habitats may have great importance for both foraging, building materials and safety, and discuss to how they may affect the fitness of individuals.

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TO THE FAUNA OF BIVALVE MOLLUSCS OF THE DAGESTAN COAST OF THE CASPIAN SEA

South of Russia ecology development ◽

10.18470/1992-1098-2018-2-9-21 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 13 (2) ◽

pp. 9-21 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marina V. Khlopkova ◽

Magomedzagid K. Guseynov ◽

Kais M. Guseynov ◽

Aysha Sh. Gasanova

Keyword(s):

Fish Species ◽

Caspian Sea ◽

Food Resource ◽

Fish Fauna ◽

Bivalve Mollusks ◽

The Caspian Sea ◽

Commercial Fish ◽

Main Food ◽

The Third ◽

The Individual

Aim. The aim is to study bivalve mollusks of the Dagestan zone of the Caspian Sea as the main feed for all the fish fauna in modern conditions. Material and methods. For the study, are used the materials received in the period of spring-autumn 2015-2017. The collection of material and data processing was carried out according to traditional methods. For the study of nutrition, 30 specimens of each fish species were opened. Such feeding characteristics as the composition of food and the ratio of feed components are given. In the study of shells of bivalve mollusks, the following morphological parameters were measured: length (L), height (H), convexity (Con.), in accordance with the most common measurement technique. Were calculated the allometric coefficients for each year of the life of the individual: the coefficient of elongation (the ratio of height to length), the convexity coefficient (the ratio of convexity to the height). Results. At all periods of the level regime, mollusks are the main food resource of the Caspian Sea. At present they form the basis of the food bolus of the investigated commercial fish species. In June 2017, 25 km north of the city of Makhachkala, after a storm, we found 109 shells of Corbicula fluminalis (O.F. Müller, 1774) (a new invasive atypical species for the investigated aquatorium), the third part of which still had the remains of the ligament. The species was the third most abundant and represented by specimens of all age stages. Conclusions. At present, there are fluctuations in the biomass of the autocolonizers Cerastoderma lamarcki (Reeve), Mytilaster lineatus (Gmelin) and Abra ovata (Philippi), as well as a significant reduction in the range of autochthonous Caspian species, mainly Didacna Eichw. Bivalve mollusks are the main food resource of the Caspian Sea. In conditions of increasing anthropogenic load, further detailed studies of the Caspian's malacofauna are needed.

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Biological and ecological aspects of Bathygobius soporator (Valenciennes, 1837) (Perciformes, Gobiidae) from Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil

Papéis Avulsos de Zoologia ◽

10.11606/1807-0205/2021.61.15 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 61 ◽

pp. e20216115

Author(s):

Germano Henrique Costa Barrilli ◽

Julia Gomes do Vale ◽

Gabriela Stahelin ◽

Joaquim Olinto Branco

Keyword(s):

Sexual Dimorphism ◽

Trophic Ecology ◽

Food Resource ◽

First Year ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Santa Catarina ◽

Main Food ◽

Ecological Aspects ◽

Fast Development ◽

First Year Of Life

Bathygobius soporator (popularly known as "Maria da toca") is a species that, although abundant, is little studied in aspects regarding growth, feeding and reproduction in southern Brazil. Studies on trophic ecology still raise questions on the species’ actual diet, especially in the context of algae participating as a food resource or an accidental intake. Thus, this study aims to fill this gap, evaluating the growth, feeding, and reproduction of this species. Monthly samples from two periods (1997-1998 and 2005-2006) were analyzed for growth, feeding, and reproduction parameters, totalizing 1177 individuals evaluated. Our results demonstrate that Bathygobius soporator is a species of fast development, reaching the age of first maturation before the first year of life. It presents a sexual dimorphism, being males larger than females. Reproductive peaks occur in the spring and summer months. The species presented a broad trophic spectrum, including algae as the main food resource, not just an accidental intake. The omnivorous-opportunistic trophic ecology of this species is emphasized, agreeing with the information of previous studies.

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Spatio-temporal patterns of foraging behaviour in a wide-ranging seabird reveal the role of primary productivity in locating prey

Marine Ecology Progress Series ◽

10.3354/meps13386 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 646 ◽

pp. 175-188

Author(s):

A Kane ◽

E Pirotta ◽

S Wischnewski ◽

EJ Critchley ◽

A Bennison ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Foraging Behaviour ◽

Food Resource ◽

Biotic Interactions ◽

Central Place ◽

Ocean Dynamics ◽

Environmental Predictors ◽

Nocturnal Foraging ◽

Spatio Temporal ◽

Marine Productivity

Predicting the distribution and behaviour of animals is a fundamental objective in ecology and a cornerstone of conservation biology. Modelling the distribution of ocean-faring species like seabirds remains a significant challenge due to ocean dynamics, colony-specific effects and the vast ranges seabirds can cover. We used a spatial and behavioural approach to model the distribution of the Manx shearwater Puffinus puffinus, a pelagic, central-place forager that can cover great distances while foraging. GPS data from birds tagged in 2 colonies over 3 yr were modelled with a range of environmental predictors of marine productivity. For both colonies, transitions to foraging behaviour correlated with chlorophyll a, and the distribution of foraging behaviour was also associated with areas of high chlorophyll a concentration in coastal but not offshore areas for one colony. Furthermore, there was evidence for colony differences in habitat use, prevalence of nocturnal foraging, and for some competitive exclusion on foraging grounds, even though the colonies were 170 km apart. Despite the extensive dataset, our models had modest predictive power, which we suggest can probably only be improved by including biotic interactions, including more direct measures of food resource distribution. Our results highlight the importance of including spatial complexity and data from multiple sites when predicting the distribution of wide-ranging predators, because patterns of distribution and habitat use likely differ across the range of a population.

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Recent findings suggest adding red fox to climate-threatened whitebark pine trophic system

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/cjz-2020-0198 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Patrick R. Cross ◽

Robert L. Crabtree

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Food Resource ◽

Rocky Mountain ◽

Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus ◽

Small Scale ◽

Whitebark Pine ◽

Red Foxes ◽

Winter Foraging ◽

Greater Yellowstone

Mountain ecosystems are sensitive to climate change, and climate-driven declines in primary producers can impact food webs. Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis Engelm.) seed, a valuable food resource for montane wildlife species, is threatened by climate change. Whitebark pine exhibit masting, and during a snowtracking study of Rocky Mountain red foxes (Vulpes vulpes macroura Baird, 1852) in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem that happened to coincide with masting, we unexpectedly observed red foxes consuming whitebark pine seeds from red squirrel (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus Erxleben, 1777) middens. Seed production then decreased the following year. To investigate whether whitebark pine seed availability affected winter foraging and habitat use by red foxes, we assessed interannual variance in our dietary and habitat use data. We found both seed consumption and use of habitats where seeds were available also decreased during the non-mast winter. Given the limitations of our small-scale, opportunistic analysis, we suggest whitebark pine seeds may be an important food resource for red foxes, and that their relationship warrants further research and consideration in conservation efforts for both species.

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The Effects on Rain-Forest Birds of Plantings of Teak, Tectona Grandis, in Papua New Guinea.

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9790305 ◽

1979 ◽

Vol 6 (3) ◽

pp. 305 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

HL Bell

Keyword(s):

Papua New Guinea ◽

Rain Forest ◽

Feeding Habits ◽

Food Resource ◽

Tectona Grandis ◽

New Guinea ◽

Natural Vegetation ◽

Forest Birds ◽

Main Food ◽

Official Policy

Plantations of the introduced teak (Tectona grandis) in New Guinea had little lateral branching, few epiphytes or climbers and little undergrowth. Birds found among teak were some from the original rain forest nearby and some savannah species. There were far fewer species of bird and mammal than in rain forest, owing mainly to the loss of small insectivorous passerines, nectarivores and ground feeders. Birds at 2 teak plots and in rain forest were classed by their feeding habits; some had adapted to different niches on leaving rain forest for the teak. There were few mammals in the teak other than rats, probably Rattus leucopus, and the rats ate teak fruit. A main food resource in teak was the teak moth (Hyblaea puera); birds were noted that ate the larvae or pupae. Even birds able to maintain themselves among teak may be able to colonize teak only if there is adjacent rain forest from which to colonize. Official policy is now to leave natural vegetation along creek lines.

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