Foraging habitat selection by American and Magellanic oystercatchers (Haematopus palliatus and H. leucopodus) on Patagonian tidal flats

1991 ◽  
Vol 69 (6) ◽  
pp. 1636-1643 ◽  
Author(s):  
Douglas Siegel-Causey
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Tidal Flats ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Loglinear Models ◽  
Tidal State ◽  
Haematopus Palliatus

I examined the foraging behaviour of American and Magellanic oystercatchers on Patagonian tidal flats in the context of several abiotic and social factors. I analyzed the simultaneous effect of tidal state, wind speed, temperature, habitat preference, and species abundance of one species on the other by means of multiway contingency tables and loglinear models. Diets of both species were similar and reflected the natural abundances of prey items in the tidal flats. Both species were strongly influenced by tidal state when selecting foraging habitat, but other factors modified their preferences. I found that the foraging behavior of American Oystercatchers was determined solely by abiotic factors; i.e., tidal state, foraging period, and a higher order interaction effect between wind speed and tidal state. By contrast, no combination of abiotic factors was sufficient to explain the observed abundances of Magellanic Oystercatchers. Instead, their foraging behavior was facilitated by the presence of congeners in addition to abiotic factors.

scholarly journals Exploring the Functional Strategies Adopted by Coastal Plants Along an Ecological Gradient Using Morpho-functional Traits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Ciccarelli ◽  
Cleusa Bona
Keyword(s):  
C4 Photosynthesis ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Organic Matter Content ◽  
Matter Content ◽  
Strong Interactions ◽  
Soil Parameters ◽  
Dry Matter Content ◽  
Ecological Gradient ◽  
Ecological Conditions

AbstractCoastal dunes are characterised by strong interactions between biotic and abiotic factors along a short gradient from the shoreline to the inland region. We carried out an ecological analysis of the vegetation in a protected area of the Italian coast to evaluate the relationships among species abundance, the occurrence of morphoanatomical traits related to leaves, stems, and roots, and soil variables. Three transects were established perpendicular to the shoreline, with 27 plots distributed in the frontal dunes, backdunes, and temporarily wet dune slacks. An analysis based on community-weighted mean values showed that the pioneer communities of the frontal dunes were dominated by ruderals that are well adapted to the harsh ecological conditions of these environments, showing succulent leaves, high limb thickness values, and low values for leaf dry matter content (LDMC). The backdune vegetation was a mosaic of annual herbaceous and perennial shrub communities showing both ruderal and stress-tolerant strategies (clonality, sclerified leaves, high LDMC values, root phenolics) consistent with less extreme ecological conditions. The dune slack areas were dominated by plants showing adaptations to both arid and flooded environments, such as C4 photosynthesis, amphistomatic leaves, and abundant aerenchyma in the roots. The invasive status, C4 photosynthesis, leaf trichomes, and aerenchyma in the roots were significantly correlated with soil humidity, organic matter content, and pH. These results demonstrate the usefulness of anatomical traits (including root system traits) in understanding the functional strategies adopted by plants. Invasive species tended to occupy plots with high levels of soil moisture, suggesting an avoidance strategy for the harsh environmental conditions of coastal sand dunes. Finally, we suggest including information regarding root systems into coastal monitoring programs because they are directly linked to soil parameters useful in coastal dune management and protection.

scholarly journals Nutrient supply controls the linkage between species abundance and ecological interactions in marine bacterial communities

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianjiao Dai ◽  
Donghui Wen ◽  
Colin T. Bates ◽  
Linwei Wu ◽  
Xue Guo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nutrient Availability ◽  
Copy Number ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Coastal Sediment ◽  
Global Ocean ◽  
Bacterial Growth Rate ◽  
Opposite Pattern ◽  
Microbial Species ◽  
Rare Biosphere

AbstractNutrient scarcity is pervasive for natural microbial communities, affecting species reproduction and co-existence. However, it remains unclear whether there are general rules of how microbial species abundances are shaped by biotic and abiotic factors. Here we show that the ribosomal RNA gene operon (rrn) copy number, a genomic trait related to bacterial growth rate and nutrient demand, decreases from the abundant to the rare biosphere in the nutrient-rich coastal sediment but exhibits the opposite pattern in the nutrient-scarce pelagic zone of the global ocean. Both patterns are underlain by positive correlations between community-level rrn copy number and nutrients. Furthermore, inter-species co-exclusion inferred by negative network associations is observed more in coastal sediment than in ocean water samples. Nutrient manipulation experiments yield effects of nutrient availability on rrn copy numbers and network associations that are consistent with our field observations. Based on these results, we propose a “hunger games” hypothesis to define microbial species abundance rules using the rrn copy number, ecological interaction, and nutrient availability.

scholarly journals Comparative use of longline oysterbeds and adjacent tidal flats by waterbirds

2005 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 237-255 ◽  
Author(s):  
LINDA M. CONNOLLY ◽  
MARK A. COLWELL
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Tidal Flats ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Ardea Herodias ◽  
Interspecific Differences ◽  
Great Blue Heron ◽  
Species Abundances ◽  
Underlying Causes ◽  
Intertidal Habitats ◽  
And Control

Commercial oyster Crassostrea spp. cultivation in intertidal habitats may degrade foraging habitat of waterbirds. Consequently, we compared species abundances, community similarity and diversity of waterbirds using longline oyster culture beds and adjacent control plots on tidal flats of Humboldt Bay, California. Abundances of most species differed significantly between treatments, with seven of 13 shorebirds Charadriiformes and three of four wading birds Ciconiiformes more abundant on longline plots. By contrast, Black-bellied Plover Pluvialis squatarola were more abundant on control plots. Marbled Godwit Limosa fedoa, Long-billed Curlew Numenius americanus and Dunlin Calidris alpina showed mixed results depending on location and Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias were more abundant only on one control plot. Community composition was similar on longline and control plots, although diversity (H′) was greater on longline plots. Varying species' responses to longline techniques may have been associated with interspecific differences in diet and foraging behaviour, and the impacts of longlines and oyster-harvesting on prey distribution. Overall, longlines did not negatively affect the foraging behaviour of most species, but the underlying causes for increased bird use may lead to impacts on other trophic levels and over a longer temporal scale.

Diving behaviour of an immature Kemp's ridley turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) from Gullivan Bay, Ten Thousand Islands, south-west Florida

2006 ◽  
Vol 86 (4) ◽  
pp. 919-925 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Sasso ◽  
Wayne N. Witzell
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Diving Behaviour ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Normal Pattern ◽  
Lepidochelys Kempii ◽  
South West ◽  
Normal Period ◽  
Thousand Islands ◽  
Kemp's Ridley

We report on the first successfully deployed time-depth recorder on an immature Kemp's ridley turtle in a coastal foraging habitat in south-west Florida. The turtle exhibited three distinct dive patterns interpreted as: post release stress (26 h) post release transition (8 h) and normal (>34 h). The normal pattern consists of short periods on the surface followed by longer periods on the bottom in 2–3 m of water which we speculate is foraging behaviour. Overall, the turtle spent 94% of the time submerged during the normal period. The turtle spent significantly more time submerged at night than during the day, suggesting the turtle was resting. Night dives were consistently longer than dawn, day or dusk dives.

Observations on the Flight Patterns and Foraging Behavior of Tasmanian Bats

1986 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 427 ◽  
Author(s):  
MG Oneill ◽  
RJ Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Foraging Behavior ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Foraging Patterns ◽  
Broad Agreement ◽  
Direct Flight

Observations were made on the flight patterns and foraging behaviour of Tasmanian bat species, by the use of light tags and the release of individuals at dusk while it was still light enough to see clearly. Four distinct foraging patterns were observed, each being characteristic of a pair of species. These pairs were: Nyctophrlusgeoffroyi and N. timoriensis (slowest flight, undulating, closest to vegetation); Eptesicus vulturnus and E. regulus (highly manoeuvrable, faster than Nyctophilus, further from vegetation); E. sagittula and Chalinolobus morio (fast, direct flight, less manoeuvrable than smaller Eptesicus and fly higher); and Pipistrellus tasmaniensis and C. gouldii (faster, most direct flight, limited manoeuvrability, prefer open areas). There is a broad agreement between the flight patterns observed and the relative shape of the wing of each species.

scholarly journals Zooplankton species composition and diversity in the seagrass habitat of Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan Ismail ◽  
Abu Hena Mustafa Kamal ◽  
Mohd Hanafi Idris ◽  
S. M. Nurul Amin ◽  
Hadi Hamli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Relative Abundance ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Seagrass Habitat ◽  
Zooplankton Species ◽  
Analysis Model ◽  
Marine Fauna ◽  
Important Species ◽  
Parvocalanus Crassirostris ◽  
Chemical Conditions

Seagrass habitats are considered to be some of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the planet and safeguard some ecologically and economically important fauna, amongst which are some globally threatened species, including dugong. Malaysian seagrass ecosystems are not widespread, but their existence supports some significant marine fauna. A rigorous zooplankton study was conducted from May 2016 to February 2017, in the seagrass habitat of Lawas, Sarawak, Malaysia, to examine their temporal composition and diversity, together with their ecological influences. A total of 45 zooplankton species from 13 significant groups were recorded in the seagrass habitat. The population density of zooplankton ranged between 2,482 ind/m³ and 22,670 ind/m³ over three different seasons. A single zooplankton copepod was found to be dominant (47.40%), while bivalves were the second largest (31.8%) group in terms of total abundance. It was also noticed that the average relative abundance (0.62) and important species index (62.08) of copepods were higher than for other groups that exist in the seagrass meadow, whereas copepod Parvocalanus crassirostris showed both the highest average relative abundance (0.41) and the highest important species index (41.15). The diversity (H') and richness index of the intermediate season were found to be highest due to favourable physico-chemical conditions. Within the referred seasonal cluster, the wet and dry seasons were almost similar in terms of species abundance, while the intermediate season was distinct, with high species diversity backed by ANOSIM analysis results. Copepod and bivalves formed one group with a common similarity level of 0.80. The CCA (Canonical Correspondence Analysis) model established that abiotic factors, especially turbidity, NO2, rainfall, dissolved oxygen and pH were significantly correlated with abundance of individual groups of zooplankton. Zooplankton assemblage and abundance in Lawas were found to be very rich in multiple seasons, indicating that the productivity of uninterrupted seagrass habitat might be high and the system rich in biodiversity.

scholarly journals Extreme bill dimorphism leads to different but overlapping isotopic niches and similar trophic positions in sexes of the charismatic extinct huia

Oecologia ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara M. Tomotani ◽  
Rodrigo B. Salvador ◽  
Amandine J. M. Sabadel ◽  
Colin M. Miskelly ◽  
Julie C. S. Brown ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acids ◽  
Stable Isotopes ◽  
Geometric Morphometrics ◽  
Foraging Behaviour ◽  
Trophic Position ◽  
Female Competition ◽  
Museum Specimens ◽  
Foraging Habitat ◽  
Isotopic Analyses ◽  
Trophic Niches

AbstractThe New Zealand huia (Heteralocha acutirostris) had the most extreme bill sexual dimorphism among modern birds. Given the quick extinction of the species, the cause of the dimorphism could only be hypothesised to reflect different trophic niches and reduce male/female competition. We tested that hypothesis by combining museum specimens, geometric morphometrics, and isotopic analyses. We used geometric morphometrics to describe bill shape; measured bulk (δ15Nbulk) and (δ13Cbulk) values from feather as proxies of the birds’ foraging habitat and diet; and compared compound-specific stable isotopes analyses (CSIA) of nitrogen in amino acids (δ15NAA) in male–female pairs to estimate their trophic position. Sexes had significantly different, but overlapping feather δ15Nbulk and δ13Cbulk values, but δ15NAA indicated identical trophic positions and δ15Nbulk was not related to bill shape. Trophic position was less variable among females, consistent with a specialised foraging behaviour and, thus, supporting a partial male/female foraging segregation.

scholarly journals Status of lycaenid butterflies in some selected forests of Bangladesh

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 19-32
Author(s):  
S Akand ◽  
MA Bashar ◽  
HR Khan
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Relative Frequency ◽  
National Park ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Significant Negative Correlation ◽  
Field Investigation ◽  
P Value ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary ◽  
Significant Difference

A field investigation was carried out from January 2015 to December 2017 to study the status of some lycaenid butterflies in some selected forest areas of Bangladesh. A total of 6,724 lycaenids was recorded from Butterfly Research Park at Bhawal National Park, Gazipur; Madhupur National Park, Tangail; Satchori National Park and Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary of Habigonj. The dominant species was Arhopala pseudocentaurus with 21.85% relative frequency and the least abundant species was Rathinda amor with 0.75% relative frequency. Butterfly Research Park showed the maximum number of butterfly individuals with a covariance of 40% followed by Madhupur National Park (37%), Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary (13%), and Satchori National Park (10%). A significant difference (F = 3.52, p-value = 0.02) has been assessed using „One-way ANOVA‟ test. The difference in the availability of butterflies in different habitats indicated the differences in plant diversity among the forests. Lycaenid butterflies displayed highest abundance (13.19%) in December and lowest (5.38%) in October. There was no significant difference (F = 0.72, p-value = 0.71) among different months throughout the study period in overall species abundance though highest number was recorded in December. The abiotic factors (viz. temperature and relative humidity etc.) influence the presence of butterflies. Lycaenid butterflies demonstrated the highest abundance (887) in 26.9°C along with 64% relative humidity whereas the least abundance (362) has been recorded at 31.7°C with 77% relative humidity. The significant negative correlation was found in between lycaenid abundance and temperature (r = ─ 0.45, pvalue = 0.14), and between lycaenid abundance and relative humidity (r = ─ 0.19, p-value = 0.54). The butterfly population increased with decreasing average temperature and relative humidity during the study period. This investigation reveals the differences in the availability of lycaenid butterflies in relation to the differences in plant population and also the effect of abiotic factors in the forest areas. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2019, 5(2): 19-32

scholarly journals Effect of Diverse Abiotic Conditions on the Structure and Biodiversity of Ichthyofauna in Small, Natural Water Bodies Located on Agricultural Lands

Water ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (10) ◽  
pp. 2674
Author(s):  
Adam Brysiewicz ◽  
Przemysław Czerniejewski ◽  
Małgorzata Bonisławska
Keyword(s):  
Crucian Carp ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Common Knowledge ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Buffer Zone ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Agricultural Lands ◽  
Small Water ◽  
The North ◽  
K Concentration

Mid-field natural ponds promote regional biodiversity, providing alternative habitats for many valuable animal species. The study’s objective was to determine the most important abiotic factors, including hydrochemical and morphometric parameters, affecting fish occurrence in natural, small water bodies on agricultural lands. The studies were conducted in nine randomly selected water bodies located in Poland (the North European Plain). Eleven species of fish were recorded in the waterbodies, with the most abundant being cyprinids (mainly crucian carp). Canonical correspondence analysis (CCA) showed that an increase in oxygenation, temperature, amount of macrophytes, and K concentration and a decrease in the concentration of phosphates, electrical conductivity (EC), Mg, and Cl is associated with the most beneficial living conditions for the most frequently occurring species in the studied water bodies—crucian carp and tench. Aside from the hydrochemical parameters of water in the natural ponds, the number of fish correlates with the basin area and the pond area, maximum depth, area of the buffer zone surrounding the water bodies, and the number of macrophytes. This last factor also has a significant influence on the species’ abundance in the water bodies. Fish occurrences in mid-field ponds and common knowledge on their important role in the environment require taking steps to provide fish protection.

scholarly journals The Subhabitat Dependence of Biogeographic Pattern

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo A. Scrosati ◽  
Matthew J. Freeman ◽  
Julius A. Ellrich
Keyword(s):  
Intertidal Zone ◽  
Abiotic Factors ◽  
Species Abundance ◽  
Biological Surveys ◽  
Biogeographic Patterns ◽  
Abundance Data ◽  
Biogeographic Pattern ◽  
Sessile Invertebrates ◽  
High Intertidal Zone ◽  
Species Abundance Data

We introduce and test the subhabitat dependence hypothesis (SDH) in biogeography. This hypothesis posits that biogeographic pattern within a region differs when determined with species abundance data from different subhabitat types. It stems from the notion that the main abiotic factors that drive species distribution in different subhabitat types across a biogeographic region often vary differently across space. To test the SDH, we measured the abundance of algae and sessile invertebrates in two different subhabitats (high intertidal zone and mid-intertidal zone) at eight locations along the Atlantic Canadian coast. We conducted multivariate analyses of the species abundance data to compare alongshore biogeographic pattern between both zones. For both subhabitat types, location groupings based on community similarity not always responded to geographic proximity, leading to biogeographic patchiness to some extent. Nonetheless, both biogeographic patterns were statistically unrelated, thus supporting the SDH. This lack of concordance was most evident for southern locations, which clustered together based on high-intertidal data but showed considerable alongshore patchiness based on mid-intertidal data. We also found that the ordination pattern of these eight locations based on sea surface temperature data was significantly related to biogeographic pattern for the mid-intertidal zone but not for the high intertidal zone. This finding supports the rationale behind the SDH due to the longer periods of submergence experienced by the mid-intertidal zone. Overall, we conclude that biogeographic pattern within a region can depend on the surveyed subhabitat type. Thus, biological surveys restricted to specific subhabitats may not properly reveal biogeographic pattern for a biota as a whole or even just for other subhabitats. As many studies generate biogeographic information with data only for specific subhabitats, we recommend testing the SDH in other systems to determine its domain of application.

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