scholarly journals Trophic ecology and morphology of Anolis bartschi (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in Viñales National Park, Cuba

2020 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 177-187
Author(s):  
L. Yusnaviel García-Padrón ◽  
Geydis León Amador ◽  
Mariela Mezquía Delgado ◽  
Yusvel Martínez Serrano
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
National Park ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Ecological Functions ◽  
Head Morphology ◽  
Prey Overlap

Trophic ecology and morphology of Anolis bartschi (Squamata: Dactyloidae) in Parque Nacional Viñales, Cuba. Little is known about the trophic ecology of most anoles of Cuba. Morphology is directly related to ecological functions in lizards, such as feeding strategies, interspecifc competition or energetic demands linked to reproduction. Anolis bartschi is a regionally endemic species, restricted to karstic hills of western Cuba. Here, we offer new insights into the trophic ecology of this species, and its relation to head morphology. We captured 131 adults; males were larger than females in size and head width. Most of them had prey in their stomachs. Males consumed more prey than females, but the latter consumed larger prey. Prey overlap within sexes was detected in the dry season, but trophic segregation occurred in the rainy season. Hymenoptera was the most frequently consumed prey in both sexes. In addition, females ate Blattodea and Coleoptera, and males consumed more Diptera. We suggest that this lizard prefers sedentary rather than mobile prey. According to our dataset and feld observations, A. bartschi is a bimodal forager lizard, but research on temporal (daily and annual) variation in diet is recommended for a proper forage classifcation of this lizard.

Trophic ecology of the mountain lizard, Liolaemus monticola (Müller & Hellmich, 1932), an endemic species of the central Andes of Chile

2017 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 372
Author(s):  
Manuel Jara ◽  
Andrés Muñoz-Pedreros
Keyword(s):  
Endemic Species ◽  
Energy Cost ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Central Andes ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Relative Toxicity ◽  
Seasonal Fluctuations ◽  
Niche Dynamics

Knowledge of trophic ecology is fundamental for understanding feeding strategies and niche dynamics, which can provide information on the vulnerability and conservation status of some poorly known species, such as Liolaemus monticola, a rock-dwelling lizard endemic to the central Andes of Chile. We studied its trophic ecology, analysing its diet and the availability of prey during three activity seasons (summer, autumn and spring). The results show that L. monticola is insectivorous, preying on epigean arthropods. The most frequent prey is formicid ants, on which it feeds in a greater proportion than that at which they occur in the environment. The annual diet is less variable than the seasonal fluctuations in the abundance of prey in the environment. We conclude that L. monticola is a trophic specialist with a preference for the ants Camponotus morosus, Araucomyrmex hypocritus and Brachymyrmex giardii. This diet presupposes an equilibrium between the relative toxicity of the ants, the energy cost of dealing with the prey and detoxification.

scholarly journals Table scraps: inter-trophic food provisioning by pumas

2012 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 776-779 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Mark Elbroch ◽  
Heiko U. Wittmer
Keyword(s):  
Canis Lupus ◽  
National Park ◽  
Puma Concolor ◽  
Large Carnivores ◽  
Food Provisioning ◽  
Ecological Functions ◽  
Natural Systems ◽  
Food Subsidies ◽  
Vultur Gryphus ◽  
Natural Communities

Large carnivores perform keystone ecological functions through direct predation, or indirectly, through food subsidies to scavengers or trophic cascades driven by their influence on the distributions of their prey. Pumas ( Puma concolor ) are an elusive, cryptic species difficult to study and little is known about their inter-trophic-level interactions in natural communities. Using new GPS technology, we discovered that pumas in Patagonia provided 232 ± 31 kg of edible meat/month/100 km 2 to near-threatened Andean condors ( Vultur gryphus ) and other members of a diverse scavenger community. This is up to 3.1 times the contributions by wolves ( Canis lupus ) to communities in Yellowstone National Park, USA, and highlights the keystone role large, solitary felids play in natural systems. These findings are more pertinent than ever, for managers increasingly advocate controlling pumas and other large felids to bolster prey populations and mitigate concerns over human and livestock safety, without a full understanding of the potential ecological consequences of their actions.

scholarly journals Petrophytic-steppe communities of the Mogutova Mountain (Zhiguli Hills)

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 48-53
Author(s):  
Larisa Valerievna Sidyakina ◽  
Vladimir Mikhailovich Vasjukov ◽  
Sergey Vladimirovich Saksonov
Keyword(s):  
Russian Federation ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
The North ◽  
Steppe Communities ◽  
Feather Grass ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Pulsatilla Patens ◽  
Steep Slopes

The Mogutova Mountain - domal erosive ostanets in the north of the Zhigulyovsk hill, lies in national park Samara Luka. Communities petrophytic steppes are formed on calcareous exposures of steep slopes of the western, southern and east expositions of the mountain Mogutova. Petrophytic-steppe communities on a slope of east exposition are described - petrophytic-forbs-feather grass steppe ( Stipa capillata + Stipa pennata + Herbae stepposae ), on a slope of west exposition - petrophytic-sunrose-feather grass steppe ( Stipa pennata + Helianthemum nummularium ), on a slope of south exposition - petrophytic-thyme-sedge-feather grass steppe ( Stipa pulcherrima + Carex pediformis + Thymus zheguliensis ). In the studied communities three narrow-local of endemic species of the Zhigulyovsk hill grows: Euphorbia zhiguliensis, Gypsophila juzepczukii, Thymus zheguliensis and three of subendemic species grows: Festuca wolgensis s.str. , Tanacetum sclerophyllum (endemics of Central Volga area), Koeleria sclerophylla (endemic of Central Volga area and South Ural); the relict element of flora is presented by three species: Alyssum lenense, Clausia aprica, Helianthemum nummularium . Five species are included in the Red book of the Russian Federation: Astragalus zingeri, Euphorbia zhiguliensis, Koeleria sclerophylla, Stipa pennata, Thymus zheguliensis ; sixteen species are included in the Red book of the Samara region: Adonanthe vernalis, Alyssum lenense, Astragalus zingeri, Clausia aprica, Cotoneaster laxiflorus, Euphorbia zhiguliensis, Festuca wolgensis, Gypsophila juzepczukii, Helianthemum nummularium, Koeleria sclerophylla, Onosma volgensis, Pulsatilla patens, Scabiosa isetensis, Stipa pennata, Tanacetum sclerophyllum, Thymus zheguliensis. The most widespread plants of petrophytic steppes of the Mogutova Mountain: Astragalus zingeri, Carex pediformis, Echinops ruthenicus, Galium hexanarium, Gypsophila juzepczukii, Helictotrichon desertorum, Jurinea ledebourii, Onosma volgensis, Psephellus carbonatus, Stipa pennata, Tanacetum sclerophyllum, Thesium ramosum, Thymus zheguliensis .

scholarly journals Unimodal head-width distribution of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) from the Zeeschelde does not support disruptive selection

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5773 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieterjan Verhelst ◽  
Jens De Meyer ◽  
Jan Reubens ◽  
Johan Coeck ◽  
Peter Goethals ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anguilla Anguilla ◽  
Bimodal Distribution ◽  
Disruptive Selection ◽  
Head Width ◽  
European Eel ◽  
Unimodal Distribution ◽  
Single Location ◽  
Maturation Stages ◽  
Width Distribution ◽  
Head Morphology

Since the early 20th century, European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) have been dichotomously classified into ‘narrow’ and ‘broad’ heads. These morphs are mainly considered the result of a differential food choice, with narrow heads feeding primarily on small/soft prey and broad heads on large/hard prey. Yet, such a classification implies that head-width variation follows a bimodal distribution, leading to the assumption of disruptive selection. We investigated the head morphology of 272 eels, caught over three consecutive years (2015–2017) at a single location in the Zeeschelde (Belgium). Based on our results, BIC favored a unimodal distribution, while AIC provided equal support for a unimodal and a bimodal distribution. Notably, visualization of the distributions revealed a strong overlap between the two normal distributions under the bimodal model, likely explaining the ambiguity under AIC. Consequently, it is more likely that head-width variation followed a unimodal distribution, indicating there are no disruptive selection pressures for bimodality in the Zeeschelde. As such, eels could not be divided in two distinct head-width groups. Instead, their head widths showed a continuum of narrow to broad with a normal distribution. This pattern was consistent across all maturation stages studied here.

scholarly journals Diurnal, Seasonal and Annual Variation of Microwave Radio Refractivity Gradient over Akure, South West Nigeria

2019 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Adekunle Titus Adediji ◽  
Joseph Babatunde Dada ◽  
Moses Oludare Ajewole
Keyword(s):  
Rainy Season ◽  
Annual Variation ◽  
Ground Surface ◽  
Local Effect ◽  
Dry Season ◽  
Radio Link ◽  
Wet Season ◽  
Annual Variations ◽  
Microwave Radio

In this study, four years in-situ measurements of atmospheric parameters (pressure, temperature and relative humidity) were carried out. The measurement was by placing an automatic weather station at five different heights: ground surface, 50, 100, 150 and 200 m respectively on a 220 m Nigeria Television Authority TV tower in Akure, South Western Nigeria. The four years Data collected (January 2007 to December 2009 and January to December 2011) were used to compute radio refractivity and its gradient. The local effect of a location/ region cannot but looked into when designing effective radio link, hence the diurnal, seasonal and annual variations of the radio refractivity gradient were studied. Results showed that refractivity gradient steadily increases inthe hour of 8:30 and 9:30 to 18:00 during dry season throughout the years investigated, and decreases two hours in the rainy season than the dry season. The record shows that at 50 m altitude, the maximum and minimum values are 158 N-unit/km around 14:30 and - 286 N-unit/km around 13:30 to 14:00 hrs, LT during the dry and rainy season respectively. Seasonally, refractivity gradient is steeper with greater variability in the dry season months than in the wet season months.

scholarly journals Resource partitioning and ecomorphological variation in two syntopic species of Lebiasinidae (Characiformes) in an Amazonian stream

2016 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-36 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nathália Carina dos Santos SILVA ◽  
Aluízio José Lopes da COSTA ◽  
José LOUVISE ◽  
Bruno Eleres SOARES ◽  
Vanessa Cristine e Souza REIS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resource Partitioning ◽  
Trophic Ecology ◽  
Species Coexistence ◽  
Stomach Contents ◽  
Relative Length ◽  
Niche Overlap ◽  
The Body ◽  
Feeding Strategies ◽  
Relative Depth ◽  
Feeding Niche

ABSTRACTResource partitioning is important for species coexistence. Species with similar ecomorphology are potential competitors, especially when phylogenetically close, due to niche conservatism. The aim of this study was to investigate the resource partitioning among populations of two species of lebiasinids (Copella nigrofasciata and Pyrrhulina aff. brevis) that co-occur in a first-order Amazonian stream, analyzing the trophic ecology, feeding strategies and ecomorphological attributes related to the use of food and space by these species. Fish were captured in May and September 2010. The stomach contents of 60 individuals were analyzed and quantified volumetrically to characterize the feeding ecology of both species. Eleven morphological attributes were measured in 20 specimens and combined in nine ecomorphological indices. Both species had an omnivorous-invertivorous diet and consumed predominantly allochthonous items. Both showed a tendency to a generalist diet, but intrapopulational variation in resource use was also detected. Overall feeding niche overlap was high, but differed between seasons: low during the rainy season and high in the dry season. In the latter, the food niche overlap was asymmetric because C. nigrofasciata consumed several prey of P. aff. brevis, which reduced its food spectrum. The ecomorphological analysis suggests that C. nigrofasciatahas greater swimming capacity (greater relative length of caudal peduncle) than P. aff. brevis, which has greater maneuverability and tendency to inhabit lentic environments (greater relative depth of the body). Our results demonstrate that these species have similar trophic ecology and suggest a spatial segregation, given by morphological differences related to locomotion and occupation of habitat, favoring their coexistence.

Five new species of the genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from the Phetchabun Mountains, Thailand

Zootaxa ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 3613 (5) ◽  
pp. 445-454
Author(s):  
KITIYA THAWARORIT ◽  
NARUMON SANGPRADUB ◽  
JOHN C. MORSE
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
National Parks ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
National Park ◽  
High Density ◽  
Wildlife Sanctuary

Five new species of the genus Cheumatopsyche (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) from the Phetchabun Mountains, Thai-land, are described and illustrated. The national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in the Phetchabun Mountains are recognized as areas with a high density of endemic species deserving protection. Four new species of Cheumatopsyche (C. recta, C. diversa, C. triangula, and C. tongto) have been found in Phu Khieo Wildlife Sanctuary, Phu Kradueng National Park and Thung Salaeng Luang National Park; a fifth new species (C. cava) has been found in Phu Kradueng National Park. De-scribing hydropsychid species is important not only to study diversity and distribution but also to facilitate eventual de-scriptions of larvae for use in freshwater biomonitoring programs to detect pollution.

A new alpine skink species (Scincidae: Eugongylinae: Oligosoma) from Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand

Zootaxa ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 4920 (4) ◽  
pp. 495-508
Author(s):  
GEOFF B. PATTERSON ◽  
RODNEY A. HITCHMOUGH
Keyword(s):  
New Species ◽  
New Zealand ◽  
National Park ◽  
Iucn Red List ◽  
Colour Pattern ◽  
Width Ratio ◽  
Head Width ◽  
Long Tail ◽  
Critical Data ◽  
Data Deficient

A new species of Oligosoma is described from a slate scree in montane tussock grassland in Kahurangi National Park, New Zealand, where it is currently known from a single small site. The new species (Oligosoma kahurangi sp. nov.) can be distinguished from all congeners by its extremely long tail, 36–38 mid-body scale rows, head length/head width ratio of 1.66, and colour pattern. It is part of the O. longipes Patterson species complex. The species is currently very poorly known but likely to be highly threatened, and we suggest listing as Nationally Critical (Data Poor, One Location) in New Zealand, and Data Deficient in the IUCN red-list. Predation by introduced mammals, particularly mice, is assumed to be a threat to its survival. 

scholarly journals Behavior, Diet, and Breeding Biology of Double-Toothed Kites at a Guatemalan Lowland Site

The Condor ◽  
2000 ◽  
Vol 102 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Schulze ◽  
Jose LuÍs CÓrdova ◽  
Nathaniel E. Seavy ◽  
David F. Whitacre
Keyword(s):  
Clutch Size ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
National Park ◽  
Maximum Density ◽  
Lowland Forest ◽  
Tropical Lowland ◽  
Nestling Diet ◽  
Tropical Lowland Forest ◽  
Nestling Period ◽  
Closed Canopy

Abstract We studied Double-toothed Kites (Harpagus bidentatus) in tropical lowland forest at Tikal National Park, Petén, Guatemala, documenting behavior and diet during the incubation and nestling periods. These 200-g kites are Accipiter-like in form and strikingly size-dimorphic for a kite. Modal clutch size was two, producing 0.63 fledglings per nesting attempt and 1.25 per successful nest. Nesting was largely synchronous among pairs, with hatching during the first month of the rainy season and fledging one month later. Incubation lasted 42–45 days and nestlings fledged at 29.5 days on average. A radio-tagged fledgling was fed near the nest for 35 days; 6–8 weeks after fledging it dispersed at least 10 km, presumably reaching independence. Males did not incubate or brood, and rarely fed nestlings directly. Males typically provided most but not all prey (mainly lizards) during incubation and early nestling periods. Insects in the nestling diet increased through the nestling period as females increasingly hunted, often bringing in insects. These kites hunted from perches, below and within the closed canopy of tall, mature forest, taking 60.5% insects, 38.1% lizards, and 1.4% other vertebrates; vertebrates comprised at least 75% of prey biomass. Most prey were taken from vegetation, but prey in flight also were captured. Active, adjacent nests averaged 1.35 km apart, for a maximum density estimate of 0.60 pairs km−2 and a more likely estimate of 0.33–0.50 pairs km−2 in homogeneous, favorable habitat and 0.29–0.44 pairs km−2 for Tikal National Park as a whole.

scholarly journals Comparison of the Chemical Composition of Valeriana parviflora Essential Oils Collected in the Venezuelan Andes in two Different Seasons

2015 ◽  
Vol 10 (4) ◽  
pp. 1934578X1501000
Author(s):  
Sammy Fernández ◽  
María Rondón ◽  
Janne Rojas ◽  
Antonio Morales ◽  
Luis Rojas-Fermin
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Composition ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Essential Oils ◽  
Endemic Species ◽  
Rainy Season ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Isovaleric Acid ◽  
Aerial Parts ◽  
Different Seasons ◽  
Main Components

The essential oils obtained by hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Valeriana parviflora (Trevir) BM Vadillo, an endemic species of the Venezuelan Andes, collected from the same location in two different seasons (dry and rainy) of the year, were analyzed by GC/MS. The essential oil obtained during the dry season showed linalool (11.9%), eugenol (8.9%), p-menth-1-en-9-al (8.7%) and α-terpineol (7.7%) as main components, while the oil obtained from the rainy season collection showed o-xylol (16.2%), 3-methyl isovaleric acid (10.6%) and geranial (9.5%) as major compounds. Some of the differences in the composition of these oils might be due to the climatic conditions at the time of harvesting.

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