scholarly journals Fine-scale movement patterns and habitat selection of little owls (Athene noctua) from two declining populations

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. e0256608
Author(s):  
Martin Mayer ◽  
Martin Šálek ◽  
Anthony David Fox ◽  
Frej Juhl Lindhøj ◽  
Lars Bo Jacobsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Space Use ◽  
Gps Data ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Movement Trajectories ◽  
Athene Noctua ◽  
Little Owl

Advances in bio-logging technology for wildlife monitoring have expanded our ability to study space use and behavior of many animal species at increasingly detailed scales. However, such data can be challenging to analyze due to autocorrelation of GPS positions. As a case study, we investigated spatiotemporal movements and habitat selection in the little owl (Athene noctua), a bird species that is declining in central Europe and verges on extinction in Denmark. We equipped 6 Danish food-supplemented little owls and 6 non-supplemented owls in the Czech Republic with high-resolution GPS loggers that recorded one position per minute. Nightly space use, measured as 95% kernel density estimates, of Danish male owls were on average 62 ha (± 64 SD, larger than any found in previous studies) compared to 2 ha (± 1) in females, and to 3 ± 1 ha (males) versus 3 ± 5 ha (females) in the Czech Republic. Foraging Danish male owls moved on average 4-fold further from their nest and at almost double the distance per hour than Czech males. To create availability data for the habitat selection analysis, we accounted for high spatiotemporal autocorrelation of the GPS data by simulating correlated random walks with the same autocorrelation structure as the actual little owl movement trajectories. We found that habitat selection was similar between Danish and Czech owls, with individuals selecting for short vegetation and areas with high structural diversity. Our limited sample size did not allow us to infer patterns on a population level, but nevertheless demonstrates how high-resolution GPS data can help to identify critical habitat requirements to better formulate conservation actions on a local scale.

Habitat selection of an endangered European farmland bird, the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana, in two contrasting landscapes: implications for management

2018 ◽  
Vol 29 (1) ◽  
pp. 144-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN ŠÁLEK ◽  
VÍT ZEMAN ◽  
RADOVAN VÁCLAV
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Habitat Heterogeneity ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Habitat Associations ◽  
Woody Vegetation ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Habitat Features ◽  
Farmland Bird ◽  
Emberiza Hortulana ◽  
Ortolan Bunting

SummaryEffective conservation measures for any bird species across their distribution ranges require detailed knowledge of landscape-specific differences in habitat associations. The Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana is a farmland bird species, which experienced massive population declines during the recent decades and has become a conservation priority in many European countries. Thus, identification of the key habitat features is an important prerequisite for the conservation of the species. Here we investigate habitat associations of the Ortolan Bunting for the remaining breeding population of the species in the Czech Republic. This population is remarkable by its distribution in two markedly different environments – farmland and post-mining landscapes. The main objectives of this study were to identify habitat features associated with Ortolan Bunting occurrence within the two contrasting landscapes and at two spatial scales. Our results reveal a high degree of habitat plasticity by Ortolan Buntings in the Czech Republic which was revealed by the landscape- and scale- specific habitat associations. Habitat heterogeneity, in terms of compositional and configurational diversity, and the cover of bare ground were the most important predictors of Ortolan Bunting occurrence in both landscape types. In farmland, the species occurrence was positively associated with shrub and woody vegetation, poppy fields and set-asides, and negatively associated with grasslands, gardens/orchards, seedlings and urban habitats. In the post-mining landscape, the cover of herb vegetation and greater slope steepness and terrain ruggedness were most important habitat features. Ortolan Buntings in the post-mining landscape appear to avoid patches with a higher cover of shrub and woody vegetation, forests, seedlings and urban areas. We propose that conservation measures for Ortolan Buntings should focus on enhancing farmland habitat heterogeneity, but also on regulating the rate of succession in disturbed environments, such as post-mining landscapes.

Role of three bird species in the life cycle of two Sarcocystis species (Apicomplexa, Sarcocystidae) in the Czech Republic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ondřej Máca ◽  
David González
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Intestinal Mucosa ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Great Cormorant ◽  
Sarcocystis Species ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Leg Muscles ◽  
The Common ◽  
Milvus Milvus

Abstract BackgroundBirds are one of the groups involved in the development of Sarcocystis Lankester, 1882, serving either as intermediate or definitive hosts. The white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla (Linnaeus, 1758), red kite Milvus milvus (Linnaeus, 1758) (both Accipitriformes) and common starlings Sturnus vulgaris Linnaeus, 1758 (Passeriformes) were examined to elucidate their participation in the development of Sarcocystis, as well as to determine the specific identity of the parasites based on morphological and especially molecular analyses.MethodsIn 2020–2021, one white-tailed eagle, one red kite and five common starlings were parasitologically examined for the presence of Sarcocystis using flotation centrifugation coprological method and by wet mounts of intestinal mucosa scrapings and/or muscle samples. Positive samples were processed by light microscopy, histologically and followed molecularly at four genetic markers (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, ITS1 and cox1).ResultsThe white-tailed eagle harboured oocysts/sporocysts of S. arctica Gjerde et Schulze, 2014 in the intestinal mucosa, while the intestinal mucosa of the red kite and breasts and leg muscles of one common starling were positive to S. halieti Gjerde, Vikøren et Hamnes, 2018. Sequences from eagle shared 99.6 − 100% identity with each other and S. arctica in the red fox (V. vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) from the Czech Republic. Sequences from the common starling and red kite shared 100% identity with each other and with S. halieti in the great cormorant (P. carbo [Linnaeus, 1758]) from Lithuania and H. albicilla from Norway.ConclusionsThe white-tailed sea eagle (H. albicilla) acts as natural definitive host of S. arctica, whereas the common starling (St. vulgaris) and red kite (M. milvus) represent intermediate and definitive hosts, respectively, for S. halieti.

scholarly journals Spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owl Athene noctua during the breeding season in Central European farmland

2011 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 328-338 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARTIN ŠÁLEK ◽  
MATĚJ LÖVY
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Selection ◽  
Home Range ◽  
Breeding Season ◽  
Spatial Ecology ◽  
Active Management ◽  
Vegetation Height ◽  
Management Actions ◽  
Athene Noctua ◽  
Little Owl ◽  
Selection Of

SummaryInformation on habitat requirements and spatial ecology is vital in conservation strategies and management of particular species. Little Owl Athene noctua is a highly threatened owl species whose populations have significantly decreased or are locally extinct in many European countries. In this study we report on spatial ecology and habitat selection of Little Owls during their breeding season in an agricultural landscape and discuss key management actions for its conservation. The mean home range size of radio-tracked Little Owls, determined by the kernel method, was 0.94 ha (SD = 0.95, 0.24–2.72 ha) and 4.30 ha (SD = 3.75, 0.88–11.70 ha) for 50% and 95% home range, respectively. The smallest home ranges were recorded in April–June (incubation and nesting period) with a significant increase in July–August (fledging season). The most important foraging habitat during the entire breeding season was grassland (especially pastures) reaching 90% for all locations. Vegetation height and cover were the main factors determining habitat selection: Little Owls significantly preferred sparse and short sward vegetation patches that enabled hunting of ground-dwelling prey. Conservation efforts for Little Owls should focus on the active management of prey-rich grassland habitats in the vicinity of breeding sites.

scholarly journals Little known Homerian (lower Silurian) graptolites from kosov quarry near Beroun, the Czech republic

2019 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-58
Author(s):  
Petr Štorch ◽  
Štěpán Manda
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Lower Silurian ◽  
Stratigraphic Range

Abstract The Homerian graptolite fauna of the upper Cyrtograptus lundgreni and lower Colonograptus ludensis-Colonograptus gerhardi biozones, recovered from densely sampled sections in Kosov quarry includes several poorly known species, which appear to be useful in high resolution correlation. Gothograptus kozlowskii, Gothograptus aff. domeyki, Semigothograptus meganassa, Pristiograptus auctus, Monograptus ambiguus, Monograptus subflexilis and Cyrtograptus hemmanni are described and discussed in detail with reference to their stratigraphic range and palaeogeographic distribution which indicates close links between the Homerian graptolite faunas of Baltica, Avalonia and peri-Gondwanan Europe.

scholarly journals Land-Use Changes at Nest Sites of the Little Owl (Athene noctua) in the South-Moravian Region of the Czech Republic

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-34
Author(s):  
Karel Poprach ◽  
Libor Opluštil ◽  
František Krause ◽  
Ivo Machar
Keyword(s):  
Land Use ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
Land Use Changes ◽  
Arable Land ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Land Use Type ◽  
The South ◽  
Nest Sites ◽  
Land Use Types ◽  
Little Owl

Abstract The Little Owl is currently endangered bird species of agricultural lowland areas in Central Europe. Nesting sites of the Little Owl are often old trees as well as buildings and quarries with suitable nesting cavities. The Little Owl has severely declined in a major part of Europe during the past decades. Information on habitat requirements of the Little Owl and data related to land-use changes at nest sites (covering both the breeding and foraging habitats) are needed for conservation programmes aimed at this bird species. Land-use changes in farmland rank among frequently discussed negative factors causing the population decline of the Little Owl. The aim of this study is to analyse land-use changes at nest sites of the Little Owl in the South-Moravian region (Czech Republic) between the years 1976/1977 and 2014. In both studied periods (1976/1977 and 2014), the most important land-use type within 500 m from the nest sites of the Little Owl was arable land (66.94 % – 62.25 %), followed by built-up areas (19.97 % –22.41 %), while the other land-use types made up less than 5 %. The proportion of the particular land-use type did not change significantly between the years 1976/1977 and 2014. The most important change in comparison with the period 1976/1977 was the decrease in the area of arable land by 4.69 % and that of orchards and gardens by 1.99 %, while the surface of built-up areas increased slightly by 2.45 % and that of meadows and pastures by 1.5 %. The analysis shows that at the known nest sites of the Little Owl in the South-Moravian region (Czech Republic), there were no significant changes in the proportion of the particular land-use types within 500 m from the nests between the years 1976/1977 and 2014. Based on these results, we can conclude that in comparison with the availability of nest sites, which seems to be the important limiting factor for the occurrence and population density of the Little Owl, land-use changes in study area were not very important factor influencing decline of the Little Owl.

Association of pseudoscorpions with different types of bird nests

Biologia ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 66 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jana Christophoryová ◽  
Zuzana Krumpálová ◽  
Ján Krištofík ◽  
Zlatica Országhová
Keyword(s):  
Czech Republic ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Tree Sparrow ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Bird Nest ◽  
Nest Boxes ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Eurasian Tree Sparrow ◽  
European Roller ◽  
Nest Fauna

AbstractThe hypothesis of associating pseudoscorpions with bird nest types was tested on the basis of an analysis of 480 specimens. Eleven pseudoscorpion species were found in 171 nests of 28 different bird species collected in Slovakia, Austria and the Czech Republic. The frequent appearance of Cheiridium museorum, Dactylochelifer latreillii, Chernes hahnii, Dendrochernes cyrneus and Allochernes wideri was confirmed. High proportion and association of Pselaphochernes scorpioides in hoopoe hollow nests with decomposed substrate, D. cyrneus in the Eurasian tree sparrow nest boxes and A. wideri in the nests of the tawny owls, the European scops owls and the European roller was proved. In contrast, C. hahnii and D. latreillii were related to the nest fauna of blackbirds and song thrushes, C. museorum to the nests of white wagtails situated on the ground and on buildings and C. cancroides to the nests in synanthropic habitats. Until present, the occurrence of 22 pseudoscorpion species has been confirmed in the bird nests of Central Europe based on the obtained results and published resources. According to the association to bird nests these pseudoscorpions were classified as (1) nidixenous species — Chthonius fuscimanus, C. tetrachelatus, Mundochthonius styriacus, Neobisium carcinoides, N. crassifemoratum, N. inaequale, N. sylvaticum, Chernes cimicoides, C. similis, C. vicinus, Allochernes powelli, Lamprochernes chyzeri, L. nodosus and Larca lata; and (2) nidiphilous species — C. museorum, C. cancroides, A. wideri, D. cyrneus, D. latreillii, C. hahnii, D. panzeri and P. scorpioides.

scholarly journals Antidiabetic compounds in stem juice from babana grown in natural and greenhouse

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 407-413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Dong ◽  
Nováková Alena ◽  
Spurná Klára ◽  
Hričko Jiří ◽  
Phung Huong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Czech Republic ◽  
High Resolution ◽  
High Resolution Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Natural Habitat ◽  
The Czech Republic ◽  
Musa Paradisiaca ◽  
Ultrahigh Performance Liquid Chromatography ◽  
Resolution Mass

The stem juices from Musa × paradisiaca L. banana plants cultivated in their original natural habitat in Vietnam and those cultivated in a greenhouse in the Czech Republic were investigated for the presence of phytochemicals with antidiabetic potency. Respective bioactivities of these phytochemicals were also determined. Sample screening using ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography coupled with tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (UHPL-HRMS/MS) method showed some differences in the pattern of bioactive compounds, both in terms of their number and concentration. p-Hydroxybenzoic and gallic acids were the predominant analytes found in stem juice from plants grown<br />in Vietnam, while ferulic acid was the major compound found in juice obtained from greenhouse bananas. Despite differences in the occurrence of potentially antidiabetic compounds, both extracts exhibited comparable inhibitory activity against α-glucosidase and α-amylase.

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