scholarly journals ‘Some like it alien’: predation on invasive ring–necked parakeets by the long–eared owl in an urban area

2020 ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mori ◽  
L. Malfatti ◽  
M. Le Louarn ◽  
D. Hernández–Brito ◽  
B. ten Cate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Murid Rodents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Owl Pellets

Predation pressure by native species may limit the spread of alien invasive species, thus playing a pivotal role in the impact and implementation of management strategies. The ring–necked parakeet Psittacula krameri is one of the most widespread alien bird species in Europe, with nearly 70 established populations. Predators of this species include diurnal raptors, synanthropic corvids, and rodents. Here we report for the first time that long–eared owls Asio otus might have preyed upon parakeets in their night roosts. Analysis of 167 owl pellets showed that ring–necked parakeets made up over 10 % of the total volume of the diet of these owls in winter (32.93 % of absolute frequency), representing the most important prey species after murid rodents and passerine birds. Further studies are needed to investigate whether parakeet consumption by long–eared owls is only a local occurrence or whether it is widespread in European cities. If so, predation by long–eared owl may eventually lead to a form of parakeet control and may limit the impact of this introduced parakeet on native biodiversity.

scholarly journals 'Some like it alien': predation on invasive ring–necked parakeets by the long–eared owl in an urban area

2020 ◽  
pp. 151-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mori ◽  
L. Malfatti ◽  
M. Le Louarn ◽  
D. Hernández–Brito ◽  
B. ten Cate ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Murid Rodents ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time ◽  
Owl Pellets

Predation pressure by native species may limit the spread of alien invasive species, thus playing a pivotal role in the impact and implementation of management strategies. The ring–necked parakeet Psittacula krameri is one of the most widespread alien bird species in Europe, with nearly 70 established populations. Predators of this species include diurnal raptors, synanthropic corvids, and rodents. Here we report for the first time that long–eared owls Asio otus might have preyed upon parakeets in their night roosts. Analysis of 167 owl pellets showed that ring–necked parakeets made up over 10 % of the total volume of the diet of these owls in winter (32.93 % of absolute frequency), representing the most important prey species after murid rodents and passerine birds. Further studies are needed to investigate whether parakeet consumption by long–eared owls is only a local occurrence or whether it is widespread in European cities. If so, predation by long–eared owl may eventually lead to a form of parakeet control and may limit the impact of this introduced parakeet on native biodiversity.

scholarly journals Managing alien bird species: Time to move beyond “100 of the worst” lists?

2015 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 154-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
SABRINA KUMSCHICK ◽  
TIM M. BLACKBURN ◽  
DAVID M. RICHARDSON
Keyword(s):  
Invasive Species ◽  
Alien Species ◽  
Expert Opinion ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Alien Invasive Species ◽  
Common Myna ◽  
Acridotheres Tristis ◽  
Pycnonotus Cafer ◽  
Selection Of Species ◽  
The Impact

SummaryAlien species can cause severe impacts in their introduced ranges and management is challenging due to the large number of such species and the diverse nature and context of their impacts. Lists of the most harmful species, like the “100 of the World’s Worst” list collated by the Invasive Species Specialist Group of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) or the “100 of the Worst” invaders in Europe collated by the Delivering Alien Invasive Species Inventories in Europe (DAISIE) project, raise awareness about these impacts among the public, and can guide management decisions. Such lists are mainly based on expert opinion, but in recent years a more objective comparison of impacts has become possible, even between highly diverse taxa. In this study, we use a semi-quantitative generic impact scoring system to assess impacts of the three birds listed among the “100 of the World’s Worst” IUCN list (IUCN100) and the four birds on the list of “100 of the Worst” European invaders by DAISIE (DAISIE100) and to compare their impacts with those of other alien birds not present on the respective lists. We found that generally, both lists include some of the species with the highest impacts in the respective regions (global or Europe), and these species therefore deserve the dubious honour of being listed among the “worst”. However, there are broad overlaps between some species with regards to the impact mechanisms and the related issues of invasions, especially those of the Common Myna Acridotheres tristis and Red-vented Bulbul Pycnonotus cafer on the IUCN100, are very similar which might not warrant listing both species. To make the selection of species on such lists more transparent we suggest moving beyond lists based on expert opinion to a more transparent and defendable system for listing alien species based on published records of their impacts and related mechanisms.

scholarly journals Broad Geographic and Host Distribution of Apis mellifera Filamentous Virus in South American Native Bees

2019 ◽  
Vol 63 (2) ◽  
pp. 327-332
Author(s):  
Silvina Quintana ◽  
Gregorio Fernandez de Landa ◽  
Pablo Revainera ◽  
Facundo Meroi ◽  
Leonardo Porrini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Apis Mellifera ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
N Gene ◽  
South American ◽  
Native Bees ◽  
Double Stranded Dna ◽  
Native Bee ◽  
Bee Health ◽  
First Time

AbstractApis mellifera filamentous virus (AmFV) is a large double stranded DNA virus of honey bees and its prevalence and relationship with other parasites is poorly known. Samples consisted of fifty-one adult bees belonging to eight native species collected using entomological nets in six provinces of Argentina, from 2009 to 2018. Total genomic DNA was extracted from individual bees and a 551 bp fragment of the Bro-N gene of AmFV was amplified by qPCR. In the present work we have reported for the first time both the presence and the wide geographic distribution of AmFV in Argentinian species of native bees. This is the first report of the presence of this virus associated with Xylocopa atamisquensis, X. augusti, X. frontalis, X. spendidula, Bombus pauloensis and Peponapis fervens. Detecting pathogens that could threaten native bee health is of outmost importance to generate both conservation and management strategies.

Returning an Endemic Frog to the New Zealand Mainland: Transfer and Adaptive Management of  Leiopelma pakeka at Karori Sanctuary, Wellington

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kerri Lukis
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Small Population ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

<p>Karori Sanctuary (252 ha) is a fenced restoration site in Wellington, New Zealand from which all species of introduced mammals have been eradicated except house mice (Mus musculus). In 2006, the endemic New Zealand frog Leiopelma pakeka was transferred to Karori Sanctuary as part of a long term plan to restore the site's original biota. This was a significant event in that it was the first re-introduction of a New Zealand frog to a mainland site, the first New Zealand amphibian translocation for the purpose of restoration and the first time L. pakeka were released into habitat also occupied by an introduced mammal. An adaptive management regime facilitated research within the constraints of a community restoration project for which only a small population (n=60) was made available for release. Two groups (n = 30) were released into mouse-proof enclosures in February and October, 2006. Survival was high (97%) and frogs maintained a healthy body condition. Breeding was not detected during the first year and this was attributed to an inappropriate sex ratios that were restructured in April 2007 when half of the frogs (n= 29) were removed from the enclosures and released into forest habitat. The survival, condition and recruitment of frogs living inside and outside of the mouse-proof enclosures were compared. Both groups initially had a similar recapture rate, but after one year, just one frog (3%) was recaptured outside the enclosure compared with 27 adults (93%) and fourteen juveniles captured within the enclosure. In March 2009, 26 of the 29 individuals originally released into the enclosure were recaptured and a further ten juveniles were captured for the first time. No individuals have been sighted outside the enclosure since March 2008. Post-release movements did not explain the apparent decline of the population living outside of the enclosure. The mean distance dispersed during the first month after release (3.4 +/- 0.05 m) did not significantly increase after eight months (4.2 +/- 0.05 m) and the maximum-recorded dispersal distance was 7.0 m. The centre of activity of the nine frogs captured > 5 occasions were all within 3 m of the release site and kernel estimates of high habitat usage clustered around artificially constructed rock piles. Predation by house mice and/or native species such as little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) were considered the most likely explanation for the failure to recapture frogs outside of the enclosure, especially those frogs that appeared to have settled at the release site. The extremely low number of individuals released outside of the enclosure exacerbated the impact of processes acting on the founding population. Recommendations are provided for the next adaptive management stage and include transferring an additional 100 frogs from Maud Island for release into forest habitat outside of the mouse-proof enclosure. Post-release movements should be restricted and all potential predators except house mice excluded. The population within the enclosures should be retained as is. Finally, the viability including L. pakeka in attempts to reconstruct mainland communities is examined.</p>

7. Examining the Impacts of Zebra Mussels as an Invasive Species in the Great Lakes Region and the Role of Stakeholders in Effective Mitigation Strategies

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuang Liang
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Public Awareness ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Zebra Mussels ◽  
Mitigation Strategies ◽  
Trophic Levels ◽  
Light Transmittance ◽  
Great Lakes Region ◽  
The Impact

Zebra mussels were first introduced into the Great Lakes region in 1988, via the ballast water of international ships traveling through the St. Lawrence River. Since then, the aggressive colonization of zebra mussels have had devastating effects on the native aquatic biodiversity in the Great Lakes region. The continued proliferation of zebra mussels have led to increased filtering, high light transmittance through water and growth of benthic (lowest level of a body of water) plants. Due to the intensive filtration of zebra mussels, rapid bioaccumulation of botulinum toxin in their systems have caused high levels of mortality for waterfowl predators. As zebra mussels continue to dominate in predator-prey interactions and interspecies competition, a shift in the ecosystem equilibrium is occurring on varying trophic levels. These changes have not gone unnoticed. Zebra mussels have cost Canadian industries, businesses and communities over $5 billion in a single decade in clogged pipes and turbine damages. The associated economic repercussions from infrastructural damages and native species declines necessitate engagement from a multitude of stakeholders. Public awareness is absolutely vital in minimizing the impact of zebra mussels and preventing their distribution across freshwater in North America. In this presentation, I will discuss the ecological, economic and societal impacts of zebra mussels since their introduction to the Great Lakes region. In addition, I will examine a multitude of management strategies and recommendations to government, private sector and public stakeholders to reduce future impacts of mussels in the Great Lakes region.

scholarly journals Composition and Potential Function of Fecal Bacterial Microbiota from Six Bird Species

Birds ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-59
Author(s):  
Jose F. Garcia-Mazcorro ◽  
Cecilia Alanis-Lopez ◽  
Alicia G. Marroquin-Cardona ◽  
Jorge R. Kawas
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Analysis ◽  
Mimus Polyglottos ◽  
Pet Birds ◽  
Psittacula Krameri ◽  
Bacterial Microbiota ◽  
Nymphicus Hollandicus ◽  
Health And Disease ◽  
The Impact

Gut microbial communities play a fundamental role in health and disease, but little is known about the gut microbiota of pet bird species. This is important to better understand the impact of microbes on birds’ health but may also be relevant in a context of zoonoses. Total genomic DNA samples from pooled fecal samples from 30 flocks (4–7 pet birds per flock) representing over 150 birds of six different species (two Passeriformes: Northern Mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos) and Zebra Finch (Taeniopygia guttata), and four Psittaciformes: Lovebird (Agapornis, different species), Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus), Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus), and Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri) were used for 16S rRNA gene analysis. Several taxa were found to be different among the bird species (e.g., lowest median of Lactobacillus: 2.2% in Cockatiels; highest median of Lactobacillus: 79.4% in Lovebirds). Despite marked differences among individual pooled samples, each bird species harbored a unique fecal bacterial composition, based on the analysis of UniFrac distances. A predictive approach of metagenomic function and organism-level microbiome phenotypes revealed several differences among the bird species (e.g., a higher proportion of proteobacteria with the potential to form biofilms in samples from Northern Mockingbirds). The results provide a useful catalog of fecal microbes from pet birds and encourage more research on this unexplored topic.

scholarly journals Returning an Endemic Frog to the New Zealand Mainland: Transfer and Adaptive Management of  Leiopelma pakeka at Karori Sanctuary, Wellington

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Kerri Lukis
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Adaptive Management ◽  
Native Species ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Small Population ◽  
House Mice ◽  
Forest Habitat ◽  
Management Regime ◽  
The Impact ◽  
First Time

<p>Karori Sanctuary (252 ha) is a fenced restoration site in Wellington, New Zealand from which all species of introduced mammals have been eradicated except house mice (Mus musculus). In 2006, the endemic New Zealand frog Leiopelma pakeka was transferred to Karori Sanctuary as part of a long term plan to restore the site's original biota. This was a significant event in that it was the first re-introduction of a New Zealand frog to a mainland site, the first New Zealand amphibian translocation for the purpose of restoration and the first time L. pakeka were released into habitat also occupied by an introduced mammal. An adaptive management regime facilitated research within the constraints of a community restoration project for which only a small population (n=60) was made available for release. Two groups (n = 30) were released into mouse-proof enclosures in February and October, 2006. Survival was high (97%) and frogs maintained a healthy body condition. Breeding was not detected during the first year and this was attributed to an inappropriate sex ratios that were restructured in April 2007 when half of the frogs (n= 29) were removed from the enclosures and released into forest habitat. The survival, condition and recruitment of frogs living inside and outside of the mouse-proof enclosures were compared. Both groups initially had a similar recapture rate, but after one year, just one frog (3%) was recaptured outside the enclosure compared with 27 adults (93%) and fourteen juveniles captured within the enclosure. In March 2009, 26 of the 29 individuals originally released into the enclosure were recaptured and a further ten juveniles were captured for the first time. No individuals have been sighted outside the enclosure since March 2008. Post-release movements did not explain the apparent decline of the population living outside of the enclosure. The mean distance dispersed during the first month after release (3.4 +/- 0.05 m) did not significantly increase after eight months (4.2 +/- 0.05 m) and the maximum-recorded dispersal distance was 7.0 m. The centre of activity of the nine frogs captured > 5 occasions were all within 3 m of the release site and kernel estimates of high habitat usage clustered around artificially constructed rock piles. Predation by house mice and/or native species such as little spotted kiwi (Apteryx owenii) were considered the most likely explanation for the failure to recapture frogs outside of the enclosure, especially those frogs that appeared to have settled at the release site. The extremely low number of individuals released outside of the enclosure exacerbated the impact of processes acting on the founding population. Recommendations are provided for the next adaptive management stage and include transferring an additional 100 frogs from Maud Island for release into forest habitat outside of the mouse-proof enclosure. Post-release movements should be restricted and all potential predators except house mice excluded. The population within the enclosures should be retained as is. Finally, the viability including L. pakeka in attempts to reconstruct mainland communities is examined.</p>

scholarly journals Monitoring Breeding Bird Populations in Grand Teton National Park: 1995-1997

1997 ◽  
Vol 21 ◽  
pp. 13-25
Author(s):  
Martin Cody ◽  
Stephen Cain
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Season ◽  
National Park ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Breeding Bird ◽  
Grand Teton National Park ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
The Impact

In summer 1997 our NPS-funded project # CA-1460-5-0010, covering a 3-y period from summer 1995 through summer 1997, was completed. The immediate goals of the project were to instigate a system for monitoring the densities of breeding bird species, by establishment of flxed sites as a basis for a long term monitoring plan and of census protocols that can detect changes of breeding species and their densities over successive years. The monitoring scheme is conducted largely within Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), but covers habitats and an avifauna representative of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem (GYE) and the central-northern Rocky Mountains in general. The project emphasizes the need for long­term and on-going studies on breeding bird species and densities and their importance as a tool for evaluating the impact of both local and distant influences on breeding bird populations. For residents, species that remain all year in or near the breeding habitat, local effects include those operating on-site during the non-breeding season as well as during the breeding season. For migrant species, those that breed on-site but leave to spend the non-breeding season in other locations, often distant and usually of quite different habitat composition, there are both on-site influences on breeding population densities, such as inter-year changes in vegetation structure and productivity, and off-site or distant influences, including factors that affect over-wintering success in the non­breeding habitat and others that influence a successful transit between wintering and breeding grounds. The assessment of long-term trends in bird densities may be used as a form of bioassay of the state of the local environments. Information from such studies can provide region-wide indicators that, given a sufficiently comprehensive data base, can segregate local from distant influences on populations. Such indicators can be incorporated into management strategies to aid in determining which local strategies may be necessary (and feasible) to help maintain the biota.

scholarly journals Variation in Diet Patterns of the Invasive Top Predator Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758) across Portuguese Basins

Water ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (15) ◽  
pp. 2053
Author(s):  
Diogo Ribeiro ◽  
Christos Gkenas ◽  
João Gago ◽  
Filipe Ribeiro
Keyword(s):  
Native Species ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Top Predator ◽  
Sander Lucioperca ◽  
Diet Patterns ◽  
Diet Specialization ◽  
Size Dependent ◽  
Important Prey ◽  
Potential Impact ◽  
The Impact

The introduction of non-native species is recognized as a major threat to biodiversity, particularly in freshwater ecosystems. Pikeperch Sander lucioperca, is a recent invader to Portugal, primarily providing commercial and angling interest. The aim of this work was to study the diet of this top predator across Portuguese basins and to evaluate its potential impact on recipient ecosystems. In total, 256 pikeperch stomachs from seven basins were examined, of which 88 (n = 34%) were empty. Pikeperch diet was dominated by R. rutilus, M. salmoides and Diptera in northern populations, while A. alburnus, P. clarkii and Atyidae were important prey in more humid highlands. Variation in diet was most strongly linked to latitude and ontogeny, with both size classes showing signs of cannibalism. The population niche breadth remained low and was accompanied by higher individual diet specialization, particularly in northern populations. Pikeperch dietary patterns denoted an opportunistic ability to use locally abundant prey in each ecosystem, and was size dependent, with larger individuals becoming more piscivores, causing a higher impact in the lotic systems. This first perspective about the pikeperch diet presents a very broad view of the feeding traits of this non-native predator across Portugal, being very important to deepen our knowledge about the impact of these introduced piscivores.

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