Habitat use of a Critically Endangered elasmobranch, the largetooth sawfish Pristis pristis, in an intermittently flowing riverine nursery

SummaryThe Black-breasted Puffleg Eriocnemis nigrivestis is a hummingbird endemic to Ecuador and considered Critically Endangered, given its limited distribution, low population numbers, and ongoing habitat degradation. We investigated habitat use patterns using landscape and microhabitat variables. In addition, we explored a previously postulated competition hypothesis involving the Black-breasted Puffleg and the Gorgeted Sunangel Heliangelus strophianus. Our results suggest that landscape variables may play a role in the habitat selection process; specifically the distance to nearest forest border seems to have a significant effect on our habitat model. We speculate that, as the species is known to perform seasonal movements, the avoidance of forest border might reduce the physiological stress caused by altitudinal migration. At microhabitat level, Black-breasted Puffleg seems not sensitive to forest structure variables. Our findings suggest that ensuring forest tract connectivity, between the altitudinal extremes of the species’ range at the north-western flanks of the Pichincha volcano, might be crucial for survival of the species during its annual cycle. However, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) indicates that Black-breasted Puffleg and the Gorgeted Sunangel do not overlap spatially, but this finding is not conclusive considering our field observations.

Download Full-text

Camera-trapping successfully and non-invasively reveals the presence, activity and habitat choice of the Critically Endangered White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi in a South African high-altitude wetland

Bird Conservation International ◽

10.1017/s0959270918000400 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 29 (03) ◽

pp. 463-478 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

ROBIN B. COLYN ◽

ALASTAIR CAMPBELL ◽

HANNELINE A. SMIT-ROBINSON

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

High Altitude ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Site Occupancy ◽

Austral Summer ◽

Camera Trapping ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Invasive Technique ◽

Low Density ◽

Wetland Habitat

SummaryThe ‘Critically Endangered’ White-winged Flufftail Sarothrura ayresi is regarded as one of the rarest and most threatened rallids in Africa. Due to the species’ low density, habitat preference, cryptic colouration, elusive behaviour and lack of auditory cues has resulted in it being one of the most challenging species to survey using traditional methods such as auditory surveys and rope dragging. Numerous data deficiencies exist regarding facets of the species’ ecology, distribution, habitat-use and population status. A stratified array of nine camera localities was used within high-altitude palustrine wetland habitat to ascertain if this non-invasive technique could successfully document the first estimate of site occupancy, fine scale habitat use and activity patterns of this very rare species. Our study accumulated a total of 626 camera days and eight independent sightings of White-winged Flufftail across the respective austral summer season. Furthermore, our study confirms the applicability of camera trapping to other rare and elusive rallid species. Our results confirm that White-winged Flufftail is a low-density habitat specialist species, with site occupancy influenced positively by basal and canopy vegetation cover and detection probability influenced negatively by water depth within associated wetland habitats. Activity pattern analyses displayed that peak activity occurred at dawn and dusk, which yielded the highest degree of activity overlap with the only other migratory rallid recorded, Spotted Crake Porzana prozana. Our study also recorded the first apparent territorial display behaviour noted for the species. Our study supports the need for conservation initiatives focused on securing contiguous sections of suitable wetland habitat in order to accommodate the persistence of this globally threatened species.

Download Full-text

Breeding habitat use and the future management of the critically endangered Southern Corroboree Frog

Ecological Management & Restoration ◽

10.1111/j.1442-8903.2009.00461.x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 10 ◽

pp. S103-S109 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

David Hunter ◽

Will Osborne ◽

Michael Smith ◽

Keith McDougall

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Habitat ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

The Future ◽

Future Management

Download Full-text

Diverse habitat use during two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): community structure, foraging, and social interactions

PeerJ ◽

10.7717/peerj.3500 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 5 ◽

pp. e3500 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Melissa R. Price ◽

William K. Hayes

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Life Stages ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Age Classes ◽

Habitat Types ◽

Second Year

Our ability to prevent extinction in declining populations often depends on effective management of habitats that are disturbed through wildfire, logging, agriculture, or development. In these disturbed landscapes, the juxtaposition of multiple habitat types can be especially important to fledglings and young birds, which may leave breeding grounds in human-altered habitat for different habitats nearby that provide increased foraging opportunities, reduced competition, and higher protection from predators. In this study, we evaluated the importance of three habitat types to two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi), a synanthropic songbird endemic to Andros, The Bahamas. First, we determined the avian species composition and relative abundance of I. northropi among three major vegetation types on Andros: Caribbean pine (Pinus caribaea) forest, coppice (broadleaf dry forest), and anthropogenic areas, dominated by nonnative vegetation (farmland and developed land). We then compared the foraging strategies and social interactions of two age classes of adult Bahama Orioles in relation to differential habitat use. Bird surveys late in the Bahama Oriole’s breeding season indicated the number of avian species and Bahama Oriole density were highest in coppice. Some bird species occurring in the coppice and pine forest were never observed in agricultural or residential areas, and may be at risk if human disturbance of pine forest and coppice increases, as is occurring at a rapid pace on Andros. During the breeding season, second-year (SY) adult Bahama Orioles foraged in all vegetation types, whereas after-second-year (ASY) adults were observed foraging only in anthropogenic areas, where the species nested largely in introduced coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). Additionally, SY adults foraging in anthropogenic areas were often observed with an ASY adult, suggesting divergent habitat use for younger, unpaired birds. Other aspects of foraging (vegetation features, food-gleaning behavior, and food items) were similar for the two age classes. Older Bahama Orioles exhibited relatively higher rates of social interactions (intraspecific and interspecific pooled) in anthropogenic areas, and won more interaction outcomes compared to younger adults. Our findings concur with those of other studies indicating dry broadleaf forest is vitally important to migrating, wintering, and resident birds, including the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, which appears to depend heavily on this vegetation type during certain life stages.

Download Full-text

Amphibia, Anura, Calyptocephalellidae, Telmatobufo bullocki Schmidt, 1952: distribution extension, habitat use and geographic distribution map

Check List ◽

10.15560/6.2.298 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 298 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Denise S. Donoso ◽

Claudio Correa Q. ◽

Paula Henríquez ◽

Nicolás F. Lagos ◽

M. A. Méndez

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Geographic Distribution ◽

Protected Area ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Distribution Map ◽

Area North ◽

New Location

We report a new locality for Telmatobufo bullocki, a critically endangered amphibian endemic of Chile. This new location, Los Queules National Reserve, has high relevance on the conservation of this species because is the only known population in a protected area north of the Bío Bío River, situated in a region deeply modified for forestry and agriculture. Also, we included habitat descriptions and a detailed distribution map with all reported localities.

Download Full-text

Habitat use of a critically-endangered species in a predator-free but degraded reserve in Australia

Wildlife Biology ◽

10.2981/12-116 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 19 (4) ◽

pp. 429-438 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Amy L. Winnard ◽

Julian Di Stefano ◽

Graeme Coulson

Keyword(s):

Endangered Species ◽

Habitat Use ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Critically Endangered Species

Download Full-text

Diverse habitat use during two life stages of the critically Endangered Bahama Oriole (Icterus northropi): Community structure, foraging, and social interactions

10.7287/peerj.preprints.2795 ◽

2017 ◽

Author(s):

Melissa R Price ◽

William K Hayes

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Pine Forest ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Foraging Strategies ◽

Life Stages ◽

Vegetation Types ◽

Age Classes ◽

Second Year

Our ability to prevent extinction in declining populations often depends on effective management of habitats that are disturbed through wildfire, logging, agriculture, or development. In these disturbed landscapes, the juxtaposition of multiple habitat types can be especially important to fledglings and young birds, which may leave breeding grounds in human-altered habitat for different habitats nearby that provide increased foraging opportunities, reduced competition, and higher protection from predators. In this study, we sought to better understand the importance of habitat diversity to two life stages of the critically endangered Bahama Oriole ( Icterus northropi ), a synanthropic songbird endemic to Andros, The Bahamas. First, we determined the avian species composition and relative abundance of the oriole among three major vegetation types on Andros: Caribbean pine ( Pinus caribaea ) forest, coppice (broadleaf dry forest), and anthropogenic areas, dominated by nonnative vegetation (farmland and developed land). We then compared the foraging strategies and social interactions of two age classes of adult orioles in relation to differential habitat use. Bird surveys late in the oriole’s breeding season indicated avian s pecies richness and oriole density were highest in coppice. Some bird species occurring in the coppice and pine forest were never observed in agricultural or residential areas, and may be at risk if human disturbance of pine forest and coppice increases, as is occurring at a rapid pace on Andros. During the breeding season, second-year (SY) adult orioles foraged in all vegetation types, whereas after-second-year (ASY) adults were observed foraging only in anthropogenic areas, where the species nested largely in introduced coconut palms ( Cocos nucifera ). Additionally, SY adults foraging in anthropogenic areas were often observed with an ASY adult, suggesting divergent habitat use for younger, unpaired birds. Other aspects of foraging (vegetation features, food-gleaning behavior, and food items) were similar for the two age classes. Older orioles exhibited relatively higher rates of social interactions (intraspecific and interspecific pooled) in anthropogenic areas, and won more interaction outcomes compared to youngeradults. Our findings concur with those of other studies indicating dry broadleaf forest is vitally important to migrating, wintering, and resident birds, including the critically endangered Bahama Oriole, which appears to depend heavily on this vegetation type during certain life stages.

Download Full-text