scholarly journals Foraging in Urban Environments Increases Bactericidal Capacity in Plasma and Decreases Corticosterone Concentrations in White Ibises

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline R. Cummings ◽  
Nicola Y. Khan ◽  
Maureen M. Murray ◽  
Taylor Ellison ◽  
Catharine N. Welch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Eudocimus Albus ◽  
Bactericidal Capacity ◽  
Lower Baseline ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Baseline Corticosterone ◽  
Urban Sites

As humans continue to infringe on natural habitats, more animals are exposed to urbanization and its associated challenges. It is still unclear, however, whether the movement of animals into urban habitats negatively influences the health and/or survival of those animals, however those animals often experience shifts in resource availability, diet composition, and exposure to stimuli that are new and potentially stressful. Recently, white ibises (Eudocimus albus) have become increasingly common in urban habitats where they forage in close proximity to humans and even interact with them, collecting food handouts. We hypothesized that foraging in urban habitats would negatively impact measures of health, impair innate immunity, trigger elevated concentrations of corticosterone, and depress physiological responses to stressors in white ibises. We found that plasma from birds captured from urban sites had higher bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli than those captured in natural sites. Additionally, adults captured in urban habitats had a significantly lower baseline corticosterone concentrations during the post-breeding season, and corticosterone responses to a handling challenge were lower for birds captured from urban sites during year 2 of the study. These results indicate that exposure to urban habitats impacts ibis health, though in the opposite direction of what was predicted.

Diversity of fruits in Artibeus lituratus diet in urban and natural habitats in Brazil: a review

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Rafael de Souza Laurindo ◽  
Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Exotic Fruits ◽  
Artibeus Lituratus ◽  
Fecal Sampling

AbstractThe great fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) is a large-sized species that forages primarily on fruits. This species is widespread throughout the Neotropics, where it is common in natural areas and also occupies forest patches and cities. In this study, we review the composition of Artibeus lituratus diet in Brazil as well as the size of fruits and seeds, plant geographic origin, and sampling methods used in natural versus urban habitats. We show that Artibeus lituratus is able to consume a higher proportion of exotic fruits with large seeds in urban environments than in natural areas. Fruit diameter was not statistically different between environments, but both fruit and seed diameters are smaller when detected by fecal sampling than by other methods. This difference is likely due to the fact that in natural habitats studies are predominantly based on fecal samples, which hinders the detection of large unswallowed seeds. Consequently, we recommend the use of complementary sampling methods (not only the widely used technique of fecal sorting) in order to produce more accurate descriptions of frugivorous bats’ diets. We suggest that the ability to exploit fruits of exotic plant species including the ones with large seeds may be a key trait for the persistence of A. lituratus in urban habitats.

scholarly journals Higher frequency of extra-pair offspring in urban than forest broods of great tits (Parus major)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivett Pipoly ◽  
Krisztián Szabó ◽  
Veronika Bókony ◽  
Bálint Preiszner ◽  
Gábor Seress ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parus Major ◽  
Anthropogenic Pollution ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Ecological Conditions ◽  
Bird Populations ◽  
Quality Signals ◽  
Animal Populations ◽  
The Social

AbstractUrbanization increasingly changes the ecological conditions for wild animal populations, influencing their demography, reproduction, and behaviour. While studies on the ecological consequences of urbanization frequently document a reduced number and poorer body condition of offspring in urban than in non-urban bird populations, consequences for other components of reproduction are rarely investigated. Mating with partners outside the social pair-bond is widespread in birds, and although theory predicts that the occurrence of extra-pair fertilizations (EPF) may be sensitive to the altered ecological conditions of cities, the effect of urbanization on EPF is poorly known. Here we used data from two urban and two forest populations collected over three years to test whether the frequency of extra-pair offspring (EPO) in great tit broods differed between the habitats. We found that significantly more broods contained EPO in urban habitats (48.9 %) than in forests (24.4 %). In broods with EPO, the number and proportion of EPO was similar in urban and forest broods. These results suggest that females that live in urban habitats are more likely to engage in EPF than those living in forests. Urban environments may either 1) provide more spatiotemporal opportunities to EPF because of higher breeding density and lower or more constant caterpillar supply in cities compared to natural habitats, or 2) enhance the benefits of EPF via increased fertility or due to disrupted quality signals caused by anthropogenic pollution. In addition, 3) females with higher propensity to engage in EPF may more likely settle in urban habitats.

scholarly journals Species interactions limit the occurrence of urban-adapted birds in cities

2018 ◽  
Vol 115 (49) ◽  
pp. E11495-E11504 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul R. Martin ◽  
Frances Bonier
Keyword(s):  
Economic Development ◽  
Species Interactions ◽  
Dominant Species ◽  
Economic Transition ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Competitive Interactions ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Phylogenetic Groups ◽  
Geographic Ranges ◽  
Subordinate Species

Urbanization represents an extreme transformation of more natural systems. Populations of most species decline or disappear with urbanization, and yet some species persist and even thrive in cities. What determines which species persist or thrive in urban habitats? Direct competitive interactions among species can influence their distributions and resource use, particularly along gradients of environmental challenge. Given the challenges of urbanization, similar interactions may be important for determining which species persist or thrive in cities; however, their role remains poorly understood. Here, we use a global dataset to test among three alternative hypotheses for how direct competitive interactions and behavioral dominance may influence the breeding occurrence of birds in cities. We find evidence to support the competitive interference hypothesis: behaviorally dominant species were more widespread in urban habitats than closely related subordinate species, but only in taxa that thrive in urban environments (hereafter, urban adapted), and only when dominant and subordinate species overlapped their geographic ranges. This result was evident across diverse phylogenetic groups but varied significantly with a country’s level of economic development. Urban-adapted, dominant species were more widespread than closely related subordinate species in cities in developed, but not developing, countries; countries in economic transition showed an intermediate pattern. Our results provide evidence that competitive interactions broadly influence species responses to urbanization, and that these interactions have asymmetric effects on subordinate species that otherwise could be widespread in urban environments. Results further suggest that economic development might accentuate the consequences of competitive interactions, thereby reducing local diversity in cities.

Landscape Genetic Approaches to Understanding Movement and Gene Flow in Cities

2020 ◽  
pp. 54-73
Author(s):  
Jason Munshi-South ◽  
Jonathan L. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Gene Flow ◽  
Urban Landscape ◽  
Bare Soil ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Urban Neighbourhoods ◽  
Direct Tracking ◽  
Landscape Genetic ◽  
The Many ◽  
Socioeconomic Data

Cities are home to a continuum of species that range from those specially adapted to exploit urban habitats, to others passing through as transient dispersers. Urbanization often has a profound impact on the movement and gene flow of these species. Compared to natural landscapes, urban environments are complex matrices of roads, buildings, bare soil, slopes, green space, and subterranean infrastructure. Urban neighbourhoods also vary greatly in their socioeconomic and cultural characteristics. This heterogeneity can lead to complex movement patterns in wildlife that are difficult or impossible to characterize using direct tracking methods. Population genetic analyses provide powerful approaches to evaluate spatial patterns of genetic variation and even signatures of adaptive evolution across the genome. When analysed with landscape, environmental, and socioeconomic data, genetic approaches may also identify which features of urban habitats impede or facilitate gene flow. These landscape genetic approaches, when paired with high-resolution sampling and replicated studies across multiple cities, identify dynamic processes that underpin wildlife movement in cities. This chapter reviews the use of spatially explicit genetic approaches in understanding urban wildlife movement, and highlights the many insights gained from rodents in particular as models for urban landscape genetics.

Ultrastructural Alterations of Midgut Epithelium, But Not Greater Wing Fluctuating Asymmetry, in Paper Wasps (Polistes dominula) from Urban Environments

2018 ◽  
Vol 24 (2) ◽  
pp. 183-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlo Polidori ◽  
Agustín Pastor ◽  
Alberto Jorge ◽  
José Pertusa
Keyword(s):  
Fluctuating Asymmetry ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Paper Wasps ◽  
Eastern Area ◽  
Ultrastructural Alterations ◽  
Polistes Dominula ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Rural Sites ◽  
Developmental Noise ◽  
Urban Sites

AbstractPolistespaper wasps can be used to monitor trace metal contaminants, but the effects of pollution on the health of these insects are still unknown. We evaluated, in a south-eastern area of Spain, whether workers ofPolistes dominulacollected at urban and rural sites differ in health of midgut tissue and in fluctuating asymmetry, an estimate of developmental noise. We found that wasps collected at the urban sites had abundant lead (Pb)-containing spherites, which were less visible in wasps from the rural sites. Evident ultrastructural alterations in the epithelium of the midgut of the wasps collected at the urban sites included broken and disorganized microvilli, a high amount and density of heterochromatin in the nucleus of epithelial cells, cytoplasmic vacuolization and mitochondrial disruptions. Altogether, these findings suggest a negative effect on the transmembrane transport and a less efficient transcription. On the contrary, a healthy epithelium was observed in wasps from the rural sites. These differences may be preliminarily linked with levels of lead pollution, given that wasps from urban sites had double the Pb concentrations of wasps from rural sites. Level of fluctuating asymmetry was unrelated to wasp origin, thus suggesting no link between developmental noise and Pb-driven pollution.

scholarly journals Urban birds have broader environmental tolerance

2007 ◽  
Vol 3 (6) ◽  
pp. 670-673 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frances Bonier ◽  
Paul R Martin ◽  
John C Wingfield
Keyword(s):  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Urban Birds ◽  
Environmental Tolerance ◽  
Global Comparison ◽  
Ecological Flexibility

Urbanization dramatically changes the composition and diversity of biotic communities. The characteristics distinguishing species that persist in urban environments, however, are poorly understood. Here we test the hypothesis that broadly adapted organisms are better able to tolerate urbanization, using a phylogenetically controlled, global comparison of birds. We compared elevational and latitudinal distributions of 217 urban birds found in 73 of the world's largest cities with distributions of 247 rural congeners to test the hypothesis that urban birds possess broader environmental tolerance. Urban birds had markedly broader environmental tolerance than rural congeners, as estimated by elevational and latitudinal distributions. Our results suggest that broad environmental tolerance may predispose some birds to thrive in urban habitats. The mechanisms mediating such environmental tolerance warrant further investigation, but probably include greater behavioural, physiological and ecological flexibility.

scholarly journals Documentary and ecosemiotics: Frames and faces in the work of Johan van der Keuken

2016 ◽  
Vol 44 (1/2) ◽  
pp. 186-208
Author(s):  
Hing Tsang
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
20Th Century ◽  
Coastal Area ◽  
Western Europe ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
Physical Processes ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Late 20Th Century ◽  
The Relationship

This article argues that the work of the late Johan van der Keuken offers a contribution to ecological semiotics, and that it also defines the relationship between the semiotic animal and nature in ways that avoid glottocentricism. Taking from the recent work of Kalevi Kull, Jesper Hoffmeyer, and John Deely amongst others, I will argue that van der Keuken’s documentaries offer a view of ecology that is broader than a study of bio-physical processes that might reduce ecology to a narrow political issue.In order to support this argument, I will be looking at two contrasting films from van der Keuken – Flat Jungle (1978) and Face Value (1991). The first film examines natural habitats within a confined coastal area in Western Europe, while the second film looks at human beings in the different urban environments of late-20th-century Europe. I will then argue that van der Keuken does not collapse the vital distinctions between umwelt and Lebenswelt, yet his films also succeed at reminding us of their constant interdependence.

scholarly journals Consistent signatures of urban adaptation in a native, urban invader ant Tapinoma sessile

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Joseph Blumenfeld ◽  
Pierre Andre Eyer ◽  
Anjel M Helms ◽  
Grzegorz Buczkowski ◽  
Edward L Vargo
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Natural Populations ◽  
The United States ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Natural Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Tapinoma Sessile ◽  
The Social ◽  
Odorous House Ant ◽  
Single Nest

Biological invasions are becoming more prevalent due to the rise of global trade and expansion of urban areas. Ants are among the most prolific invaders, with many exhibiting a multi-queen colony structure, dispersal through budding and a lack of inter-nest aggression. Although these characteristics are generally associated with the invasions of exotic ants, they may also facilitate the spread of native ants into novel habitats (e.g., urban areas). Native to North American forests, the odorous house ant Tapinoma sessile has become abundant in urban environments throughout the United States. Forest-dwelling colonies typically have a small workforce, inhabit a single nest, and are headed by a single queen, whereas urban colonies tend to be several orders of magnitude larger, inhabit multiple nests and are headed by multiple queens. Here, we explore and compare the population genetic and breeding structure of T. sessile within and between urban and natural environments in several localities across its distribution range. We found the social structure of a colony to be a plastic trait in both habitats, although extreme polygyny (i.e., nests with multiple queens) was confined to urban habitats. Additionally, polydomous colonies (i.e., nests lacking genetic differentiation and behavioral antagonism) were only present in urban habitats, suggesting T. sessile can only achieve unicoloniality within urbanized areas. Finally, we identified strong differentiation between urban and natural populations in each locality and continent-wide, indicating cities may restrict gene flow and exert intense selection pressure. Overall, our study highlights urbanization's influence in charting the evolutionary course for species.

scholarly journals Urban specialization reduces habitat connectivity by a highly mobile wading bird

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire S. Teitelbaum ◽  
Jeffrey Hepinstall-Cymerman ◽  
Anjelika Kidd-Weaver ◽  
Sonia M. Hernandez ◽  
Sonia Altizer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Urban Areas ◽  
Animal Movement ◽  
Movement Patterns ◽  
South Florida ◽  
Habitat Connectivity ◽  
Movement Behavior ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Wading Bird ◽  
White Ibis ◽  
Urban Sites

Abstract Background Mobile animals transport nutrients and propagules across habitats, and are crucial for the functioning of food webs and for ecosystem services. Human activities such as urbanization can alter animal movement behavior, including site fidelity and resource use. Because many urban areas are adjacent to natural sites, mobile animals might connect natural and urban habitats. More generally, understanding animal movement patterns in urban areas can help predict how urban expansion will affect the roles of highly mobile animals in ecological processes. Methods Here, we examined movements by a seasonally nomadic wading bird, the American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), in South Florida, USA. White ibis are colonial wading birds that forage on aquatic prey; in recent years, some ibis have shifted their behavior to forage in urban parks, where they are fed by people. We used a spatial network approach to investigate how individual movement patterns influence connectivity between urban and non-urban sites. We built a network of habitat connectivity using GPS tracking data from ibis during their non-breeding season and compared this network to simulated networks that assumed individuals moved indiscriminately with respect to habitat type. Results We found that the observed network was less connected than the simulated networks, that urban-urban and natural-natural connections were strong, and that individuals using urban sites had the least-variable habitat use. Importantly, the few ibis that used both urban and natural habitats contributed the most to connectivity. Conclusions Habitat specialization in urban-acclimated wildlife could reduce the exchange of propagules and nutrients between urban and natural areas, which has consequences both for beneficial effects of connectivity such as gene flow and for detrimental effects such as the spread of contaminants or pathogens.

scholarly journals Urban ecophysiology: beyond costs, stress and biomarkers

2020 ◽  
Vol 223 (22) ◽  
pp. jeb203794
Author(s):  
Caroline Isaksson
Keyword(s):  
Physiological Responses ◽  
Redox System ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Evolutionary Context ◽  
Urban Conditions ◽  
System Metabolism ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Physiological Systems

ABSTRACTNatural habitats are rapidly declining due to urbanisation, with a concomitant decline in biodiversity in highly urbanised areas. Yet thousands of different species have colonised urban environments. These organisms are exposed to novel urban conditions, which are sometimes beneficial, but most often challenging, such as increased ambient temperature, chemicals, noise and light pollution, dietary alterations and disturbance by humans. Given the fundamental role of physiological responses in coping with such conditions, certain physiological systems such as the redox system, metabolism and hormones are thought to specifically influence organisms’ ability to persist and cope with urbanisation. However, these physiological systems often show mixed responses to urbanisation. Does this mean that some individuals, populations or species are resilient to the urban environmental challenges? Or is something missing from our analyses, leading us to erroneous conclusions regarding the impact of urbanisation? To understand the impact of urbanisation, I argue that a more integrated mechanistic and ecological approach is needed, along with experiments, in order to fully understand the physiological responses; without knowledge of their ecological and evolutionary context, physiological measures alone can be misinterpreted. Furthermore, we need to further investigate the causes of and capacity for individual plasticity in order to understand not only the impact of urbanisation, but also species resilience. I argue that abiotic and biotic urban factors can interact (e.g. pollution with micro- and macronutrients) to either constrain or relax individual physiological responses – and, thereby, plasticity – on a temporal and/or spatial scale, which can lead to erroneous conclusions regarding the impact of urbanisation.

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