scholarly journals Breeding ecology and habitat use of North America’s rarest Ardeidae: the Reddish Egret Egretta rufescens

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lianne M. Koczur ◽  
Bart M. Ballard ◽  
M. Clay Green ◽  
David G. Hewitt ◽  
Scott E. Henke
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Egretta Rufescens

Habitat use, distribution and breeding ecology of the globally threatened Rudd's Lark and Botha's Lark in eastern South Africa

Ostrich ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 80 (1) ◽  
pp. 19-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
David H Maphisa ◽  
Paul F Donald ◽  
Graeme M Buchanan ◽  
Peter G Ryan
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Breeding Ecology

scholarly journals Population size, breeding performance and habitat use of the Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni

2009 ◽  
Vol 19 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-163 ◽  
Author(s):  
JOHANNES KAMP ◽  
MAXIM A. KOSHKIN ◽  
ROBERT D. SHELDON
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
Colony Size ◽  
New World ◽  
Open Water ◽  
Steppe Zone ◽  
Breeding Pair ◽  
Population Estimate ◽  
World Population ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Breeding Performance

SummaryThe population of the Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni has declined significantly during the course of the 20th century, resulting in a classification as ‘Near Threatened’ and ‘Endangered’ in the Global and European Red Data Books, respectively. Reasons for the decline are largely unknown due to a lack of information on the breeding ecology of the species. We studied breeding performance and habitat use of the Black-winged Pratincole in two areas in Kazakhstan and evaluated a new world population estimate. Colony size ranged from two to 180 pairs and differed significantly between the study areas. Mean breeding success was 1.30 ± 0.16 (mean ± SE) fledged chicks per breeding pair in Central Kazakhstan, and 0.59 ± 0.13 (mean ± SE) fledged chicks per breeding pair in NE Kazakhstan. Habitat types preferred were intensively grazed natural steppe, abandoned and fallow fields, shores of freshwater and brackish lakes and solonchaks (salt pans). Factors influencing habitat selection were quantified the first time for this species: the probability of occurrence of breeding colonies was highest near human settlements, within 3km of open water and where sward heights were low or intermediate, indicating a reliance on heavy grazing and water.Using data from six surveys across the whole breeding range, we calculated a new world population estimate of 76,000–95,000 breeding pairs, which is substantially higher than previous estimates. We discuss colony size, habitat use and population trends in the light of changing landscape conditions in the steppe zone and suggest an increase in habitat available to Black-winged Pratincole due to an increase in the area of fallow fields and a change in grazing regimes since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Echolocation Calls and Patterns of Hunting and Habitiat Use of Bats (Microchiroptera) from Chillagoe, North Queensland

1982 ◽  
Vol 30 (3) ◽  
pp. 417 ◽  
Author(s):  
MB Fenton
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Echolocation Calls ◽  
Flying Insects ◽  
Over Time

The search phase echolocation calls of 12 species of microchiropteran bats were studied in the vicinity of Chillagoe. Different species were recognizable by their calls, and differences in patterns of change in frequency over time. frequencies, and call durations were useful in identifying bats in the field. Some species (Nyctophilus bifax, Hipposideros diadema, and Rhinolophus megaphyllus) made short flights from perches to intercept flying insects. while others flew continuously while hunting, reacting to targets at short (c. 1m; Eptesicus pumilus, Nycticeius balstoni) or long (over 2 m; Chalinolobus nigrogriseus, Taphozous georgiunus, the two molossids) range. By sampling echolocation calls it was possible to obtain some measure of habitat use by different species. The results are compared to data from sites in North America and Africa.

scholarly journals MORPHOLOGY, REPRODUCTION, SEASONAL ACTIVITY AND HABITAT USE OF A NORTHERN POPULATION OF THE SMOOTH GREENSNAKE (OPHEODRYS VERNALIS)

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Pamela L. Rutherford ◽  
Nicholas A. Cairns
Keyword(s):  
Body Size ◽  
North America ◽  
Habitat Use ◽  
Clutch Size ◽  
Seasonal Activity ◽  
Northern Population ◽  
Adult Females ◽  
Male Activity

The Smooth Greensnake (Opheodrys vernalis) is a small, slender, oviparous, colubrid snake that is widely distributed in North America. Nonetheless, there have been few studies on this species, and little is known about Canadian populations. The objective of this study was to examine morphology, reproduction, seasonal activity and habitat use of a northern population of the Smooth Greensnake. Individuals were captured during the summers of 2007-2010 in southwestern Manitoba, Canada. Females were larger and relatively heavier than males, but clutch size did not consistently increase with body size. In addition, 59% (on average) of available adult females were gravid in any given year, suggesting that females may not reproduce each year. Males had relatively longer heads and longer tails than females. Males were more common in early August; otherwise, females were more common. The peak of male activity in August suggests that fall mating might occur in this species, but this was not confirmed. Finally, Smooth Greensnakes were most commonly found in grassland, and there were no differences in habitat use between the sexes. Further research on northern populations of Smooth Greensnakes would provide valuable information on this little-studied species.

scholarly journals Dramatic intraspecific differences in migratory routes, stopover sites and wintering areas, revealed using light-level geolocators

2012 ◽  
Vol 279 (1747) ◽  
pp. 4582-4589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kira E. Delmore ◽  
James W. Fox ◽  
Darren E. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
Light Level ◽  
Conservation Strategies ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Catharus Ustulatus ◽  
Mitochondrial Haplotypes ◽  
Breeding Populations ◽  
Migratory Routes ◽  
Loop Migration ◽  
Using Data

Migratory divides are contact zones between breeding populations that use divergent migratory routes and have been described in a variety of species. These divides are of major importance to evolution, ecology and conservation but have been identified using limited band recovery data and/or indirect methods. Data from band recoveries and mitochondrial haplotypes suggested that inland and coastal Swainson's thrushes ( Catharus ustulatus ) form a migratory divide in western North America. We attached light-level geolocators to birds at the edges of this contact zone to provide, to our knowledge, the first direct test of a putative divide using data from individual birds over the entire annual cycle. Coastal thrushes migrated along the west coast to Mexico, Guatemala and Honduras. Some of these birds used multiple wintering sites. Inland thrushes migrated across the Rocky Mountains, through central North America to Columbia and Venezuela. These birds migrated longer distances than coastal birds and performed a loop migration, navigating over the Gulf of Mexico in autumn and around this barrier in spring. These findings support the suggestion that divergent migratory behaviour could contribute to reproductive isolation between migrants, advance our understanding of their non-breeding ecology, and are integral to development of detailed conservation strategies for this group.

scholarly journals Population ecology of the Asian house rat (Rattus tanezumi) in complex lowland agroecosystems in the Philippines

2015 ◽  
Vol 42 (2) ◽  
pp. 165 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander M. Stuart ◽  
Grant R. Singleton ◽  
Colin V. Prescott
Keyword(s):  
Habitat Use ◽  
The Philippines ◽  
Breeding Biology ◽  
Rice Crop ◽  
Breeding Ecology ◽  
Rodent Control ◽  
Booting Stage ◽  
Effective Time ◽  
Rattus Tanezumi ◽  
Breeding Condition

Context Rattus tanezumi (the Asian house rat) is the principal rodent pest of rice and coconut crops in the Philippines. Little is known about the population and breeding ecology of R. tanezumi in complex agroecosystems; thus, current methods of rodent control may be inappropriate or poorly implemented. Aims To investigate the habitat use, population dynamics and breeding biology of R. tanezumi in complex lowland agroecosystems of the Sierra Madre Biodiversity Corridor, Luzon, and to develop ecologically based rodent management (EBRM) strategies that will target specific habitats at specific times to improve cost-efficiency and minimise non-target risks. Methods An 18-month trapping study was conducted in rice monoculture, rice adjacent to coconut, coconut groves, coconut-based agroforest and forest habitats. Trapped animals were measured, marked and assessed for breeding condition. Key results Five species of rodent were captured across all habitats with R. tanezumi the major pest species in both the rice and coconut crops. The stage of the rice crop was a major factor influencing the habitat use and breeding biology of R. tanezumi. In rice fields, R. tanezumi abundance was highest during the tillering to ripening stages of the rice crop and lowest during the seedling stage, whereas in coconut groves abundance was highest from the seedling to tillering stage of nearby rice crops. Peaks in breeding activity occurred from the booting stage of the rice crop until just after harvest, but >10% of females were in breeding condition at each month of the year. Conclusions In contrast with the practices applied by rice farmers in the study region, the most effective time for lethal management based on the breeding ecology of R. tanezumi is likely to be during the early stages of the rice crop, before the booting stage. Farmers generally apply control actions as individuals. We recommend coordinated community action. Continuous breeding throughout the year may necessitate two community campaigns per rice cropping season. To limit population growth, the most effective time to reduce nesting habitat is from the booting stage until harvest. Implications By adopting EBRM strategies, we expect a reduction in costs associated with rodent control, as well as improved yield and reduced risk to non-target species.

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