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

Mapping Intimacies ◽

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.

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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.2795v1 ◽

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

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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.

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Within-season and age-related patterns of reproductive performance in female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor)

Canadian Journal of Zoology ◽

10.1139/z88-122 ◽

1988 ◽

Vol 66 (4) ◽

pp. 827-834 ◽

Cited By ~ 87

Author(s):

Bridget J. Stutchbury ◽

Raleigh J. Robertson

Keyword(s):

Clutch Size ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Reproductive Performance ◽

Tachycineta Bicolor ◽

Foraging Efficiency ◽

Tree Swallows ◽

Age Classes ◽

Age Related ◽

Female Tree ◽

Second Year

In many species of birds, clutch size decreases as the season progresses, but this is confounded by the fact that young birds not only often have smaller clutches but also breed later than older females. We examined the effect of time of season on clutch size, hatching success, and fledging success of female tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) in their second year (SY) and after their second year (ASY), and compared their reproductive performance while controlling for time of season. For both SY and ASY females, clutch size decreased significantly with later first egg dates, which caused number hatched and number fledged per brood to also decline as the season progressed. However, neither the proportion of eggs hatched nor the proportion of young fledged was correlated with first egg date. The within-season decline in clutch size was not due simply to replacement clutches or female age, and we argue that it is also not due to a decrease in food abundance over the breeding season. Age-related differences in reproductive success depended on the time of season. Early in the breeding season, ASY females were superior to SY females in every measure of reproductive performance; however, there were no significant differences between age-classes late in the season. ASY females were more successful than SY females in raising clutches of five or six eggs, which were most common early in the season, but there was no difference between age-classes in raising clutches of four eggs. We suggest that an age-related difference in foraging efficiency and within-season changes in the cost of competition could explain this pattern.

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Conservation of the critically endangered Achondrostoma occidentale (Pisces: Cyprinidae): integrating habitat data in restocking programs to improve population recovery

Gaia Scientia ◽

10.21707/gs.v10.n02a01 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 1-9

Author(s):

D. Mameri ◽

C. Sousa Santos ◽

M. F. Magalhães ◽

J. I. Robalo

Keyword(s):

Iberian Peninsula ◽

River Basins ◽

Fish Abundance ◽

Critically Endangered ◽

Ex Situ ◽

Population Recovery ◽

Age Classes ◽

Younger Age ◽

Risk Of Extinction

Cyprinid fauna endemic to the Iberian Peninsula is currently facing several human-caused threats which enhance their risk of extinction. The populations of the critically endangered Achondrostoma occidentale, occurring only in three small and intermittent Portuguese river basins, have been reinforced with fish bred ex-situ in order to minimize their risk of extinction. This study aimed to describe the restocking actions conducted and to identify and characterize the summer refugia that should become targets for restoration and further restocking. The results evidence population increments and a high representativeness of younger age classes in the restocked populations. The importance of annual monitoring of fish abundance to assess how the species is coping with the stochastic and deterministic stressors that may eventually compromise its survival is highlighted.

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Effects of commercial thinning on site occupancy and habitat use by spruce grouse in boreal Quebec

Canadian Journal of Forest Research ◽

10.1139/x10-226 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 41 (3) ◽

pp. 501-508 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ambroise Lycke ◽

Louis Imbeau ◽

Pierre Drapeau

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Boreal Forest ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Vegetation Cover ◽

Forest Cover ◽

Site Occupancy ◽

Lower Proportion ◽

Large Mammals ◽

Dense Vegetation ◽

Commercial Thinning

Partial cuts are increasingly proposed to maintain habitats for species negatively affected by clearcutting, even if their benefits on nonpasserine birds and large mammals are still poorly documented. Our main objective was to evaluate effects of commercial thinning (CT) on spruce grouse ( Falcipennis canadensis L.), a game bird of the boreal forest. Because this species is known to be associated with a dense vegetation cover, we hypothesized that habitat use would be lower in treated sites. In spring 2006, we evaluated site occupancy in 94 forest stands (50 CT and 44 uncut stands) in Quebec by visiting each on three occasions during the breeding season (March–May). Additionally, during the molting period (May–July), we used radiotelemetry to monitor habitat use by 19 males. As compared with uncut stands, results show that a lower proportion of CTs were used in spring (39% versus 60%, after accounting for detection). During the molting period, CTs were also used less than expected according to their availability. The significant reduction of lateral and vertical forest cover in CT may explain these results. We conclude that even if CT is perceived beneficial for wildlife, it does not completely fulfill the needs of species associated with dense understory vegetation, such as spruce grouse.

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Habitat Use by Prairie Raccoons during the Waterfowl Breeding Season

Journal of Wildlife Management ◽

10.2307/3800698 ◽

1978 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 118 ◽

Cited By ~ 45

Author(s):

Erik K. Fritzell

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season

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Investigating post-breeding moult locations and diets of Common Guillemots (Uria aalge) in the North Sea using stable isotope analyses

10.1101/2020.09.01.276857 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Alec P. Christie

Keyword(s):

Stable Isotope ◽

Breeding Season ◽

North Sea ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Uria Aalge ◽

Age Classes ◽

Stable Isotope Analyses ◽

The North ◽

The North Sea ◽

Isotope Analyses

AbstractSeabird movements and diet during the non-breeding season are poorly studied, yet understanding these aspects of seabird ecology is extremely important to effectively conserve these protected species. Stable isotope analyses (SIA) provide a cost-effective solution to filling these knowledge gaps, yielding information on diet and foraging locations of animals. This study aimed to use SIA to investigate whether Common Guillemots (Uria aalge) from different age classes and locations in the UK had contrasting diets and foraging areas during the post-breeding moult (July-September). SIA of secondary feathers and a newly-developed North Sea isoscape were used to identify the likeliest foraging areas and diets of deceased guillemots recovered from beaches in eastern Scotland and mixed fisheries in Cornwall and the Celtic Sea. Overall, guillemots foraged widely in the western, eastern and southern North Sea, consuming a variety of clupeid, gadoid and invertebrate prey. There were negligible dietary differences between age classes and birds from different recovery locations. Juveniles showed a wider range in foraging areas, but both age classes foraged in similar parts of the North Sea. Guillemots recovered from Scotland may have foraged further north, only overlapping with guillemots recovered from the southwestern UK in the southern and eastern North Sea. Their winter recovery locations also implied that they exhibited different movement strategies during the non-breeding season, meriting further investigation. Conservation efforts should target foraging areas in the southern and eastern North Sea which are highly threatened by gillnet fishing, shipping traffic and oil infrastructure.

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Space fit for a king: spatial ecology of king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah) in Sakaerat Biosphere Reserve, Northeastern Thailand

Amphibia-Reptilia ◽

10.1163/15685381-18000008 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (2) ◽

pp. 163-178 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Benjamin Michael Marshall ◽

Colin Thomas Strine ◽

Max Dolton Jones ◽

Taksin Artchawakom ◽

Ines Silva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Habitat Use ◽

Breeding Season ◽

Protected Area ◽

Spatial Ecology ◽

Radio Telemetry ◽

Biosphere Reserve ◽

Adult Males ◽

Anthropogenic Pressures ◽

Anthropogenic Landscapes ◽

Ophiophagus Hannah

Abstract A species’ spatial ecology has direct implications for that species’ conservation. Far-ranging species may be more difficult to conserve because their movements increase their chances of encountering humans. The movements can take them out of protected areas, which is especially risky for species that are routinely persecuted. The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), a large venomous elapid, is subject to anthropogenic pressures, such as persecution and habitat loss. Here we present results from a study using radio telemetry to quantify movements and habitat use of nine king cobras in and around a protected area in Northeast Thailand. This study is the first investigation into the movements and habitat use of king cobras outside of the Western Ghats, India. On average, the tracked king cobra’s use areas of 493.42 ± 335.60 ha (95% fixed kernel), moving 183.24 ± 82.63 m per day. King cobras did not remain in intact forested area. Five of the individuals frequently used the human-dominated agricultural areas surrounding the protected area, appearing to make regular use of irrigation canals. Two adult males showed increases in movements during the breeding season. One male’s increased breeding season range caused him to venture beyond the protected area, shifting his habitat use from intact forests to scrub in human-dominated areas. King cobras’ large home range and willingness to use anthropogenic landscapes merits special consideration from conservation planners.

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The Social Origins of Human Prosociality

Current Directions in Psychological Science ◽

10.1177/0963721419830386 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 274-279 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Audun Dahl ◽

Celia A. Brownell

Keyword(s):

Prosocial Behavior ◽

Social Interactions ◽

Early Development ◽

Future Research ◽

First Year ◽

Social And Emotional ◽

Caregiver Behavior ◽

The Social ◽

Second Year ◽

First Year Of Life

From early in life, children help, comfort, and share with other people. Recent research has deepened scientific understanding of the development of prosociality—efforts to promote the welfare of others. In this article, we discuss two key insights about the emergence and early development of prosocial behavior, focusing on the development of helping. First, children’s motivations and capabilities for helping change in quality as well as quantity over the opening years of life. Specifically, helping begins in participatory activities without prosocial intent in the first year of life, becoming increasingly autonomous and motivated by prosocial intent over the second year. Second, helping emerges through bidirectional social interactions starting at birth: Caregivers and other individuals support the development of helping in a variety of ways, and young children play active roles that often influence caregiver behavior. The question now is not whether but how social interactions contribute to the development of prosocial behavior. Recent methodological and theoretical advances provide exciting avenues for future research on the social and emotional origins of human prosociality.

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