scholarly journals How to be a great dad: Parental care in a flock of greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camillo Sandri ◽  
Vittoria Vallarin ◽  
Carolina Sammarini ◽  
Barbara Regaiolli ◽  
Alessandra Piccirillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Nest Protection ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Greater Flamingos

The zoo-science literature on flamingos, and avian species in general, is lacking. However, this kind of research is important to improve the knowledge on these species and to improve their ex-situ and in-situ conservation. The aims of the present study were to assess the welfare of a captive colony of greater flamingo hosted at Parco Natura Viva, an Italian zoological garden, through ethological parameters and to improve the knowledge on this species in zoological gardens. In particular, the present study investigated and compared the parental care of females and males in 35 breeding pairs of greater flamingos. For each pair, we collected data on the parental care behaviour of both females and males, recording their position in relation to the nest (near the nest, on the nest, away from the nest) and the behavioural category that was performed. The main results were that males spent more time than females on the nest and near it and were more aggressive toward other flamingos. Therefore, male flamingos seem to be more involved in incubation duties and nest protection than females. Greater flamingos of this study performed species-specific behaviours. Both parents were involved in parental care and displayed all the activities reported in the wild. Therefore, the study flock of greater flamingos seems to be in a good welfare. This kind of research is important not only to expand the knowledge on bird species such as flamingos, but also to improve their husbandry and breeding in controlled environment.

scholarly journals How to be a great dad: Parental care in a flock of greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camillo Sandri ◽  
Vittoria Vallarin ◽  
Carolina Sammarini ◽  
Barbara Regaiolli ◽  
Alessandra Piccirillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Controlled Environment ◽  
Science Literature ◽  
Nest Protection ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Greater Flamingos

The zoo-science literature on flamingos, and avian species in general, is lacking. However, this kind of research is important to improve the knowledge on these species and to improve their ex-situ and in-situ conservation. The aims of the present study were to assess the welfare of a captive colony of greater flamingo hosted at Parco Natura Viva, an Italian zoological garden, through ethological parameters and to improve the knowledge on this species in zoological gardens. In particular, the present study investigated and compared the parental care of females and males in 35 breeding pairs of greater flamingos. For each pair, we collected data on the parental care behaviour of both females and males, recording their position in relation to the nest (near the nest, on the nest, away from the nest) and the behavioural category that was performed. The main results were that males spent more time than females on the nest and near it and were more aggressive toward other flamingos. Therefore, male flamingos seem to be more involved in incubation duties and nest protection than females. Greater flamingos of this study performed species-specific behaviours. Both parents were involved in parental care and displayed all the activities reported in the wild. Therefore, the study flock of greater flamingos seems to be in a good welfare. This kind of research is important not only to expand the knowledge on bird species such as flamingos, but also to improve their husbandry and breeding in controlled environment.

scholarly journals How to be a great dad: parental care in a flock of greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus)

PeerJ ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. e3404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camillo Sandri ◽  
Vittoria Vallarin ◽  
Carolina Sammarini ◽  
Barbara Regaiolli ◽  
Alessandra Piccirillo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Parental Care ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Nest Protection ◽  
Zoo Animals ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Greater Flamingos

In the last years, studies on captive greater flamingos have increased. Research on zoo animals is important to improve the knowledge on these species and to improve their ex-situ and in-situ conservation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the parental behaviour of a captive colony of greater flamingo hosted at Parco Natura Viva, an Italian zoological garden, to improve the knowledge on this species in zoos. In particular, the present study investigated and compared the parental care of females and males in 35 breeding pairs of greater flamingos. For each pair, we collected durations of parental care behaviour of both females and males, recording their position in relation to the nest (near the nest, on the nest, away from the nest) and individual and social behaviours performed. First, both partners were involved in parental care and displayed species-specific behaviours reported in the wild. The main results were that males spent more time than females on the nest (P = 0.010) and near it (P = 0.0001) and were more aggressive toward other flamingos than females, both when sitting on the nest (P = 0.003) and when near the nest (P = 0.0003). Therefore, male flamingos seem to be more involved in incubation duties and nest protection than females. This kind of research is important not only to expand the knowledge on bird species such as flamingos, but also to improve their husbandry and breeding in controlled environment. Indeed, understanding animal behaviour allows us to gain insights into their individual and social needs, addressing potential animal welfare issues.

scholarly journals The Role of Gardens in Integrated Conservation Practice

2019 ◽  
pp. 177-188
Author(s):  
Audrey Denvir ◽  
Jeannine Cavender-Bares ◽  
Antonio González-Rodríguez
Keyword(s):  
Plant Conservation ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Conservation Practice ◽  
Integrated Research ◽  
Academic Researchers ◽  
Conservation Plan ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Integrated Conservation

Gardens and horticulturists play an increasingly important role in plant conservation, both in situ and ex situ. Integrated research and conservation of species intends to work across fields to connect science to conservation practice by engaging actors from different sectors, including gardens. The case of integrated conservation of Quercus brandegeei, a microendemic oak species in Baja California Sur, Mexico, is presented as an example of a collaboration between gardens and academic researchers to create a species-specific conservation plan that incorporates horticultural knowledge.

scholarly journals Transposable Elements in the Organization and Diversification of the Genome of Aegilops speltoides Tausch (Poaceae, Triticeae)

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Olga Raskina
Keyword(s):  
Transposable Elements ◽  
Mobile Element ◽  
Plant Genome ◽  
Aegilops Speltoides ◽  
Genome Architecture ◽  
Different Types ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Current Species

Repetitive DNA—specifically, transposable elements (TEs)—is a prevailing genomic fraction in cereals that underlies extensive genome reshuffling and intraspecific diversification in the wild. Although large amounts of data have been accumulated, the effect of TEs on the genome architecture and functioning is not fully understood. Here, plant genome organization was addressed by means of cloning and sequencing TE fragments of different types, which compose the largest portion of the Aegilops speltoides genome. Individual genotypes were analyzed cytogenetically using the cloned TE fragments as the DNA probes for fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The obtained TE sequences of the Ty1-copia, Ty3-gypsy, LINE, and CACTA superfamilies showed the relatedness of the Ae. speltoides genome to the Triticeae tribe and similarities to evolutionarily distant species. A significant number of clones consisted of intercalated fragments of TEs of various types, in which Fatima (Ty3-gypsy) sequences predominated. At the chromosomal level, different TE clones demonstrated sequence-specific patterning, emphasizing the effect of the TE fraction on the Ae. speltoides genome architecture and intraspecific diversification. Altogether, the obtained data highlight the current species-specific organization and patterning of the mobile element fraction and point to ancient evolutionary events in the genome of Ae. speltoides.

scholarly journals Propagation of Threatened Nepenthes khasiana: Methods and Precautions

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (3) ◽  
pp. 313-315
Author(s):  
Jibankumar S. KHURAIJAM ◽  
Rup K. ROY
Keyword(s):  
Plant Species ◽  
Threatened Species ◽  
Ex Situ Conservation ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Propagation Technique ◽  
Subsequent Propagation ◽  
Nepenthes Khasiana

Ex-situ conservation is an important key in the management of rare, endangered and threatened (RET) plant species and its effectiveness depends on several factors. Maintenance of viable germplasm and its subsequent propagation plays an important role in long term conservation of many RET species. Nepenthes khasiana is a rare and gravely threatened species in the wild due to over-collection and other threats. The species needs urgent in-situ and ex-situ conservation. Development of easy to propagate techniques would pave faster multiplication for its use of educational, medicinal and horticultural purpose. In the present paper, successful propagation technique of Nepenthes khasiana through seeds is demonstrated along with detailed information on precautions to be taken during the adoption of the techniques.

scholarly journals Seed and biological productivity of Prunella vulgaris L. in situ and ex situ

2018 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
pp. 00004
Author(s):  
Irina Barsukova ◽  
Alexei Astashenkov
Keyword(s):  
Growth Conditions ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Biological Productivity ◽  
Prunella Vulgaris ◽  
Seed Productivity ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Productivity Increase ◽  
In The Wild

Reproductive biology and biological productivity of Prunella vulgaris L. were studied in natural growth conditions in Khakasiya and under introduction. It was established that in the wild a potential seed productivity of the species varied from 85,4 to 160,3 it./ a shoot, a real one – from 73,6 to 149,2 it.; erem germination under optimal conditions reached 90,5%. Under introduction the indicators of seed productivity increase by 2-5 times, of erem germination – by 1,5 times. Biological productivity of individuals in cultivation is by 5-10 times higher compared to that in natural habitats.

scholarly journals Self-care tooling innovation in a disabled kea (Nestor notabilis)

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Amalia P. M. Bastos ◽  
Kata Horváth ◽  
Jonathan L. Webb ◽  
Patrick M. Wood ◽  
Alex H. Taylor
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Evidence ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Specific Behaviour ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Lines Of Evidence

AbstractTooling is associated with complex cognitive abilities, occurring most regularly in large-brained mammals and birds. Among birds, self-care tooling is seemingly rare in the wild, despite several anecdotal reports of this behaviour in captive parrots. Here, we show that Bruce, a disabled parrot lacking his top mandible, deliberately uses pebbles to preen himself. Evidence for this behaviour comes from five lines of evidence: (i) in over 90% of instances where Bruce picked up a pebble, he then used it to preen; (ii) in 95% of instances where Bruce dropped a pebble, he retrieved this pebble, or replaced it, in order to resume preening; (iii) Bruce selected pebbles of a specific size for preening rather than randomly sampling available pebbles in his environment; (iv) no other kea in his environment used pebbles for preening; and (v) when other individuals did interact with stones, they used stones of different sizes to those Bruce preened with. Our study provides novel and empirical evidence for deliberate self-care tooling in a bird species where tooling is not a species-specific behaviour. It also supports claims that tooling can be innovated based on ecological necessity by species with sufficiently domain-general cognition.

scholarly journals Conservation and behavior of Africa’s “Big Five”

2014 ◽  
Vol 60 (4) ◽  
pp. 486-499 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Caro ◽  
Jason Riggio
Keyword(s):  
Big Five ◽  
Captive Breeding ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
In Situ Conservation ◽  
Animal Husbandry ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Flagship Species ◽  
African Species ◽  
In The Wild

Abstract We examine the conservation status of Africa’s “Big Five”: lion, leopard, buffalo, black and white rhinoceros and elephant, and the role of behavioral knowledge in their conservation. Efforts to conserve these flagship species consist of in situ conservation, captive breeding and reintroductions. With a few exceptions, we find limited evidence that knowledge of behavior informs conservation programs targeted at these species. For management in the wild, knowledge of infanticide and ranging can provide guidelines for realistic hunting quotas and corridors between protected areas, respectively. For ex situ and reintroduction programs, behavioral knowledge is chiefly focused on improved animal husbandry. Despite a formidable understanding of these species’ behavior, the practicalities of using such knowledge may be diminished because exploitation of these species is so forceful and the bulk of efforts aimed at conserving these species (and indeed most other African species) are primarily in situ where behaviorally driven interventions are limited. Our comparative findings suggest that behavior has been of rather narrow use in the conservation of these flagship species [Current Zoology 60 (4): 486–499, 2014].

scholarly journals Utility of several microsatellite markers for the genetic characterisation of three ex situ populations of threatened caprine taxa (<i>Capra aegagrus</i>, <i>C. cylindricornis</i> and <i>C. falconeri</i>)

2015 ◽  
Vol 58 (2) ◽  
pp. 365-372
Author(s):  
E. Levý ◽  
L. Putnová ◽  
R. Štohl ◽  
K. Svobodová ◽  
J. Matoušková ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Variability ◽  
Microsatellite Markers ◽  
Human Impacts ◽  
Ex Situ ◽  
Genetic Introgression ◽  
Conservation Actions ◽  
Breeding Programmes ◽  
Capra Aegagrus ◽  
Species Specific

Abstract. Caprines belong to the most endangered group of mammals and artiodactyls suffering from many negative human impacts. Fortunately, many of them are protected and managed by national and international legislation and in situ and ex situ conservation actions. Although many microsatellite markers have been developed for wild and domestic caprines, they remain uninvestigated in respect of their utility for some taxa. We examined the utility of the International Society for Animal Genetics microsatellite set for genetic characterisations of three wild and one domestic Capra species from captive or semi-captive ex situ populations in Europe. Our data suggest the utility of this microsatellite set for detecting shared and species-specific alleles, characterising the genetic variability, and determining phylogenetic relationships and intraspecific structures in investigated taxa. We detected a depleted genetic variability in Capra falconeri and Capra cylindricornis in European ex situ populations; unrelated individuals are therefore needed for improving genetic variability parameters, as they are for the extralimital population of Capra aegagrus in the Vřísek game reserve (Czech Republic), for which we identified no genetic introgression from the domestic goat and great dissimilarity with some analysed individuals from European zoos. Current results here indicate some difficulties with the historical evidence, for example with respect to the origin and purity of particular individuals under breeding programmes.

scholarly journals When the sun never sets: diverse activity rhythms under continuous daylight in free-living arctic-breeding birds

2013 ◽  
Vol 280 (1764) ◽  
pp. 20131016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Silke S. Steiger ◽  
Mihai Valcu ◽  
Kamiel Spoelstra ◽  
Barbara Helm ◽  
Martin Wikelski ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daily Activity ◽  
Radio Telemetry ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Continuous Darkness ◽  
Activity Rhythms ◽  
Running Activity ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Free Running ◽  
Activity Cycles ◽  
Species Specific

Circadian clocks are centrally involved in the regulation of daily behavioural and physiological processes. These clocks are synchronized to the 24 h day by external cues ( Zeitgeber ), the most important of which is the light–dark cycle. In polar environments, however, the strength of the Zeitgeber is greatly reduced around the summer and winter solstices (continuous daylight or continuous darkness). How animals time their behaviour under such conditions has rarely been studied in the wild. Using a radio-telemetry-based system, we investigated daily activity rhythms under continuous daylight in Barrow, Alaska, throughout the breeding season in four bird species that differ in mating system and parental behaviour. We found substantial diversity in daily activity rhythms depending on species, sex and breeding stage. Individuals exhibited either robust, entrained 24 h activity cycles, were continuously active (arrhythmic) or showed ‘free-running’ activity cycles. In semipalmated sandpipers, a shorebird with biparental incubation, we show that the free-running rhythm is synchronized between pair mates. The diversity of diel time-keeping under continuous daylight emphasizes the plasticity of the circadian system, and the importance of the social and life-history context. Our results support the idea that circadian behaviour can be adaptively modified to enable species-specific time-keeping under polar conditions.

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