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Selected AbstractsHabitat characteristics at bluegill spawning colonies in a South Dakota glacial lakeECOLOGY OF FRESHWATER FISH, Issue 4 2006N. J. C. Gosch Abstract,,, Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) primarily reproduce in spawning colonies. We assessed habitat characteristics at 15 bluegill spawning colonies in a South Dakota glacial lake. Nesting sites were visually identified and angling was used to verify the species of nesting fish. Habitat characteristics were measured at each nesting site and compared with those measured at 75 randomly selected sites. In Lake Cochrane, mean water depth of spawning colonies was 1.0 m. Of the 13 habitat characteristics measured, four (substrate type, substrate firmness, vegetation density and dissolved oxygen levels) were significantly different (P , 0.05) between nesting and random sites. Every bluegill nest site contained gravel substrate, despite the availability of muck, sand and rock. Substrate firmness was indexed at 0-cm penetration and vegetation density was low at all nesting sites. Additionally, bluegills selected nesting locations with relatively moderate dissolved oxygen levels. Lake Cochrane bluegill nest sites consisted of shallow, gravel areas with short, low-density, live submergent Chara vegetation. [source] Habitat selection and reproductive success of Ortolan Buntings Emberiza hortulana on farmland in central Sweden , the importance of habitat heterogeneityIBIS, Issue 3 2008ÅKE BERG Many granivorous birds have shown severe population declines in Europe during recent decades. The aim of the present study was to analyse habitat preferences and reproductive success of one such species, the Ortolan Bunting Emberiza hortulana, in different farmland habitats in south-central Sweden. Four seemingly different land-use types were preferred: permanent set-asides, short rotation coppice, and grazed and unmanaged semi-natural pastures. Territories and random sites differed considerably in the proportion of these preferred land-use types; 39% of territories had > 70% preferred habitat (at the 100-m scale) compared to 5% of random sites. In contrast, 22% of territories and 65% of random sites had no preferred habitats. All the preferred habitats had heterogeneous ground vegetation characterized by patches with bare ground, or at least sparse ground vegetation, intermixed with patches with taller vegetation. Ortolan Buntings also preferred a heterogeneous habitat structure with occurrence of field islets, shrubby edges, barns and electric wires, which could act as song posts or suitable nest-sites, in 88% of territories. At a larger (1-km square) scale, territories occupied by pairs aggregated strongly in areas with high proportions of preferred habitats. The number of territories with single males correlated positively with the number of pairs, which suggests that conspecific attraction may influence territory distribution. No measured habitat factors were related to reproductive success. However, due to habitat preferences and the higher proportion of paired males in one habitat type (set-aside), the production of young (fledglings/ha) is expected to be higher in set-asides, as well as in short-rotation coppices and semi-natural pastures. Thus, these habitats are important for the conservation of the Ortolan Bunting. Large areas with habitat structures such as field islets are especially important because the Ortolan Bunting breeds in aggregations in these areas. [source] Costs and benefits of breeding in human-altered landscapes for the Eagle Owl Bubo buboIBIS, Issue 4 2002Luigi Marchesi We studied a population of 23,25 Eagle Owl Bubo bubo pairs between 1994 and 2000 in a 1330-km2 study plot in the central-eastern Italian Alps. Compared to random sites, territories were located at lower elevation and closer to intensively cultivated-urbanized valley floors. Early laying was associated with low elevation and negatively affected productivity. Diet was dominated by rats, hedgehogs and dormice (n = 978 prey items), all of them typical of low-elevation habitats. Higher productivity was associated with a higher proportion of rats in the diet of individual pairs. Low availability of rats resulted in a more diverse diet, in turn associated with low productivity. Territories were occupied every year in a non-random fashion, and those most occupied were characterized by higher productivity and higher occurrence of the favoured prey types in the diet, suggesting they were of superior quality. Eagle Owls also paid a cost associated with nesting near human-altered habitats: the main cause of mortality reported to local authorities was electrocution. This is an increasing cause of death for many European populations and may be a cause for conservation concern. Human persecution is also an important cause of mortality in some parts of the European range. Apart from such costs, the study population appeared to have adapted well to the proximity of humans: estimates of density and productivity were comparable to those recorded elsewhere in Europe. The pattern found in our population also held at higher spatial scales: data from 17 European populations showed density to be highest in low-elevation, human-altered landscapes. [source] Habitat structure mediates predation risk for sedentary prey: experimental tests of alternative hypothesesJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 3 2009Anna D. Chalfoun Summary 1Predation is an important and ubiquitous selective force that can shape habitat preferences of prey species, but tests of alternative mechanistic hypotheses of habitat influences on predation risk are lacking. 2We studied predation risk at nest sites of a passerine bird and tested two hypotheses based on theories of predator foraging behaviour. The total-foliage hypothesis predicts that predation will decline in areas of greater overall vegetation density by impeding cues for detection by predators. The potential-prey-site hypothesis predicts that predation decreases where predators must search more unoccupied potential nest sites. 3Both observational data and results from a habitat manipulation provided clear support for the potential-prey-site hypothesis and rejection of the total-foliage hypothesis. Birds chose nest patches containing both greater total foliage and potential nest site density (which were correlated in their abundance) than at random sites, yet only potential nest site density significantly influenced nest predation risk. 4Our results therefore provided a clear and rare example of adaptive nest site selection that would have been missed had structural complexity or total vegetation density been considered alone. 5Our results also demonstrated that interactions between predator foraging success and habitat structure can be more complex than simple impedance or occlusion by vegetation. [source] Density and habitat associations of Henslow's Sparrows wintering in saline soil barrens in southern ArkansasJOURNAL OF FIELD ORNITHOLOGY, Issue 4 2008William C. Holimon ABSTRACT Although the habitat requirements of breeding populations of Henslow's Sparrow (Ammodramus henslowii) have been examined, less is known about their habitat requirements and ecology during the nonbreeding season. We estimated population densities and quantified habitat associations of Henslow's Sparrows wintering in saline soil barrens in southern Arkansas. Densities of Henslow's Sparrows in the saline soil barrens were similar to those in the Longleaf Pine (Pinus palustris) Ecosystem of the southeastern United States, considered by many to be their primary wintering habitat. Henslow's Sparrows were closely associated with open areas with greater cover of Aristida spp. and globe beaksedge (Rhynchospora globularis), greater stem density at 11,20 cm above ground, more lichens, more herbaceous cover, more bare ground, greater occurrence of little bluestem (Schizacyrium scoparium) as the tallest vegetation, less moss, and less shrub cover than randomly selected sites. In contrast to the results of studies conducted in the Longleaf Pine Ecosystem, the presence of Henslow's Sparrows in our study was not correlated with the height of the tallest vegetation. Our results indicate that saline soil barrens of southern Arkansas support a high density of wintering Henslow's Sparrows and do so for longer postdisturbance periods than longleaf pine savanna. We also found that stem density near the ground was similar to that reported from longleaf pine savanna, but only about half that observed on their breeding grounds. Areas used by Henslow's Sparrows had more lichen and less moss cover, suggesting that those areas were drier than random sites within the barrens. Further research is needed to determine if large populations of Henslow's Sparrows winter in other saline soil barrens and if fire influences habitat associations and densities in the barrens. SINOPSIS Aunque los requisitos de hábitat para las poblaciones reproductivas de Ammodramus henslowii han sido determinadas, se conoce muy poco sobre su ecología y requerimientos de hábitat durante la temporada no-reproductiva. Estimamos la densidad poblacional y cuantificamos el hábitat asociado a Gorrión de Henslow que pasan el invierno en un salitral con suelo empobrecido en el sur de Arkansas. La densidad de las aves en el salitral resultó similar a lo encontrado en Ecosistemas de Pinos (Pinus palustris) en el sureste de los EUA, considerado por muchos como el principal hábitat invernal para la especie. Los gorriones estuvieron altamente asociados a áreas abiertas con covertura de Aristida spp. y Rhynchospora globularis, con mayor densidad de tallos, altura entre 11,20 cm sobre el suelo, mayor cantidad de líquenes, mayor cubierta herbácea, más suelo desnudo, mayor presencia de Schzacyrium scoparium (como la vegetación de mayor tamaño), menos musgos, y menos arbustos que localidades seleccionadas al azar. En contraste a los resultados de estudios conducidos en Ecosistemas de Pinos, la presencia del gorrión en nuestra área de estudio no estuvo correlacionada con la altura de la vegetación de mayor tamaño. Nuestros resultados indican que las salinas en Arkansas sostienen una alta densidad de aves invernales, y lo hacen por periodos más largos, después de disturbios, que en las savanas de pinos. También encontramos que la densidad de tallos, cerca del suelo, era similar a la informada en savanas de pinos, pero tan solo la mitad de lo indicado para lugares en donde las aves se reproducen. Las áreas utilizadas tienen más líquenes, pero menos musgos, lo que sugiere que dichas áreas son más secas que lugares con suelo empobrecido muestreados al azar. Se necesitan más trabajos para determinar si otras grandes poblaciones del gorrión de Henslow pasan el invierno en otras salinas con suelos empobrecidos y si eventos como fuegos incluyen en la asociación del hábitat y densidades en los lugares con suelo empobrecido. [source] Tree and forest characteristics influence sleeping site choice by golden lion tamarinsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 9 2007Sarah J. Hankerson Abstract Lion tamarin monkeys are among a small number of primates that repeatedly use a few tree holes for the majority of their sleeping sites. To better understand why lion tamarins rely on tree holes as sleeping sites, we compared the physical characteristics of frequently used sleeping sites, infrequently used sleeping sites, and randomly selected forest locations at multiple spatial scales. From 1990 to 2004, we recorded 5,235 occurrences of sleeping site use by 10 groups of golden lion tamarins (Leontopithecus rosalia) in Poço das Antas Reserve, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil. Of those, 63.6% were tree holes. Bamboo accounted for an additional 17.5% of observations. Frequently used tree holes were more likely to be found in living trees and their entrances were at lower canopy heights than infrequently used tree holes. We also found that frequently used sleeping sites, in comparison to random sites, were more likely to be found on hillsides, be close to other large trees, have a lower percent of canopy cover, and have larger diameter at breast height. Topography and small-scale variables were more accurate than were habitat-level classifications in predicting frequently used sleeping sites. There are ample tree holes available to these lion tamarins but few preferred sites to which they return repeatedly. The lion tamarins find these preferred sites wherever they occur including in mature forest and in relics of older forest embedded in a matrix of secondary forest. Am. J. Primatol. 69:976,988, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Seed Dispersal of the Palm Syagrus romanzoffiana by Tapirs in the Semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest of ArgentinaBIOTROPICA, Issue 4 2009Mariano I. Giombini ABSTRACT Vertebrates play a fundamental role in the dispersal of Neotropical trees, generating different seed shadows according to their physical and behavioral features. Tapirs are capable of consuming great quantities of large fruits, and they defecate seeds far from parent trees. For instance, intact seeds of the palm Syagrus romanzoffiana have been found in tapir dung piles in the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil, suggesting that tapirs effectively disperse this species. However, recruitment was not examined therein. We studied tapir endozoochory of large and medium seeds in the semi-deciduous Atlantic Forest of Argentina by examining dung piles found within Iguazu National Park. We recorded dung-pile positions to evaluate the spatial distribution. We also counted the number of juveniles in 2 × 2 m quadrats placed on old dung piles in latrines, beneath adults and in random sites to estimate recruitment levels. Syagrus romanzoffiana seeds were present in 98 percent of dung piles, averaging >200 seeds/dung pile, indicating that this species constitutes the main fruit component in the tapir's diet. Dung piles showed a clumped deposition pattern reflecting the use of latrines. Juvenile recruitment in latrines was 21 times higher than that of under-adult sites and 500 times greater than in random sites, and correlated with the frequency of use of the areas. We concluded that the lowland tapir is a major disperser of S. romanzoffiana. Given that this palm can be considered a keystone species, a disruption of this interaction might affect the entire community of frugivores in the long term. [source] Fruit, Minerals, and Forest Elephant Trails: Do All Roads Lead to Rome?BIOTROPICA, Issue 3 2004Stephen Blake ABSTRACT Tropical forests are among the most heterogeneous environments on earth, and food resources for many animals are patchy both in time and space. In Africa's equatorial forest, permanent trails created and maintained by forest elephants are conspicuous features. Trails may be several meters wide and continue for tens of kilometers. Speculation on which resources determine the distribution of trails has identified fruit, browse, and mineral deposits as candidates. In this study, the relationships between these habitat variables and elephant trails were investigated. The size of individual trails and the density of the trail system increased dramatically with proximity to mineral deposits. Fruit tree basal area decreased with perpendicular distance from trails, while that of non-fruit trees did not. Fruit tree abundance and basal area were significantly higher on trail intersections than random sites and increased with intersection size. No relationship was found between monocotyledon browse abundance and elephant trail system characteristics. Clumped resources, which are at least partially reliable, provide a high nutritional payback, and are not rapidly depleted and can thus be visited repeatedly, appear to influence permanent trail formation by forest elephants. Permanent trails may allow naive individuals or those with imperfect knowledge to locate and acquire important resources. [source] Vascular anomalies in Proteus syndromeCLINICAL & EXPERIMENTAL DERMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2004P. H. Hoeger Summary Proteus syndrome (PS) is a complex hamartomatous disorder defined by local overgrowth (macrodactyly or hemihypertrophy), subcutaneous tumours and various bone, cutaneous and/or vascular anomalies (VA). VA are manifold in PS, but their prevalence is unknown so far. In order to further characterize PS, we studied the prevalence of VA in 22 PS patients presenting to our outpatient clinic and reviewed 100 PS patients previously reported between 1983 and 2001. The diagnosis of vascular abnormalities was made on clinical grounds and supported with imaging studies and/or histology in 12 and seven patients out of 22, respectively. Thirty-five VA were identified in 22/22 (100%) of our patients, and more than one type of VA were present in 10 of them. Vascular tumours, portwine stains (PWS), and venous anomalies (varicosities, prominent veins) were equally common. A total of 118 VA were previously reported in 70/100 (70%) PS patients; vascular hamartomas were more prevalent (56/118 = 47.5%), whilst PWS (21.2%) and venous anomalies (22.9%) were slightly less common than in our series, but there is the possibility of under-reporting. Unlike Klippel,Trenaunay syndrome, where VA are mostly confined to the hypertrophic limb, major arteriovenous anomalies are rare, and ,,similar to the other hamartomas and naevi observed in PS (pigmentary naevi, epidermal naevi, subcutaneous tumours, exostoses) , VA appear to be distributed at random sites on the body. We conclude that VA are among the most common findings in PS. Their varying type and distribution lend further support to the concept of somatic mosaicism. [source] | ||||||||||