Black Grouse Research Articles

Use of historical data to improve conservation of the black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) in Northeast China

AbstractBiological conservation requires sufficient basic data, like knowledge of the biogeographic characteristics and spatiotemporal dynamics of endangered species. Reconstructing range dynamics through time and detecting their underlying causes can be helpful for present and future conservation actions. Black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) populations have declined during the late 20th century in Northeast China, but the mechanisms are still unclear. We integrated species distribution models with long‐term historical ecological records to reconstruct historical distributions of black grouse in Northeast China (1950s–2000s). Then, we prioritized the landscape for species protection based on the long‐term historical potential distribution to improve the conservation management of this species. The area of potential distribution was 27.01% of the total study area in the 1950s, but the potential distribution in the 2000s was 16.39% of the study area. The range loss from the 1950s to the 2000s was 160,567 km2, representing a 39.30% reduction. Within the study area, the species’ potential distribution in the Changbai Mountains has gradually disappeared since the 1980s. Based on conservation prioritization analysis, the priority conservation area is 151,276 km2, which is mainly distributed in the Greater and Lesser Khingan Mountains. National nature reserves only included 6.35% of the potential distribution of the black grouse in the 2000s. Several conservation actions should be implemented to rejuvenate black grouse populations in Northeast China.

Дмитрий Петров Упоминание о мясе и мясо-молочных продуктах в берестяных грамотах

The article deals with cases mentions of the meat, cheese and butter in the birch bark. Meat is most often mentioned when feudal rent in the form of dried or smoked half of pig meat (“polt”). The issue of the use of horse meat, hare meat and black grouse in eating in the XI-XII century (despite the ecclesiastical prohibition of this) is considered. The issue of the earliest references in the history of Russian cuisine to smoked sausage and smoked bacon is considered.

Canines (Canis lupus familiaris) as biodetectors for conservation work: Can they discriminate the rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) from the willow grouse (L. lagopus) in a yes/no task?

Alpine and arctic bird populations have shown an unmistakable decrease over the last three decades, and the need for conservation is highly necessary. We investigated the use of five privately-owned dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) as a non-invasive tool to determine the presence of rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta), through sniffing out faecal pellets, using a yes/no training regime. We carried out 36 double-blind experimental trials per dog and hypothesised that dogs could discriminate the rock ptarmigan from similar species, such as black grouse (Tetrao tetrix), western capercaillie (T. urogallus) and willow grouse (L. lagopus). Our dogs detected differences between the avian species with an average accuracy of 65.9%, sensitivity of 66.7% and specificity of 65.3%. We showed that privately-owned dogs have the potential to be used as biodetectors for conservational work within controlled laboratory conditions for declining species, but overall, only one dog was considered proficient enough. We concluded that dogs could be used as a non-invasive tool to detect the rock ptarmigan, and with further field training and testing, operate in the field for detection surveys.

Changes in the corticosterone level in tooting male black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) infected with Eimeria spp.

The black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) is a forest bird species critically endangered of extinction. Enclosed aviary breeding is among the measures taken to protect the species. Complex factors can affect its reproduction success, including coccidiosis. In this article, corticosterone level (as a reliable biomarker of stress in birds) and prevalence of Eimeria spp. were determined in male black grouse kept in aviary breeding center before, during, and after the reproductive season (called tooting). The correlation between those parameters was also analyzed. The corticosterone level was measured with noninvasive method in fecal samples in an immunoassay. The prevalence of Eimeria spp. was determined by the qualitative (Fülleborn's flotation) and quantitative method (McMaster's method as modified by Raynaud). Results show the occurrence of 3 species of Eimeria spp. in males: Eimeria lyruri, Eimeria nadsoni, and Eimeria nonbrumpti. Infestation with E. lyruri was chronic in nature. A co-invasion of E. lyruri, E. nadsoni, and E. nonbrumpti was observed during (prevalence 60%) and after the tooting (prevalence 40%). The study showed no statistical changes in the oocysts per 1 g of feces (CORTl) and oocysts per 1 g of feces (OPG) in assays I-III and absence of correlation between CORTl and OPG. The results of this experiment do not support the hypothesis that chronic infestation with Eimeria spp. can induce chronic stress in grouse. But may suggest that males of black grouse are susceptible to infestation with other species of Eimeria spp. during mating season. The knowledge of the level of individual stress and parasitic infestation can be used to take protective actions for this bird species, especially to achieve higher survival rate and bird reproduction rate. Tangible effects will include an assessment of the relationship between individual susceptibility and chronic environmental stress caused by coccidia.

CAESIUM-137 AND STRONTIUM-90 CONCENTRATION IN PINE FOREST MEAT IN DIFFERENT ECOLOGICAL ZONES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SAKHA (YAKUTIA)

The article discussesthe current problem of food quality control, the content ofstrontium-90 and cesium - 137 in the body of wild game birds-wild game inhabiting the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The object for research were carcasses of wild game 3 species: black grouse; partridge; grouse. Radiation safety of wild game as a food product was determined by its compliance with permissible levels of specific activity of radionuclides, in particular 137Cs and 90Sr. These indicators are regulated by TR CU 021/2011 “on food safety”. According to the long-term (2013-2017) results of our studies 137Cs and 90Sr in carcasses of wild game, Northern, Central, Vilyuisk and southern ecological zones of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) was not found to exceed the permissible concentration. As a result of our research, the following results were obtained: the content of 137Cs and 90Sr in grouse carcasses: southern - 70.54±0.71 and 26.43±2.54; Central-64.81±0.18 and 20.89±1.95; Vilyuiskaya - 73.12±0.01 and 28.48±1.18. Black grouse does not live in the Northern ecological zone. The results of the study of partridges are as follows: South-69.04±2.95 and 28.17±0.05; Central - 58,69±2,18 19,87 and±0,39; Vilyui - 70,84±1.55 and 27,87±0,04; North - 28,17±0.05 and of 10.83±0,50. In the study of grouse is established: the content of radionuclides in the southern zone - 71,24±1,95; Central was 60.05±0.01 and of 21.11±1,95; Vilyui - 71,11±0.55 and of 11.47±0,32. According to the results of our studies, the data of exceeding the maximum concentration of 137Cs and 90Sr in the carcasses of wild game in all ecological zones of Yakutia were not established.

Gastroenteric parasite of wild Galliformes in the Italian Alps: implication for conservation management.

This study provides insights about the diversity, prevalence and distribution of alpine wild galliformes gastrointestinal parasite community, trying to fill a gap in the scientific information currently available in scientific literature. The analysis included three host species: 77 rock partridge (Alectoris graeca saxatilis), 83 black grouse (Tetrao tetrix tetrix) and 26 rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta helveticus) shot during the hunting seasons 2008-2015. Parasites isolated were Ascaridia compar, Capillaria caudinflata and cestodes. The rock ptarmigan was free from gastrointestinal parasites, whereas the most prevalent helminth (37%) was A. compar in both black grouse and rock partridge. C. caudinflata occurrence was significantly higher in black grouse (prevalence = 10%, mean abundance = 0.6 parasites/sampled animal) than in rock partridge (prevalence = 1.20%, mean abundance = 0.01 parasites/sampled animal). Significant differences were detected among hunting districts. A. compar was found with a significant higher degree of infestation in the hunting districts in the northern part of the study area whereas cestodes abundance was higher in Lanzo Valley. Quantitative analysis of risk factors was carried out using a generalized linear model (GLM) only on the most common parasite (A. compar). Latitude was the only factors associated with infestation risk (OR = 52.4). This study provides information on the composition and variability of the parasite community in the alpine Galliformes species.

Conserving Black Grouse Lyrurus tetrix in southern Scotland: evidence for the need to retain large contiguous moorland habitat within a forest-moorland landscape

ABSTRACTCapsuleBlack Grouse Lyrurus tetrix in southern Scotland are in severe decline, with remaining birds associated with large contiguous patches of moorland.AimsTo inform Black Grouse conservation programmes in southern Scotland we quantified recent trends in numbers, assessed habitat composition within lek ranges and evaluated the size of suitable habitat patches.MethodsWe explored trends in numbers of males at 121 leks surveyed between 1989 and 2018 in southwest and southeast Scotland. Wider surveys of males attending leks between 2006–12 were used to measure habitat composition within lek ranges and to compare with that in the study areas. Numbers of males at leks were considered in relation to habitat types and moorland management categories. Occupancy of moorland habitat patches was explored in relation to their size, connectivity and gamekeeping activity.ResultsAbundance at a sample of 121 leks surveyed between 1989–99 and 2017–18 fell from 70 males to zero in the southwest and from 340 to 44 in the southeast, with 82% of leks no longer occupied. Retained leks had more acid and rough grassland (53%) and less conifer cover (6%) within a 1 km radius than extinct leks (32% and 29%) and declines were similar across gamekeeping activity levels. Wider surveys in 2006–12 found acid and rough grassland, and dwarf shrub heath and bog to be the two preferred habitats within lek ranges. Leks were attended by twice as many males where driven Red Grouse Lagopus lagopus scotica shooting was practised. Occupied moorland habitat patches were 26 times larger than unoccupied patches.ConclusionBlack Grouse in southern Scotland are declining across all habitats. Moorland provides important habitat for remaining birds. With government targets to plant more woodland, remaining moorland habitat patches are likely to become more fragmented making them less able to support sustainable connected populations, which may exacerbate declines and enhance risk of regional extinction.

From plants to feces: pilot applications of FTIR spectroscopy for studies on the foraging ecology of an avian herbivore

Studies on the foraging ecology of wildlife species are of fundamental importance, as foraging decisions are closely linked to ecological key issues such as resource partitioning or population dynamics. Using Black grouse as a model system, we applied Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIRS) to address some key questions in foraging ecology: (1) does FTIRS allow for determining plant taxa and plant parts? Can FTIRS suggest variation in digestibility of food and physiological mechanisms of consumers? (2) Can FTIRS be used to track changes in diets among populations? (3) Can FTIRS capture plants' phenology and shifts in diet? To answer these questions, we analyzed crop and gizzard contents of Black grouse via FTIRS looking for specific spectra and bands of plant taxa and plant parts. We compared spectral signals of undigested plant material and intestinal droppings, gained from wild-living birds and from aviaries. Our analyses yielded characteristic spectral fingerprints for several food plants and plant parts. Spectral fingerprints could differentiate between needles of J. communis and P. mugo and between fruits of J. communis, Sorbus sp., and Vaccinium sp. Spectral signals differed more between undigested material and crop samples than between crop and gizzard samples. Differences were more pronounced for berries than for needles. Apart from these differences, some fingerprints persisted for certain food items. The diverse foraging regime of wild-living individuals compared to captive Black grouse was reflected by spectral signals. Thus, FTIRS is a promising approach to explore variation in food choice of grouse species by means of non-invasively gained fecal samples.

Diversionary feeding of red fox in spring increased productivity of forest grouse in southeast Norway

In Eurasia, forest grouse have been declining throughout most of their geographical ranges. Presumably, poor recruitment due to high predation of nests and chicks is one important causal factor. In a southeastern Norwegian forested landscape (Fjella), we provided diversionary food to predators – directed mainly at the red fox Vulpes vulpes – during the nesting and early brood season of capercaillie Tetrao urogallus and black grouse T. tetrix in three nearby areas. In Eidsberg, where populations were censused during 33 years (1985–2017), food was provided during the last 22 years. In two other areas, a six-year experimental program was conducted (2003–2008) by providing food in one area for three years, then switching feeding to the other area for three years. During May and June, 10 kg of food – mainly moose offal and ungulate carcasses – was deposited at feeding stations once a week. In Eidsberg, black grouse breeding success increased by 43% after feeding was initiated, mainly due to larger brood sizes. In capercaillie, overall breeding success tended to increase, solely due to more females successfully rearing chicks. In the experimental areas, feeding increased breeding success an estimated 57% in black grouse. In capercaillie there was also a tendency for a positive effect, but sample sizes were too small for statistical inference. No increases were detected in adult birds. However, in capercaillie, increased breeding success after feeding led to a significant skew in sex ratio favouring males. A similar tendency in black grouse suggested source–sink dynamics and a net loss of young females during natal dispersal. We conclude that diversionary feeding of foxes in spring and early summer might be a feasible management tool to increase the reproductive output in local grouse populations, but that it needs to be implemented on a larger scale in order to improve breeding numbers.

Annual change in forest grouse in southern Norway: variation explained by temperatures, bilberry seed production and the lunar nodal phase cycle

Forage quality is rarely the focus of studies on grouse performance. The plant stress hypothesis predicts that the protein digestibility of a focal food plant for grouse in Norway, the bilberry Vaccinium myrtillus should be highest after a peak in seed production. Protein digestibility may also be affected positively by cosmic ray (muon) fluxes, which fluctuate with the 9.3-year lunar nodal phase cycle, and negatively by high temperatures in the preceding summers. The annual change (first difference) in ln-transformed black grouse Tetrao tetrix and capercaillie T. urogallus hunting statistic indices from southern Norway 1999–2017 was positively related to the mean June temperature, which is assumed to have a direct positive impact on chick survival. In multiple regression models, there was also a positive relationship with the seed production of bilberry in the preceding year, the lunar nodal phase index with a two-year time lag, and a negative relationship with the combined mean June–September temperature of the two preceding years. Small rodent numbers did not contribute significantly in these models. In further monitoring of grouse populations, the seed production of bilberry or other important food plants should also be recorded.

Assessment of genetic variation and evolutionary history of Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi)

Caucasian Grouse (Lyrurus mlokosiewiczi) is an endemic species found in the Caucasus whose population is declining. Initial assessment of genetic variation and phylogenetic status of the species confirmed the monophyly of L. mlokosiewiczias and indicated a sister relationship between L. mlokosiewiczi and L. tetrix (Black grouse). Further the Caucasian grouse from Georgia, Caucasus and Iran created three genetic groups with no shared haplotype. This separation could be the result of different evolutionary events or geographic distances between them. Four different haplotypes were identified in north-western Iran, distributed inside and outside Arasbaran protected area (APA), suggesting the expansion of APA to include Caucasian grouse habitats in the Kalibar Mountains (western APA) and enhance the protection of the species in the region.

CIETRZEW W POLSCE – MOŻLIWOŚCI ZACHOWANIA POPULACJI

In 1995 the black grouse was registered in the Polish list of protected species. The national black grouse protection plan has been prepared and a few regional projects of the conservation of grouse and its areas of occurrence have been implemented. Unfortunately, adverse trends have not been turned back in the majority of regions. On the other hand, the population occurrence area has even increased locally in the mountains. The registered changes in the area of black grouse occurrence indicate that this species has the greatest chance of survival in some mountain areas in the southern part of Poland and locally in lowlands in the north-eastern part of the country. However, it is necessary to stop and reverse the unfavourable environmental changes which have been registered in areas of black grouse occurrence.

Monitoring black grouse Tetrao tetrix in Isère, northern French Alps: cofactors, population trends and potential biases

Wildlife management benefits from studies that verify or improve the reliability of monitoring protocols. In this study in Isère, France, we tested for potential links between the abundance of black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) in lek–count surveys and cofactors (procedural, geographical and meteorological cofactors) between 1989 and 2016. We also examined the effect of omitting or considering the important cofactors on the long–term population trend that can be inferred from lek–count data. Model selections for data at hand highlighted that the abundance of black grouse was mainly linked to procedural cofactors, such as the number of observers, the time of first observation of a displaying male, the day, and the year of the count. Some additional factors relating to the surface of the census sector, temperature, northing, altitude and wind conditions also appeared depending on the spatial or temporal scale of the analysis. The inclusion of the important cofactors in models modulated the estimates of population trends. The results of the larger dataset highlighted a mean increase of +17 % (+5.3 %; +29 %) of the abundance of black grouse from 1997 to 2001, and a mean increase in population of +47 % (+16 %; +87 %) throughout the study period (1989–2016). We discuss the hypothesis of plausible links between this past increase in the number of black grouse and the ecological impact of the winter storm ‘Vivian’. Findings from our study and the ecological phenomena that were concomitant with the observed population trend provide opportunities to strengthen the monitoring and management of black grouse in the Alps.

Vocal recognition of a nest-predator in black grouse.

Corvids count among the important predators of bird nests. They are vocal animals and one can expect that birds threatened by their predation, such as black grouse, are sensitive to and recognize their calls. Within the framework of field studies, we noticed that adult black grouse were alerted by raven calls during periods outside the breeding season. Since black grouse are large, extremely precocial birds, this reaction can hardly be explained by sensitization specifically to the threat of nest predation by ravens. This surprising observation prompted us to study the phenomenon more systematically. According to our knowledge, the response of birds to corvid vocalization has been studied in altricial birds only. We tested whether the black grouse distinguishes and responds specifically to playback calls of the common raven. Black grouse recognized raven calls and were alerted, displaying typical neck stretching, followed by head scanning, and eventual escape. Surprisingly, males tended to react faster and exhibited a longer duration of vigilance behavior compared to females. Although raven calls are recognized by adult black grouse out of the nesting period, they are not directly endangered by the raven. We speculate that the responsiveness of adult grouse to raven calls might be explained as a learned response in juveniles from nesting hens that is then preserved in adults, or by a known association between the raven and the red fox. In that case, calls of the raven would be rather interpreted as a warning signal of probable proximity of the red fox.

Conservation Genetics of the Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix in Poland — Distribution of Genetic Diversity Among the Last Populations

The Black Grouse Tetrao tetrix populations in Europe have become fragmented and reduced in numbers. These processes affected genetic diversity of the species, altering patterns of gene flow and genetic structure. In Poland, the Black Grouse is one of the most endangered bird species, however very little is known about diversity of this native population, bordering on to the area of Europe in which the species maintains a continuous range. To complete the knowledge of genetic structure of European populations, we analysed microsatellite polymorphism in 97 native Polish birds, along with 39 introduced individuals, originating in Belarus and at a breeding centre in Poland, regarded as representing the gene pool from the north-eastern part of the country. The results confirmed that isolation of populations and recent decreases in their sizes have reduced genetic diversity in Poland's populations of the Black Grouse. The results also indicated the presence of two genetic groups in Poland, involving birds of the north-eastern part of the country and the Carpathians Foothills in a first group, and the population from the Sudetes (Izerskie and Karkonosze Mountains) in a second. We suggest that the conservation effort should treat these two groups as independent units. We also analysed a fragment of the mitochondrial Control Region (CRmtDNA). The comparisons of sequences obtained with data from other Eurasian populations indicate that populations of the Black Grouse in Poland should be included within a large Conservation Unit — the northern tetrix — which comprises birds from Eastern and Northern Europe.

Упоминание о мясе и мясо-молочных продуктах в берестяных грамотах (Часть I)

The article deals with cases mentions of the meat, cheese and butter in the birch bark. Meat is most often mentioned when feudal rent in the form of dried or smoked half of pig meat (“polt”). The issue of the use of horse meat, hare meat and black grouse in eating in the XI-XII century (despite the ecclesiastical prohibition of this) is considered. The issue of the earliest references in the history of Russian cuisine to smoked sausage and smoked bacon is considered.

Response of moorland vegetation to 20 years of conservation management in two Cairngorm glens

The response of vegetation to a large reduction in red deer numbers was assessed over a 20 year period in two contrasting glens in the Eastern Cairngorms. Monitoring was done in spring when the annual maximum herbivore impact accumulates on the heather. We estimated deer presence from pellet-group counts, and for heather we measured cover, height and shoot browsing. Deer numbers declined earlier in Glen Derry, and correspondingly heather height increased sooner. Trends in Glen Lui were related to plot wetness and distance from places where the deer were fed in winter; dry plots received much heavier usage from deer and rabbits initially, keeping the heather short and cover stable, whereas on wet plots usage was much lower and heather increased both in cover and height. Subsequently, as deer densities fell, the Lui heather thrived, and by 2013 heather height on dry plots had surpassed height on wet plots. Colonisation by pine saplings was very patchy, being virtually confined to plots within 50 m of mature trees and having heather swards less than 25 cm tall. Despite deer numbers falling, saplings still suffered browsing by black grouse, lagomorphs and voles. Annual increments were greatest on dry plots in Glen Lui. However, we estimate that another eight years of negligible deer numbers are needed for the present sapling crop to become safe from deer damage. A limited regime of burning near mature pines may assist regeneration.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus (Phasianidae, Tetraoninae).

The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a galliform bird of boreal climax forests from Scandinavia to eastern Siberia, with a fragmented population in southwestern Europe. We extracted the DNA of T. urogallus aquitanicus and obtained the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence by combining Illumina and Sanger sequencing sequence data. The mitochondrial genome of T. urogallus is 16,683 bp long and is very similar to that of Lyrurus tetrix (16,677 bp). The T. urogallus mitogenome contains the normal 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and the control region. The number, order, and orientation of the mitochondrial genes are the same as in L. tetrix and in other species of the same and other bird families. The three domains of the control region contained conserved sequences (ETAS; CSBs), boxes (F, E, D, C, B, BS box), the putative origin of replication of the H-strand (OH) and bidirectional promoters of translation (LSP/HSP).

Site-based adaptation reduces the negative effects of weather upon a southern range margin Welsh black grouse Tetrao tetrix population that is vulnerable to climate change

Climate change is an increasing threat to global biodiversity. Whilst there is growing evidence about the potential effectiveness of some aspects of climate change adaptation, the role for site-based management to increase the resilience of vulnerable populations to climate change has been little studied. Here, we test whether such management may reduce the negative effects of unfavourable weather upon a southern range margin Welsh black grouse Tetrao tetrix population that is vulnerable to climate change. The Welsh black grouse recovery programme funded a range of interventions that contributed to a 39% population increase over 10 years. One likely mechanism linking black grouse populations to climate change is the sensitivity of chicks to high June rainfall. We modelled the relationship between June rainfall and management interventions which aimed to increase breeding success (habitat management and lethal predator control) to test whether management could increase the resilience of black grouse populations to such unfavourable weather. Importantly, we found that the negative effect of June rainfall upon productivity was eliminated at sites where predator control occurred, and that productivity was maximised when predator and habitat management were combined. Active management therefore reduced the negative effects of June rainfall upon this vulnerable southern range margin black grouse population, although further work is required to quantify any limits to the success of such management. Active management should be considered as a tool for climate change adaptation in other vulnerable populations, particularly where there is limited potential for species to undergo climate-driven range changes.

Molecular analysis of cox-1 and 18S rRNA gene fragments of Eimeria species isolated from endangered grouse: capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix)

This paper is the first record describing the molecular analysis of Eimeria species occurring in capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and black grouse (Tetrao tetrix) which inhabit northern Eurasia and are species critically endangered of extinction. Actions undertaken to protect endangered species, such as breeding individuals in closed aviaries, could allow saving those birds, but they also pose risk of accidental healing of invasive diseases, like coccidiosis. Therefore, an investigation was conducted on fecal samples collected from the capercaillies and black grouse originating from the Kirov region (Russia) and breeding centers located in Poland. Results indicate that the average prevalence of Eimeria revealed 72% (average OPG = 3548) and 80% (average OPG = 5220) in capercaillies and black grouse respectively. Most of the Eimeria spp. oocysts were non-sporulated; however, two different morphological types were observed. The phylogenetic analysis of cox-1 and 18S rRNA genes revealed the analyzed Eimeria sequences to belong to two species. In addition, it showed some similarities between both analyzed genes. Most of the sequences obtained from both grouse species coccidia belonged to one species partially homologous to the Eimeria spp. isolated from ring-necked pheasant (approx. 94 and 96% for cox-1 and 18S rRNA genes, respectively). Two strains isolated from capercaillies imported from Russia were related to turkey coccidia: E. innocua and E. dispersa (97–99% homology) in the cox-1 gene analysis and only one of them was related to those Eimeria species in the 18S rRNA gene analysis (98–99% homology).