Influence Of Habitat Type Research Articles

Ecomorphological study of Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou) distal phalanx: Insights from 3D geometric morphometrics for paleoenvironmental reconstructions

Reindeer mobility patterns exhibit significant variability in modern ecosystems, especially between open and wooded environments. This variability makes it difficult to reconstruct past reindeer migration patterns, which is key to understand the role of reindeer herds in the sustenance and territorial organization of Prehistoric hunter-gatherer societies. By examining morphology associated with different habitats and movement patterns, insights into prehistoric reindeer behavior can be obtained. Investigating the relationship between locomotor anatomy and substrate type in present-day animals allows for paleoecological inferences, as previous research indicates that an animal's environment affects bone morphology. In the present study, 3D geometric morphometrics is employed to examine the influence of habitat type and mobility patterns on distal phalanx morphology from extant caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou). Our analysis reveals significant morphological adaptations linked to different habitats (boreal forest, mountain, and tundra) and mobility types (sedentary, migratory, and altitudinal). However, the potential impact of sex remains uncertain due to incomplete data. The significant variations in shape and size of caribou distal phalanges across different habitats and mobility types underscore the complex interactions between morphology, ecology, and evolutionary pressures.

Species composition of dung beetles (Scarabaeiade: Scarabaeinae) from different habitat types in a protected area in eastern Africa

AbstractUnderstanding the composition and distribution of dung beetle species across various habitat types is crucial for elucidating their ecosystem functions. Dung beetles play pivotal roles in ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and parasite suppression. Despite numerous studies on the influence of habitat types on dung beetle communities, knowledge gaps persist, particularly on how these beetles respond to different vegetation types in protected areas. In this study, we surveyed dung beetle species in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, using baited pitfall traps across four habitat types: closed miombo woodland, open miombo woodland, marshland and riverine. We identified a total of 5534 individuals representing 63 species, 29 genera and nine tribes. Significant variations in species diversity were observed among the habitats, with the closed miombo woodland exhibiting the highest diversity and the open miombo woodland the lowest. Notably, certain species, such as Euoniticellus intermedius, Euonthophagus carbonarius, Gymnopleurus ignites, Onitis alexis, Onthophagus, Onthophagus vinctus, Onthophagus plebejus and Sisyphus goryi displayed a generalist distribution across all habitat types. Our findings underscore the critical importance of maintaining and conserving the quality of diverse habitat types to ensure the long‐term preservation of dung beetle biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. This study contributes valuable insights into dung beetle ecology and offers practical implications for ecosystem management and conservation strategies.

Habitat effects on morphometrics and body condition of Tullberg’s soft-furred mouse (Praomys tullbergi) in two tropical forests

Conservation biology relies on understanding how animals are affected by human-induced changes in their environment. We explored the influence of habitat types, seasons, and sexes on the body size and condition of Praomys tullbergi, a small mammal species. Using the Scaled Mass Index (SMI), we compared individuals from the Atewa Range Forest Reserves and Bimpong Forest Reserve. We hypothesis that body condition would be superior in closed forests, during the wet season, and among males. We found no sexual dimorphism in body size, although females in Atewa Range Forest Reserves exhibited greater weight than males. Body condition did not significantly differ among P. tullbergi individuals, except for a slight variance between closed and open forests in Atewa Range Forest Reserves. In Bimpong Forest Reserve, P. tullbergi displayed better body condition during the wet season than the dry season. Notably, females generally exhibited better body condition than males in both study areas, indicating sexual variation. We propose that P. tullbergi's ability to adjust body condition in response to resource availability poses a competitive advantage over other small mammal species, potentially impacting their populations. Further research should explore P. tullbergi's adaptation strategies in different habitats, providing insights into successful adaptation and informing conservation efforts. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for effective wildlife conservation and management. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on how human-induced environmental changes influence animals, highlighting the importance of considering habitat types, seasons, and sexes in conservation biology. The findings underscore the need for proactive measures to protect vulnerable species and promote overall ecosystem health in the face of ongoing environmental challenges caused by human activities.

Vector snail fauna and Schistosoma haematobium transmission patterns in freshwater systems of Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Freshwater snails are widespread in tropical and temperate regions of the world where they serve as intermediate hosts for larval stages of parasitic trematodes which cause schistosomiasis that is endemic in Nigeria. Snail fauna and patterns of Schistosoma haematobium transmission were determined in flowing water habitats (FWH) and stagnant water habitats (SWH) in Ishielu, Local Government Area, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. Snail collection was done using scoop-net and hand-picking techniques. Bulinus species collected were exposed to sunlight/light-induced in laboratory for cercarial shedding. Cercariae were then observed under microscope. 923 snails were collected, 67.7% Lymnaea natalensis, 23.1% Bulinus globosus and 9.2% Bulinus truncatus. Their relative abundance was significantly different (P<0.05). 31.6% Bulinus snails from FWH were infected by S. haematobium whereas 18.5% from SWH were infected. Infectivity of Bulinus spp in each habitat group was not significantly different but was when compared the two groups of habitats (P<0.05). Highest infectivity (45.8%) occurred during dry season peaking in February (45.8%) for FWH and for SWH, highest infectivity occurred during rain peaking in July (26.8%). The transmission potential (T.P) was very high during dry season (93.0%) peaking in February (34.9%) in FWH and very low (0%) for SWH. During rain, the T.P was very high (100%) peaking in July (50%) in SWH and very low (7.0%) for FWH. Pools and rivers in Ishielu are suitable habitats for vector snails wherein season and habitat type influence snail abundance and transmission of Schistosomiasis, the findings of which can help in establishing programmes for proper health awareness and snail control.

Checking in at bee hotels: trap-nesting occupancy and fitness of cavity-nesting bees in an urbanised biodiversity hotspot

With urbanisation leading to loss of nesting resources, and increasing public interest in helping bees, bee hotels (trap-nests) are becoming popularised. However, their success is relatively understudied. The influence of habitat type in determining occupancy and emergence is also poorly known. Over two years across 7 bushland remnant and 7 residential garden sites, trap-nests were installed and completed nests collected monthly over spring-summer. Bees appeared to take a month to find the trap-nests, irrespective of month they were installed. A small percentage (13% and 6% in the two years) of tubes were occupied, but this was within the range of other trap-nesting studies. Smaller 4 and 7 mm diameter nests had a higher occupancy rate than 10 mm diameter tubes. An impressive number − 24 bee species – occupied the trap-nests. Representation however was dominated by five species. The species composition (species and their relative abundances) of cavity-nesting bees differed greatly between those using the trap-nests compared with those observed in the field. Bushland remnants tended to have more bee hotels occupied, and male body size of emerged bees was larger in this habitat. Unexpectedly native and total flower diversity reduced bee hotel occupancy, whereas native flower parameters tended to positively influence bee fitness. Overall installing bee hotels can provide additional nesting resources for native bees in urbanised areas, and providing high proportions of native flora in the vicinity should enhance fitness of the bees using them.

Disturbance induces similar shifts in arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal communities from grassland and arable field soils.

Anthropogenic disturbances play an increasingly important role in structuring the diversity and functioning of soil organisms such as arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi. Frequently, multiple land-use practices, which may represent disturbances for AM fungal communities, operate simultaneously in different habitats. It is not known, however, how previous land-use history and specific habitat type influence AM fungal community response to disturbances. We applied mechanical (cutting to stimulate tillage) and chemical (herbicide addition) disturbances to AM fungal communities from meadow and arable field soils. Our results indicated that AM fungal communities from meadows, which previously had experienced mowing, were more species rich than communities from fields that had experienced intensive land-use practices. There were no significant differences, however, in the responses to disturbance of the AM fungal communities from field and meadow soils. We expected mechanical disturbance to promote taxa from the family Glomeraceae which are expected to exhibit a ruderal life-history strategy; instead, the abundance of this family increased in response to chemical disturbance. Simultaneous application of mechanical disturbance and herbicide decreased only the abundance of Diversisporaceae. No AM fungal families increased in abundance when both mechanical and chemical disturbances were applied simultaneously, but all disturbances increased the abundance of culturable AM fungi. Our study demonstrates that although chemical and mechanical forms of disturbance favor different AM fungal families, existing information about family-level characteristics may not adequately characterize the life history strategies of AM fungus species.

English

Habitat type and their vegetation composition play important role in determining the abundance and diversity of animals including small mammals, hence any change in habitat type will influence their abundance and spatial distribution. This study aimed at investigating the influence of habitat types (that is, Wetland grassland, Miombo and Vachellia woodlands) on small mammal abundance, diversity, and richness in the Usangu area, in southern part of Ruaha National Park, in Tanzania. Sherman and pitfall plastic bucket traps were employed both for trapping small mammals. A total of  92 small mammals were captured in 2124 trap nights giving 13% trap success representing two families, namely, Muridae (6 species) and Soricidae (1 species). Furthermore, trap success differed among habitat types with the highest being in wetland grassland. Species diversity was higher in Vachellia woodlands compared to other habitat types. It would therefore seem that wetland grassland and Vachellia woodland habitats are very crucial in maintaining small mammal abundance and diversity in Usangu Area. Therefore, future management plan should incorporate these refuge habitats for continued existence of small mammals in Usangu. Further study is warranted in wet season in order to have comparison information that will assist in management of small mammal in Usangu.    Key words:  Conservation, habitat preferences, habitat restoration, Miombo woodlands, rodents, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania, Vachellia woodlands, wetland grassland.

Habitat and Host Species Drive the Structure of Bacterial Communities of Two Neotropical Trap-Jaw Odontomachus Ants : Habitat and Host Species Drive the Structure of Bacterial Communities of Two Neotropical Trap-Jaw Odontomachus Ants.

Ants have long been known for their associations with other taxa, including macroscopic fungi and symbiotic bacteria. Recently, many ant species have had the composition and function of their bacterial communities investigated. Due to its behavioral and ecological diversity, the subfamily Ponerinae deserves more attention regarding its associated microbiota. Here, we used the V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene to characterize the bacterial communities of Odontomachus chelifer (ground-nesting) and Odontomachus hastatus (arboreal), two ponerine trap-jaw species commonly found in the Brazilian savanna ("Cerrado") and Atlantic rainforest. We investigated habitat effects (O. chelifer in the Cerrado and the Atlantic rainforest) and species-specific effects (both species in the Atlantic rainforest) on the bacterial communities' structure (composition and abundance) in two different body parts: cuticle and gaster. Bacterial communities differed in all populations studied. Cuticular communities were more diverse, while gaster communities presented variants common to other ants, including Wolbachia and Candidatus Tokpelaia hoelldoblerii. Odontomachus chelifer populations presented different communities in both body parts, highlighting the influence of habitat type. In the Atlantic rainforest, the outcome depended on the body part targeted. Cuticular communities were similar between species, reinforcing the habitat effect on bacterial communities, which are mainly composed of environmentally acquired taxa. Gaster communities, however, differed between the two Odontomachus species, suggesting species-specific effects and selective filters. Unclassified Firmicutes and uncultured Rhizobiales variants are the main components accounting for the observed differences. Our study indicates that both host species and habitat act synergistically, but to different degrees, to shape the bacterial communities in these Odontomachus species.

Range shifts of overwintering birds depend on habitat type, snow conditions and habitat specialization

Climatic warming is forcing species to shift their ranges poleward, which has been demonstrated for many taxa globally. Yet, the influence of habitat types on within- and among-species variations of distribution shifts has rarely been studied, especially during the non-breeding season. Here, we investigated habitat-specific shift distances of northern range margins and directions of the distribution center based on long-term data of overwintering birds in Finland. Specifically, we explored influences of habitat type, species’ snow depth tolerance, species’ climatic niche and habitat specialization on range shifts during the past 40 years in 81 bird species. Birds overwintering in arable land shifted more clearly toward north compared to birds of the same species in rural and forest habitats, while the northern range margin shift distances did not significantly differ among the habitat types. Range shifts were more linked with the species’ snow depth tolerance rather than species’ climatic niche. Snow depth tolerance of species was negatively associated with the eastward shift direction across all habitats, while we found habitat-specific patterns with snow depth for northward shift directions and northern margin shift distances. Species with stronger habitat specializations shifted more strongly toward north as compared to generalist species, whereas the climatic niche of bird species only marginally correlated with range shifts, so that cold-dwelling species shifted longer distances and more clearly eastward. Our study reveals habitat-specific patterns linked to snow conditions for overwintering boreal birds and highlights the importance of habitat availability and preference in climate driven range shifts.

Identification of Factors Affecting Environmental Contamination Represented by Post-Hatching Eggshells of a Common Colonial Waterbird with Usage of Artificial Neural Networks.

Artificial Neural Networks are used to find the influence of habitat types on the quality of the environment expressed by the concentrations of toxic and harmful elements in avian tissue. The main habitat types were described according to the Corine Land Cover CLC2012 model. Eggs of free-living species of a colonial waterbird, the grey heron Ardea cinerea, were used as a biological data storing media for biomonitoring. For modeling purposes, pollution indices expressing the sum of the concentration of harmful and toxic elements (multi-contamination rank index) and indices for single elements were created. In the case of all the examined indices apart from Cd, the generated topologies were a multi-layer perceptron (MLP) with 1 hidden layer. Interestingly, in the case of Cd, the generated optimal topology was a network with a radial basis function (RBF). The data analysis showed that the increase in environmental pollution was mainly influenced by human industrial activity. The increase in Hg, Cd, and Pb content correlated mainly with the increase in the areas characterized by human activity (industrial, commercial, and transport units) in the vicinity of a grey heron breeding colony. The decrease in the above elements was conditioned by relative areas of farmland and inland waters. Pollution with Fe, Mn, Zn, and As was associated mainly with areas affected by industrial activities. As the location variable did not affect the quality of the obtained networks, it was removed from the models making them more universal.

Small-scale species richness of plant communities with similar biomass: the influence of habitat types in the context of historical hypothesis (Western Caucasus and Ciscaucasia, Black and Azov Seas, Russia)

We compared the species richness of the plant communities of different habitats on different sites of the biomass gradient. The analysis was based on data on 1089 above-ground biomass samples taken from the sites 0.25 m2 of terrestrial herbaceous communities of the Western Caucasus and Ciscaucasia (30–2800 m a.s.l.) and 317 samples taken from the same sites of the macrophytobenthos of the Black and Azov Seas (0.5–10 m depth). Results showed that a certain amount of biomass, sampled in communities of different types, includes, on average, a significantly different number of species. Thus, among terrestrial plant communities, highmountain communities of the Western Caucasus are characterized by the highest species richness in most ranges of the biomass gradient; communities of herb layer of shaded forests – on the contrary, the lowest richness. The macrophytobenthos of the Black Sea is characterized by lower species richness than most of the terrestrial communities, but higher species richness than the benthic communities of the Azov Sea. We showed that significant difference in the small-scale species richness of these communities can be plausibly explained by the peculiarities of their history.

Spatiotemporal variation in the adult sex ratio, male aggregation, and movement of two tropical cloud forest dung beetles.

While theory suggests that at conception the sex ratio should be balanced (1:1), this can be variable across space and time in wild populations. Currently, studies of the environmental factors that regulate adult sex ratio (ASR) in species with different life history traits are scarce. Using capture-recapture over a year, we analyzed the influence of habitat type (forest and nonforest) and season (rainy and dry) on variation in ASR, male aggregation and the trajectory movement of 2 dung beetle species with different life history traits: Deltochilum mexicanum (a hornless roller species) and Dichotomius satanas (a tunneler species with horns on its head and thorax). We found opposite tendencies. The D. mexicanum population tends to be female-biased, but the population of D. satanas tends to be predominantly male, and observed values were not related to habitat type or season. However, the 95% confidence intervals estimated were highly variable between seasons depending on habitat. On examining the monthly variation in ASR for both habitats, we found that it depends on the species. In addition, male aggregation differed between species depending on habitat type and season, and species movement patterns were closely related to their habitat preferences. Based on our results, we argue that comparative population studies of species with different life history traits are necessary to understand the variation in demographic parameters as well as its ecological and evolutionary implications in the face of spatial and climatic environmental variation.

Influence of Habitat Types on Diversity and Species Composition of Urban Flora-A Case Study in Serbia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the floristic composition and diversity of seven urban habitat types in 24 Serbian cities with different climatic affiliation. In each of the 24 cities, we selected 1 ha plots representing a habitat from one of the following groups: square, boulevard, residential area with compact and with open building pattern, city park, and sites with early and mid-succession vegetation stages. All vascular plant species that occur spontaneously in these plots were observed. Data on the main climatic characteristics were collected for each plot, and data on the life forms were obtained for each species recorded. Diagnostic species were identified for each habitat type analyzed, and alpha, beta and gamma diversity were calculated. A total of 674 taxa were recorded in the studied area. Significant differences were observed in habitats by diagnostic species and by life form representation. The lowest alpha and gamma diversity and the dominance of therophytes were observed in habitat types with intensive anthropogenic impact, whereas the highest number was recorded in mid-successional sites and residential areas with a compact building pattern. The analysis showed that habitat type influences species composition much more than climate.

Trophic adaptability shapes isotopic niche of the resident fish Aphanius fasciatus across lagoon habitats

Coastal lagoons are characterized by high habitat heterogeneity where natural habitats coexist with artificial ones, historically set up to support human activities. Increasing anthropogenic pressure may lead to progressive degradation of the most vulnerable lagoonal habitats and the associated biological communities. One of the strictly estuarine-dependent fish species that may be affected by the degradation of lagoon habitats is the South European toothcarp Aphanius fasciatus, archetype of Mediterranean lagoon residents.Carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes were used to disentangle the influence of habitat types (natural vs artificial) and fish community (multi-trophic context) on the trophic niche features of A. fasciatus. Fish communities and organic matter sources were sampled in two Mediterranean lagoons located at the northernmost (Lagoon of Venice) and at the mid-latitude (Stagnone di Marsala, Trapani) of A. fasciatus distribution.Results showed evidence of high trophic adaptability of A. fasciatus, whose omnivorous feeding habit resulted in seasonal changes in isotopic niche width and niche partitioning with co-occurring species, constituting an advantage in habitats characterized by high seasonal variation of resources availability. Furthermore, while macrophytes drove the main trophic pathways leading to A. fasciatus in natural habitats, artificial habitats were mainly based on sedimentary organic matter routes. These outcomes broaden our knowledge on how natural and artificial habitats trophically support A. fasciatus populations and results are discussed in light of the ecological implications for environmental management of coastal lagoons.

Influence of habitat type and distance from source area on bird taxonomic and functional diversity in a Neotropical megacity

Influence of habitat type and distance from source area on bird taxonomic and functional diversity in a Neotropical megacity

Female White‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) Behavior During Pregnancy, Parturition, and Lactation in 2 Contrasting Ecoregions

ABSTRACTLate gestation, parturition, and lactation are the most metabolically expensive periods for female ungulates, often requiring them to make trade‐offs between acquiring sufficient forage and reducing predation risk to neonates. Females alter movements and resource use depending on the stage of parturition; however, little is known about the influence of habitat type and fragmentation on parturition behavior. We evaluated how land use and habitat fragmentation affected white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) space use, movements, and resource selection before, during, and after parturition in the highly fragmented glaciated plains (GP) and the more‐contiguous forested Ozark (OZ) ecoregions of Missouri, USA. We captured 127 pregnant female deer from January–March 2015–2017 and fitted them with global positioning system radio‐collars. We examined weekly home range sizes, space use shifts, movement speeds, and resource selection. Females in both study areas maintained stable movement speeds until the week of parturition when crepuscular movement speeds decreased significantly. Home range sizes were ≥150% smaller during the week of parturition compared to the third week before parturition in both study areas. Females shifted their space use 144 m (95% confidence interval [CI] = 830–252 m) in the GP and 162 m (95% CI 103–256 m) in the OZ between the week before parturition and the week of parturition. Females in both study areas exhibited similar patterns of resource selection before, during, and after parturition. Females consistently selected for Conservation Reserve Program grasslands in the GP and deciduous forests in the OZ, which could provide suitable forage for the female and adequate cover for the neonate. The similarity in movements and resource selection surrounding parturition in both areas, despite marked differences in land use and levels of fragmentation, suggests that the physiological cues of pregnancy and lactation may have the greatest influence on maternal behavior. © 2021 The Wildlife Society.

Geographic Distance and Habitat Type Influence Fungal Communities in the Arctic and Antarctic Sites.

The Antarctic and Arctic regions are collectively referred to as the "Two Poles" of the earth and have extremely harsh climate conditions and fragile ecosystems. Until now, the biogeography of the fungal communities in the bipolar regions is not well known. In this study, we focused on the fungal communities in 110 samples collected from four habitat types (i.e., soil, vascular plant, freshwater, moss) in the Antarctic and Arctic sites using high-throughput sequencing. The data showed that the diversity and composition of fungal communities were both geographically patterned and habitat-patterned. ANOSIM tests revealed statistically significant differences among fungal communities in the eight sample types (R = 0.5035, p < 0.001) and those in the bipolar regions (R = 0.32859, p < 0.001). Only 396 OTUs (14.8%) were shared between the bipolar sites. Fungal communities in the four habitat types clustered together in the Arctic site but were separate from those of the Antarctic site, indicating that geographic distance was a more important determinant of fungal communities in the bipolar sites. These findings offer insights into the present-day biogeography of fungal communities in the bipolar sites.

Condition and size of the non-native pikeperch Sander lucioperca (Linnaeus, 1758) in Portuguese river basins.

We studied life‐history traits focusing on the growth and condition of the pikeperch Sander lucioperca to evaluate its phenotypic plasticity when introduced to new environments. Pikeperch is a non‐native fish introduced to Iberian freshwater fauna in 1998 that quickly spread to other river basins through human‐mediated activities, occupying now a wide variety of habitats along mainland Portugal. Condition (K and SMI), fork length at age, and length–weight relationships were studied for Portuguese populations. Pikeperch fork length for ages 1, 2, 3, and 4 was different between several populations. We applied generalized linear models (GLM) to study the influence of habitat type, latitude, altitude, time after first detection, and fish prey richness on pikeperch populations size at age 4 and condition. We observed higher condition values on populations from lower altitudes at lentic systems more recently introduced. But higher fork length at age 4 was found in populations from higher altitudes, on older populations with higher prey richness. Habitat type, time since first detection, and fish fauna composition are discussed as the main environmental factors explaining the observed phenotypic plasticity with concerns on predatory impact on native fauna.

Butterflies of fragmented wet grassland in Western European lowland forests: Effects of vegetation, connectivity and plot size

Habitat fragmentation, as a result of habitat loss and degradation, is widely considered to be a major threat to biodiversity. Our study focused on the distribution, diversity and abundance of butterflies on 22 isolated plots, mainly consisting of wet grassland. The plots were surrounded by deciduous mixed forests and located in an agglomeration area close to Lake Zurich, Switzerland. In addition to vegetation parameters, we assessed structural connectivity, adapted to least cost distances, using digital surface and terrain models. The resulting mixed-effects models revealed on plot level that (1) Molinia meadows had a significantly positive effect on rarefied Simpson butterfly diversity, (2) structural connectivity had a highly significant negative impact on rarefied Simpson butterfly diversity, whereas (3) plot size showed a significant positive impact, and (4) higher butterfly abundance was strongly related to blossom density. Across plot level, Molinia meadows had a higher rarefied butterfly species richness and rarefied Simpson butterfly diversity than any of the other habitat types evaluated. Among the endangered target species, the preferences of the Alcon Blue Phengaris alcon alcon were consistent with (1) to (3), while those of the Marsh Fritillary's E. aurinia aurinia were not. (2) is discussed with regards to the predominant influence of habitat type, vegetation and plot size, relativizing the effect of structural connectivity on butterfly communities in presumably resilient metapopulations. Ongoing targeted maintenance measures in the study area provide a promising basis for the sustainable conservation of local butterfly communities in isolated wet grassland plots.

Differences in dietary specialization, habitat use and susceptibility to human disturbance influence feeding rates and resource partitioning between two migratory Numenius curlew species

Migratory shorebirds select stopover sites to fuel their migration across heterogeneous coastal landscapes with abundant prey resources. Quantifying the degree of dietary specialization between closely-related species and how they partition resources across different coastal habitat types during both spring and autumn migration could identify some interesting possibilities for conservation management given the extent of anthropogenic habitat degradation at critical stopover sites. Here we used a comparative approach to examine diet specialization and feeding rates of two migratory Numenius curlew species, Far Eastern Curlew Numenius madagascariensis and Eurasian Curlew N. arquata populations, at an important stopover site in the Yellow Sea, China, and to assess the influence of habitat type, presence of human disturbance (activities related to aquaculture and oil production), and migratory season on their feeding behavior. Far Eastern Curlews were more dependent on tidal crabs and exhibited less dietary flexibility than its closely-related congener. Feeding rates on crabs by Far Eastern Curlews were not significantly different between mudflat and Suaeda salsa saltmarsh habitat but were negatively influenced by human disturbance and were higher during spring migration. In contrast, these effects were not apparent for Eurasian Curlew which fed predominantly on ragworms in saltmarsh habitat. The differences in prey type and feeding rates between adjacent habitats and migration seasons could explain how these two congeners fit syntopically along coastal wetland resource gradients. The extensive utilization of S. salsa habitat by both species suggests that saltmarshes represent an important feeding habitat for these species and that further conservation efforts aimed at reducing human disturbance would benefit both species and may lead to improved feeding rates for Far Eastern Curlews.