Numbers Of Most Species Research Articles

Water bodies of former peat pits as the most important nesting sites for some species of Laridae in the center of European Russia

In this paper, we analyze the role of artificial water bodies in the former peat pits as habitats for gulls and terns based on long-term monitoring data in the Nizhny Novgorod oblast (area 76.624 km2), located in the center of European Russia. 3 regional censuses of Laridae were carried out in 1985-87, 1997, and 2006-2007. The monitoring of the largest colony of gulls in the region at the IBA Sitnikovski RU-185 was carried out in 1982, 1987, 1994, 1997, 2002, 2006, 2011 and 2023. It is shown that very large colonies of many species of Laridae, representing complexes of closely located colonies, have formed on the peat pits in the Nizhny Novgorod oblast. Peat pits are the most important nesting sites for Larus ridibundus, L. canus and L. argentatus in the central part of European Russia. In the Nizhny Novgorod oblast, more than 50% of the regional population of these species nests in these habitats. Monitoring only the Sitnikovski colony allows us to judge the trends in the numbers of most species of Laridae in the Nizhny Novgorod oblast at large. Based on extrapolation of population data at Sitniki peat pits we can calculate the approximate numbers of regional breeding populations of Larus minutus, L. ridibundus, L. canus and L. argentatus.

ИССЛЕДОВАНИЕ ЧИСЛЕННОСТИ КРУПНЫХ ОХОТНИЧЬИХ ЖИВОТНЫХ НА МАЛЫХ ТЕРРИТОРИЯХ

In order to solve a complex of acute problems and move towards sustainable development of the hunting economy in Russia, it is necessary to improve the accuracy and objectivity of data on the number of game animals. Existing methods of counting the number are based on direct recalculation or analysis of certain indirect evidence of their vital activity. Technologies of predictive analytics and analysis of big data obtained as a result of animal counts (both traditional and digital methods) can potentially lead to new data on daily routes, activity, distribution of animals depending on the characteristics of the territory, which will significantly increase the accuracy of counts in further. Studies of the number of game animals in small areas were carried out in January-February 2019 and 2020. Using the method of digital accounting, the number of game animals in the territories of the Kemerovo regional public organization "Hunting Society "Muryukskoye"" (JSC "Hunting Society "Muryukskoye"" and hunting farms "Taydonskoye" and LLC "Hunting farm "Shestakovskoye"" was analyzed. An underestimated declared according to the results of winter route counts of the number of most species of game animals in the Muryukskoye Hunting Society and the Taydonskoye hunting farm. It was found in Shestakovskoye Hunting Farm LLC that the results for ungulates and wild boar, which the farm specializes in breeding, have a fairly high accuracy However, for those species that Shestakovskoye Hunting Farm LLC does not specialize in, the accuracy of accounting is lower. The identified underestimation of some predatory animals can lead to risks for populations of many species.

Population and harmfulness of phytophages in peach orchards in the conditions of the Southern Steppe of Ukraine

Goal. To determine the number and harmfulness of the main phytophages on peach cultivars of different ripening terms in order to plan measures to protect the crop from pest damage.
 Methods. Laboratory-field. The research was carried out in peach orchards of the Scientific and Production Site «Naukova» of Melitopol Fruit Growing Research Station named after M.F. Sydorenka of Institute of Horticulture of NAAS according to generally accepted methods. Monitoring of the number of phytophages was performed on peach cultivars of different ripening terms: Iiun`s`kyi rannii, Melіtopol’s’kyi iasnyi, Charivnyk, Zlatodar, Vireneia, Redhaven, Spokusa, Zolotystii, Mriia and Yuvileinyi Sydorenka during bud swelling, inflorescence opening (pink tip), flowering, growth and maturations of the fruits.
 Results. Entomoacarocenosis of peach plantations has 15 species of insects pests and 2 species of mites. During the flowering period, the main harmful species was Epicometis hirta Poda., the number of imagoes in different cultivars was 0.3—5.8 specimens/100 flowers. Population intensity of peach trees with green peach aphids (Myzodes persicae Sulz.) for certain cultivars reached the level of 1.9 points, mealy plum aphid (Hyalopterus pruni Geoffr.) — did not exceed 0.8 points. Density of mites, Thrips fuscipennis Haliche and Typhlocyba rosae L. varied in the range of 0.4—2.5; 0.8—2.4; 0.5—1.6 specimen/leaf, respectively. The main fruit-damaging pests in peach orchards were oriental fruit moth (Grapholitha molesta Busck.) and peach twig borer (Anarsia lineatella Zell.). The degree of fruit damage by Lepidoptera pest oriental fruit moth on early-ripening peach cultivars was 3.0—4.0%, increased on medium- and late-ripening cultivars to 6.8% and 11.7%, respectively. The level of fruit damage by peach twig borer compared to the eastern fruit moth was 2.8—10.7 times lower, depending on the cultivar.
 Conclusions. In the conditions of the South of Ukraine, 15 insect pests and 2 species of mites were recorded in peach orchards. During the growing season, the number of most species of phytophagous, including weevils, leafroller moths, mites, thrips, Typhlocyba rosae on different peach cultivars did not exceed the economic threshold of harmfulness. During the flowering period, Epicometis hirta was the threat to peach orchards. In the summer of 2019, the harmful effects of sucking phytophages, in particular aphids, led to delayed growth and development of shoots, deformation of leaves. The main species of pests that reduced the yield and fruit quality were oriental fruit moth and peach twig borer.

Population dynamics and types of habitats at breeding sites of raptors (Falconiformes) of the Donetsk Ridge along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance

Studies of diurnal birds of prey may be quite indicative of the state of natural ecosystems and of the level of impact of human-induced factors on their functions. The aim of this work was to analyse the long-term dynamics of the raptor populations within the Donetsk Ridge, to identify which habitat or habitat mosaics are preferred in nesting territories and home ranges depending on the level of anthropogenic transformation of the environment. The studies were conducted in 1999–2019. The total length of the walking routes was 2,864 km while a distance of 1,548 km was covered by car routes. 306 nests of the birds of prey or those potentially belonging to the members of this group were found and re-examined. The long-term dynamics of the population of Falconiformes was characterized by a general decline in the numbers of most species. There was a loss of representatives of the boreal and desert-steppe faunistic complexes and simultaneous increase in the participation of representatives of the nemoral and forest steppe faunistic complexes associated with the floodplain forests of the Siversky Donets River valley and the bayrak oak forests of the central part of the Donetsk Ridge. The impact of the anthropogenic factor on the dynamics of the population of the birds of prey is ambiguous. For the species which are sensitive to changes in the environment, such as the European Honey Buzzard, the Northern Goshawk, the Merlin and the Red-footed Falcon, a general negative dynamics of the populations is observed. The positive trend in the numbers of the Long-legged Buzzard and the Saker Falcon is linked to the expansion of the both species into the territory of the Donetsk Ridge. The habitat structure of the nesting territories is quite diverse in different species of diurnal birds of prey. This is especially noticeable in the ratio of forest and grassland habitats. Based on the selectivity index, we found that the vast majority of the raptors of the Donetsk Ridge prefer temperate broad-leaved forests when choosing nesting territories. The structure of the home ranges of all forest species of diurnal birds of prey not only depends on the optimal ratio of open and forested areas but on the presence of ecotones of considerable length which originated in the complex mosaics of habitat complexes. The stable number of dendrophiles and the disappearance (decrease in number) of sclerophiles and campophiles indicates the least anthropogenic transformation of forest habitats and a radical transformation of open spaces – meadows and steppes. The most successful were eurytopic birds of prey and species with pronounced anthropotolerance.

The importance of Hutt Lagoon and fossil river estuaries to shorebirds in mid Western Australia

Little is known about the dynamics of the shorebird populations of the mid Western Australian coastline between Kalbarri and Geraldton, as this area is remote and sparsely populated. We surveyed shorebirds at several sites in this region, including fossil river estuaries from intermittent rivers (Hutt, Bowes and Greenough Rivers) and wetlands on the western shoreline of Hutt Lagoon and around Port Gregory. Totals of 21 migratory shorebird species and 9 Australian-breeding shorebird species were recorded from 64 visits in 2006–2010 and 87 visits in 2017–2018. The highest counts related to Banded Stilt Cladorhynchus leucocephalus (652), Red-capped Plover Charadrius ruficapillus (300) and Red-necked Stint Calidris ruficollis (300). The highest numbers of most species were recorded at Hutt Lagoon and associated semi-permanent wetlands near Port Gregory, with mean counts in 2017–2018 of 109 migratory shorebirds (mainly Red-necked Stints) and 227 Australian-breeding shorebirds (mainly Banded Stilts), from the accessible part of that wetland system. This shows the importance of such wetlands in providing shorebird habitat in the region. None of the wetlands met criteria for international importance.

Effects of forest fragmentation on community patterns of social wasps (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) in Central Amazon

AbstractLandscape fragmentation is one of the greatest threats to environments globally, affecting all living organisms within fragments at many assembly levels. Despite such general assumptions, very few reports exist on the diversity patterns of Amazonian social wasps (Polistinae) in response to fragmentation. Our study aims at addressing how the community patterns of social wasp change from continuous to fragmented landscapes in the Amazon rainforest. We collected social wasps for a year (11 520 trap‐hour effort) in a continuous forest and a highly disturbed urban forest fragment, located in Manaus, Brazil. We attracted wasps using sardine and orange juice traps, placed in 20 sampling plots. We collected 2742 wasps from 29 species. Agelaia pallipes, Angiopolybia pallens and Agelaia fulvofasciata were the most abundant species. We detected significant differences in overall abundance, species richness and species composition of social wasps between landscapes. Conversely, no difference in species diversity (effective number of species) was found between habitats. Despite the low quantity of exclusive species, the numbers of most species declined sharply in the fragmented habitat, while for one species (Polybia rejecta), abundance increased. Regarding the percentile of species contribution to dissimilarity between landscapes, five out of the first six species were highly abundant (>100 individuals), thus demonstrating that the observed pattern was very likely driven by common species. Additionally, our findings highlight that fragmentation threatens abundant species as much as rare species. We hope that our results encourage the use of social wasps as models in basic and applied ecological surveys and further efforts for conservation of pristine forest areas in the tropical region of South America.

Bird Distribution among Marsh Types on the Northern Gulf of Mexico

ABSTRACT Yaukey, P.H., 2018. Bird distribution among marsh types on the northern Gulf of Mexico. The wetlands bordering the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico are among the most extensive in North America and are among the most threatened. Despite this, little information is available on the distribution patterns of birds across these fresh, intermediate, brackish, and saline marshes. To evaluate the species-specific use patterns of these avian habitats, birds were surveyed in nesting season from 2010 to 2012 along a network of 97 points. Species richness peaked at fresh/intermediate points and numbers of birds detected at saline points. Numbers of most species detected varied across wetland types, with approximately one-half progressively declining with increasing salinity. Marian's Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris marianae) was found at fewer points than expected, suggesting it may be vulnerable. A subsample of points followed from immediately before the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill through 2014 ...

Waterbird counts on large water bodies: comparing ground and aerial methods during different ice conditions.

The aerial and ground methods of counting birds in a coastal area during different ice conditions were compared. Ice coverage of water was an important factor affecting the results of the two methods. When the water was ice-free, more birds were counted from the ground, whereas during ice conditions, higher numbers were obtained from the air. The first group of waterbirds with the smallest difference between the two methods (average 6%) contained seven species: Mute Swan Cygnus olor, Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, Greater Scaup Aythya marila, Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula, Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula, Smew Mergellus albellus and Goosander Mergus merganser; these were treated as the core group. The second group with a moderate difference (average 20%) included another six species: Mallard Anas platyrhynchos, Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope, Common Pochard Aythya ferina, Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus and Eurasian Coot Fulica atra. The third group with a large difference (average 85%) included five species, all of the Anatini tribe: Gadwall Mareca strepera, Northern Pintail Anas acuta, Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata, Eurasian Teal Anas crecca and Garganey Spatula querquedula. During ice conditions, smaller numbers of most species were counted from the ground. The exception here was Mallard, more of which were counted from the ground, but the difference between two methods was relatively small in this species (7.5%). Under ice-free conditions, both methods can be used interchangeably for the most numerous birds occupying open water (core group) without any significant impact on the results. When water areas are frozen over, air counts are preferable as the results are more reliable. The cost analysis shows that a survey carried out by volunteer observers (reimbursement of travel expenses only) from the land is 58% cheaper, but if the observers are paid, then an aerial survey is 40% more economical.

Сезонная динамика гидрофильного орнитокомплекса бухты Круглая (Севастополь, Чёрное море)

Актуальность изучения гидрофильных птиц в городских зонах черноморского побережья обусловлена их важной ролью в структуре прибрежных биоценозов и необходимостью сохранения биоразнообразия в условиях антропогенной трансформации береговой зоны Крыма. Исследована динамика видового состава и численности птиц бухты Круглая (Севастополь). Материал собран в 1995 и 2005–2016 гг. В бухте Круглая установлено пребывание 51 вида водных и околоводных птиц из 8 отрядов. Зимний орнитокомплекс наиболее разнообразен и многочислен (32 вида: 14 Anseriformes, 7 Charadriiformes, 5 Podicipediformes, 3 Gruiformes, 2 Pelecaniformes, 1 Gaviiformes). Регулярно зимуют и количественно доминируют 8 видов – Cygnus olor, Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina, Aythya fuligula, Fulica atra, Larus ridibundus, Larus cachinnans и Larus canus. Определены численность всех видов птиц, возрастной состав Cygnus olor и половой состав Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina и Aythya fuligula. Основу орнитокомплекса составляли бентофаги (не менее 13 видов), ихтиофаги (5) и эврифаги (4). Отмечено 30 пролётных и кочующих видов, преимущественно Charadriiformes (11), Anseriformes (7) и Ciconiiformes (5). Гнездовой орнитокомплекс отсутствовал, только в 2016 г. зарегистрировано гнездование Ixobrychus minutus. Весенний пролёт проходил с конца февраля до мая, осенний –– с августа до первой декады ноября. Для сохранения данной бухты как ценного природного и эколого-воспитательного объекта целесообразно придание ей статуса природного парка.

The First Cytogenetic Characterization of Atemnids: Pseudoscorpions with the Highest Chromosome Numbers (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones)

The karyotypes of pseudoscorpions of the family Atemnidae (Arachnida: Pseudoscorpiones) were studied for the first time. Karyotype data for 7 species have been obtained. The diploid chromosome numbers of most species considerably exceed the numbers reported in pseudoscorpions so far, with males ranging between 65 and 143. In spite of this, the sex chromosome system of atemnids is characterized by the same features that are found in the majority of other pseudoscorpions with an X0 system; the X chromosome is metacentric and is the largest chromosome or one of the largest chromosomes of the karyotype. Male meiotic cells of Atemnus politus contain 1 or 2 autosome multivalents; most specimens had 2 multivalents. The multivalents were composed of 4, 6, 8 or 10 chromosomes. Multivalent number and structure was consistent within each of the studied individuals. The same number of chromosomes in all of the males examined suggests that multivalents are generated by reciprocal translocations. The high diversity of multivalents suggests considerable range of translocation heterozygosity in the studied population.

Coupling Fish Community Structure with Instream Flow and Habitat Connectivity between Two Hydrologically Extreme Years

AbstractHydrologic variability and instream habitat connectivity play fundamental roles in structuring fish communities in lotic ecosystems. We collected fish assemblage and physical habitat data from 28 central Texas streams during the summers of 2006 (a drought year with minimal summer precipitation and low stream flow) and 2007 (an exceptionally wet year with periodic flooding in spring and sustained high flows throughout summer). We evaluated the correspondence between the magnitude of physical habitat and fish community composition change in stream reaches sampled in these two contrasting years using ordination, successional vector analysis, and indicator species analysis. In 2006, streams characterized by disconnected pools had different fish community structure and habitat characteristics than streams that had habitats connected by flowing water. The amount of interannual change in both fish community structure and habitat characteristics was greatest between streams that had disconnected pools in 2006 and their paired samples in 2007. Indicator species analysis identified species that had affinities to disconnected habitats during 2006, which included opportunistic life history strategists typical of temporary waters (western mosquitofish Gambusia affinis and blackstripe topminnow Fundulus notatus) and equilibrium strategists that rely on stable pool habitats for nesting (longear sunfish Lepomis megalotis and largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides). Conversely, indicator species of connected riffle–pool habitat included fluvial specialists (central stoneroller Campostoma anomalum, spotted bass Micropterus punctulatus, and bullhead minnow Pimephales vigilax). In summer 2007, the numbers of most species of fish declined markedly compared with 2006. Community structure between previously disconnected and connected stream types was also highly variable in 2007. However, strong recruitment of juveniles following spring flooding and sustained high summer flow significantly increased the frequency and abundance of two periodical strategists, channel catfish Ictalurus punctatus and flathead catfish Pylodictus olivaris in both types of streams in 2007. These findings provide important insights into how individual species’ life history strategies influence the response of fish community structure to extreme hydrologic events, which are likely to increase in frequency in many parts of the world due to climate change.

Filtering of seed traits revealed by convergence and divergence patterns in subalpine grasslands

Land use has an effect on seed strategies. It is debated, however, whether disturbances such as mowing select for one dominant regeneration strategy (e.g. ruderals) or allows for more species with diverse recruitment strategies to establish. We tested if there is a filtering of seed traits in subalpine grasslands and what is the effect of mowing on community mean seed traits and their diversity. We measured seed mass and seed number of most species from subalpine grasslands in the French Alps, in an experiment consisting of short- and long-term mowing. We calculated for each treatment average seed mass and number as well as functional divergence. Mowing had no effect either on mean seed trait values or trait diversity, but rather reversed the effect of moisture on seed traits. Most importantly, besides soil moisture, communities followed a continuum from grasslands dominated by species with heavy seeds to grasslands with high divergence in seed mass. These results suggest the existence of an axis of functional divergence–convergence for seed mass in response to factors other than disturbance, though we were not able to identify which. Functional space (i.e. available niches along seed trait dimensions) exists for species with varied strategies in some of the communities, as opposed to others where species with heavy seed masses prevail. Reproductive strategies and the availability of diverse regeneration niches may determine a more important assembly rule of plant species in subalpine communities than previously considered.

Evolution of large mammal populations and distribution in Zakouma National Park (Chad) between 2002 and 2008

Abstract The relatively scarcely known Zakouma National Park serves as a real sanctuary for Chad's Sudanese fauna owing to the possibility of permanent access to standing water throughout the dry season. With a density of elephants approaching an animal per square kilometre this protected area is exceptional for the species in West Africa. A census by systematic sample counts from the air in 2002 showed that the numbers of most species of large herbivore had increased from those of 1986. A new census using the same method was undertaken during the 2008 dry season with the aim of acquiring another estimate of the numbers of the large mammal species and to verify recent reports of an upsurge in elephant poaching. Comparison of the two censuses shows that large mammal populations were stable or increasing for all species except elephant that showed a drastic decline. Evidence of poaching on a large scale, including the presence of numerous recent carcasses, is enough to explain this decline. Although some species, waterbuck and topi, occupied the same areas in both censuses others, buffalo, roan antelope and hartebeest, had ranges that extended farther west in the park in 2008.

Copepod (Crustacea) Emergence from Soils from Everglades Marshes with Different Hydroperiods

ABSTRACT During a severe drought period in the winter and spring of 1989, we made three collections of dried marsh soils from freshwater sloughs in Everglades National Park, Florida, at sites characterized by either long or intermediate annual periods of flooding (hydroperiod). After rehydrating the soils in aquaria, we documented the temporal patterns of copepod emergence over two-week periods. The species richness of copepods in the rehydrated soils was lower than in predrought samples from the same slough sites. Only six of the 16 species recorded from the Everglades emerged in the aquarium tests. The long hydroperiod site had a slightly different assemblage and higher numbers of most species than the intermediate-hydroperiod sites. More individuals and species emerged from the early dry-season samples compared with samples taken later in the dry season. The harpacticoid, Cletocamptus deitersi, and the cyclopoid, Microcyclops rubellus, were abundant at most sites. The cyclopoids—Ectocyclops phaleratus, Homocyclops ater, and Paracyclops chiltoni—are new records for the Everglades. We infer that 1) only a subset of Everglades copepod species can survive drought by resting in soils; and that 2) survival ability over time differs by species.

Distribution of macrobenthic fauna in Phawong and U‐Taphao canals flowing into a lagoonal lake, Songkhla, Thailand

The macrobenthic fauna of two discharge ecosystems, Phawong Canal and U‐Taphao Canal flowing into Songkhla Lake in Thailand, were studied from August 1994 to August 1995. The salinity of Phawong Canal and U‐Taphao Canal ranged from 0.1 to 27.8 and 0.1 to 17.0 practical salinity units (PSU), respectively. The biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of Phawong Canal ranged from 2.5 to 33.0 mg L−1, while that of U‐Taphao Canal ranged from 1.1 to 12.6 mg L−1. Temporal changes in the number of species and individuals were determined throughout a year. During the season of heavy rains (November– December), the density and number of most species decreased markedly. Only chironomid larvae increased and these were distributed in the uppermost reaches of the canals during this period. Sixty‐two and 52 species of macrobenthic fauna were found in Phawong Canal and U‐Taphao Canal, respectively; however, the abundance and number of species collected at each sampling was very low in the upper reaches of the canals. The most numerous benthic fauna in the Phawong Canal were polychaetes, followed by amphipods. Pelecypods and gastropods were the dominant groups in U‐Taphao Canal. A distribution pattern of macrobenthic fauna associated with pollution gradients (BOD) was observed only at Phawong Canal. In addition, species diversity according to the Shannon‐Wiener index only was not applicable to the assessment of benthic environmental health when the few individuals found were evenly distributed among the few species present at U‐Taphao Canal. It is recommended that a coastal care project be established by the appropriate government agencies in the study areas.

Population estimates for waders Charadrii wintering in Great Britain, 1987/88–1991/92

Britain's wintering wader populations were estimated for the period 1987/88–1991/92 from data provided from three sources: the Wetland Bird Survey (WeBS), the Winter Shorebird Count and the Winter Atlas. WeBS is the annual monitoring scheme for non-breeding waterfowl populations in the United Kingdom. It achieves excellent coverage of the important concentrations of waders living within estuaries, but the coverage of populations using non-estuarine coasts and inland habitats is incomplete. The Winter Shorebird Count, conducted in 1984/85, was a comprehensive survey of waders wintering on non-estuarine coasts while the Winter Atlas provides distributional data for all bird species in Britain and Ireland for three winters in the early 1980s and is a source of information on inland wader populations. The wader populations on non-estuarine coasts were estimated from sites counted in both 1984/85 and in 1987/88–1991/92 as part of WeBS, enabling calibration of the Winter Shorebird Count data. The results suggest that Britain's coastline supports approximately 1·65 million waders. Values are presented from which site evaluations based on 1% of the national population can be derived. Comparison of the new coastal population estimates with the previous estimates (for the period 1981–1985) suggests that numbers of most species of wintering waders have increased on estuaries and non-estuarine coasts during the last decade. These population changes are compared with trends in British wintering wader populations as shown by application of a model-based method of indexing populations. The possible causes of between-year fluctuations in wader populations are discussed and the importance of long-term monitoring schemes emphasised.

Habitat-specific distributions of some fishes in a tropical estuary

The species richness of fishes and the distributions of six fish species were compared among four habitat types, snaggy banks, clear banks, mud banks and mid channels, in an estuary in tropical Australia. Both day and night samples were collected in fish traps, on four occasions, three months apart. On each sampling trip the highest number of species was trapped from snaggy habitats, intermediate numbers from clear banks or mud banks, and the fewest species from mid channels. Although more species occurred in night than in day samples, the pattern of difference among habitats was consistent. The probability of capture of the six most abundant species, Acanthopagrus australis, Acanthopagrus berda, Arothron manilensis, Arius argyropleuron, Epinephelus coioides and Lutjanus russelli, was compared among habitat types and between day and night samples. Overall, snag habitats tended to be associated with high probabilities of capture of a number of species, particularly A. berda and L. russelli. At night, mid channels were characterized by high numbers of A. argyropleuron. Clear and mud banks, and day samples from mid channels were associated with low numbers of most species.

A biological basis for bat conservation in British woodlands–a review

AbstractFifteen species of insectivorous bats are resident in Britain. The numbers of most species have declined drastically in recent years and all are now fully protected under the Countryside and Wildlife Act 1981. Forests and woodlands offer foraging and roosting habitats for all species and it is important for Forest Managers to be aware of the impact which management practices may have on bat populations. Current knowledge on the importance of woodlands for roosting, feeding, water and breeding is reviewed and initial management guidelines for the enhancement of forests for bats proposed. Future research needs are discussed.

Compte rendu ornithologique camarguais pour les années 1984-1985

This paper continues the series of publications reporting interesting observations and data collected in the Camargue and neighbouring areas (Crau, Alpilles) since 1930. For several species and groups of birds long-term monitoring is carried out and this is done primarily by ornithologists from the Tour du Valat, the C.N.R.S. Ecology Centre and the National Nature Reserve. From the climatological report it can be seen that there was a severe cold spell in January 1985, with freezing conditions lasting two weeks. Flamingos were severely affected as were several species of ducks (Figure 3), herons and waders. Of the two mainly sedentary warblers Fan-tailed seem to have suffered more than Cetti’s. This cold spell caused the sharp decline in the numbers of breeding Little egrets (Table I) and Cattle egrets though this was probably exacerbated for the former species by the drought which persists in the Sahel where some birds winter. In 1985 the numbers of breeding Grey herons (Table II) were the highest yet recorded, as were the numbers of wintering Great white herons. During the cold spell, this former rarity to the delta outnumbered the Little egret, and in December 1985 an outstanding total of 42 individuals was recorded (Figure 2). On the other hand, the breeding population of Purple herons was the lowest recorded (in 1985) for the previous six years. In spite of the cold spell in January 1985 and the fact that the species also bred in Spain, the number of Flamingos which nested at the Etang du Fangassier was the second highest on record, with 13,500 pairs and 7,800 chicks raised in 1985. An intensive research programme continues on this species based largely on the re-sightings of individually marked birds and a further 1,333 chicks were «Darvic»-ringed in these two years. Even prior to the cold spell the numbers of waterfowl wintering in the delta, or passing through, were lower than usual, and coupled with the effects of the cold weather, the 1984-85 season proved to be the worst in the 21 years since records began. The following winter also revealed low numbers of most species ; all except the Gadwall have gradually decreased in numbers since the index years of 1964-65 to 1966-67. The tendency for birds to concentrate in areas free from hunting is greater now than it was at the end of the 70’s. No similar decrease in numbers at the other major wintering areas along the same flyway has been noted and it would therefore appear that it is the Rhone delta which is no longer as attractive to the ducks as it formerly was. This trend could be reversed by an extension of the feeding areas under protection and a lowering of the shooting pressure throughout the region where the annual bag is still around 150,000 ducks. The list of raptors observed in the area is still very impressive, but the populations of two of those which breed give cause for alarm. In spite of conservation actions by several organisations and societies the 15 pairs of Bonelli’s eagles under observation in Provence raised only 0.79 and 0.86 chicks per pair on average in 1984 and 1985 respectively, as opposed to an average of 1.03 per year since 1974. Also now a rarity is the Lesser kestrel ; the only place in France where the species still breeds is the Crau with only 2 and 4 prs. respectively in 1984 and 1985. The tenth complete census since 1956 of the waders, gulls and terns breeding in the brackish and saline lagoons of the greater Camargue area was carried out in 1985. Most species maintained their normal population levels although Avocet numbers were low. Herring gull numbers are kept down by culling whilst the scarcer Slender-billed and Mediterranean gulls both maintained a good foothold in the delta, the latter species showing signs of increasing with a record 23 pairs in 1985. Outside the breeding season, there were three records of Terek sandpiper in 1984 and observations the same year of Audouin’s and Glaucous gulls, all rarities in the delta.

The Chromosomes of Hemerocallis (Liliaceae)

Hemerocallis L. (day lily) of the family Liliaceae is now estimated to have 14 (Chen 1980) to 21 (Hu 1968b) species. Its natural distribution area is China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Siberia, the easternmost parts of the Soviet Union, and northern India. H. lilio-asphodelus and H.fulva were brought from Asia to Europe some time before the mid-16th century. Other species were discovered and introduced to Europe, North America and other parts of the world from the mid-18th century onwards (Hu 1968a). In the West numerous cultivars have been bred through hybridization and colchicine treatment, and are widely grown as ornamentals. In China H. citrina and some other species have been utilized since ancient times and many cultivars of H. citrina have been selected and maintained (Chen 1980). They are grown mainly for their flower buds which, after being collected, steamed and dried, are sold in the market for use in cooking as a delicacy. Their roots are used as medicinal herbs (Hu 1968c). Chromosome numbers of most species and many cultivars have been counted previously. Among them, H. aurantiaca and H.fulva and their varieties were reported to be either diploid (2n = 22) or triploid (2n = 33) or both, by the same or different authors, while most other species were found to be diploid only (2n = 22). Polyploidy higher than the triploid level has not been found in nature, but artificially induced tetraploid cultivars have been reported (Traub 1951, Peck & Arisumi 1968). Although many chromosome counts have been published, descriptions of their karyotypes, if given, are not always accurate, detailed or comparable. Several classifications of Hemerocallis chromosomes have been proposed, using various features and standards. Some authors made little attempt to subdivide the karyotypes into homologous pairs and triplets (Dark 1932, Sat6 1942, Takenaka 1952, Kawano 1961, Vij et al. 1978); others (e.g. Matsuoka 1971) saw and illustrated homologues but classified some of the chromosomes as unique with no obvious homologue and others as groups of four or more. Publications with detailed chromosome drawings or good quality microphotographs are relatively few (Matsuoka 1971, Terasaka & Tanaka 1974a, Vij et al. 1978, Noguchi & Tanaka 1981), so a study was made of the karyotypes of a collection of species and one hybrid growing at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in order to augment our knowledge of the chromosomes of this genus.