Resident Species Research Articles

Satellite-tracking provides first description of migration in Tasmanian Boobooks Ninox leucopsis

ABSTRACT Avian migration exposes birds to a suite of threats across breeding and non-breeding grounds and within migratory corridors. Consequently, research describing migratory behaviours, including phenology and spatial patterns, has important implications for wildlife management and conservation. Tasmanian Boobooks Ninox leucopsis are widely speculated to be partial migrants, with a subset of the population thought to winter in mainland Australia. Despite strong circumstantial evidence, including apparent staging on headlands in Victoria prior to anticipated southward migration, large-scale movement in this species remains unconfirmed. We reviewed occurrence records of Tasmanian Boobooks from mainland Australia to demonstrate a pattern of seasonal occurrence, with all verifiable records (n = 140) occurring predominantly in winter. We then captured five Tasmanian Boobooks on Victorian headlands, verified their species identity through molecular screening, and used satellite- and GPS-tracking to demonstrate their migration. Three of these birds were tracked for the entirety of their journey across Bass Strait. Migration journeys were each completed in an overnight, direct flight. GPS tracks showed that these owls settled around Tasmania’s central highlands, and point to a possible altitudinal element to their migration, with relatively harsh climatic conditions in montane regions (>450 m altitude) during winter as a possible driver. This evidence from tracking and genetic sampling indicates that Tasmanian Boobooks are partial migrants. Our results have direct implications for understanding a key avian flyway across Bass Strait. These findings underscore an urgent need to better understand this flyway, given anthropogenic modifications to this system, including impending development of offshore wind infrastructure.

A call in the dark: Nocturnal flight calls and their potential to advance the study of avian migration

A call in the dark: Nocturnal flight calls and their potential to advance the study of avian migration

A comparison of seasonal flexibility in pectoralis muscle fiber type and enzyme activity in migratory and resident sparrow species

The pectoralis muscle in birds is important for flight and thermogenesis. In migratory songbirds this muscle exhibits seasonal flexibility in size, but whether this flexibility reflects changes in muscle fiber type has not been well documented. We investigated how seasonal changes in photoperiod affected pectoralis muscle fiber type and metabolic enzymes, comparing among three closely-related sparrow species: two seasonal migrants and one year-round, temperate climate resident. We quantified fast oxidative glycolytic (FOG) and fast glycolytic (FG) fibers histologically, and measured activities of citrate synthase (CS) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the pectoralis muscle of the three species that were acclimated to long- or short-daylight length conditions. In all species FOG was the predominant fiber type, but song sparrows had FG fibers regardless of daylight length. By contrast, Lincoln's sparrows incorporated FG fibers only under short-daylight length onditions, and house sparrows did not significantly express FG fibers, regardless of conditions. Both migratory species increased LDH activity in short-daylight conditions, but did not alter CS activity. In contrast, resident house sparrows did not alter CS or LDH activity with changes in daylight length. Our findings suggest that the presence of FG fibers is important for seasonal flexibility in LDH activity. Additionally, migratory species exhibited seasonal flexibility in muscle fiber type and enzyme activity, presumably to support migratory flight, while the resident species did not exhibit such seasonal flexibility, suggesting that this consistent phenotype is important year-round, despite changing thermogenic requirements.

Avifaunal diversity and conservation significance of coastal ecosystems on Rameswaram Island, Tamil Nadu, India

Biodiversity-rich areas tied to heritage, religious tourism, and ecotourism, often face changes to their landscapes due to infrastructure development. Such activities may threaten the species survival and disrupt the delicate ecosystems in these regions. Hence it becomes imperative to build up baseline species data from such areas for biodiversity conservation and management interventions. Towards achieving this objective, avifaunal inventories were documented from Kothandaramar Lagoon, Dhanushkodi Lagoon, and the Arichalmunai beach in Rameswaram Island, Ramanathapuram District, Tamil Nadu, which is an important site for winter migrants. A total of 147 avian species belonging to 17 orders and 45 families from August 2021 to July 2023 were recorded. Order-wise, Charadriiformes (52 species) dominated the area, followed by Passeriformes (27 species) and Pelecaniformes (21 species). According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, 11 ‘Near Threatened’, three ‘Vulnerable’, two ‘Endangered’ (Great Knot Calidris tenuirostris and Siberian Sandplover Anarhynchus mongolus), and one unassessed species (Hanuman Plover Charadrius seebohmi) were recorded. The relative abundance based on the frequency of observations indicated that 61% (90 species) were common, 22% (32 species) were uncommon, and 17% (25 species) were rare. Winter visitors constituted 42% (62 species) and one was a passage migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). Coastal lagoons of this region comprise diverse habitats that play a vital role for birds, which provide places for nesting, roosting, and foraging. This baseline data emphasizes the importance of Dhanushkodi Lagoon along with adjacent areas as an important wintering site on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebirds as well as highlights the importance of adjoining small forested patches thus required to be declared as a protected area.

Resident Wild Birds: A Potential Source for Fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli

Antibiotic resistance, commonly known as antimicrobial resistance, is a major global health concern. In Bangladesh, resident wild birds such as the house crow, common myna, and house sparrow can be found near human settlements all year. As a result, these birds could carry fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli. We collected 134 freshly dropped fecal samples for this study. E. coli was confirmed using morphological characteristics from culture plates as well as PCR. The Antibiogram of the target isolates was determined by a disk diffusion method and the presence of any resistant genes in the isolates was determined by PCR. About 83% of the common wild birds were found positive for E. coli in their fecal samples. In the antibiogram study about 16 to 40% of isolates were found resistant to different fluoroquinolones. Forty-five percent of isolates were found to carry the fluoroquinolone-resistant gene qnrA, whereas the qnrS gene was absent in all the isolates. All of the isolates examined were found to be resistant to ampicillin and ceftazidime. There are no published data on fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli isolated from common resident wild birds in Bangladesh. Our data imply that house crow, common myna, and house sparrow could be a possible source for the spread of fluoroquinolone-resistant E. coli in the environment. J. of Sci. and Tech. Res. 6(1): 83-88, 2024

The More-than-Human Ethics of an Underwater Hotel: Care in Alloútopian Tourism

Based on sensory ethnographic fieldwork carried out at three underwater hotels, and drawing in particular from our research at the Pemba Island’s (Tanzania) Manta Resort’s Underwater Room, in this paper we interpret underwater hotel stays as a kind of alloútopian tourism with the potential to transform relations between human guests and resident marine species—a potential afforded by the architectural design of the submerged residence. Our interviews with the architect, owner, and manager of the Underwater Room will reveal how such design is intended to attune the human guests’ attention to the wonders of the local aquatic environment and resident sea life, stimulate enchantment, elicit care, and awaken response-ability.

Cascading effects of global warming: evidence for the impact of range-expanding thermophilic species invasion on resident species

Cascading effects of global warming: evidence for the impact of range-expanding thermophilic species invasion on resident species

Changes on the Temporal Patterns of Ichthyoplankton Assemblages in the Çanakkale Strait, Türkiye

Monitoring studies in a particular area after a long period of time can provide opportunities to understand environmental, physical and biological events that have occurred over time. From this point of view, we aimed to reveal ichthyoplankton assemblages in the Çanakkale Strait after 10 year period. Our findings indicated a 3 oC difference in sea surface termperature in the late spring and early winter compared to earlier studies. As expected, the highest mean abundance and biodiversity of ichthyoplankton were found in the late spring-early summer period but they showed rapid fluctuations even in consecutive weeks. Coastal resident species such as Diplodus annularis, Gobius niger, and Spicara maena were found to be abundant. In Çanakale Strait, larvae of mesopelagic species were sampled for the first time in this study. The occurrence of mesopelagic species far from their natal habitat in the northern Aegean deep sea trench may indicate a change in the region's hydrodynamics.

Weak effect of temperature fluctuations on the invasion of Raphidiopsis raciborskii (Cyanobacteria) in experimental plankton microcosms.

Biological invasions are a major threat for many aquatic ecosystems. In contrast to higher plants and animals, microbial invasions are less obvious and more difficult to detect. One of the most prominent microbial invaders is the cyanobacterium Raphidiopsis raciborskii. To better understand the environmental conditions favoring its invasion success, we studied invasion under three different temperature regimes (one constant and two variable) in experimental plankton communities by invader addition experiments. To account for intraspecific variation, we tested four different strains of R. raciborskii and the mixture of them. Invasion success of R. raciborskii was higher under constant temperature conditions than under fluctuations suggesting that the resident species responded faster to the environmental changes than the invaders. We observed a clear strain-specific effect, demonstrating that strain identity is an important determinant of invasion success. The interaction of temperature fluctuations and strain identity indicates that, among the tested strains, the response to the temperature regimes varied. The mixture of all four strains did not perform better than the best single strain showing no sign of a positive genetic diversity effect. In our experiment, environmental fluctuations did not widen a window of opportunity for the invasion of R. raciborskii.

Assessment of urban wetlands loss and fragmentation using land use and land cover change and guidostoolbox: A study of Chorrillos district, Lima.

The coastal landscape of the Chorrillos district is an ecosystem characterized by hosting the largest population of migratory and resident bird species in Lima, including the Protected Natural Area of the Pantanos de Villa Wildlife Refuge (RVSPV). In response to wetland loss, this study aims to explore the process of natural landscape fragmentation in the Chorrillos district, including the RVSPV, from 1985 to 2021 to identify the impact of anthropogenic agents on structural connectivity. The methodology involves (i) an analysis of land cover and land use (LULC) using the MapBiomas Peru Collection 1.0 Platform, (ii) a patch accounting analysis, (iii) an analysis of Area Density in the Foreground (FAD), and (iv) an analysis of Morphological Spatial Patterns (MSPA) using the GuidosToolbox (Graphic User Interface for Image Object Description and Shapes-GTB) Version 3.304. The results indicate a hierarchy of disturbed patches, with the largest patch (RVSPV) displaying specific spatial processes that contribute to landscape transformation and persistence. The ecological function of the patches and habitat links demonstrate the benefits of connectivity and environmental exchange between fragments, aiming to counteract landscape loss.

How safe are vulture safe zones in Indian subcontinent: A climate change perspective

Populations of resident vulture species crashed in Indian subcontinent to critically endangered levels. Recovery lay in the creation of vulture safe zones (VSZs), at least for safety from diclofenac −- a primary cause of the crash, in the vulture landscape. Though the diclofenac safety mechanism is in place with selective success, other threats, especially changes in habitat due to climate crisis in VSZs for imperiled resident vultures have not been studied yet. This study delves into the future quality (suitability) and quantity (area expanse) of habitat in VSZs in the Indian sub-continent projected through Maxent habitat modelling. The models created were of high prediction powers (AUC: 0.713 to 0.865; CBI: 0.991 to 0.998). Our results suggested that VSZs, had > 30 % unsuitable habitats at subcontinent level. Current habitats are predicted to undergo change in future. The suitable habitats would be truncated by 1 % to 53 %. The subcontinent’s VSZs were categorized as “No-risk”, “Low-risk”, and “High-risk”. It was implied that concurrently ensured diclofenac-safe VSZs would not remain safe completely in the future on account of habitat dynamics. Therefore, VSZ management should not only concentrate on diclofenac safety, rather proactive habitat manipulation should continue simultaneously. This would provide the vultures continued safety in VSZ and better security against habitat loss due to climate change.

Far from the Palaearctic realm: First breeding record of the Blue-cheeked Bee-eater Merops persicus in Peninsular India with notes on its breeding ecology

Abstract The first breeding site of Blue-cheeked Bee-eater (Merops persicus) in Peninsular India was observed in the Andivillai saltpans of Kanniyakumari district, Tamil Nadu. We found a total of 28 breeding burrows distributed into three subsets in the stretch of 30 m. Among 28 nests, 16 were active and 12 were inactive/unused. The active nest-tunnels have a mean tunnel length of 1.53±0.53 m and nest-mouth diameter of 9.93±1.48 cm. While the females excavated tunnels and started brooding males were guarding the colony. The male very often fed the female brooding inside the nest till the hatchlings appeared, and later both parents were observed feeding their chicks during the day. The chicks were first observed peeping out of the tunnels on 22 August 2023. At the end of September few juvenile birds were seen flying along with the adults foraging in the open sky. The Blue-cheeked Bee-eater is considered a passage migrant and winter visitor to the northwestern part of India and vagrant in Southern India, but this study confirmed its breeding in Southern India. Additionally, the study provides baseline information on the breeding ecology of the species in India.

Analysis and Risk Evaluation of Soil Microplastics in the Rohingya Refugee Camp Area, Bangladesh: A Comprehensive Study

The global concern over the pollution-induced by microplastics (MPs) has intensified due to its adverse effects on the environment, particularly in terrestrial ecosystems, where it poses potential threats to soil quality and resident species. However, there is a noticeable research gap regarding soil MPs in dumping sites, specifically within the Rohingya Refugee Camp (RRC), the world's largest humanitarian crisis located in Bangladesh. The main objective of this study is to assess soil MPs' abundance, spatial distribution, and inherent risks in the RRC. The investigation involved extracting MPs from ten soil sampling sites in Kutupalong RRC, home to Rohingya refugees who sought refuge in Bangladesh following the 2017 ethnic atrocities in Northern Rakhine State, Myanmar. Stereomicroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were employed for identification purposes. The concentration of MPs in the study area varied from 67 to 126 (items/kg) (dry weight), with a mean concentration of 103.80 ± 20.671 (items/kg). MPs with sizes <0.5mm constituted the majority at 83%, with fragments (68%) being the prevailing shape, and transparent (63%) as the most abundant color. Predominant polymers included polyethylene (53%) and polypropylene (46%). Negative correlations were observed between MP abundance and pH and moisture content (p<0.05), while a positive correlation was found between MP abundance and organic matter. PCA results suggested that human-induced inappropriate waste and air deposition are the primary sources of soil MP pollution. Contamination factor values suggested moderate pollution with MPs in the study area. According to the geo-accumulation index (Igeo), the area was classified as pollution grade II, signifying 'uncontaminated to moderately contaminated.' However, pollutant load index and potential ecological risk index indicated Hazard Level-I and Pollution Grade-I, respectively. This study illuminates the contamination scenario with MPs, underscoring concerns for eco-environmental safety and providing crucial data for future investigations into MPs in terrestrial dumping habitats.

Evolution in Response to Management Increases Invasiveness Among Experimental Populations of Duckweed (Lemna minor).

Numerous management methods are deployed to try to mitigate the destructive impact of weedy and invasive populations. Yet, such management practices may cause these populations to inadvertently evolve in ways that have consequence on their invasiveness. To test this idea, we conducted a two-step field mesocosm experiment; we evolved genetically diverse populations of the duckweed Lemna minor to targeted removal management and then tested the impact of that evolution in replicated invasions into experimental resident communities. We found that evolution in response to management increased invasiveness compared to populations evolved without management. This evolution in response to management had little effect on the impact of the invader on the resident species. These results illustrate the potential eco-evolutionary consequences of management practices. Mitigating evolution to physical removal, in addition to pesticides, may be important to the long-term success of integrated pest management.

The global distribution and diversity of wild-bird-associated pathogens: An integrated data analysis and modeling study.

Wild birds are significant vectors in global pathogen transmission, but the diversity and spatial distribution of the pathogens detected in them remain unclear. Understanding the transmission dynamics and hotspots of wild-bird-associated pathogens (WBAPs) is crucial for early disease prevention. We compiled an up-to-date dataset encompassing all WBAPs by conducting an extensive search of publications from 1959 to 2022, mapped their diversity and global distribution, and utilized three machine learning algorithms to predict geospatial hotspots where zoonotic and emerging WBAPs were prevalent. Based on 1,834 selected studies, a total of 760 pathogens associated with 1,438 wild bird species were identified, including 387 emerging and 212 zoonotic pathogens. Migratory birds exhibited higher pathogen richness (593 species) but a lower proportion of zoonotic pathogens (27.2%) compared to resident birds (303 species and 39.3%, both p<0.01). When comparing different ecological groups, waterfowl had the highest richness of zoonotic pathogens (128 species), followed by songbirds (76 species). The distribution of WBAPs was significantly influenced by the habitat suitability index of wild birds, mammalian richness, and climatic factors. The potential geographical hotspots of zoonotic and emerging WBAPs were widely distributed in tropical areas of Asia, Africa, and South America, with zoonotic WBAPs having a wider distribution in South America. Our study illustrates that the geographical hotspots of WBAPs are more widespread than reported,especially in low-income areas, and that the identification, surveillance, and prevention of WBAP infections should be prioritized. This work was funded by the National Key Research and Development Program of China.

ESTIMATED VERSUS ACTUAL: VARIATION IN PATROL EFFORT AND ESTIMATES OF NUMBER OF SURVEYS NEEDED FOR EFFICIENT LAW ENFORCEMENT IN PROTECTED AREAS

Law enforcement is central to the objectives of managing Protected Areas for the benefit of resident species. The study sought to appraise park patrol performance against variables needed for monitoring of the species, according to the ideologies of occupancy modelling in the Kalakpa Resource Reserve (KRR), by estimating patrol effort and comparing to estimates of survey effort needed for a precise occupancy estimation. Patrol indices were obtained from ranger patrol data and used to estimate patrol effort for rangers in the KRR. The survey effort was estimated using the values provided by the occupancy analysis of key ungulate species in KRR, for all encountered ungulates treated as a single group and four species directly sighted/heard on patrols. Encounter rates were low for ungulate species during the study period. The number of species and illegal activities observed were significantly affected by the number of staff on patrol, duration of patrols, and distance patrolled. The patrolling camp had no significant effect on the observations of species and illegal activities. Patrol effort was 190 survey occasions, with the estimated survey effort ranging from 377 to 1068 survey occasions. The estimated survey effort was significantly higher than the patrol effort and necessitated an increase in the number of patrols per unit time to improve the protection of the species in the KRR.

Predation by free-roaming domestic cats on migratory and resident birds during spring passage in a southern Tunisian oasis

Predation by free-roaming domestic cats on migratory and resident birds during spring passage in a southern Tunisian oasis

Impact of Environmental and Anthropogenic Disturbance on Nesting Success of a Small Passerine Bird, Indian Robin (Saxicoloides fulicatus)

The present study engrossed on nesting success of an endemic passerine bird the Indian Robin Saxicoloides fulicatus. This bird species is the member of family Muscicapidae. Indian Robin is a territorial, resident and non-migratory bird; mostly found in dry habitats, scrub forests, rocky areas, in open grasslands, near cultivated sites and in the vicinity of human habitation. On the onset of breeding period male and female both individuals together select the nesting site and initiates the formation of nest. Robins are very sensitive to any environmental and anthropogenic disturbance during the breeding phase. If they ponder that their nest has been discovered by any predator or human, or feel any disturbance due to environmental conditions then, they leave the nest and start searching new nesting site. This paper is based on authors' field observations. We have examined the nesting success and survival rate of bird over the two breeding seasons at various nesting sites and over the course of this period found some abandoned nests of Robin; those were left by bird due to anthropogenic and environmental disturbance. This monitoring concluded that, Robin is greatly affected by presence of human during nesting phase, which enhances the threat or fear in bird and they leave their nest, sometimes even after egg laying. It decreases the nesting success of bird and also the survival of eggs &amp; nestlings; causes declining the population of Robin bird in future. In this study we have found that overall nesting success of bird was significantly reduces due to anthropogenic and environmental disturbance as well.

Species Traits and Island Biogeography: Wing Metrics Linked to Avian Dispersal Ability Predict Species Occurrence on Remote Islands Worldwide

ABSTRACTAimWe assessed the influence of island isolation on the composition of insular bird assemblages with a particular focus on species traits associated with dispersal. To do so, we tested whether ecomorphological metrics of dispersal ability, namely hand‐wing index and Kipp's distance, increase with increasing island isolation.LocationGlobal.TaxonBirds.MethodsWe integrated global datasets of island characteristics with distribution and ecomorphological trait information of birds; our final dataset comprised information for 2034 native, resident and terrestrial species inhabiting 2399 islands. Species restricted to islands were removed to avoid potentially confounding effects of speciation, such as the evolution of flightlessness or poor flight on islands. Using the generalised additive models, we tested for the relationship between hand‐wing index or Kipp's distance and island isolation, accounting for the effects of island area and spatial autocorrelation. We performed the analyses separately for (i) continental and oceanic islands and (ii) for all terrestrial birds and for passerine birds only.ResultsHand‐wing index and Kipp's distance were positively related to island isolation on oceanic islands, that is bird communities on more isolated oceanic islands were composed of species with wings that had a higher aspect ratio and were more elongated. However, this relationship did not hold for continental islands. We found these patterns to be consistent for all terrestrial birds as well as for passerine birds only.Main ConclusionOur study provides strong evidence that island isolation influences the trait composition of island bird assemblages at a global scale. Our results highlight the variation of dispersal‐related ecomorphological traits among bird assemblages on islands, suggesting that these traits play an important role in mediating the influence of island isolation on community assembly processes on islands.

Studies on biodiversity of Nycticorax nycticorax- Linnaeus, 1758 at Manchar Lake, Sindh, Pakistan

The lake manchar is considered as one of the largest freshwater lakes in Pakistan, it’s located in district of Jamshoro. This wetland plays a substantial role in providing habitats to variety of resident and migratory birds. It provides shelter to the vast biodiversity that has daily and seasonal dependencies for all the life-support systems. Birds use this lake for drinking water, breeding, rearing young ones and social interactions. Meanwhile, birds play important role in balancing the ecosystem and food web of the ecosystem by conserving maintainable population levels of prey and predator species, and after death provide food to scavengers as well as decomposers. Birds are best pollinators, help in plant production through their services as pollinators or seed dispersers and increase forest growth, also help in environmental conservation. Considering the valuable role of wetlands and importance of avifaunal species in agriculture, food chains, ecosystem and pharmaceutics, a comprehensive study is carried out to evaluate diversity of socio-economically valuable avifaunal species at Manchar Lake. Monthly field surveys were conducted from January 2024 to October 2024, resulting in the collection of 80 specimens of Nycticorax nycticorax. Minor variation was recorded in body parameters including body weight, size of beak, body length, wingspan, limbs length, length of tail feathers, and width of web. Nycticorax nycticorax Weight of body 302±1.53 Length of beak 72± 1.20 Length of Wingspan 190±3.22 Length of limbs 787±140.5 Length of tail feathers 314±3.12 limbs Length of body 21.5±0.95. Nycticorax nycticorax was recorded to be the predatory bird, and their occurrence was abundant in the lake premises. The highest prevalence of recorded species occurred in January, February, and March, with the lowest richness observed in June and July. The study concluded that Manchar Lake is experiencing significant pollution due to runoff from agricultural fields, residential areas, and other sources. This pollution, combined with factors such as massive hunting, climatic changes, seasonal fluctuations, and decreasing food resources, has led to a decline in bird populations at the lake