Tawny Pipit Research Articles

Genomic landscapes of divergence among island bird populations: Evidence of parallel adaptation but at different loci?

When populations colonise new environments, they may be exposed to novel selection pressures but also suffer from extensive genetic drift due to founder effects, small population sizes and limited interpopulation gene flow. Genomic approaches enable us to study how these factors drive divergence, and disentangle neutral effects from differentiation at specific loci due to selection. Here, we investigate patterns of genetic diversity and divergence using whole-genome resequencing (>22× coverage) in Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii), a passerine endemic to the islands of three north Atlantic archipelagos. Strong environmental gradients, including in pathogen pressure, across populations in the species range, make it an excellent system in which to explore traits important in adaptation and/or incipient speciation. First, we quantify how genomic divergence accumulates across the speciation continuum, that is, among Berthelot's pipit populations, between sub species across archipelagos, and between Berthelot's pipit and its mainland ancestor, the tawny pipit (Anthus campestris). Across these colonisation timeframes (2.1 million-ca. 8000 years ago), we identify highly differentiated loci within genomic islands of divergence and conclude that the observed distributions align with expectations for non-neutral divergence. Characteristic signatures of selection are identified in loci associated with craniofacial/bone and eye development, metabolism and immune response between population comparisons. Interestingly, we find limited evidence for repeated divergence of the same loci across the colonisation range but do identify different loci putatively associated with the same biological traits in different populations, likely due to parallel adaptation. Incipient speciation across these island populations, in which founder effects and selective pressures are strong, may therefore be repeatedly associated with morphology, metabolism and immune defence.

Spontaneous renaturalization of open ecosystems in the hills of Brescia seen through the bird community

The sun-exposed open areas of the Brescia hills overlooking the Po Valley (Avanalpica region) were created by man starting from the 11th century. After the Second World War, following agro-pastoral abandonment, these areas have significantly shrunk. The evolution underway is towards the deciduous forest although in some areas the strong presence of quarries is blocking the vegetational succession or delaying it. Local birds are now largely associated with woodland coenosis and more scarcely with open areas, shrublands and wood edges. Seven open areas species have become extinct over the past 30 years: Woodchat Shrike, Barred Warbler, Rufous-tailed Rock-Thrush, Eastern Black-eared Wheatear, Tawny Pipit, Corn Bunting and Ortolan Bunting. Others, like Red-backed Shrike, Common Whitethroat, Cirl Bunting and Wood Lark have declined. Only the generalist Sardinian Warbler and Blue Rock-Thrush, typical of rocky areas with grassy spaces, are still relatively widespread although slightly decreasing. The Cirl Bunting, a species linked to traditional vineyards and orchards, is not expanding in the new intensively cultivated lands. The Eastern Subalpine Warbler is on the rise even though, due to its very low presence and lack of specific surveys, it may not have been detected in the past. The factors determining the presence of these species, i.e. traditional crops, flat open areas, soils with low grass and often with outcropping and/or rocky substrate, are in sharp decline. We can state that this bird community is negatively influenced by the percentage of tree cover and positively influenced by the presence of quarries which, however, represent an ephemeral and strongly impacting environment. In the absence of fires and/or natural disasters as well as human interventions, which are not likely to occur due to their poor economic sustainability, the prognosis for these birds is to be considered poor and a reduction in both bird and general biodiversity is to be expected.

Guess who? Evaluating individual acoustic monitoring for males and females of the Tawny Pipit, a migratory passerine bird with a simple song

Individual acoustic monitoring (IAM), based on the analysis of vocal cues, is particularly suitable for the identification and tracking of birds with temporally stable song or call characteristics. Unlike mark-recapture methods, IAM does not require the physical manipulation of individuals, which can have long-lasting behavioural effects. So far, IAM has usually focused on males, as singing females tend to be overlooked in temperate zones. Here, we evaluated the suitability of IAM for both sexes in an isolated population of the Tawny Pipit (Anthus campestris, Motacillidae), a migratory Palearctic species critically endangered in Central Europe, for which female singing has been occasionally documented. We confirmed that songs of all 101 studied individuals, both males and females, were individually distinct. Most individuals used only a single song type in their repertoires, with only three males using two. Of 45 ringed males (that could be unambiguously recognized visually), only two changed their song structure to some extent, either within or between seasons. Multiple individuals often sang structurally similar song types, which nevertheless consistently differed in minor characteristics; such differences were detectable by visual inspection and also affected quantitative analyses of song similarity. Songs sung by females did not have any apparent sex-specific characteristics. Unlike previously suggested, females did not adapt their vocalization to their breeding partner, and we presume their song is also temporally stable. Our findings support IAM as a reliable approach for studying the behaviour and ecology of this passerine species with a small repertoire and simple songs.

Runs of homozygosity reveal past bottlenecks and contemporary inbreeding across diverging populations of an island-colonizing bird.

Genomes retain evidence of the demographic history and evolutionary forces that have shaped populations and drive speciation. Across island systems, contemporary patterns of genetic diversity reflect population demography, including colonization events, bottlenecks, gene flow and genetic drift. Here, we investigate genome-wide diversity and the distribution of runs of homozygosity (ROH) using whole-genome resequencing of individuals (>22× coverage) from six populations across three archipelagos of Berthelot's pipit (Anthus berthelotii)-a passerine that has recently undergone island speciation. We show the most dramatic reduction in diversity occurs between the mainland sister species (the tawny pipit) and Berthelot's pipit and is lowest in the populations that have experienced sequential bottlenecks (i.e., the Madeiran and Selvagens populations). Pairwise sequential Markovian coalescent (PSMC) analyses estimated that Berthelot's pipit diverged from its sister species ~2 million years ago, with the Madeiran archipelago founded 50,000 years ago, and the Selvagens colonized 8000 years ago. We identify many long ROH (>1Mb) in these most recently colonized populations. Population expansion within the last 100 years may have eroded long ROH in the Madeiran archipelago, resulting in a prevalence of short ROH (<1Mb). However, the extensive long and short ROH detected in the Selvagens suggest strong recent inbreeding and bottleneck effects, with as much as 38% of the autosomes consisting of ROH >250 kb. These findings highlight the importance of demographic history, as well as selection and genetic drift, in shaping contemporary patterns of genomic diversity across diverging populations.

First documented case of Tawny Pipit &lt;em&gt;Anthus campestris&lt;/em&gt; nest parasitism by Common Cuckoo &lt;em&gt;Cuculus canorus&lt;/em&gt; in Spanish steppes

Interspecific brood or nest parasitism is a relatively common breeding behavior in birds. Through this reproductive tactic, brood-parasites avoid the costs associated with raising and maintaining chicks by laying their eggs in the nests of the host species in which they are specialized. The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) follows this brood parasite strategy. Female cuckoos lay their eggs in the nests of other bird species, mimicking egg shape, size, and color of the host species. In this paper we report the first documented case of parasitism of tawny pipit nests by the common cuckoo in Spanish steppe habitats, where no record of parasitism on this species has been reported to date.

Aridity, fire severity and proximity of populations affect the temporal responses of open-habitat birds to wildfires

The loss of open habitats in Europe has led to severe declines in birds associated with these habitats. However, certain ecological disturbances reverse the trend towards afforestation and create appropriate conditions for open-habitat species. Yet, open-habitat bird occupancy dynamics after disturbance depend on a complex combination of as-yet poorly studied factors. We analysed the colonization patterns and post-fire time-window of occurrence of open-habitat species along 687 transects in 68 burnt areas over a period of 11 years. During the study, 8345 individuals belonging to 22 open-habitat birds were detected. Species richness was related to an increased time elapsed since the fire, fire severity and proximity of potential population sources. Many species changed across the 11 years post-fire. Some species like the tawny pipit and the ortolan bunting, showed time lags affecting the timing of local extinction. Water deficit played a significant role in bird occurrence and six species benefited from drier conditions. Open-habitat species were more frequently detected in burnt areas near previously occupied areas and in severely burnt areas. Our results support the hypothesis that fire plays a critical role in the distribution dynamics of open-habitat species. Peak number of species was reached rapidly, between two and 6 years after fire, although a few species showed their peak abundance later on. An appropriate strategy for favouring open-habitat specialists in these landscapes, while reducing the risk of large wildfires, should prioritize integrated fire management to generate patches of different fire ages.

Spatial Heterogeneity of Steppe Bird Community in the Azov-Black Sea Enclave of the European Dry-Steppe Zone (Southern Ukraine)

Over the period 2007–2019, the author’s censuses of steppe birds in the Azov-Black Sea dry-steppe enclave determined five species as dominants and co-dominants by their abundance. Thus, Melanocorypha calandra dominates throughout the whole area, Emberiza calandra dominates in 4 subregions and co-dominates in 5 subregions, Motacilla feldegg, Emberiza hortulana, Anthus campestris, Alauda arvensis dominate in 1 subregion and do not dominate or co-dominate in 1–4 subregions. There is a general increasing trend in the total abundance of steppe birds and the number of their rare breeding species from north-west to south-east, whereas the number of their dominants and co-dominants grows in the opposite direction. According to the list, the correlation between the dominants/co-dominants and the number of rare breeding steppe species, it was revealed that the most valuable for the support of the steppe bird populations are subregions with the largest areas of virgin steppes (the Kerch Peninsula, Western and Central Crimea). The least important are the subregions with the highest degree of anthropogenic transformation (northern part of the Syvash region, western part of the Black Sea region) and the Lower Dnipro wetlands. Therefore, it is a high abundance of steppe birds and the maximum number of rare steppe species which should be a specific ornithological indicator of the status of zonal landscapes in the dry steppe zone (especially within protected natural areas of Ukraine) rather than general avian species diversity including introduced, invasive species, synanthropes, etc.

An experience to remember: lifelong effects of playback-based trapping on behaviour of a migratory passerine bird

Ringing is one of the most commonly used techniques to monitor bird individuals and collect data on various aspects of their life history. However, this method involves practices (capturing and handling) that might affect individuals' behaviour. Wild animals can remember and learn from previous experiences, and, thus, they anticipate risks and modify their response in subsequent similar situations. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the long-term effects of playback-associated mist netting on the behaviour of the tawny pipit, Anthus campestris, a medium-sized migratory passerine bird. In playback experiments simulating territorial intrusion of a conspecific male, we examined aggressive responses of individuals attracted in the past by conspecific song playback to a mist net (‘experienced’ males) and compared them to the responses of individuals without such an experience (‘naïve’ males). The interval between the capture of experienced males and the playback experiments ranged from several weeks to more than 5 years. Our results revealed prominent differences between the behaviour of naïve tawny pipit males and those experienced with a capturing event. Although all tested males responded to the stimulus, experienced males tended to be substantially less aggressive and more cautious in comparison to naïve individuals; prominent differences were observed, in particular, in the avoidance of close proximity to the loudspeaker by the majority of experienced males. There were no significant differences in responses to playbacks between the experienced males captured and exposed to subsequent experiments within the same or next season and those that underwent playback experiments later, up to 5 years after having been previously trapped. These findings suggest that male tawny pipits may negatively associate playback stimulation with capturing events and remember such experiences over a time period comparable to the expected life span of this species in the wild.

Taxonomic and ecological composition of the native groupings of the birds of the dry steppe zone of Ukraine

The classifications of the grouping of the birds reflect the faunistic or the ecological position of the species in certain habitats and landscapes. Most of them consider the species diversity of the birds of the studied regions in general, including synanthropic, invasive and widespread species. This approach prevents singling out the habitats which are important for supporting the existence of native (or autochtonous) species and their groupings. Native groupings of the birds in the dry steppe zone of Ukraine are almost not studied despite the rapid contraction in the range and population of most component species, especially Anthropoides virgo, Otis tarda, Tetrax tetrax and Burhinus oedicnemus. The definition of the taxonomic and the ecological composition of these grouping will help in understanding the strategy of the reproduction and the protection of native avifauna. In connection with this, the faunistic-topomorphic classification of native birds in the dry steppes zone of Ukraine according to the following scheme is proposed: ornithofaunistic complex (by priority landscapes and habitats) – the place of the feeding (by priority substrate on/in which a species’ diet is extracted) – the nesting place (by the priority substrate of the location of the nest for nesting individuals) – the place of rest (the priority substrate where non-nesting individuals rest). The classification is aimed at the definition of the general requirements of native birds and their groupings in terms of the landscapes and the habitats which provide the conditions for their preservation and the protection in the researched region. It has been determined that in the south of Ukraine 33 nesting species are dry-steppe autochthons (18.3% of nesting species of the region), of which 18 species form the ornithofaunistic complex of dry steppes (Buteo rufinus, Perdix perdix, Anthropoides virgo, Otis tarda, Tetrax tetrax, Burhinus oedicnemus, Glareola nordmanni, Galerida cristata, Calandrella cinerea, C. rufescens, Melanocorypha calandra, Anthus campestris, Motacilla feldegg, Saxicola rubetra, S. torquata, Oenanthe oenanthe, Oe. isabellina, Emberiza melanocephala), and 15 species form the complex of the sea coast (Phalacrocoraх aristotelis, Phoenicopterus roseus, Tadorna ferruginea, T. tadorna, Mergus serrator, Charadrius alexandrinus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Larus ichthyaetus, L. melanocephalus, L. genei, L. cachinnans, L. michahellis, Gelochelidon nilotica, Hydroprogne caspia, Thalasseus sandvicensis). The above-mentioned species are mainly xerophiles (54.6% of species) and hygrophils (24.2% of species), and they are in the most threatened position because they feed, nest and rest mainly or exclusively on the soil surface. According to the proposed classification, native birds of dry steppes require: for xerophiles – areas of soil without vegetation or with rarefied low grass, which does not prevent birds from moving freely, searching and obtaining food, leading their chicks, looking over their territories; for hygrophiles – shallow water bodies with islands, surface vegetation, shallows, adjacent meadows and salt-marshes; for dendrophiles – single shrubs and trees or small groves; for most xerophiles and dendrophiles – fresh or slightly saline water bodies for drinking. Unfortunately, in the protected natural territories of the researched region, most native birds do not have this combination of the above-mentioned habitats, which are simultaneously suitable for feeding, nesting and resting.

Integrating light-level geolocation with activity tracking reveals unexpected nocturnal migration patterns of the tawny pipit

Integrating light-level geolocation with activity tracking reveals unexpected nocturnal migration patterns of the tawny pipit

Integrating light‐level geolocation with activity tracking reveals unexpected nocturnal migration patterns of the tawny pipit

Migratory birds complete their seasonal journeys between breeding and non‐breeding sites with a series of migratory flights that are separated by prolonged stopovers. While songbirds are the most common taxa among migratory birds, empirical data on flight and stopover behaviour along their entire migratory journeys are still rare. Here, we integrate activity and barometric pressure tracking with classical light‐level geolocation to describe migration behaviour of tawny pipits Anthus campestris breeding in central Europe. Surprisingly, tracked pipits used, on average, as many as 10 stopover sites during their six week, &gt; 5000 km long autumn migration. This conforms to a typical hop‐type pattern of migration. In contrast to common knowledge which considers the tawny pipit as a typical diurnal migrant, our data revealed that more than two thirds of all migratory movements were carried out at night. Nocturnal departure times were highly variable within individuals and spread across the entire night while landing most often took place within the first few hours after sunrise. Consequently, there was a negative relationship between departure timing relative to sunset and flight duration. Short flights of up to 2 h were most common and median flight duration was 4.5 h. There was a hyperbolic relationship between flight duration and maximum flight altitude and flight altitudes during night were two times higher compared to daytime. The overall ratio of flight versus stopover duration during migration was on average 1:6.5. This closely matches predictions from theoretical models. We show that multi‐sensor tracking has the potential to provide unprecedented details on migratory behaviour of individual birds along their entire migratory journeys, and it also improves the precision of geographical locations derived from light‐level geolocators.

Temporal dynamic of the phylogenetic diversity of the bird community of agricultural lands in Ukrainian steppe drylands

This study discussed the importance of the phylogenetic components in the structure of bird communities of anthropogenically transformed ecosystems. The investigation was conducted in the landscapes of the south and south-east of Ukraine in the nesting seasons 1988–2018. The bird community in the agricultural landscape was found to be presented by 10 species. The number of species was closely correlated with its phylogenetic analogue – Faith’s index. Both indices were stationary over time, as they do not show a statistically significant time trend. The two axes were extracted as a result of the DPCOA procedure and the permutation test showed their statistical significance. The axis 1 was the most sensitive to the opposite dynamics of the abundance of Coturnix coturnix and Burhinus oedicnemus on the one hand and Alauda arvensis and Melanocorypha calandra on the other. The axis 2 is the most sensitive to the opposite dynamics of Corvus monedula and Melanocorypha calandra on the one hand and Coturnix coturnix and Motacilla flava on the other. Based on phylogenetic diversity, the years can be clustered with the extraction of four relatively homogeneous phylogenetic structures of bird communities. The indicator of the initial period of dynamics (1988–1992) was Burhinus oedicnemus. Sowing or mechanical weeding may be considered as a major factor of nest destruction of Burhinus oedicnemus. The decreasing of the abundance of the trophic recourses because of agricultural activity may have caused the monotonous negative trend over time of the Burhinus oedicnemus populations. The period 1993–2003 was a transitional one, for which there were no clear indicators, as a characteristic feature of this period was the processes of bird community restructuring. The period 2004–2013 was characterized by the loss of Burhinus oedicnemus from the community and a sharp increase in the abundance of Corvus monedula. These species are distinguished by their phylogenetic specificity and are located on the periphery relative to the phylogenetic core of the community. There was growing importance in the community of such species as Alauda arvensis, Anthus campestris, and Melanocorypha calandra between 2014 and 2018. Our results also confirm the assumption that phylogenetic overdispersion is an important requirement for the stability of the bird community in anthropogenically transformed landscapes.

Breeding bird communities in an area of the Northern Apennines (Piedmont, NW Italy)

During the Spring of 2011, we studied the bird community in an area of Val Borbera, in the province of Alessandria (NW Italy). In the study area, situated at an altitude between 655 and 1700 m a.s.l., we conducted 110 points count ten minutes each in four microhabitats (agricultural areas, shrubs, forests, and prairies). In total, we surveyed 72 species, of which 51 were passerine and 21 non passerine. The most abundant species were Sylvia atricapilla, Phylloscopus collybita, Apus apus, and Turdus merula. In the agricultural areas, we detected a total of 50 species (Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major, Turdus merula were the most abundant). In the shrubs, we detected 30 species (Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major, Fringilla coelebs, Phylloscopus collybita, Turdus merula, Erithacus rubecula were the most abundant). In the forest areas, we found 45 species (Sylvia atricapilla, Parus major, Fringilla coelebs, Phylloscopus collybita, Turdus merula, Erithacus rubecula were the most abundant), and in the prairies, we detected 48 species (Alauda arvensis, Anthus campestris, Sylvia atricapilla, Turdus merula, Anthus trivialis, Sylvia communis were the most abundant). Compared to the other macro habitats, the agricultural areas have a significantly high abundance and richness in species, which highlights the importance of the agricultural mosaics in the Piedmont and mountain areas. The data which has been collected so far confirms the important role of this area, given the presence of some species which are rare at a regional scale.

Mismatches between habitat preferences and risk avoidance for birds in intensive Mediterranean farmland

Land use intensification may create habitats that organisms perceive as suitable, but where reproduction or survival is insufficient to maintain self-sustaining populations. Such conditions may qualify as ecological traps, but their existence is often hard to prove. Here, we provide a practical framework to evaluate a potential ecological trap resulting from mismatch between habitat preferences and predation risk, focusing on ground-nesting farmland birds of conservation concern. The framework is based on species-specific associations with safe or unsafe habitat types (i.e. field and landscape types with high or low nest survival), and the occurrence of risk avoidance (i.e. negative responses to predator abundances or to nest failure rates after controlling for habitat effects). Bird densities were far more influenced by field characteristics than landscape context. Corn bunting and fan-tailed warbler were associated with tall swards (safe habitats), and did not show risk avoidance. Tawny pipit and and Galerida larks were associated with short swards (unsafe habitats), with the former avoiding fields with high nest predation rates, and the later avoiding high mongoose abundances. Short-toed lark was associated with fields with short swards and low nest trampling rates. Results suggest that short-toed lark may be the most vulnerable to ecological trapping, because it nests on unsafe habitats and did not show predation risk avoidance. Our approach provides a practical first step to infer vulnerability to a potential ecological trap, though further research is needed to confirm this effect. Management actions increasing nest survival in short sward fields will likely favour grassland bird conservation in intensive Mediterranean farmland.

Two new feather mites of the genus Proctophyllodes Robin, 1868 (Acari: Proctophyllodidae) from European passerines (Aves: Passeriformes)

Two new species of the feather mite genus Proctophyllodes Robin, 1868 (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) are described from two passerine birds (Passeriformes) in Europe: Proctophyllodes markovetsi n. sp. from the tawny pipit Anthus campestris (L.) (Motacillidae) and P. loxiae n. sp. from the red crossbill Loxia curvirostra (L.) (Fringillidae). Males of P. markovetsi are most clearly distinguished from the closely related P. tchagrae Atyeo & Braasch, 1966 by having greater terminal lamellae (30-40×20-25µm), the tips of genital arch curved medially, and the corolla of the anal sucker with 14-15 denticles; females of this species are characterised by the terminal appendages distinctly longer than the lobar region width. Males of P. loxiae differ from the closest species, P. fuchsi Mironov, 1997, by having smaller terminal lamellae (45-50×22-28μm), the genital organ extending beyond the posterior margin of lamellae by half their length; females can be distinguished by having the terminal cleft noticeably wider than long (28-30×35-40μm).

Sex-dependent differences in avian malaria prevalence and consequences of infections on nestling growth and adult condition in the Tawny pipit, Anthus campestris.

BackgroundParasites play pivotal roles in host population dynamics and can have strong ecological impacts on hosts. Knowledge of the effects of parasites on hosts is often limited by the general observation of a fraction of individuals (mostly adults) within a population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria parasites in adult (≥1 year old) and nestling (7–11 day old) Tawny pipits Anthus campestris, to evaluate the influence of the host sex on parasite prevalence in both groups of age, and explore the association between infections and body condition (adults) and growth (nestlings).MethodsTwo hundred Tawny pipits (105 adults and 95 nestlings) from one Spanish population were screened for avian malaria parasites (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Body condition (body mass against a linear measure of size) was measured in adults and growth rate (daily mass gain) was calculated for nestlings.ResultsThe overall prevalence of infection was 46 %. Sixteen different mitochondrial cytochrome b haplotypes of Plasmodium spp. and one Haemoproteus spp. haplotype were found. Malaria parasites were equally prevalent in nestlings and adults (45 and 46 %, respectively). Males were more likely to be infected by parasites than females, and this sex-bias parasitism was evident in both adults and nestlings. Furthermore, a lower daily mass gain during nestling growth in males than in females following infections were found, whereas the effect of infections on body condition of adults was detrimental for females but not for males.ConclusionsAge-specific differences in physiological trade-offs and ecological factors, such as nest predation would explain, at least in part, the observed host sex and age-related patterns in Tawny pipits.

Annual cycle and migration strategies of a habitat specialist, the Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris, revealed by geolocators

Habitat specialist species occupy narrow ecological niches, typically utilizing similar habitat types throughout the annual cycle. Their strict requirements for specific habitats may make them vulnerable to environmental changes, especially in small, local populations. Therefore, detailed knowledge of the species’ ecology is crucial for conservation purposes. In this study, we used light-level geolocators to identify migration routes and non-breeding areas of a distinct specialist for dry habitats, the Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris, from a currently declining central European breeding population. During autumn and spring migration, the majority of the birds followed a route along the northwest of the Alps and via the Iberian Peninsula, with stopover sites mainly in northern Africa. In each migration season, however, one of two different individuals took a detour around the eastern side of the Alps. When crossing the main ecological barrier, the Sahara Desert, three of six birds followed the Atlantic coastline in autumn, whereas all five birds migrated near the coast in spring. Non-breeding areas of all tracked pipits were uniformly located in the Western Sahel, with five of six birds utilizing two main non-breeding sites, the second of which was always located west of the first. On average, the tracked birds spent 48 % of the year at the non-breeding areas, 27 % on migration, and 25 % at the breeding site. Our findings demonstrate strong migratory connectivity in Tawny Pipits which may have future implications for conservation of this long-distance migrant.

Drift, not selection, shapes toll-like receptor variation among oceanic island populations.

Understanding the relative role of different evolutionary forces in shaping the level and distribution of functional genetic diversity among natural populations is a key issue in evolutionary and conservation biology. To do so accurately genetic data must be analysed in conjunction with an unambiguous understanding of the historical processes that have acted upon the populations. Here, we focused on diversity at toll‐like receptor (TLR) loci, which play a key role in the vertebrate innate immune system and, therefore, are expected to be under pathogen‐mediated selection. We assessed TLR variation within and among 13 island populations (grouped into three archipelagos) of Berthelot's pipit, Anthus berthelotii, for which detailed population history has previously been ascertained. We also compared the variation observed with that found in its widespread sister species, the tawny pipit, Anthus campestris. We found strong evidence for positive selection at specific codons in TLR1LA, TLR3 and TLR4. Despite this, we found that at the allele frequency level, demographic history has played the major role in shaping patterns of TLR variation in Berthelot's pipit. Levels of diversity and differentiation within and across archipelagos at all TLR loci corresponded very closely with neutral microsatellite variation and with the severity of the bottlenecks that occurred during colonization. Our study shows that despite the importance of TLRs in combating pathogens, demography can be the main driver of immune gene variation within and across populations, resulting in patterns of functional variation that can persist over evolutionary timescales.

First report on the birds (Aves) from level TE7 of Sima del Elefante (Early Pleistocene) of Atapuerca (Spain)

The sites of the Sierra de Atapuerca (Burgos, Spain) are renowned for providing a complete Quaternary record, both archaeological and paleontological. The record consists of cave filling sediments in a karst system, developed in carbonate rocks. The Sima del Elefante site is divided into three units, in accordance with its geological features: the lower red unit (TELRU) (Early Pleistocene), the middle white unit, and the upper red unit (TEURU) (Middle Pleistocene). In this work we present the first results of a study of the bird association from the lowest level of the TELRU, TE7. A first analysis of the avian remains from level TE7 shows sixteen avian taxa: Anseriformes indet., Anas crecca, Haliaeetus albicilla, Galliformes indet., Coturnix coturnix, Passeriformes indet., Galerida cristata, Lullula arborea, Anthus campestris, Motacilla cinerea, Turdus pilaris/viscivorus, Turdus iliacus/merula/philomelos, Muscicapa sp., Corvus frugilegus, Corvus frugilegus/corone, and Corvus corax antecorax. The present work represents the first paleontological record of Motacilla cinerea and Corvus frugilegus, and the first record in the Iberian Peninsula of Anas crecca, Haliaeetus albicilla, Galerida cristata, Anthus campestris, the genus Muscicapa, and Corvus corax antecorax. Unlike in other papers published on the Aves of Sima del Elefante, all the specimens studied were obtained by concentrating the sediment by a process of washing and sieving the sedimentary materials acquired from excavations of the site.

The influence of burning and mulching on sand heath birds in SPA Colbitz-Letzlinger Heide

The active military training ground in SPA Colbitz-Letzlinger Heide is one of the largest heathlands in Germany and is of national importance for typical sand heath birds like the hoopoe (Upupa epops ), nightjar (Caprimulgus europaeus) and tawny pipit (Anthus campestris) . The processes of mulching and burning are strategies to maintain areas. One aim of this current study is to reveal the influence of these management strategies on sand heath birds.