White-fronted Geese Anser Albifrons Research Articles

A vadlúd monitoring eredményei a 2021/2022-es idényben Magyarországon

The author presents the results of the HUNGARIAN GEESE MONITORING (Table 1.) for 2021/2022 in the form of a data base. After reviewing the basic data recorded at each site of observation (Table 3-21.) he analyse the obtained data separately for each species, i.e. Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) (Table 22., Map 1., Figure 1-2.), Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) (Table 23., Map 2., Figure 3-4.), Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) (Table 24, Map 3., Figure 5-6.), Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) (Table 25, Map 4, Figure 7.), Greylag Goose (Anser anser) (Table 26., Map 5., Figure 8-10.), Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris rossicus) (Table 27., Map 6., Figure 11-13.), Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) (Table 28, Map 7, Figure 14.), Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) (Table 29., Map 8., Figure 15.), White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) (Table 30., Map 9., Figure 16-18.), Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) (Table 31., Map 10., Figure 19-20.), as well as for the total of observed geese (Table 32., Figure 21-23.). In respect of dominance – when data recorded monthly in each of the observed sites (Table 3-21., Figure 24.) or those referring to the total of geese present in Hungary (Table 33., Figure 25.) are analysed, it is found that in conformity with the numbers of individuals, also in the season 2021/2022 White-fronted Goose was the most common goose species in Hungary (max. 274 907 birds, max. 93%), followed by Greylag Goose (max. 55 864 birds, max. 100%), Red-breasted Goose (max. 249 birds, max. 0-1%) and Tundra Bean Goose (max. 205 birds, max. 0-1%) ranking third and fourth. Dominance of Lesser White-fronted Goose – a globally threatened species – ranged from 0% to <1% (max. 26 birds). If the data obtained for the season 2021/2022 are fitted into the database of long-term monitoring, the following conclusions can be drawn from the actual changes in population numbers of the geese species in the Pannon region. In the season 2021/2022, we observed max. 1 Brent Geese, max. 9 Barnacle Goose, max. 2 Bar-headed Goose, max. 1 Pink-footed Goose and max. 5 Taiga Bean Goose. For the globally threatened Red-breasted Goose may be considered higher (two times – 249 birds) to the maximum counted in the season 2020/2021 (147 birds), but much lower to the record number counted in the season 2014/2015 (1258 birds). Greylag Goose continued to be present with high numbers in Hungary. However, in the new season its peaks (55 864 birds) were found to be higher (+42%) those counted in the previous 2020/2021 season (39 261 birds). Peak number of Tundra Bean Goose (205 birds) was lower (29%) as the maximum counted in the season 2020/2021 (711 birds). The dramatic decline in the dynamics of the Tundra Bean Goose population continued in the Pannon Region. Peak number of White-fronted Goose (274 907 birds) was 4% higher as the maximum counted in 2020/2021 (265 010 birds). For the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose may be considered higher (26 birds) to the maximum counted in the season 2020/2021 (10 birds). The maximum numbers of total geese in the season 2021/2022 registered simultaneously (321 729 birds) was 5% higher to the maximum number of the season 2020/2021 (306 526 birds).

Population Dynamics of the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (Scopoli, 1769) in the Winter Period in Western Manych in 2018–2023

Population Dynamics of the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (Scopoli, 1769) in the Winter Period in Western Manych in 2018–2023

Comparison of the gut fungal communities among Hooded crane (Grus monacha), Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons), and Bean goose (Anser fabalis) at Shengjin Lake, China

The gut microbes regulate a variety of essential functions in avian hosts. Gut microbes are crucial for understanding avian specie’s ecological role and potential impact on the ecosystem. A wide range of factors shape the gut microbial diversity and communities in avian hosts, including similarity in genotype and shared evolutionary history, particularly in two closely related host species than distinctly related hosts. In this study, high-throughput sequencing methods were applied to compare and study the similarities and differences in the gut fungal communities of two geese from the same genus Anser, Greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons, WG), Bean goose (Anser fabalis, BG) with Hooded crane (Grus monacha, HC) sympatric in overlapping niches at Shengjin lake, China. Our findings supported our hypothesis that the two closely related geese shared similar gut fungal alpha diversity patterns compared to Hooded cranes due to similarity in genotype and evolutionary history. In particular, the fungal community composition in the gut of Greater white-fronted goose showed larger variation relative to the other two species. This result suggested that dietary preferences might regulate the gut fungal communities, as Hooded crane and Bean goose share parallel dietary preferences. The results of the abundance null deviation model showed higher values of null deviation (NDV) in Greater white-fronted goose and Bean goose, indicating that the two closely related goose species might be associated with more robust gut filtering for their fungal community relative to Hooded crane species. The fungal co-occurrence networks were complex, with higher stability in the two congeneric geese species relative to Hooded crane. Moreover, 29 animal fungal putative pathogens were identified with high diversity and relative abundance in the two congeneric geese due to their complex migration patterns compared with Hooded cranes. However, due to niche overlap, direct or indirect association may lead to the dissemination of gut microbes among sympatric avian species. These findings have important implications for ecological research, conservation efforts, and wildlife health management. Moreover, these findings illuminate potential ecological and conservation repercussions and increase our understanding of the complex interactions between avian species and their gut flora.

Reducing the number of grazing geese on agricultural fields - Effectiveness of different scaring techniques

Scaring is a widely used damage mitigation tool to make agricultural fields less attractive to wildlife and by that reduce crop damage. However, few experimental studies exist where the numerical response of different scaring devices has been compared. We tested experimentally the effect of three different scaring devices (kite, scarecrow, inflatable man) on the number of geese in fields with cereals, ley, rapeseed, potatoes, and carrots in Sweden. Geese were counted by camera traps and two approaches were used; in a first (model 1) only geese within 50–150m of the scaring devices were counted, and in a second (model 2) all geese in the field were included. A total of 42,281 geese were counted: Greylag goose Anser anser was the most common species (87%), followed by bean goose Anser fabalis (6%), greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons (3%), barnacle goose Branta leucopsis (2%), and Canada goose Branta canadensis (2%). During scaring the number of geese significantly decreased for all three devices in model 2. The inflatable man decreased goose numbers by 90.0 %, scarecrow 64.6%, and kite 60.5%. A similar pattern was found in model 1, but the decrease was not significant. Our study shows that the scaring devices studied can reduce goose grazing pressure for some time and locally. However, since geese continue to graze during scaring, we conclude that scaring alone is not a final solution to mitigate crop damage. Future work to develop more effective control measures should address the efficiency of other management tools and scaring techniques in combination.

Circulation of Antibiotic-Resistant Escherichia coli in Wild and Domestic Waterfowl in Ukraine.

Background: Antibiotic resistance is becoming an increasingly urgent problem for human and animal health due to the widespread use of antibiotics in medicine, veterinary medicine, and agriculture. At the same time, the natural reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant pathogens remain unclear. Wild birds may play a role in this due to their biology. Escherichia coli is a representative indicator pathogen for antibiotic resistance studies. Materials and Methods: In 2020-2021, sampling of feces and cloacal swabs from six species of wild waterfowl (Eurasian wigeon Anas penelope, Eurasian teal Anas crecca, white-fronted goose Anser albifrons, red-breasted goose Rufibrenta ruficollis, graylag goose Anser anser, shelduck Tadorna tadorna) and from two species of domestic waterfowl (ducks and geese) was conducted in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Kharkiv, and Cherkasy regions of Ukraine. Biological material was collected, stored, and transported in cryotubes with transport medium (brain heart infusion broth [BHIB] with the addition of 15% glycerol) in liquid nitrogen. Bacteriological studies were carried out according to standard methods for the isolation and identification of microorganisms. Drug resistance of E. coli was carried out by a standard disk diffusion method. Results: Bacteria representing six families (Enterobacteriaceae, Yersiniaceae, Morganellaceae, Bacillaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, Staphylococcaceae) were isolated from clinically healthy wild birds (wigeon, Eurasian teal, white-fronted goose, red-breasted goose, mallard, graylag goose, shelduck) in the southern regions of Ukraine with isolation rates ranging from 26.7% to 100%. A total of 19 E. coli isolates were cultured from 111 samples from wild birds, and 30 isolates of E. coli were cultured from 32 poultry samples. E. coli was isolated from birds of all species. The prevalence of E. coli ranged from 5.0% to 33.3% in wild waterfowl and from 90.9% to 100% in domestic waterfowl. The prevalence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) E. coli ranged from 10.0% to 31.8% in wild and domestic waterfowl: 3 of 15 (20%) specimens from wild mallard were MDR in the Kherson region, as well as 7 of 22 domestic ducks (31.8%) and 1 of 10 geese (10%) in the Kharkiv and Cherkasy regions. Isolates from wild birds were the most resistant to ampicillin (AMP), amoxiclav (AMC), amoxicillin (AMX), doxycycline (DO), and chloramphenicol (C). Isolates from poultry were resistant to ampicillin, amoxiclav, doxycycline, amoxicillin, chloramphenicol, and enrofloxacin (EX). Most of the other E. coli isolates from wild waterfowl were classified as non-multidrug-resistant (non-MDR) forms. Analysis of antibiotic sensitivity phenotypes showed that only four antibiotic-resistant phenotypes were detected among non-MDR bacteria, whereas among the MDR bacteria, two antibiotic-resistant phenotypes were detected in mallards and six in domestic waterfowl. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that wild waterfowl in Ukraine, which live in natural conditions and do not receive any antimicrobial drugs, are carriers of E. coli that are resistant to a number of antibiotics that are actively used in industrial poultry.

Trophic Selectivity of the Barnacle Goose (Branta Leucopsis) and Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser Albifrons) in Their Reproductive Concentration Area

Trophic Selectivity of the Barnacle Goose (Branta Leucopsis) and Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser Albifrons) in Their Reproductive Concentration Area

Effects of Habitat Change on the Wintering Waterbird Community in China’s Largest Freshwater Lake

Poyang Lake wetland in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain provides important wintering sites for migratory waterbirds. Extreme climatic events and human activities have resulted in the degradation and redistribution of habitat over the last few decades. However, the effects of habitat changes on the abundance of waterbirds remain unclear. We used long-term waterbird monitoring data and Landsat remote-sensing data to characterize changes in abundance and the relationship between habitat variation and abundance. A total of 113 waterbird species were recorded in the wintering period between 1999 and 2021, including 23 globally threatened species. Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons), Swan Goose (Anser cygnoides), Bean Goose (Anser fabalis), and Tundra Swan (Cygnus columbianus) were the dominant species. A total of 46 species with more than 6 annual surveys and average abundance >100 were recorded between 1999 and 2021. For most species, the mean abundance across all sub-lakes was higher in the first year than in the last year, and no obvious changes were observed over the last 20 years. The mean abundances of the vulnerable species Hooded Crane (Grus monacha) and White-naped Crane (Grus vipio) significantly declined between 1999 and 2021. No significant changes in the mean abundance of all foraging groups were observed. The area of water bodies increased, and the area of mudflats decreased. For most species with significant changes in abundance, habitat change did not greatly contribute to variation in mean abundance. The reduction in the area of mudflats greatly contributed to declines in the mean abundance of the gray heron (Ardea cinerea) and gadwall (Anas strepera).

A vadlúd monitoring eredményei a 2020/2021-es idényben Magyarországon

Results of Geese Monitoring in Hungary in the season 2020/2021. The author presents the results of the HUNGARIAN GEESE MONITORING (Table 1.) for 2020/2021 in the form of a data base. After reviewing the basic data recorded at each site of observation (Table 3-21.) he analyse the obtained data separately for each species, i.e. Brent Goose (Branta bernicla) (Table 22., Map 1., Figure 1-2.), Barnacle Goose (Branta leucopsis) (Table 23., Map 2., Figure 3-4.), Red-breasted Goose (Branta ruficollis) (Table 24, Map 3., Figure 5-6.), Bar-headed Goose (Anser indicus) (Table 25, Map 4, Figure 7.), Greylag Goose (Anser anser) (Table 26., Map 5., Figure 8-10.), Tundra Bean Goose (Anser serrirostris rossicus) (Table 27., Map 6., Figure 11-13.), Taiga Bean Goose (Anser fabalis) (Table 28, Map 7, Figure 14.), Pink-footed Goose (Anser brachyrhynchus) (Table 29., Map 8., Figure 15.), White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) (Table 30., Map 9., Figure 16-18.), Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) (Table 31., Map 10., Figure 19-20.), as well as for the total of observed geese (Table 32., Figure 21-24.). In respect of dominance – when data recorded monthly in each of the observed sites (Table 3-21., Figure 25.) or those referring to the total of geese present in Hungary (Table 33., Figure 25.) are analysed, it is found that in conformity with the numbers of individuals, also in the season 2020/2021 White-fronted Goose was the most common goose species in Hungary (max. 265 010 birds, max. 96%), followed by Greylag Goose (max. 39 261 birds, max. 100%), Tundra Bean Goose (max. 711 birds, max. 0-1%) ranking third. Dominance of Red-breasted Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose – both are globally threatened species – ranged both from 0% to <1% (max. 147 and 10 birds). If the data obtained for the season 2020/2021 are fitted into the data series of long-term monitoring, the following conclusions can be drawn from the actual changes in population numbers of the geese species in the Pannon region. In the season 2020/2021, we observed max. 2 Brent Geese, max. 1 Barnacle Goose, max. 1 Bar-headed Goose, max. 1 Pink-footed Goose and max. 6 Taiga Bean Goose. For the globally threatened Red-breasted Goose may be considered higher (+40% – 147 birds) to the maximum counted in the season 2019/2020 (105 birds), but much lower to the record number counted in the season 2014/2015 (1258 birds). Greylag Goose continued to be present with high numbers in Hungary. However, in the new season its peaks (39 261 birds) were found to be higher (+4%) those counted in the previous 2019/2020 season (37 707 birds). Peak number of Tundra Bean Goose (711 birds) was lower (–8%) as the maximum counted in the season 2019/2020 (769 birds). The dramatic decline in the dynamics of the Tundra Bean Goose population continued and stabilized in the Pannon Region. Peak number of White-fronted Goose (265 010 birds) was 5% higher as the maximum counted in 2019/2020 (250 888 birds). For the globally threatened Lesser White-fronted Goose may be considered higher (10 birds) to the maximum counted in the season 2019/2020 (9 birds). The maximum numbers of total geese in the season 2020/2021 registered simultaneously (306 526 birds) was 11% higher to the maximum number of the season 2019/2020 (275 164 birds).

Large-Scale Reduction in the Extent of Agriculture around Stopover Sites of Migratory Geese in European Russia between 1990 and 2015

Stopover sites are vital to the state of the population of many migratory bird species. The greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons is the most numerous Eurasian goose species, and migrates on a broad front over European Russia. Stopover and staging sites have specific habitat requirements. They are located near open water, have nearby (<5 km) foraging areas, must be open, and lie at least 500 m from the nearest woodland. Extensive agricultural land abandonment in European Russia since 1990 is leading to widespread land cover changes, and may be lowering the availability and perhaps the suitability of stopover sites for greater white-fronted geese. To measure the extent of land cover change, we compiled Landsat images of three areas in European Russia over which geese migrate. The images were taken May 1990, 2002 and 2014, and used to create a scene that covered completely each area in each of these years. We classified each pixel into one of six land cover classes (LCCs: urban, water, arable, grass, peat bog and forest), and tallied the number changing LCC between the successive maps. For ground truthing, we made field visits in June 2014 to 150 locations chosen randomly in advance, and among them, 64 identified as stopover sites recently used by geese. At each, we assessed vegetation composition and cover, successional stage and the duration (in years) since agriculture on the site had been abandoned. The extent of arable land that changed to another classification 1990–2014 was 56%, and was matched closely by the increase in the extent of the ‘grassland’ and ‘forest’ categories, as expected if agricultural abandonment allows vegetation succession to proceed. The magnitude of change around identified stopover sites was similar to that in the areas as a whole. The extent of land cover change in the northern part of European Russia is making migration by greater white-fronted geese more challenging, which is consistent with the documented southward shift in stopover site usage. This could lead to abandonment of the route across northern European Russia altogether, in favour of a longer migration around the expanding boreal forest, which is inhospitable for goose species.

As the Goose Flies: Migration Routes and Timing Influence Patterns of Genetic Diversity in a Circumpolar Migratory Herbivore

Migration schedules and the timing of other annual events (e.g., pair formation and molt) can affect the distribution of genetic diversity as much as where these events occur. The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is a circumpolar goose species, exhibiting temporal and spatial variation of events among populations during the annual cycle. Previous range-wide genetic assessments of the nuclear genome based on eight microsatellite loci suggest a single, largely panmictic population despite up to five subspecies currently recognized based on phenotypic differences. We used double digest restriction-site associated DNA (ddRAD-seq) and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) sequence data to re-evaluate estimates of spatial genomic structure and to characterize how past and present processes have shaped the patterns of genetic diversity and connectivity across the Arctic and subarctic. We uncovered previously undetected inter-population differentiation with genetic clusters corresponding to sampling locales associated with current management groups. We further observed subtle genetic clustering within each management unit that can be at least partially explained by the timing and directionality of migration events along with other behaviors during the annual cycle. The Tule Goose (A. a. elgasi) and Greenland subspecies (A. a. flavirostris) showed the highest level of divergence among all sampling locales investigated. The recovery of previously undetected broad and fine-scale spatial structure suggests that the strong cultural transmission of migratory behavior restricts gene flow across portions of the species’ range. Our data further highlight the importance of re-evaluating previous assessments conducted based on a small number of highly variable genetic markers in phenotypically diverse species.

The Foraging Window for Greater White-Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) Is Consistent with the Growth Stage of Carex

Food resources are key limiting factors for migratory waterbirds, and the foraging strategies adopted by herbivorous waterbirds are affected by food availability in wetland habitats. The greater white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) is mainly dependent on Carex in the lower and middle Yangtze River floodplain. Exploring the relationship between the growth conditions of Carex and the foraging strategies adopted by wintering greater white-fronted geese has important ecological implications for habitat protection and management. In this study, scan sampling and focal animal sampling were used to record the foraging behaviors of greater white-fronted geese wintering at Shengjin Lake, and the plant height and water content of Carex were surveyed simultaneously. The relationship between plant characteristics and foraging behaviors was tested using a linear regression equation. The results showed that Carex had two growth periods at Shengjin Lake, and the pecking rate and foraging time budget of greater white-fronted geese were higher during these two periods. Plant characteristics were positively correlated with goose foraging behaviors. The strategic adjustment of the foraging behaviors adopted by wintering greater white-fronted geese was consistent with the growth stage of Carex, which is the optimal foraging window for greater white-fronted geese. During the foraging windows, geese changed their foraging strategies to obtain more energy in order to guarantee successful wintering and migration.

ESBL-Producing Moellerella wisconsensis-The Contribution of Wild Birds in the Dissemination of a Zoonotic Pathogen.

Simple SummaryMoellerella wisconsensis is a potentially zoonotic pathogen that has sporadically been isolated from animals and humans. In the present study, we describe the occurrence of the organism among 445 wild bird and 2000 human fecal samples, in the context of an investigation regarding antimicrobial resistant bacteria in Greece. According to our results, 0.9% (n = 4) of the examined wild birds were found to be colonized by M. wisconsensis, while no human was a carrier of the bacterium. Out of the total number of four M. wisconsensis strains that we detected, three presented resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins, were phenotypically confirmed to produce extended spectrum beta lactamases (ESBLs) and harbored blaCTX-M-1. Resistance to tetracyclines, aminoglycosides and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole was additionally detected in three, two and one of the ESBL isolates, respectively. This is the first report that presents the dissemination of M. wisconsensis in wild bird from Greece and describes CTX-M-1 production in multidrug resistant wild birds’ isolates of this bacterial species.Moellerella wisconsensis is an Enterobacteriaceae with unclarified dispersion and pathogenicity. During an ongoing investigation about antimicrobial resistance in Greece, the occurrence of M. wisconsensis was evaluated among wild birds and humans. A total of 445 wild bird and 2000 human fecal samples were collected and screened for the presence of the organism. Subsequently, all M. wisconsensis strains were phenotypically and molecularly characterized regarding their antimicrobial resistance characteristics. Four M. wisconsensis were isolated from a common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), two Eurasian magpies (Pica pica) and a great white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons). Among these four strains, the three latter presented resistance to 3rd generation cephalosporins, were phenotypically confirmed to produce ESBLs and were found to harbor blaCTX-M-1. The three ESBL isolates additionally exhibited resistance to tetracyclines, while resistance to aminoglycosides was detected in two of them and to trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in one. No Moellerella wisconsensis strains were retrieved from the human samples tested. This is the first report that provides evidence of M. wisconsensis dissemination among wild birds in Greece, describing CTX-M-1 production in multidrug resistant wild birds’ isolates of this bacterial species.

Phylogenetic Analysis of H5N8 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in Ukraine, 2016-2017.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) can be carried long distances by migratory wild birds and by poultry trade. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is often lethal in domestic poultry and can sporadically infect and cause severe respiratory or systemic disease in other species including humans. Since 2003, the H5 subtype of HPAIV have spread from epicenters in China to neighboring regions in East and Southeast Asia, and across Central Asia to the Indian subcontinent, Europe, Africa, and North America. Outbreaks of H5N1 HPAIV struck poultry in Ukraine in 2005. In 2016, A H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b HPAIV outbreaks occurred in wild and domestic birds in Ukraine concurrently with outbreaks in Central Europe, Russia, and the Middle East. We report outbreaks of HPAI in domestic backyard poultry in (2016-2017) in the southern region of Ukraine, in proximity to mass gathering sites for migratory waterfowl including mute swans (Cygnus olor). All eight genome segments of three novel H5N8 HPAIV isolated in November 2016 from two domestic backyard chickens (Gallus gallus) and one backyard mallard duck (Anas platyrhynchos) found dead of HPAI in Azov-Black Sea region of Ukraine were cladistically related to H5N8 2.3.4.4b HPAI viruses isolated from wild shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) and white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) in Askania Nova Biopreserve (Kherson district, Ukraine) in 2016-2017 and to other contemporary H5N8 HPAIV strains sequenced from wild birds and poultry in Eurasia. Amino acid variations in hemagglutinin were outside of the polybasic cleavage site (PLREKRRKR/GLF), and D224G suggested avian-like receptor binding specificity; neuraminidase did not have mutations characteristic of oseltamivir drug resistance. Outbreaks of HPAI in Ukraine highlight the continual need for biosurveillance and genomic sequencing of avian influenza viruses along wild bird flyways and interfaces with domestic poultry in Eurasia.

Contrasting habitat use and conservation status of Chinese-wintering and other Eurasian Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) populations

BackgroundGPS/GSM tracking data were used to contrast use of (i) habitats and (ii) protected areas between three Arctic-nesting Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons, GWFG) populations throughout the annual cycle. We wished to demonstrate that the East Asian Continental Population (which winters on natural wetlands in the Chinese Yangtze River floodplain and is currently declining) avoids using farmland at multiple wintering sites. We also gathered tracking evidence to support general observations from two increasing population of GWFG, the North Sea-Baltic (which winters in Europe) and the West Pacific (which winter in Korea and Japan) winter mostly within farmland landscapes, using wetlands only for safe night roosts.MethodsWe tracked 156 GWFG throughout their annual cycle using GPS/GSM transmitters from these three populations to determine migration routes and stopover staging patterns. We used Brownian Bridge Movement Models to generate summer, winter and migration stopover home ranges which we then overlaid in GIS with land cover and protected area boundary at national level to determine habitat use and degree of protection from nature conservation designated areas.ResultsData confirmed that 73% of European wintering GWFG homes ranges were from within farmland, compared to 59% in Japan and Korea, but just 5% in China, confirming the heavy winter use of agricultural landscapes by GWFG away from China, and avoidance of farmland at multiple sites within the Yangtze River floodplain. The same GWFG used farmland in northeast China in spring and autumn, confirming their experience of exploiting such habitats at other stages of their annual cycle. Chinese wintering birds showed the greatest overlap with protected areas of all three populations, showing current levels of site safeguard are failing to protect this population.ConclusionsResults confirm the need for strategic planning to protect the East Asian Continental GWFG population. While the site protection network in place to protect the species seems adequate, it has failed to stop the declines. Buffalo grazing could serve as one simple strategy to improve the condition of feeding habitats at Dongting Lake and Poyang Lake in the Yangtze, where vast Carex meadows exist. In addition, while we warn against pushing GWFG to winter farmland feeding in China because of the long-term potential to conflict with agricultural interests, we recommend experimental sacrificial, disturbance-free farmland within designated refuge areas adjacent to the Yangtze River floodplain wetland reserves as a manipulative experiment to improve the conservation status of this population in years when natural food sources are limited.

Prevalence of Antimicrobial-Resistant Escherichia coli in Migratory Greater White-Fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) and their Habitat in Miyajimanuma, Japan.

The spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) in natural environments including wild animals is a concern for public health. Birds cover large areas, and some fly across borders to migrate in large flocks. As a migratory bird, the Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) travels to Miyajimanuma, North Japan, each spring and autumn. To investigate the ARB in migratory birds and their surroundings, we collected 110 fecal samples of A. albifrons and 18 water samples from Miyajimanuma in spring and autumn of 2019. Isolation of Escherichia coli was performed using selective agars with or without antimicrobials (cefazolin and nalidixic acid). Isolates of E. coli were recovered from 56 fecal samples (50.9%) and five water samples (27.8%) on agars without antimicrobials. No isolates were recovered on agars with antimicrobials. One E. coli isolate derived from a fecal sample exhibited resistance to β-lactams (ampicillin and cefazolin), whereas all other isolates exhibited susceptibility to all tested antimicrobials. The resistant isolate harbored blaACC, which could be transferred to other bacteria and confer resistance to β-lactams. These results suggest a low prevalence of antimicrobial resistance in wild migratory birds and their living environments; however, wild migratory birds sometimes carry ARB harboring transferrable antimicrobial resistance genes and therefore present a risk of spreading antimicrobial resistance.

Occurrence of Mycoplasma spp. in wild birds: phylogenetic analysis and potential factors affecting distribution

Different Mycoplasma species have been reported in avian hosts. However, the majority of studies focus on one particular species of Mycoplasma or one host. In our research, we screened a total of 1141 wild birds representing 55 species, 26 families, and 15 orders for the presence of mycoplasmas by conventional PCR based on the 16S rRNA gene. Selected PCR products were sequenced to perform the phylogenetic analysis. All mycoplasma-positive samples were tested for M. gallisepticum and M. synoviae, which are considered the major pathogens of commercial poultry. We also verified the influence of ecological characteristics of the tested bird species including feeding habits, habitat types, and movement patterns. The presence of Mycoplasma spp. was confirmed in 498 birds of 29 species, but none of the tested birds were positive for M. gallisepticum or M. synoviae. We found possible associations between the presence of Mycoplasma spp. and all investigated ecological factors. The phylogenetic analysis showed a high variability of Mycoplasma spp.; however, some clustering of sequences was observed regarding particular bird species. We found that wild migratory waterfowl, particularly the white-fronted goose (Anser albifrons) and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) could be reservoirs and vectors of mycoplasmas pathogenic to commercial waterfowl.

Landscape Attributes Best Explain the Population Trend of Wintering Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) in the Yangtze River Floodplain

Biodiversity in the Middle and Lower Yangtze Floodplain has critically decreased during the last several decades, driven by numerous determinants. Hence, identification of primary drivers of animal population decline is a priority for conservation. Analyzing long time-series data is a powerful way to assess drivers of declines, but the data are often missing, hampering effective conservation policymaking. In this study, based on twenty-four years (from 1996 to 2019) of annual maximal count data, we investigated the effects of climate and landscape changes on the increasing population trend of the Greater White-Fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) at a Ramsar site in the Middle and Lower Yangtze Floodplain, China. Our results showed that the availability of a suitable habitat and landscape attributes are the key driving forces affecting the population trend, while the effects of climate factors are weak. Specifically, increasing the area of suitable habitat and alleviating habitat fragmentation through a fishing ban policy may have provided a more suitable habitat to the geese, contributing to the increasing population trend. However, we also observed that the grazing prohibition policy implemented in 2017 at Shengjin Lake may have potentially negatively affected geese abundance, as grazing by larger herbivores may favor smaller geese species by modifying the vegetation community and structure. Based on our results, we suggest several practical countermeasures to improve the habitat suitability for herbivorous goose species wintering in this region.

Suitable-habitat dynamics for wintering geese in China’s largest freshwater lake

To maintain species population stability and ensure the ecological safety of internationally important wetlands, it is essential to be able to simulate suitable habitat for dominant species. Here, we describe a suitable-habitat model for wintering geese in the Poyang lake region of China, based on the Maximum Entropy modeling. The spatiotemporal patterns of suitable habitats produced by the model are analyzed by using species occurrence data from satellite tracking and environmental variables derived from remote sensing data. The results show that the normalized difference vegetation index predictor – representing productivity and food availability – made a considerable contribution to model prediction power, while the contribution from terrain data is relatively low. Nearly one third of the area of the entire floodplain can provide suitable habitats for geese during wintering periods (25.50% for Bean goose Anser fabalis and 29.57% for Greater white-fronted goose Anser albifrons). More than forty percent of the suitable habitats are located in the seasonally inundated sub-lakes, indicating that such sub-lakes play an indispensable role in maintaining goose habitats. In the sub-lakes, the area of suitable habitats for geese, per unit area, is 1.67–1.80 times than in the non-sub-lake areas of the floodplain. Therefore, the regulation of the sub-lakes during the dry season has important implications for the management of goose habitats.

Differences in the time budget of the Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) in grasslands and arable fields at an important spring stopover site in central Europe

Changes in the management and productivity of farmland affect foraging behaviour in migrating birds. Crops are increasingly being damaged (and farmers are sustaining ever greater economic losses) as a result of large flocks of waterfowl feeding on them. To investigate the differences in the time budget shared between natural grasslands and arable lands, migrating Greater White-fronted Geese (Anser albifrons) were filmed using digiscoping equipment at a spring stopover site. Four types of activity were noted in connection with habitat types, bird age, position in the flock and flock size. Foraging was the most common activity in both habitats, but was more common in the grasslands than on arable land. The mean times spent on vigilance, resting and other activities were also significantly different between the two habitat types. GLM analysis showed that young birds spent more time foraging than adults but revealed no differences in foraging times between the age categories in grasslands and arable land. In the latter, geese were more vigilant at the edge of a flock and rested more frequently in its centre. No such differences were found in the grasslands. Only resting time was adversely affected by flock size. These findings, which demonstrate that White-fronted Geese are flexible in their use of food resources, could be useful in agricultural management planning in the light of increasing conflicts with farmers.

Foraging behavior of the Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons) wintering at Shengjin Lake: diet shifts and habitat use

BackgroundThe habitat use and foraging behaviors of waterbirds are closely related to the distribution and abundance of their food resources. Reductions in food supply can cause waterbirds to shift their habitats and adjust their foraging behaviors to meet their nutritional requirements and increase fitness. Seasonal withdraw of the water levels in the river-connected lakes in the middle and lower Yangtze River floodplain provides abundant food resources for the wintering Greater White-fronted Goose (Anser albifrons). Sedge (Carex) meadows are critical foraging habitats for herbivorous waterbirds in the hydro-fluctuation belt, which changes with hydrological conditions and climate. This study aimed to examine the behavioral responses of the Greater White-fronted Goose to temporal- spatial changes of food availability in the Sedge meadows.MethodsFields surveys were carried out at Shengjin Lake from November 2017 to April 2018. According to the phenology of Shengjin Lake, we divided the wintering season into three periods. The food density, minimum temperature, food items, grass height, and number of foraging geese were surveyed, and samples of the foraging behavior were collected. We analyzed the relationship of the foraging behavior and habitat use relative to the food resources, using correlation and linear regression analyses.ResultsAlong with the temporal-spatial variation and exploitation of food resources, the food abundance and items varied widely among the foraging sites. Over the whole wintering period, the foraging habitat with the highest utilization rate was the meadows, followed by the paddy fields, and then mudflats. Furthermore, the utilization of the meadows showed a bimodal distribution trend, while the paddy fields showed a unimodal trend, and a decreasing trend was seen in the mudflats over the whole wintering period. The results of the generalized linear model showed that the foraging rate was related to the food density and grass height, with a linearly increasing trend during the winter.ConclusionsWith the change of food resources in the three habitats, the habitats used by the Greater White-fronted Geese shifted from meadows in the hydro-fluctuation belt to the paddy fields, and then back to the meadows. The time budget for foraging activities increased correspondingly, and there was an increase in the foraging rate to compensate for food shortages.