Impervious surface cover and number of restaurants shape diet variation in an urban carnivore

Ecosphere, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 16(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Abstract In the past decade, studies have demonstrated that urban and nonurban wildlife populations exhibit differences in foraging behavior diet. However, little is known about how environmental heterogeneity shapes dietary variation of organisms within cities. We examined vertebrate prey components diets coyotes ( Canis latrans ) San Francisco to quantify territory‐ individual‐level determine within‐city land cover use affects coyote genotyped fecal samples for individual identification used DNA metabarcoding diet composition niche differentiation. The highest contributor overall was anthropogenic food followed by small mammals. most frequently detected species were domestic chicken, pocket gopher Thomomys bottae ), pig, raccoon Procyon lotor ). Diet varied significantly across territories among individuals, with explaining variation. Within (i.e., family groups), amount attributed among‐individual increased green space decreased impervious surface cover. quantity scats also positively correlated cover, suggesting consumed more human urbanized territories. invasive, human‐commensal rodents number services a territory. Overall, our results revealed substantial intraspecific associated landscape point diversifying effect urbanization on population

Language: Английский

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Staying for food by urban birds: Insights from neural network analysis into adaptive strategies

Environmental Management, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Feb. 11, 2025

Language: Английский

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A lifetime track of a griffon vulture: The moving story of Rehovot (Y64)

Ecology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 104(4)

Published: Feb. 2, 2023

24th of August 2013. The day started as any other capture in the Negev desert, Israel, with 36 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) waiting inside trap operated by Israeli Nature and Parks Authority (INPA). They were about to be released back nature after receiving a wing tag, and, for few chosen ones, also GPS transmitter (Iezekiel et al., 2003). One these vultures, later named Rehovot, was merely months old when he received his first nickname: Y64 (the number tag). young male weighing 8.3 kg, become an important sentinel species. Rehovot fitted 90 g GPS–GSM (by e-obs telemetry; https://e-obs.de/), attached using Teflon ribbon harness, backpack configuration (Harel, Horvitz, 2016). carried on provided 8 years data (Figure 1; Acácio, Anglister, 2022), contributing crucial information vulture conservation (Efrat 2020; Spiegel 2015) coincidently, own survival. This case study highlights importance long-term movement research understanding how animals explore interact their environment, this can used species (Nathan 2022). Across globe, populations are collapsing, mostly due poisoning (Green 2004; Ogada 2012). In griffons critically endangered have experienced fast population decline. Records from late-1800s mid-1900s show that common resident region (Hardy, 1946; Tristram, 1865), but declined ~400 two decades ago, only roughly 200 individuals today (Hatzofe, 2020). To prevent local extinction species, INPA runs extensive management program, providing contaminant-free food supplementary feeding stations, releasing captive-bred griffons, individually tracking transmitters (Harel 2017; 2013). These typically last between 1 4 years, unlike who live up 30 wild. Although track short period griffon's long life, they been instrumental studying ecology, including habitat use foraging requirements (Alarcón & Lambertucci, 2018; Duriez 2019). Real-time is particularly detection events: whenever informs either moving very little or suspected dead, ranger immediately sent field investigate (Hatzofe Vine, 2019; Nemtzov 2021). That exactly what happened Rehovot. year often moved more than km away roost, some days even flew 100 2). Despite staying Judean deserts, visited southern Israel (Eilat), eastern Sinai (Egypt), Jordan. But, 16th April 2015, 2 fledging, showed had not flown 24 h. He close ruins ancient Nabataean city (dated 1st century BCE 5th CE) known "Rehovot Negev." Thanks proximity, ruins: "Rehovot." A (Amiram Cohen) responded quickly, found poor condition rushed him Wildlife Hospital (https://www.wildlife-hospital.org.il/en). An initial inspection revealed lost weight (weighed 7.7 kg), weak heart rate, vomiting barely keeping head up. Under care Dr. Nili Roni Elias particularly, Shmulik Landau (who checked every 15 min over first, most critical, night), appropriate treatment. following day, another GPS-tracked vulture, adult female (at least 11 old) Faculta (currently T15 tag) collected same location entered hospital state. Both diagnosed methomyl poisoning, insecticide variety crops well deliberately poison wildlife (Plaza 2019) case, illegally bait carcass culling feral dogs. As middle breeding season nesting, it imperative she would quickly: longer absent nest, higher probability her chick perish. swift efficient treatment staff, both 19th (i.e., within less 3 days), Faculta, chick, survive incident 2D shows nest recovery). After event, movements tracked 6 1). While still much 70 became aged. reflected distances consecutive night roosts: average roosts (SD = 17 km, maximum 85 km), while eighth occupied areas 5 10 38 km) Occupying smaller ranges individual ages trend (and several species; e.g., Kane Food plentiful thanks large quantities stations (Duriez thus reducing risk allowing vultures' quite (Spiegel such tracks free-ranging rare, potential show, broad scale, space changes seasonally throughout animal's lifetime (e.g., roosting behavior; Harel, Duriez, 2016; 2015). age structure may change decreases (Jackson 2020), which, if combined age-specific (Weimerskirch, 2018), regulate ecosystem services provides nutrient transport; McInturf 2019 or, sanitation services; Fernández-Gómez On finer Rehovot's allowed age-related flight behavior fitness implications. fact, selected purpose, part Roi Harel's PhD studies at Movement Ecology Laboratory, Hebrew University Jerusalem. Together flights high resolution, recording position altitude s 3). outperform juveniles (including Rehovot) utilizing rising air currents (commonly thermals), yet learn efficiently circle thermals drifted winds unique example detailed identify specific tasks need improve functional performance. Furthermore, utilize atmospheric conditions sustain allows estimation energetic costs 2016), provide risks collision human infrastructures, wind turbines (Péron 2017). Nevertheless, high-resolution come price. High temporal increases accuracy locations (Acácio, Atkinson, fatigue battery overall decrease lifespan transmitter. Thus, selecting correct schedule fit study's objectives crucial. For example, order quickly events essential intermediate resolution min) frequent GSM transmissions per story came end 14 July 2021, no days. Due inaccessibility area, possible confirm perished Overall, followed million positions. end, died, one hope find someday soaring strong desert thermals, recapture continue follow rest life. summary, illustrates advance ecological directly promoting conservation. Nonetheless, challenging maintain, partly technical difficulties transmitters), difficulty obtaining uninterrupted funding, usually exceed duration grants. Yet, lifelong unravel behavioral life-history patterns emerge wild, shaping evolution adaptation environment (Caspi 2022; Wild 2021; Wolf 2007). shown adults differ traits, flying socializing (Albery comparisons fail mechanisms through which observed age-dependent evolve. differences result behavior, via learning, improvement, senescence Mueller 2013; Sergio 2014). addition, reflect selective mortality particular traits (Sergio 2014, emphasizing value tracking. changing faster ever before, therefore fundamental adapt (or adapt) challenges arising human-induced environmental Clutton-Brock Sheldon, 2010). We dedicate article inspirational caregiver missed. thank all volunteers workers dedication. rangers work field, members Laboratory Jerusalem, Individual Behavior Tel Aviv University, Assaf Uzan logistic support. Noa Pinter-Wollman, Nitika Sharma Kaija Gahm feedback version manuscript. Finally, we editor, Professor John Pastor, Olivier anonymous reviewers valuable previous versions Funding Binational Science Foundation (BSF) 822/2019 grant Orr Spiegel, BSF 255/2008 Ran Nathan. Marta Acácio supported George S. Wise Postdoctoral Fellowship (Tel University). Anglister stipend Yad-Hanadiv. authors declare conflict interest. Data supporting sensitive available publicly status focal region; contain qualified researchers Movebank "E-obs Vultures Israel" (Movebank ID 7359070; https://www.movebank.org/cms/webapp?gwt_fragment=page=studies,path=study7359070). anonymized dataset 2022) Zenodo https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7413086 shifted kilometers original ensure safety, maintains geometrical attributes needed reconstructing analysis. Video S1. S1 legend. Please note: publisher responsible content functionality supplied authors. Any queries (other missing content) should directed corresponding author article.

Language: Английский

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Hatchery supplementation provides a demographic boost but alters age composition of sockeye salmon in Auke Lake, Southeast Alaska

Evolutionary Applications, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 17(2)

Published: Feb. 1, 2024

Abstract Evaluating salmon hatchery supplementation programs requires assessing not only program objectives but identifying potential risks to wild populations as well. Such evaluations can be hampered by difficulty in distinguishing between hatchery‐ and wild‐born returning adults. Here, we conducted 3 years (2011–2013) of experimental sockeye Auke Lake, Juneau, Alaska where a permanent weir allows sampling genotyping every adult (2008–2019). We identified both adults with parentage assignment, quantified the productivity (adult offspring/spawner) spawners relative that spawners, compared run timing, age, size at age Hatchery‐spawning females produced from approximately six 50 times more than did naturally spawning females. Supplementation had no discernable effect on timing limited consequences for observed distinct shift younger maturity hatchery‐born individuals all three brood years. The appeared driven fish being likely emigrate after one, rather two, lake cause is unknown. In cases when or incubation habitat limiting production, effective enhancing number without risk phenotypic change recipient population, which an undesired outcome supplementation. This study adds growing body evidence suggesting within single generation captive might widespread programs.

Language: Английский

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Diverse communication strategies in bees as a window into adaptations to an unpredictable world

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 120(24)

Published: June 6, 2023

Communication is a fundamental feature of animal societies and helps their members to solve the challenges they encounter, from exploiting food sources fighting enemies or finding new home. Eusocial bees inhabit wide range environments have evolved multitude communication signals that help them exploit resources in environment efficiently. We highlight recent advances our understanding bee strategies discuss how variation social biology, such as colony size nesting habits, ecological conditions are important drivers strategies. Anthropogenic factors, habitat conversion, climate change, use agrochemicals, changing world inhabit, it becoming clear this affects both directly indirectly, for example by affecting source availability, interactions among nestmates, cognitive functions. Whether adapt foraging these changes represents frontier behavioral conservation research.

Language: Английский

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Effects of human disturbance on detectability of non-breeding birds in urban green areas

Global Ecology and Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 51, P. e02873 - e02873

Published: March 1, 2024

Animals adapted to disturbed habitats have evolved multiple behavioural strategies, spanning from hiding displacing less microhabitats. Urban areas pose new evolutionary challenges since animals often need deal with novel environmental conditions. In this context, urban parks may constitute biodiversity hotspots within the concrete jungle. Nonetheless, recent increase in recreational activities potentially puzzles ability of urban-dwelling exploit these environments. study, we evaluated effect human disturbance and other contextual variables on activity patterns four bird species commonly found European parks, covering a wide range ecological characteristics: blackbird (Turdus merula), hooded crow (Corvus cornix), Eurasian robin (Erithacus rubecula), wood pigeon (Columba palumbus). We performed repeated counts six northern Italy fitted Bayesian N-mixture models estimate relationship between detection probability (number people present park), phenology (date time day), weather conditions (temperature precipitation). For all but blackbird, negative number park focal species. also species-specific effects both probability. Our results suggest that dwelling can finely modulate their response level disturbance, suggesting possible key role phenotypic plasticity. Furthermore, uncovering detectability fauna help planning monitoring conservation, as it provides useful information carry out surveys when detecting individuals is highest, optimising resource investments reliability estimates.

Language: Английский

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Proximity to humans is associated with antimicrobial-resistant enteric pathogens in wild bird microbiomes

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 34(17), P. 3955 - 3965.e4

Published: Aug. 13, 2024

Language: Английский

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Coexistence across space and time: Social‐ecological patterns within a decade of human‐coyote interactions in San Francisco

People and Nature, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 5(6), P. 2158 - 2177

Published: Oct. 10, 2023

Abstract Global change is increasing the frequency and severity of human‐wildlife interactions by pushing people wildlife into increasingly resource‐limited shared spaces. To understand dynamics what may constitute coexistence in Anthropocene, there a critical need to explore spatial, temporal, sociocultural ecological variables that contribute conflicts urban areas. Due their opportunistic foraging behavioural flexibility, coyotes ( Canis latrans ) frequently interact with environments. San Francisco, California, USA hosts very high density coyotes, making it an excellent region for analysing human‐coyote attitudes toward over time space. We used community‐curated long‐term data source from Francisco Animal Care Control summarise decade coyote sightings characterise spatiotemporal patterns interaction types relation housing density, socioeconomics, pollution human vulnerability metrics, green space availability. found conflict reports have been significantly past 5 years were more during pup‐rearing season (April–June), dry (June–September) COVID‐19 pandemic. Conflict also likely involve dogs occur inside parks, despite overall occurring outside parks. Generalised linear mixed models revealed places higher vegetation greenness median income. Meanwhile reported boldness, hazing correlated burden population indices. Synthesis applications : Our results provide compelling evidence suggesting are intimately associated social‐ecological heterogeneities time, emphasizing road will require socially informed strategies. Additional research articulating how drivers (e.g. food subsidies, domestic species, climate‐induced droughts, socioeconomic disparities, etc.) be essential building adaptive management efforts effectively mitigate future occurring. Read free Plain Language Summary this article on Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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So overt it's covert: Wildlife coloration in the city

BioScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 73(5), P. 333 - 346

Published: April 19, 2023

Abstract With novel human–wildlife interaction, predation regimes, and environmental conditions, in addition to often fragmented smaller populations, urban areas present wildlife with altered natural selection parameters genetic drift potential compared nonurban regions. Plumage pelage coloration birds mammals has evolved as a balance between avoiding detection by predator or prey, sexual selection, thermoregulation. However, mutation rates, reduced risk, increased temperatures, strong drift, interaction people, the evolutionary contexts which these colorations arose are radically different from what is areas. Regionally alternative color morphs leucistic melanistic individuals that aren't typical of most avian mammalian populations may become more frequent result adaptive neutral evolution. Therefore, I conceptualize that, areas, conspicuous morphologies persist, leading an increase frequency regionally atypical coloration. In article, discuss for arise persist well mechanisms such persistence, conditions pressures.

Language: Английский

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Spur-winged lapwings show spatial behavioural types with different mobility and exploration between urban and rural individuals

Proceedings of the Royal Society B Biological Sciences, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 292(2038)

Published: Jan. 1, 2025

Understanding how wildlife responds to the spread of human-dominated habitats is a major challenge in ecology. It still poorly understood urban areas affect space-use patterns and consistent intra-specific behavioural differences (i.e. types; BTs), which turn shape various ecological processes. To address these questions, we investigated movements common resident wader, spur-winged lapwing ( Vanellus spinosus ), hypothesizing that individuals will be more mobile than rural ones. We used an ATLAS tracking system track many n = 135) at high resolution over several months each. first established daily movement indices show among individuals, acting as spatial-BTs. Then focusing on two main principle components lapwings’ movements—mobility position along exploration–exploitation gradient—we BTs are shaped by urbanization, season (nesting versus non-nesting) sex. found lapwings were indeed both seasons. Furthermore, females less explorative females, especially during nesting season. These results highlight urbanization affects behaviour, even apparently urban-resilient avian residents. This underscores need consider possible consequences only apparent through advanced methods.

Language: Английский

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