Reintroduced White Storks (Ciconia ciconia) Have Similar Diets to Their Wild Conspecifics

Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: 15(4)

Published: April 1, 2025

Understanding a species' diet is crucial for assessing its ecology and can indicate the success of reintroduction efforts. We explored dietary composition compared pellet morphology supplementary prey proportions between two white stork (Ciconia ciconia) groups to assess effectiveness. White consisted released individuals that were free flying (i.e., "wild group") those kept within confined enclosure ("captive group"). A total 23 pellets collected during 2023 breeding season. Wild group significantly heavier ( x¯ = 12.7 ± 9.2 g [SD]) than captive 5.2 2.1 g). As expected, all contained prey, accounting 88.4% 26.1% biomass, whereas 73.3% wild comprising 52.9% 36.3% biomass. The predominantly foraged on beetles (Coleoptera) earthworms (Clitellata). Our results represent first quantitative assessment reintroduced storks in southern England. Similarities our data diets from elsewhere their range suggest successful post-release acclimatisation at Knepp Estate.

Language: Английский

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Cardiovascular physiology of decapod crustaceans: from scientific inquiry to practical applications

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 227(20)

Published: July 22, 2024

ABSTRACT Until recently, the decapod crustacean heart was regarded as a simple, single ventricle, contraction of which forces haemolymph out into seven arteries. Differential tissue perfusion is achieved by and relaxation valves at base each artery. In this Review, we discuss recent work that has shown bifurcated muscular sheets may effectively divide ventricle ‘chambers’. Preliminary research shows these chambers contract differentially; whether enables selective remains to be seen. Crustaceans are unusual in they can stop their for extended periods. These periods cardiac arrest become remarkably rhythmic, accounting significant portion repertoire. As crustaceans, changes rate have been used extensively measurement stress metabolism. We suggest pausing should also quantified context. past three decades, an exponential increase aquaculture occurred (and thereof) being understand responses farmed well providing indicator disease progression. Furthermore, summarized now effective humane methods anaesthetize, stun or euthanize crustaceans destined table use scientific research. believe incorporation new biomedical technology animal welfare policies will guide future directions field.

Language: Английский

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Seasonal variation in thermal tolerance and hypoxia tolerance of a threatened minnow and a non-imperilled congener: a cautionary tale for surrogate species in conservation

Conservation Physiology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Abstract Freshwater organisms face multiple threats to their ecosystems, including warming associated with climate change and low dissolved oxygen (environmental hypoxia), which are both increasing in frequency extent freshwater systems. Understanding tolerance thresholds for these environmental stressors as well the plasticity of responses is key informing conservation imperilled species. Direct measurement species can be difficult, use surrogate (non-imperilled but closely related) has been proposed a remedy, degree data representative not widely validated. In this study, we measured physiological performance two species: one federally listed Threatened Canada (Pugnose Shiner, Miniellus anogenus) non-imperilled congener (Blackchin heterodon). Hypoxia (critical tension loss equilibrium) upper thermal (CTmax) were streamside over period 5 months. We found that Pugnose Shiner had lower elevated temperature hypoxia than Blackchin Shiner. The also differed (DO). CTmax positive relationship DO such was lowered when low, whereas there no effect on showed response changes DO, while little plasticity. conclude may more sensitive heat waves change. assert researchers should cautious using inform limits highlight value measuring directly possible.

Language: Английский

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Oxidative status: A general but overlooked indicator of welfare across animal species?

BioEssays, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 46(8)

Published: June 4, 2024

Because of their ubiquity, plasticity, and direct effects on the nervous system, markers oxidative status may be great value to assess animal welfare across species conditions in wild. However, biologists have not yet seized this opportunity, possibly because validity these as indicators remains questionable. A validation process was, therefore, performed here using a meta-analytical approach considering three assumed impair animals. With very few exceptions, two four considered consistently varied negatively-valenced conditions. By highlighting current underrepresentation studies, by concretely illustrating that some can reflect negative affective states, article aims encourage include physiological toolbox better measure, monitor, perhaps also improve animals natural habitat.

Language: Английский

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Through the looking glass: attempting to predict future opportunities and challenges in experimental biology

Journal of Experimental Biology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 226(24)

Published: Dec. 7, 2023

ABSTRACT To celebrate its centenary year, Journal of Experimental Biology (JEB) commissioned a collection articles examining the past, present and future experimental biology. This Commentary closes by considering important research opportunities challenges that await us in future. We expect researchers will harness power technological advances, such as ‘-omics’ gene editing, to probe resistance resilience environmental change well other organismal responses. The capacity handle large data sets allow high-resolution be collected for individual animals understand population, species community availability also place greater emphasis on approaches modeling simulations. Finally, increasing sophistication biologgers more comprehensive wild. Collectively, these provide an unprecedented understanding ‘how work’ keys safeguarding at time when anthropogenic activities are degrading natural environment.

Language: Английский

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Pairing lab and field studies to predict thermal performance of wild fish

Journal of Thermal Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 119, P. 103780 - 103780

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

In thermally variable ecosystems, temperatures can change extensively on hourly and seasonal timescales requiring ectotherms to possess a broad thermal tolerance (critical minima [CTmin] maxima [CTmax]). However, whether fish acclimate in the laboratory similarly as they acclimatize field under comparable variation is unclear. We used temperature data from tidal salt marsh design 21-day lab-acclimation treatments (static: 12, 17, 22, 27 °C; daily with mean 22 °C: i) range 17-27 °C, ii) °C irregular extremes within 12-32 °C). compared limits lab-acclimated field-acclimatized eurythermal arrow goby (Clevelandia ios). Variable temperature-acclimated acclimatized had similar CTmin CTmax. Notably, gobies showed rapid plasticity their absolute one cycle. The max experienced were positively related CTmax CTmin, respectively. This study demonstrates that ecologically informed lab acclimation yield results are applicable wild fish.

Language: Английский

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Modulation of cell-mediated immunity during pregnancy in wild bonobos

Biology Letters, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 20(3)

Published: March 1, 2024

During pregnancy, the mammalian immune system must simultaneously protect against pathogens while being accommodating to foreign fetal tissues. Our current understanding of this modulation derives predominantly from industrialized human populations and laboratory animals. However, their environments differ considerably pathogen-rich, resource-scarce in which pregnancy co-evolved. For a better during challenging environments, we measured urinary neopterin, biomarker cell-mediated responses, 10 wild female bonobos ( Pan paniscus ) before, after pregnancy. Bonobos, sharing evolutionary roots characteristics with humans, serve as an ideal model for such investigation. Despite distinct hypothesized that is similar between humans. As predicted, neopterin levels were higher than outside highest third trimester, significant decline post-partum. findings suggest shared mechanisms humans are robust despite environmental conditions. We propose these patterns indicate immunological processes among hominins, possibly other primates. This finding enhances our reproductive immunology.

Language: Английский

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Evidence of the Impacts of Pharmaceuticals on Aquatic Animal Behaviour (EIPAAB): a systematic map and open access database

Published: Sept. 3, 2024

Background The global proliferation of pharmaceutical pollutants in aquatic ecosystems has emerged as a pressing environmental concern. These contaminants—designed to modulate biological functions at minute dosages—pose unique threat organisms, particularly through behavioural alterations. Recent years have seen surge scientific interest the use endpoints chemical risk assessment and regulatory activities, underscoring their importance for fitness survival. In parallel, research on how pollution, pharmaceuticals, alters behaviour animals appears grown rapidly. Despite this, there been notable absence systematic efforts consolidate summarise this field study. To address gap, our objectives are twofold: first, systematically identify, catalogue, synthesise primary articles effects pharmaceuticals animal behaviour; second, organise ‘Evidence Impacts Pharmaceuticals Aquatic Animal Behaviour’ (EIPAAB) into comprehensive open-access database scientists, policymakers, managers. Methods We searched two electronic databases (Web Science Scopus) supplemented these with additional article sources. search string followed Population–Exposure–Comparison–Outcome (PECO) framework capture that used an organism (population) test (exposure) (outcome). Eligible also needed control group (comparison). Articles were screened stages: initial screening title abstract, by full-text alongside data extraction. Decision trees designed priori appraise eligibility both stages. Information study validity was collected but not basis inclusion. Review findings identified 5,988 articles, which 901 included final EIPAAB database, representing 1,739 species-by-compound combinations. includes over 48 (1974–2022), most having focus (510) fewer relating medical basic topics (233 158, respectively). 173 distinct species 8 phyla 21 classes. Ray-finned fishes far common clade (75% evidence base). 426 compounds; frequently investigated groups antidepressants (28%), antiepileptics (11%), anxiolytics (10%). impacts locomotion boldness/anxiety behaviours assessed out 10 broad categories assigned (62 sub-categories total). Generally, we detected poor reporting and/or compliance several criteria, including experimental blinding, randomisation, compound details, treatment concentration verification. Conclusions: Our map revealed rapid increase area past 15 years. highlight multiple areas now suitable quantitative synthesis where is lacking. some obvious pitfalls method practice. More detailed would facilitate toxicology studies, assessment, management improve overall replicability area. can be tool closing knowledge methodological gaps future.

Language: Английский

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Acclimation temperature and parasite infection drive metabolic changes in a freshwater fish at different biological scales

Functional Ecology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Nov. 27, 2024

Abstract Environmental stressors such as elevated temperature and parasite infection can impact individual energy metabolism. However, organismal responses to co‐occurring their effects across biological scales remain unexplored despite the importance of integrative studies for accurately predicting resilience natural populations in changing environments. Using wild‐caught, naturally parasitized pumpkinseed sunfish, Lepomis gibbosus , we quantified changes cellular whole‐organism metabolism response infection. We acclimated pumpkinseeds 3 weeks at 20°C, 25°C or 30°C before measuring oxygen uptake ( Ṁ O 2 ) using intermittent flow‐respirometry quantify maximal standard metabolic rates (MMR SMR, respectively) aerobic scope (AS). also measured activity enzymes [citrate synthase (CS), respiratory complexes I + III IV electron transport system lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)] linked with bioenergetics fish heart, brain, spleen gills spectrophotometry. found no interactions between acclimation temperatures intensity on both were independently related metabolism, differing impacts scales. Whereas MMR increased temperature, this was not mirrored by increasing SMR decreasing AS, suggesting thermal compensation level. On a level, similar organs, all temperature. LDH remained higher than enzyme activities (CS, ETS IV) especially gills, where drastically 30°C. This may indicate stronger reliance anaerobic sustain performance high temperatures. Fish greater trematode had lower MMR. There relationships AS activity. Our work shows that have distinct metabolism: parasites are primarily while highlights among important ecological realism accurate predictions regarding population environmental changes. Read free Plain Language Summary article Journal blog.

Language: Английский

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The paradox of spring: Thyroid and glucocorticoid responses to cold temperatures and food availability in free living Carneddau ponies

Hormones and Behavior, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 161, P. 105526 - 105526

Published: March 18, 2024

In seasonal environments, maintaining a constant body temperature poses challenges for endotherms. Cold winters at high latitudes, with limited food availability, create opposing demands on metabolism: upregulation preserves but depletes energy reserves. Examining endocrine profiles, such as thyroid hormone triiodothyronine (T3) and glucocorticoids (GCs), proxies changes in metabolic rate acute stressors, offer insights into physiological trade-offs. We evaluated how environmental conditions gestation impact faecal metabolites (fT3Ms fGCMs) from late winter to spring free-living population of Carneddau ponies. Faecal T3Ms were highest February March, when temperatures lowest. Then, fT3Ms concentrations decreased throughout April the lowest May before increasing towards end study. The decline fT3M levels was associated warmer weather poor diet diversity composition. On other hand, fGCM did not display clear temporal pattern reproductive status, where pregnant lactating females had higher compared adult males non-reproductive females. profile highlights trade-offs changing environment. contrast, ephemeral synchronous increase across suggest shared experience stressors (i.e., weather, disturbance or social). This multi-biomarker approach can evaluate role versus budgets context interventions, reproduction, seasonality change, multiple scales individuals populations.

Language: Английский

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