1
|
Muñoz-Arnanz J, Cortés-Avizanda A, Donázar-Aramendía I, Arrondo E, Ceballos O, Colomer-Vidal P, Jiménez B, Donázar JA. Levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and the role of anthropic subsidies in the diet of avian scavengers tracked by stable isotopes. Environ Pollut 2024; 343:123188. [PMID: 38123115 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) have been identified as a significant factor driving declines in wildlife populations. These contaminants exhibit a dual tendency to biomagnify up the food chains and persist within tissues, rendering long-lived vertebrates, such as raptors, highly vulnerable to their adverse effects. We assessed the concentrations of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in fledglings of two vulture species, the Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) and the griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus), coexisting in northern Spain. Vultures, currently facing a severe threat with a population decline exceeding 90%, represent one of the most critically endangered avian groups in the Old World. Despite this critical situation, there remains a scarcity of research examining the intricate relationship between contaminant levels and individual foraging behaviors. In parallel, we analyzed stable isotope levels (δ15N and δ13C) in fledgling's feathers and prey hair to determine the association between individual dietary and contaminant burdens. Our findings revealed higher levels of PCBs in Egyptian vultures, while pesticide concentrations remained very similar between focal species. Furthermore, higher individual values of δ13C, indicating a diet based on intensive farming carcasses and landfills, were associated with higher levels of PCBs. While the levels of POPs found do not raise immediate alarm, the presence of individuals with unusually high values reveals the existence of accessible contamination sources in the environment for avian scavengers. The increasing reliance of these birds on intensive livestock farming and landfills, due to the decline of extensive livestock farming, necessitates long-term monitoring of potential contaminant effects on their populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J Muñoz-Arnanz
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain.
| | - A Cortés-Avizanda
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Av. Reina Mercedes 6, 41012, Seville, Spain; Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| | - I Donázar-Aramendía
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Seville Aquarium R + D + I Biological Research Area, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biology, University of Sevilla, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | - E Arrondo
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain; Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche, Spain; Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Spain
| | - O Ceballos
- UGARRA, Avda. Carlos III 1, 31002, Pamplona, Navarre, Spain
| | - P Colomer-Vidal
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - B Jiménez
- Department of Instrumental Analysis and Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Organic Chemistry (IQOG-CSIC), Juan de la Cierva 3, 28006, Madrid, Spain
| | - J A Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092, Seville, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Gómez‐López G, Sanz‐Aguilar A, Carrete M, Arrondo E, Benítez JR, Ceballos O, Cortés‐Avizanda A, de Pablo F, Donázar JA, Frías Ó, Gangoso L, García‐Alfonso M, González JL, Grande JM, Serrano D, Tella JL, Blanco G. Insularity determines nestling sex ratio variation in Egyptian vulture populations. Ecol Evol 2023; 13:e10371. [PMID: 37529590 PMCID: PMC10385291 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.10371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Variation in offspring sex ratio, particularly in birds, has been frequently studied over the last century, although seldom using long-term monitoring data. In raptors, the cost of raising males and females is not equal, and several variables have been found to have significant effects on sex ratio, including food availability, parental age, and hatching order. Sex ratio differences between island populations and their mainland counterparts have been poorly documented, despite broad scientific literature on the island syndrome reporting substantial differences in population demography and ecology. Here, we assessed individual and environmental factors potentially affecting the secondary sex ratio of the long-lived Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus. We used data collected from Spanish mainland and island populations over a ca. 30-year period (1995-2021) to assess the effects of insularity, parental age, breeding phenology, brood size, hatching order, type of breeding unit (pairs vs. trios), and spatial and temporal variability on offspring sex ratio. No sex bias was found at the population level, but two opposite trends were observed between mainland and island populations consistent with the island syndrome. Offspring sex ratio was nonsignificantly female-biased in mainland Spain (0.47, n = 1112) but significantly male-biased in the Canary Islands (0.55, n = 499), where a male-biased mortality among immatures could be compensating for offspring biases and maintaining a paired adult sex ratio. Temporal and spatial variation in food availability might also have some influence on sex ratio, although the difficulties in quantifying them preclude us from determining the magnitude of such influence. This study shows that insularity influences the offspring sex ratio of the Egyptian vulture through several processes that can affect island and mainland populations differentially. Our research contributes to improving our understanding of sex allocation theory by investigating whether sex ratio deviations from parity are possible as a response to changing environments comprised by multiple and complexly interrelated factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Guillermo Gómez‐López
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural SciencesSpanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of BiologyComplutense University of MadridMadridSpain
| | - Ana Sanz‐Aguilar
- Animal Demography and Ecology GroupInstitut Mediterrani d'Estudis Avançats, Spanish National Research CouncilMallorcaSpain
- Applied Zoology and Conservation GroupUniversitat de les Illes BalearsPalmaSpain
| | - Martina Carrete
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural SystemsPablo de Olavide UniversitySevillaSpain
| | - Eneko Arrondo
- Department of ZoologyUniversity of GranadaGranadaSpain
- Department of Applied BiologyMiguel Hernández UniversityElcheSpain
| | - José Ramón Benítez
- Department of BiodiversityAgencia de Medioambiente y Agua, Junta de AndalucíaSevillaSpain
| | | | - Ainara Cortés‐Avizanda
- Department of Plant Biology and EcologyUniversity of SevilleSevillaSpain
- Department of Conservation BiologyDoñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research CouncilSevillaSpain
| | - Félix de Pablo
- Department of Environment and Biosphere ReserveConsell Insular de Menorca, PlazaMaóSpain
| | - José Antonio Donázar
- Department of Conservation BiologyDoñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research CouncilSevillaSpain
| | - Óscar Frías
- Department of Physical, Chemical and Natural SystemsPablo de Olavide UniversitySevillaSpain
| | - Laura Gangoso
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Faculty of BiologyComplutense University of MadridMadridSpain
| | - Marina García‐Alfonso
- Department of Conservation BiologyDoñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research CouncilSevillaSpain
| | - José Luis González
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural SciencesSpanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| | | | - David Serrano
- Department of Conservation BiologyDoñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research CouncilSevillaSpain
| | - José Luis Tella
- Department of Conservation BiologyDoñana Biological Station, Spanish National Research CouncilSevillaSpain
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, National Museum of Natural SciencesSpanish National Research CouncilMadridSpain
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Arrondo E, Sebastián-González E, Moleón M, Morales-Reyes Z, María Gil-Sánchez J, Cortés-Avizanda A, Ceballos O, Donázar JA, Sánchez-Zapata JA. Vulture culture: dietary specialization of an obligate scavenger. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20221951. [PMID: 37132232 PMCID: PMC10154924 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2022.1951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Individual dietary variation has important ecological and evolutionary consequences. However, it has been overlooked in many taxa that are thought to have homogeneous diets. This is the case of vultures, considered merely as 'carrion eaters'. Given their high degree of sociality, vultures are an excellent model to investigate how inter-individual transmissible behaviours drive individual dietary variation. Here, we combine GPS-tracking and accelerometers with an exhaustive fieldwork campaign to identify the individual diet of 55 griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) from two Spanish populations that partially overlap in their foraging areas. We found that individuals from the more humanized population consumed more anthropic resources (e.g. stabled livestock or rubbish), resulting in more homogeneous diets. By contrast, individuals from the wilder population consumed more wild ungulates, increasing their dietary variability. Between sexes, we found that males consumed anthropic resources more than females did. Interestingly, in the shared foraging area, vultures retained the dietary preference of their original population, highlighting a strong cultural component. Overall, these results expand the role of cultural traits in shaping key behaviours and call for the need of including cultural traits in Optimal Foraging models, especially in those species that strongly rely on social information while foraging.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Eneko Arrondo
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche 03312, Spain
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Cartuja TA-10, Edificio I, C. Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada 18003, Spain
| | | | - Marcos Moleón
- Department of Zoology, University of Granada, Granada 18003, Spain
| | - Zebensui Morales-Reyes
- Instituto de Estudios Sociales Avanzados (IESA), CSIC, Campo Santo de los Mártires, 7, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
| | | | - Ainara Cortés-Avizanda
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Cartuja TA-10, Edificio I, C. Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Department of Plant Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Avda. Reina Mercedes s/n, 41012, Seville, Spain
| | | | - José Antonio Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana (CSIC), Cartuja TA-10, Edificio I, C. Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José Antonio Sánchez-Zapata
- Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria y Agroambiental (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University, Elche 03312, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Cortés-Avizanda A, Pereira HM, McKee E, Ceballos O, Martín-López B. Social actors' perceptions of wildlife: Insights for the conservation of species in Mediterranean protected areas. Ambio 2022; 51:990-1000. [PMID: 34251598 PMCID: PMC8847512 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01546-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2020] [Revised: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 02/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
In the current Anthropocene Era, with numerous escalating challenges for biodiversity conservation, the inclusion of the social dimension into management decisions regarding wildlife and protected areas is critical to their success. By conducting 354 questionnaires in a Mediterranean protected area (the Biosphere Reserve of Bardenas Reales, Northern Spain), we aim to determine sociodemographic factors influencing knowledge levels and perceptions of species and functional groups as, emblematic and threatened. We found that hunters and animal husbandry workers knew more species than other social actors. Additionally, the perception of functional groups as threatened or emblematic differed between social actor groups, with statistically significant associations between perceptions and the characteristics of respondents. Interestingly, we found that although elusive steppe species are globally considered as endangered, these species were the least known by all social actor groups and rarely perceived as emblematic. This research is a novel approach and provides a better understanding of how perceptions can facilitate conservation decisions, particularly regarding endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ainara Cortés-Avizanda
- Departamento de Biología Vegetal y Ecología, Faculty of Biology, University of Seville, Av. Reina Mercedes s/n, 41012 Seville, Spain
- Department of Conservation Biology, EBD (CSIC), C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Infraestruturas de Portugal Biodiversity-Chair CIBIO-InBIO Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos da Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, nº 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
| | - Henrique M. Pereira
- Infraestruturas de Portugal Biodiversity-Chair CIBIO-InBIO Centro de Investigacão em Biodiversidade e Recursos Geneticos da Universidade do Porto, Campus Agrário de Vairão, Rua Padre Armando Quintas, nº 7, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv) Halle-Jena-Leipzig, Deutscher Platz 5e, 04103 Leipzig, Germany
- Institute of Biology, Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg, Am Kirchtor 1, 06108 Halle, Saale Germany
| | - Ellen McKee
- Department of Conservation Biology, EBD (CSIC), C/. Americo Vespucio 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Berta Martín-López
- Faculty of Sustainability, Leuphana University of Lüneburg, Universtitätsalle 1, 21355 Lüneburg, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Donázar JA, Ceballos O, Cortés-Avizanda A. Tourism in protected areas: Disentangling road and traffic effects on intra-guild scavenging processes. Sci Total Environ 2018; 630:600-608. [PMID: 29494969 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.186] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2017] [Revised: 02/15/2018] [Accepted: 02/15/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The expansion of road networks and the increase in traffic have emerged in recent years as key threats to the conservation of biodiversity. This is particularly concerning in many protected areas because the increase of recreational activities requiring the use of vehicles. Effects of roads and traffic within guild scenarios and ecological processes remain however poorly known. Here we examined how road proximity and traffic intensity influence patterns of resource use in an Old-World avian scavenger guild living in a protected natural park in northern Spain. We experimentally placed 130 carcasses at different distances from a scenic road in the centre of the park. Vehicles were recorded by means of traffic counters which revealed that maximum numbers were reached during weekends and holidays and during the middle hours of the day. Avian scavenger attendance at carcasses was recorded by means of camera-traps. Obligated scavengers, Eurasian griffon (Gyps fulvus) and Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) were frequently observed (59.4% and 37.7% of the consumed carcasses) together with five other facultative scavenger species. We found that the richness (number of species) and the probability of consumption of the resource were reduced the smaller the distance to the road and in days with higher traffic intensity. The same factors affected the probability of presence of all the scavenger species. Moreover, some of them, notably griffon vultures, showed hourly patterns of carcass attendance suggesting avoidance of maximum traffic levels. Our results highlight that roads and traffic would trigger consequences on the structure and functioning of scavenger food webs, which may be particularly concerning in protected areas with remarkable levels of biodiversity. Future regulations at protected areas should couple both traffic and tourist affluence with wildlife conservation. In this way important ecological processes would be preserved while maintaining a good dissemination of natural values.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- José Antonio Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Ainara Cortés-Avizanda
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC, C/Américo Vespucio, 26, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; Animal Ecology and Demography Group, IMEDEA (CSIC-UIB), Miguel Marques 21, 07190 Esporles, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Sanz-Aguilar A, Cortés-Avizanda A, Serrano D, Blanco G, Ceballos O, Grande JM, Tella JL, Donázar JA. Sex- and age-dependent patterns of survival and breeding success in a long-lived endangered avian scavenger. Sci Rep 2017; 7:40204. [PMID: 28074860 PMCID: PMC5225485 DOI: 10.1038/srep40204] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2016] [Accepted: 12/05/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
In long-lived species, the age-, stage- and/or sex-dependent patterns of survival and reproduction determine the evolution of life history strategies, the shape of the reproductive value, and ultimately population dynamics. We evaluate the combined effects of age and sex in recruitment, breeder survival and breeding success of the globally endangered Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus), using 31-years of exhaustive data on marked individuals in Spain. Mean age of first reproduction was 7-yrs for both sexes, but females showed an earlier median and a larger variance than males. We found an age-related improvement in breeding success at the population level responding to the selective appearance and disappearance of phenotypes of different quality but unrelated to within-individual aging effects. Old males (≥8 yrs) showed a higher survival than both young males (≤7 yrs) and females, these later in turn not showing aging effects. Evolutionary trade-offs between age of recruitment and fitness (probably related to costs of territory acquisition and defense) as well as human-related mortality may explain these findings. Sex- and age-related differences in foraging strategies and susceptibility to toxics could be behind the relatively low survival of females and young males, adding a new concern for the conservation of this endangered species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ana Sanz-Aguilar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Americo Vespucio s/n, Isla La Cartuja E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Population Ecology Group, Instituto Mediterráneo de Estudios Avanzados (CSIC-UIB), Miquel Marqués 21, E-07190 Esporles, Islas Baleares, Spain
- Ecology Area, Department of Applied Biology, Miguel Hernández University. Avda. de la Universidad s/n, E-03202 Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | - Ainara Cortés-Avizanda
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Americo Vespucio s/n, Isla La Cartuja E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
- Infraestruturas de Portugal Biodiversity Chair CIBIO/InBIO. Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, Universidade do Porto. Campus Agrário de Vairão, 4485-661 Vairão, Portugal
- CEABN/InBio, Centro de Ecologia Aplicada “Professor Baeta Neves”, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - David Serrano
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Americo Vespucio s/n, Isla La Cartuja E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Guillermo Blanco
- Department of Evolutionary Ecology, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, José Gutiérrez Abascal 2, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Juan M. Grande
- Instituto de Ciencias de la Tierra y Ambientales de La Pampa, CONICET, Avda. Uruguay 151, 6300 Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
- Centro para el Estudio y Conservación de las Aves Rapaces en Argentina, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Universidad Nacional de La Pampa, Avda. Uruguay 151, 6300 Santa Rosa, La Pampa, Argentina
| | - José L. Tella
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Americo Vespucio s/n, Isla La Cartuja E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José A. Donázar
- Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC. Americo Vespucio s/n, Isla La Cartuja E-41092 Sevilla, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Ceballos O, Donazar JA. Parent-offspring Conflict during the Post-fledging Period in the Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus (Aves, Accipitridae). Ethology 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0310.1990.tb00402.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
8
|
Carrete M, Lambertucci SA, Speziale K, Ceballos O, Travaini A, Delibes M, Hiraldo F, Donázar JA. Winners and losers in human-made habitats: interspecific competition outcomes in two Neotropical vultures. Anim Conserv 2010. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-1795.2010.00352.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
9
|
Grande JM, Serrano D, Tavecchia G, Carrete M, Ceballos O, Díaz-Delgado R, Tella JL, Donázar JA. Survival in a long-lived territorial migrant: effects of life-history traits and ecological conditions in wintering and breeding areas. OIKOS 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2009.17218.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
|
10
|
Grande JM, Serrano D, Tavecchia G, Carrete M, Ceballos O, Díaz-Delgado R, Tella JL, Donázar JA. Survival in a long-lived territorial migrant: effects of life-history traits and ecological conditions in wintering and breeding areas. OIKOS 2009. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0706.2008.17218.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
|
11
|
Affiliation(s)
- A. Travaini
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Apartado 1056, 41080 Sevilla, Spain
| | - M. Delibes
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, Apartado 1056, 41080 Sevilla, Spain
| | - O. Ceballos
- Grupo de Estudios Biológicos Ugarra, Carlos III 19, 4′I, 31002 Pamplona, Spain
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Forero MG, Tella JL, Donázar JA, Blanco G, Bertellotti M, Ceballos O. Phenotypic assortative mating and within-pair sexual dimorphism and its influence on breeding success and offspring quality in Magellanic penguins. CAN J ZOOL 2001. [DOI: 10.1139/z01-088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
We examined within-pair sexual dimorphism and phenotypic assortative mating in Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) breeding in six colonies located on the Patagonian coast (Argentina). All measured phenotypic traits except the number of pectoral spots differed between the sexes; bill depth and flipper length were the most and least dimorphic traits, respectively. We found assortative mating by bill depth and body mass. The similarity in body condition within pairs was close to significant. When we performed separate correlations for birds that bred successfully, i.e., raised one or two offsprings, and birds that did not attempt to breed or bred unsuccessfully, only the successful breeders showed assortative mating by body mass. In addition, we attempted to relate the body size of each member of the pair and the degree of sexual dimorphism within pairs to the breeding performance of individuals, which was measured as brood size, and body condition and immunocompetence of offspring. We found that pairs that were less dimorphic in flipper length raised more offspring. This effect was due to female flipper length per se and not to the relative difference in flipper length between members of the pair. Females with larger flippers had a higher probability of raising two chicks. No effects of body measurements or degree of sexual dimorphism on body condition or T-cell-mediated immune response of offspring were found. We discuss these results in the context of potential factors responsible for the maintenance of sexual size dimorphism in this species.
Collapse
|
13
|
Tella JL, Forero MG, Bertellotti M, Donázar JA, Blanco G, Ceballos O. Offspring body condition and immunocompetence are negatively affected by high breeding densities in a colonial seabird: a multiscale approach. Proc Biol Sci 2001; 268:1455-61. [PMID: 11454288 PMCID: PMC1088763 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2001.1688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 88] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Why avian colonies vary in size and how food competition among nearby colonies affects offspring quality are still not completely understood. We simultaneously examined the effects of four scales of breeding density on two measures of offspring viability (body condition and T-cell-mediated immunity) in the colonial Magellanic penguin. Body condition of fledglings was inversely correlated with breeding density within 100 m(2) of nests, and decreased with increasing numbers of breeding pairs competing within the parental foraging ranges (100 km), probably as a result of density-dependent food depletion. The T-cell-mediated immune response was positively correlated with body condition, reflecting, to some extent, the previous breeding-density effects, and was negatively correlated with colony size, which may be related to social stress. However, given the effect of protein intake on cell immunity, this result could also indicate a thus far neglected cost of coloniality, namely the consumption of low-protein food to compensate for the depletion of optimal prey. These results were not influenced by other traits, nor by the current exposure of birds to parasites and diseases, as measured by serological variables. Since body condition and the T-cell-mediated immune response of fledgling birds are indicators of their survival and recruitment prospects, the costs we have identified can explain variability in colony size in relation to food competition with surrounding colonies, as well as the skewed distribution toward small colonies in this species.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J L Tella
- Department of Applied Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Pabellón del Perú, Avda. M. Luisa s/n, E- 41013 Sevilla, Spain.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
14
|
Donázar JA, Travaini A, Ceballos O, Rodríguez A, Delibes M, Hiraldo F. Effects of sex-associated competitive asymmetries on foraging group structure and despotic distribution in Andean condors. Behav Ecol Sociobiol 1999. [DOI: 10.1007/s002650050539] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
|
15
|
Travaini A, Donazar JA, Rodriguez A, Ceballos O, Funes M, Delibes M, Hiraldo F. Use of European hare (Lepus europaeus) carcasses by an avian scavenging assemblage in Patagonia. J Zool (1987) 1998. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1998.tb00146.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
|
16
|
Donazar JA, Travaini A, Rodriguez A, Ceballos O, Hiraldo F. Nesting Association of Raptors and Buff-Necked Ibis in the Argentinean Patagonia. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1996. [DOI: 10.2307/1521813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|
17
|
Donazar J, Ceballos O. Selective Predation by Eagle Owls Bubo bubo on Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus: Age and Sex Preferences. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 1989. [DOI: 10.2307/3676878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
|