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Kleinschmidt B, Dorsch M, Heinänen S, Morkūnas J, Schumm YR, Žydelis R, Quillfeldt P. Prevalence of Haemosporidian Parasites in an Arctic Breeding Seabird Species-The Red-Throated Diver ( Gavia stellata). Microorganisms 2022; 10:2147. [PMID: 36363741 PMCID: PMC9698892 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10112147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 10/24/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 02/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Haemosporida, vector-transmitted blood parasites, can have various effects and may also exert selection pressures on their hosts. In this study we analyse the presence of Haemosporida in a previously unstudied migratory seabird species, the red-throated diver Gavia stellata. Red-throated divers were sampled during winter and spring in the eastern German Bight (North Sea). We used molecular methods and data from a related tracking study to reveal (i) if red-throated divers are infected with Haemosporida of the genera Leucocytozoon, Plasmodium and Haemoproteus, and (ii) how infection and prevalence are linked with the breeding regions of infected individuals. Divers in this study were assigned to western Palearctic breeding grounds, namely Greenland, Svalbard, Norway and Arctic Russia. We found a prevalence of Leucocytozoon of 11.0% in all birds sampled (n = 45), of 33.0% in birds breeding in Norway (n = 3) and of 8.3% in birds breeding in Arctic Russia (n = 25). For two birds that were infected no breeding regions could be assigned. We identified two previously unknown lineages, one each of Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon. Haemosporida have not been detected in birds from Greenland (n = 2) and Svalbard (n = 2). In summary, this study presents the first record of Haemosporida in red-throated divers and reports a new lineage of each, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon GAVSTE01 and GAVSTE02, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Birgit Kleinschmidt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
- BioConsult SH, 25813 Husum, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Heinänen
- DHI, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
- Raasepori Campus (Raseborg), Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, 10600 Ekenäs, Finland
| | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Yvonne R. Schumm
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
| | - Ramūnas Žydelis
- DHI, 2970 Hørsholm, Denmark
- Ornitela UAB, 03228 Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, 35392 Giessen, Germany
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Forni P, Morkūnas J, Daunys D. Response of Long-Tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis) to the Change in the Main Prey Availability in Its Baltic Wintering Ground. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030355. [PMID: 35158678 PMCID: PMC8833716 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 01/22/2022] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Extreme change in the benthic macrofauna community after invasion of the bottom fish round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) in the eastern Baltic Sea, challenged the declining long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis) population at the wintering ground. The aim of this study was to assess the change in the diet of the long-tailed duck in two different seabed types: highly impacted hard-bottom and adjacent pristine soft-bottom habitats. The results showed a significant change in the diet in hard-bottom habitats, while the diet in soft-bottom habitats remained similar over time. At the same time, the body condition did not differ over time or between habitats, confirming the high foraging flexibility and the quick species response to the extreme changes in prey composition and availability. Abstract The long-tailed duck (Clangula hyemalis) is a vulnerable and declining species wintering in the Baltic Sea. The introduction of the invasive fish, the round goby (Neogobius melanostomus), dramatically impacted the benthic macrofauna in hard-bottom habitats, while no significant changes occurred in soft-bottom benthic macrofauna. Therefore, we aimed to assess the extent to which the diet of long-tailed ducks changed in two different bottom types. We analysed the stomach content of 251 long-tailed ducks bycaught in gillnets from 2016 to 2020 in hard- and soft-bottom habitats and compared these results with those published by Žydelis and Ruškyte (2005). The results show that the long-tailed duck experienced a change in diet in hard-bottom habitats, shifting from the blue mussel to Hediste diversicolor, barnacles, and fish. In soft-bottom habitats, their diet remained similar over time and was based on H. diversicolor, a few bivalve species, and Saduria entomon. There was no evidence of significant differences in diet between sex or age. Despite the abovementioned changes in diet, the average body condition of the species did not change over time or between habitats. This confirms that long-tailed ducks have high feeding flexibility and quick species response to changes in prey availability, as they are capable of shifting their diet to new prey.
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Morkūnas J, Biveinytė V, Balčiūnas A, Morkūnė R. The broader isotopic niche of Long-tailed Duck Clangula hyemalis implies a higher risk of ingesting plastic and non-plastic debris than for other diving seabirds. Mar Pollut Bull 2021; 173:113065. [PMID: 34741923 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113065] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [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: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study presents the first data relating to debris ingestion by diving seabirds wintering in the south-eastern Baltic Sea, sets baselines for further studies and presents the first global record of plastic ingestion in Long-tailed Duck (Clangula hyemalis). Three of the six studied seabird species, and 2.1% of all 524 examined individuals collected from fishery bycatch, had ingested marine debris. Frequency of ingestion of Long-tailed Duck, Common Murre (Uria aalge) and Red-throated Loon (Gavia stellata) were 5.0%, 4.5% and 3.0% debris respectively, dominated by plastic objects. Providing detailed information about the studied individuals and the debris, this initiates discussion about diving birds' sensitivity to marine debris - it may depend on the feeding preferences of the birds, expressed as isotopic niches in this paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Universiteto av.17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Veronika Biveinytė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Universiteto av.17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Arūnas Balčiūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Universiteto av.17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Rasa Morkūnė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Universiteto av.17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania
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Vaičiūtė D, Bučas M, Bresciani M, Dabulevičienė T, Gintauskas J, Mėžinė J, Tiškus E, Umgiesser G, Morkūnas J, De Santi F, Bartoli M. Hot moments and hotspots of cyanobacteria hyperblooms in the Curonian Lagoon (SE Baltic Sea) revealed via remote sensing-based retrospective analysis. Sci Total Environ 2021; 769:145053. [PMID: 33736231 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [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: 08/19/2020] [Revised: 01/02/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A temporally and spatially detailed historical (1985-2018) analysis of cyanobacteria blooms was performed in the Curonian Lagoon (Lithuania, Russia), the largest coastal lagoon in the Baltic Sea. Satellite data allowed the mapping of cyanobacteria surface accumulations, so-called "scums", and of chlorophyll-a concentration. The 34-year time series shows a tendency towards later occurrence (October-November) of the cyanobacteria scum presence, whereas the period of its onset (June-July) remains relatively constant. The periods when scums are present, "hot moments", have been consistently increasing in duration since 2008. The differences in the starting, ending and annual duration of cyanobacteria blooms have been significantly altered by hydro-meteorological conditions (river discharge, water temperature, and wind conditions) and their year-round patterns. The most important environmental factors that determined the temporal changes of the scum presence and area were the standing stock of cyanobacteria and the ambient wind conditions. The "hotspots", the areas where the blooms most likely occur, were distributed in the south-southwestern and central parts of the lagoon. The least affected areas were the northern part, which is connected to the coastal waters of the Baltic Sea, and the Nemunas River delta region. The longstanding, well-established spatial patterns of cyanobacteria blooms were linked to hydrodynamic features, namely water renewal time and current patterns, and to potential nutrient sources that included muddy sediments and the locations of colonies of piscivorous birds. Our findings confirmed that the annual and seasonal variations of cyanobacteria blooms and their regulation are a complex issue due to interactions between multiple factors over spatially and temporally broad scales. Despite great progress in the prevention and control of eutrophication and cyanobacteria blooms, the lagoon is still considered to be in a poor ecological status. This work provides a new and missing understanding on the spatial and temporal extent of cyanobacteria blooms and the factors that govern them. Such an understanding can help in planning management strategies, forecasting the magnitude and severity of blooms under changing nutrient loads and potential climate scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Vaičiūtė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Martynas Bučas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Mariano Bresciani
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Toma Dabulevičienė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Jonas Gintauskas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Jovita Mėžinė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Edvinas Tiškus
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Georg Umgiesser
- Institute of Marine Sciences (ISMAR), National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, Castello 2737/f, 30122 Venice, Italy; Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania.
| | - Francesca De Santi
- Institute for Electromagnetic Sensing of the Environment (IREA), National Research Council (CNR) of Italy, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Marco Bartoli
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Universiteto Ave. 17, 92294 Klaipėda, Lithuania; Department of Chemistry, Life Science and Environmental Sustainability, Parma University, 43124 Parma, Italy.
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Heinänen S, Žydelis R, Kleinschmidt B, Dorsch M, Burger C, Morkūnas J, Quillfeldt P, Nehls G. Satellite telemetry and digital aerial surveys show strong displacement of red-throated divers (Gavia stellata) from offshore wind farms. Mar Environ Res 2020; 160:104989. [PMID: 32907727 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2020.104989] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [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: 12/08/2019] [Revised: 04/06/2020] [Accepted: 04/09/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Expansion of offshore wind energy is vital for the reduction of CO2 emissions. However, offshore wind farms may negatively impact the environment without proper planning. Here we assess the robustness of the conclusions of earlier studies that the strictly protected red-throated diver, Gavia stellata, is strongly displaced from wind farms in the German Bight (North Sea). We modelled the distribution of divers based on two independent data sets, digital aerial surveys and satellite telemetry, in relation to the dynamic offshore environment and anthropogenic pressures. Both data types found that divers were strongly displaced from wind farms in suitable habitat. The displacement effect gradually decreased with distance from the wind farms (being very strong up to 5 km away), but a significant effect could be detected up to 10-15 km away. The telemetry data further indicated that the displacement distance decreased with decreasing visibility. The displacement distance was also shorter during the day than during the night, potentially as a response to aviation and navigation lights of the wind farms. These findings should be taken into consideration in marine spatial planning to avoid cumulative impacts on red-throated diver populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefan Heinänen
- DHI, Agern Allé 5, DK-2970, Hørsholm, Denmark; Novia University of Applied Sciences, Raseborgsvägen 9, 10600, Ekenäs, Finland.
| | - Ramūnas Žydelis
- DHI, Agern Allé 5, DK-2970, Hørsholm, Denmark; Ornitela UAB, Švitrigailos g 11K-109, LT-03228, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Birgit Kleinschmidt
- BioConsult SH, Schobüller Str. 36, Husum, 25813, Germany; Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Monika Dorsch
- BioConsult SH, Schobüller Str. 36, Husum, 25813, Germany
| | - Claudia Burger
- BioConsult SH, Schobüller Str. 36, Husum, 25813, Germany
| | | | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Georg Nehls
- BioConsult SH, Schobüller Str. 36, Husum, 25813, Germany
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Morkūnė R, Marčiukaitis M, Jurkin V, Gecevičius G, Morkūnas J, Raudonikis L, Markevičius A, Narščius A, Gasiūnaitė ZR. Wind energy development and wildlife conservation in Lithuania: A mapping tool for conflict assessment. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0227735. [PMID: 31940412 PMCID: PMC6961939 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0227735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 05/21/2019] [Accepted: 12/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The paper presents a mapping tool aiming to identify and minimise potential conflicts between onshore wind energy development and wildlife conservation in Lithuania. It merges current information on the distribution, conservation status and sensitivity of birds and bats to wind power with an integrated evaluation of wind resources (modelled wind speed), special planning status and technical perspectives of wind energy development. The paper includes assessment of the selected wildlife species which were described as sensitive to wind power (69 breeding and 43 migratory bird species and 17 bat species bats in the country). Used species level information allowed the precise identification of sensitive territories and might be used to mitigate negative wind farm effects using special measures based on species behavior. Finally, we delivered overlaps as possible conflicts among the most promising wind farm areas and the areas with high sensitivity in relation to bird and bat distribution. These overlaps point to the required attention and relevant decisions that are needed to ensure sustainable development of wind energy throughout the country. We suggest this tool for initial determination of appropriate areas for wind energy development in the country and as supplement to Environmental Impact Assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Morkūnė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania
- * E-mail:
| | | | - Viačeslav Jurkin
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania
- Coastal Research and Planning Institute, Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | | | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania
- Lithuanian ornithological society, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | | | | | - Aleksas Narščius
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania
| | - Zita R. Gasiūnaitė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipėda, Lithuania
- Coastal Research and Planning Institute, Klaipėda, Lithuania
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Burger C, Schubert A, Heinänen S, Dorsch M, Kleinschmidt B, Žydelis R, Morkūnas J, Quillfeldt P, Nehls G. A novel approach for assessing effects of ship traffic on distributions and movements of seabirds. J Environ Manage 2019; 251:109511. [PMID: 31539703 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [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: 02/08/2019] [Revised: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 09/01/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Marine habitats are nowadays strongly affected by human activities, while for many species the consequences of these impacts are still unclear. The red-throated diver (Gavia stellata) has been reported to be sensitive to ship traffic and other anthropogenic pressures and is consequently of high conservation concern. We studied red-throated divers in the German Bight (North Sea) using satellite telemetry and digital aerial surveys with the aim of assessing effects of ship traffic on the distribution and movements of this species during the non-breeding season. Data from the automatic identification system of ships (AIS) were intersected with bird data and allowed detailed spatial and temporal analyses. During the study period, ship traffic was present throughout the main distribution area of divers. Depending on impact radius, only small areas existed in which ship traffic was present on less than 20% of the days. Ship traffic was dominated by fishing vessels and cargo ships, but also wind farm-related ships were frequently recorded. Red-throated divers were more abundant in areas with no or little concurrent ship traffic. Analysis of aerial survey data revealed strong effects of ship speed on divers: in areas with vessels sailing at high speed only a slow resettlement of the area was observed after the disturbance, while in areas with vessels sailing at medium speed the resettlement was more rapid during the observed time period of 7 hours. Data from satellite-tracking of divers suggest that large relocation distances of individuals are related to disturbance by ships which often trigger birds to take flight. Effective measures to reduce disturbance could include channeled traffic in sensitive areas, as well as speed limits for ships traveling within the protected marine area.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Stefan Heinänen
- DHI, Hørsholm, 2970, Denmark; Novia University of Applied Sciences, Ekenäs, 10600, Finland
| | | | - Birgit Kleinschmidt
- BioConsult SH GmbH & Co.KG, Husum, 25813, Germany; Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Ramūnas Žydelis
- DHI, Hørsholm, 2970, Denmark; Ornitela UAB, Vilnius, 03228, Lithuania
| | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipėda University, Klaipėda, 92294, Lithuania
| | - Petra Quillfeldt
- Department of Animal Ecology and Systematics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, 35392, Germany
| | - Georg Nehls
- BioConsult SH GmbH & Co.KG, Husum, 25813, Germany
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Field R, Crawford R, Enever R, Linkowski T, Martin G, Morkūnas J, Morkūnė R, Rouxel Y, Oppel S. High contrast panels and lights do not reduce bird bycatch in Baltic Sea gillnet fisheries. Glob Ecol Conserv 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Morkūnė R, Lesutienė J, Morkūnas J, Barisevičiūtė R. Triple stable isotope analysis to estimate the diet of the Velvet Scoter ( Melanitta fusca) in the Baltic Sea. PeerJ 2018; 6:e5128. [PMID: 29967754 PMCID: PMC6026463 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.5128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 06/07/2018] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This study quantifies contributions of different food sources in the winter diet of the Velvet Scoter (Melanitta fusca) in coastal waters of the Lithuanian Baltic Sea using non-lethal avian sampling. We highlight the application of stable sulphur isotope ratios as complementary to stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis in order to discriminate sandy bottom macrozoobenthos organisms as potential food sources for the Velvet Scoter. Selection of the most relevant trophic enrichment factors and Monte Carlo simulations in order to choose the best fitted model were undertaken. The stable isotope mixing model revealed the main contributions of a group of bivalves, Mya arenaria and Cerastoderma glaucum, to be 46–54%, and while the crustacean, Saduria entomon, comprised 26–35% of the diet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rasa Morkūnė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Jūratė Lesutienė
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Julius Morkūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, Klaipeda, Lithuania
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