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Stress in birds has been widely studied through the measurement of heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio). In this study we aimed to assess for the first time the potential variation of stress, measured as H/L ratio, associated to geography (between-country variation) and seasonality (between seasons and within the breeding season), as well as the leukocyte profiles, in the threatened Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti), using samples from Spain and Morocco. Furthermore, we tested whether variation in H/L ratio was associated with variables such as population density, presence of blood parasites and individual body condition. We found that H/L ratio did not vary between countries, but individuals captured during the breeding season showed higher values of H/L compared to non-breeding ones. Neither male density, nor date within the breeding season had an effect on the H/L ratio. In Spain, individuals with higher body condition showed lower H/L ratio regardless of whether they were malaria-infected. In Morocco, malaria-infected individuals showed higher values of H/L ratio than the non-infected birds. Moreover, we found that our average values of H/L ratio in Morocco were within the ranges of other passerines, but not in Spain. Individuals with higher H/L ratios may be more stressed or present higher capability to face stressful situations. Although H/L ratio is a useful and relatively easy way to obtain measure of stress, the impact that the environment might have on stress and the way it is explained by H/L ratio must be addressed carefully. This study provides new insight for this species’ biology and provides useful reference information to test the status and survival of other populations.

The European turtle dove population and breeding range has declined sharply in Spain. This study reanalyses data from the Atlas of Breeding Birds in Alicante (SE Spain), aiming to identify the main variables related to its occurrence and abundance. We used hierarchical partitioning analysis to identify important environmental variables associated with natural vegetation, farming, hydrological web, anthropic presence, climate, and topography. Analysis combining the most explicative variables of each group identified the mixture of pines and scrubland in the semiarid areas and the length of unpaved roads as the most important variables with a positive effect on occurrence, while herbaceous crops and scrublands in dry ombrotype climate areas had the most important negative effect. Abundance was related only to the availability of water points. We discuss the implications of these findings for habitat management in conservation of this species., La población y el área de reproducción de la tórtola europea han disminuido considerablemente en España. En el presente estudio realizamos un nuevo análisis de los datos obtenidos para la elaboración del Atlas de Aves Reproductoras de Alicante (SE de España) con el objetivo de identificar las principales variables relacionadas con la presencia y la abundancia de esta especie. Utilizamos el análisis de partición jerárquica para identificar estas variables ambientales (vegetación natural, agricultura, red hidrológica, presencia antrópica, clima y topografía). El análisis que combinó las variables más explicativas de cada grupo permitió determinar que la mezcla de pinos y matorrales en zonas semiáridas y a lo largo de las carreteras sin asfaltar es la variable que tuvo el mayor efecto positivo en la presencia de la tórtola, mientras que la mezcla de cultivos herbáceos y matorrales en el ombrotipo seco es la que tuvo el mayor efecto negativo. La abundancia solo se relacionó con la disponibilidad de puntos de agua. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados con respecto a la gestión del hábitat para la conservación de esta especie.

Noise is a pollutant of emergent concern for ecologists and conservation biologists. Recreational noise pollution, especially unpredictable and intermittent sounds, and its effects on wildlife and biodiversity have been poorly studied. Researchers have paid very little attention to the effect of noisy traditional festivals (fireworks and powder-guns). This study aimed to explore the effect of these recreational activities on the juvenile productivity of an urban avian bioindicator: the house sparrow. We studied five pairs of localities in the Valencia Region (E Spain) with noisy traditional festivals. Each pair was composed of one locality with festivals during the breeding season and the closest similar locality, but with festivals outside the reproductive period (controls). Both locality types were sampled twice each spring (May–June of 2019 and 2020). Sampling dates were selected as 15 and 30 days after noisy festivals ended, while the control localities were sampled 1 day after the census of their correspondent town pair with noisy breeding season festivals. The ratio of the juveniles/adults detected during surveys in the influence area of festivals (100-m buffer around the parades route) was used as a house sparrow breeding success proxy. Data were analysed using GLMM: year (2019/2020), festivals season (breeding/non-breeding), survey (15/30 days), and their interactions were included as fixed factors. Pair of localities and locality nested within the pair were random factors. In 2019, juvenile productivity was lower in the towns with noisy traditional festivals during the breeding season than in the control towns. The 2020 festivals were cancelled due to COVID-19. In spring 2020, house sparrow juvenile productivity was the same in both town groups. Lockdown did not increase this species’ juvenile productivity in the control localities in 2020 versus 2019.

Understanding patterns of dispersal behaviour of threatened species is important in conservation biology and population ecology, especially in fragmented landscapes. Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti is a threatened passerine whose European population has declined by around 40% in the last decade. To study natal and breeding dispersal of the species, we used a long-term mark-recapture dataset (2011–2019) and analysed the records of 32 males (39 dispersal movements) and five females (five dispersal movements) captured during the breeding season at Rincón de Ademuz (Valencia, eastern Spain). Adult birds had a median breeding dispersal of 154 m (Q25-Q75 = 70.0–300.3). Among these captures, two adult males dispersed to a new patch of habitat separated by more than 5,800 m. Only one out of 26 nestlings ringed was trapped as an adult bird, which occurred at a site different from the natal territory (4,500 m). Our results show a low breeding dispersal for the species and are, in essence, in agreement with previous studies carried out in the Ebro Valley metapopulation, one of the core areas for the species in Europe. Nonetheless, unlike in the Ebro Valley, we detected movements of adult birds between habitat patches. The low recovery rate of young birds suggests that they left their natal sites and moved outside the study area or that their survival rate was very low. Future studies focused on the post-fledging survival rate and natal dispersal movements are essential to determine effective conservation measures for the species. Habitat management actions in occupied and potential sites should be carried out close to the areas inhabited by the species to increase the success rate of the interventions and the effective dispersal and therefore population connectivity.

Urbanisation processes are increasing worldwide at surprising rates affecting wildlife in many ways: changing habitat structure, reducing resources, and modifying the distribution, composition and abundance of local biota. In different countries, urban waste collection techniques are evolving and surface rubbish containers (neighbourhood receptacles for temporarily storing anthropogenic household waste located above-ground on the streets) are being replaced with underground ones (metal boxes with steel chutes that fed into large underground containers) to improve sanitation measures, to avoid bad smells and waste scattering by animals. We aimed to detect if House Sparrows were more abundant close to surface rubbish containers than close to the underground ones. We recorded an abundance index of House Sparrows during two visits in winter 2018–2019 to point counts located in groups of both container types (80 and 85 groups of underground and surface containers, respectively) in eight towns of Eastern Spain. We modelled the abundance index according to rubbish container type, and 14 other environmental variables at four scales: container, nearest buildings, near urban features, and general locality features using GLMMs. House Sparrows were more abundant close to surface than to underground rubbish containers, which may be linked with higher food debris availability. The presence of other urban features (bar terraces, private gardens, mature trees) interacting with the rubbish containers also influenced the abundance of House Sparrows. The replacement of above-ground rubbish containers with underground ones may deprive House Sparrows resources, which could lead to the decline of this species, especially in urban areas with little green cover.

The Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto) is an invasive species, and its distribution is continuously on the increase. Today its expansion has spread to the American continent. In this study we describe the effects of the urban environment on the Eurasian collared dove in eastern Spain. The abundance and presence of this dove were analyzed in 46 localities using counting points. Overall, 220-point counts were surveyed between autumn 2015 and late-winter 2016. A hierarchical partitioning analysis was used to identify explanatory variables of different types such as resources, climate and urban structure, and human presence, which may influence the presence and abundance of this species. In the case of presence, the number of town inhabitants, parks, mean minimum temperature, exotic vegetation and schools had a positive association, while pedestrian number and restaurants had a negative association. Abundance was positively related to native vegetation, exotic vegetation, and water, while urban area was negatively associated with it. Exotic vegetation was the only variable that has a positive relation to presence and abundance. These results can help to predict the use of urban habitats in potential localities for its invasion., La tórtola turca (Streptopelia decaocto) es una especie invasora y su ámbito de distribución aumenta continuamente. Hoy en día, su expansión incluye el continente americano. En este estudio se describen los efectos que el ambiente urbano tiene sobre la tórtola turca en el este de España. Se muestrearon 46 localidades mediante puntos de conteo. La abundancia de la tórtola turca fue evaluada en 220 puntos de conteo entre otoño de 2015 y finales de invierno 2016. Se utilizó el análisis de partición jerárquica para identificar variables explicativas como recursos, clima y estructura urbana, y presencia humana, que pueden influir en su presencia y abundancia. En el caso de la presencia de la especie, el número de habitantes de la ciudad, parques, temperatura media, vegetación exótica y colegios tuvieron una asociación positiva, mientras que el número de peatones y los restaurantes estuvieron negativamente asociados. La abundancia estuvo positivamente relacionada con la vegetación nativa, vegetación exótica y el agua, mientras que la zona urbana estuvo negativamente asociada. Estos resultados pueden predecir el uso de hábitats urbanos en localidades potenciales para su invasión.

The seasonal survival pattern of a garden dormouse Eliomys quercinus population was studied in a Mediterranean agricultural field area from East Spain, a geographical location in which this species does exhibit no hibernation. Individuals were captured from nest—boxes checked monthly during a 4-year period. Data were analysed using an open population Cormack–Jolly–Seber model including sex, age class and season as factors. Best models included the effect of age and differences in survival between adult males and females. Survival rate was more variable between seasons in males than in females or juveniles. Maximum adult male survival was reached in autumn, decreased in winter and dropped to very low values in spring and summer. Survival of adult females was higher and presented a less marked seasonal pattern. Seasonal survival of juveniles was fairly constant along the year. Recapture probability also varied seasonally and was twice in winter than in the rest of the year. The local annual survival rate obtained in adult females exceeded the survival rate observed in some garden dormouse populations from Italy, but it was considerably lower in comparison to the values obtained in South Spain and France. The possible energetic consequences of the constant sexual activity exhibited by this garden dormouse population and the effect of other factors, such as the availability of food and social interactions between individuals, seem to influence in the seasonal variations in survival rate for this rodent species in this agricultural habitat.

Moon phase affects the ecology and behaviour of animals and may thus affect both circadian and circannual rhythms. Its influence on nocturnal and dawn bird behaviour is known, but fewer studies have examined its effect on passerines’ singing activity, some of which have yielded contradictory findings. With the aim of elucidating whether moon phase affects dawn singing in passerines, we recorded dawn singing activity of the Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti in three mediterranean shrub-steppes, through repeated sampling over three lunar cycles per breeding season in 2 years. Our results corroborate the idea that moon phase affects signalling behaviour of passerines. We found that, on average, dawn singing started 15 min earlier when the moon was full, due to variations in the light intensity, which seems to act as a trigger for singing activity in the Dupont’s Lark. Nonetheless, the dawn chorus finished at the same time regardless of moon phase, maybe due to a low contribution of moonlight as sunrise approaches. As a consequence, performance time increased during full moon nights. However, the total production of songs did not differ between moon phases, and therefore, song rate was lower during full moons. Reduced song rate on full moon nights could be a response of singing males to reduce their predation risk, since singing on bright nights can increase the ability of predators to locate them, but it could be also related to the energetic cost of longer choruses. The consequences of moon phase for mate attraction, reproductive success and behaviour in this and other bird species remain unknown, and thus our research can serve as a starting point from which to develop new studies.

Many European towns and cities have undergone reurbanisation processes in recent decades. However, their effects on urban biodiversity have been poorly studied. Currently urbanisation processes include park remodelling, which involves the replacement of semi-natural substrates (natural grass, bare soil) with artificial ones (pavement, concrete, areas for dogs, artificial grass). Our aim was to explore, for the first time, the effects of park remodelling on the trends and abundance of a declining urban exploiter, the House Sparrow. An abundance index of House Sparrows was obtained in 32 urban parks of four towns in the Valencian Community (Spain) in four summers (2015–2018). Of the studied parks, 10 were remodelled during the study period. Before remodelling, the trends and abundance of House Sparrows in both groups of parks were similar and stable on average, which suggest no bias between both park groups. However, House Sparrow abundance was significantly reduced in parks affected by remodelling works while in those non-remodelled it remained stable. Park remodelling might be linked to a reduction in both habitat suitability and availability of trophic resources, which could harm urban House Sparrows populations and possibly other species as well. Therefore, new park policies and urban planning measures are urgently needed to preserve urban House Sparrows.

Patterns of distribution and abundance of species are dependent on their particular ecological requirements. Taking specialisation into account is important for interpreting population parameters. Here, we evaluate population parameters of an endangered habitat specialist, the forty‐spotted pardalote (Pardalotus quadragintus; dependent on white gum Eucalyptus viminalis in south‐eastern Tasmania), and a sympatric congeneric habitat generalist, the striated pardalote (Pardalotus striatus). We used occupancy models to estimate occupancy of both species, and distance sampling models to estimate population density and size on North Bruny Island. Within their shared habitat (i.e. white gum forest), we also fitted hierarchical distance sampling models to estimate density in relation to fine‐scale habitat features. We show that forty‐spotted pardalotes only occurred in forests where white gums were present, with a mean density of 2.7 birds per hectare. The density of forty‐spotted pardalotes decreased in areas with abundant small trees and trees with dead crowns, but they increased in areas where larger white gums were abundant. The striated pardalote was widespread, but where white gums were present, they occurred at 2.1 birds per hectare, compared to 0.6 birds per hectare in forests where white gums were absent. Within white gum habitat, the relative abundance of forty‐spotted pardalotes and dead trees had a positive effect on the density of striated pardalotes while small trees had a negative effect. Our study reveals that although widespread, the generalist is most abundant in the limited areas of habitat suitable for the specialist, and this indicates the need of future research to look at whether this pattern of occurrence exacerbates competition in resource depleted habitats.

Manahunca bielawskii Šilhavý, 1973, the type species of the genus Manahunca Šilhavý, 1973, is redescribed based on abundant material from the type locality, including new data on its morphological variability and penis morphology. A neotype for M. bielawskii is herein designated due to the unknown whereabouts of the original holotype. Manahunca silhavyi Avram, 1977, is regarded as a new junior subjective synonym of M. bielawskii. In addition, two new species of Manahunca are described, M. turquino Alegre, Gainett & Giribet, n. sp. and M. matazon Alegre, Gainett & Giribet, n. sp. based on additional specimens from eastern Cuba, for which we provide new data on their geographical distribution, intraspecific variability and habitat. A new diagnosis and emended geographic distribution of the known species of Manahunca are provided, with hints on the current conservation status. The sexually dimorphic glandular structures found on the metatarsus III of males are explored for taxonomic significance in ten species of Stenostygninae. The existence of male dimorphism, most evident in the robustness of the chelicerae, is reported for two of the studied Manahunca species., Manahunca bielawskii Šilhavý, 1973, la especie tipo del género Manahunca Šilhavý, 1973, se redescribe en base a abundante material proveniente de la localidad tipo, nuevos datos sobre su variabilidad morfológica y de la genitalia masculina. Se designa un neotipo para M. bielawskii debido a la pérdida del holotipo. Manahunca silhavyi Avram, 1977, es considerada como un nuevo sinónimo subjetivo más moderno de M. bielawskii. Asimismo se describen dos nuevas especies del género Manahunca, M. turquino nueva especie y M. matazon nueva especie basadas en especímenes adicionales del oriente de Cuba, y para las cuales se ofrecen datos sobre su hábitat, historia natural, variabilidad intraespecífica y distribución geográfica. Asimismo, se ofrece una nueva diagnosis para Manahunca y la distribución geográfica de las especies es ilustrada en un mapa, así como el estado de conservación actual. Las estructuras glandulares del metatarso III del macho de diez especies de Stenostygninae son exploradas como una herramienta de importancia taxonómica. Se reporta dimorfismo masculino en dos de las especies de Manahunca aquí tratadas, especialmente evidente en la robustez de los quelíceros.

La familia Sternophoridae se registra por primera vez para Cuba con dos especies Garyops depressus Banks, 1909 e Idiogaryops pumilus (Hoff, 1963), ambas con una distribución pancubana. Los genitales femeninos constituyen caracteres diagnósticos importantes para la definición de géneros en Sternophoridae, mientras que los genitales masculinos, son importantes para la definición de especies. La familia Olpiidae consta de nueve especies, cinco son nuevos registros y dos especies nuevas para la ciencia: Pachyolpium alegreae y Planctolpium martinezi. Se describen por primera vez los genitales masculinos de tres especies de Olpiidae. Se comentan algunos aspectos sobre la biogeografía de las familias Olpiidae y Sternophoridae en Cuba. Se describe una nueva especie troglobia del género Antillobisium (Bochicidae), A. tomasi, que presenta caracteres morfológicos que añaden evidencias acerca de afinidades cercanas entre los géneros Antillobisium, Titanobochica, Troglobochica y Vachonium. Esta especie troglobia se clasifica según los criterios de la IUCN con una categoría de amenaza VU D2. Se ofrecen claves para la identificación de todos los géneros y especies tratados en el estudio, así como mapas de distribución actualizada y datos sobre la historia natural de las especies. Se elaboran, por primera vez en Cuba, mapas con la distribución potencial actual de siete especies de Olpiidae y se determina la correspondencia entre la distribución potencial y el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas de Cuba, con el objetivo de crear pautas de conservación para estos arácnidos. Seis de las siete especies de Olpiidae tienen una distribución potencial actual asociada a las costas de Cuba, lo que las hace muy vulnerables a efectos del cambio climático.

El análisis de la morfología externa y genital masculina de los biántidos cubanos permitió realizar por primera vez un estudio filogenético que sirvió para elaborar una nueva propuesta de la sistemática del grupo. Además se actualizaron las descripciones taxonómicas que incluyen una detallada caracterización de la morfología genital masculina. La familia Biantidae en Cuba contiene 20 especies, ocho de ellas constituyen nuevas especies para la ciencia. Se propone a Manahunca silhavyi Avram, 1977, como nuevo sinónimo posterior de Manahunca bielawskii Šilhavý, 1973. A partir del estudio filogenético se redefinen los límites de Stenostygninae Roewer, 1913, restaurando el concepto original de Caribbiantinae Šilhavý, 1973, status revalidado, para agrupar a todas las especies de biántidos antillanos, lo que excluye al taxón Suramericano Stenostygnus pusio Simon, 1879. Los géneros cubanos Caribbiantes Šilhavý, 1973, Manahunca Šilhavý, 1973 y Negreaella Avram, 1977, se recuperaron monofiléticos con un soporte robusto. Se ofrecen nuevos caracteres con importancia taxonómica del metarso III de los machos y de la genitalia masculina. Se actualizó la distribución geográfica de Biantidae en Cuba. Se evaluó por primera vez la representatividad de opiliones cubanos en el Sistema Nacional de Áreas Protegidas (SNAP) dando como resultado que el 70 % de las especies se encuentran en espacios protegidos, 12 especies presentaron entre el 50-100% de sus registros de presencia dentro del SNAP, de estas, nueve presentan una distribución restringida (<500 km²). Se identificaron tres áreas de endemismo: una correspondiente al Macizo de Sagua-Baracoa, con siete especies endémicas, otra correspondiente a la Sierra Maestra y Sierra de La Gran Piedra, con seis especies endémicas y la última correspondiente a la zona central del país, con cuatro especies endémicas, que coinciden en parte con el SNAP. De las 17 especies de biántidos evaluadas, seis se categorizaron como “en peligro” (EN), ocho como

El Bosque Protector Oglán Alto tiene una extensión de 3100 hectáreas y está dominado por bosques de tierras bajas y bosques de piedemonte amazónicos que albergan fauna y flora de gran diversidad; sin embargo, esta ha sido pobremente estudiada, especialmente el grupo de los insectos. Presentamos el inventario de los escarabajos estercoleros (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) en esta localidad. Un total de 10,627 individuos pertenecientes a 17 géneros y 65 especies fueron determinados durante 18 meses de recolección en la que se utilizaron 11 técnicas de muestreo. Esta investigación presenta un listado actualizado, acompañado de una guía fotográfica para los principales géneros y especies, la cual servirá para la fácil identificación de este grupo de escarabajos en la región., The Oglán Alto Protective Forest has an area of 3100 hectares and is dominated by Amazonian lowland and piedmont forests, which harbor great diversity of fauna and flora. However, such diversity has been poorly studied, especially insects. Here we present an inventory of the dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeidae: Scarabaeinae) for this locality. A total of 10,627 individuals, belonging to 17 genera and 65 species, were determined during 18 months of collection, in which 11 different sampling methods were used. This research presents and updated checklist and a photographic guide of the main genera and species of dung beetles identified in the study area.

We aimed to identify the effects of the direction and wind speed on feeding habitat selection of wintering dunlins and little stints in an inland lake of the Iberian Peninsula. Feeding habitat (muddy surface or shallow water) and location in the lake with respect to wind direction (windward and leeward) of feeding flocks of both species were assessed on days with different wind speed (light or strong). We also performed visual counts of potential prey items (zooplankton) in mud and water habitats. In light wind conditions, wader flocks mostly selected the shallow water on the lake’s leeward shore. On the contrary, in strong wind conditions, the birds tended to forage on the windward shore, with a similar frequency in mud and shallow water habitats. The abundance of prey items in the mud and water column varied according to wind conditions, being higher in the sites preferred by waders. Our findings advance knowledge on how small–sized waders cope with environmental dynamics of wind in non–tidal lakes., Nuestro objetivo fue determinar los efectos de la dirección y la velocidad del viento en el uso del hábitat de alimentación que hacen el correlimos común y el correlimos menudo en una laguna interior de la península ibérica. Se evaluaron el hábitat de alimentación (superficie fangosa o aguas poco profundas) y la ubicación en la laguna con respecto a la dirección del viento (barlovento y sotavento) de los grupos de limícolas en días con diferente velocidad del viento (suave y fuerte). También se realizaron recuentos visuales de posibles presas (zooplancton) en hábitats de lodo y agua. En condiciones de viento suave, el grupo de limícolas seleccionó principalmente la zona de aguas poco profundas ubicada a sotavento de la laguna. Por el contrario, en condiciones de viento fuerte, las aves tendieron a buscar comida en la orilla de barlovento, con una frecuencia similar en los hábitats de lodo y de aguas poco profundas. La abundancia de presas en las columnas de lodo y de agua varió según las condiciones del viento, y fue más alta en los sitios preferidos por los limícolas. Nuestros resultados se suman al conocimiento de cómo los limícolas de tamaño pequeño hacen frente a la dinámica ambiental del viento en lagunas no mareales.

Acoustic segregation is a way to reduce competition and allows for species coexistence within anuran communities. Thus, separation in at least one acoustic niche dimension is expected, which also contributes to achieving effective communication among frogs. Here we studied an assemblage of five terrestrial egg-laying anuran species, all in the genus Eleutherodactylus, in a montane rainforest in eastern Cuba. Our aim was to determine if partitioning exists between these species in any dimension (time, signal frequency or space) of the acoustic niche. The studied assemblage had the following characteristics: (1) there was one diurnal species, two species with calling activity throughout the day and two species that call at night; (2) only two species overlapped in call frequencies and most had different calls, both in terms of dominant frequencies and in temporal characteristics; and (3) males of the species that overlapped in vocalizing time or signal frequency used different calling microhabitats or heights. This study provides evidence for the acoustic niche hypothesis in anurans, showing low probabilities of interference in sound communication among these frogs. The five species were separated in at least one of the three acoustic dimensions (calling time, frequency and site) as it occurs in mainland communities with more sympatric species of several genera. Conversely, species in single-genus communities studied in Puerto Rico overlapped completely in calling times. This seems to be due to the higher number of sympatric species at our site.

En el presente estudio se caracterizó la macrofauna edáfica mediante su riqueza taxonómica, diversidad, abundancia y composición funcional en siete sistemas de uso de la tierra del occidente de Cuba (bosques primarios siempreverdes, bosques secundarios semideciduos, sistemas silvopastoriles, pastizales, cañaverales, cultivos varios y agroecosistemas urbanos), para evaluar el estado de conservación/perturbación de estos sistemas sobre la macrofauna, y proponer indicadores útiles para el monitoreo del impacto del uso y calidad del suelo. Los sistemas se localizaron entre las provincias Artemisa, Mayabeque y La Habana, y se estudiaron principalmente bajo suelo Ferralítico Rojo en el período lluvioso de los años 2009 y 2013. La macrofauna edáfica se recolectó siguiendo la metodología estándar del Programa de Biología y Fertilidad del Suelo Tropical, con la extracción de seis a ocho monolitos de suelo de 25 x 25 x 30 cm por réplica de sistema de uso, bajo un diseño estratificado y sistemático. La identificación taxonómica y la caracterización ecológica se realizaron fundamentalmente hasta nivel de familia. Se determinaron la riqueza de familias, densidad, biomasa, diversidad y composición funcional de la macrofauna edáfica; así como otros análisis complementarios, entre ellos el índice de similitud cualitativa o coeficiente comunitario, las familias indicadoras (método IndVal) y el índice biótico de calidad del suelo (IBQS). Se aplicaron pruebas no paramétricas con permutaciones para comprobar las posibles diferencias de la macrofauna entre los sistemas de uso de suelo. Se obtuvieron los mayores valores de riqueza taxonómica y abundancia de la macrofauna edáfica en los bosques primarios (35 unidades taxonómicas y 359 individuos), los bosques secundarios (46 y 523,6) y los sistemas agroforestales (43 y 978) y los menores en los pastizales (28 y 216,3), los cañaverales (22 y 133), los cultivos varios (22 y 176,3) y los agroecosistemas urbanos (21 y 106,5). Tales resultados

Los anfibios constituyen uno de los grupos de mayor importancia dentro de la fauna de vertebrados terrestres de Cuba debido a su alta diversidad (68 especies) y endemismo (95.6%), el mayor porcentaje de endemismo de todos los vertebrados y uno de los mayores de la fauna cubana. En Cuba no se han realizado estudios sobre el nicho acústico en grupos de especies de anuros, solo se han publicado resultados que tratan alguna de las dimensiones del nicho por separado, pero nunca con un enfoque de comunidad, sino analizando a cada especie de forma individual. Igualmente, son escasos los trabajos sobre ciclos reproductivos de las especies con posturas terrestres en Cuba, solo en la especie E. planirostris se ha estudiado el ciclo gonadal durante un año. La presente tesis se realizó en La Gran Piedra, un área protegida con clasificación de Paisaje Natural Protegido (categoría V de la Unión Internacional para la Conservación de la Naturaleza y los Recursos Naturales), la cual está ubicada a 30 km al este de Santiago de Cuba, tiene una superficie total de 3069 ha y se ubica en un territorio montañoso con altitudes de 700-1225 m snm. Las observaciones y colectas se realizaron en dos sitios localizados dentro del Bosque pluvial montano a unos 2 km de distancia entre ellos. En esta tesis se estudiaron siete de las ocho especies del Bosque pluvial montano de La Gran Piedra, en cinco especies se estudió la actividad de vocalización (E. auriculatus, E. cuneatus, E. guantanamera, E. gundlachi, E. intermedius y E. limbatus) mientras que la reproducción se analizó en E. auriculatus, E. cuneatus, E. dimidiatus, E. gundlachi y E. intermedius. Con el propósito de llenar los vacíos de conocimiento de la ecología del grupo, no solo en Cuba sino a nivel mundial, para contribuir al trazado de estrategias de conservación de este grupo y para asistir en un mejor manejo de los bosques donde habitan, se concibieron como objetivos los siguientes: describir los patrones de actividad acústica diaria

A new troglobitic species of the genus Antillobisium is described from Sancti Spiritus province, Cuba. Antillobisium tomasi n. sp. is the third known species of the genus and is well characterized by its large size and extremely slender appendages. Biogeographical and ecological considerations on the genus are given., Se describe una nueva especie troglobia del género Antillobisium de la provincia de Sancti Spiritus, Cuba. Antillobisium tomasi n. sp. es la tercera especie conocida del género y está bien caracterizada por su gran tamaño y por sus artejos extremadamente esbeltos en comparación con las otras. Se dan consideraciones biogeográficas y ecológicas sobre el género.

Desertification is a major environmental problem in arid and semiarid regions. Tree plantation has been commonly employed to foster the recovery of degraded areas. However, this technique is costly, and their outcomes are often uncertain. Therefore, we evaluated an alternative method for the restoration of degraded semiarid steppes that involved the construction of branch piles to attract frugivores as potential seed‐dispersing birds, promoting seed rain, and fostering the formation of woody patches. We measured the success of branch piles in terms of the number of bird visits and seed input compared to naturally occurring shrub patches. Generally, frugivorous birds visited branch piles less frequently than shrub patches. Yet, branch piles accumulated seeds of patch‐forming shrub species. Seed rain was higher under patches of the dominant shrub Rhamnus lycioides than under branch piles. In contrast, woody patches and branch piles did not differ in seed input of the less abundant Pistacia lentiscus shrub. Our study demonstrates that branch piles are used by frugivorous birds and accumulate seeds of patch‐forming shrubs. Branch piles may be a suitable method to promote the expansion of bird‐dispersed plant species and restore semiarid wooded steppes. However, their efficiency largely depends on pile persistence and economic cost.

1. Temporary inland wetlands are among the most threatened ecosystems worldwide, and recognition of the factors that determine species richness in different seasons is key for developing conservation plans for these systems. La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve in central Spain has many inland wetlands of this type, but the driving ecological processes of species richness are poorly understood. 2. This study examines the association of landscape and local variables with species richness patterns of inland wetlands of La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve during winter and the breeding season. The number of lakes in several increasing radii was a proxy of connectivity, and maximum flooded surface and shoreline length were surrogates of the species–area relationship. 3. Other landscape and local habitat variables, such as hydroperiod (length of inundation period), distance from human settlements, shoreline development index, vegetation surface cover, average lake depth, number of islands and surface area of islands were also analysed. Hierarchical partitioning analysis was used to evaluate the contribution of the environmental variables to explain the species richness of waders. 4. Species richness (26 species, four threatened in Europe) had different associations with the variables during the wintering and breeding seasons. The richness of breeding and wintering species was positively associated with hydroperiod and maximum flooded surface area respectively. No variable measured was negatively associated with species richness in any season. 5. Hydroperiod and flooded surface area are altered directly by human activities. Water extraction for irrigation reduces hydroperiod in some wetlands, whereas wastewater input extends hydroperiod in others, promoting wader concentrations in lakes flooded in summer and potentially favouring botulism outbreaks. In addition, the lack of protection and management on most of the lakes in La Mancha Húmeda Biosphere Reserve also favours encr

Background: Territorial male songbirds vocalise intensively before sunrise and then decrease their vocal activity. This creates a communication network that disseminates essential information for both males and females. The function of dawn chorus in birds has been frequently interpreted according to seasonal variation of singing as the breeding season advances, but potential differences in seasonal variation of song and calls for the same species have not been taken into account. Methods: We chose Dupont's Lark as a model species to study whether the seasonal pattern of dawn chorus differs between singing and calling activity, because in this species most daily songs and calls are uttered at dawn. We registered vocal activity of Dupont's Lark males before and around dawn in three different populations, through repeated sampling over the entire breeding season of two consecutive years. Results: We found that dawn singing parameters remained constant or presented an increasing trend while dawn calling activity decreased as breeding season advanced. We also found different daily patterns for singing and calling, with birds calling mostly during the first 30 minutes of dawn choruses and singing peaking afterwards. Discussion: The different time patterns of songs and calls may indicate that they serve diverse functions at dawn in the Dupont's Lark. Relaxation of dawn calling activity after the first month of the breeding season would suggest that dawn calling may be mainly related to mate attraction, while constant dawn singing throughout the breeding period would support a relationship of dawn calling to territorial defence. Our study highlights that the type of vocalisation used is an important factor to consider in further research on dawn choruses, since results may differ depending on whether calls or songs are analysed.

La alondra ricotí es una de las aves esteparias más icónicas de España, donde se concentra la totalidad de la población europea. En este trabajo revisamos los últimos avances en el conocimiento de la biología y ecología de esta especie durante la última década, con especial atención a los trabajos desarrollados en las poblaciones periféricas del Rincón de Ademuz (Valencia). La especie ha sufrido un grave declive a lo largo de su rango de distribución en España, con un declive medio anual entre el 5 y 10%. El método de censo es un factor clave para obtener estimas poblaciones fiables de las poblaciones estudiadas. El método del transecto finlandés y las estaciones de escucha no deben emplearse en esta especie. El método el mapeo, basado al menos en cuatro visitas, o el transecto lineal (con ancho de banda de 500 m) son los métodos más fiables para censarla, lo cual debe hacerse entre los meses de abril y junio. Un estudio de selección de hábitat realizado a tres escalas mostró que los individuos eligen áreas llanas sin árboles y con una elevada cobertura de matorrales de bajo porte (< 40 cm) a escalas locales. A una mayor escala, el tamaño del parche parece ser el único factor que influye en la probabilidad de ocupación. Los modelos de hábitat creados se transfirieron de manera satisfactoria entre poblaciones y años, lo que indica que las medidas de conservación propuestas para la población del Rincón de Ademuz podrían extrapolarse a otras regiones. El fuego tuvo un efecto devastador en la distribución de la Alondra Ricotí. Detectamos la práctica desaparición de la especie en una zona incendiada en el páramo de Layna (Soria) durante los dos primeros años tras el incendio. El fuego calcinó la cobertura matorral de gran parte de este páramo, uno de los más importantes para la especie en España. Sa peiete años tras el incendio la estructura del hábitat y la abundancia de la Alondra Ricotí en el área incendiada casi se habían recuperado y fueron similares a las obtenidas, The Dupont’s Lark is a one of the most iconic steppe-bird in Spain, where occurs the whole European population, because of its extremely shy and secretive behaviour. Here, we review the advances in the knowledge on the basic biology and ecology of this species during the last decade, with special focus on some studies carried out in the peripheral populations located in Rincón de Ademuz (Valencia). The species has undergone a severe population decline throughout the whole Spanish distribution range, with a mean annual decline between 5-10%. Survey method was a key factor to get accurate estimates of population size. Finnish line transects and point counts should not be used for this species. Mapping method, based on four visits, or the line transect (with inner belt of 500 m) are the most suitable counting methods. The right period for surveying the species is between April and June. An analysis of habitat selection at three spatial scales showed that individuals choose flat areas without trees and with large cover of small scrubs (< 40 cm) at micro and macrohabitat scales. At larger scales, patch size seemed the only factor to determine probability of occurrence of the species. Our models of habitat selection predicted successfully species occurrence among sites and years, which suggest that conservation measures proposed for the populations of Rincón de Ademuz may be transferred over larger geographic areas. Fire had a devastating effect on populations. We recorded the species almost extinction in a burnt area within the Layna moorlands (Soria) during the first two years subsequent to a fire that burnt the scrub cover in this area, one of the most relevant for the species in Spain. However, seven years after the fire habitat structure and Dupont’s Lark abundance were almost fully recovered. Our long-term monitoring of the Layna population suggests that fire should not be used as a management tool for reducing scrub cover in patches where the species is already occ, L’alosa becuda és una de les aus estepàries més icòniques d’Espanya, on es concentra la totalitat de la població europea. En aquest treball revisem els darrers avenços en el coneixement de la seva biologia i ecologia durant l’última dècada, amb especial atenció als treballs desenvolupats a les poblacions perifèriques del Racó d’Ademús (València). L’espècie ha patit un greu declivi al llarg del seu rang de distribució a Espanya, amb un declivi mitjà anual entre el 5 i 10%. El mètode de cens és un factor clau per obtenir estimes poblacions fiables de les poblacions estudiades. El mètode del transecte finlandès i les estacions d’escolta no s’han d’emprar en aquesta espècie. El mètode del mapeig, basat almenys en quatre visites, o el transecte lineal (amb ample de banda de 500 m) són els mètodes més fiables per censar-la, la qual cosa s’ha de fer entre els mesos d’abril i juny. Un estudi de selecció d’hàbitat realitzat a tres escales va mostrar que els individus trien àrees planes sense arbres i amb una elevada cobertura de matolls de port baix (< 40 cm) a escales locals. A una major escala, la mida del fragment sembla ser l’únic factor que influeix en la probabilitat d’ocupació. Els models d’hàbitat creats es van transferir de manera satisfactòria entre poblacions i anys, el que indica que les mesures de conservació proposades per a la població del Racó d’Ademús podrien extrapolar-se a d’altres regions. El foc va tenir un efecte devastador en la distribució de l’alosa becuda. Vam detectar la pràctica desaparició de l’espècie en una zona incendiada en l’erm de Layna (Sòria) durant els dos primers anys després de l’incendi. El foc va cremar la cobertura de matolls de gran part d’aquest erm, un dels més importants per a l’espècie a Espanya. No obstant això, set anys després de l’incendi l’estructura de l’hàbitat i l’abundància de l’alosa becuda a l’àrea incendiada gairebé s’havien recuperat i van ser similars a les obtingudes a l’àrea control. Aquest estudi suggereix que

Se estudiaron la riqueza, abundancia, diversidad y composición funcional de la macrofauna del suelo en dos sitios de bosque siempreverde medio (Helechal y Vallecito), ubicados en la Reserva Ecológica El Salón de la Sierra del Rosario; y se analizaron con respecto a otros sistemas de uso de la tierra evaluados en Cuba. La macrofauna fue recolectada in situ, de monolitos de 25 × 25 × 20 cm extraídos del suelo. Se encontraron en este tipo de ecosistema, 34 familias de la macrofauna edáfica pertenecientes a 18 órdenes. El sitio Vallecito mostró una mayor riqueza de familias, densidad y diversidad de la macrofauna (34 familias, 1.298,5 individuos m-2 y H' = 2,72) en comparación con Helechal (19 familias, 749,2 individuos m-2 y H'= 2,57), aunque solo la riqueza arrojó diferencias significativas entre las dos localidades. La estacionalidad en el muestreo marcó las variaciones entre los sitios, el cual se realizó en un mes de lluvia en Helechal (octubre de 2009) y en un mes de seca en Vallecito (marzo de 2011). La composición funcional de la comunidad edáfica fue similar en ambos sitios, donde los gremios más sobresalientes fueron los detritívoros de la hojarasca, los ingenieros del suelo y los depredadores. No obstante, las familias dominantes dentro de cada grupo funcional cambiaron entre sitios. La estructura encontrada de la macrofauna fue muy parecida a la de otros bosques tropicales, y apenas cambió con relación a bosques secundarios estudiados en Cuba, pero sí respecto a sistemas más perturbados como pastizales y cultivos., The richness, abundance, diversity and functional composition of soil macrofauna were studied in two sites of the evergreen medium forest (Helechal and Vallecito), located at the Ecological Reserve El Salón from Sierra del Rosario; they were analyzed with respect to other land use systems evaluated in Cuba. The macrofauna was collected in situ from 25 × 25 × 20 cm monoliths extracted from the soil. In this type of ecosystem, 34 families of the edaphic macrofauna belonging to 18 orders were found. The Vallecito site showed higher families richness, density and diversity of the macrofauna (34 families, 1,298.5 individuals m-2 and H' = 2.72) compared to Helechal (19 families, 749.2 individuals m-2 and H' = 2.57). Although, only richness showed significant differences between the two locations. The seasonality in the sampling marked the variations between the sites, which was carried out during a rainy month in Helechal (October 2009) and during a dry month in Vallecito (March 2011). The functional composition of the edaphic community was similar in both sites, where the most outstanding guilds were litter detritivores, soil engineers and predators. However, the dominant families within each functional group changed between sites. The structure found of the macrofauna was very similar to those of other tropical forests, and hardly changed in relation to secondary forests studied in Cuba, although it did change in relation to more disturbed systems such as pastures and crops.

1. Small wetlands are considered a refuge for biodiversity, but the importance of natural and man‐made lentic wetlands for the maintenance of bird diversity in human‐dominated landscapes is not well‐known in the Neotropics. 2. This study evaluated the influence of the types and origins (natural or man‐made) of lentic wetlands on bird diversity of three guilds (aquatic, semi‐aquatic and landbirds) in the Meta Piedmont, Colombia. 3. The species richness and the structure and composition of each bird guild were estimated and compared between and within wetland types (swamps, heronries, rice fields, semi‐natural lakes, constructed lakes and fish farms) and origins (natural, mixed and artificial). 4. In total, 275 bird species were recorded (196 landbirds, 60 aquatic birds and 19 semi‐aquatic birds). Local species richness had a wide variation (39 to 144 species), and total and mean richness were significantly different between among wetland types and origins. Semi‐natural lakes were the most diverse wetland type, and heronries were the least diverse. Mixed‐origin wetlands had the highest species richness. The cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) was the most abundant species, while heronries and rice fields showed the greatest total bird abundance. 5. Bird diversity is strongly related to type and origin of wetlands, with significant variations in species composition among different types, which show high local and landscape heterogeneity. 6. It is suggested that small lentic wetlands, whether natural, mixed or artificial, are important for the maintenance of local and regional bird diversity. Conservation and management actions are required to preserve wetland heterogeneity and the birds associated with it.

The gull–billed tern breeds in temporary lakes in Castilla–La Mancha in Central Spain but depends on surrounding land habitats to feed its chicks. It is therefore vital to know the type of environments it selects to capture prey to feed nestlings. The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of habitats for hunting by adult gull–billed tern. Of 66 lakes monitored between 1996 and 2016, we found the gull–billed tern used 12 for breeding. Each lake was used during this period for 1–14 breeding seasons. We selected circular areas around the three wetlands where the species bred in 2013 and 2014. Within these circles, we sampled a total of 60 random points and recorded 125 gull–billed tern contacts (including between 1 and 39 birds). We estimated the same environmental variables at contact and random points, including land use and the distance to the nearest wetland, the nearest colony and to several types of anthropic uses (paved roads, houses, and cities). To evaluate habitat selection we calculated the Manly selection index for soil use variables, and fitted linear mixed models to evaluate differences in the distance variables. Land uses selected for foraging by the gull–billed tern were mainly cereal crops, whereas vineyards were avoided. The birds foraged on average up to 2 km from the colonies and tended to avoid proximity of towns and paved roads, suggesting that the species is sensitive to human disturbance. Vineyards are the main land use in this region and the intensity is increasing. Our results suggest vineyards should be limited in areas around these wetlands so that gull–billed terns may forage in their preferred sites., La pagaza piconegra se reproduce en lagos temporales de Castilla–La Mancha, pero depende de los hábitats terrestres de los alrededores para alimentar a los pollos. Por consiguiente, es fundamental conocer el tipo de ambientes que selecciona para capturar presas con las que alimentarlos. La finalidad de este estudio fue evaluar la utilización que los adultos de la pagaza piconegra hacen de los hábitats para la caza. De los 66 lagos estudiados entre 1996 y 2016, constatamos que la pagaza se reproducía en 12. Durante este período, cada lago se utilizó para 1–14 temporadas de cría. Seleccionamos las zonas circulares alrededor de los tres humedales en los que la especie crio en 2013 y 2014. Dentro de estos círculos, muestreamos 60 puntos aleatorios y registramos 125 contactos con pagazas piconegras (incluidas entre 1 y 39 aves). Estimamos las mismas variables ambientales en los puntos de contacto y los aleatorios, con inclusión del uso de la tierra y la distancia al humedal más cercano, a la colonia más cercana y a varios tipos de usos antrópicos (carreteras asfaltadas, viviendas y ciudades). Para evaluar la selección del hábitat, calculamos el índice de selección de Manly para las variables de uso del suelo y utilizamos modelos lineales mixtos para evaluar las diferencias entre las variables de distancia. El principal uso de la tierra que la pagaza piconegra seleccionó para la alimentación fue el cultivo de cereales, mientras que evitó los viñedos. De media, las aves se alejaron para alimentarse hasta 2 km de las colonias y tendieron a evitar la proximidad de ciudades y carreteras asfaltadas, lo que sugiere que la especie es sensible a las perturbaciones antrópicas. Los viñedos constituyen el principal uso de la tierra en esta región y su extensión está aumentando. Nuestros resultados sugieren que los viñedos se deberían limitar en zonas cercanas a estos humedales, para que la pagaza piconegra pueda alimentarse en sus lugares preferidos.

Background: Steppe-birds face drastic population declines throughout Europe. The Dupont’s lark Chersophilus duponti is an endangered steppe-bird species whose European distribution is restricted to Spain. This scarce passerine bird could be considered an ‘umbrella species’, since its population trends may reveal the conservation status of shrub-steppes. However, trends for the Spanish, and thus European, population of Dupont’s lark are unknown. In this work, we evaluated Dupont’s lark population trends in Europe employing the most recent and largest compiled database to date (92 populations over 12 years). In addition, we assessed the species threat category according to current applicable criteria (approved in March 2017) in the Spanish catalogue of threatened species (SCTS), which have never been applied to the Dupont’s lark nor to any other Spanish species. Finally, we compared the resulting threat categories with the current conservation status at European, national and regional levels. Methods: We fitted switching linear trend models (software TRIM—Trends and Indices for Monitoring data) to evaluate population trends at national and regional scale (i.e. per Autonomous Community) during the period 2004–2015. In addition, the average finite annual rate of change ( ) obtained from the TRIM analysis was employed to estimate the percentage of population size change in a 10-year period. A threat category was assigned following A1 and A2 criteria applicable in the SCTS. Results: Trends showed an overall 3.9% annual decline rate for the Spanish population (moderate decline, following TRIM). Regional analyses showed high inter-regional variability. We forecasted a 32.8% average decline over the next 10 years. According to these results, the species should be listed as ‘Vulnerable’ at a national scale (SCTS). At the regional level, the conservation status of the species is of particular concern in Andalusia and Castile-Leon, where the species qualifies for listing as ‘En

Understanding habitat selection is important for informing conservation management actions. However, many endangered species are data deficient, especially in tropical forests. Wild populations of the endangered Red-billed Curassow are one such data-deficient species. We investigated habitat selection by Red-billed Curassows in an important Atlantic forest remnant in Espírito Santo state, Brazil. We sampled vegetation plots to test fine-scale habitat associations and used GIS tools to identify landscape-scale variables that may influence curassow habitat use. We modelled the occurrence of Red-billed Curassows to test the contribution of these variables using hierarchical partitioning analysis in R. Abundance of standing dead trees, decaying log and leaf litter depth had a negative effect on the occurrence of Red-billed Curassows. The species preferred tall forests and abundant trees with diameter at breast height of 11–30 cm. Our results indicated that the Red-billed Curassow can utilise some secondary forest habitats, and suggest a preference for more open forest habitats that may facilitate terrestrial foraging. This is the first scientific examination of habitat requirements of Red-billed Curassows and our results will aid conservation activities by improving site selection for reintroduction efforts.