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We explored the influence of habitat structure on bird density and species richness in the poorly known bird communities in the steppes of Eastern Morocco, along a 200 km long N–S gradient of increasing aridity. The birds were surveyed, and habitat structure was measured in 44 transects regularly distributed along the gradient and during the winter and spring seasons in two consecutive years. After applying a principal component analysis (PCA), five axes were identified, including one related to the latitude–altitude–soil-type gradient and another describing the development of herbaceous vegetation. Generalized linear models were used to explore the relations between bird density and species richness with PCA axes in each season, considering both the entire community and groups of granivorous, insectivorous, and mixed-diet species. More than 90% of the birds were year-round residents, with larks dominating the community in both seasons. We conclude that a distinct multifactorial response can be identified for each functional group of species. In the winter, the community is mainly affected by the structure of the habitat, while aridity (and its assumed relation to primary production) is less influential. In the spring, habitat structure continues to have the greatest explanatory power, but location along the aridity gradient becomes more relevant. These findings reveal the interaction of the negative effects of climatic and anthropogenic changes in the habitat available to these bird communities, with a greater impact expected on birds with diets that include seeds, as well as a general shift of optimal breeding conditions toward more northerly latitudes., Instituto de Investigación en Recursos Cinegéticos, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Depto. de Biodiversidad, Ecología y Evolución, Fac. de Ciencias Biológicas, TRUE, pub, Pagado por el autor

A central issue in avian ecology deals with the trade-off between investment life-history components, such as reproductive effort, and parasite and disease resistance. During reproduction, differences in the particular needs of males and females may further affect the outcome of such trade-off. However, most studies performed to date on avian species have focused on males, while less is known about this subject in females. We investigated haemoparasite infections (genera Haemoproteus, Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon) in relation to sex, year, body condition and plasma concentrations of carotenoids in wild-breeding Red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa). Our aim was to examine whether there are differences in infections between sexes and how parasite infections relate to carotenoid levels, physical condition and breeding parameters in non-passerine wild birds. Males captured early in the breeding season were in better body condition than females, indicating a marked sexual difference in this trait in wild Red-legged partridges. The prevalence of blood parasites in males was higher than in females. However, we found that females infected by blood parasites had lower plasma carotenoid concentrations than uninfected females, whereas no association between infection and carotenoid levels was found in males. This suggests sex-related differences in the use of carotenoids to fight infections or for parasite resistance. A possible explanation of this contrasting pattern between sexes is that reproduction may not have to involve the same costs for males and females. We suggest that males would be under strong sexual selection and would trade health for signalling, which could simultaneously explain highest parasite prevalence being found in males and the contrasting patterns in blood carotenoid levels between males and females. Females in contrast, that were in worst body condition during early breeding season, were more sensitive to infections, diverting carotenoids to immune

We explored the influence of habitat structure on bird density and species richness in the poorly known bird communities in the steppes of Eastern Morocco, along a 200 km long N–S gradient of increasing aridity. The birds were surveyed, and habitat structure was measured in 44 transects regularly distributed along the gradient and during the winter and spring seasons in two consecutive years. After applying a principal component analysis (PCA), five axes were identified, including one related to the latitude–altitude–soil-type gradient and another describing the development of herbaceous vegetation. Generalized linear models were used to explore the relations between bird density and species richness with PCA axes in each season, considering both the entire community and groups of granivorous, insectivorous, and mixed-diet species. More than 90% of the birds were year-round residents, with larks dominating the community in both seasons. We conclude that a distinct multifactorial response can be identified for each functional group of species. In the winter, the community is mainly affected by the structure of the habitat, while aridity (and its assumed relation to primary production) is less influential. In the spring, habitat structure continues to have the greatest explanatory power, but location along the aridity gradient becomes more relevant. These findings reveal the interaction of the negative effects of climatic and anthropogenic changes in the habitat available to these bird communities, with a greater impact expected on birds with diets that include seeds, as well as a general shift of optimal breeding conditions toward more northerly latitudes.

In the Anthropocene, many species are rapidly shifting their ranges in response to human-driven habitat modifications. Studying patterns and genetic signatures of range shifts helps to understand how species cope with environmental disturbances and predict future shifts in the face of global environmental change. We investigated the genetic signature of a contemporary wide-range expansion observed in the Iberian common vole Microtus arvalis asturianus shortly after a colonization event. We used mtDNA and microsatellite data to investigate patterns of genetic diversity, structure, demography, and gene flow across 57 localities covering the historical range of the species and the newly colonized area. The results showed a genetic footprint more compatible with a true range expansion (i.e. the colonization of previously unoccupied areas), than with a model of “colonization from within” (i.e. local expansions from small, unnoticed populations). Genetic diversity measures indicated that the source population was likely located at the NE of the historical range, with a declining gradient of genetic diversity towards the more recently invaded areas. At the expansion front, we observed the greatest gene flow and smallest pairwise differences between nearby localities. Both natural landscape features (rivers) and recent anthropogenic barriers (roads, railways) explained a large proportion of genetic variance among populations and had a significant impact on the colonization pathways used by voles.

Table S1: Number of alleles per locus in the recent past and current periods for Dupont´s lark; Table S2: Observed allele frequencies at each locus in each region at both periods of time (left = recent past; right = current). The number of individuals typed is shown in brackets. Person´s r correlation values (R) between allele frequencies in each period within each region are also indicated. Rare alleles are in bold and private alleles at each period are underlined; Table S3: Paired t-test results for temporal variation of genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity, Ho; unbiased expected heterozygosity, uHe; allelic richness, Ar; and inbreeding, FIS) of Dupont´s lark males at country (Morocco, Spain) and regional level. Significant values are represented with an asterisk; Table S4: Genetic diversity estimates for each of the nine Dupont´s lark regions considering the samples that overlapped geographically (sampled at the same localities) during the recent past (P) and the current (C) period. Sample size (N), observed heterozygosity (Ho), unbiased expected heterozygosity (uHe), allelic richness (AR), inbreeding coefficient (FIS). Paired t-test results for temporal variation of genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity, Ho; unbiased expected heterozygosity, uHe; allelic richness, AR and inbreeding, FIS) at regional level are also shown. Significant values are represented with an asterisk; Table S5: Matrix of pairwise (GST and D) values between regions in Morocco (Anti Atlas, AA; Ain Bni Mathar, ABM; Midelt, MID; Plateau of Rekkam, REKK). Values below diagonal correspond to comparisons in the recent past period and above diagonal in the current period. Values among sampling periods within regions are shown on the diagonal. Asterisks indicate statistically significant values; Table S6: Matrix of pairwise (GST and D) values between regions in Spain (Ebro Valley, EV; Iberian Mountains, IM; Northern Plateau, NP; Southern Plateau, SP and Southern Spain, SS). Values below d

Monitoring temporal dynamics in genetic diversity is of great importance for conservation, especially for threatened species that are suffering a rapid population decline and increased fragmentation. Here, we investigate temporal variation in genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow in the Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) across most of its range. This species shows increasing levels of population fragmentation, substantial population declines, and severe range contraction, so temporal losses of genetic diversity, increasing differentiation, and decreasing gene flow are expected when comparing present day data with previous situations. To address this, we resampled sites (nine regions in two countries) after 12–15 years (five-to-seven generations) and assessed changes in genetic parameters using 11 microsatellite markers. We found no substantial loss in genetic diversity over time at the species level, but we detected considerable variation among regions in the amount of allelic diversity and heterozygosity lost over time. Temporal variation in allele frequencies (common, rare, and private alleles), and changes in genetic differentiation and gene flow over time suggest a major role of connectivity for the stability of the overall metapopulation. Our results agree with the hypothesis that connectivity rescues genetic diversity via immigration and gene flow. However, evidence of recent genetic bottleneck and the substantial changes detected in some regions are clear signs of genetic erosion and may be signalling a rapid decline of the populations. Urgent actions must be carried out to stop and reverse human impacts on this threatened lark and its habitat.

Monitoring temporal dynamics in genetic diversity is of great importance for conservation, especially for threatened species that are suffering a rapid population decline and increased fragmentation. Here, we investigate temporal variation in genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow in the Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) across most of its range. This species shows increasing levels of population fragmentation, substantial population declines, and severe range contraction, so temporal losses of genetic diversity, increasing differentiation, and decreasing gene flow are expected when comparing present day data with previous situations. To address this, we resampled sites (nine regions in two countries) after 12–15 years (five-to-seven generations) and assessed changes in genetic parameters using 11 microsatellite markers. We found no substantial loss in genetic diversity over time at the species level, but we detected considerable variation among regions in the amount of allelic diversity and heterozygosity lost over time. Temporal variation in allele frequencies (common, rare, and private alleles), and changes in genetic differentiation and gene flow over time suggest a major role of connectivity for the stability of the overall metapopulation. Our results agree with the hypothesis that connectivity rescues genetic diversity via immigration and gene flow. However, evidence of recent genetic bottleneck and the substantial changes detected in some regions are clear signs of genetic erosion and may be signalling a rapid decline of the populations. Urgent actions must be carried out to stop and reverse human impacts on this threatened lark and its habitat.

[EN] 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., [DE] Stress bei Vögeln ist durch die Messung des Verhältnisses von Heterophilen zu T-Lymphozyten (H/L-Verhältnis) umfassend untersucht worden. In dieser Studie wollten wir zum ersten Mal die potentiellen Veränderungen des Stresses in Verbindung mit der Geografie (Unterschiede zwischen einzelnen Ländern) und der Saisonalität (zwischen den Jahreszeiten und innerhalb der Brutsaison), gemessen als H/L-Verhältnis, sowie die Leukozytenprofile bei der bedrohten Dupontlerche (Chersophilus duponti) anhand von Proben aus Spanien und Marokko bewerten. Darüber hinaus haben wir untersucht, ob das H/L-Verhältnis mit Variablen wie der Populationsdichte, dem Vorhandensein von Blutparasiten und der individuellen physischen Verfassung zusammenhängt. Wir stellten fest, dass das H/L-Verhältnis zwischen den einzelnen Ländern nicht variierte, aber die während der Brutzeit gefangenen Tiere höhere H/L-Werte aufwiesen als nicht brütende Tiere. Weder die Dichte an Männchen, noch der Zeitpunkt innerhalb der Brutsaison hatten einen Einfluss auf das H/L-Verhältnis. In Spanien wiesen Tiere mit einer besseren physischen Verfassung ein niedrigeres H/L-Verhältnis auf, unabhängig davon, ob sie mit Malaria infiziert waren. In Marokko zeigten malariainfizierte Vögel höhere Werte des H/L-Verhältnisses als nicht infizierte. Außerdem stellten wir fest, dass unsere Durchschnittswerte für das H/L-Verhältnis in Marokko innerhalb der Werte für andere Sperlingsvögel lagen, nicht aber in Spanien. Tiere mit einem höheren H/L-Verhältnis sind möglicherweise gestresster oder besser in der Lage, mit Stresssituationen umzugehen. Obwohl das H/L-Verhältnis ein nützliches und relativ einfach zu beschaffendes Maß für Stress ist, muss der eventuelle Einfluss der Umwelt auf Stress und die Möglichkeiten, diesen durch das H/L-Verhältnis zu erklären, sorgfältig untersucht werden. Diese Untersuchung bietet neue Einblicke in die Biologie dieser Art und liefert nützliche Referenzinformationen für die Bestimmung des aktuellen St

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.

Numerous studies have highlighted a major role of isolation by both geographic distance and current landscape resistance in controlling bird population genetic differentiation. However, the importance of past landscape features or landscape temporal stability in shaping population genetic structure remains undervalued, particularly in birds. We assessed the role of isolation by landscape resistance – derived from current landscape attributes and measures of landscape stability –, in comparison to geographic isolation, as drivers of genetic differentiation of the Iberian bluethroat (Luscinia svecica azuricollis), a migratory bird whose populations breed in fragmented and dynamic landscapes affected by land use change. First, we characterized bluethroat genetic structure using microsatellite genotypes and evaluated genetic distances. Then, we built species distribution models using as a predictor a time series (two decades) of values of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index as proxies of recent past landscape stability and current landscape features to ultimately generate landscape resistance values through different functions. Finally, we used maximum‐likelihood population effects models to evaluate the relationships between genetic distances and both geographic and landscape resistance distances. We found a genetic structure of four clusters in the Iberian bluethroats populations, as well as a high level of genetic differentiation. Genetic structure was better associated with landscape resistance, rather than with geographic distance. The highest values of habitat suitability corresponded to areas where vegetation remained mostly stable during the two decades prior to bird surveys, with low annual precipitation and spring temperature, being the relationship between gene flow and presence of intervenient habitat among populations linear or quasi‐linear. Our results suggest that conservation policies and land management practices that promote the maintenance of s

Anthropogenic activities, such as the translocation or introduction of animals, may cause a parallel movement of exotic parasites harboured by displaced animals. Although introduction and/or relocation of animals for hunting purposes is an increasingly common management technique, the effects of gamebird release as a major vehicle for the introduction of parasites into new geographic regions have rarely been reported. We examined the prevalence and distribution of avian malaria parasites infecting resident avian hosts (red-legged partridge Alectoris rufa) at a local scale, with a particular emphasis on the effects of releasing farm-reared birds for hunting on the spatial and temporal structure of the parasite community. We collected blood samples from adult partridges from two game estates with partridge releases and two sites without releases over two periods (spring and autumn). We tested the probability of infection and differences in the parasite community in relation to the management model (releases vs. non releases) and sampling period, comparing autumn (when farm-reared birds are released) and spring (after hunting season, when mostly wild birds can be found in the population). We found a high prevalence (54%) of Plasmodium spp., and substantial differences in the spatial and temporal distribution of parasite lineages among the populations studied. Some parasite lineages occurred at high frequencies in game estates without introduction of farm-reared partridges, while other lineages were more abundant in game estates with releases than in those without releases. Overall, the prevalence of avian malaria was similar between spring and autumn at non-release sites, whereas in sites with releases, it was higher in autumn than in spring—probably due to artificial restocking with infected farm-reared birds at the onset of the hunting season. In short, humans may be an important agent driving the alteration of the spatial structure of local parasite fauna via the in

Although roads are widely seen as dispersal barriers, their genetic consequences for animals that experience large fluctuations in population density are poorly documented. We developed a spatially paired experimental design to assess the genetic impacts of roads on cyclic voles (Microtus arvalis) during a high-density phase in North-Western Spain. We compared genetic patterns from 15 paired plots bisected by three different barrier types, using linear mixed models and computing effect sizes to assess the importance of each type, and the influence of road features like width or the age of the infrastructure. Evidence of effects by roads on genetic diversity and differentiation were lacking. We speculate that the recurrent (each 3–5 generations) episodes of massive dispersal associated with population density peaks can homogenize populations and mitigate the possible genetic impact of landscape fragmentation by roads. This study highlights the importance of developing spatially replicated experimental designs that allow us to consider the large natural spatial variation in genetic parameters. More generally, these results contribute to our understanding of the not well explored effects of habitat fragmentation on dispersal in species showing “boom-bust” dynamics.

The role of glacial refugia in shaping contemporary species distribution is a long‐standing question in phylogeography and evolutionary ecology. Recent studies are questioning previous paradigms on glacial refugia and postglacial recolonization pathways in Europe, and more flexible phylogeographic scenarios have been proposed. We used the widespread common vole Microtus arvalis as a model to investigate the origin, locations of glacial refugia, and dispersal pathways, in the group of “Continental” species in Europe. We used a Bayesian spatiotemporal diffusion analysis (relaxed random walk model) of cytochrome b sequences across the species range, including newly collected individuals from 10 Iberian localities and published sequences from 68 localities across 22 European countries. Our data suggest that the species originated in Central Europe, and we revealed the location of multiple refugia (in both southern peninsulas and continental regions) for this continental model species. Our results confirm the monophyly of Iberian voles and the pre‐LGM divergence between Iberian and European voles. We found evidence of restricted postglacial dispersal from refugia in Mediterranean peninsulas. We inferred a complex evolutionary and demographic history of M. arvalis in Europe over the last 50,000 years that does not adequately fit previous glacial refugial scenarios. The phylogeography of M. arvalis provides a paradigm of ice‐age survival of a temperate continental species in western and eastern Mediterranean peninsulas (sources of endemism) and multiple continental regions (sources of postglacial spread). Our findings also provide support for a major role of large European river systems in shaping geographic boundaries of M. arvalis in Europe.

El bisbita campestre Anthus campestris (Linnaeus, 1758), anteriormente conocido por Alauda campestris pertenece al amplio y cosmopolita género de los bisbitas, Anthus spp. (Bechstein, 1805), el cual comprende otras 45 especies de aves insectívoras esbeltas de pequeño tamaño (20 cm), con dorso marrón y pecho y vientre blanquecino. Este género está englobado dentro de la familia Motacillidae (Horsfield, 1821) donde también están agrupadas las lavanderas.

Se ha llevado a cabo un estudio sobre la reproducción de la especie en dos poblaciones diferentes, incidiendo en el análisis de las variaciones (entre años, entre zonas, y estacionales) de los principales parámetros reproductivos de la especie. Se explora después el efecto de la depredación de nidos en la reproducción y su relación con la fenología de la especie, discutiéndose los resultados en un contexto de estacionalidad de los recursos. A continuación, y puesto que los parásitos son otro de los principales factores junto con la depredación que pueden influir de forma decisiva en la reproducción de las aves, se examina la prevalencia de los parásitos sanguíneos del grupo de la malaria aviar en las dos poblaciones de bisbita campestre, y se analiza su impacto sobre adultos y pollos en las poblaciones. Una vez que se ha descrito y estudiado cómo los factores antes mencionados (depredación, parásitos) afectan a la reproducción, me planteo si la especie ha desarrollado estrategias o mecanismos específicos para hacer frente a las condiciones existentes durante la reproducción en estas latitudes, en especial a las altas tasas de depredación de nidos y a la estacionalidad de los recursos. La estacionalidad impone límites claros al tiempo disponible para reproducirse en estos ambientes y reduce la probabilidad de realizar varias puestas en una misma temporada de cría, que podría ser un mecanismo válido de compensación de las pérdidas debidas a la depredación. Los individuos, sin embargo, podrían tratar de compensar o minimizar los costes por depredación con estrategias de apareamiento que les permitiese aumentar el número de descendientes producidos, como la poligamia. De esta forma, se aborda un estudio exhaustivo y se describen por primera vez las estrategias de apareamiento de la especie desde un punto de vista genético. Ante las evidencias encontradas de que, existe una variada gama de estrategias de apareamiento en las poblaciones estudiadas (monogamia, poligamia, poliandria, parasitismo de nido), en un siguiente paso se evalúa cuál de dichas estrategias produce mayores beneficios a los individuos en cuanto al número de descendientes producidos. Para ello, se realiza un examen detallado del número de descendientes producidos bajo cada una de las estrategias de apareamiento existentes en la población. El análisis se realiza para los individuos de ambos sexos por separado, pues las presiones selectivas que afectan a cada sexo durante la reproducción son diferentes. Mediante esta aproximación se intenta comprender cómo se mantienen las diferentes estrategias de apareamiento en una misma población –algunas de ellas claramente opuestas en cuanto a intereses entre individuos del mismo sexo y del sexo opuesto– y bajo que circunstancias es ventajosa una u otra. Con esta tesis, por lo tanto, espero aportar información útil para un mejor conocimiento y conservación del bisbita campestre, a la par que aumentar el conocimiento sobre la ecología de reproductiva de las aves en general y, en particular, de las especies esteparias en latitudes mediterráneas.

[Background]: Parasites play pivotal roles in host population dynamics and can have strong ecological impacts on hosts. Knowledge of the effects of parasites on hosts is often limited by the general observation of a fraction of individuals (mostly adults) within a population. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of malaria parasites in adult (≥1 year old) and nestling (7-11 day old) Tawny pipits Anthus campestris, to evaluate the influence of the host sex on parasite prevalence in both groups of age, and explore the association between infections and body condition (adults) and growth (nestlings). [Methods]: Two hundred Tawny pipits (105 adults and 95 nestlings) from one Spanish population were screened for avian malaria parasites (Haemoproteus and Plasmodium) using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based methods. Body condition (body mass against a linear measure of size) was measured in adults and growth rate (daily mass gain) was calculated for nestlings. [Results]: The overall prevalence of infection was 46 %. Sixteen different mitochondrial cytochrome b haplotypes of Plasmodium spp. and one Haemoproteus spp. haplotype were found. Malaria parasites were equally prevalent in nestlings and adults (45 and 46 %, respectively). Males were more likely to be infected by parasites than females, and this sex-bias parasitism was evident in both adults and nestlings. Furthermore, a lower daily mass gain during nestling growth in males than in females following infections were found, whereas the effect of infections on body condition of adults was detrimental for females but not for males. [Conclusions]: Age-specific differences in physiological trade-offs and ecological factors, such as nest predation would explain, at least in part, the observed host sex and age-related patterns in Tawny pipits.

Common vole outbreaks in Castilla y Leon have been usually managed by extensive use of rodenticides and wild vegetation burning, what can become a serious environmental problem for non-target species when applied intensively in wide areas. Thus, the identification of alternative management techniques of common vole outbreaks is a crucial element for the conservation and restoration of biodiversity in these agrarian ecosystems, among the most important in Europe. An ongoing program using next-boxes for raptors have been already experimentally implemented since 2009. This program has been well accepted by farmers and partially succesful regulating common vole densities, but recent information has shown that this technique may require complementary actions in the areas or years where maximum vole densities are reached. Looking for this complemetary management techniques, we are starting an applied research program based on three central ideas: 1) Starting experimental reasearch about the role of weasels (Mustela nivalis) in common vole population dynamics; 2) investigating the role of linear transport infraestructures in the demography, dispersal and potential isolation of common vole populations, testing the efficacy of water traps as specific control systems for these linear habitats; and 3) Evaluating the use of chemical communication as a control system, in combination with multiple capture traps.

[EN]: The main purpose of this study was to provide exhaustive and extensive data on the breeding biology of the Mediterranean Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris. Reproduction was studied within two populations nesting in shrubsteppes in central Spain. We compared breeding parameters (including hatching success, productivity, incubation, brood failures, predation rates, clutch and brood size) between study areas, and among years within each area. Our results suggest that Tawny Pipit reproduction in Spanish shrubsteppes is influenced by two main related factors: timing of breeding and nest predation. We detected seasonal declines in most breeding parameters, but a mid-season peak in productivity. Although large-sized broods were detected at the beginning of the breeding season, the recruitment of these juveniles was very low due to high predation rates on early broods. Finally, our results are compared with the scarce available data from previous breeding studies from other European Tawny Pipit populations., [DE]: Der Hauptzweck dieser Studie war es, vollständige und umfassende Daten zur Brutbiologie mediterraner Brachpieper Anthus campestris bereitzustellen. Die Fortpflanzung wurde in zwei Populationen, die in Strauchsteppe in Zentralspanien nisten, untersucht. Wir haben Brutparameter (einschließlich Schlupferfolg, Produktivität, Bebrütung, Brutverluste, Prädationsraten, Gelege- und Brutgrößen) zwischen den Untersuchungsgebieten sowie innerhalb der Untersuchungsgebiete zwischen verschienenden Jahren verglichen. Unsere Ergebnisse deuten darauf hin, dass die Fortpflanzung von Brachpiepern in spanischen Strauchsteppen von zwei Hauptfaktoren beeinflusst wird: Zeitpunkt des Bru¨tens und Nestprädation. Wir haben ermittelt, dass die meisten Brutparameter im Verlauf der Saison abnahmen, die Produktivität jedoch in der Mitte der Saison ihren Höhepunkt erreichte. Obwohl zu Beginn der Brutsaison große Bruten erfasst wurden, waren die Rekrutierungsraten für diese Jungvögel sehr niedrig, da frühe Bruten einem hohen Prädationsrisiko ausgesetzt waren. Schließlich vergleichen wir unsere Ergebnisse mit den wenigen verfügbaren Daten aus früheren Brutstudien in anderen europäischen Brachpieperpopulationen.

New microsatellite loci for Tawny Pipit Anthus campestris were isolated from a genomic library. We were able to unambiguously score six loci: two were dinucleotide, one trinucleotide, two tetranucleotide and one pentanucleotide that turned out to be sex-linked. Four out of six loci were polymorphic with 7-23 alleles in our population and an observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.286 and 0.936. Cross-utility of these markers was tested in other 17 steppe-bird species of six families. In addition, 16 microsatellite loci developed for other species were tested for cross-species amplification in A. campestris. Eight microsatellite markers were successfully amplified; seven of them were polymorphic with 2-43 alleles and an observed heterozygosity of 0.040-0.863. Overall, 14 functional locus markers have been characterized for A. campestris that could be useful for future studies of paternity, genetic variability and population structure.

The night-lighting technique is routinely used to catch birds. We improved this technique using a thermal infrared camera to catch steppe birds such as the sandgrouse. Target birds were located by an observer using the thermal camera, and approached and dazzled by another observer carrying a spotlight attached to a helmet and a hand-held net together with a playback noise to camouflage the footsteps of the observer. Using this improved technique, we caught on average 1. 14 individuals per 3-h capture session (N = 81) and a total of 92 sandgrouse in 2007-2010 (86 pin-tailed sandgrouse Pterocles alchata and six black-bellied sandgrouse Pterocles orientalis). Capture rate and success were negatively influenced by moonlight (lowest during full moon nights). Our night-lighting technique is a highly selective and harmless method to capture sandgrouse and can be used for other small/medium-sized open-land birds or mammals.

Se estudia la razón de sexos de los adultos de alondra ricotí (Chersophilus duponti) en dos localidades del valle del Ebro, y de los pollos en una localidad del Sistema Ibérico (Layna, Soria). Los pollos (n = 16) se sexaron molecularmente, resultando una razón de sexos de 0,50. Los adultos se capturaron mediante cepos dispuestos al azar y sin reclamo y fueron sexados biométricamente, resultando una razón de sexos de 0,72 durante el periodo reproductor y 0,61 fuera de éste. La capturabilidad teórica de cada sexo durante el periodo de reproducción, analizada mediante un modelo que considera las características de los territorios de machos y hembras, fue un 32 % menor en las hembras. Al corregir la razón de sexos obtenida durante la época reproductora mediante el resultado de este modelo, la razón de sexos fue de 0,61, valor idéntico al obtenido durante el periodo no reproductor y no diferente estadísticamente de la relación teórica 1:1. No obstante, esta razón de sexos ligeramente sesgada hacia machos hace disminuir el número de parejas efectivas de la población europea de la especie, incrementando su grado de amenaza.

Dupont's lark Chersophilus duponti was categorized globally as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List in 2005, largely because of reported declines in Spain and an estimated population of 2,000–3,000 breeding pairs in Morocco. However, the range and size of the species' North African populations were still unknown, despite being critical for assessment of the species' global conservation status. Here we report on the breeding distribution of Dupont's lark in Morocco, probably the largest population in its North African range, as well as on its preferred habitat, population density and size. Fieldwork and analysis of satellite images were combined to locate suitable habitat for the species, assess its presence (eliciting territorial calls by broadcasting the males’ songs and calls), and estimate densities using 83 km of linear censuses. Total number of birds located was 461 (305 from song playback and 156 from transects) across an extent of occurrence of c. 11,000 km2, comprising 2,067 km2 of suitable habitat and an effective area of occupancy of 1,645 km2. Mean density was 0.60 ± SD 0.52 birds per 10 ha and was highest in dense stands of Stipa tennacissima. Our estimate of Dupont's lark breeding population in Morocco is c. 15,400 singing males (lower and upper limits 11,220–20,167, respectively). Evidence of habitat loss and degradation was found in one of the main areas of the species' distribution in Morocco, although this does not seem to be a general pattern in the lark's Moroccan range. Further studies are required of the dynamics of suitable habitat for the species to prevent long-term consequences for the conservation of Dupont's lark and other bird species of the steppe.

Identifying genetically and phenotypically distinct populations of threatened species is critical if we are to delineate appropriate plans for their conservation. We conducted an integrated analysis of population genetic structure, historical demographic events, current gene flow (all based on mtDNA sequences) and morphological variation of three geographically separated groups of populations of Dupont’s lark Chersophilus duponti, located in the Iberian Peninsula (three populations), Morocco (two populations), and Tunisia (one population). Unusually, this lark species is the only one among the genus Chersophilus. Our results revealed the early historical divergence of an eastern Dupont’s lark lineage (in Tunisia) and a western lineage (in Morocco and Spain), consistent with subspecies taxonomy and distribution. The western lineage subsequently split into two lineages, following the isolation of Iberian and African populations. Such pattern of historical differentiation caused great population genetic structure, with differences among geographic areas explaining more than 80% of total genetic variation. Mismatch distributions and coalescent estimates of divergence time showed that lineage divergence was associated with sudden population expansion events, which apparently took place during the last glaciation, when steppe habitats were widespread across the Mediterranean region. Extant populations from different geographic areas hardly shared any haplotype (only one out of 16 ND2 haplotypes was shared by Tunisian and Moroccan Dupont’s larks), and consequently gene flow between geographic areas was found to be virtually absent. Apart from showing great genetic differentiation, Dupont’s larks from different geographic areas were morphologically distinct, showing substantial variation in body size and feeding-related traits (length of feet and bill). We conclude that Dupont’s lark populations isolated in the Iberian Peninsula, Morocco, and Tunisia are distinct evolutiona

[ES] Se analiza la reducción del área de distribución y del tamaño poblacional de la amenazada. Alondra ricotí (Chersophilus duponti) en Andalucía mediante datos históricos y actuales. Se consi- deraron las citas del período reproductor (1) publicadas, (2) comunicadas a los autores por otras personas, y (3) datos propios inéditos. Además, se re-analizaron los censos de 1988-89 efectados por los autores y durante 2004-05 se muestrearon todas las localidades en que se había citado la especie desde 2000. Los resultados sugieren que la especie ha experimentado una notable reducción en su área de distribución desde el s. XIX, siendo su distribución actual más semejante a la de los años 1970-90 que a la de siglos precedentes. Desde los años 70-90 hasta la actualidad, la especie ha desaparecido en algunas zonas, aunque también se ha mantenido en pequeños núcleos de tamaño inferior a 3 machos territoriales. En este mismo periodo, se estima que la población total andaluza ha experimentado una reducción del 65-72%, siendo en la actualidad de unos 24-31 machos territoriales, localizados en 3 núcleos principales. Las causas y la intensidad de la retracción desde los años 70-90 son complejas y varían entre localidades. Debido a su reducido tamaño y a su alejamiento (87 km de media entre los núcleos principales) la probabilidad de extinción de las poblaciones ha debido ser y es muy alta, por lo que sorprende la persistencia de los núcleos. Se sugiere que debe existir una cierta concectividad con otras poblaciones ibéricas, lo cual ha permitido la supervivencia temporal de estas poblaciones. La espe- cie desbería ser catalogada como "En Peligro Crítico" en Andalucía de acuerdo con los criterios de la UICN., [EN] We analized the trends in the distribution and population size of the endangered Dupont's lark (Chersophilus duponti) in Andalucia, from the old times to nowadays. We considered all records during the breeding périod of (1) published records, (2) observations communicated by other persons, and (3) own unpublished data. Moroever, the 1988-89 census of the authors were re-analysed and we sampled during 2004-05 all the localities were the species was recorded from 2000. The results suggest that the species range has reduced drastically from c. XIX, being more similar between years 1970-90 to nowadays than previous centuries. However, the species has desappered or its population size has been reduced in some localities from 1970-90 to nowadays, although some populations with less than 3 singing males have persisted. We estimated than from 1970-90 to 2004-2005, the total population of Andalucia has been reduced between 65-72%, being today between 24-31 singing males, and in all casses less than 50 singing males. The causes and intensity of the decline from the 70-90' are complex and differ between areas. Due to the small population size and distance between them (average minimun distance between the main areas, 87 km) the extinction probability must has been, and it is, very high, and it is surpri- sing that the populations have survived. It is suggested that only a certain conectivity with other Iberian populations would allow the survival of these populations. According with the IUCN cri- teria, Dupont's lark most be classified as "Critically Endangered" in Andalucía.