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The avian scavenger raptors guild of Patagonia, the southernmost region of South America (3756[degrees]S), comprises 3 species of obligate scavengers and 7 species of facultative scavengers. Despite the species richness, there is little information about the anthropogenic threats this guild might face. Here, based on 164 h of observations and photographic records across 3 austral winters, we reveal a broad range of lesions (missing legs, digits or talons, fractures, luxations, pododermatitis, necrosis, hyperkeratosis, and beak and ocular lesions) and mortalities among scavenger raptors in Argentine Patagonia at 2 anthropogenic food-rich sites located 1,750 km apart at 38[degrees] and 54[degrees] S. Wc photographed 146 individuals with 174 physical lesions and found 61 dead individuals, including one obligate scavenger species (Black Vulture, Coragyps atratus) and 4 facultative scavenger species (Crested Carneara, Caracara plancus; Chimango Caracara, Daptrius chimango; White-throated Caracara, D. albogularis; and Black-chested Buzzard-Eagle, Geranoaetus melanoleucus). Ninety percent of the lesions we recorded on the individuals were located on their hindlimbs. None of the carcasses we found exhibited any apparent lesions. The precise nature and origins of these lesions and mortalities remain uncertain. However, the hindlimb lesions align with the effects of leg-hold traps, while poisoning emerges as the most likely cause of mortality among individuals foraging at these anthropogenic food-rich sites. These findings suggest a notable human-induced threat to the avian scavenger raptors guild in Patagonia. Received 3 February 2024. Accepted 19 June 2024. Key words: Black-chested Buzzard Eagle, Black Vulture, carnearas, field-photography, hindlimbs, leg-hold traps. (Spanish)--El gremio de rapaces carroneras de la Patagonia, la region mas austral de Sudamerica (37-56[degrees] S), comprende 3 especies de carroneros obligatorios y 7 especies de carroneros facultativos. A pesar de la riqueza especifica, hay poca informacion sobre las amenazas antropogenicas que este gremio podria enfrentar. Basandonos en 164 h de observaciones y registros fotograficos a lo largo de tres inviernos australes, revelamos una amplia gama de lesiones (amputacion de patas, dedos o garras, fracturas, luxaciones, pododermatitis, necrosis, hiperqueratosis, y lesiones oculares y del pico) y mortalidades de rapaces carroneras en la Patagonia argentina en dos sitios de recursos alimentarios antropogenicos ubicadas a 1750 km de distancia a 38[degrees] y 54[degrees] S. Fotografiamos 146 individuos con 174 lesiones y encontramos 61 individuos muertos, incluyendo una especie carronera obligada (Coragyps atratus) y cuatro especies carroneras facultativas (Caracara planeas, Daptrius chimango, D. albogularis y Geranoaetus melanoleucus). El 90% de las lesiones que registramos en los individuos se encontraban en sus patas. Ninguno de los especimenes muertos que encontramos presentaba lesiones aparentes. La naturaleza precisa y el origen de estas lesiones y mortalidades son inciertos. Sin embargo, las lesiones en las patas concuerdan con los efectos de las trampas de zorros, y el envenenamiento emerge como la causa mas probable de mortalidad en los individuos que forrajean en estos sitios de recursos alimentarios antropogenicos. Estos hallazgos sugieren una notable amenaza de origen antropico para el gremio de rapaces carroneras en la Patagonia. Palabras clave: caracaras, Coragyps atratus, extremidades posteriores, fotografia de campo, Geranoaetus melanoleucus, trampas para zorros., Scavenging, a common foraging strategy in avian species, serves as an essential function in the ecosystem as scavengers consume a diverse set of organic waste, helping to reduce bacteria and [...]

Intra‐Africa movements of most African migratory birds remain an enigma. We describe the migrations of Wahlberg's eagle Hieraaetus wahlbergi using GPS‐GSM transmitters on adult eagles in their South African (n = 3) and Kenyan (n = 7) breeding areas between 2018 and 2022. The dataset included 57 migratory tracks, 29 post‐breeding and 28 pre‐breeding. We found long‐distance migrants (LDMs; from South Africa) and short‐distance migrants (SDMs; from Kenya) using common non‐breeding areas centered in the Sudans and Central African Republic. The timing of annual phases was similar, but LDMs departed on their pre‐breeding migration on average later than SDMs (13 August versus 31 July) and arrived later on their breeding grounds (13 September versus 10 August). Conversely, the average departure date on the post‐breeding migration was 4 April for SDM and 23 March for LDMs. LDMs spent significantly less time of the year than SDMs on breeding grounds (44 versus 57%), and slightly but not significantly more time (40 versus 38%) on non‐breeding areas. The post‐breeding migration distance was on average 3413.9 ± 170.9 km for LDMs and 491.9 ± 158.5 km for SDMs. At non‐breeding areas, LDMs reached more northerly latitudes than SDMs, increasing the pre‐breeding migration distance to 4495.9 ± 372.5 km for LDMs versus 1701.9 ± 167.3 for SDMs. Daily flight distances back to the breeding areas averaged 153.4 ± 130.3 km for LDMs and 167.4 ± 122.3 km for SDMs and to non‐breeding areas were shorter for SDMs (124.8 ± 113.0 km) than LDMs (178.0 ± 134.4 km). Migration speed was similar across populations and for pre‐ and post‐breeding migrations. LDMs used more stopover days than SDMs. We conclude that Wahlberg's eagles from different parts of Africa have adapted their migration to differences in timing of the breeding season, distance of travel, and resources in the landscapes encountered during migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apex scavengers can perform an important ecosystem service by rapidly removing carrion, in turn regulating nutrient cycling linked to carcass decomposition. Yet, our understanding of the biotic and abiotic factors that influence rates of apex scavenging and their behaviour around carrion remains limited, in part because of the absence of replicated studies across different bioregions, habitats and seasons. Here, we examine the use of carrion by one of Australia's apex scavengers, the wedge‐tailed eagle Aquila audax, and uncover the extent and consequences of their social interactions at carrion. We applied a standardised design to monitor 120 kangaroo (Family: Macropodidae) carcasses using camera traps across contrasting bioregions (desert, forest and alpine), habitats (open and closed canopy) and seasons (warm and cool). We predicted that wedge‐tailed eagles would discover carcasses quicker in open habitats, and that intrinsic carrion value (ICV), or the desirability of carrion, would be related to dietary stress as a function of productivity and season (i.e. we expected to see increased carcass use by eagles in the less productive desert bioregion and in cooler seasons). Across all bioregions, we found that wedge‐tailed eagles discovered carcasses in open habitats 2.7 times faster than in closed habitats and 5.3 times faster in cool seasons compared with warm seasons. Scavenging was more likely to occur in open environments and was more frequent in cool seasons and in the desert bioregion. ICV largely governed social interactions; there were more aggressive encounters between wedge‐tailed eagles during cool seasons and in the desert bioregion. Our results highlight how bioregional, habitat, and seasonal variation can drive scavenging rates and social interactions between conspecific apex scavengers. Further studies considering both carrion use and corresponding behavioural interactions will enhance our understanding of how carrion contributes to shaping interactions between and within species groups as well as scavenger communities more broadly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The migration strategies, movement patterns, and habitat associations of long-distance migratory raptors remain largely unknown. We deployed PTT-GSM satellite transmitters on five raptor species, four of which are threatened, with the objective of investigating their daily and seasonal movement patterns, migration flyways, home-range patterns, and habitat associations in their wintering areas. This study shows that raptors wintering in Western India undertake annual migration across the Western Circum–Himalayan Corridor of the Central Asian Flyway (CAF) to circumvent some of the highest mountain ranges in the world. Single individuals of the Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga), Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata), Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax), Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), and two Pallid Harriers (Circus macrourus) were deployed with satellite transmitters in 2021 to study their home ranges, habitat associations, movement, and migration patterns. Data were collected for a combined number of 2291 days, providing 84,544 locations. Home ranges were calculated as kernel utilization distributions and expressed as 95% KDE and core areas as 50% KDE. Overall, eagles had larger home ranges (mean ± SD) of 942.70 ± 937.83 km2 compared to harriers, 43.84 ± 35.55 km2. Among eagles, the Greater Spotted Eagle had the largest home-range size of 2147.03 km2 calculated in Kazakhstan, while the female Pallid Harrier had the smallest home range of 5.74 km2 in Russia. Daily and monthly distances varied among eagles and harriers. The female Pallid Harrier covered the longest average monthly distance of 8585.43 ± 11,943.39 km, while the shortest monthly distance of 1338.22 ± 716.38 km was traveled by the Indian Spotted Eagle. All tagged birds migrated toward higher latitudes in the Northern hemisphere, except the Indian Spotted Eagle, which migrated to Pakistan. The male Western Marsh Harrier covered the longest migration distance in a shorter span of time, while the female Pallid Harrier took the longest to cover its migration distance. Overall, the daily distance covered during migration varied from 115.09 km traveled by the Indian Spotted Eagle to an overwhelming distance of 2035.85 km covered by the male Western Marsh Harrier. Scrubs, water bodies, croplands, and settlements were important habitat features associated with eagles, while croplands, open scrub, and built-up areas were associated with the female Pallid Harrier. The male Western Marsh Harrier was found to be primarily associated with saltpans and salt-affected areas having emergent vegetation. This study presents new insights into the movement and spatial ecology of long-distance migrant raptors that winter in Western India. We provide preliminary support for the use of the Western Circum–Himalayan Corridor as one of the important corridors of the Central Asian Flyway that warrants much appreciation among the current set of flyway corridors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natal dispersal is a crucial period for raptors with serious implications for individuals' survival and population demography. In this study we analyzed data from 18 GPS-tracked golden eagles in order to describe their dispersal ecology in northern Greece, where the species feeds mostly on tortoises. Young eagles in our population dispersed at 176 days post fledging, spent their first year of independence relatively close (40–60 kms) to their natal ranges and exhibited a variable temporary settlement behavior. Overall dispersal range sizes did not differ seasonally, but temporary settlement area range sizes were significantly larger in winter. Three eagles survived to territorial settlement and occupied ranges 20–60 kms from their natal areas. The application and refinement of the Scottish GET dispersal ranging model suggested that eagles used areas that had higher topographical relief and lower canopy cover during their natal dispersal. Habitat heterogeneity seems to also be influential during temporary settlement. Our study is the first to provide both such insights for golden eagles in southern eastern Europe and a method for delineating temporary settlement areas for the species. Our findings can be explained in terms of food and habitat availability. We highlight the importance of conserving heterogeneous open areas of complex topography and applying proactive management measures within temporary settlement areas for our population's conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal ontogeny of xenarthrans is poorly known, especially because of the paucity of study specimens from distinct developmental stages. Here, we investigate morphometric aspects of the mandible ontogeny in the two-toed sloths, Choloepus spp. We examined mandibles of infant, juveniles and subadult sloths that were present in kill assemblages of harpy eagles, Harpia harpyja, and complemented our study with adult museum specimens. We carried out uni- and multivariate linear morphometric analyzes to assess the growth pattern of the mandible. Harpy eagles did not prey on adult two-toed sloths, preferring younger individuals. We found an overall strong correlation between the total length of the mandible and other mandibular measurements across age classes, with some of them scaling isometrically, and others presenting allometric growth. Also, morphometric data correlated with patterns of symphysial fusion across ontogenetic stages, rendering the latter a reliable indicator of the animal's age category. Although it was necessary to complement our sample with museum material, individuals obtained from the harpy eagle kill assemblage proved to be a valuable complementary source of specimens to be studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The text is a book review of "SpyCatcher Legacy: Jesse Fink: The Eagle in the Mirror" by Nigel West. The review discusses the background and controversy surrounding the publication of "SpyCatcher" in 1987, which revealed evidence of Soviet penetration of the British Security Service. The review criticizes Fink's book for attempting to exonerate Dick Ellis, a suspected spy, but ultimately providing evidence that supports Ellis' guilt. The review also highlights Fink's limited understanding of the intelligence world and contradictions in his arguments. [Extracted from the article]

Single individuals of the Greater Spotted Eagle (Clanga clanga), Indian Spotted Eagle (Clanga hastata), Tawny Eagle (Aquila rapax), Western Marsh Harrier (Circus aeruginosus), and two Pallid Harriers (Circus macrourus) were deployed with satellite transmitters in 2021 to study their home ranges, habitat associations, movement, and migration patterns. Data were collected for a combined number of 2291 days, providing 84,544 locations. Home ranges were calculated as kernel utilization distributions and expressed as 95% KDE and core areas as 50% KDE. Overall, eagles had larger home ranges (mean ± SD) of 942.70 ± 937.83 km2 compared to harriers, 43.84 ± 35.55 km2. Among eagles, the Greater Spotted Eagle had the largest home-range size of 2147.03 km2 calculated in Kazakhstan, while the female Pallid Harrier had the smallest home range of 5.74 km2 in Russia. Daily and monthly distances varied among eagles and harriers. The female Pallid Harrier covered the longest average monthly distance of 8585.43 ± 11,943.39 km, while the shortest monthly distance of 1338.22 ± 716.38 km was traveled by the Indian Spotted Eagle. All tagged birds migrated toward higher latitudes in the Northern hemisphere, except the Indian Spotted Eagle, which migrated to Pakistan. The male Western Marsh Harrier covered the longest migration distance in a shorter span of time, while the female Pallid Harrier took the longest to cover its migration distance. Overall, the daily distance covered during migration varied from 115.09 km traveled by the Indian Spotted Eagle to an overwhelming distance of 2035.85 km covered by the male Western Marsh Harrier. Scrubs, water bodies, croplands, and settlements were important habitat features associated with eagles, while croplands, open scrub, and built-up areas were associated with the female Pallid Harrier. The male Western Marsh Harrier was found to be primarily associated with saltpans and salt-affected areas having emergent vegetation. This study presents new insights into the movement and spatial ecology of long-distance migrant raptors that winter in Western India. We provide preliminary support for the use of the Western Circum–Himalayan Corridor as one of the important corridors of the Central Asian Flyway that warrants much appreciation among the current set of flyway corridors.

The hindlimbs of Accipitriformes are vital for capturing prey. Research on hindlimb musculature has primarily focused on species preferring avian and mammalian prey, whereas piscivorous species have received limited attention. This study aims to investigate the quantitative characteristics of hindlimb muscles in two piscivorous Accipitriformes, Pandion haliaetus and Haliaeetus albicilla, to discern potential muscular features associated with their specific food preference. The mass and proportion of all hindlimb muscles in both species were assessed based on their primary function (flexion or extension). A Kruskal‐Wallis test was employed to analyze possible differences in muscle mass between species. The allometric relationships between the muscles and body mass were explored with the reduced major axis method. Additionally, a study on the architectural parameters of the primary gripping muscles in P. haliaetus was conducted, using published information from other raptorial birds for comparison. The isometric scaling relationship predominated in the majority of individual muscles helping maintain a proportional relationship relative to body mass. Both species exhibited a similar pattern in terms of quantitative muscle features, implying a preservation of muscle characteristics linked to their predatory capabilities. The largest proportion of hindlimb muscle mass was dedicated to digit flexion in accordance with the grasping abilities of birds of prey. The muscles tibialis cranialis, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus exhibited the greatest mass, high physiological cross‐sectional area values, and long fibre, categorizing them as high‐power specialists. These muscles are crucial in the flexion movements that produce the gripping action that characterizes birds of prey. Although no statistically significant differences were detected, each species displayed slightly distinct muscular characteristics, particularly in the architectural properties of the flexor muscles controlling digits II, III, and IV. These variations seem to be associated with differences in their prey preferences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of vertebrate territoriality and spatial use is a topic of great interest in the study of animal behaviour and conservation biology. Investigating the plasticity of territory boundaries, the shape of territories and how territories can be modified depending on their owners is important to deepen our knowledge of the behaviour of territorial species. We analysed the variation and tested the similarity of the distribution area of individuals from the same territory between 2015 and 2021, using data from 51 Bonelli's eagles (Aquila fasciata) from 22 different territories, tagged with GPS/GSM transmitters in eastern Spain. We calculated the percentage of overlap between the territories of the same individual in different years using the 95% kernel density estimator. We also analysed the changes in territory size and shape following the replacement of territory owners either by a single individual or by the whole pair. Our results show that territories retain the same shape and extent regardless of the occupying members, and that their boundaries change little over time. Identifying and maintaining large eagle territories, regardless of their owners, is therefore key to ensuring the long‐term recovery of these threatened species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adjustment of reproductive timing within the annual cycle is a crucial issue for both offspring and parents' survival, and breeding success. Early laying date is closely related to successful breeding outcome and better survival. Obtaining long datasets on threatened long-lived species' breeding performance can contribute to their conservation. Using field observations and telemetry information, here we analyse how laying date of an endangered long-lived raptor varies with nest characteristics, individual factors and climatic variables during an 18-year (2004–2021) study period in eastern Spain. To this end, we estimated how environmental and individual variables affect laying date. Our results showed that average laying date in our study area took place on February 17th. Laying date showed no trend during the study period. Nests placed in higher elevations showed delayed laying dates. Territories occupied by adults with previous successful experience and high brood size showed earlier laying dates. Current year laying date was highly correlated with previous year laying date. Colder territories delayed laying date and the minimum temperature of the previous December were negatively correlated to previous laying date. Our results highlight the importance of experienced birds able to adjust timing of reproduction to maximise biological fitness. High adult mortality allows sub-adults to settle as breeders and jeopardises species' persistence. Therefore, the reduction of mortality of territorial birds is of the outmost importance to improve the conservation status of declining long-lived species such as the Bonelli's eagle (Aquila fasciata). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Competition within and between species affects community structure and is well documented in raptors. We investigated the spatial distribution of two sympatric raptors in Cyprus, the Bonelli's Eagle (BE) and the Long-legged Buzzard (LLB). Both species are facultative tree/cliff nesters, with overlapping nesting and foraging areas. In 2021, the BE population consisted of 40 pairs with a density of 1,3 pairs/100 km2, and the LLB population of 113 pairs with 2,9 pairs/100 km2. About 80% of BE nesting sites and 43% of LLB nesting sites were situated within the Natura 2000 (N2K) protected areas network while 97% of BE nesting sites and 91% of LLB's were situated within 2.5 km from N2K areas. The spatial distribution was compared between and within species based on Nearest Neighbour Distance (NND) analysis. Average intraspecific NND for BE was 6.158 ± 2.207 m (SD), almost double compared to LLB which was 3.151 ± 1.730 m (SD). The distribution of BE nesting territories showed a regular spacing, indicating a stronger effect of intraspecific competitive interactions, whereas LLB nesting territories did not differ significantly from random. Average interspecific NND for BE was 5.339 ± 3.719 m (SD) and for LLB 5.673 ± 3.931 m (SD). Only the LLB had a regular pattern, suggesting that LLB pairs take into account neighbouring BE active territories when establishing their own, while the opposite is not the case. Therefore, the LLB, which is the smaller of the two raptors, avoids BE nesting sites by placing its nests further than to conspecifics. NNDs in 2021 were lower compared to previous studies in Cyprus, in 2005 for LLB and 2009 for BE, indicating an increase in both species' densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At the top of many ecosystems, raptors, also known as birds of prey, hold major influence. They shape their surroundings through their powerful hunting skills and complex interactions with their environment. This study investigates the beak morphology of four prominent raptor species, Golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), Common buzzard (Buteo buteo), Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) and Common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus), found in Türkiye. By employing geometric morphometric methods, we investigate shape variations in the beaks of these species to unravel the adaptive significance of their cranial structures. This analysis reveals distinct beak morphologies among the studied raptors, reflecting adaptations to their feeding habits, hunting techniques and ecological niches. The results from Principal component analysis and Canonical variate analysis demonstrate significant differences in beak morphology between the Falconiformes and Accipitriformes clades, as well as among all three groups. The overall mean beak shapes of Golden Eagles are quite similar to Common Buzzards, with both species having longer beaks. In contrast, Falcons exhibit a distinctly different beak morphology, characterized by wider and shorter beaks. Changes in beak shape can lead to changes depending on the skull. It is thought that skull shape variations among predator families may have an impact on beak shape. These findings highlight the importance of integrating morphometric analyses with ecological insights to enhance our understanding of the evolutionary processes shaping raptor beak morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Raptors exert top‐down influences on ecosystems via their effects on prey population dynamics and community composition. Most raptors are sympatric with other predators, thus complicating our understanding of their relative influence in these systems. Estimates of kill rates and prey biomass recycling have been used as predation metrics that allow quantitative comparison among species and assessment of the relative role of single species within complex food webs. Few studies have produced findings of kill rates or prey biomass recycling for raptors. We used a supervised machine learning algorithm to behaviourally classify high resolution accelerometer informed GPS locations of tagged adult non‐breeding martial eagles Polemaetus bellicosus in the Maasai Mara region of Kenya to estimate kill rates and prey biomass recycling. Eagle locations classified as feeding were clustered using distance and time thresholds to identify kills and calculate kill rates. Identified kill sites were quickly ground‐truthed to confirm kills and identify prey species. We estimated kill rates for martial eagles at 0.59 kills day‐1 for males and 0.38 kills day‐1 for females, and we estimated biomass recycling per ground‐truthed kill at 1796 g for males and 3860 g for females. From our sample of identified ground‐truthed kills, 'gamebirds' was the most frequently recorded prey category for male eagles and 'small ungulates' was the most frequently recorded prey category for female eagles. These results position martial eagles close to sympatric mammalian top predators in trophic pyramids and provide evidence for their classification as a top predator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After a first breeding in Switzerland in 1988 on Lake Zurich, the Common Eider nested for the first time on Lake Geneva in 2020 at Les Grangettes VD (with success), then for the first time on the French shore of this lake in 2023 near Yvoire (Haute-Savoie F). This nesting, which was monitored more or less regularly from April 24 to June 7, 2023, ended in failure following nocturnal attacks by a Eurasian Eagle-Owl Bubo bubo shortly before hatching. (Revision: M. Bowman) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The research involved surveying active pastors of the Reformed Church in Hungary through an online tool between 2 May and 18 June 2023. In our current analysis, we included pastors with active status in Hungary (N = 681). In this study, we looked at the mental health of those in their first five years of ministry compared to those who have served longer. In terms of well-being, there is a higher proportion of pastors at risk among those who have served for 1–5 years. In this essay, we explore the possible causes of this phenomenon and formulate hypotheses for further research. We discuss the challenges and complexities faced by pastors in contemporary society, highlighting the changing roles and expectations within the church. The findings suggest that pastors often experience fatigue, emotional challenges, and conflicting expectations. The diversity of pastoral roles, evolving societal norms, and the pastor’s evolving identity contribute to the complexity of their responsibilities. This paper identifies different phases in the pastor’s journey, from initial exposure to pastoral life to assuming the role professionally. It emphasizes that becoming a pastor is not just learning a role but a transformation of one’s identity and a continuous integration of faith into everyday life [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although lethal interactions between wolves and other apex carnivores have been reported for a handful of species, the killing or consumption of wolves by free-ranging golden eagles has rarely been reported. Here, we present four opportunistic field observations documenting the consumption of a wolf pup by free-ranging golden eagles and predatory behavior of eagles towards wolf pups. Although we could not confirm the killing and consumption of wolves by eagles in a single predatory event, actual predation seems plausible based on our observations. We hypothesize that these intraguild apex predators' interactions, consisting on a smaller raptor predator attacking or consuming a lager mammal and social predator, are rare events, but provide valuable information on potential relationships across keystone apex predators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existence of a shadow economy is recognized as an impediment to sustainable development. By applying the Bayesian approaches, the current article investigates the linkage between financial development, green trade, and the scope of the shadow economy, aiming to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of how these factors address the challenge posed by the shadow economy in Emerging and Growth-Leading Economies (EAGLE) from 2003 to 2016. The results demonstrate that (i) The progress of the financial sector is expected to diminish the scale of the shadow economy. Specifically, the expansion of financial institutions and markets has a strong and negative influence on the shadow economy. (ii) Increased involvement in green trade is likely to result in a decreased shadow economy. Empirical findings provide evidence for effective policymaking in simultaneously promoting sustainable trade practices, strengthening financial systems, and curtailing informal economic activities for inclusive economic development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In cloud environment, the optimal placement of virtual machines on available physical machines is challenging task. The available resources can be properly managed and the resource wastage can be reduced with the help of optimal placement of virtual machines. The proposed EAGLE modified approach performs better than the existing four optimization approaches namely multi resource alignment, first fit, two stage best fit, EAGLE for optimal placement of virtual machines in cloud computing. These algorithms are simulated using the designed simulator for different sets of workloads. The CPU utilization or power consumption varies from 68 to 88% for first fit, 69–90% for multi resource alignment, 66–87% for two stage best fit, 66–84% for EAGLE, and 66–84% for EAGLE MOD. The memory utilization varies from 40 to 60% for first fit, 50–69% for multi resource alignment, and 38–65% for two stage best fit, EAGLE, and EAGLE MOD. The average resource fragmentation are 30.4388% for first fit, 28.6983% for multi resource alignment, 33.2822% for two stage best fit, and 25.8717% for EAGLE and EAGLE MOD. The average resource fragmentation are 30.4388% for first fit, 28.6983% for multi resource alignment, 33.2822% for two stage best fit, and 25.8717% for EAGLE and EAGLE modified.The presented algorithms are compared on the basis of central processing unit (CPU) utilization, memory utilization, failure tasks, and resource fragmentation evaluation parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Bonelli's Eagle (Aquila fasciata) is a critically endangered species in Israel, with electrocution on power lines posing a serious threat to its population. Because retrofitting of electricity pylons to prevent mortality is a slow and costly process, it is important to prioritize the pylons in the network for quick and efficient mitigation of eagle mortality. To determine which pylons need to be retrofitted, we applied a three-stage maximum entropy modeling process for identifying the risk factors posed by different environmental variables. The environmental feature with the highest correlation to electrocution is the distance to reservoirs (i.e. many electrocution events occur near water reservoirs). The reservoirs are foraging hotspots for Bonelli's Eagles in Israel's arid environment. Electricity pylons powering the reservoirs' pumping facilities tend to be the highest perches in the vicinity of many of the reservoirs, creating an ecological trap. The strong attraction of reservoirs to eagles may explain the high level of selectivity indicated by the model, suggesting that retrofitting only 3.6% of the pylons in the network would achieve 77% reduction in eagles' electrocution probability. Moreover, insulating pylons according to the model will also likely reduce electrocutions of other avian species, including Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla). The modeling process presented here yielded 2 electrocution risk maps, one to facilitate prioritization of mitigation in Israel's existing power network and the second to support planning and designing new infrastructure. The model may help reach conservation goals for the Israeli Bonelli's Eagle and the modeling approach may also be useful in prioritizing pylon retrofitting in other arid landscapes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ichthyophthirius multifiliis , the causative agent of white spot disease, is a ciliated protozoan parasite that infects freshwater fish and induces high mortality. Outbreaks occur both in natural and production sites. The aim of the present study was to describe the lesions caused by chronic infection by I. multifiliis in goldfish (Carassius auratus) from an ornamental fish farm, highlighting important ultrastructural aspects of this protozoan. Damaged skin and gills, collected from fish with white or ulcerative skin lesions, were routinely processed for histological analysis and transmission electron microscopy. The parasitic forms present in the skin were associated with an inflammatory infiltrate consisting of macrophages, lymphocytes and other polymorphonuclear cells. The lesions associated with the presence of the parasite were organized in the form of granulomas, with macrophages in the layers closest to the parasites. A trophont-thickened membrane and induction of granulomatous inflammation were identified in this study as mechanisms for evasion of the immune response. We concluded that the presence of I. multifiliis trophonts resulted in the formation of granulomatous inflammation, whether associated or not with pathogen lysis, suggesting that the parasite can use an inflammatory response to evade the immune response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, mercury (Hg) concentrations were detected in feathers of golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos), a bird that typically inhabits alpine and forest areas. The mercury rates in feathers were compared in two groups of eagles: first, estimated home range (breeding, hunting, etc.) was located only in forest and lowland meadow habitats; second, the home range also included alpine habitats—rocks and meadows. Consequently, mercury concentration based on the feather typology were observed and the mercury levels in feathers were also compared among different Slovak Western Carpathian districts. It was found that there was no significant difference between groups classified by elevation level, which we attribute to the fact that eagle hunting territories are broad, so that alpine-dwelling and forest-dwelling eagles do not only reflect the pollution of the environments they typically inhabit. Non-significant differences were found also within different feather types, which means that the type of feather is not crucial for tracking mercury in eagle feathers. As the measurement of feather appears to be a simple and non-invasive method, the detection of non-significant differences in diverse types of golden eagle feathers provides useful knowledge for the future environment monitoring. The average mercury concentration measured in eagle samples was lower than the mercury concentration causing health complications among birds of prey. Our assumption that due to past mining activity in the Spiš region, the highest concentration in this region would be observed was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

GPS satellite tracking allows novel investigations of how golden eagles Aquila chrysaetos use the landscape at several scales and at different life history stages, including research on geographical barriers which may prevent or limit range expansion or create population/sub-population isolation. If there are significant barriers to golden eagle movements, there could be demographic and genetic consequences. Genetic studies have led investigations on the identification of sub-species, populations, and sub-populations but should be conjoined with demographic studies and dispersal movements to understand fully such designations and their geographic delimitation. Scottish eagles are genetically differentiated from continental European birds, with thousands of years of separation creating a distinct population, though without sub-species assignation. They present unique research opportunities to examine barriers to movements illustrated by satellite tracking under Scotland's highly variable geography. We primarily examined two features, using more than seven million dispersal records from satellite tags fitted to 152 nestlings. The first was the presence of unsuitable terrestrial habitat. We found few movements across a region of largely unsuitable lowland habitat between upland regions substantially generated by geological features over 70 km apart (Highland Boundary Fault and Southern Uplands Fault). This was expected from the Golden Eagle Topography model, and presumed isolation was the premise for an ongoing reinforcement project in the south of Scotland, translocating eagles from the north (South Scotland Golden Eagle Project: SSGEP). Second was that larger expanses of water can be a barrier. We found that, for a northwestern archipelago (Outer Hebrides), isolated by ≥24 km of sea (and with prior assignation of genetical and historical separation), there were no tagged bird movements with the Inner Hebrides and/or the Highlands mainland (the main sub-population), confirming their characterisation as a second sub-population. Results on the willingness of eagles to cross open sea or sea lochs (fjords) elsewhere in Scotland were consistent on distance. While apparently weaker than the Outer Hebrides in terms of separation, the designation of a third sub-population in the south of Scotland seems appropriate. Our results validate the SSGEP, as we also observed no movement of birds across closer sea crossings from abundant Highland sources to the Southern Uplands. Based on telemetric results, we also identified where any re-colonisation of England, due to the SSGEP, is most likely to occur. We emphasise, nevertheless, that our study's records during dispersal will be greater than the natal dispersal distances (NDDs), when birds settle to breed after dispersal, and NDDs are the better shorter arbiter for connectivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To better understand the population of the Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) nesting along northern Colorado’s Front Range, from 2016 to 2022 we studied 86 occupied nests within an area of 20,586 km2. From 2017 to 2020, 279 juveniles fledged from 237 nesting attempts in a smaller, main nest-study area with 68 nests. The nests’ success over these four years ranged from 52 to 70%, and their productivity varied from 1.1 to 1.3. The average nearest-nest distances for three discrete areas in the Front Range (5.03 to 7.26 km) are at least 2.8 to 4.0 times greater than these distances in four nesting populations in wetter regions but shorter than distances observed between nests in drier Arizona. In our study area the coverage of buildings within 400 m of Bald Eagle nests is relatively low by comparison to the coverage around randomly selected points, averaging 1344 m2; for 63% of the nests this coverage was less than 800 m2. We classified the 86 nest territories into eight categories that describe the dominant resource habitat and predicts the eagles’ reliance on Black-tailed Prairie Dogs (Cynomys ludovicianus) versus fish as prey. Predation on fish was predicted to be dominant at 51% (n = 44) of the nests, predation on prairie dogs at 32% (n = 28). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Natura 2000 network of protected areas is the backbone of species conservation in the European Union. We investigated whether Austrian-hatched white-tailed eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) make particular use of this multinational network during their natal dispersal, and what habitats were of importance to the eagles. We analyzed the utilization distribution of 907,466 GPS locations from 38 dispersing white-tailed eagles using a dynamic Brownian Bridge Movement Model. Eagles ranged over a huge area of central-eastern Europe. Natura 2000 sites overlapped with 67% of the resulting 50% isopleth; i.e., a high probability of utilization of Natura 2000 areas by white-tailed eagles was found. White-tailed eagles used wetlands, waterbodies, and deciduous forests adjacent to wet habitats disproportionately often. Coniferous forests and settlements were avoided. Anthropogenically caused mortalities hardly occurred within Natura 2000 sites. Our study suggests that the Natura 2000 network is a crucial tool for conserving the white-tailed eagle. This top predator is an ambassador for the Natura 2000 idea during all life stages, and should continue to be a conservation priority of the network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wildlife managers and livestock owners can choose from a multitude of interventions to prevent carnivore attacks on domestic animals, ranging from light and sound deterrents to fencing and lethal control. To guide management and make the best and most cost-effective choice of interventions, knowledge about where and when these measures are needed the most is important. By identifying spatiotemporal patterns of carnivore attacks, resources can be used more efficiently to prevent such attacks. We used a Swedish nationwide, long-term data set to identify inter- and intra-seasonal variation in probability, number, and severity (number of killed or injured per attack) of large carnivore attacks on sheep. Our results show that there are specific "times of trouble", regarding the number of attacks from golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) in late spring, and from brown bears (Ursus arctos), lynx (Lynx lynx), and wolves (Canis lupus) in late summer. Additionally, for brown bears and wolves, the severity of attacks varied throughout the grazing season with a peak in the latter part of the summer. The results can be used for guidance of temporal prioritisation of preventive interventions to reduce the probability, number, and severity of large carnivore attacks on sheep. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"The Black Eagle" pharmacy in Karlovac was founded in 1726 as the sixth military pharmacy in Croatia, and it has been continuously operating until today. In this work, relying on available literature, archival sources, and information from contemporary publications, the complete reconstruction of the historical continuity and ownership sequence of the oldest pharmacy in Karlovac is presented for the first time. All pharmacists who have made their mark in the operation of the pharmacy are listed, and biographies of those pharmacists who had a special significance in Karlovac's pharmacy and social life of that time are highlighted. New and original insights are presented, and incorrect data that have been circulating in the literature are corrected. Historical research on "The Black Eagle" pharmacy is valuable not only in the context of preserving Croatian pharmaceutical heritage but also as a space of exceptional historical and cultural significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]