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This study investigated the extent to which racialisation shapes EFL learners' conceptualizations of the 'native speaker' construct through an experimental design. Three hundred and fourteen university students studying at English-medium universities in Turkey were invited to take an online matched guise test. They were assigned to either the control group or the experimental group randomly. The participants in the control group were presented with photos of women in their late 20s, accompanied by 30-second speech samples recorded by White, Midwestern American women. In the experimental group, the same speech samples were accompanied by photos of similarly-aged women from racially minoritized backgrounds. The participants responded to 14 statements about each speaker on a five-point Likert scale. The statements were created based on the various qualities commonly referred to in the literature when defining 'native English speakers.' They referred to both linguistic factors such as fluency, intelligibility, age of language acquisition, intuitions about grammar, etc., and non-linguistic factors such as citizenship of an Anglophone country, birthplace, etc. The results revealed that the participants rated the speakers in the control group (White speakers) as significantly more 'native' than some speakers of colour. The discussion includes implications for teacher education and employment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Animals that hatch within a subterranean nest, such as turtle hatchlings, expend some of their limited energy reserves digging out through sand or soil to reach the surface. In sea turtles, this emergence process can take the hatchlings 3–7 days. However, we have a poor understanding of this process as it is difficult to observe what is occurring underground. Here, we utilize a novel method to characterize digging-out behaviour: affixing an accelerometer directly to newly hatched green turtles (Chelonia mydas) to record movement until nest emergence. Our data revealed that buried hatchlings maintained a head-up orientation but did not move in the expected left and right swaying motion associated with alternating limb crawling. Rather, they moved using dorsal–ventral heaving and pitching as if swimming vertically through the sand to the surface. Movement activity was irregular and brief, interspersed by many short periods of inactivity, mostly lasting less than 10 min. The first 24 h of head-up activity displayed no diel patterns, but the last 24 h prior to emergence involved more intense movement during night-time hours compared with daytime hours. Thus, our results add valuable new insight, and in some cases change previous assumptions, regarding the digging behaviours during the egg-to-emergence life stage in sea turtles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Location, dimensions, substrate and depth of the redds of the only non‐introgressed population of the critically endangered Mediterranean trout Salmo cettii Rafinesque 1810 were investigated over 2 days, in January–February 2021, in a reach located in the headwaters of Tellesimo stream, Sicily. The habitat type (pool, riffle and glide) was identified for all the 13 redds observed; lengths, widths, depths and substrate size were measured in a sample of them. Eighty‐five percent of the redds were located in pools and 15% in glides; no redd was found in riffles. The median total redd length was 80 cm (range: 43–580 cm; n = 11), and the median total area was 0.20 m2 (range: 0.01–2.09 m2; n = 11). The median size of dominant substrate in pot was 0.65 cm (range: 0.20–2 cm) and in tailspill 1.25 cm (range: 0.50–2.00 cm). Redds were found at median water depth of 27.5 cm (range: 12–98 cm). These results represent the first description of the characteristics of the spawning nests of this autochthonous salmonid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Vespa velutina is a eusocial insect accidentally introduced in Europe (2004) and has been expanded throughout the continent, causing enormous damages in the beekeeping, agriculture, and health sectors. In this work, the profiles of volatile organic compounds of V. velutina hornets from four colonies placed in different localities of Biscay (Spain) and from the external cover of their corresponding nests were obtained. Hornets and nests were extracted with hexane and an acetone/methanol mixture (50:50 v/v) and analysed by a gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analytical technique. The volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were identified from the profiles obtained and then processed using chemometric tools. These profiles were able to differentiate and discriminate between the different colonies. Furthermore, they allowed us to observe similarities in colonies close in location. The compounds found in common have a great relevance since they could be applied to the development of more efficient control methods for this invasive species based on chemical signals using attractive traps or baits containing the relevant compounds. Vespa velutina (Lepeletier, 1836) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is a eusocial insect that lives in colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals, which are divided into castes according to their task: queens, workers, and males. The proper functioning of the colony requires communication between the individuals that make up the colony. Chemical signals (pheromones) are the most common means of communication used by these insects to alarm and differentiate between individuals belonging or not to the colony. In this work, profiles of volatile organic compounds were obtained from the hornets and the external cover of four secondary nests located in the Basque Country. The obtained profiles were treated using chemometric tools. The grouping of hornets and nests according to the different colonies and geographical location was observed. In total, 37 compounds were found in common in hornets and nests. Most of them have been reported in the literature as belonging to different insects and plant species. This would corroborate the transfer of chemical compounds between the nest and the hornets' nest and vice versa. This information could be applied to the development of more efficient control methods for this invasive species, such as attractive traps or baits containing the relevant compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through the effort required to construct them, the microenvironmental conditions they impose on the family and their indirect influence on posthatching care, nests play a key role in influencing family life. We combined experimental evolution with cross-fostering experiments on laboratory populations of Nicrophorus vespilloides to investigate three ways in which the nest can contribute more broadly to parental investment. We used replicate populations of N. vespilloides that had evolved for 42 generations under contrasting regimes of care. Populations were either able to supply posthatching care ('Full Care') or prevented from supplying any posthatching care ('No Care'). Research on these populations has previously shown that the No Care populations evolved to build rounder nests, more rapidly, by Generation 14. Here we found (1) larvae raised by Full Care parents on nests prepared by parents from the No Care population did not attain a higher mass by the end of larval development than larvae in other treatments. However, we did discover that (2) cross-fostering nests between families consistently reduced larval mass, and to a similar extent whether nests were cross-fostered between or within the populations. We suggest that cross-fostering disrupted the chemical environment on and around the nest since we found no evidence that (3) nests mediate interactions between males and females. The duration of paternal care was consistently shorter than the duration of maternal care, and even shorter for males from the No Care populations than males from the Full Care populations. Nevertheless, the duration of male care did not predict variation in duration of female care. In short, although the nest is the substrate for burying beetle family life, we found little evidence that it had evolved divergently in our experimental populations to influence parental investment. • Do nests contribute to offspring performance, independent of posthatching care? • We evolved lab populations of burying beetles with and without posthatching care. • Brood performance was reduced when nests were switched between families. • Switching nests between populations did not worsen brood performance. • Chemical or microbial cues might cause broods to perform best in their home nest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a common but declining bird species in its native urban areas, partly due to reduced nesting site availability caused by modern urbanisation and loss of old architectural styles. In this study, we analysed, through a multivariate approach, the environmental factors influencing House Sparrow nest site selection in three diverse inland urban areas within the Valencian Community, Spain. We located 584 House Sparrow nests during spring 2017 and also selected 300 random points (habitat availability) in the study localities. We used Factorial Analyses of Mixed Data to assess urban feature gradients of nests and urban variables. We carried out Generalized Linear Mixed Models to compare nest locations to random points and explore variations in nesting typologies between urban zones. Specific nest site preferences vary between urban sectors, indicating that House Sparrow nests are not randomly located in urban areas. Nests are typically found near parks, schools, vacant plots, city limits, and surrounding crops, where greater vegetation cover provides abundant food sources. Low-rise terraced houses with traditional roofs and open clay tiles are consistently preferred for nesting, whereas modern architectural trends reduce nesting opportunities. Preserving green areas and old architecture with open clay tiles is essential for maintaining nesting sites and promoting House Sparrow conservation in Mediterranean urban areas. Adherence to these conservation measures may also benefit other hole-nesting species and urban wildlife reliant on green spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Platforms are structures built by coypus for various purposes, such as reproduction, resting, and thermoregulation. In a coastal wetland of central Italy, during a study aimed at investigating the characteristics of coypu's platforms, it was recorded, for the first time worldwide, the presence of plastic in these structures. Through a transect survey, we censused 83 platforms, among which three (3.61%) were found with presence of macro- and megaplastics (polystyrene, polypropylene, and low-density polyethylene in film form; polyester, polyamide, and expanded polystyrene in fragments). Through the FTIR spectra, it was possible to highlight the degradation of the polymeric materials. To stimulate possible in-depth investigations at the level of the food chain (e.g., coypu predators, including canids) in wet habitats, we discussed possible causes and implications of plastic presence in coypus' nest structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A subalgebra A of a C*-algebra M is logmodular (resp. has factorization) if the set {a*a; a ∈M is invertible with a, a--1 ∈ A} is dense in (resp. equal to) the set of all positive and invertible elements of M. In this paper, we show that the lattice of projections in a (separable) von Neumann algebra M whose ranges are invariant under a logmodular algebra in M, is a commutative subspace lattice. Further, if M is a factor then this lattice is a nest. As a special case, it follows that all reflexive (in particular, completely distributive CSL) logmodular subalgebras of type I factors are nest algebras, thus answering in the affirmative a question by Paulsen and Raghupathi (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 363 (2011) 2627-2640). We also give a complete characterization of logmodular subalgebras in finite-dimensional von Neumann algebras. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article explores the nesting behavior of Chimango Caracaras in Argentina, a bird of prey found in South America. The researchers observed four nesting attempts in different types of cavities, but all resulted in reproductive failure. The article highlights the adaptability of the species to nest in various structures, both natural and human-made. It emphasizes the importance of future research to understand the nesting plasticity of Chimango Caracaras and acknowledges the contributions of landowners and anonymous reviewers. [Extracted from the article]

This article discusses the presence of anthropogenic material in Crested Caracara nests in Argentina and its impact on electrical transmission lines. The study found that the material in the nests caused voltage drops and intermittent power outages by bridging the air gap between the transmission pylons and the energized conductors. The anthropogenic material identified in the nests included baling twine and electric fence rope. The article emphasizes the need to properly discard anthropogenic materials to prevent negative consequences for power companies, the population, and biodiversity. The given text is a list of references cited in a research article about the materials found in Crested Caracara nests in Argentina. The references include studies on nest building behavior, the use of anthropogenic nest substrates, and the impact of bird-related power outages. The article highlights the presence of human-made materials in the nests and the potential consequences of these materials for the birds and the power infrastructure. The references provide a range of perspectives on the topic, including economic costs, mitigation strategies, and the use of unmanned aircraft systems for assessment. [Extracted from the article]

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Amphibians exhibit an incredible diversity of reproductive and life-history strategies, including various forms of nest construction and nesting behaviour. Although anuran amphibians (frogs and toads) are not known for their nests, nesting behaviour in this clade-broadly defined as a location chosen or constructed for eggs and young-is tightly linked to the amphibious lifestyle of this group. Transitions to increasingly terrestrial living have driven reproductive diversity in anurans, including the repeated, independent evolution of nests and nesting. Indeed, a core feature of many notable anuran adaptations-including nesting behaviour-is the maintenance of an aquatic environment for developing offspring. The tight link between increasingly terrestrial reproduction and morphological, physiological and behavioural diversity in anurans provides inroads for studying the evolutionary ecology of nests, their architects and their contents. This review provides an overview of nests and nesting behaviour in anurans, highlighting areas where additional work may be particularly fruitful. I take an intentionally broad view of what constitutes nesting to highlight what we can learn from thinking and researching comparatively across anurans and vertebrates more broadly. This article is part of the theme issue The evolutionary ecology of nests: a cross-taxon approach.

The gharial Gavialis gangeticus is a Critically Endangered crocodilian currently known from only 14 disjunct locations in Nepal and India. The protected stretch of the Babai River in Bardia National Park, Nepal, is home to one of the six subpopulations of gharials that have exhibited recent evidence of reproduction. However, there is limited information available on the gharial population in this region. We conducted surveys during the breeding, nesting and hatching seasons of gharials during 2020–2022 to study the gharial population in the Babai River in Bardia National Park. We located one breeding group of gharials in Soth Khola (2–3 individuals) and one in Dhanuse (5–6 individuals), and we observed pre-mating or mating behaviours in all 3 years. We identified potential nesting areas on sand banks of 19–175 m in length. During nesting seasons we found abundant signs of nesting only in Dhanuse, including entry and exit trails of female gharials to and from the water and trial nests. In 2020 and 2021 we did not find any signs of hatching, probably because of flooding. In 2022 we recorded two gharial nests, producing c. 60 hatchlings, in Dhanuse. Our findings indicate that the gharial population in the Babai River is probably nesting annually. We recommend various conservation actions for this gharial population.

Abstract Background Measurement of the circulating levels of long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lupus nephritis (LN) patients could dramatically explore more insights about the disease pathogenesis. Hence, we aimed to quantify the level of expression of CTC-471J1.2 and NeST in LN patients and to correlate it with the disease activity. Method This case-control study was conducted on a group of children with juvenile LN attending to Mansoura University Children’s Hospital (MUCH). Demographics, clinical, and laboratory findings were collected besides the measurement of lncRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR. Results The expression level of lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 was significantly down-regulated in children with active LN versus inactive cases or controls. In contrast, the NeST was significantly up-regulated in active LN cases. A significant correlation was found between CTC-471J1.2 expression and LN activity parameters. Additionally, both lncRNAs showed a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in differentiation of active LN. A regression analysis model revealed that CTC-471J1.2 and NeST were independent predictors of active nephritis. Conclusion The expression level of circulatory lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 and NeST can be used as sensitive and specific biomarkers for active LN. Furthermore, both could serve as predictors for nephritis activity.

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus bairdii), a wildtype species native to North America, have been investigated for their spontaneous compulsive-like behaviour. The repetitive and persistence nature of three unique compulsive-like phenotypes in deer mice, i.e., high stereotypy (HS), large nesting behaviour (LNB) and high marble burying (HMB), are characterized by behavioural and cognitive rigidity. In this narrative review, we summarize key advances in the model's application to study obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), emphasizing how it may be used to investigate neurobiological and neurocognitive aspects of rigidity. Indeed, deer mice provide the field with a unique naturalistic and spontaneous model system of behavioural and cognitive rigidity that is useful for investigating the psychobiological mechanisms that underpin a range of compulsive-like phenotypes. Throughout the review, we highlight new opportunities for future research.

The gharial Gavialis gangeticus is a Critically Endangered crocodilian currently known from only 14 disjunct locations in Nepal and India. The protected stretch of the Babai River in Bardia National Park, Nepal, is home to one of the six subpopulations of gharials that have exhibited recent evidence of reproduction. However, there is limited information available on the gharial population in this region. We conducted surveys during the breeding, nesting and hatching seasons of gharials during 2020–2022 to study the gharial population in the Babai River in Bardia National Park. We located one breeding group of gharials in Soth Khola (2–3 individuals) and one in Dhanuse (5–6 individuals), and we observed pre-mating or mating behaviours in all 3 years. We identified potential nesting areas on sand banks of 19–175 m in length. During nesting seasons we found abundant signs of nesting only in Dhanuse, including entry and exit trails of female gharials to and from the water and trial nests. In 2020 and 2021 we did not find any signs of hatching, probably because of flooding. In 2022 we recorded two gharial nests, producing c. 60 hatchlings, in Dhanuse. Our findings indicate that the gharial population in the Babai River is probably nesting annually. We recommend various conservation actions for this gharial population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Measurement of the circulating levels of long-non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in lupus nephritis (LN) patients could dramatically explore more insights about the disease pathogenesis. Hence, we aimed to quantify the level of expression of CTC-471J1.2 and NeST in LN patients and to correlate it with the disease activity. Method: This case-control study was conducted on a group of children with juvenile LN attending to Mansoura University Children's Hospital (MUCH). Demographics, clinical, and laboratory findings were collected besides the measurement of lncRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The expression level of lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 was significantly down-regulated in children with active LN versus inactive cases or controls. In contrast, the NeST was significantly up-regulated in active LN cases. A significant correlation was found between CTC-471J1.2 expression and LN activity parameters. Additionally, both lncRNAs showed a reasonable sensitivity and specificity in differentiation of active LN. A regression analysis model revealed that CTC-471J1.2 and NeST were independent predictors of active nephritis. Conclusion: The expression level of circulatory lncRNAs-CTC-471J1.2 and NeST can be used as sensitive and specific biomarkers for active LN. Furthermore, both could serve as predictors for nephritis activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sand dunes are supported by the extensive root systems of dune plants that anchor the dune and protect it from erosion. While all plants that grow on the dunes support their structure, invasive plants can outcompete the native and non‐native dune plants for resources such as nutrients, sunlight, and space to grow. During the summer, sea turtles lay nests on beaches and near dunes; however, their eggs and hatchlings are at risk of destruction and entrapment by dune plant root penetration. Dune plant roots can penetrate sea turtle nest cavities, thus decreasing hatch success of the eggs and emergence success of the hatchlings. We aimed to determine how plant roots impact threatened loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on Casey Key, Sarasota County, Florida, USA and to assess the factors affecting plant root invasion. Specifically, we determined the effect of plant roots on loggerhead sea turtle nest success, the extent of the impact of invasive plants over non‐invasive plants on nests, and if the distance from the dune (barrier) affects whether roots will penetrate the nest. From July to August 2022, we excavated 93 nests to determine the extent of root penetration and identify associated plant species. This field campaign was supported by a long‐term dataset (1987–2022) on loggerhead sea turtle nesting across the region. We found that root presence decreased hatch success by 21% and emergence success by 18%, compared to nests that lacked roots within the nest chamber. Nests closer to the dune were more likely to have a higher proportion of root damage and lower hatch and emergence success. This study helps advance understanding of how native and non‐native plants affect sea turtle reproductive success and helps inform coastal management aimed at conserving threatened loggerhead populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban growth on natural areas produces landscape transformations. Species must face new environmental conditions and only some are able to tolerate them and reproduce. In South America, the eared dove (Zenaida auriculata) is capable of efficiently exploiting resources and thriving in various types of environments. In this study we aim to understand reproductive characteristics of the species related to its success and population growth in urban environment. Between 2017 and 2018 we performed seasonal counts of adult individuals, and we searched for and monitored active dove nests along fixed-width transects, in the city of Córdoba. We monitored 860 nests and evaluated the annual variation and the effect and characteristics of the nesting site on reproductive success. We determined the density of nests present in urban trees and their variation throughout a year, we calculated daily survival rates and nest success, duration of the reproductive cycle, and we identified main reasons for nest failure and substrates used for nests. The daily survival rate was 0.945 and the total reproductive success was 15%. 68% of the nests were unsuccessful, being more vulnerable in the chick rearing stage. Reproductive activity was permanent throughout the year, with increased activity during the summer season and a fall decrease between April and June. The contribution of youth to the population resulted in a similar trend. The number of active nests was significantly explained by the abundance of adult individuals. Therefore, the integration of variables provided by this study --e.g., changes in the abundance of adult individuals, nest survival rates, characteristics of nesting sites and productivity-- could contribute to the development of predictive mathematical models and viral dynamics models, necessary for management actions and health control strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of where species breed is important for understanding population trends, range shifts and conservation threats. During fieldwork in 2019–2023 in Western Province, Zambia, we recorded evidence of breeding of 21 waterbird species. According to known literature, these are considered the first breeding records for 14 species in this region of Zambia. Notably, we also confirmed the persistence of a breeding population of Whiskered Terns Chlidonias hybrida in Liuwa Plain National Park over 40 years after the last published report. Despite the logistical difficulties of the region, improved ornithological coverage for waterbird species is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Prairie Falcons (Falco mexicanus), females are considerably larger than males, as in most diurnal birds of prey. This phenomenon, known as reversed sexual dimorphism (RSD), is usually associated with asymmetry in parental care: the smaller male provides most of the food during the nesting season, whereas the larger female incubates the eggs, and broods and protects the young. To evaluate this relationship in Prairie Falcons, we quantitatively assessed parental roles of 52 pairs of Prairie Falcons nesting in southwestern Idaho, over a 4-yr period (1984–1987). We collected behavioral observations for each pair, from the establishment of a nesting territory until young were 30–35 d old (fledging age), for a total of 613 observation days (9089 hr). We found that male and female falcons shared some tasks, although not necessarily equally, including incubation, provisioning prey and nest defense. Females accounted for two-thirds of the diurnal incubation responsibility and males for one-third. Males and females made comparable efforts in food provisioning; similarly, nest defense, here defined as aggressive interactions with (potential) nest predators, did not differ between the sexes. Other behaviors, such as brooding, hunting, and nest attendance were performed more by one sex than the other. Brooding was carried out primarily by females, and they showed consistently higher nest attendance compared to males. Males hunted significantly more than females and delivered most prey items to the nest site. Overall, sex roles exhibited by nesting Prairie Falcons in our study largely agreed with predictions based on RSD. En Falco mexicanus, al igual que en la mayoría de las aves rapaces diurnas, las hembras son considerablemente más grandes que los machos. Este fenómeno, conocido como dimorfismo sexual inverso (DSI), generalmente se asocia con asimetría en el cuidado parental: el macho, de menor tamaño que la hembra, proporciona la mayor parte del alimento durante la temporada de nidificación, mientras que la hembra más grande incuba los huevos, abriga y protege a los pollos. Para evaluar esta relación en F. mexicanus, evaluamos cuantitativamente los roles parentales de 52 parejas que nidificaron en el suroeste de Idaho durante un período de 4 años (1984–1987). Recolectamos observaciones de comportamiento para cada pareja desde el establecimiento de un territorio de nidificación hasta que los pollos tuvieron 30–35 días de edad (edad de emplumamiento), durante un total de 613 días de observación (9089 horas). Encontramos que los machos y las hembras de F. mexicanus compartieron algunas tareas, aunque no necesariamente por igual, tales como la incubación, el suministro de presas y la defensa del nido. Las hembras realizaron dos tercios de la incubación diurna y los machos un tercio. Los machos y las hembras hicieron esfuerzos comparables en el suministro de alimento; de manera similar, la defensa del nido, aquí definida como interacciones agresivas con (potenciales) depredadores del nido, no difirió entre los sexos. Otros comportamientos, como el cuidado de la nidada, la caza y la asistencia al nido fueron realizados más por un sexo que por el otro. El cuidado de la nidada fue realizado principalmente por las hembras, las que mostraron una asistencia al nido consistentemente más alta en comparación con los machos. Los machos cazaron significativamente más que las hembras y entregaron la mayoría de las presas al nido. En general, los roles de sexo exhibidos por los individuos de F. mexicanus que nidificaron en nuestro estudio concordaron en gran medida con las predicciones basadas en el DSI. [Traducción del equipo editorial] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Israel, Long-eared Owls (Asio otus) were considered primarily a wintering species with documented sporadic breeding. However, by the turn of the last century, it had become an increasingly numerous breeding species in the northern and central parts of the country. Based on the analysis of nest numbers in the Judea region, we determined that the population increased by at least 22% each year between 2003 and 2008, from 28 known nests in 2003 to 118 in 2008. We believe our study was conducted during the initial years for the Long-eared Owl population expansion in the region. We found that birds nesting in more-urban areas produced fewer offspring per brood than birds in more rural areas. We also found that nestlings from more-urban areas, exposed to artificial light at night, fledged earlier than birds from wild areas. The rapid growth in the numbers of nesting Long-eared Owls in the Judea region was likely due, at least in part, to the species' adaptation to urban areas. En Israel, Asio otus fue consideraba principalmente como una especie migratoria invernal, con registros esporádicos de reproducción. Sin embargo, a partir del siglo 21, se convirtió en una especie reproductora cada vez más numerosa en en norte y centro del país. Basándonos en el análisis de números de nidos en la región de Judea, determinamos que la población aumentó al menos un 22% cada año entre 2003 y 2008, pasando de 28 nidos conocidos en 2003 a 118 en 2008. Creemos que nuestro estudio se llevó a cabo durante los primeros años de la expansión de la población de A. otus en la región. Descubrimos que las aves que anidaban en áreas más urbanas produjeron menos crías por nidada que las aves en áreas más rurales. También encontramos que los polluelos de áreas más urbanas, expuestos a la luz artificial por la noche, emplumaban antes que las aves de áreas silvestres. El rápido crecimiento en el número de individuos de A. otus que anidaban en la región de Judea probablemente se debió, al menos en parte, a la adaptación de la especie a áreas urbanas. [Traducción del equipo editorial] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a South-American canid of which conservation guidelines have been implemented due to its population vulnerability. Its trophic ecology demonstrates an omnivorous and opportunistic diet, and even flexibility in response to anthropogenic disturbances. Among the food items identified, the consumption of reptiles is scarce, and includes snakes and lizards. We monitored broad-snouted caiman (Caiman latirostris) nests during four nesting seasons through camera trapping, in savannas and grasslands areas, and recorded maned wolves feeding on caiman eggs during periods of drought. The consumption of an uncommon item, even at low frequency, suggests that camera trapping could become a complementary tool for studying the dietary habits of the maned wolf. Caimans have been a priority for conservation, while maned wolves are currently being released and reintroduced in order to reverse their vulnerable population status. This trophic interaction must be monitored in the long term, to project integral conservation strategies that include both emblematic species.

Vespa velutina (Lepeletier, 1836) (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) is a eusocial insect that lives in colonies of hundreds to thousands of individuals, which are divided into castes according to their task: queens, workers, and males. The proper functioning of the colony requires communication between the individuals that make up the colony. Chemical signals (pheromones) are the most common means of communication used by these insects to alarm and differentiate between individuals belonging or not to the colony. In this work, profiles of volatile organic compounds were obtained from the hornets and the external cover of four secondary nests located in the Basque Country. The obtained profiles were treated using chemometric tools. The grouping of hornets and nests according to the different colonies and geographical location was observed. In total, 37 compounds were found in common in hornets and nests. Most of them have been reported in the literature as belonging to different insects and plant species. This would corroborate the transfer of chemical compounds between the nest and the hornets’ nest and vice versa. This information could be applied to the development of more efficient control methods for this invasive species, such as attractive traps or baits containing the relevant compounds.

Little is known about the activity of leaf‐cutter ants such as Atta mexicana in urban environments.This study evaluated the soil nutrient concentration of A. mexicana nests and waste dumps compared with adjacent soils to the nests as a control in a Neotropical urban environment.The high nutrient concentration values in waste dumps, such as total C (360%), total N (340%), ammonium (900%) and nitrate (270%) higher than those found in the adjacent soils, except for total P, P‐Bray and sulphates, indicate that A. mexicana waste dumps may be hot spots of high nutrient concentrations in surface soil of an urban ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brood (social) parasites and their hosts exhibit a wide range of adaptations and counter-adaptations as part of their ongoing coevolutionary arms races. Obligate avian brood parasites are expected to use potential host species with more easily accessible nests, while potential hosts are expected to evade parasitism by building more concealed nests that are difficult for parasites to enter and in which to lay eggs. We used phylogenetically informed comparative analyses, a global database of the world's brood parasites, their host species, and the design of avian host and non-host nests (approx. 6200 bird species) to examine first, whether parasites preferentially target host species that build open nests and, second, whether host species that build enclosed nests are more likely to be targeted by specialist parasites. We found that species building more accessible nests are more likely to serve as hosts, while host species with some of the more inaccessible nests are targeted by more specialist brood parasites. Furthermore, evolutionary-transition analyses demonstrate that host species building enclosed nests frequently evolve to become non-hosts. We conclude that nest architecture and the accessibility of nests for parasitism represent a critical stage of the ongoing coevolutionary arms race between avian brood parasites and their hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed the nest architecture of Black Larger Ant using low-cost white cement. Length and width of the tunnel, length, width, and diameter of the chamber, deepness of nest, and number of tunnels and chambers assessed by standard measuring tools and techniques. The average nest circumference (15.1±4.30 cm), Depth of nest (13.1±3.50 cm), number of tunnels (9.0±2.0), tunnel length (10.70±5.60), width of the tunnel (3.00±1.00), number of chambers (6.0±2.0), chamber length (3.70±1.60 cm), chamber width (2.50±1.30 cm) varied significantly. The correlation performed with the length and width of the tunnel showed a strong positive correlation (r=0.54) (n=52). It also noticed that, whenever increasing the tunnel length simultaneously width of the tunnel also increased. Tunnel direction was identified in favor of identifying the other environmental factors like water sources of the nest. It was noticed that, the nest tunnel direction maximum in the west (29%) followed by east and south directions. The majority of the nests studied were irregular, while a few noticed round shapes. Initially, it is essential to provide a description. However, comprehending the intricate structure of the nest necessitates a more extensive analysis. This analysis should encompass how specific structures enhance the overall fitness of the social organism and the underlying mechanisms via which this enhancement occurs within the colony. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study delves into the nesting ecology of fieldfares within the avian population of Stepanakert, located in the Republic of Artsakh, alongside its contiguous regions. The research material encompasses observations and investigations carried out between 2017 and 2022 within the aforementioned geographic domains. In our specific conditions, the initiation of the fieldfare nesting process transpires under outdoor air temperatures exceeding +8°C to +10°C, while the first appearance of an egg within the nest during spring corresponds to temperatures of +15°C to +16°C. The nesting substrates encompass an array of broad-leaved and coniferous trees, in addition to various man-made structures. Nest placement exhibits diversity, situated at elevations of 0.5-1.2 meters above the ground within open areas proximate to the city, escalating to 3-4.5 meters within the central zones of Stepanakert, and subsiding to 1.5-2.5 meters in woodland environs adjacent to the city. The construction of nests unfolds over a median period of 5-7 days. On average, nests accommodate a clutch of 3-5 eggs. The morphological attributes of eggs reveal considerable variability. In our contextual setting, fieldfares engender two generations annually, with an incubation duration spanning 12-13 days. Hatchlings emerge from eggs within a single day, occasionally within two days, eventually taking their inaugural flights after 15-17 days. The percentages of losses occurring between the embryonic stage [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Accurate information on potential evapotranspiration (PET) is mandatory for arid regions (such as Egypt) to assess crop water requirements. Such precision is limited by the dynamical downscaling options and the physical settings used in regional climate models (like the RegCM4). To address these issues, four simulations were run as part of the current study. The first two simulations take direct (DIR) and one-way nesting (NEST) into account, while the other two use two boundary layer techniques (HOLTSLAG; HOLT) and (the University of Washington; UW). All simulations were driven via an ERA-Interim reanalysis of 1.5 degrees. The simulated PET was evaluated for the high-resolution reanalysis gridded derived product of ERA5-Land (hereafter ERA5). The findings revealed no discernible difference between DIR and NEST regarding global incident solar radiation (RSDS). Also, NEST had a higher mean air temperature (TMP) than DIR. Additionally, UW had a lower TMP than HOLT, but switching between HOLT and UW did not significantly impact the simulated RSDS. Concerning PET, it is neither affected by DIR and NEST nor HOLT and UW. Such results suggest that the RSDS is the main driver in controlling PET variability, followed by TMP. Therefore, by using the DIR downscaling option and UW boundary layer scheme throughout the period of 1990–2020, as recommended by the World Meteorological Organization, the RegCM4 can be used to develop a regional PET map of Egypt. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization has prompted shifts in avian nesting behaviors, with some bird species incorporating anthropogenic nest materials (ANMs) into their nests. This study focuses on Troglodytes aedon (House Wren) in Ecuador, exploring the factors influencing their use of ANMs. Observations in Parque Los Algarrobos revealed a House Wren carrying a piece of transparent plastic, entering a street lamp and emergind from it without the plastic. Additional data from iNaturalist showcased widespread ANM use in House Wren nests across Ecuador.

Abstract Sand dunes are supported by the extensive root systems of dune plants that anchor the dune and protect it from erosion. While all plants that grow on the dunes support their structure, invasive plants can outcompete the native and non‐native dune plants for resources such as nutrients, sunlight, and space to grow. During the summer, sea turtles lay nests on beaches and near dunes; however, their eggs and hatchlings are at risk of destruction and entrapment by dune plant root penetration. Dune plant roots can penetrate sea turtle nest cavities, thus decreasing hatch success of the eggs and emergence success of the hatchlings. We aimed to determine how plant roots impact threatened loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) nests on Casey Key, Sarasota County, Florida, USA and to assess the factors affecting plant root invasion. Specifically, we determined the effect of plant roots on loggerhead sea turtle nest success, the extent of the impact of invasive plants over non‐invasive plants on nests, and if the distance from the dune (barrier) affects whether roots will penetrate the nest. From July to August 2022, we excavated 93 nests to determine the extent of root penetration and identify associated plant species. This field campaign was supported by a long‐term dataset (1987–2022) on loggerhead sea turtle nesting across the region. We found that root presence decreased hatch success by 21% and emergence success by 18%, compared to nests that lacked roots within the nest chamber. Nests closer to the dune were more likely to have a higher proportion of root damage and lower hatch and emergence success. This study helps advance understanding of how native and non‐native plants affect sea turtle reproductive success and helps inform coastal management aimed at conserving threatened loggerhead populations.

The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a common but declining bird species in its native urban areas, partly due to reduced nesting site availability caused by modern urbanisation and loss of old architectural styles. In this study, we analysed, through a multivariate approach, the environmental factors influencing House Sparrow nest site selection in three diverse inland urban areas within the Valencian Community, Spain. We located 584 House Sparrow nests during spring 2017 and also selected 300 random points (habitat availability) in the study localities. We used Factorial Analyses of Mixed Data to assess urban feature gradients of nests and urban variables. We carried out Generalized Linear Mixed Models to compare nest locations to random points and explore variations in nesting typologies between urban zones. Specific nest site preferences vary between urban sectors, indicating that House Sparrow nests are not randomly located in urban areas. Nests are typically found near parks, schools, vacant plots, city limits, and surrounding crops, where greater vegetation cover provides abundant food sources. Low-rise terraced houses with traditional roofs and open clay tiles are consistently preferred for nesting, whereas modern architectural trends reduce nesting opportunities. Preserving green areas and old architecture with open clay tiles is essential for maintaining nesting sites and promoting House Sparrow conservation in Mediterranean urban areas. Adherence to these conservation measures may also benefit other hole-nesting species and urban wildlife reliant on green spaces.

The Red-crowned Woodpecker, Melanerpes rubricapillus (family Picidae) is one of 24 species that makes up the genus. In Colombia, its distribution has increased in the last fifteen years, and the ecological aspects that are known about the species come from only a few specific nests. There are knowledge gaps for the species related to, among others, food preference, nestling development, and parental care. Between January 2019–March 2020, the natural history of M. rubricapillus was studied, with emphasis on reproduction, parental care, vocal communication, and body condition, in Cali, Colombia. Each nest was monitored from its discovery until fledging. Adult reproductive behavior was quantified in detail. The reproductive activity had a unimodal pattern with a maximum number of nests between January–March. Parental investment was the same for both sexes, both in the incubation period and in the chick rearing period. Incubation periods/hour were longer during the early stages of embryonic development and these (incubation periods/hour) increased with clutch size and rainfall intensity. Feeding rate increased with brood size and age of the chicks. The body condition index was correlated with the hematological profile-heterophils/lymphocytes, but the hematological profile-heterophils/lymphocytes were not related to the feeding rate of the adults. Compared to other studies, the findings were similar regarding fledging age and different relative to clutch size, incubation period, parental investment, and number of nestlings.

The nesting of birds associated with social insects has already been documented in different Brazilian biomes, including in the Cerrado, but information about this association in this biome is still scarce. Thus, our objective is to report the nesting association between bird and ants in the Cerrado. In April 2023, in the Grande Sertão Veredas National Park, a colony of the weaver ant Camponotus senex (Smith, 1858) was reported as being 10 cm from an active nest, with eggs, of a Tolmomyias sulphurescens (Spix, 1825), a yellow-olive flatbill, 5 meters from the ground, in a plant substrate. The report brings new information about the nesting behavior of T. sulphurescens and the C. senex ant within the Cerrado, but it is not possible to define whether this association is recurrent or accidental, and further studies are needed to better elucidate this ecological relationship, as well as the advantages for both, especially for the ant.

In eusocial insects, the discrimination between conspecifics and intruders is essential for the functioning of most insect societies. This capacity mediated by pheromones, and in particular by Cuticular Hydrocarbon Compounds (CHCs) is the main mechanism of social nestmate recognition which can include heritable cues, as well as acquired cues from nestmates and/or their environment. In this study, we analysed the acquisition of the chemical signature of callows over time, compared to nestmate workers and their nest materials in the invasive hornet Vespa velutina nigrithorax. We show that callows present their own chemical signature, different from both the oldest individuals and nest materials. Interestingly, this chemical signature evolves rapidly, the first two days after emergence, and is not influenced by the presence of a chemical template (workers and/or nests) in laboratory conditions. Moreover, quantities of branched alkanes increased with age. All these results suggest that the chemical signature in V. velutina nigrithorax is probably more influenced by some parameters like physiological processes or genetic factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bryophytes are one of the main resources for bird nest construction; however, studies are limited and have been oriented to preliminary species lists. We evaluated for the first time in Ecuador the changes in the richness and composition of bryophytes in 17 nests of the species Myadestes ralloides and Catharus fuscater, of the family Turdidae. The presence/absence of bryophytes was recorded in each nest. A total of 25 bryophyte species were recorded (13 mosses and 12 liverworts). The most frequent species in the nests of the two species were the mosses Thuidium tomentosum and Meteoridium remotifolium and the liverworts Trichocolea flaccida and Frullania peruviana. The results indicated that bryophyte species' richness and composition did not differ between the nests of the two studied bird species, because they select similar bryophyte species for nest elaboration. In general, our study showed that for the two species of birds of the family Turdidae, mosses and liverworts are key components in the elaboration of nests both internally and externally. On the other hand, we would suggest that further investigations should focus on analyzing the relation between bird nests and bryophyte phytochemistry, as well as the functional traits of bryophytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to navigate effectively in a rich and complex world is crucial for the survival of all animals. Specialist neural structures have evolved that are implicated in facilitating this ability, one such structure being the ring attractor network. In this study, we model a trio of Spiking Neural Network (SNN) ring attractors as part of a bio-inspired navigation system to maintain an internal estimate of planar translation of an artificial agent. This estimate is dynamically calibrated using a memory recall system of landmark-free allotheic multisensory experiences. We demonstrate that the SNN-based ring attractor system can accurately model motion through 2D space by integrating ideothetic velocity information and use recalled allothetic experiences as a positive corrective mechanism. This SNN based navigation system has potential for use in mobile robotics applications where power supply is limited and external sensory information is intermittent or unreliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships between kit birth weight and litter size with kit survival from birth to weaning, and to estimate the effects of place of birth, nest quality, cannibalism, lactation, parity order, season and sex. A total of 1696 kits from 82 females of the ITLEV2006 synthetic line were used in this study. A logistic regression was performed. Kit birth weight was directly related to the probability of the kit’s survival from birth to weaning, and increasing birth weight by one gram increased the likelihood of kit survival by 8% to 10% (P