scholarly journals Population size of the Common Quail Coturnix coturnix at Ljubljansko barje decreased in the last twenty years by half, perhaps even (much?) more

Acrocephalus ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (170-171) ◽  
pp. 171-176
Author(s):  
Davorin Tome ◽  
Al Vrezec ◽  
Špela Ambrožič ◽  
Andrej Kapla
Keyword(s):  
Population Size ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
Monitoring Protocol ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Quail ◽  
Ljubljansko Barje ◽  
Central Slovenia

Abstract In 2015, we used the same method as in the 1989-1996 period to count calling males of the Common Quail Coturnix coturnix in selected 1x1 km squares of Ljubljansko barje (central Slovenia). We counted 39 males, which is 87% less compared to the survey 20 years ago. Quails were found in 56% fewer squares. Since Quail populations are known to fluctuate greatly between years, we think that the most realistic long-term estimate for population decline would be somewhere between 50 to 90%. We detected that within only one week males stopped calling in some squares, while in others they began calling although they had not been detected there before, indicating possible relocations. This dynamics should be considered when designing a population monitoring protocol for the Quail.

scholarly journals Determining population trends and conservation status of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) in Western Europe

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 343-352
Author(s):  
M. Puigcerver ◽  
◽  
F. Sardà–Palomera ◽  
J. D. Rodriguez-Teijeiro ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Western Europe ◽  
Conservation Status ◽  
Population Trends ◽  
Distribution Model ◽  
Breeding Period ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Winter Cereal ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Quail

In this paper we review the conservation status and population trends of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) from 1900 to the present. Data are sometimes contradictory with regard to the status of this species as it has some features that make it difficult to produce reliable population estimates. Recent data clearly suggest, either at a local scale or at a trans–national scale, that the Atlantic common quail populations have remained stable in the last two decades, and that restocking practices with farm–reared quails (hybrids with the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica) do not affect our estimates. The complex movement patterns showed by this species require special attention. Analysis of ring recoveries can give important information, especially about the nomadic movement of quails in search of suitable habitats after the destruction of winter cereal crops due to harvesting. Thus, when developing a breeding distribution model for this species, continuously updated information on seasonal habitat and weather must be included for optimal prediction. Including fortnightly data of vegetation indices in distribution models, for example, has shown good results. Obtaining reliable predictions about changes in species distribution and movements during the breeding period could provide useful knowledge about the conservation status and population trends and would help in the design of future management measures.

scholarly journals Exploring male and female preferences, male body condition, and pair bonds in the evolution of male sexual aggregation: the case of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

2011 ◽  
Vol 89 (4) ◽  
pp. 325-333 ◽  
Author(s):  
F. Sardà-Palomera ◽  
M. Puigcerver ◽  
D. Vinyoles ◽  
J.D. Rodríguez-Teijeiro
Keyword(s):  
Mating System ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Intermediate Step ◽  
Male Body ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
Female Preferences ◽  
Pair Bonds ◽  
The Common ◽  
Common Quail

One of the unresolved problems of male sexual aggregations is that a small number of males monopolize most matings. The Common Quail ( Coturnix coturnix (L., 1758)), is a bird species that has a short life span and a reproductive strategy that involves male aggregations, which females visit for the purpose of mating. Once a mate has been chosen, birds leave the aggregation and form pair-bonds until incubation begins. This remarkable mating system might represent an intermediate step between lekking and pair-bond mating systems in which males provide some parental care. We designed a field experiment with funnel traps simulating male groups and single females to observe male and female preferences, and to examine the possible evolutionary process that drives males to aggregate. Radio-tagged individuals were also monitored to study pair-bonding behaviour in the field. Our results suggest that body condition is an important factor in male group formation, and that males with better body condition tend to aggregate, while males in poorer condition wait for extra-pair copulation opportunities. Moreover, this mating system creates a situation in which a queuing strategy might occur.

scholarly journals Post–breeding movements and migration patterns of western populations of common quail (Coturnix coturnix): from knowledge to hunting management

2012 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-342
Author(s):  
J. D. Rodríguez–Teijeiro ◽  
◽  
F. Sardà–Palomera ◽  
M. Puigcerver ◽  
◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breeding Site ◽  
European Countries ◽  
Data Sets ◽  
Sexually Active ◽  
Hunting Season ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
Hunting Management ◽  
The Common ◽  
And Migration ◽  
Common Quail

We investigated the patterns of post–breeding movements of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) in the Iberian peninsula with the aim of describing its migratory phenology and some physiological features of individuals. This information is needed to adjust hunting seasons in an optimal way. We worked with two data–sets: a) captures made in a non–breeding site (Garraf) from August to October in 2009 and 2010; b) post–breeding recoveries of individuals ringed in Europe and recaptured in Spain between 1933 and 2005. The results showed that post–breeding movements in Garraf occur in two waves: a first wave that occurs around 10 VIII and is mainly composed of non–sexually active yearlings that do not correspond physiologically to migrants, and a second much more intense wave, which occurs around 17 IX and is mainly composed of non–sexually active migrant yearlings. The hunting season in Spain takes place mainly during the first wave, preserving the passage of migrant individuals from Spain and other European countries. Information on the post–breeding movements in other Spanish regions and other European countries where the common quail is a popular game species would improve timing between the hunting season and migration by providing more precise recommendations for hunting management.

Population monitoring of an urban gliding mammal in eastern Australia

2018 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 214
Author(s):  
Ross L. Goldingay
Keyword(s):  
Adult Population ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Population Monitoring ◽  
Small Population ◽  
Population Modelling ◽  
Forest Remnant ◽  
Eastern Australia ◽  
Squirrel Glider

Long-term monitoring is an important element of species conservation. This study describes changes in the size of a squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis) population over a 10-year period. The population occupied a 45-ha forest remnant within the urban area of Brisbane. Gliders were tagged from 25 nights of trapping during 2006–08 and from 16 nights of trapping in 2015. Population modelling was used to estimate adult population size. This suggested the adult population comprised 30–40 individuals at the beginning and end of the 10-year period. It reached a peak of 70 individuals in mid-2007. These data suggest that the study area contains a small population that is prone to interannual variation but there was no evidence of it being in decline. Survival estimates during 2006–08 were equivalent to those estimated for a larger population in Victoria. Population monitoring should be continued to determine how resilient this population is to population decline and to investigate factors that may cause decline. This study provides an example of an approach that could be used to monitor threatened populations of the squirrel glider.

scholarly journals Histological study of the gall bladder of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix)

2014 ◽  
Vol 59 (No. 5) ◽  
pp. 261-264 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Mobini
Keyword(s):  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Connective Tissue ◽  
Gall Bladder ◽  
Goblet Cells ◽  
Loose Connective Tissue ◽  
Coturnix Coturnix ◽  
The Common ◽  
Tunica Muscularis ◽  
Chukar Partridge ◽  
Common Quail

The objective of this investigation was to study the histological structure of the gall bladder in the common quail (Coturnix coturnix). Samples were obtained from six male and six female healthy adult common quail. Tissue sections were stained with haematoxylin and eosin. Histological results showed that the overall histology of the gall bladder of the common quail is similar to that in the chukar partridge except for the goblet cells. No significant sex-based differences were found. The gall bladder was composed of tunica mucosa, tunica muscularis and tunica serosa or tunica adventitia. The tunica mucosa was mainly lined with simple columnar epithelium which was covered by a continuous striated border of microvilli. Goblet cells were observed among the epithelial cells. The tunica mucosa formed some folds which appeared to be regularly distributed over the whole gall bladder luminal surface and were mostly isometric. Deep invaginations of the surface epithelium were observed to have grown down into the underlying mesenchyme, showing a tubular gland-like appearance. The muscularis mucosa was absent. The thin lamina propria-submucosa contained loose connective tissue which consisted of numerous diffuse lymphatic tissues, but no glands were observed. The tunica muscularis consisted of a thin circular layer of smooth muscle fibres. The loose connective tissue of the tunica serosa or adventitia was made up of adipose tissues and blood vessels. It is concluded that the histological structures of the gall bladder of the common quail are similar to those of the chukar partridge except for the presence of goblet cells among the epithelial cells of the tunica mucosa.  

scholarly journals Genetic Diversity, Inbreeding Level, and Genetic Load in Endangered Snub-Nosed Monkeys (Rhinopithecus)

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Weimin Kuang ◽  
Jingyang Hu ◽  
Hong Wu ◽  
Xiaotian Fen ◽  
Qingyan Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Diversity ◽  
Population Size ◽  
Large Population ◽  
Population Decline ◽  
Genetic Load ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Population Sizes ◽  
Genomic Inbreeding ◽  
Inbreeding Level

The snub-nosed monkey genus (Rhinopithecus) comprises five closely related species (R. avunculus, R. bieti, R. brelichi, R. roxellana, and R. strykeri). All are among the world's rarest and most endangered primates. However, the genomic impact associated with their population decline remains unknown. We analyzed population genomic data of all five snub-nosed monkey species to assess their genetic diversity, inbreeding level, and genetic load. For R. roxellana, R. bieti, and R. strykeri, population size is positively correlated with genetic diversity and negatively correlated with levels of inbreeding. Other species, however, which possess small population sizes, such as R. brelichi and R. avunculus, show high levels of genetic diversity and low levels of genomic inbreeding. Similarly, in the three populations of R. roxellana, the Shennongjia population, which possesses the lowest population size, displays a higher level of genetic diversity and lower level of genomic inbreeding. These findings suggest that although R. brelichi and R. avunculus and the Shennongjia population might be at risk, it possess significant genetic diversity and could thus help strengthen their long-term survival potential. Intriguingly, R. roxellana with large population size possess high genetic diversity and low level of genetic load, but they show the highest recent inbreeding level compared with the other snub-nosed monkeys. This suggests that, despite its large population size, R. roxellana has likely been experiencing recent inbreeding, which has not yet affected its mutational load and fitness. Analyses of homozygous-derived deleterious mutations identified in all snub-nosed monkey species indicate that these mutations are affecting immune, especially in smaller population sizes, indicating that the long-term consequences of inbreeding may be resulting in an overall reduction of immune capability in the snub-nosed monkeys, which could provide a dramatic effect on their long-term survival prospects. Altogether, our study provides valuable information concerning the genomic impact of population decline of the snub-nosed monkeys. We revealed multiple counterintuitive and unexpected patterns of genetic diversity in small and large population, which will be essential for conservation management of these endangered species.

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