scholarly journals Urban Pit-Building Insects Are Attracted to Walls for Multiple Reasons

Biology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 635
Author(s):  
Inon Scharf ◽  
Tomer Gilad ◽  
Yuval Taichman ◽  
Aziz Subach
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Thin Layers ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Partial Explanation ◽  
Loose Soil ◽  
Explicit Simulation ◽  
Specialist Species ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Spatially Explicit Simulation Model

Whereas most animals find urban habitats to be inferior to natural habitats, some “urban specialist” species thrive there. Wormlions present such an example. Common in Mediterranean cities, they cluster in thin layers of loose soil below man-made shelters. Wormlions are fly larvae that dig pit-traps in loose soil and hunt small arthropods. Our first aim was to determine whether wormlion pits accumulate next to walls. Wormlion pits were indeed closer to walls than expected by chance at most of the study sites. We examined possible factors behind this apparent preference, combining field observations and experiments, laboratory work, and theoretical analysis. We examined the effect of soil depth, particle size, shade, and prey abundance. Each factor provided a partial explanation for the wormlions’ proximity to walls, but none provided an overall explanation. We developed a spatially explicit simulation model, demonstrating under which conditions wall-adjacent positions are favored. Finally, we created artificial microhabitats, and placed wormlions either in the center or next to the wall. The wormlions in the center moved over longer distances than those next to the wall and did so more in the wall’s direction. The abundance of walls may help to explain the success of wormlions in urban habitats.

Distribution and habitat preference of protected reindeer lichen species (Cladonia arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) in the Balaton Uplands (Hungary)

2021 ◽  
Vol 53 (3) ◽  
pp. 271-282
Author(s):  
Mónika Sinigla ◽  
Erzsébet Szurdoki ◽  
László Lőkös ◽  
Dénes Bartha ◽  
István Galambos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vascular Plants ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Soil Depth ◽  
Habitat Preferences ◽  
Habitat Type ◽  
Canopy Cover ◽  
Lichen Species ◽  
Oak Forests ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Cladonia Rangiferina

AbstractThe maintenance of protected lichen species and their biodiversity in general depends on good management practices based on their distribution and habitat preferences. To date, 10 of the 17 protected lichen species of Hungary have been recorded in the Bakony Mts including the Balaton Uplands region. Habitat preferences of three protected Cladonia species (C. arbuscula, C. mitis and C. rangiferina) growing on underlying rocks of red sandstone, basalt, Pannonian sandstone and gravel were investigated by detailed sampling. We recorded aspect, underlying rock type, soil depth, pH and CaCO3 content, habitat type (as defined by the General National Habitat Classification System Á-NÉR), all species of lichen, bryophyte and vascular plants as well as percentage cover of exposed rock, total bryophytes, lichens, vascular plants and canopy, degree of disturbance and animal impacts. Sporadic populations of these species mostly exist at the top of hills and mountains in open acidofrequent oak forests, but they may occur in other habitats, such as closed acidofrequent oak forests, slope steppes on stony soils, siliceous open rocky grasslands, open sand steppes, wet and mesic pioneer scrub and dry Calluna heaths. Cladonia rangiferina was found to grow beneath higher canopy cover than either C. arbuscula or C. mitis in the Balaton Uplands. Furthermore, there were significant differences in canopy cover between occupied and unoccupied quadrats in the case of all three species. Cladonia rangiferina is a good indicator species of natural habitats in Hungary due to its restricted distribution and low ecological tolerance. These results may lead to the adoption of effective conservation methods (e.g. game exclusion, artificial dispersal) in the future.

scholarly journals Pesticides and the evolution of the genetic structure of Anopheles coluzzii populations in some localities in Benin (West Africa)

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arsène Jacques Y. H. Fassinou ◽  
Come Z. Koukpo ◽  
Razaki A. Ossè ◽  
Fiacre R. Agossa ◽  
Roseric Azondékon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genetic Structure ◽  
Genetic Differentiation ◽  
Anopheles Coluzzii ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Agroecological Zones ◽  
Chi Square Test ◽  
Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Homozygous Resistant

Abstract Background Changes in the natural habitats of insect groups are determined the genetic polymorphisms between individuals. The objective of this study was to establish the genetic structure of the Anopheles coluzzii populations in four localities of Benin. Methods Insecticide surveys and larval sampling were conducted on 4 study localities, including Cotonou, Ketou, Zagnanado, and Sô-Ava. Molecular characterizations were performed on the Anopheles mosquitoes collected with the allelic and genotypic frequencies of kdr gene determined. The multiple comparison Chi square test for proportions was performed with R version 3.3.3. Next, the observed heterozygosity, expected heterozygosity, and indices of fixation, and genetic differentiation were estimated. Finally, the Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium (EHW) was determined to assess whether panmixia exists in the different populations of mosquitoes of the agroecological zones under study. Results Carbamates, pyrethroids, organophosphorus and organochlorines use have been reported in all localities except Sô-Ava. Anopheles coluzzii was strongly represented across all study localities. The L1014F allele was observed in the localities of Kétou, Cotonou and Zagnanado. Likewise, insecticide selection pressure of homozygous resistant individuals (L1014F/L1014F) was significantly higher in Kétou, Cotonou and Zagnanado (p value < 0.05). Surprisingly in Sô-Ava, a relatively high frequency of the L1014F allele despite the reported absence of pesticide use was observed. All mosquito populations were found to be deficient in heterozygosity across the study sites (FIS< 0). No genetic differentiation (FST< 0) was observed in the localities of Zagnanado and Kétou. Conclusion The survey on the use of insecticides showed that insecticide selection pressures differ across the investigated localities. It would be desirable to rotate or apply formulations of combined products with different modes of action. Doing so would enable a better management of resistant homozygous individuals, and mitigate the resistance effect of commonly used insecticides.

Viable seed populations by soil depth and potential site recolonization after disturbance

1977 ◽  
Vol 55 (18) ◽  
pp. 2408-2412 ◽  
Author(s):  
Janice M. Moore ◽  
Ross W. Wein
Keyword(s):  
Soil Depth ◽  
Seedling Emergence ◽  
Mineral Soil ◽  
Organic Soil ◽  
Viable Seed ◽  
Soil Layers ◽  
Forest Experiment Station ◽  
Viable Seeds ◽  
Study Sites ◽  
Germination Experiment

Seedling emergence from organic and mineral soil layers was measured for nine study sites at the Acadia Forest Experiment Station near Fredericton, New Brunswick. The number of viable seeds showed a decrease from deciduous-dominated forest, to conifer-dominated forest, to organic soil study sites. Viable seed number varied from 3400/m2 for a deciduous-dominated forest study site to zero for a bog study site. Most seeds germinated from the upper organic soil layers of all study sites and were predominantly Rubus strigosus Michx. After the germination experiment, ungerminated seeds, which showed no viability by the tetrazolium test, were separated from the soil. These seeds were almost entirely Betula spp. and seed numbers were as high as 4200–9400/m2 for a deciduous-dominated forest. The applicability of the results to differing types of postdisturbance revegetation is discussed.

scholarly journals Foraging in Urban Environments Increases Bactericidal Capacity in Plasma and Decreases Corticosterone Concentrations in White Ibises

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Caroline R. Cummings ◽  
Nicola Y. Khan ◽  
Maureen M. Murray ◽  
Taylor Ellison ◽  
Catharine N. Welch ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Diet Composition ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Eudocimus Albus ◽  
Bactericidal Capacity ◽  
Lower Baseline ◽  
Close Proximity ◽  
Baseline Corticosterone ◽  
Urban Sites

As humans continue to infringe on natural habitats, more animals are exposed to urbanization and its associated challenges. It is still unclear, however, whether the movement of animals into urban habitats negatively influences the health and/or survival of those animals, however those animals often experience shifts in resource availability, diet composition, and exposure to stimuli that are new and potentially stressful. Recently, white ibises (Eudocimus albus) have become increasingly common in urban habitats where they forage in close proximity to humans and even interact with them, collecting food handouts. We hypothesized that foraging in urban habitats would negatively impact measures of health, impair innate immunity, trigger elevated concentrations of corticosterone, and depress physiological responses to stressors in white ibises. We found that plasma from birds captured from urban sites had higher bactericidal capacity against Escherichia coli than those captured in natural sites. Additionally, adults captured in urban habitats had a significantly lower baseline corticosterone concentrations during the post-breeding season, and corticosterone responses to a handling challenge were lower for birds captured from urban sites during year 2 of the study. These results indicate that exposure to urban habitats impacts ibis health, though in the opposite direction of what was predicted.

Diversity of fruits in Artibeus lituratus diet in urban and natural habitats in Brazil: a review

2020 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 65-71
Author(s):  
Rafael de Souza Laurindo ◽  
Jeferson Vizentin-Bugoni
Keyword(s):  
Sampling Methods ◽  
Geographic Origin ◽  
Urban Environments ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Areas ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Forest Patches ◽  
Exotic Fruits ◽  
Artibeus Lituratus ◽  
Fecal Sampling

AbstractThe great fruit-eating bat (Artibeus lituratus) is a large-sized species that forages primarily on fruits. This species is widespread throughout the Neotropics, where it is common in natural areas and also occupies forest patches and cities. In this study, we review the composition of Artibeus lituratus diet in Brazil as well as the size of fruits and seeds, plant geographic origin, and sampling methods used in natural versus urban habitats. We show that Artibeus lituratus is able to consume a higher proportion of exotic fruits with large seeds in urban environments than in natural areas. Fruit diameter was not statistically different between environments, but both fruit and seed diameters are smaller when detected by fecal sampling than by other methods. This difference is likely due to the fact that in natural habitats studies are predominantly based on fecal samples, which hinders the detection of large unswallowed seeds. Consequently, we recommend the use of complementary sampling methods (not only the widely used technique of fecal sorting) in order to produce more accurate descriptions of frugivorous bats’ diets. We suggest that the ability to exploit fruits of exotic plant species including the ones with large seeds may be a key trait for the persistence of A. lituratus in urban habitats.

scholarly journals Elephants or onions? Paying for nature in Amboseli, Kenya

2008 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 395-414 ◽  
Author(s):  
ERWIN H. BULTE ◽  
RANDALL B. BOONE ◽  
RANDY STRINGER ◽  
PHILIP K. THORNTON
Keyword(s):  
National Park ◽  
Wildlife Conservation ◽  
Ecosystem Dynamics ◽  
Payments For Ecosystem Services ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Wildlife Corridors ◽  
Explicit Simulation ◽  
Amboseli National Park ◽  
Stocking Rates ◽  
Spatially Explicit Simulation Model

ABSTRACTTraditional grazing grounds near Amboseli National Park (Kenya) are being rapidly converted to cropland – a process that closes important wildlife corridors. We use a spatially explicit simulation model that integrates ecosystem dynamics and pastoral decision-making to explore the scope for introducing a ‘payments for ecosystem services’ scheme to compensate pastoralists for spillover benefits associated with forms of land use that are compatible with wildlife conservation. Our break-even cost analysis suggests that the benefits of such a scheme likely exceed its costs for a large part of the study area, but that ‘leakage effects’ through excessive stocking rates warrant close scrutiny.

Bird communities and the structure of urban habitats

1979 ◽  
Vol 57 (12) ◽  
pp. 2358-2368 ◽  
Author(s):  
Richard K. Lancaster ◽  
William E. Rees
Keyword(s):  
Species Diversity ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Major Effect ◽  
Bird Communities ◽  
Ecological Niches ◽  
Urban Habitats ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Bird Density ◽  
Bird Species Diversity

We examine relationships between bird communities and habitat structure along a gradient of urban habitats in Vancouver, B.C. Bird species diversity, evenness of species abundances, and numbers of species increase with foliage height diversity and total vegetation as they do in "natural" habitats. Few ecological niches for birds are enhanced by man-made features of the urban environment. Bird species diversity is actually inversely related to the apparent increase in habitat diversity contributed by elements of the built environment. While limited to a few niches, food provided by man has a major effect on density and distribution of birds in urban areas. Therefore, despite declining natural productivity and species diversity, total bird density does not decline across the Vancouver urban gradient. Overall, available habitat and food in highly urbanized environments strongly favour the few cavity-nesting, ground-feeding graminivorous or omnivorous bird species that have already come to dominate.

scholarly journals DIVERSITY OF THE CLOSED-NESTED HONEY BEES (APIDAE: APIS SPP.) AND THE TRADITIONAL HONEY COLLECTING AND BEEKEEPING IN FOUR ISLANDS OF INDONESIA

TREUBIA ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 141-152
Author(s):  
Sih Kahono ◽  
Djunijanti Peggie ◽  
Eko Sulistyadi
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Apis Cerana ◽  
Flowering Period ◽  
Limited Information ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Seasonal Movement ◽  
Important Group ◽  
In The Wild ◽  
Study Sites

The closed-nested honey bees are an important group that has been successfully bred traditionally and in a modern way. The traditional honey beekeeping practices are still favorable by local people living near natural habitats. Many rural areas in Indonesia are well known as producers of honey from the traditional honey collecting and traditional honey beekeeping of the closed-nested honey bees. However, there is limited information on the diversity of the honey bees that had supported the honey productions and their traditional honey beekeeping. This research was to provide an overview of the diversity of the honey bee species that are used in the wild honey collecting and their traditional honey beekeeping in four selected study sites in the islands of Java, Bawean, Kalimantan, and Peleng. We recorded three species of closed-nested native honey bees in the traditional honey collecting and traditional honey beekeeping, namely Apis cerana, A. koschevnikovi, and A. nigrocincta. We observed that traditional beekeeping of A. cerana was carried out in Tasikmalaya and Bawean Island, and that of A. cerana and A. koschevnikovi were carried out in Kayan Hilir. On Peleng Island, people do not do beekeeping but collect honey directly from the forest. Honey collecting and beekeeping practices are related to changes in the seasons of the flowering period in their habitats. The knowledge of the flowering period is needed to know the seasonal movement of honey bees from forest to village and vice versa. 

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document