Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Noemie Engel, Grant McDonald, Brett K. Sandercock, Romy Rice, Rocio Moreno, Sara Ratao, Tamas Szekely
Summary: Tropical islands, including Maio in Cabo Verde, are home to a significant number of endemic species. However, increasing threats such as habitat loss, disturbance, and introduced predators have put these species at risk, making long-term demographic studies essential. A 13-year investigation of Kentish plover nests on Maio revealed that nest survival differed between habitats, with salt-extraction areas showing higher survival rates. Breeding densities and nest survival of the plovers have declined over the years, likely due to predation and human disturbance. To ensure the persistence of this population, conservation efforts should include traditional management practices and predator control on tropical islands.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ornithology
Xingmin Chen, Qin Zhang, Sisi Lan, Shuihua Chen, Yanping Wang
Summary: This study examined the change of nest predation pressure on the Chinese Bulbul along the urbanization gradient in Hangzhou, China. The results showed that nest predation pressure decreased significantly with the degree of urbanization, regardless of whether natural nests or artificial eggs were used. The height of shrubs near the nest also affected the risk of nest predation.
Article
Biology
Lena de Framond, Henrik Brumm, Wren Thompson, Shane M. Drabing, Clinton D. Francis
Summary: The broken-wing display is a common and deceptive signal used by birds to protect their chicks. It has independently evolved multiple times across different bird families. Eight ecological and life-history variables are associated with the evolution of this display. This comprehensive study provides new insights into how deceptive behaviors evolve in the context of predator-prey interactions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Gustavo A. Londono, Juan Pablo Gomez, Manuel A. Sanchez-Martinez, Douglas J. Levey, Scott K. Robinson
Summary: Tropical montane communities have the highest beta diversity of birds, which is attributed to changes in biotic and abiotic factors along elevation gradients. However, empirical data on most biotic factors are lacking. Nest predation is considered important and can change selective pressures on birds' life history traits. We found that nest predation decreased with elevation, indicating loss of lowland predators. Different super nest predators were found at each elevation, suggesting that selection pressures exerted by nest predator communities may be less diffuse than previously hypothesized.
Review
Ornithology
Paul J. Weldon
Summary: Studies suggest that human scent may affect the behavior of non-domesticated mammals, potentially influencing nest survival. However, there is a lack of appropriately designed experiments to support this hypothesis. Some studies fail to mitigate human-scent contamination, and the effectiveness of scent-mitigation methods remains largely unverified. Further research is needed to investigate the effects of human scent on nest predators under a range of field conditions, using uniform methods of scent application and verified mitigation methods.
Article
Ecology
Xiaodong Rao, Jialing Li, Binbin He, Hesheng Wang, Guanmian Wu, Tiantian Teng, Qingping Ling
Summary: Breeding success is crucial for avian fecundity and is limited by nest predation. Understanding nest predation and its influencing factors is important for bird population dynamics and conservation strategies. A study in two nature reserves in Hainan, China found that the breeding season of the red junglefowl occurs mainly from March to July, with a peak in April. Predation accounted for 45.4% of nest failure, with rodent, reptile, and coucal predation being the main contributors. Artificial nest experiments showed varying predation rates, suggesting the importance of considering the impacts of certain animal species on the breeding success of red junglefowl.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Rowan E. Murphy, Amanda E. Martin, Lenore Fahrig
Summary: Turtles killed on roads may not experience negative population effects due to reduced predation of nests near roads, compensating for higher adult mortality. Field experiments showed that linearly placed roadside nests had lower predation rates than nonroad nests in a natural configuration. Population viability analysis estimated that reduced nest predation near roads could compensate for approximately 3%-6% annual adult roadkill. This highlights the importance of considering species interactions when evaluating road effects on wildlife populations.
Correction
Ornithology
B. J. Bardsen, J. Ove Bustnes
Summary: This article examines the negative impacts of multiple stressors, specifically nest predation, on the viability of a threatened gull. The study finds that the effect varies depending on different environmental conditions.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Gustavo A. Londono, Juliana Sandoval-H, Mohamed F. Sallam, Julie M. Allen
Summary: This study investigates Batesian mimicry and its evolution in a Neotropical species of the suboscine passerine. The researchers traced the origin of mimetic traits and examined antipredator characteristics using images and field-collected data. They found a complex set of behavior and morphology traits in this group, including hiding, camouflage, and mimicry. The study also proposed the evolution of two distinctive mimicry strategies within the Laniisominae clade.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Jeanine M. Refsnider, Sarah E. Carter, Alexis Diaz, Austin C. Hulbert, Gunnar R. Kramer, Paige Madden, Henry M. Streby
Summary: Differences in selection pressures on nest contents and offspring can lead to different characteristics being optimal for nest success and juvenile survival. Understanding the macro- and microhabitat characteristics that predict overall productivity is crucial for effective land management. The study found that nest success in box turtles is influenced by macrohabitat edges, timing of nest construction, and nest depth, while juvenile survival is influenced by shade cover and total nest depth.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carolina Bravo, Mathieu Sarasa, Vincent Bretagnolle, Olivier Pays
Summary: This study aims to investigate the relationship between depredation rate, nest camouflage and concealment in ground-nesting birds of farmlands and their predators. The study found that nests in vegetation higher than 30 cm had a drastic reduction in depredation rates by corvids. Management of vegetation structure is a key tool to mitigate depredation risk.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Kornelia Kurucz, Jeno J. Purger, Peter Batary
Summary: The study found that as urbanization increases, the number of birds also increases, and the survival rate of artificial shrub nests in urban and suburban areas is significantly higher.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ninive Espinoza-Rodriguez, Daniela Rojas-Canizales, Carmen Mejias-Balsalobre, Isabel Naranjo, Randall Arauz
Summary: Understanding predation dynamics in sea turtle nesting beaches is crucial for effective beach management and conservation strategies. A study on Corozalito beach in Costa Rica revealed a significant increase in nest predation, with approximately 30% of nests being predated over a 13-year period. Monitoring nesting activity and assessing predation rates from other turtle species and mass nesting events is recommended to fully understand the threats faced by sea turtles in this important nesting site.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Taylor M. Brown, Victor Olek, James Roth, Laura McKinnon
Summary: The study found that active fox dens decrease in number near town, but there is no clear trend in avian predator abundance in relation to the town. Predation risk on artificial nests decreases as distances from active fox dens and Parasitic Jaeger nests increase, decreases with proximity to town, and decreases with a camera present. Shorebird daily nest survival tends to be lower near jaeger nests, but there is some support for a positive effect of camera presence and proximity to town.
Article
Ecology
Christine A. Ribic, David J. Rugg, Kevin Ellison, Nicola Koper, Pamela J. Pietz
Summary: The study found that the fledging time of grassland birds is not solely influenced by predation risk, with different species showing varying preferences. Further research is needed to understand the impact of species ecology and physiology on the fledging behavior of grassland birds.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
