Article
Ecology
Jean-Philippe Pezy, Ambre Pezy, Aurore Raoux
Summary: Continued human population growth and coastal development have significant effects on marine coastal ecosystems, altering food resources and habitats for multiple species and leading to new species interactions. A study in the Bay of the Seine observed European herring gulls feeding on the nonindigenous species Rangia cuneata, potentially driven by changes in the foraging behavior of top predators due to the spread of nonindigenous species in coastal marine ecosystems.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
G. D. Clewley, L. J. Barber, G. J. Conway, N. A. Clark, B. J. Donato, C. B. Thaxter, N. H. K. Burton
Summary: Individual foraging specialisms among generalist species can have important consequences for demographic rates. Our study on the habitat preferences of breeding Herring Gulls at South Walney revealed a shift towards greater selection for coastal habitats, particularly mussel bed areas, and a reduction in the use of urban and landfill areas. Understanding and managing intertidal resources could help balance conservation needs with the commercial and social interests of nearby shellfisheries.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
K. A. Lato, D. J. Madigan, R. R. Veit, L. H. Thorne
Summary: The expansion of urban landscapes has both positive and negative effects on wildlife. This study highlights differences in habitat use and trophic ecology between great black-backed gulls and herring gulls in an urbanized area, with the former primarily foraging in marine habitats and the latter in urban habitats like landfills and dumpsters. This research also discusses the ecological implications of urban and marine foraging in wild birds.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
Miriam Gimeno, Jose Antonio Garcia, Isabel Afan, Raul Aymi, Tomas Montalvo, Joan Navarro
Summary: This study investigated the use of fishing vessels and the foraging behavior at sea of yellow-legged gulls at different developmental stages. The results showed age-related differences in behavior, with adults being constrained by reproduction and immature/juvenile individuals having lower foraging ability. Furthermore, the reform of the Common Fisheries Policy might increase the use of urban environments by this species, leading to conflicts with human activities.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Emily R. Beasley, Thomas E. Dickins
Summary: This study found that as the breeding season progressed, Herring Gulls and Lesser Black-backed Gulls were involved in more nuisance events with humans. However, human provisioning was found to be negatively associated with gull nuisance events.
Article
Zoology
V. V. Kuklin, M. M. Kuklina
Summary: The study found that the host age had an influence on the helminth fauna of herring gulls, with chicks lacking certain parasites found in other ecosystems and fledglings having the highest diversity of parasitic fauna. The differences observed were likely due to factors such as separate feeding behavior of gull parents and varying foraging efficiency between young and adult birds.
ZOOLOGICHESKY ZHURNAL
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Emma F. Vogel, Martin Biuw, Marie-Anne Blanchet, Ian D. Jonsen, Evert Mul, Espen Johnsen, Solfrid Smtre Hjollo, Morten Tange Olsen, Rune Dietz, Audun Rikardsen
Summary: The study found that killer whales in Norway follow Norwegian spring-spawning herring over long distances along the coast, changing their movement patterns as herring density increases. Each individual whale has different propensities towards movement.
MARINE ECOLOGY PROGRESS SERIES
(2021)
Article
History & Philosophy Of Science
Karl Schulze-Hagen, Tim R. Birkhead
Summary: This is a background introduction to Nikolaas Tinbergen's serialized story about a herring gull during his time of imprisonment. The story was later published as a book and was more successful in the Netherlands than in English translation.
ARCHIVES OF NATURAL HISTORY
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Mathilde Chevallay, Christophe Guinet, Tiphaine Jeanniard-Du-Dot
Summary: Understanding the foraging strategies and decision-making processes of Antarctic fur seals and Northern fur seals provides insights into their response to changes in prey availability. Our study found that both species adjust their foraging behavior based on past prey capture experiences, but respond differently depending on their foraging strategy and targeted prey. Seals adjust their movement and diving patterns in response to a decrease in prey capture success, with variations between species and habitats.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Erna Ivarsdottir, Hilma Holm, Stefania Benonisdottir, Thorhildur Olafsdottir, Gardar Sveinbjornsson, Gudmar Thorleifsson, Hannes P. Eggertsson, Gisli H. Halldorsson, Kristjan E. Hjorleifsson, Pall Melsted, Arnaldur Gylfason, Gudny A. Arnadottir, Asmundur Oddsson, Brynjar O. Jensson, Aslaug Jonasdottir, Adalbjorg Jonasdottir, Thorhildur Juliusdottir, Lilja Stefansdottir, Vinicius Tragante, Bjarni Halldorsson, Hannes Petersen, Gudmundur Thorgeirsson, Unnur Thorsteinsdottir, Patrick Sulem, Ingibjorg Hinriksdottir, Ingileif Jonsdottir, Daniel F. Gudbjartsson, Kari Stefansson
Summary: The study conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis for age-related hearing loss in Icelandic and UK populations, identifying 21 novel variants and revealing a genetic correlation between age-related hearing loss and tinnitus. The research also introduced the concept of an ARHI genetic risk score (GRS), showing that a common variant GRS can identify individuals at risk comparable to carriers of rare high penetrance variants.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Katherine R. Shlepr, Robert A. Ronconi, Brian Hayden, Karel A. Allard, Antony W. Diamond
Summary: Our study aimed to estimate the percentage of diet derived from anthropogenic food sources for Herring Gull (L. argentatus) during the breeding season at the two largest colonies in the Bay of Fundy, Canada. We found spatial segregation in the foraging areas used by gulls from the two colonies, with all gulls relying on a variety of anthropogenic food sources, but landfills were not a significant source of food during the breeding season.
AVIAN CONSERVATION AND ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Keyvan Dumas, Olivier Gilg, Nicolas Courbin, Alejandro Corregidor-Castro, Guillaume Evanno, Hallvard Strom, Anders Mosbech, Morten Frederiksen, Glenn Yannic
Summary: The Arctic region is currently experiencing significant changes in sea ice extent and seasonal dynamics, which could have major impacts on Arctic biota. The ivory gull, an Arctic seabird species, is declining in population and serves as a good indicator of current changes in the high Arctic due to its reliance on sea ice. This study explored the foraging behavior of ivory gulls during the breeding season, finding that human settlements attracted foraging birds and that ivory gulls selected highly concentrated sea ice for foraging. Overall, this research provides important insights into the space use and foraging strategies of ivory gulls and how Arctic seabirds utilize ice features.
Article
Biology
V. V. Kuklin, M. M. Kuklina
Summary: The study demonstrated that the age of Herring Gulls affects the composition of their parasitic fauna. Chicks lack certain parasites found in adult birds, but are infested by some nonspecific helminths usually parasitic in other bird species.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Carey E. Kuhn, Jeremy T. Sterling, Molly McCormley, Burlyn Birkemeier, Angel Sar, Audrey Flock, Calvin W. Mordy
Summary: Understanding the foraging behavior of northern fur seals is crucial in investigating the unexplained population decline in Alaska. By using dive recorders and video cameras, the researchers found that fur seals primarily captured prey at night, with small prey being the majority. Large prey were captured at greater depths and had a higher capture rate during the day.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Inuk Song, Joshua Neal, Tae-Ho Lee
Summary: The locus coeruleus plays a critical role in modulating the brain's connectivity configuration for selective information processing. This study examined the intrinsic network connectivity of the locus coeruleus across different age groups, revealing age-related variations in connectivity patterns. The findings suggest that age-related distractibility may be linked to impaired sensory gating by the locus coeruleus and insufficient top-down controls by frontal regions.
