Article
Environmental Sciences
Marta Herrero-Villar, Patricia Mateo-Tomas, Ines S. Sanchez-Barbudo, Pablo R. Camarero, Mark A. Taggart, Rafael Mateo
Summary: Veterinary pharmaceuticals, including antibiotics, are emerging contaminants of concern worldwide. Avian scavengers, such as griffon vultures, are exposed to antibiotics through consumption of livestock carcasses. This study found that griffon vultures feeding on livestock carcasses from intensive farming were more exposed to antibiotics than those relying on carcasses from extensive farming or wild animals. Additionally, the study detected quinolones in domestic livestock supplied at feeding stations, highlighting the importance of assessing and managing the risks posed by veterinary pharmaceuticals in carcass disposal for avian scavengers.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Gongzhen Liu, Qing Liu, Wei Zhang, Xuewen Shen
Summary: This study reports the first case of Porrocaecum angusticolle infection in Griffon vultures in China. The researchers aimed to identify the nematode species and study the genetic evolution of these worms infecting Gyps fulvus. Through clinical examination and molecular analysis, they identified the worms as P. angusticolle (SD isolates) and found that they shared high genetic identity with a P. angusticolle isolate from Germany. The study provides important insights for the diagnosis and prevention of P. angusticolle infections in wild and domestic animals.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR AND INFECTION MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Slobodan Davidovic, Sasa Marinkovic, Irena Hribsek, Aleksandra Patenkovic, Marina Stamenkovic-Radak, Marija Tanaskovic
Summary: The Griffon vulture population in Serbia is the largest and most viable population in the Balkan Peninsula, serving as an important reservoir of genetic diversity. Despite a relatively high level of inbreeding, the population can be used for reintroduction programs in the region.
Article
Ornithology
Mauro Aresu, Maria Grazia Pennino, Davide De Rosa, Andrea Rotta, Fiammetta Berlinguer
Summary: Old World vultures, specifically the Griffon Vulture in northern Sardinia, are facing population declines and extinction threats. Through analyzing environmental variables, it was found that high wind speed, lack of natural shelters, shrub and pasture vegetation, low human disturbance, and low precipitation are key factors influencing breeding success in these vultures.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Anika Daneel, Katherine Whitehouse-Tedd, Gerard Whitehouse-Tedd, Ellen S. Dierenfeld, Geert P. J. Janssens
Summary: Appropriate diets for ex situ wildlife are crucial for animal health and welfare. This study compared the feeding and digestion strategies of two Old World vulture species, lappet-faced vultures and griffon vultures, on a diet of whole rats. The results showed that lappet-faced vultures consumed more food and were less selective compared to griffon vultures. The color of excreta and the concentrations of carbon and nitrogen also differed between the two species. The findings suggest the need for differentiated feed provisioning for these species when under human care.
JOURNAL OF ZOO AND WILDLIFE MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biology
Monica Pirastru, Paolo Mereu, Laura Manca, Daniela Bebbere, Salvatore Naitana, Giovanni G. Leoni
Summary: This article discusses the impact of human activities on ecosystem health, with a particular focus on the adaptive responses of vultures to environmental changes. The importance of genetic information for improving species management and protecting genetic integrity is emphasized, highlighting the challenges in linking scientific research with management practices.
Article
Biology
Slobodan Davidovic, Sasa Marinkovic, Mila Kukobat, Milica Mihajlovic, Vanja Tanasic, Irena Hribsek, Marija Tanaskovic, Marina Stamenkovic-Radak
Summary: The Griffon vulture, once widespread in southeast Europe, now only exists in small isolated populations in the Balkan Peninsula. The largest and most viable population in Serbia can serve as an important genetic diversity reservoir for reintroduction programs in the region. Genetic analysis shows that each population possesses unique haplotypes, suggesting using local populations for restocking instead of introducing birds from remote populations.
Article
Ecology
Nitika Sharma, Nili Anglister, Orr Spiegel, Noa Pinter-Wollman
Summary: This study examined how different social and ecological situations contribute to the social structure and social bonds among Griffon vultures. The number of individuals each vulture interacted with was best predicted by diurnal interactions, while the strength of social bonds was best predicted by interactions on the ground, both during the day and at night.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Dobromir Dobrev, Georgi Popgeorgiev
Summary: The narrow ecological niche and vulnerability of the griffon vulture make it a good model species for assessing agro-pastoral systems. A study in Bulgaria used MaxEnt modeling to determine the species' optimal distribution, highlighting the importance of rocky habitats with slopes over 40°. The model also emphasized the significance of open landscapes, higher temperatures, low precipitation, and high livestock density for the griffon vulture's foraging habitats.
NORTH-WESTERN JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Zoology
S. M. Xirouchakis, C. Grivas, G. Andreou, E. Georgopoulou
Summary: The study of griffon vultures on Crete from 2005 to 2015 showed that immature vultures had larger winter ranges and core areas compared to adults, who were more restricted to breeding colonies and preferred sites away from urban areas. The home range overlap and utilization distribution between different age groups varied significantly between seasons.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jethro Gauld, Philip W. Atkinson, Joao P. Silva, Andreas Senn, Aldina M. A. Franco
Summary: Tracking studies using remote telemetry provide valuable insights into animal behavior and movement strategies. A new type of GNSS tracking device that uses LoRaWAN gateways for data transmission is being developed, showing potential for low weight and low power consumption. Field tests and trials on griffon vultures confirmed the accuracy and transmission range of these tags.
ANIMAL BIOTELEMETRY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Mario Posillico, Alessandra Costanzo, Sara Bottoni, Tiziana Altea, Giancarlo Opramolla, Antonello Pascazi, Marco Panella, Roberto Ambrosini
Summary: Vultures, as long-lived species, are sensitive to human-caused mortality. The collapse of Asian and African populations has already occurred. They play important roles in ecosystems, consuming livestock carcasses, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting nutrient recycling, environmental sanitation, and generating financial revenue. Understanding the incidence and causes of mortality is crucial for effective management and conservation actions.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Federico Romani, Elena Ramella Levis, Mario Posillico, Giancarlo Opramolla, Gianni Pavan
Summary: The Eurasian griffon vulture is a social bird species with a complex vocal repertoire, with 12 sound categories associated with different age groups and specific behavioral contexts. The study highlights the nonlinear phenomena in the vocal repertoire, revealing various degrees of behavioral complexity related to emotional states and social interactions. Future research will focus on individual recognition mechanisms and interactions with other species in the same ecological niche.
BIOACOUSTICS-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SOUND AND ITS RECORDING
(2022)
Review
Biodiversity Conservation
Dobromir Dobrev, Rigas Tsiakiris, Theodora Skartsi, Vladimir Dobrev, Volen Arkumarev, Kalliopi Stara, Anton Stamenov, Nikos Probonas, Theodoros Kominos, Antonia Galanaki, Elzbieta Kret, Ben Hallmann, Bratislav Grubac, Goran Susic, Sasa Marinkovic, Irena Hribsek, Stefan Skoric, Hans Jerrentrup, Vedran Lucic, Sven Kapelj, Georgi Stoyanov, Sylvia Zakkak, Hristo Hristov, Stoycho Stoychev, Lavrentis Sidiropoulos, Taulant Bino, Dimitar Demerdzhiev
Summary: The study reveals that over the past 39 years, the population size of the Eurasian Griffon Vulture has slightly increased while its distribution range has halved, concentrating into three source subpopulations. Retaining both current and former core breeding and roosting areas is crucial for the conservation of the species in the Balkans region alongside the implementation of new protective measures.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Sasa Marinkovic, Irena Hribsek, Nikola Tatalovic, Stefan Skoric
Summary: After the implementation of a supplementary feeding program, the population of Eurasian griffons in Serbia increased significantly, with breeding parameters remaining at a high level, indicating that the population is far from saturation. The study emphasizes the importance of applied protection measures, including establishing appropriate networks of feeding stations and promoting free-range livestock farming.
ETHOLOGY ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
