Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Elzbieta Bombik, Katarzyna Pietrzkiewicz, Antoni Bombik
Summary: The contemporary human diet is high in saturated fatty acids compared to that of our Palaeolithic ancestors, and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) has greatly increased. This lifestyle and unsuitable diet have contributed to the rise of civilization diseases and sudden deaths. A study on mallard ducks aimed to analyze the fatty acid composition of selected tissues in relation to the human diet, where they were obtained, and their sex. The results showed that mallards from the Siedlce hunting district had lower levels of saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, and higher levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids, n-6 PUFAs, and n-3 PUFAs in their breast muscles, indicating a higher health-promoting value in the meat from this region.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
John T. Veon, Brett A. DeGregorio, Luke W. Naylor, Kenneth J. Reinecke, Brad C. Dabbert, Dean W. Demarest, Kevin M. Hartke, David G. Krementz
Summary: Body mass of overwintering waterfowl has increased in recent decades, potentially due to changes in winter climate, food availability, and population dynamics. This study analyzed mallard body mass in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley and found that it has increased by approximately 6% from 1979 to 2021. Within-year variation in body mass was related to rainfall and river flooding, while long-term increases were not associated with changes in these factors. Further research is needed to determine the specific mechanisms driving these changes and their implications for waterfowl fitness.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Xiaoya Chu, Aiman Javed, Muhammad Faizan Ashraf, Xiuge Gao, Shanxiang Jiang
Summary: This study established a method for isolating highly purified Leydig cells from duck testes and confirmed their biological function in synthesizing testosterone.
FRONTIERS IN ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Dianlei Han, Hairui Liu, Zhiqian Tong, Jiahang Pan, Xinzhong Wang
Summary: This study analyzed the effect of speed on the webbed foot locomotion of mallards using reliable indoor test data. The results showed that increasing speed led to an increase in stride length and a decrease in stance phase duration. The gait transitioned from walking to grounded running between 0.73 and 0.93 m/s. The mallards primarily adjusted the intertarsal joint rather than the tarsometatarso-phalangeal joint with increasing speed. The webbed foot played a role in speed adjustment through coupling and quick recovery of the foot web.
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Robert J. Dusek, Matthew M. Smith, Caroline Van Hemert, Valerie Shearn-Bochsler, Sherwood Hall, Clark D. Ridge, D. Ransom Hardison, Robb S. A. Kaler, Barbara L. Bodenstein, Erik K. Hofmeister, Jeffrey S. Hall
Summary: Multiple species of seabirds have experienced large-scale mortality events in the Arctic seas in recent years, potentially due to exposure to saxitoxin (STX) in the marine environment. The impact of STX on birds remains poorly understood, presenting challenges for further research.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Sonja T. Jesse, Pau Ribo-Molina, Wendy K. Jo, Silke Rautenschlein, Oanh Vuong, Ron A. M. Fouchier, Martin Ludlow, Albert D. M. E. Osterhaus
Summary: This study analyzed samples from wild mallards in the Netherlands from 2017 to 2019 and identified seven cases of AMPV-C infections, with two samples showing the closest sequence identity to AMPV-C strains found in Muscovy ducks in China in 2011. Furthermore, analysis of the G protein revealed structural characteristics of AMPV-C. This study provides the first report of full-length AMPV-C genome sequences derived from wild birds in Europe, emphasizing the need for further surveillance efforts.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Yang Zhang, Qiang Bao, Zhi Cao, Youqing Bian, Yu Zhang, Zhengfeng Cao, Guohong Chen, Qi Xu
Summary: This study evaluated the genetic resources of domestic and wild Mallard populations in China, revealing significant genetic diversity among domestic duck breeds. The findings provide valuable insights into the genetic makeup and possible origin of domestic ducks in China.
Article
Ecology
Pal Toth, Andy J. Green, David M. Wilkinson, Kane Brides, Adam Lovas-Kiss
Summary: Ducks and geese serve as dispersal vectors for plants, with mallards dispersing more plant species compared to geese. Plant communities and traits dispersed also differ between urban and natural habitats.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Philip Lavretsky, Flor Hernandez, Thomas Swale, Jonathon E. Mohl
Summary: This study presents the first high-quality genome assembly and annotation of a genetically vetted wild mallard. It provides a valuable resource for studying genome evolution, speciation, adaptive processes, and identifying functional genes that have been significantly altered during domestication.
G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Avishai Lublin, Nikki Thie, Irina Shkoda, Luba Simanov, Gila Kahila Bar-Gal, Yigal Farnoushi, Roni King, Wayne M. Getz, Pauline L. Kamath, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Ran Nathan
Summary: Avian influenza viruses pose a global threat to animal and human health. This study isolated H4N6 for the first time in Israel, emphasizing the importance of continuous monitoring of migratory birds in understanding virus transmission.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanfa Sun, Yeqiu Zhang, Qiong Wu, Rulong Lin, Hongping Chen, Min Zhang, Jiaqi Lin, Enrong Xu, Meng Li, Yicheng Cai, Fan Deng, Wen Yue, Haozhe Pan, Xiaobing Jiang, Yan Li
Summary: This study identified whole genome variants in high-egg producing and low-egg producing laying ducks. The genes with differential variants were associated with key functional pathways for poultry egg production. Further analysis revealed that the FZD6 gene polymorphisms were associated with early egg production and egg weight traits, suggesting FZD6 as a novel candidate gene for egg production traits in laying ducks.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Chao Zheng, Yan Wu, Zhen Hua Liang, Jin Song Pi, Shi Bin Cheng, Wen Zhuo Wei, Jing Bo Liu, Li Zhi Lu, Hao Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the effects of caging stress on performance parameters and oxidative stress indexes in ducks. The results showed that caging stress decreased performance parameters and increased plasma levels of total superoxide dismutase in the CR10 group. Additionally, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry detected 1,431 metabolites, with differential production identified between the CR5, CR10, CR15, and TB groups. Principal component analysis successfully distinguished the TB and CR10 groups. The metabolic pathways affected by caging stress in duck plasma were related to ovarian steroidogenesis, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, and phenylalanine metabolism.
Article
Agronomy
Yong Jiang, Zhong Zhuang, Wenqian Jia, Ming Xie, Zhengkui Zhou, Jing Tang, Hao Bai, Guobin Chang, Guohong Chen, Shuisheng Hou
Summary: This study found differences in gene expression profiles related to lipid metabolism in the liver, sebum, and abdominal fat of fatty-type and lean-type ducks. The differentially expressed genes were enriched in various pathways, with key genes identified for lipid deposition in different tissues of ducks. These results provide insights into transcriptome regulation in lipid deposition and may aid in duck breeding.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Sanjun Jin, Qian Pang, Hao Yang, Xinping Diao, Anshan Shan, Xingjun Feng
Summary: The study found that dietary supplementation of resveratrol can enhance the antioxidant capacity, improve the color and texture of duck meat, and reduce lipid and protein oxidation reactions.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Min-Ju Jeong, Zerui Wang, Wen-Quan Zou, Yong-Chan Kim, Byung-Hoon Jeong
Summary: This study is the first to report the genetic characteristics of PRNP SNPs in Pekin ducks, finding five novel SNPs and observing linkage disequilibrium between some SNPs, as well as revealing the deleterious effects of a non-synonymous SNP on the aggregation propensity and solubility of Pekin duck PrP.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Michiel P. Boom, Henk P. van der Jeugd, Boas Steffani, Bart A. Nolet, Kjell Larsson, Gotz Eichhorn
Summary: The postnatal growth period is crucial for an animal's fitness, with faster growth rates generally observed at higher latitudes. Intraspecific comparisons between populations of barnacle geese breeding at different latitudes showed that differences in day length could explain the observed variations in growth rate. Plasticity in postnatal growth rate is mainly a response to local environmental conditions, potentially aiding in adaptation to annual variation and new breeding environments.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
J. Morgan Brown, Willem Bouten, Kees C. J. Camphuysen, Bart A. Nolet, Judy Shamoun-Baranes
Summary: In animal ecology, energy expenditure is used to assess the consequences of different behaviors, life history events, or environments. Dynamic body acceleration (DBA) is an alternative proxy for measuring energy expenditure. In this study, DBA and heart rate were measured in free-ranging lesser black-backed gulls, and the results showed that DBA overestimated energy costs during soaring flight, while DBA and time-energy budgets (TEBs) performed similarly in estimating daily energy expenditure.
FUNCTIONAL ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Casper H. A. van Leeuwen, Nacho Villar, Irene Mendoza Sagrera, Andy J. Green, Elisabeth S. Bakker, Merel B. Soons, Mauro Galetti, Patrick A. Jansen, Bart A. Nolet, Luis Santamaria
Summary: Many angiosperms rely on vertebrates for seed dispersal via gut passage. The seed dispersal effectiveness (SDE) framework provides a method to evaluate animal-mediated seed dispersal. We propose an extended SDE framework ('eSDE') that allows comparing effectiveness among different types of plant-disperser interactions, and provide recommendations for standardized data collection protocols.
Article
Ornithology
Jan Geisler, Jesper Madsen, Bart A. Nolet, Kees H. T. Schreven
Summary: The behavior of pink-footed geese crossing the Barents Sea differs between spring and autumn. In spring, they experience longer routes, longer durations, and more crosswinds, while in autumn they tend to select supportive winds for departure. Additionally, regardless of the season, the geese spend more than half of their crossing time at sea.
JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
S. Moonen, J. Ludwig, H. Kruckenberg, G. J. D. M. Mueskens, B. A. Nolet, H. P. van der Jeugd, F. Bairlein
Summary: Following targeted conservation actions, most goose populations have increased, which has led to an increase in human-wildlife conflicts and a potential impact on nature values. In this study, the researchers used GPS-transmitter data to measure the density of foraging barnacle geese and investigated their effect on the territory distribution of wader species and the nest success of the Northern lapwing. The results showed a positive association between barnacle goose density and nest territory density of the Northern lapwing and common redshank, but no influence on territory selection of godwit, oystercatcher, and ringed plover. However, there was a negative correlation between barnacle goose density and nest success of the Northern Lapwing.
JOURNAL FOR NATURE CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Nelleke H. Buitendijk, Monique de Jager, Menno Hornman, Helmut Kruckenberg, Andrea Koelzsch, Sander Moonen, Bart A. Nolet
Summary: Conflict between geese and agriculture has increased in recent decades. Management practices to limit this conflict include concentrating geese in protected areas, derogation shooting or population reduction. However, decreasing herbivore abundance may not directly lead to decreased yield loss, and management tools should be used with care. Concentrating geese in refuges could help alleviate farmer-goose conflict, but further studies are needed.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas K. Lameris, Olga B. Pokrovskaya, Alexander Kondratyev, Yuriy A. Anisimov, Nelleke H. Buitendijk, Petr M. Glazov, Henk P. van der Jeugd, Christian Kampichler, Helmut Kruckenberg, Konstantin E. Litvin, Julia A. Loshchagina, Sander Moonen, Gerard J. D. Muskens, Bart A. Nolet, Kees H. T. Schreven, Henk Sierdsema, Elmira M. Zaynagutdinova, Michiel P. Boom
Summary: Since 1980, the population of barnacle geese in Russia has been rapidly increasing and expanding their breeding range. However, there is a lack of observations from their traditional breeding grounds on Novaya Zemlya, which is remote and difficult to access. This is important given the potential impact of climate warming on the local distribution and population size.
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Andrea Koelzsch, Thomas K. Lameris, Gerhard J. D. M. Muskens, Kees H. T. Schreven, Nelleke H. Buitendijk, Helmut Kruckenberg, Sander Moonen, Thomas Heinicke, Lei Cao, Jesper Madsen, Martin Wikelski, Bart A. Nolet
Summary: In the present Anthropocene, wild animals are globally affected by human activity. New Year fireworks have negative effects on wild birds, causing them to fly longer distances, higher altitudes, and more frequently change roosting sites, even when fireworks activity is reduced.
CONSERVATION LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. Morgan Brown, Willem Bouten, Kees C. J. Camphuysen, Bart A. A. Nolet, Judy Shamoun-Baranes
Summary: The study aims to examine the effects of migration on energy expenditure and time allocation in animals. The research found that migration strategy does not impact annual energy expenditure, but the deviation of energy expenditure over time increases with migration distance. Time-activity budgets were similar across different strategies, suggesting that migration does not limit behavioral adjustments for other annual cycle stages. Individual variation was high, indicating that daily behavioral decisions have a greater influence on energy expenditure than migration strategy. These findings provide unprecedented insight into the relative importance of fine versus broad-scale behavioral strategies for annual energy expenditures.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Jesper Madsen, Kees H. T. Schreven, Gitte H. Jensen, Fred A. Johnson, Leif Nilsson, Bart A. Nolet, Jorma Pessa
Summary: Many Arctic-breeding animals are at risk from local extirpation due to habitat constriction and alterations in phenology caused by rapid global warming. Migratory species are also facing increasing anthropogenic pressures along their migration routes. These species can only survive by adjusting their migration, breeding timing, and range.
Article
Ecology
Michiel P. P. Boom, Thomas K. K. Lameris, Kees H. T. Schreven, Nelleke H. H. Buitendijk, Sander Moonen, Peter P. de Vries, Elmira Zaynagutdinova, Bart A. A. Nolet, Henk P. van der Jeugd, Goetz Eichhorn
Summary: Performing migratory journeys comes with energetic costs and requires compensation within the annual cycle. A study on barnacle geese showed that migratory individuals were more active than residents throughout most of the year, with the largest differences observed during the periods of spring and autumn migration. Migratory geese also exhibited longer night-time activity, indicating the need for extended foraging during migration.
Article
Ecology
Monique de Jager, Merel Soons
Summary: Under habitat fragmentation, the survival of plant species depends on their ability to disperse between habitat patches. This study shows that a small increase in distance between patches can lead to a sudden shift in seed dispersal strategy from long distances to short distances. Furthermore, it is found that restoring long-distance dispersal requires a substantial increase in habitat connectivity due to an evolutionary hysteresis effect.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Monique de Jager, Nelleke H. Buitendijk, Johannes M. Baveco, Paul van Els, Bart A. Nolet
Summary: With increasing numbers of large grazing birds on agricultural grassland, conflict with farmers is rising. One management approach to alleviate conflict allows for- aging on dedicated agricultural land (accommodation areas) and nature reserves, combined with scaring on remaining agricultural land.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED ECOLOGY
(2023)