Article
Environmental Sciences
Eduardo Laguna, Antonio J. Carpio, Joaquin Vicente, Jose A. Barasona, Roxana Triguero-Ocana, Saul Jimenez-Ruiz, Angel Gomez-Manzaneque, Pelayo Acevedo
Summary: This study aimed to describe the spatial ecology of red deer in Mediterranean ecosystems of South-Central Spain, showing that red deer exhibited less activity, a shorter daily range, and a smaller home range during the food shortage period. In different land use types, individuals in fenced hunting estates showed the lowest activity and daily range.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Jose Antonio Ortiz, Olga Garcia-alvarez, Mariano Amo-Salas, Alejandro Maroto-Morales, Maria Iniesta-Cuerda, Maria del Rocio Fernandez-Santos, Ana Josefa Soler, Jose Julian Garde
Summary: The study found that melatonin implants in yearling Iberian red deer hinds significantly improved their reproductive performance, increased calves' weight, advanced calving date, and had a positive impact on the reproductive outcomes of yearling hinds with low liveweight.
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Linas Balciauskas, Yukichika Kawata
Summary: This article reviews the history, current population status, and (un)sustainable management of red deer in Lithuania. After extinction in the 19th century, the species was reintroduced during the World Wars and through local translocations. In the past 20 years, the population has exponentially increased, requiring an increase in hunting bag size for sustainable management.
Article
Biology
Fernanda Garcia, Antonio Alves da Silva, Kathreen Ruckstuhl, Peter Neuhaus, Catarina Coelho, Muyang Wang, Jose Paulo Sousa, Joana Alves
Summary: Male and female red deer exhibit sexual segregation, living separately except during mating season. Our study explores the diets of both sexes and suggests that diet may contribute to sexual segregation in a Mediterranean mountainous environment. The study highlights the importance of considering other factors that may impact sexual segregation in ungulate populations.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriella Saloni Duarte, David Javier Galindo, Maria Helena Mazzoni Baldini, Jeferson Ferreira da Fonseca, Jose Mauricio Barbanti Duarte, Maria Emilia Franco Oliveira
Summary: The present study aimed to test the efficiency of transcervical artificial insemination techniques with different methods of cervical immobilization in the brown brocket deer. The results showed that both TCAI-CI and TCAI-CT techniques were successful in achieving artificial insemination, regardless of using OT as a cervical dilation protocol. This method has a high success rate and applicability, and is beneficial for the conservation of deer species.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Svenja Hartung, Kernt Koehler, Christiane Herden, Manfred Henrich
Summary: This case describes a large unilateral mandibular mass in a free-ranging female adult red deer, which upon pathological examination was diagnosed as odontoameloblastoma with secondary chronic purulent osteomyelitis. Odontogenic tumors are rare in domestic and wildlife species, and this case represents a unique differential diagnosis to be considered when inflammatory lesions mask the presence of a neoplasm in the mandible.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Lily Cunningham, Huitong Zhou, Qian Fang, Mark Tapley, Jonathan G. H. Hickford
Summary: This study found no association between variation in the myostatin gene and muscle and growth traits in red deer. The results suggest that the myostatin gene in red deer is less variable compared to other livestock species, and its activity may be controlled to maintain a size-growth equilibrium.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Johan Mansson, Lovisa Nilsson, Annika M. Felton, Anders Jarnemo
Summary: The study in Sweden found that red deer exhibit transitional use between arable land and forests, with different crop selection patterns in the North and South areas. In the North, red deer selected arable land while in the South, forest and wetlands were preferred. This highlights the need for regionally-focused knowledge on red deer habitat selection to develop appropriate damage mitigation and wildlife management strategies.
AGRICULTURE ECOSYSTEMS & ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Javier Perez-Gonzalez, Juan Carranza, Gabriel Anaya, Camilla Broggini, Giovanni Vedel, Eva de la Pena, Alberto Membrillo
Summary: The analysis of population genetic structure and individual multilocus heterozygosity is crucial for wildlife management and conservation. SNPs have shown to provide better insights and higher precision than microsatellites in inferring genetic status and population processes.
Article
Zoology
M. Franchini, T. Peric, L. Frangini, A. Prandi, A. Comin, M. Rota, S. Filacorda
Summary: Hair cortisol is a suitable parameter to measure the physiological chronic stress response in roe deer. The cortisol concentrations in roe deer are higher in response to increased red deer density, indicating direct interspecific competition. Habitat suitability, however, does not significantly affect cortisol levels in roe deer.
JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Forestry
Tomasz Jelonek, Karol Tomczak, Bartlomiej Naskrent, Katarzyna Klimek, Arkadiusz Tomczak, Karol Lewandowski
Summary: The aim of this study was to analyze the impact of browsing by deer on infection rate development in beech trees. The results showed that the infection only affects the rings formed before the tree was injured. The average size of stem decay was 7.75% of its area, spreading at a rate of 2.52% per year. Furthermore, the study found a significant correlation between the size of the wound and the time elapsed since the tree was damaged.
Article
Ecology
Friederike Riesch, Anya Wichelhaus, Bettina Tonn, Marcus Meissner, Gert Rosenthal, Johannes Isselstein
Summary: Eutrophication from atmospheric nutrient deposition poses a threat to the biodiversity of low nutrient habitats. Grazing by red deer may be a suitable alternative for conserving open habitats. The study found that red deer grazing led to a net nutrient removal, supporting the idea that red deer can mitigate the effects of atmospheric nutrient deposition and are suitable for open habitat conservation.
Article
Microbiology
Magdalena Swislocka, Miroslaw Ratkiewicz, Anetta Borkowska
Summary: It is important to assess the distribution of parasite species across wildlife populations. In this project, the prevalence of Elaphostrongylus species in moose populations was quantified. Results showed that E. alces was more commonly found as a single parasite species in moose individuals, and males had higher prevalence of both E. alces and E. cervi. Red deer were identified as playing a dominant role in sharing these nematodes with other cervids.
Article
Ecology
Erling L. Meisingset, Joar Gusevik, Atle Skjorestad, Oystein Brekkum, Atle Mysterud, Frank Rosell
Summary: This study investigates the behavior of red deer in response to different types of human disturbance, particularly hunting. It found that red deer exhibit stronger fear responses during the hunting season and prefer denser resting sites.
Article
Parasitology
Alex Chambers, Paul Candy, Peter Green, Christian Sauermann, Dave Leathwick
Summary: Gastrointestinal nematode parasites and lungworm are significant animal health issues for farmed wapiti and red deer. Understanding the epidemiology of these parasites is essential for developing control programs. Results from this study show that different stock classes of farmed deer consistently shed low numbers of nematode eggs and lungworm larvae throughout the year, with little seasonality and variation between farms.
VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hanen Smii, Carla Leite, Joao Pinto, Bruno Henriques, Hamouda Beyrem, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Mohamed Dellali, Eduarda Pereira, Rosa Freitas
Summary: Due to the wide use of Titanium (Ti) compounds, Ti and Ti nanoparticles (nTi) are released into aquatic environments, causing varying degrees of toxicity on aquatic fauna. Green macroalgae Ulva lactuca is capable of accumulating trace elements and has been extensively studied as a universal sorbent. This study aimed to evaluate the toxicity of Ti and nTi in bivalves and the remediation properties of U. lactuca. Results showed cellular damage in bivalves exposed to Ti and nTi, and the presence of U. lactuca limited the damage, possibly due to changes in water quality induced by the algae.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Zoology
Sofia Lino, Ana Lino, Joana M. M. Fernandes, Eduardo Ferreira, Carlos Fonseca, Sara Aliacar, Duarte Cadete, Luis M. Rosalino, Joao Carvalho
Summary: For centuries, human-wildlife conflicts have been caused by wolf depredation on livestock throughout Europe. However, free-ranging dogs are now also becoming prevalent predators of livestock herds. Efforts should be made to identify the causes of depredation events and improve procedures for predator identification.
Article
Engineering, Marine
Hugo C. Vieira, Maria D. Bordalo, Jaime Rendon-von Osten, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Sizenando N. Abreu, Fernando Morgado
Summary: This study investigated the mercury contamination in coastal sediments and biota near a shipwreck area and compared it to other locations. The results showed significantly higher mercury levels in the sediments and species near the shipwreck. The study also found that the biomagnification of mercury occurred from primary producers to consumers.
JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Daniela F. Teixeira, Guilherme Ares-Pereira, Claudia Camarinha, Catia Lima, Ana Magalhaes, Guilherme Castro, Carlos Fonseca, Luis Miguel Rosalino
Summary: Humans have been altering the Mediterranean landscapes for a long time, and many species have adjusted their behavior to become more nocturnal to avoid encounters with humans and domestic animals. However, there have been limited studies on the activity patterns of mesocarnivores, such as red fox and stone marten, in Eucalyptus plantations in Portugal. Based on camera traps, this study aimed to analyze the temporal and spatio-temporal activity patterns of these animals and how they are influenced by human disturbances.
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Helena Barbosa, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Eduarda Pereira, Rosa Freitas
Summary: Coastal areas, especially estuaries and coastal lagoons, are highly vulnerable to anthropogenic activities and climate change-related factors. The release of lithium (Li) into aquatic systems from industries and the lack of understanding of its consequences pose a significant concern. This study assessed the effects of temperature rise and salinity changes on the impacts of Li pollution in clams (Venerupis corrugata) collected from a coastal lagoon in Portugal. Salinity variations had a greater impact on biochemical responses than temperature increase, even in the presence of Li. The combination of Li with low salinity was the most stressful treatment, suggesting potential imbalances in coastal ecosystems under extreme weather events.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Evila Pinheiro Damasceno, Fabianne Ribeiro, Leticia Costa-Lotufo, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Maria D. Pavlaki, Susana Loureiro
Summary: Since the late 70s, the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals, especially antineoplastic agents, has raised concerns about human and environmental health. In this study, a systematic review was conducted to gather ecotoxicological information of antineoplastic agents on freshwater species from microorganisms to vertebrates. The study also analyzed the sensitivity distribution curves and estimated the hazard concentration to assess the ecological risk. Lastly, suggestions were made to improve the Environmental Risk Assessment of antineoplastic agents, including adopting toxicity endpoints, testing duration, metabolites testing, and mixture exposure.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Helena Barbosa, Carla Leite, Joao Pinto, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Eduarda Pereira, Rosa Freitas
Summary: Lithium (Li) is widely used in green energies/clean technologies but inefficient recycling and treatment have made it an emerging contaminant in aquatic systems. We evaluated the biochemical effects of Li in the clam Venerupis corrugata, observing activated antioxidant and detoxification defenses and a loss of redox balance at higher Li concentrations. This study emphasizes the importance of preventing and regulating Li discharges to avoid adverse consequences to aquatic ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rosa Freitas, Federica Arrigo, Francesca Coppola, Valentina Meucci, Federica Battaglia, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Carlo Pretti, Caterina Faggio
Summary: The present study investigated the influence of temperature on the effects of Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) in the mussel species Mytilus galloprovincialis. Higher biochemical alterations were observed in SLS-exposed mussels and warming enhanced the impacts. These results highlight the potential harm of SLS pollution to mussels and the importance of considering climate changes.
ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Sara A. M. Silva, Joana C. Prata, Patricia Dias-Pereira, Andreia C. M. Rodrigues, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Renato A. Sarmento, Teresa Rocha-Santos, Carlos Gravato, Ana L. Patricio Silva
Summary: Freshwater benthic environments are major sinks of microplastics sourced on inland anthropogenic activities. The effects of microplastics on macroinvertebrates with predator behavior, such as planarians, were evaluated in terms of their behavior, physiology, and biochemistry. It was found that consuming contaminated prey did not cause oxidative damage but slightly increased aerobic metabolism and energy reserves. However, feeding on contaminated prey resulted in a significant delay in planarians' regeneration.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Diogo N. Cardoso, Sandra F. Gonsalves, Ana Rita R. Silva, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Frederick J. Wrona, Susana Loureiro
Summary: In order to understand the ecological effects of mining activities on aquatic systems in the Canadian oil sands region, it is important to understand the consequences of exposure to natural bitumen-containing soils/sediments. This study conducted laboratory-based bioassays to evaluate the potential ecotoxicological effects of eroded riverbank bitumen soils on different organisms. The results showed that the elutriates produced from natural bitumen had negative effects on tested organisms, indicating that eroded and transported bitumen-containing soils could be a source of contamination to aquatic biota.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Sofia Lino, Mariana Rossa, Joana M. Fernandes, Tania Barros, Ana Lino, Dario Hipolito, Eduardo Ferreira, Sara C. Aliacar, Duarte Cadete, Carlos Fonseca, Rita T. Torres, Luis M. Rosalino, Joao Carvalho
Summary: This study aims to compare and evaluate the diet composition of wolves and free-ranging dogs in the southern range in Portugal. The findings highlight the predatory role of dogs on livestock and the challenges it poses to wolf conservation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Daniela F. Teixeira, Antonio J. Carpio, Luis Miguel Rosalino, Davide Carniato, Carlos Fonseca, Pelayo Acevedo
Summary: This study aims to identify the drivers of distribution for five mesocarnivores in Portugal (e.g., land cover, ecogeographic predictors, mammal prey availability), and understand the influence of Eucalyptus plantations on their range.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vanessa Queiros, Ulisses M. Azeiteiro, Marta Casado Belloso, Juan Luis Santos, Esteban Alonso, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Rosa Freitas, Benjamin Pina, Carlos Barata
Summary: Coastal ecosystems are facing threats from pollutants and climate change, particularly the increasing use of antineoplastic drugs and their potential release into aquatic ecosystems. This study evaluated the transcription of specific genes in Mytilus galloprovincialis gills exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of Ifosfamide and cisplatin under different temperature scenarios. The results showed that the drugs upregulated genes related to DNA damage and apoptosis, and warmer temperatures further enhanced these effects.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tania Russo, Francesca Coppola, Carla Leite, Marianna Carbone, Debora Paris, Andrea Motta, Anna Di Cosmo, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Ernesto Mollo, Rosa Freitas, Gianluca Polese
Summary: Bioactive natural products from marine invasive species and synthetic pharmaceutical drugs released into the marine environment may have similar ecotoxicological impacts. In this study, the alkaloid caulerpin (CAU) from the invasive green algae Caulerpa cylindracea and the synthetic lipid-lowering drug fenofibrate (FFB) were compared for their effects on Mytilus galloprovincialis. The results showed that FFB had harmful effects on the mussels, causing metabolic impairments, cellular damage, and changes in enzyme activity. In contrast, CAU did not produce any significant alterations. These findings highlight the importance of avoiding the release of synthetic drugs into the environment and suggest the potential use of CAU as a natural product in drug discovery.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana Sofia Quina, Andreia C. M. Rodrigues, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Maria da Luz Mathias, Carlos Gravato
Summary: The greater white-toothed shrew Crocidura russula has been used as a sentinel species to assess environmental risks to human populations. Previous studies focused on the liver as the main target of physiological and metabolic changes due to heavy metal pollution, but the shrews still persisted despite liver damage. This study investigates the skeletal muscle tissue of C. russula as an alternative site for detoxification and survival in polluted areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
James A. Klarevas-Irby, Damien R. Farine
Summary: Little is known about how animals overcome temporal constraints on movement during dispersal. This study used GPS tracking of vulturine guineafowl and found that dispersers showed the greatest increase in movement at the same times of day when they moved the most prior to dispersal. These findings suggest that individuals face the same ecological constraints during dispersal as they do in daily life and achieve large displacements by maximizing movement when conditions are most favorable.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Simone Ciaralli, Martina Esposito, Stefano Francesconi, Daniela Muzzicato, Marco Gamba, Matteo Dal Zotto, Daniela Campobello
Summary: Male cuckoos may transfer nest location information to females as a nonmaterial nuptial gift through specific postures and behaviors, potentially influencing mating choices of female cuckoos.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Anne E. Aulsebrook, Rowan Jacques-Hamilton, Bart Kempenaers
Summary: Accelerometry and machine learning have been used to quantify mating behaviors of captive male ruffs. Different machine learning methods were compared and evaluated for their classification performance. The study highlights the challenges and potential pitfalls in classifying mating behaviors using accelerometry and provides recommendations and considerations for future research.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Maria G. Smith, Joshua B. LaPergola, Christina Riehl
Summary: This study analyzed individual contributions to parental care in the greater ani bird and found that workload inequality varied between groups of two and three pairs. However, there was no clear evidence of division of labour within the groups, suggesting individual differences in overall work performed.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Noah M. T. Smith, Reuven Dukas
Summary: Winner and loser effects are observed in many animals, and recent experiments suggest that they may also occur in humans. In two experiments involving video games and reading comprehension, participants who won in the first phase performed significantly better in the second phase compared to those who lost. The effect size was larger in the video game experiment, and men and women showed similar magnitudes of winner and loser effects.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bianca J. L. Marcellino, Peri Yee, Shannon J. Mccauley, Rosalind L. Murray
Summary: This study examines the trade-off between mating effort and thermoregulatory behavior in dragonflies in response to temperature changes, and investigates the effect of wing melanin on these behaviors. The results indicate that as temperature increases, dragonflies reduce their mating effort and increase their thermoregulatory behavior.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Rafael Rios Moura, Paulo Inacio Prado, Joao Vasconcellos-Neto
Summary: This study examined the escape behavior and decision-making of Aglaoctenus castaneus spiders on different substrates. It was found that spiders inhabiting injurious substrates displayed shorter flight initiation distances and lower sensitivity to predators.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Luigi Baciadonna, Cwyn Solvi, Francesca Terranova, Camilla Godi, Cristina Pilenga, Livio Favaro
Summary: In this study, it was found that African penguins could use ventral dot patterns to recognize their lifelong partner and nonpartner colonymates. This challenges the previous assumption of limited visual involvement in penguin communication, highlighting the complex and flexible recognition process in birds.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Nick A. R. Jones, Jade Newton-Youens, Joachim G. Frommen
Summary: Environmental conditions, particularly temperature, have a significant impact on animal behavior. This study focused on aggression in Neolamprologus pulcher fish and found that aggression rates increased with temperature at lower levels, but decreased after reaching a peak. Additionally, the influence of high temperatures on aggression changed over time during the trials. These findings provide a more comprehensive understanding of the short-term effects of temperature on aggression and highlight the importance of considering non-linear changes in thermal performance.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Bruno Herlander Martins, Andrea Soriano-Redondo, Aldina M. A. Franco, Ines Carry
Summary: Human activities have affected the availability of resources for wildlife, particularly through the provision of anthropogenic food subsidies at landfill sites. This study explores the influence of age on landfill attendance and foraging behavior in white storks. Adult storks visit landfills more frequently and show dominance over juveniles in food acquisition. Juveniles have limited access to landfill resources and are forced to use lower quality areas.