Article
Biology
Haoran Luo, Xinrui Jiang, Boping Li, Jiahong Wu, Jiexin Shen, Zaoxu Xu, Xiaoping Zhou, Minghao Hou, Zhen Huang, Xiaobin Ou, Luohao Xu
Summary: This study conducted multi-omic analyses on a well-preserved great bustard individual, resulting in a near-complete genome assembly and revealing the low genetic diversity of the species. The study also identified expanded gene families related to cardiac contraction and metabolism in great bustards, as well as a rare case of extremely young evolutionary stratum on the sex chromosome. Overall, this research provides insights into the conservation genomics, adaptation, and chromosome evolution of the great bustard.
COMMUNICATIONS BIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Zhiyuan Lu, Sisi Li, Hongxia Li, Zhucheng Wang, Derong Meng, Jingze Liu
Summary: The study analyzed the gut microbiota of Great Bustards, revealing a composition primarily comprised of four phyla and 22 core genera, with some pathogens present. There were no significant differences in the diversity of gut microbiota between sample groups from different years.
Article
Ornithology
Yingjun Wang, Gankhuyag Purev-Ochir, Amarkhuu Gungaa, Baasansuren Erdenechimeg, Oyunchimeg Terbish, Dashdorj Khurelbaatar, Zijian Wang, Chunrong Mi, Yumin Guo
Summary: The Great Bustard, the heaviest migratory bird, shows sex differences in migration patterns. Conservation measures are needed to protect the wintering sites and prevent collisions with powerlines.
JOURNAL OF ORNITHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Ibrahim Kaan Ozgencil, Ferdi Akarsu, Mehmet Mahir Karatas, Arzu Gursoy-Ergen, Fulya Saygili-Yigit, Muharrem Karakaya, Melisa Soyluer
Summary: The Great Bustard population in Turkey has severely declined in recent decades, with only 559-780 breeding individuals remaining in two subpopulations. Illegal hunting, agricultural intensification, and habitat disturbance pose significant threats to the species. Further research and conservation efforts are necessary to protect the remaining populations in Turkey.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Juan C. Alonso, Carlos Palacin
Summary: The global population of Great Bustards has been decreasing, with significant declines in China, European Russia, Portugal, and Spain. However, increases have been recorded in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania. Urgent conservation actions are needed to halt the negative trends and ensure the survival of the species.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yingying Zhuo, Mimi Kessler, Muyang Wang, Wenxuan Xu, Feng Xu, Weikang Yang
Summary: Researchers used distance sampling and high-resolution species distribution models to study the habitat suitability of Great Bustards, identifying suitable areas mainly in the north of the study area and specific mountain slopes. Significant factors influencing habitat suitability include distance to county highway, elevation, distance to field edge, and mean summer temperature.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Zhiyuan Lu, Yuepeng Zhai, Derong Meng, Guanqun Kou, Hao Li, Jingze Liu
Summary: Changes in future climate will impact the geographic distributions of the Asian Great Bustard, a globally threatened species highly dependent on farmlands during the wintering period. Species distribution models are powerful tools for predicting potential distributions and assessing habitat suitability for conservation management plans. Under future climatic scenarios, the suitable habitats for wintering Asian Great Bustard are expected to increase to varying degrees by the end of this century.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Jose Guerrero-Casado, Carlos A. Rivas, Francisco S. Tortosa
Summary: The increase of olive groves in the Mediterranean basin in the last two decades, mostly on arable land, may affect habitat suitability for steppe birds, as suggested by a study in Southern Spain.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Ornithology
Denes Nagy, Zsuzsanna Kurucz, Peter Toth, Rainer Raab, Attila Krall
Summary: A mature Great Bustard female made four breeding attempts in Devavanya, but all failed and the bird was killed by a predator. This new experience confirms the importance of conservation measures.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Andre Flores-Bello, Neus Font-Porterias, Julen Aizpurua-Iraola, Sara Duarri-Redondo, David Comas
Summary: This study examines the genetic characteristics of the Merchero population for the first time, revealing that their genetic diversity is mainly explained within the context of the Iberian Peninsula, with a modest signal of Roma admixture. Additionally, Mercheros display low genetic isolation and intrapopulation heterogeneity.
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Maria J. Carabano, Carolina Pineda-Quiroga, Eva Ugarte, Clara Diaz, Manuel Ramon
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the genetic component of thermal tolerance in two local breeds, Latxa and Manchega, from the Iberian Peninsula. Results showed different patterns in the genetic interactions between the two breeds, with Manchega exhibiting clearer signs of genotype by environment interaction than Latxa. The findings indicate that there is a greater thermal stress expected from high temperatures in the Latxa breed compared to low temperatures, and both breeds exhibit substantial variability in thermal tolerance.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Yellapu Srinivas, Bibek Yumnam, Sutirtha Dutta, Yadvendradev Jhala
Summary: The critically endangered Great Indian Bustard is facing imminent extinction due to hunting, habitat loss, and power-line collisions. Conservation agencies are implementing habitat protection and conservation breeding as measures to prevent extinction. Genetic diversity analysis suggests that the largest population in Rajasthan is ideal for sourcing breeders, but additional birds may be needed from other regions to fully capture the extant gene pool of the species.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David H. Mauki, Adeniyi C. Adeola, Said Ng'ang'a, Abdulfatai Tijjani, Ibikunle Mark Akanbi, Oscar J. Sanke, Abdussamad M. Abdussamad, Sunday C. Olaogun, Jebi Ibrahim, Philip M. Dawuda, Godwin F. Mangbon, Paul S. Gwakisa, Ting-Ting Yin, Min-Sheng Peng, Ya-Ping Zhang
Summary: This study analyzed the genetic diversity of cattle samples from Nigeria using both maternal and paternal DNA markers, revealing that Nigerian cattle are mainly clustered with African cattle and have a zebu haplogroup in terms of paternal analysis. There was no signal of maternal genetic structure in Nigerian cattle population, suggesting extensive genetic intermixing within the country.
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Pilar Olivar, Arturo Castellon, Ana Sabates, Airam Sarmiento-Lezcano, Mikhail Emelianov, Ainhoa Bernal, Yang Yang, Roland Proud, Andrew S. Brierley
Summary: This study examines the variability in mesopelagic fish communities and the influence of environmental factors on their diversity in five zones around the Iberian Peninsula. The results show significant differences in fish populations between the Mediterranean and Atlantic sides, with temperature and salinity being the main factors explaining the variation. The study also highlights the differences in species distribution between the two regions.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Zoology
Goksel Keskin, Seyhun Durmus, Muharrem Karakaya, Mehmet Mahir Karatas
Summary: This study confirms that the great bustard is capable of gliding, despite its preference for continuous flapping flight, which is not related to its weight. This may be due to the great bustard's lack of long-distance migrations and feeding behavior.
ACTA ZOOLOGICA BULGARICA
(2021)
Article
Ornithology
Inmaculada Abril-Colon, Juan Carlos Alonso, Carlos Palacin, Jose Manuel Alvarez-Martinez, Alberto Ucero
Summary: The Canarian Houbara Bustard is a short-distance, partial migratory bird species. After the breeding season, more than one-third of the individuals migrate from their breeding territories to non-breeding areas with higher vegetation productivity. Most individuals exhibit fidelity to their breeding and non-breeding areas across years.
Article
Ecology
Karol Szafranski, Michaela Wetzel, Susanne Holtze, Ina Buentjen, Dietmar Lieckfeldt, Arne Ludwig, Klaus Huse, Matthias Platzer, Thomas Hildebrandt
Summary: Naked mole-rats primarily exhibit monogamous mating behavior, contrary to previous belief of polyandry. This finding supports the theory of cooperative breeding and kin selection in other mammalian species.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Juan C. Alonso, Carlos Palacin
Summary: The global population of Great Bustards has been decreasing, with significant declines in China, European Russia, Portugal, and Spain. However, increases have been recorded in Germany, Austria, Hungary, and Romania. Urgent conservation actions are needed to halt the negative trends and ensure the survival of the species.
BIRD CONSERVATION INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Juan C. Alonso, Inmaculada Abril-Colon, Carlos Palacin, Alberto Ucero, Jose M. Alvarez-Martinez
Summary: Males of the houbara bustard species strategically use multiple display sites instead of just one to maximize sexual signal transmission, with the number of sites chosen based on display intensity and the visibility provided by the main display site. The use of supplementary display sites is to supplement the viewshed provided by the principal display site and increase sexual signal transmission.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY AND SOCIOBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Thomas Friedrich, Dietmar Lieckfeldt, Arne Ludwig
Summary: This study aims to assess the population sizes of sturgeons in two locations, the German-Austrian border and the Austrian-Slovakian border. The results show that the population sizes are very small and reproduction is intermittent at these sites. Therefore, conservation actions, including the restoration of migration corridors, are necessary to protect sturgeons in the Upper Danube.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Alberto Ucero, Juan C. Alonso, Carlos Palacin, Inmaculada Abril-Colon, Jose M. Alvarez-Martinez
Summary: We investigated the factors influencing display site selection in the Canarian houbara bustard, including visibility, female and male distribution, microhabitat, and distance to human infrastructure. Our findings suggest that the bustards prefer display sites with higher visibility, devoid of vegetation and stones, and located farther away from human disturbance sources. Male bustards are particularly attracted to sites with better viewsheds and a higher number of visible females at both short and long distances.
BEHAVIORAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Carlos Palacin, Irene Farias, Juan Carlos Alonso
Summary: The development of renewable energy infrastructure can cause irreversible biodiversity loss, but effective planning can minimize negative impacts. Using the great bustard as a case study, we identified essential conservation areas and highlighted the vulnerability of these areas to new energy infrastructure. Undergrounding power lines and considering bird flight movements are recommended to reduce bird mortality. This study emphasizes the importance of large-scale mapping of endangered species for effective planning of renewable energy infrastructure.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jose L. Horreo, Alberto Ucero, Carlos Palacin, Alfonso Lopez-Solano, Inmaculada Abril-Colon, Juan C. Alonso
Summary: The Canarian houbara is an endangered subspecies of the African houbara bustard, endemic to the Canary Islands. Its population has decreased due to hunting and egg collection, and although it recovered in some islands, it is now on the brink of extirpation in Fuerteventura. Genetic analysis revealed high variability but reduced heterozygosity, with distinct genetic units identified among the islands. Conservation measures should focus on recovering the population in Fuerteventura and preserving genetic flow to prevent further decline and extirpation.
JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Guillermo Carmona, Tamara Burgos, Rafael Barrientos, Sara Martin-Garcia, Clara Munoz, Marta Sanchez-Sanchez, Javier Hernandez-Hernandez, Carlos Palacin, Pablo Quiles, Alberto Moraga-Fernandez, Victor Bandeira, Emilio Virgos, Christian Gortazar, Isabel G. Fernandez de Mera
Summary: Data on SARS-CoV-2 infection in wildlife species is limited. However, high prevalences found in mustelid species justify studying this virus in closely related autochthonous free-ranging European polecats. Analysis of lung samples from roadkilled polecats did not detect SARS-CoV-2 infection, but surveillance in wild carnivores and mustelids is still necessary due to their susceptibility.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF WILDLIFE RESEARCH
(2023)
Letter
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Arne Ludwig, Jutta Jahrl, Leonardo Congiu, Joern Gessner, Thomas Friedrich, Dietmar Lieckfeldt, Zuogang Peng, Markus Boner
