Richard Ottvall

Bird population trends are linearly affected by climate change along species thermal ranges

Beyond the effects of temperature increase on local population trends and on species distribution shifts, how populations of a given species are affected by climate change along a species range is still unclear. We tested whether and how species responses to climate change are related to the populations locations within the species thermal range. We compared the average 20 year growth rates of 62 terrestrial breeding birds in three European countries along the latitudinal gradient of the species ranges. After controlling for factors already reported to affect bird population trends (habitat specialization, migration distance and body mass), we found that populations breeding close to the species thermal maximum have lower growth rates than those in other parts of the thermal range, while those breeding close to the species thermal minimum have higher growth rates. These results were maintained even after having controlled for the effect of latitude per se. Therefore, the results cannot solely be explained by latitudinal clines linked to the geographical structure in local spring warming. Indeed, we found that populations are not just responding to changes in temperature at the hottest and coolest parts of the species range, but that they show a linear graded response across their European thermal range. We thus provide insights into how populations respond to climate changes. We suggest that projections of future species distributions, and also management options and conservation assessments, cannot be based on the assumption of a uniform response to climate change across a species range or at range edges only.

Species diversity of campylobacteria in a wild bird community in Sweden

Aims:  To analyse the occurrence and host species distribution of campylobacteria species in shorebirds, geese and cattle on grazed coastal meadows in Sweden.

Avian Reservoirs and Zoonotic Potential of the Emerging Human Pathogen Helicobacter canadensis

ABSTRACT A polyphasic identification approach was used to investigate the taxonomic position of Campylobacter-like isolates recovered from barnacle geese (Branta leucopsis) and Canada geese (Branta candensis). Seven strains were selected from a collection of 21 isolates and analyzed by extensive phenotypic testing; four strains were characterized by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The results clearly identified the bird isolates as Helicobacter canadensis, recently described as an emerging human pathogen. This is the first report of an animal reservoir for this organism and of its presence in Europe and confirms the zoonotic potential of H. canadensis.

Genetic isolation and divergence in sexual traits: evidence for the northern rockhopper penguin Eudyptes moseleyi being a sibling species.

The taxonomic status of populations of rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes chrysocome) is still enigmatic. Northern populations differ from southern ones in breeding phenology, song characteristics and head ornaments used as mating signals. We conducted a molecular analysis using mitochondrial DNA sequencing to test if there is a gene flow barrier between northern (subtropical) populations and southern (subantarctic) populations in relation to the Subtropical Convergence, a major ecological boundary for marine organisms. Sequences of the control region and the ND2 gene were analysed in rockhopper penguins and in the macaroni penguin (Eudyptes chrysolophus), a closely related species. Genetic distances and phylogenetic analyses showed a clear split into three clades, two rockhopper clades and the macaroni penguin. Moreover, ΘST and gene flow estimates also suggested genetic structuring within the northern rockhoppers. Our results add further support to the notion that the two rockhopper penguin taxa, often considered as two subspecies, can be recognized as two species E. chrysocome and E. moseleyi. The divergence in mating signals found between these two taxa seems to have occurred recently and relatively rapidly. Thus, the behavioural changes may have been enough to isolate these taxa without the need for morphological differentiation. The findings have important conservational implications, since E. moseleyi is far less abundant than E. chrysocome, but more populations may warrant an uplisting to endangered status if full species status should be recognized for more subpopulations.

Nesting success in Redshank Tringa totanus breeding on coastal meadows and the importance of habitat features used as perches by avian predators

Capsule Nest survival rates could not be explained by distance to habitat edges or other features used by predators. Aims To investigate if predation on Redshank nests was affected by habitat characteristics at a local scale. Methods We examined survival rates of Redshank nests on coastal meadows on the Baltic island of Gotland, Sweden, over two breeding seasons. We analysed nest survival rates in relation to several habitat characteristics that may benefit predators searching for nests. We examined existing studies concerning predation rates on wader nests in relation to edges and habitat features potentially used by avian predators. Results We found no significant effects of distance to habitat edge or to nearest potential lookout for avian predators or to shoreline. Abundance of Lapwings Vanellus vanellus, an aggressive species with active nest-defence, did not have any significant effect on nest survival rate, nor did vegetation concealment of nests. Nest survival rates were significantly different between years and lower later in the season. Conclusions There is only weak support for general effects on wader nest predation rates of proximity to edges and features used by avian predators. Simple mechanical management actions such as removal of trees and bushes on coastal meadows may not directly, and by itself, result in higher reproductive success of waders. Further understanding is needed of the behaviour of predators and the composition of the predator community in different landscapes in order to increase the efficiency of management actions to remove threats to vulnerable species on coastal meadows.

Morphological and molecular sex identification of Redshanks Tringa totanus

Capsule Body measurements classified 81% of birds correctly to sex.

Female Corncrake(Crex crex) singing in the wild

The male Corncrake (Crex crex) has a characteristic mating call. In aviary it has been shown that females can also produce a call similar to the males typical “crex crex”. I describe a strikingly different call produced by a female on Öland, southeast Sweden. The sex identification was based on the small size during close examination in the hand. The female call has a similar rhythm to the male call but lacks the rasping of the male and is almost a barking sound. The female was heard calling continuously at night throughout a three-week-period. Another bird producing the same call was heard about 100 m from the caught female suggesting two females in the same field. No male Corncrakes were heard in the field during the period when the female was calling. Possible explanations for this behaviour and the function of the call is discussed. Männliche Wachtelkönige (Crex crex) haben charakteristische Balzrufe. In Gefangenschaft gehaltene weibliche Wachtelkönige rufen ebenfalls männchenähnlich „crex crex“. Dieser Artikel beschreibt einen bisher unbekannten Ruf eines weiblichen Wachtelkönigs von der Insel Öland/SE Schweden. Die Geschlechtsbestimmung erfolgte aufgrund der geringen Maße. Die Rufe des Weibchens zeigten einen ähnlichen Rhythmus wie die der Männchen, ihnen fehlt jedoch der knarrende Klang und sie klingen eher bellend. Das rufende Weibchen wurde über drei Wochen regelmäßig nachts gehört. Ein weiterer Vogel mit den gleichen Rufen wurde etwa 100 Meter neben dem gefangenen Weibchen gehört, was darauf deutet, daß es sich um zwei Weibchen in dem gleichen Feld gehandelt hat. Rufende Männchen wurden während dieser Zeit nicht gehört. Die Bedeutung dieser Weibchen-Rufe wird diskutiert.