196,419 research outputs found
Organochlorine pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Lanner Falco biarmicus feldeggii Schlegel chicks and Lanner Prey in Sicily, Italy
No full textThis paper reports on research conducted to elucidate the risk posed to the Sicilian population of the endangered lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii Schlegel by organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs), as part of a wider study on contaminant
risk to the lanner. Seventeen lanner nest sites were studied in northern and central Sicily. Sampling (in 2005)and analysis were carried out for selected OC pesticides and PCB congeners in lanner chick blood (15 chicks from 6 nest sites) and in two of the main lanner prey species, magpie Pica pica (36 individuals from 6 lanner nest sites) and rock dove Columba livia (10 individuals from 2 lanner nest sites). No OC and PCB residues were found in lanner chick blood above the detection limits, except for one solitary congener PCB153 (21.8 ng g 1 wet weight), suggesting that these contaminants do not pose a significant risk to lanner chicks in the study area. Magpie and dove appeared mostly free of contamination with OC pesticides, though contamination levels were significantly higher in magpie than in dove. The presence of exceptional
DDE and HEOD values in ;8% of the P. pica
sample, and one P. pica sample showing recent DDT
contamination, may indicate a local OC pesticide hazard to some lanner. Future research to further elucidate the contaminant risk to lanner in Sicily is suggested
Organochlorine Pesticides and Polychlorinated Biphenyl Congeners in Lanner Falco iarmicus feldeggii Schlegel Chicks and Lanner Prey in Sicily, Italy
No full textThis paper reports on research conducted to elucidate the risk posed to the Sicilian population of the endangered lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii Schlegel by organochlorine (OC) pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), as part of a wider study on contaminant risk to the lanner. Seventeen lanner nest sites were studied in northern and central Sicily. Sampling (in 2005) and analysis were carried out for selected OC pesticides and PCB congeners in lanner chick blood (15 chicks from 6 nest sites) and in two of the main lanner prey species, magpie Pica pica (36 individuals from 6 lanner nest sites) and rock dove Columba livia (10 individuals from 2 lanner nest sites). No OC and PCB residues were found in lanner chick blood above the detection limits, except for one solitary congener PCB153 (21.8 ng g−1 wet weight), suggesting that these contaminants do not pose a significant risk to lanner chicks in the study area. Magpie and dove appeared mostly free of contamination with OC pesticides, though contamination levels were significantly higher in magpie than in dove. The presence of exceptional DDE and HEOD values in 8% of the P. pica sample, and one P. pica sample showing recent DDT contamination, may indicate a local OC pesticide hazard to some lanner. Future research to further elucidate the contaminant risk to lanner in Sicily is suggested
Comparative Analysis of Lanner and Peregrine Trophic Niche in the Mediterranean
No full textPredators are highly sensitive to availability and changes of their prey, which are limiting factors for successful reproductive performances. We studied the diet of the increasing Peregrine falcon (F. p. brookei) and the declining Lanner falcon (F. b. feldeggii) populations in Sicily. The two species coexist in the same habitats of this large Mediterranean island and require similar feeding resources. We described the type and diversity of prey taken by both species in order to understand whether differences in foraging ecology could explain their diverse population status. During 2014-2016, we collected prey remains and pellets in 15 Peregrine and 6 Lanner nests and we compared the current diets with past data from Sicily (Peregrine: 1978-81; Lanner: 1981-88). We identified 805 Peregrine and 250 Lanner prey. Prey remains per Peregrine nest was on average higher (55.3±28.6) than per Lanner nest (42.0±25.6). Peregrine confirmed to be strictly ornitophagous (100% of prey) while Lanner preyed on birds (92.9%) and also on small mammals (4.0%) reptiles (2.4%) and arthropods (0.8%). The average avian prey of Peregrine is smaller (97.7 g) than that of Lanner (122.5 g). Columbidae, starlings, magpies formed the bulk of prey in both species; swifts and orioles were important prey in Peregrine, while rabbit gave a significant contribution to prey biomass in Lanner. Currently both species are preying upon the collared dove a taxon not present in past ’80 diets. The comparison of trophic diversity showed some striking differences, as Lanner in the past preyed upon much more taxa (Spast = 55 vs Scurrent = 33) while the reverse occurred in the Peregrine (Spast = 38 vs Scurrent = 63). A similar figure occurs also for the alpha-diversity index, while the Simpson (1-D) diversity dropped in the current Lanner diet (0.83) respect with the past Lanner, current and past Peregrine diets (all Simpson values > 0.90). The past/current diet overlap, as showed by the Whittaker index, was generally medium in both species (Peregrine = 0.44; Lanner = 0.48) and across species (past Peregrine/Lanner = 0.42; current Peregrine/Lanner = 0.48). Both species are responding to change of habitats and prey populations (e.g. more predation upon wood pigeon, collared dove, etc) with the more flexible and aerial-hunting Peregrine performing better than the Lanner in altered agro-ecosystems
A comparison of peregrine Falco peregrinus and lanner Falco biarmicus trophic niche in Sicily
No full textPrey availability is a crucial factor for the reproductive success of apex predators and the analysis of their diets
can provide meaningful information about the quality of their habitats. In Sicily the declining lanner falcon Falco
biarmicus feldeggii and the increasing peregrine falcon Falco peregrines brookei share similar habitats and trophic
needs. By studying their current and past diets, we have investigated whether the characteristics of their foraging
ecology could explain these different demographic trends. In 2014-2016, we identified 805 peregrine and 250
lanner Vertebrate prey from 15 peregrine and 6 lanner nests, and compared our dataset with previous data from
Sicily (Peregrine 1978-81; Lanner 1981-88). The average number of Vertebrate prey in peregrine nests (53,7 ±
28,7) was higher than in lanner nests (42,0 ± 25,6). Expectedly, peregrine preyed exclusively upon birds, while
lanner upon birds (92,9%), small mammals (4%), and reptiles (2,4%). Orioles and common swifts were significant
prey for the former, while the european rabbit was important for the latter in terms of biomass. Pigeons, starlings
and magpies formed the majority of prey for both species, and collared dove, previously absent in Sicily, appears
in their current diet. The average avian prey was smaller for peregrine (97,7 g) than for lanner (122,5 g). Over
decades, the lanner richness of prey species (S) decreased (from 55 to 33) while the one of peregrine increased
(from 38 to 63). Alfa-diversity index showed a similar figure, while dominance as expressed by the Simpson index
(1-D) was lower in present lanner diet (0,83) than in past lanner, as well as in past and present peregrine diets (all
indexes >0,90). Trophic niche overlap between the past and present datasets is medium according to Whittaker's
index (0,44 peregrine; 0,48 lanner; 0,42 peregrine/lanner past; 0,48 peregrine/lanner present). Lanner preyed also
on insects in both periods, with considerable differences (npast = 341 and ncurrent = 2) which can be attributed to
different seasons of data collection. The two predators are responding to variations in habitats and prey
populations; however the more aerial-hunting peregrine, demonstrates to be flexible and more successfully
adapted to the alteration of traditional agro-ecosystems
Spatial analysis of lanner falcon habitat preferences: Implications for agro-ecosystems management at landscape scale and raptor conservation
No full textSicily hosts the largest European population of the endangered lanner falcon, a poorly known species
which needs conservation planning based on habitat preferences. A distribution model on 10 10 km
cells of Sicily was described using Generalized Linear Models and variation partitioning methods. This
modelling approach extracted explanatory factors, pure and joint effects of greatest influence from subsets
of variables controlled for multi-collinearity and spatial autocorrelation. Analytical cartography used
the environmental favourability function to assess habitat preferences, and the insecurity index estimated
the degree to which lanner falcon occupancy is represented in the Natura2000 networks of Sicily.
The lanner population is not randomly distributed across the geographical space as the significant latitudinal
effect revealed. The most parsimonious explanatory model suggested traditional agro-ecosystems
(i.e. arable lowlands and grasslands, with rugged terrains and cliffs) as the best predictors of lanner occupancy,
and gave strong support to the negative effects of land abandonment and intensification (i.e.
increase of heterogeneous areas and shrubby vegetation). The variation partitioning method suggested
how an alteration of traditional agro-ecosystems might enhance interference competition with the
peregrine falcon and limit lanner falcon occupancy. Most of the lanner falcon favourable habitats fall
outside the Natura2000 networks, thus the main challenge for its conservation is represented by
agri-environmental measures to be taken within the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union.
Conservation of traditional agro-ecosystems devoted to top-predators, like the lanner falcon, requires
single environmental management agreements for multiple farm units, deployed at landscape scale on
a network of favourable areas
Genetic variability and population structuring in the European Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii
No full textWe analysed variation in 10 polymorphic microsatellites and a variable portion of control region of mtDNA in 24 specimens from 3 populations of European Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii living in Sicily, continental Italy and the Balkan area to assess species' genetic diversity and population structure in the poorly investigated range of this threatened subspecies. We considered also a dataset of previously published mtDNA sequences of the other Lanner Falcon subspecies and of Hierofalco subgenus members (F. cherrug, F. rusticolus and F. jugger) to outline the genetic variation in the region on a wide-ranging basis. Regard with mtDNA we identified 6 haplotypes from our 24 European Lanner Falcon specimens, 3 of which were new and unique (1 Sicilian, 2 Balkans) and the 3 others already known and shared with other Hierofalcons. The 62.5% of our sample, including 14 of Sicilians and one Apulia specimen, belonged to haplotype H_24 shared with F. c. cherrug, F. rusticolus and F. jugger. MtDNA analyses of European Lanner Falcons showed a dispersed pattern of our specimens inside the main Hierofalco clades and haplo-groups in a way congruent to what found in recent literature. These analyses confirmed that none of the Hierofalcons form a monophyletic group, nonetheless the Lanner Falcons can be subdivided in two major Palaearctic (F. b. feldeggii, F. b. erlangeri and F. b. tanypterus) and sub-Sahara African (F. b. biarmicus and F. b. abyssinicus) clades. Microsatellites analysis yielded a first outline of population genetic structure, with genetic identity between continental Italy and Sicily and a moderate degree of differentiation of the Balkan area with Sicily and continental Italy. The 3 populations did not show significant departure from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, with low values of the inbreeding coefficients and had allele richness and haplotype diversity consistent with literature. Microsatellites analysis (Nm, frequency of private alleles) suggests a gene flow among the three examined populations and the connection of Sicilian population to those of mainland
Environmental suitability model for the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii: planning, study and monitoring the Sicilian population
No full textThe identification of suitable areas, by spatially explicit distribution models, is crucial for conservation of
threatened species as the lanner falcon Falco biarmicus feldeggii. Monitoring and collecting data on lanner falcon
during years has proven to be essential for better defining the areas of species environmental suitability. Recent
research shows that breeding performances of this species are strongly influenced by bioclimatic factors,
especially monthly temperature and rainfall, or linked to landscape morphology, such as the slope of territories.
These environmental parameters combined with species productivity (number of fledged juveniles per checked
pair) of geo-referenced breeding sites have been used to develop a predictive model (PM). A former PM,
restricted to eastern Sicily, has been now extended to the whole Sicilian territory thanks to field records collected
within the frame of the project: ‘Practical actions for preserving the main European population of Lanner falcon’
supported by the Nando & Elsa Peretti Foundation. Such a new PM contains the database of productivity and georeferenced breeding sitesof a representative sample of the known Sicilian lanner population. PM is composed by
dynamic GIS-level of cartographic structures (as rainfall and temperature raster) and needs periodic
implementation with annual data to improve its accuracy and long-term validity. The model was used during
winter 2016-2017 to search new territories, with the noticeable discovery of 5 new sites. In addition, the
comparison of the 2017 productivity data with the environmental quality value, as indicated by the PM, proved the
good predictive performances of the model: the most productive were also the most suitable. A potential progress
is to extend its application to continental Italy in order to explore the areas of environmental suitability of lanner
falcon across the whole Italian species range. PM could be a valuable tool for monitoring the Italian population,
defining attention areas of Lanner and concrete conservation actions in the view of global change
Population size and breeding performance of the Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus in Sicily: conservation implications
No full textCapsule: We report a significant reduction in population size and breeding success for the Lanner Falcon Falco biarmicus in Sicily, its biggest stronghold in Europe, since the latest coordinated survey.
Aims: To provide updated information on current population size of Lanner Falcon in Sicily and to compare breeding parameters with those obtained in previous studies.
Methods: We performed an intensive coordinated field survey and literature review of breeding success parameters across the species range.
Results: Overall, we monitored 126 territories throughout Sicily where the species had been reported in the last 15 years. Lanner Falcons were present only in 60 of them. Mean nest productivity (± standard deviation) was 1.09 ± 1.18 fledged young/checked pairs, flight rate was 2.22 ± 0.52 fledged young/successful pairs and breeding success was 49.0%.
Conclusions: Indirect measures aimed at preventing abandonment of occupied territories should be applied, for instance by developing a network of priority areas and slowing down degradation of the pseudo-steppe habitats by agri-environmental schemes. Additionally, direct measures aimed at preventing nest robbery, including the organization of nest guarding activities, and reduction of anthropogenic disturbance and illegal shooting, must be encouraged in order to avoid territory abandonment
Ecology and breeding biology of Lanner Falcons in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa
No full textLanner Falcons Falco biarmicus are the commonest large falcons in Africa and this study in the coastal area of the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa investigated their ecology from 1984 to 2000. Lanners have recently been categorised as near-threatened and this study was initiated to ascertain if the population was stable. Breeding success of a small population, in different habitat types, was monitored intensively from 1997 to 2000, and the factors that inhibited breeding were investigated. The earliest onset of incubation was 17 July and the latest 16 August, with 2.2 young fledged per breeding pair over the four-year period. Incubation lasted 32 days and young fledged after 42-45 days. All nest sites were on cliffs with a mean height of 114 m, a mean vertical face of 53 m; 45% of the nests were in ravens’ nests. The aspect of cliff sites also influenced breeding success. Radio tracking was used to determine home range, habitat use and hunting methods, with prey species identified. Home ranges were between 66 km² and 249 km². Preferred prey was domestic chickens, pigeons and small birds during the breeding season. Foraging ranges were smaller in intensively cultivated areas with seed crops. Data obtained from ringing returns showed that no long distance movements occurred in this region, but two juveniles dispersed 152 km and 127 km. Conservation aspects with possible threats to Lanner Falcons such as poisons, electrocutions and direct persecution are discussed with some recommendations made for future research. Evidence from this study indicates that Lanner breeding success is not limited by nest site availability, but by rainfall timing and prey availability. Lanners foraged more in open areas than areas with tall vegetation, and benefited from intensive agriculture. This population appeared to be healthy and in no danger of declining in the near future
Dr. Duane M. Jackson, Morehouse College, July 2011
No full textThis video is a conversation with Dr. Duane M. Jackson. Dr. Jackson talks about his paper, "Recall and the Serial Position Effect: The Role of Primacy and Recency on Accounting Students' Performance." Jackie Daniel, AUC Woodruff Library, is the interviewer
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