Long‐term changes in the migration phenology of UK breeding birds detected by large‐scale citizen science recording schemes

The timing of migration is one of the key life‐history parameters of migratory birds. It is expected to be under strong selection, to be sensitive to changing environmental conditions and to have implications for population dynamics. However, most phenological studies do not describe arrival and departure phenologies for a species in a way that is robust to potential biases, or that can be clearly related to breeding populations. This hampers our ability to understand more fully how climate change may affect species’ migratory strategies, their life histories and ultimately their population dynamics. Using generalized additive models (GAMs) and extensive large‐scale data collected in the UK over a 40‐year period, we present standardized measures of migration phenology for common migratory birds, and examine how the phenology of bird migration has changed in the UK since the 1960s. Arrival dates for 11 of 14 common migrants became significantly earlier, with six species advancing their arrival by more than 10 days. These comprised two species, Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla and Chiffchaff Phylloscopus collybita, which winter closest to Britain in southern Europe and the arid northern zone of Africa, Common Redstart Phoenicurus phoenicurus, which winters in the arid zone, and three hirundines (Sand Martin Riparia riparia, House Martin Delichon urbicum and Barn Swallow Hirundo rustica), which winter in different parts of Africa. Concurrently, departure dates became significantly later for four of the 14 species and included species that winter in southern Europe (Blackcap and Chiffchaff) and in humid zones of Africa (Garden Warbler Sylvia borin and Whinchat Saxicola rubetra). Common Swift Apus apus was the exception in departing significantly earlier. The net result of earlier arrival and later departure for most species was that length of stay has become significantly longer for nine of the 14 species. Species that have advanced their timing of arrival showed the most positive trends in abundance, in accordance with previous studies. Related in part to earlier arrival and the relationship above, we also show that species extending their stay in Great Britain have shown the most positive trends. Further applications of our modelling approach will provide opportunities for more robust tests of relationships between phenological change and population dynamics than have been possible previously.     

汉江中上游湿地冬季水鸟资源调查

汉江中上游河道冬季水鸟共30种,隶属7目7科。其中,冬候鸟15种,留鸟8种,占73.3%,旅鸟7种。调查分析表明:独特的动物地理区系和优越的湿地环境使汉水中上游流域成为重要的鸟类越冬地及迁徙中转地,由此形成了该地特殊的冬季鸟类结构。     

Independent origins of the feather lice (Insecta: Degeeriella) of raptors

Although diurnal birds of prey have historically been placed in a single order due to a number of morphological characters, recent molecular phylogenies have suggested that this is a case of convergence rather than homology, with hawks (Accipitridae) and falcons (Falconidae) forming two distantly related groups within birds. The feather lice of birds have often been used as a model for comparing host and parasite phylogenies, and in some cases there is significant congruence between the two. Thus, studying the phylogeny of the lice of diurnal raptors may be of particular interest with respect to the independent evolution of hawks vs. falcons. Using one mitochondrial gene and three nuclear genes, we inferred a phylogeny for the feather louse genus Degeeriella (which are all obligate raptor ectoparasites) and related genera. This phylogeny indicated that Degeeriella is polyphyletic, with lice from falcons vs. hawks forming two distinct clades. Falcon lice were sister to lice from African woodpeckers, whereas Capraiella, a genus of lice from rollers lice, was embedded within Degeeriella from hawks. This phylogeny showed significant geographical structure, with host geography playing a larger role than host taxonomy in explaining louse phylogeny, particularly within clades of closely related lice. However, the louse phylogeny does reflect host phylogeny at a broad scale; for example, lice from the hawk genus Accipiter form a distinct clade. © 2015 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2015, 114 , 837–847.     

A reconsideration of the reptilian relationships of Archaeopteryx

The cladistic relationships of Archaeopteryx , the earliest known bird, are re-examined and previous hypotheses of relationships evaluated. The morphology of Archaeopteryx is redescribed. New interpretations of the fossils are presented, particularly in regard to the morphology of the pectoral girdle, manus, pelvic girdle, tarsus and pes. These new interpretations challenge some of the phylogenetic hypotheses recently presented and a new version of thecodontian relationships is suggested.     

The death of birds on the sea coast of northeastern Sakhalin Island

The taxonomical composition of dead birds found on the northeastern coast of Sakhalin Island and the causes of their death were studied. Sites with high, average, and low concentration of dead birds were identified. The period of highest mortality of birds (July–August) coincided with the beginning of massive migrations of birds and large numbers of young birds after termination of the nesting season. Collection of bird remains in periods of bird migrations and breeding, in addition to other methods of ornithological research (visual observations, fowling, shooting), can provide useful information on the avifauna and ecological state of the investigated region.     

孔子鸟与鸟类的早期演化

大量孔子乌标本的出现,使得我们能够识别这一早期鸟类的一些前所未知的形态特征。依据这些特征,并结合近年来中国发现的其他中生代鸟类资料,我们可以进一步探讨早期鸟类研究中存在的某些问题,诸如鸟类飞行的起源等。孔子鸟头骨的最典型特征是进步的角质像的出现和原始眶后骨的完全保留。孔子鸟的眶后骨和颧骨相连接,这一特征尚未见于其他鸟类。由于始祖鸟也已缺失了眶后骨,因此眶后骨在孔子鸟中的存在,进一步证实了始祖鸟在早期鸟类演化中的旁支地位,同时也表明,鸟类真正的祖先比我们以往所了解的更加原始。孔子鸟保留了三个指爪。第三指爪（中间一个）常较退化,这和飞羽附着第三指有关。发育的趾爪及指爪,显示孔子鸟适应攀援树木的生活。基本愈合的尾椎和尚不完善的飞行器官,不仅支持这一假设,而且可能还表明,孔子鸟尚不能从地面起飞。孔子鸟尚未发育小冀羽,这也更加证实了其飞行的原始性。孔子鸟的某些个体,保存一对长的尾羽,这可能代表雄性的特征。另一些个体的头部还保留装饰性羽毛。数百件个体的集中发现或许还表明,孔子鸟具备了某些现生鸟类集群性的行为方式。个体大小的变化在早期鸟类飞行能力演化中的作用十分显著。早白垩世的反鸟类的成员都明显小于始祖鸟和孔子鸟,加之拥?     

Villi and the phyly of Wetmore's order Piciformes (Aves)

The occurrence of villi (outgrowths, projections) on the bases of the basalmost downy barbulcs of breast-feathers is documented with scanning electron microscopy. The presence of these structures is thought to constitute a synapomorphic character for Passeriformes, Trochilidac, Capitonidac, Indicatoridae, Ramphastidae, and Picidae, which once more casts suspicion on the monophylv of Wetmore's order Piciformes.     

Villi and the phyly of Wetmore's order Piciformes (Aves)

The occurrence of villi (outgrowths, projections) on the bases of the basalmost downy barbulcs of breast-feathers is documented with scanning electron microscopy. The presence of these structures is thought to constitute a synapomorphic character for Passeriformes, Trochilidac, Capitonidac, Indicatoridae, Ramphastidae, and Picidae, which once more casts suspicion on the monophylv of Wetmore's order Piciformes.     

The evolution of avian mating systems: a phylogenetic analysis of male and female polygamy and length of pair bond

A phylogenetic analysis of the evolution of mating systems in birds was made, based on the phylogeny of Sibley and Ahlquist. Both the mating behaviour and the social behaviour of species were classified for males and females, according to (1) the frequency of mated individuals in a species having several mates in a breeding season compared to those having one mate (the mating pattern), and (2) whether there is a bond between males and females, and in case of there being a bond, to the length of the bond. Non-passerines are extensively analysed, whereas we only give a survey of the situation in passerines. In non-passerine birds, the number of inferred transitions from monogamy to polygamy are 15 for females and 16–23 for males. Almost all transitions between different states of mating pattern are to higher states of polygamy. Our analyses also show a concentration of transitions to polygamy and short bonds, respectively, in the two monophyletic groups of Struthionidae-Anatidae and Pteroclidae-Laridae.     

The biodiversity and conservation of the birds of São Tomé and Príncipe

At present the majority of the endemic bird species occurring on São Tomé and Príncipe remain common, the rarer species being those largely confined to primary rainforest. In 1990 the dwarf olive ibis (Bostrychia bocagei), São Tomé fiscal shrike (Lanius newtoni), São Tomé short-tail (Amaurocichla bocagii) were rediscovered and in 1991 the São Tomé grosbeak (Neospiza concolor) was seen for the first time since 1888. Lowland primary forest is the only habitat on São Tomé in which all the endemic species are found. Primary forest on Príncipe remains largely unsurveyed since the beginning of the century. Due to the decline in the cocoa industry and poor infra-structure post-independence the extent of secondary forest is probably at its greatest since the late 1800s. This habitat is an important buffer zone against development for the remaining primary forest and also contains important populations of many of the endemic species, in particular the São Tomé scops owl (Otus hartlaubi), São Tomé oriole (Oriolus crassirostris) and giant weaver (Ploceus grandis). On both islands the remaining areas of primary forest need immediate protection and suitable boundaries have been designated under the Zona Ecológica plan. Fortunately, except for an important area around Lagôa Amélia, primary forest is not under immediate threat, although a variety of pressures are likely to increase. In conjunction with the protection of primary forest, a plant for managing the remaining timber resource on the islands will be a vital requirement, particularly if areas of shade forest, an important habitat for endemic bird species and a potentially valuable economic resource, are to be conserved and sustainably managed.     

The role of small mammals and birds in transport of matter through the shore zone of lakes

An attempt was made to estimate the role of small mammals and birds in the cycling of nutrients in the littoral zone of lakes. We estimated the approximate amounts of food, organic matter and elements ingested and egested during the breeding season by waterfowl. Small mammal densities were estimated, and their movements studied between different patches of a mosaic landscape, including the lake's shore region. Studies on passerine birds were aimed at determining the territories of some species in alder forest. Special attention was paid to the range of penetration of the reed belts by forest species.     

Begging and the risk of predation in nestling birds

Theoretical models of the evolution of begging in nestling passerinesassume that begging is costly, either energetically or in termsof predation. However, few empirical measures of these costsexist. We examined whether nestling begging calls could attractpredators to nests by comparing predation rates at artificialnests with and without playbacks of tree swallow begging calls.Nests were baited with quail eggs and placed in pairs on theground or in modified nest-boxes. Nests with playbacks of beggingcalls were depredated before control nests significantly moreoften in both the ground and nest-box trials, suggesting thatpredators may use begging calls to locate nests. These resultssuggest that the risk of nest predation may be increased becauseof calling by nestlings and provide further support for theassumption that conspicuous begging is costly in terms of predation     

Exploring an efficient habitat index for predicting population and abundance of migratory birds in Poyang Lake Wetland,South China

Poyang Lake wetland is an important wintering habitat of migratory birds with a complexity of coupled nature and human systems. Reported studies suggested that habitat indices were mostly developed based on single-class factors and scale-dependent. Therefore the indices might not be sufficient and applicable to predict regional changes for population and abundance of migratory birds (PMB and AMB) in Poyang Lake wetland at watershed and basin scales. In order to explore an efficient habitat index for predicting PMB and AMB, an integrated and scale-independent habitat index was proposed by integration of landscape and environmental temperature variables at basin and watershed scales. The landscape index and environmental temperature index based on single-class dominant factors, were also evaluated by weighted additive method. Multi-source data, including multi-spatial and temporal remote sensing images and field survey data, was used in this study. Results indicated that the average 10-night temperature in July (TN-Jul.) had dominant influence on PMB and the environmental temperature index was a better predictor for predicting PMB; AMB was influenced by both landscape and temperature variables and the proposed integrated habitat index was better for prediction of AMB in Poyang Lake wetland. The proposed integrated habitat index is a supplement of the single-class habitat index, which provides a more scientific technique for the study of biodiversity.     

太白山北坡夏秋季鸟类物种多样性

2006年5月～7月(夏季),9月～10月(秋季)在秦岭主峰太白山的北坡根据海拔和典型植被划分生境类型,在6种生境中选择典型样区划定样线并采用样线法对鸟类进行调查,根据鸟类的绝对数量和估算面积计算鸟类的绝对密度,并根据密度等级划分各生境类型中优势物种和常见物种。共观察到鸟类144种,其中留鸟102种,夏候鸟41种,冬候鸟1种。不同的海拔和不同生境类型中的鸟类物种丰富度和多度有较大差异,而且同一生境中鸟类多样性的季节性变化也很明显。无论是夏季还是秋季,低海拔农田带生境中鸟类的总密度最高,而高山灌丛草甸生境中的鸟类总密度最低。优势物种和常见物种在不同的生境类型组成也不相同,而且在不同季节也有变化。夏秋季的鸟类食性组成在农田带有显著差异,而其它生境类型中的鸟类食性夏秋季无明显差异,但是秋季植食性鸟类在各个生境类型中都有增多的趋势。物种丰富度和海拔梯度的关系显示在中海拔地区的鸟类丰富度最高。总体上,和20世纪80年代相比,太白山北坡的鸟类已经发生了明显的变化。     

Mitochondrial DNA and nuclear microsatellites reveal high diversity and genetic structure in an avian top predator,the white‐tailed sea eagle,in central Europe

We analysed 123 white‐tailed sea eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) from (primarily central) Europe with respect to variability and differentiation based on 499 bp of the mitochondrial control region and genotypes at seven unlinked nuclear microsatellites. Variability was high (overall expected heterozygosity, haplotype and nucleotide diversity being 0.70, 0.764 and 0.00698, respectively) and both marker systems showed a subdivision into two main genetic clusters (microsatellites) or haplogroups (mtDNA). In line with earlier analyses focusing on populations from northern and eastern Europe, as well as from Asia, we found a high level of admixture in Europe and no signs of a bottleneck – despite a severe decline of white‐tailed sea eagle populations during the 20^th century. Europe is thus a global stronghold for this species not only with respect to the number of breeding pairs but also regarding the proportion of species‐wide genetic diversity. Our dense sampling revealed a possibly clinal variation within central Europe from north‐west to south‐east that was reflected by the distribution of mtDNA haplotypes as well as the two microsatellite‐based clusters. This population differentiation in central Europe probably originated from a geographically structured postglacial colonization and was later enhanced by recent demographic fluctuations. © 2010 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2010, 99 , 727–737.     

云南开远发现小杓鹬

正2012年9月8日,在云南省红河州开远市三角海水库(23°35'27.61″N,103°18'16.09″E,海拔1 300 m)进行鸟类调查时,于湖边退水草地中发现1只小杓鹬(Numenius minutus)在约50只灰头麦鸡(Vanellus cinereus)和近60只牛背鹭(Bubulcus ibis)组成的混合群中一起觅食。作者对小杓鹬     

锡林河湿地鸟类调查

2005~2006年采用固定半径样点法和样线法对锡林河湿地4种生境的鸟类资源现状进行了调查。共记录到鸟类97种,隶属于12目33科。其中留鸟11种,占该地区鸟类总数的11.34%;夏候鸟68种,占70.10%;旅鸟15种,占15.46%;冬候鸟3种,占3.09%;国家Ⅰ级重点保护动物有3种,Ⅱ级重点保护动物有12种。繁殖鸟(包括夏候鸟和留鸟)79种,构成了该地区鸟类的主体。在繁殖鸟中,属于北方型的有68种,占86.08%,反映出明显的古北界特征。     

中国鸟类种数普查沿革和展望（为纪念动物分类学报创刊三十周年而作）

本追溯中国鸟类种数历来普查结果。初于明末李时珍的＜＜本草纲目＞＞（１５９６）提出约７７种。至清朝英国人Ｓｗｉｎｈｏｅ于１８６３年发表的第一篇中国鸟类分类名录,列举４５４种。嗣经百余年几次普查统计,现由本加以总结,计得１２４３种,与Ｓｗｉｎｈｏｅ的名录相较,种数的增加几乎达到三倍之多。     

Dispersal capacity explains the evolution of lifespan variability

The evolutionary explanation for lifespan variation is still based on the antagonistic pleiotropy hypothesis, which has been challenged by several studies. Alternative models assume the existence of genes that favor aging and group benefits at the expense of reductions in individual lifespans. Here we propose a new model without making such assumptions. It considers that limited dispersal can generate, through reduced gene flow, spatial segregation of individual organisms according to lifespan. Individuals from subpopulations with shorter lifespan could thus resist collapse in a growing population better than individuals from subpopulations with longer lifespan, hence reducing lifespan variability within species. As species that disperse less may form more homogeneous subpopulations regarding lifespan, this may lead to a greater capacity to maximize lifespan that generates viable subpopulations, therefore creating negative associations between dispersal capacity and lifespan across species. We tested our model with individual‐based simulations and a comparative study using empirical data of maximum lifespan and natal dispersal distance in 26 species of birds, controlling for the effects of genetic variability, body size, and phylogeny. Simulations resulted in maximum lifespans arising from lowest dispersal probabilities, and comparative analyses resulted in a negative association between lifespan and natal dispersal distance, thus consistent with our model. Our findings therefore suggest that the evolution of lifespan variability is the result of the ecological process of dispersal.