Salmonella Amager, Campylobacter jejuni, and urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter found in free-flying peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Sweden

Rare species with small population sizes are vulnerable to perturbations such as disease, inbreeding, or random events. The threat arising from microbial pathogens could be large and other species could act as reservoirs for pathogens. We report finding three enteric bacterial species, Salmonella Amager, Campylobacter jejuni, and urease-positive thermophilic Campylobacter, in nestling free-flying peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) in Sweden in 2000. Campylobacter jejuni isolates exhibited marked genetic similarities to an isolate from a human, providing a possible association between a human-associated strain of this bacterium and peregrine falcons.     

Climatic conditions during outward migration affect apparent survival of an arctic top predator,the peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus

In long‐lived species, population growth rate is highly sensitive to changes in adult survival. Despite the growing concerns regarding recent climate changes, few studies have investigated the effect of climatic conditions on survival in long‐lived wildlife that are either resident or breed in the Arctic. In this study, we evaluated the effect of climate across the annual life cycle (breeding, outward migration, wintering, and inward migration) on apparent annual survival of arctic‐breeding peregrine falcons. From 1982 to 2008, peregrine falcons breeding near Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, Canada were monitored, in part, to assess apparent annual survival (the product of true survival and site fidelity) using re‐observations of marked individuals. Our study indicated that apparent annual survival of adult peregrine falcons was correlated with indices of climatic conditions during outward migration (i.e., flight from the Arctic breeding grounds). These climatic indices (fall NAO of the current year and fall NAO with a lag of one year) explained 35% of the temporal variation in apparent annual survival of peregrine falcons. Our results suggest that this top‐predator is vulnerable to weather‐related environmental conditions encountered during fall migration.     

Complete mitochondrial genome of the peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus (Aves, Falconiformes, Falconidae): genetic differences between the two individuals

The peregrine falcon Falco peregrinus (Aves, Falconiformes, Falconidae) is one of the most common and widespread raptor species in the world. Here, the complete mitochondrial genome of F. peregrinus from Korea, which is one of the breeding ranges, was sequenced and characterized in detail.     

White-fronted and bean geese breeding near snowy owls,peregrine falcons,and rough-legged buzzards at the Taimyr Peninsula

Studies were carried out in 2000–2007 near Medusa Bay (73°21′N, 80°32′ E) and along the Agapa River (from 70°11′N, 86°15′ E. down to the mouth 71°26′ N, 89°13′ E), in the northwestern and central parts of the Taimyr Peninsula. White-fronted goose nests are usually spread in the tundra or placed in 1–3 nest colonies near nests or staging points of snowy owls, peregrine falcons, or rough-legged buzzards. The intent of white-fronted geese to breed near birds of prey or owls increases sharply when arctic fox numbers are high. In the area near Medusa Bay, white-fronted geese nest much closer to peregrine falcon nests than in the area along the Agra River. At the latter location, white-fronted geese lose the competition to red-breasted geese, which are more numerous here. Bean geese, in spite of their greater size and ability to protect their nests against arctic foxes, really tend to breed near peregrine falcons or buzzards, where they manage to compete with red-breasted geese.     

Site fidelity, home range, and tidal migrations of juvenile pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, in salt marsh creeks

We conducted a series of experiments to determine the movements and fidelity of juvenile pinfish, Lagodon rhomboides, in salt marsh creeks within North Inlet Estuary, SC. In Experiment 1, we investigated the fidelity of pinfish (40–100mm SL) at four subtidal locations (9–617m apart) along the axis of a major creek. We trapped and marked 2,297 individuals and recaptured 15–22% of the fishes released at each site, almost all of which (99.7%) had been marked at the same location of recapture up to 3 months earlier. In Experiment 2, we investigated pinfish movements between subtidal and intertidal areas. In the 8 weeks prior to sampling 2 intertidal creeks, we marked 950 juveniles in the adjacent subtidal areas. Sampling of the 2 flooded intertidal creeks showed that 9–20% of the pinfish collected bore marks, and all had been previously marked at the subtidal site immediately adjacent to the intertidal creek. Gut analysis of 60 individuals revealed that juveniles collected from the intertidal areas at high tide had consumed about ten times more food than those collected at the subtidal sites at low tide. In Experiment 3, we determined the fidelity of recently settled pinfish (<35mm SL) and showed that 15% of the 434 marked pinfish remained in the same area; some were at liberty up to 7 weeks. In Experiment 4, we determined home range by tagging and recapturing juvenile pinfish at sites separated by 20m along a 200m subtidal transect. We estimated that during periods when the intertidal zone was not accessible, the average home range was 9.4m with only 10% of tagged fish moving greater than 20m during the 4 month study. Our results indicate that soon after recruitment to the estuary, pinfish establish strong fidelity for sites within salt marsh creeks and exhibit tidal periodicity in both movements and feeding.     

Organochlorines and mercury in the eggs of British Peregrines Falco peregrinus

The levels of various contaminants were measured in 550 addled and deserted Peregrine Falco peregrinus eggs obtained in Britain during 1963-86. In this period the population was recovering from a low level imposed by organochlorine pesticides. Over the whole period, HEOD levels declined in eggs from both inland and coastal regions, while DDE levels declined in eggs from inland regions. At the same time, shell-indices improved. PCB levels increased in eggs from inland regions. At any one time, levels of DDE and HEOD in eggs decreased and shell-indices increased from south to north within Britain. These gradients fitted with the extent of agricultural land (= pesticide use) and with the extent of Peregrine population decline (both greatest in the south). No south-north trend was apparent in levels of PCBs derived from industrial sources. In some regions eggs from coastal sites were more contaminated than eggs from inland sites, especially with PCBs and mercury. Significant relationships were found between brood sizes and DDE levels, between brood sizes and shell-indices, and between shell-indices and DDE levels. This implied that DDE influenced shell thickness and breeding success. Some evidence was obtained that mercury reduced brood sizes, but no evidence that HEOD and PCB (at the levels found) did so. Overall, DDE and mercury levels together accounted for 17% of the variance in brood sizes during 1963-86. On a regional basis, DDE had no obvious effect on mean productivity when the geometric mean DDE level in collected eggs was less than 3 p.p.m., and when mean shell-index was no more than 8% less than normal. At higher DDE levels, and lower shell-indices, productivity declined markedly. Recovery of regional populations was associated with geometric mean HEOD levels in eggs no greater than 0–7 p.p.m., DDE levels no greater than 15 p.p.m., shell indices no more than about 15–20% below normal, and a mean breeding success exceeding 0–6 young per territorial pair.     

Hematological, protein electrophoresis and cholinesterase values of free-living nestling peregrine falcons in Spain

Protein electrophoresis, hematological and cholinesterase values were determined in 32 nestling free-living peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus) (15- to 27-days-old) in order to establish normal reference values for this population. The following values (mean +/- SD) were observed: prealbumin 0.31 +/- 0.04 g/dl, albumin 1.25 +/- 0.06 g/dl, alpha1 and alpha2-globulin 0.23 +/- 0.02 and 0.16 +/- 0.02 g/dl respectively, beta-globulin 1.02 +/- 0.05 g/dl, gamma-globulin 0.060 +/- 0.08 g/dl, total protein 3.79 +/- 0.18 g/dl, 21.26 +/- 1.30 white blood cells/microl (1 x 10(3)), 2.17 +/- 0.07 red blood cells/microl (1 x 10(6)), packed cell volume 37.58 +/- 0.82%, hemoglobin 20.96 +/- 0.29 g/dl, heterophils 61.14 +/- 2.50% and cholinesterase 1,184 +/- 75 IU/L. There were no difference in any of these parameters among males and females. The hematological values obtained could be considered as representative values in free-living nestling peregrine falcons.     

Changes in egg shell characteristics of the Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) and Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) associated with exposure to environmental pollutants during recent decades

In Britain since the late 1940s, the Sparrowhawk ( Accipiter nisus ) and Peregrine (Falco peregrinus) have laid eggs with unusually thin shells. DDT and its metabolites have been blamed. This paper reports how various properties of modern shells differ from those of older shells of normal thickness.
For the shells of both species, there were roughly proportional reductions in thickness of the two main component layers, the mammillary and palisade layers, suggesting that thin shells resulted from a decreased rate of deposition. In addition, in modern Sparrowhawk shells, the resistant surface layer was especially deficient perhaps due to a further reduction in deposition rate or to slight premature termination. Shell thinning was associated with a proportionately greater decrease in shell strength. For the Peregrine, porosity, measured as the rate of passage of water vapour, was lower for the thin shells than for normal shells. This difference could not be explained by a change in the area of the pore channels, since the modern shells did not have fewer pores and the pore channels were the same size and shape in the two samples of shells. However, in the thin shells of both species, mammillae height increased relative to mammillary layer thickness, and in the Peregrine shells the extent of this increase was related to the change in porosity.     

Short term, repeated exposure to rams during the transition into the breeding season improves the synchrony of mating in the breeding season

The ram effect is widely used in Mediterranean breeds of sheep but its use in temperate genotypes is restricted by breed seasonality. However, ewes from these highly seasonal genotypes are sensitive to stimulation by rams close to the onset of the natural breeding season. In this study we developed a pre-mating protocol of repeated, short-term exposure to rams (fence-line contact or vasectomised rams) beginning during late anoestrus and continuing into the breeding season. We hypothesised that this pre-mating protocol would synchronise the distribution of mating of North of England Mule ewes during the breeding season above that observed in ewes isolated from rams prior to mating. Ram-exposed ewes were given contact with rams (Experiment 1: fence-line; FR, n = 94 and Experiment 2: vasectomised rams; VR; n = 103) for 24 h on Days 0 (10 September), 17 and 34 of the experiment. Control ewes (Experiment 1; FC, n = 98 and Experiment 2; VC; n = 106) remained isolated from rams prior to mating. In Experiment 2, a subset of VR (n = 35) and VC ewes (n = 35) were blood sampled twice weekly to monitor their pre-mating progesterone profiles. At mating, harnessed entire rams were introduced, 17 or 16 days after the last ram exposure (Experiments 1 and 2) and raddle marks were recorded daily. The median time from ram introduction to mating was reduced in ewes given both fence-line and vasectomised ram contact (P < 0.001), leading to a more compact distribution of mating and lambing (At least P < 0.01). In the blood sampled VR ewes, there was a progressive decline in the number of days from ram exposure to the onset of dioestrus (at least P < 0.05). This observation indicates that the cycles in VR ewes became increasingly synchronised over the pre-mating period, a pattern not evident in VC ewes. In conclusion, repeated, short-term exposure of ewes to rams during the transition into the breeding season is an effective method of synchronising the distribution of mating during the breeding season.     

Plasma concentrations of progesterone in female red deer (Cervus elaphus) during the breeding season, pregnancy and anoestrus

Concentrations of progesterone in peripheral plasma of red deer hinds were basal (less than 1 ng/ml) during lactation/seasonal anoestrus, but increased abruptly at the onset of the breeding season. Lactating hinds (N = 19) started ovarian cycles 10 days later (P less than 0.01) and conceived 16 days later (P less than 0.001) than did 13 weaned hinds. There was no evidence, from plasma progesterone values, of silent oestrus at the start of the season. Progestagen/PMSG treatment induced early ovulations in 8 anoestrous hinds but fertility was low, only 2 conceiving and giving birth. Pregnant hinds (N = 42) had high plasma concentrations of progesterone (mean 3-5 ng/ml) which declined just before parturition.     

Suppression of ovarian activity during the breeding season in suckling Japanese monkey (Macaca fuscata)

The menstrual cycle was examined in Japanese monkeys, short-day breeders, with or without nursing babies during the breeding season by determining the change in the plasma concentration of progesterone. Blood samples were obtained weekly from suckling and nonsuckling mothers for 6 months from September to February. Plasma concentrations of progesterone in suckling mothers did not show any apparent fluctuation and remained low throughout the study, while irregular menstruation was observed. In nonsuckling mothers, cyclic changes in plasma progesterone concentration accompanied by regular menstruation occurred from October. Annual birth rates were lower in monkeys housed in individual cages (17.6%) than in free-ranging monkeys in Miyajima colony, near Hiroshima in Japan (37.5%). These results indicate that the suckling stimulus for females with young born in spring is potent enough to suppress ovarian activity during the autumn breeding season.     

Agonistic and grooming behavior of captive crowned lemurs (Lemur coronatus) during the breeding season

Captive breeding of rare and endangered prosimians may be enhanced by an increased understanding of all aspects of their seasonal mating behavior. In this study, the agonistic and grooming behaior of captiveL. coronatus were studied during their annual breeding season. Between October and March, selected aspects of agonistic and grooming behavior of four male-female groups were recorded. Males initiated significantly more allogrooming than females. The frequency of this behavior pattern increased significantly in the weeks of estrus. Females performed significantly more agonistic behavior patterns than males. The mean frequency of agonistic interactions decreased significantly during the breeding season. In successfully reproducing groups males showed much less agonism towards females, than they did in unsuccessful groups. Inter-specific comparisons demonstrated that the patterns of agonistic interactions during the breeding season are very different among closely related species of lemurids. The conclusions drawn from this study are that captive breeding of crowned lemurs may be enhanced by keeping permanent multi-male, multi-female groups.     

Temporal variation in LH and testosterone responses of rams after the introduction of oestrous females during the breeding season

The response of sexually experienced Ile-de-France rams to the presentation of oestrous females in October at sunrise (Subgroup S) or at 11:00 h (Subgroup N) was studied and compared with unstimulated controls (Subgroup C). Animals (12 per group) were bled for 7 h at 20-min intervals, starting 3 h before stimulation by oestrous females (3 per group). Eight rams from Subgroup S showed an increase of LH pulse frequency and only 3 in Subgroup N (P less than 0.03). In Subgroup S the introduction of females led to 2- and 3-fold increases in LH pulse frequency during the stimulation period compared with values in Subgroup C or before the stimulation period (3, 1.6 and 1 peaks/rams/6 h respectively; P less than 0.05). The presence of females also led to an increase in mean testosterone concentrations, and small increases in basal and mean LH values. No differences were found in LH peak amplitudes. In Subgroup N only inconsistent evidence of increases in mean LH and testosterone values was found. No differences between Subgroups S and N in behavioural patterns during stimulation were detected. We conclude that the presence of females affects LH pulse frequency at sunrise but not at noon during the breeding season and this effect is at least partly independent of sexual behaviour. These results suggest a possible circadian variation in CNS sensitivity involving the hypothalamic regulation of LH secretion in response to the presence of oestrous females.     

Patterns of Haemoproteus beckeri parasitism in the gray catbird (Dumatella carolinensis) during the breeding season

We determined the prevalence and intensity of blood parasites in breeding gray catbirds (Dumatella carolinensis) at Killbuck Wildlife Area in Wayne and Holmes Counties, Ohio (USA) from June through August 2000. Of 98 catbirds sampled, 40 (40.8%) had detectable infections of Haemoproteus beckeri. Overall prevalence of H. beckeri in this population is high relative to that reported in earlier blood parasite surveys of both breeding and migrant catbirds. Mean intensity of H. beckeri infection did not vary significantly between young and old birds or among sampling periods. We found no effect of age on prevalence or intensity of H. beckeri infection. Older birds were not more likely to be infected than younger birds, despite longer exposure to arthropod vectors. Prevalence varied significantly with season and was highest in June and lowest in August. This pattern also was observed in older birds sampled repeatedly. This seasonal variation may reflect both newly acquired infections and chronic infections relapsing in response to hormonal changes associated with breeding. Evidence of transmission was observed in the single hatching year bird that lacked detectable infection in early summer, but demonstrated a very high intensity infection in late summer. These observations provide supportive evidence that hematozoa infections are acquired on the breeding grounds during the first year of life and relapse during the breeding season in subsequent years.