The Occurrence of Cryptothallus mirabilis v. Malmb. in Scotland

Abstract

Oncophorus dendrophilus is described from two upland forest localities in the Paphos District of Cyprus, and from the White Mountains of Crete. It is characterized by its bistratose upper leaves with bistratose streaks extending 3/4 of the way to the leaf base, 2–3 stratose margins and large spores. The new species may represent a relictual Tertiary element in the eastern Mediterranean flora, or it may be a recent derivative from the widespread Holarctic species O. wahlenbergii.     

Considerations on the potential use of cliffs and caves by the extinct endemic late pleistocene hippopotami and elephants of Cyprus

Most of the fossil mammal sites on Cyprus, as well as on other Mediterranean islands, consist of large quantities of bones found in caves. Of 32 sites with Phanourios minutus and 21 with Elephas cypriotes on Cyprus, 19 were located in caves, two in rock-shelters, and 11 at open-air sites. Fifteen of them were littoral, four coastal, and 13 inland. The purpose of this paper is to examine possible reasons why Phanourios and Elephas remains accumulated mainly in littoral and coastal caves. Based on an analysis of the behavior exhibited by living hippopotami and elephants, we assume that the extinct large mammals of Cyprus entered these caves in search of fresh water and to protect themselves from the heat in the cool and moist cave environment. A further reason may have been that these mammals entered the caves seeking mineral licks to rectify possible mineral deficiencies, to bind secondary plant compounds such as tannins, or to counteract acidosis. By entering caves, or even passing along narrow paths through cliffs, they were at risk of becoming trapped in natural traps, such as caves with their openings facing upwards, sinkholes, and mire traps. There is no evidence that Phanourios and Elephas remains were accumulated by natural predators because on the island there were no predators large enough to carry such large mammals. The only exception are the remains in the Akrotiri Aetokremnos rock shelter on the Akrotiri peninsula, where there is evidence that the 218,459 Phanourios and 330 Elephas remains were accumulated by the first human settlers of Cyprus, about 10,000 years BP.     

Comparison of land cover and farming intensity-based models for mapping High Nature Value farmland in Cyprus

ABSTRACT

Capsule: Breeding bird survey data were used to compare biodiversity at sites defined as High Nature Value farmland (HNVf) under two different mapping models.

Aims: To examine whether farmland classified as HNVf was important for bird diversity and conservation of priority bird species in Cyprus, through comparison of two different HNVf maps. The HNV concept aims to define biodiversity-rich farmland and facilitate its protection and management. Heterogeneous, low-intensity cropping and grazing systems are important areas for biodiversity conservation in Europe and for birds in particular, but are threatened by abandonment and agricultural intensification. We compared two HNVf mapping systems, a simpler model based on land cover data (CLC map) and a more complex Cyprus Environment Department model (ED map) including layers relating to agricultural intensity.

Methods: Line transect bird surveys were carried out to compare bird diversity, abundance of farmland bird species of conservation priority and also of the endemic Cyprus Warbler Sylvia melanothorax, at sites classified as HNV or not.

Results: A greater diversity of breeding birds was found in sites classified as HNVf under combined ED and CLC maps. However, for the set of 12 priority bird species, neither HNV mapping approach encompassed their overall abundance, but a combined CLC and ED model did predict higher abundances of the Cyprus Warbler. Vineyard sites were found to be associated with high overall breeding bird diversity, but with low abundance of priority bird species.

Conclusion: We identified weaknesses in both mapping systems, with the ED model failing to capture all HNV grazing land and the CLC model defining some intensive farming systems as HNV. We conclude that the overlap between the two models best captures HNVf, but layers encompassing grazing land and priority habitats need to be added to better define HNVf in Cyprus and facilitate its protection and management.     

Genetic characterization of game bird island populations: The conservation of the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) of Cyprus

The release of exotic genotypes into the wild can lead to the extinction of local demes through the hybridization among distinct gene pools. This may occur between wild specimens and their domesticated relatives. Escaped pets represent a well-known pathway for the introduction of allochtonous resources, and island environments require major attention as they include small-sized and naïve populations that may be prone to extinction. We characterized the genetic make-up of the black francolin (Francolinus francolinus, Phasianidae) resident to Cyprus using microsatellite and mitochondrial DNA for the purpose of sustainable use and long-term protection of this game species. We collected 59 samples of specimens hunted in the districts of Nicosia and Paphos, while others (n = 18) were obtained from birds of unknown origin. These had been imported to a pet-centre in Nicosia, the largest in the capital offering animals either for production or leisure purposes. Both genetic systems pointed to the occurrence of distinct wild district populations that could be treated as separate management units. The non-significant value of the inbreeding coefficient (F_IS) computed for Nicosia and Paphos populations (−0.039 and −0.189, respectively: P > 0.05) and the lack of evidence for recent genetic bottlenecks did not indicate a serious risk of over-hunting. The microsatellites revealed the birds in the pet-centre as highly genetically divergent with respect to the wild ones, the mtDNA pointed to their assignment to alien Asian subspecies once they were compared to141 sequences of allopatric francolins. We advised the Game & Fauna Service to consider law enforcement to ban the import, detention and sale of these subspecies to protect the black francolin population native to Cyprus. The results are discussed in the context of a bibliographic frame including the partridges of the genus Alectoris (Phasianidae) as a model group with reference to genetic characterization and conservation of game bird island populations.     

Two new Marina (Leguminosae) from the southern Baja California peninsula, Mexico

Marina victoriae andM. brevis are newly described species from the southern Baja California peninsula, Mexico. The former is a perennial herb locally abundant in the eroded hillsides at the foothills of Sierra de la Victoria, where an oak woodland and a dry tropical forest meet. The latter is an elusive ephemeral inhabiting a narrow strip of land between the mangroves and the desert scrub on an island in the Gulf of California. These two new species belong to the seriesChrysorrhizae, a group native to the Gulf of California basin.     

6. NESTING OF NYASA VIOLET-BACKED SUNBIRD ON ELVINGTON FARM,BEATRICE DISTRICT,SOUTHERN RHODESIA

Summary

Summers, R. W., Underhill, L. G, Waltner, M. &; Whitelaw, D. A. 1987. Population, biometrics and movements of the Sanderling Calidris alba in southern Africa. Ostrich 58:24-39.

The Sanderling in southern Africa is restricted to coastal habitats. The population during the austral summer was estimated to be 78000. Highest densities occurred along the west coast where the Benguela Up-welling System gives rise to enriched inter-tidal invertebrate communities, partly through the stranding of large kelps. Immigration from the breeding areas took place during September and November. Numbers were highest during mid summer and emigration took place in April. The summer population at Lange-baan Lagoon was biased towards males (72%). The percentage of first-year birds in the summer population fluctuated on a three-year cycle, coinciding with the lemming cycle in the Taimyr Peninsula in Siberia. It is suggested that the cyclic fluctuation is caused by Arctic Foxes, and perhaps other predators, feeding on lemmings in years of lemming abundance but subsisting on the eggs and chicks of birds when lemmings are scarce. First-year birds are similar in size (similar bill lengths) to older birds, but are lighter in mass during the summer. First-year birds do not accumulate the large fat reserves which older birds deposit between March and early May for northward migration. However, not all first-year birds remain in southern Africa. Trie 13000 km northward migration is completed within seven weeks and probably involves three long flights and two periods of replenishing fat reserves. Birds cross the Sahara to the Mediterranean, and also pass through the Caspian Sea to Siberia or through the North Sea coasts to either Siberia or Greenland. Return routes also involve the North, Caspian and Black Seas but there is little information about routes through Africa.     

Additions to the scorpion fauna of Yemen

Abstract

Three scorpion species of the family Buthidae are recorded for the first time: Androctonus crassicauda and Buthotus jayakari from the north region of Yemen, and Apistobuthus pterygocercus from Yemen as a whole, The presence of A. crassicauda in the northern region of Yemen closes a gap in our knowledge of its distribution. The other two species are endemisms of the Arabian peninsula: A. pterygocercus is apparently confined to the Arabian peninsula; B. jayakari is probably restricted to the southern part of the Arabian peninsula.     

Feral cats on Stewart Island; their foods,and their effects on kakapo

Abstract

The foods of feral house cats (Felis catus) on Stewart Island were determined by examining 229 scats collected during surveys of the distribution and numbers of kakapo (Strigops habroptilus), an endangered ground-parrot species. Rats occurred in 93% of the scats, birds in 44. 1%, wetas (large orthopterans) in 26.2%, and lizards in 24.0%. Twelve (70.6%) of the 17 species of birds were native. Kakapo remains were found in 6 (5.1%) of the 118 scats collected from areas where kakapo have been recorded.     

Morphometric diagnosability of Cyprus Wheatears Oenanthe cypriaca and an unexpected occurrence on Helgoland Island

Capsule We found closely related Cyprus Wheatears Oenanthe cypriaca and Pied Wheatears Oenanthe pleschanka to differ significantly from each other in 14 external morphometric characters, supporting the independent taxonomic status of both forms. An additionally measured old specimen from Helgoland unexpectedly turned out to be a Cyprus Wheatear, the first record for Germany.     

A new unexpected species of Chrysopa Leach from Cyprus with biogeographic remarks (Neuroptera: Chrysopidae)

Summary

Cyprus is rich in endemics; however, all but two lacewing species are shared with the mainland. Thus, the discovery of a new morphologically distinct species of chrysopid belonging to the extensively studied genus Chrysopa, Chrysopa niki n. sp., appears remarkable. While most Chrysopa species differ in relatively subtle morphological characters, the new taxon is set apart from all Western Palaearctic congeners due to a unique combination of pattern, venational, leg and genital characters. The characteristics of C. niki n. sp. suggest that it might be an endemic to Cyprus, not strictly related to other congeners, underlining the importance of the discovery. The biogeography of Cypriot Neuroptera is discussed in light of this new finding.     

Alcune Stazioni di Taxus Baccata L. Nel Gruppo del M. Fumaiolo

Summary

The Author gives details of the station of the jew-tree (Taxvs baccata L.) identified in the region of Mount Fumaiolo. He draws attention to the importance of such findings, allied to what is already known, to the study of plant geography in the Italian peninsula, extending the hope that the caracteristic coniferous pine, rightly considered as a survingin from former times, would be protected, where it grows spontaneously, as evidence of Italian paleoclimatic conditions.     

Causes of morbidity and mortality,and rehabilitation outcomes of birds in Gran Canaria Island,Spain

Capsule: Anthropogenic factors were identified as the main threats to wild birds in Gran Canaria.

Aims: To analyse the causes of morbidity and mortality in a large sample of selected orders of birds admitted to the Tafira Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre (TWRC) in Gran Canaria over 11 years, and to analyse the outcomes of such rehabilitation.

Methods: The records of 2390 birds were analysed. Ten primary causes of morbidity were identified: trauma, metabolic/nutritional disorder, orphaned young birds, infectious/parasitic disease, crude oil, poisoning/intoxication, glue trapping, captivity, other causes, and unknown/undetermined. The rates of the final outcome categories (euthanasia E_r, unassisted mortality M_r, release R_r, and permanent captivity C_r), the time until death, and the length of stay were studied.

Results: The Eurasian Stone-curlew Burhinus oedicnemus was the species most frequently admitted (20.29%), followed by the Eurasian Blackbird Turdus merula (13.47%). The most frequent cause of morbidity was trauma (27.82%). The final outcomes of birds admitted alive were E_r?=?16.69%, M_r?=?26.53%, R_r?=?54%, and C_r?=?2.76%.

Conclusions: This survey provides useful information for the conservation and welfare of these bird species. The successful release rate achieved at the TWRC emphasizes the importance of wildlife rehabilitation centres for the conservation of birds.     

Coevolution between crossbills and black pine: the importance of competitors,forest area and resource stability

Studies of predator‐prey interactions have found that geographically structured coevolution has played an important role in the adaptive diversification of crossbills (Loxia spp.). We extend those studies by considering common crossbills (L. curvirostra) in the Mediterranean where they rely on seeds in the cones of black pine (Pinus nigra). On the continent, where tree squirrels (Sciurus vulgaris) are present, enhanced defenses against crossbills were most evident in larger areas of pine forest. On islands in the absence of tree squirrels, crossbills and black pine have coevolved in a predator‐prey arms race on Cyprus but not Corsica. In contrast to other conifers that island endemic crossbills rely upon, black pine does not hold seeds in its cones year round. Consequently, key to the strong crossbill–pine interaction on Cyprus is likely the presence of an alternative conifer that provides seeds during early summer when black pine seeds are scarce.     

4. WATERFOWL AND WADERS AT FORT BEAUFORT,C.P.

TREE, A. J. 1979. Biology of the Greenshank in southern Africa. Ostrich 50:240-251.

The Greenshank Tringa nebularia is a widespread visitor to southern Africa but is only normally common at favoured coastal sites. First migrants arrive at the end of July and the last birds leave in early May. Small numbers overwinter. Birds in the interior are forced to move coastward or southwestward once the summer rains set in and rapidly inundate suitable habitat. Peak numbers occur in January at Port Alfred, a coastal site. Greatest concentrations of Greenshanks occur on eutrophic bodies of water in the interior while at coastal localities the density of prawns appears to determine Greenshank numbers. It is normally a diurnal feeder but will feed at night in tidal areas when fattening up for return migration. It roosts communally standing in shallow water. Birds can be aged on plumage condition and primary feather moult. Birds have a lean mass of about 170 g while the potential migratory range on fat deposits accumulated is calculated to carry birds from the Cape coast to the East African lakes and thence to the Mediterranean or Caspian Seas. There is a considerable disparity in mass between inland and coastal localities. One banding recovery in Cyprus is noted; a low retrap rate is gradually being improved by colour ringing.     

The Quercus cerris woods of the alliance Carpinion orientalis Horvat 1958 in Italy

Abstract

A phytosociological study of the alliance Carpinion orientalis in the hilly and subcoastal areas of the Italian peninsula is presented. These woods are included in the suballiances Laburno-Ostryenion and Lauro-Quercenion; the distinction between these two suballiances is not always easy also because of the conservation status of these forest ecosystems. The hilly and subcoastal Turkey oak woods of the alliance Carpinion orientalis are mainly distributed on the Adriatic side of the Italian peninsula, where they are found on neutro-basic substrata to which these coenoses are linked. The Turkey oak woods of the alliance Teucrio siculi-Quercion cerridis are strongly linked to the acidic substrata typical of the Tyrrhenian side, but are sporadically found on the Adriatic side within small enclaves with more acidic substrata. A numerical analysis allowed us to rearrange the lower hierarchical levels of the associations of Turkey oak woods of the alliance Carpinion orientalis. In particular, the association Lonicero xylostei-Quercetum cerridis is included in the alliance Carpinion orientalis, and the new subassociation festucetosum exaltatae is proposed. The subassociation rosetosum arvensis is proposed for the association Daphno laureolae-Quercetum cerridis, and the new subassociation cytisophylletosum sessilifolii of the association Aceri obtusati-Quercetum cerridis is described.     

Iris revoluta Colas., natural hybrid origin species: characterization and preservation problems

Abstract

In order to preserve ex situ rare or vulnerable species, it is necessary to characterise their reproductive mechanisms, and to locate the origin of the interference with their development in their natural habitat. Iris revoluta Colas. is a very rare endemic species of the Salento peninsula (Italy), showing scarce sexual reproduction, but good vegetative propagation through rhizomes, as many other Iris species of natural hybrid origin. For many years this Iris has been cultivated in the Botanical Garden of the Di.S.Te.B.A., University of Lecce, where a detailed study has been initiated to investigate the phenomena that may limit its sexual reproduction.     

Genetic variability and population structure in Cypriot chukar partridges (Alectoris chukar cypriotes) as determined by microsatellite analysis

For the first time, microsatellite loci were used to study the genetic structure in Alectoris chukar cypriotes. Four of the ten tested microsatellite loci were found to be polymorphic in 33 individuals from four regions of Cyprus. The differentiation test between all the pairs of samples gave non-differentiation exact P values in every case (P>0.05). The posterior probability distribution on the number of source populations indicated only one population (P=0.977); also, a high Bayes factor value (130.020) was obtained. Posterior co-assignment probabilities (measures of similarity) for all pairs of individuals ranged from 0.984 to 1. The global F_IS value was not found to be significant. A recent bottleneck of the Cypriot total partridge population is suggested and this is supported by a significant Wilcoxon test (P=0.031) under the Infinite Alleles Model (IAM) and shifted mode in the alleles frequencies distribution. The results suggest that all the individuals studied belong to only one randomly mating (panmictic) population, with low genetic variation and evidence of recent effective population size reduction (genetic bottleneck). A big hunting pressure exists on the island and about 200,000 captive-bred birds are released every year; these individuals are descendant from a small number of eggs collected in a small area of Cyprus in 1986 and this founder effect could explain the existence of a bottleneck and the low genetic variability.     

Slovakian Pupils' Knowledge of,and Attitudes toward,Birds

ABSTRACT

As the world's biodiversity is being destroyed, costs for nature protection activities increase. One proposed way to increase people's pro-environmental attitudes is to increase their knowledge base. It has been suggested that knowledge and attitudes are related, but no consensus in this field yet exists. Thus, the investigation of the relationship between attitudes and knowledge has valuable implications for nature protection programs. In this paper, we investigated relationships between Slovakian grammar school pupils' attitudes to, and knowledge of, birds (n = 402 participants aged 10–19 years). We found that factual knowledge about birds was positively related to pupils' attitudes toward birds. Interestingly, younger pupils had better knowledge of birds than older pupils. Regarding attitudes, higher scores were registered for the Concern for Birds and Avoidance of Birds dimensions than the Interest in Birds dimension. Females showed more positive attitudes in the Avoidance of Birds dimension compared with males, and bird owners scored higher in the Interest in Birds dimension and lower in the Concern for Birds dimension compared with non-bird owners. Implications for nature protection programs are discussed.     

Genetic insight into Mediterranean chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) populations inferred from mitochondrial DNA and RAPD markers

The chukar (Alectoris chukar, Galliformes) is one of the most important game birds as it is widely distributed and hunted over the whole of its range. The aim of this work was to assess the genetic differentiation as well as the possible presence of hybrid specimens in A. chukar populations from Italy, Greece and Cyprus. To provide phylogenetic context, conspecific, allopatric specimens from Israel, Georgia, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Mongolia, China and USA were compared. Sequencing of the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Control Region supplied information on the ancestry of A. chukar populations, whereas Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) fingerprinting was used to assess whether hybridization had occurred. The Italian population was found to be an inter-specific mixture of A. chukar and A. rufa (i.e., the red-legged partridge) mtDNA lineages, whereas the representatives from Greece and Cyprus showed only the A. chukar maternal line. RAPD markers revealed introgression with A. rufa genes in the Italian population, whereas no A. chukar × A. rufa hybrid specimens were detected in the eastern Mediterranean populations. The genetic data obtained from the Italian A. chukar population as well as from a few Greek specimens pointed against their Mediterranean kinship, suggesting relationships with A. chukar subspecies from the easternmost part of the Asian continent.     

SEED DENSITY, COVER, PREDATION AND THE DISTRIBUTION OF BIRDS IN A BEECH WOOD IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN

The distribution of six species of birds within a beech wood was analysed in two winters when beech seeds were abundant. All species were concentrated in patches where seed density was high in one winter, but only two showed a similar distribution in the second winter. The distribution of the other four species, three tits Parus spp. and the Nuthatch Sitta europaea, was positively correlated with low cover. Cover was inversely correlated with seed density. Bird predators were recorded many times during the second winter but not at all during the first winter. It is suggested that predator avoidance was more important than food density for some species in the second winter. The relationships between bird density and both food and cover were sigmoid in shape. The proportion of the seed crop consumed by the birds was estimated at about 4.5%, which was probably more than the amount consumed by mammals. The Woodpigeon Columba palumbus (which took 44% of the total seeds consumed by birds) and the Brambling Fringilla montifringilla (33%) were the most important seed consumers among the birds.