Aquila pennata Gm

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UeberAquila pennata undminuta

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Ueber den Zwergadler,Aquila pennata, Brutvogel in Macedonien

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Ueber das Dunenkleid vonArdea cinerea undminuta

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Aquila clanga in Preussen beobachtet

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Situation und Bestand des Steinadlers (Aquila chrysaetos) in Deutschland

The present population of Golden Eagles in Germany consists of 48–50 territorial pairs in the Alps (10 % of them with homeranges extending beyond the border to Austria) and a considerable amount of nonterritorial individuals (mostly immat.). As the production is very low (0.25 resp. 0.18 fledglings/pair x year) nonterritorial birds form an important breeding reserve. At least within last decades, the abundance seemed to be fairly constant. At present, the German population depends on immigration from other parts of the alpine population.     

Arthropods in the nests of lesser spotted eagle (Aquila pomarina)

In 2001–2007, altogether 57 nests of lesser spotted eagle were collected in the Orava region in northwestern Slovakia and four groups of arthropods were extracted from them. Richest in number of species and individuals were mites (23 species, 17,500 ind.), followed by beetles (12 species, 725 ind.), whereas pseudoscorpions were represented only by Pselaphochernes scorpioides (39 ind.) and fleas by Ceratophyllus garei (3 ind.). Unlike nests of other birds, free-living mites predominated in the nests fauna (83% of individuals), followed by nidicolous species with more or less free relationship to the nests, while parasitic species represented only a negligible part of the fauna. For the first time we observed phoresy of Nenteria pandioni, a specific and abundant mite in the eagles’ nests, on the nidicolous staphylinid Haploglossa puncticollis. The beetle fauna in the nests was much poorer than in nests of other birds. The predatory H. puncticollis was dominant in the nests (83%) and occurred continuously during the whole investigation period. Other beetles, even the widely distributed nidicols such as the histerid Gnathoncus buyssoni, were found rarely in nests. Predators were also the only abundant trophic group of beetles in the nests, while other trophic groups of beetles abundantly co-occur in nests of majority of other birds. The occurrence of all beetles was very unevenly distributed during the investigation period, but was positively correlated with occurrence of mites. The relatively low number of species and individuals of mites and beetles in the lesser spotted eagle nests resulted from their position on tree tops, at a height of 20–30 m and their quick drying out by sun and wind. It was also indicated by an enormously low number of species and individuals of mycetophagous beetles, which represent a significant component of the fauna in nests of other birds.     

Origin and formation of the Spanish Imperial Eagle ( Aquila adalberti )

A review of the paleontological records of the Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) and the Spanish Imperial Eagle (Aquila adalberti) in the context of the paleoecological environment in Eurasia during the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs is presented. The Eastern Imperial Eagle expanded its range in Eurasia during the last Pleistocenic glaciation favoured by the expansion of the steppes. The first records of Spanish Imperial Eagles are from the Late Pleistocene and Early Holocene in the eastern Iberian Peninsula, and their distribution seems to have been limited to the distribution areas of Mediterranean vegetation and the European rabbit. Individuals of migrant A. heliaca could have reached the Iberian Peninsula at the end of the Pleistocene–beginning of the Holocene. These individuals could have adapted to the Mediterranean ecosystem, subsequently specializing in a diet of rabbit, a prey which is in abundance all year round. Due to the availability of such prey, A. heliaca would become more sedentary. These individuals may have overcome their breeding phenology and paired up assortatively, becoming genetically separate from the migrant populations and initiating the speciation mechanisms for sympatry or parapatry that resulted in A. adalberti. This is one possible mechanism. These findings reported here support the recent age of divergence between both taxons, and the incipient speciation supports its taxonomical considerations as a semi-species. The study reported here complies with the current laws of Spain.     

Satelliten-Telemetrie bei einem juvenilen Schreiadler (Aquila pomarina) auf dem Herbstzug

Zusammenfassung 1992 konnte ein Schreiadler mit Hilfe der Satelliten-Telemetrie nach dem Abzug aus dem Brutgebiet in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 2125 km weit verfolgt werden. Die Ortung erfolgte durch das AGROS-System. Der Abzug erfolgte am 16. oder 17. August in SE-Richtung. Nach 660 km Luftlinie in den polnisch-slowakischen West-Beskiden schwenkte der Vogel nach Süden ab und flog fast geradlinig zwischen dem 19 ° und 22 ° E weite auf dem kürzesten Weg in Richtung Nordafrika, bis er nach 1340 km am 29. September im äußersten Südwesten des Peloponnes eintraf. Dort zögerte er, seinen Zug fortzusetzen und flog mindestens 12 Tage in nördlicher und südlicher Richtung an der Westküste hin und her. Das plötzliche Ausbleiben von Signalen nach dem 8. Oktober bei bestem Ladezustand der Batterien wird dahingehend gedeutet, daß der Adler abgeschossen wurde oder bei dem Versuch, das Mittelmeer zu überqueren, umkam.

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Satellite tracking of a juvenile Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) during autumn migration

Summary In 1992, for the first time a Lesser Spotted Eagle was tracked with a satellite transmitter (PTT) for 2,125 km on its migration route from its birthplace in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (Northern Germany). Locations were obtained by the ARGOS system. The migration began on 16 or 17 August in a south-easterly direction. After 660 km the young eagle veered south in the Beskidy mountains on the Polish-Slovak border (about 80 km south of Katowice) and flew in an almost straight line between 19 ° and 22 ° E on the shortest route to North Africa (not towards the Bosphorus) until after covering another 1,340 km it reached the extreme south-west of the Peloponnese (Greece) on 24 September. There it lingered for at least 12 days flying north and south, up and down the west coast before probably continuing on its migration. The abrupt cessation of signals after 8 October, notwithstanding the prime condition of the batteries, indicated that the eagle had been shot or perished in an attempt to cross the Mediterranean.

     

一株羽毛针禾内生细菌的鉴定、功能及促生特性

【背景】羽毛针禾是沙漠群落演替中的“先锋”草本植物,可在荒漠贫瘠地带繁殖,其生命力顽强、繁殖速度快、种子量大、扩散广。【目的】探究羽毛针禾具有促生效应的内生细菌资源。【方法】从种子中分离出内源性细菌Z1,并对其进行了生物化学、发酵和促生等方面的研究。【结果】Z1菌落呈黄色球形,不透明,中央有小突起,边缘褶皱而湿润,镜检成直杆状,表面有细鞭毛,大小范围为(0.5-1.0)μm×(1.0-3.0)μm。经革兰氏染色试验、靛基质、甲基红、氧化酶、淀粉生产水解试验、V-P试验、明胶液化学试验测定后均呈阳性,甲基红试验、尿素分解实验测定均呈现阴性,是泛生菌属(Pantoea)的细菌。Z1具有产吲哚乙酸的能力,单位产量为3.14 mg/L;而且具有溶磷、解钾、分泌铁载体的能力。Z1菌株最佳发酵培养基条件是:氮源为蛋白胨,碳源是溶性淀粉,无机盐为碳酸钙,pH 9.0。Z1接种小麦10 d后促生效果明显,叶宽、株高、根长等指标分别增长了60.0%、13.5%和8.0%;小麦幼苗的叶片含水量、总叶绿素含量、氮含量、可溶性蛋白等指标均有显著提升(P<0.05)。【结论】Z1是一株具有促生潜力的功能菌...     

Nest-site habitat selection by Lesser Rheas ( Rhea pennata pennata ) in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina

Selection of nest-site habitat by a population of wild Lesser Rheas (Rhea pennata pennata) was studied in the northwestern Patagonia steppe, Argentina, during two reproductive seasons (2004/2005 and 2005/2006). Nest spatial distribution was compared with randomly selected points in the study area. Contrary to observations in other ratite species, nest distribution showed an aggregate pattern associated with “mallín” (meadow) areas, which are habitats of higher productivity in the Patagonia steppe. Moreover, similar to observations made on the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana), vegetation cover was higher in nest sites than in randomly selected sites, probably because higher vegetation provides concealment from predators and protection from the strong westerly winds that frequent in this region. Our results reinforce the importance of “mallín” areas for the reproduction and conservation of this threatened ratite species.     

Lead poisoning and heavy metal exposure of golden eagles ( Aquila chrysaetos ) from the European Alps

Lead poisoning and organ levels of the non-essential heavy metals lead, cadmium and mercury of seven free-ranging golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) from the European Alps, and of one 23-year-old captive golden eagle are reported. All birds were found dead or moribund during the years 2000 and 2001 in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. One golden eagle from Switzerland with extraordinarily high lead residues in its liver and kidney was clearly identified as lethally lead poisoned. Another bird from the same region was found still alive and died in a wildlife rehabilitation center, showing lead residues in its organs known for acute lead poisoning with detrimental physiological effects, such as nervous disorders and the inhibition of the hemoglobine synthesis. Concentrations of cadmium, mercury and lead residues in the organs of the other five free-ranging birds, and in the long-lived captive golden eagle, were low and represent the natural background levels in birds of prey of the terrestrial food web. This is the first published report of lead poisoning in golden eagles from Switzerland. Sources for lead poisoning in golden eagles in the Alpine region are discussed.     

Nestling characteristics and identification of the lesser spotted eagle Aquila pomarina, greater spotted eagle A. clanga, and their hybrids

The lesser spotted eagle Aquila pomarina and the greater spotted eagle A. clanga are closely related endangered raptors whose taxonomic status, field identification, and ultimately conservation, have been complicated due to morphological similarity. However, the partial overlap in morphological features may also involve hybrids, which are known to exist, but which have so far been poorly described. This study investigated spotted eagle nestlings in Estonia, pre-identifying them according to mitochondrial DNA, nape patch and the appearance of their parents. Relative size of bill and toes (corrected for nestling growth) enabled us to separate the smaller A. pomarina, but hybrids were as large as A. clanga. All three groups had distinct plumages with hybrids being intermediate; the separation was clearest using both size and plumage indices. In all, 164 of 168 birds were correctly identified using a three-step procedure, separating: (1) A. clanga, having no nape patch; (2) 9 of 13 hybrids according to plumage index; and (3) the remaining hybrids by their large size (at least two features over the mean+2 SD values of A. pomarina). Knowing the sex helped to interpret size, but not plumage, characteristics, and its overall value for assisting identification was not high. The results support the view that spotted eagles with intermediate characters are usually hybrids which can be recognised by their appearance.Communicated by F. Bairlein     

A long-term large-scale study of the breeding biology of the Spanish imperial eagle (Aquila adalberti)

We present data from a 17-year study of the population biology of a growing population of Spanish imperial eagles Aquila adalberti across most of its breeding range. The objective of this study was to analyse the effects of age, supplemental feeding and rabbit haemorrhagic disease (RHD) on several breeding parameters of this population of eagles. Average clutch size was 2.2 eggs per clutch, and the average incubation time was 41.7 days per clutch. Fledging occurred an average of 76.8 days after hatching, the length of the fledgling period was not correlated to clutch size. The annual average percentage of pairs laying eggs was 88%. A significant reduction in the percentage of pairs laying eggs in the period 1992–1994 (from 91 to 81%) coincided with most of the eagles’ territories being affected by the rabbit epizootic disease, RHD, which reduced their food supply significantly. Average productivity was 1.23 chicks per monitored territory, average breeding success was 1.40 chicks in a clutch per territory and the average fledging rate was 1.69 chicks per territory with hatching success. The main known causes of breeding failure during incubation were nest collapse and human disturbance. During chick-rearing, total or partial chick losses were mainly caused by siblicide, disease, malnutrition or nest collapse. In 26.2% of the 1372 monitored breeding attempts, at least one of the breeding birds was a subadult (the male in 56.1% of the cases, the female in 15.5% and both sexes in 28.4% of cases). In cases of mixed-aged pairs (n = 205), 70.7% were the result of a substitution, and 29.3% were the result of the forming of a new pair. Egg laying took place significantly earlier and breeding success was higher in territories occupied by adults than in those occupied by subadults. Breeding parameters were higher in high-quality (rabbit-rich) territories than in low-quality (rabbit-poor) territories, but only for those territories occupied by adults. The values obtained in the territories occupied by adults were only significantly higher than in those of the subadults in high-quality territories. Age and territory quality thus simultaneously affected reproductive output.     

Reproductive success of wild Lesser Rheas (Pterocnemia -Rhea- pennata pennata) in north-western Patagonia, Argentina

We studied the reproductive success of a wild Lesser Rhea population (Pterocnemia -Rhea- pennata pennata) during two reproductive seasons (2004/2005 and 2005/2006) in north-western Patagonia, Argentina. The parameters recorded included population and nest density, clutch size, hatching success, chick survival (up to 3 months of age) and percentage of chicks that reached the juvenile stage after the winter. We also estimated the percentage of males that attempted to nest and of those that were successful (those producing at least one chick), daily nest mortality rates (DNMR) at different stages of the nesting cycle and the probability that an egg that has been recently laid will produce a chick. On average, both years pooled, the density of this population of Lesser Rheas was 1.55 ± 0.2 individuals/km² (SE), nest density was 0.17 ± 0.04 per km ² , clutch size was 20.8 ± 6.4 eggs, hatching success was 74.4% ± 11.3, Mayfield’s probability of an egg that will produce a chick was 0.64, chick survival was 65.4% ± 14.5 and percentage of chicks that reached the juvenile stage was 26.3%. Nearly a quarter of Lesser Rhea males in the population attempted to nest during a breeding season, and the DNMR was significantly higher during the laying stage (most nest failures were due to anthropogenic disturbances related to livestock raising activities). Nesting success, hatching success, and chick survival of Lesser Rheas were higher than those of their most closely related species, the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana), whereas the percentage of chicks that reached the juvenile stage was similar due to high winter mortalities of chicks. We suggest that the increase in reproductive effort is a strategy of this species to overcome environmental constraints.     

Migration, wintering and breeding of a lesser spotted eagle ( Aquila pomarina) from Slovakia tracked by satellite

In northern Slovakia an adult male Lesser Spotted Eagle (Aquila pomarina) occupied the same nest site for 11 years running (1992–2002), where it was ringed and fitted with two satellite transmitters. In six of these years it successfully reared a young. In 1994 and 2000–2002 its behaviour during migration could be followed in detail by means of satellite telemetry. The eagle took the known route for this species to South Africa. In 2001, it spent 43% of the year at its breeding site, 33% in its winter quarters, the remaining 24% being spent on migration. In three cases the autumn migration took 40, 48 and 61 days respectively. In two cases the spring migration took 49 days. All five recorded autumn and spring migrations averaged a daily flight distance of 178 km. In spring the daily flight distance was in general slightly greater than in autumn. The longest was recorded from 30 March to 2 April 2001, between Uganda and the Red Sea, during which the bird covered a total of 1,650 km, averaging 412 km per day. In 2001, the spring migration from the wintering grounds was 2 weeks later than in 2002. The wintering grounds, where in 2 years the bird spent around 3.5 months, covering at least 1,666 and 2,269 km, respectively, comprised a large part of Zimbabwe together with the Kruger National Park in South Africa and neighbouring parts of Mozambique. The annual journeys flown, including movements around the wintering grounds, amounted in 2000-2001 to at least 20,396 km and in 2001-2002 to 19,041 km. Except during its crossing of the Sahara, the eagle must have taken food on nearly all its days of migration.     

Genetic differentiation and hybridization between greater and lesser spotted eagles (Accipitriformes:Aquila clanga, A. pomarina)

Greater and lesser spotted eagles (Aquila clanga, A. pomarina) are two closely related forest eagles overlapping in breeding range in east-central Europe. In recent years a number of mixed pairs have been observed, some of which fledged hybrid young. Here we use mitochondrial (control region) DNA sequences and AFLP markers to estimate genetic differentiation and possible gene flow between these species. In a sample of 83 individuals (61 pomarina, 20 clanga, 2 F1-hybrids) we found 30 mitochondrial haplotypes which, in a phylogenetic network, formed two distinct clusters differing on average by 3.0% sequence divergence. The two species were significantly differentiated both at the mitochondrial and nuclear (AFLP) genetic level. However, five individuals with pomarina phenotype possessed clanga-type mtDNA, suggesting occasional gene flow. Surprisingly, AFLP markers indicated that these mismatched birds (originating from Germany, E Poland and Latvia) were genetically intermediate between the samples of individuals in which mtDNA haplotype and phenotype agreed. This indicates that mismatched birds were either F1 or recent back-cross hybrids. Mitochondrial introgression was asymmetrical (no pomarina haplotype found in clanga so far), which may be due to assortative mating by size. Gene flow of nuclear markers was estimated to be about ten times stronger than for mtDNA, indicating a sex-bias in hybrid fertility in accordance with Haldanes rule. Hybridization between the two species may be more frequent and may occur much further west than hitherto assumed. This is supported by the recent discovery of a mixed pair producing at least one fledgling in NE Germany.     

Characteristics, abundance and fertility of orphan eggs of the Lesser Rhea ( Pterocnemia-Rhea-pennata pennata ): implications for conservation

The Lesser Rhea (Pterocnemia-Rhea-pennata pennata) has a complex reproductive system that combines polygyny with sequential polyandry, in which males build the nest, fully incubate the eggs and care for the young. As occurs with the Greater Rhea (Rhea americana), Lesser Rhea females sporadically lay eggs outside the nest (‘orphan’ eggs), which are not incubated and thus fail to hatch. We have examined the orphan eggs of Lesser Rhea over two separate breeding seasons to determine their abundance and fertility status. During 2004 and 2005, weekly ground searches for orphan eggs were conducted in a wild population of Lesser Rhea in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. During these searches the total number of nests, eggs in each nest and orphan eggs laid outside the nests was recorded. Orphan eggs represented approximately 7% of the total eggs laid in a breeding season. Six fresh orphan eggs were artificially incubated, four of them being fertile. Orphan eggs seemed to have two origins: some were laid near deserted nests in the early to mid-reproductive season; others were probably laid by first-time breeders and were found later in the reproductive season. Given the near-threatened status of the Lesser Rhea, harvesting and artificial incubation of orphan eggs, which otherwise would be unproductive, may contribute significantly to the conservation of this species, i.e., ‘recovered’ birds could be used for reintroduction or reinforcement of wild Lesser Rhea populations.     

Coccystes undoxylophus

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