Topic Review
Animal Diet Analysis
Diet analysis is a critical content of animal ecology and the diet analysis methods have been constantly improving and updating. Traditional diet analysis methods include direct observation of foraging behavior, the cafeteria diet, microscopic identification of prey remains in fecal and stomach contents. The molecular-based analysis of animal diets has recently become popular, as they confer high resolution and accuracy, which is mainly achieved through the cloning sequencing or the next generation sequencing (NGS) on the amplification of prey DNA in dietary samples.
  • 1.9K
  • 01 Dec 2021
Topic Review
Penguin Visual System
Penguins require vision that is adequate for both subaerial and submarine environments under a wide range of illumination. Amphibious vision is facilitated by a relatively flat cornea, the power in air varying from 10.2 dioptres (D) to 41.3 D depending on the species, and there is good evidence for emmetropia both above and below water. All penguins are trichromats with loss of rhodopsin 2, a nocturnal feature, but only deeper diving penguins have been noted to have pale oil droplets and a preponderance of rods. Conversely, the diurnal, shallow-diving little penguin has a higher ganglion cell density (28,867 cells/mm2) and f-number (3.5) than those that operate in dimmer light. In most species studied, there is some binocular overlap, but this reduces upon submergence.
  • 1.6K
  • 09 Feb 2023
Topic Review
Ecological Succession Theory
In addition to states of space that are supposedly to be aspired to or maintained, which are often the subject of heated, acrimonious debates, there are temporary states of equilibrium in time that mirror the overarching cycle of life, have been the subject of research for a very long time, and are well documented and conceptually understood: namely, ecological succession. The knowledge and understanding of succession is irreplaceable to have a chance today to ground and resolve such mentioned debates about multiple claims and uses of spaces nowadays. For example, a main challenge of the current time is that large areas of land are needed for renewable energy production, and production sites should be designed to include biodiversity preservation. Decision-makers need guidance for reasonable coexistence. Succession theory can indeed provide substantial background and guidance.
  • 1.4K
  • 27 Jun 2022
Topic Review
Bird Displacement by Wind Turbines
Wind turbines can affect bird populations by causing mortality when birds collide with turbine blades or displacement when the individuals move permanently to other areas. While mortality is well documented, displacement has only been studied more extensively in the last decade, and it is important to summarise the current knowledge and research trends. 
  • 922
  • 22 Dec 2021
Topic Review
False Alarm Flight of Birds
Bird flocks often take flight suddenly, as though escaping from a predator, even though no predator is present. This is called “false alarm flighting”. 
  • 502
  • 14 Feb 2022
Topic Review
Tawny Owl and Urbanization Structure
Tawny owl (Strix aluco) is a ubiquitous and resilient raptor that successfully exploits heterogeneous patchy habitats. Due to its abundance and broad geographic range, it is an appropriate bird species model with which to test how raptors colonize urban environments and which drivers from these urban habitats play a role in explaining the occurrence of these species. It is necessary to understand how urbanization affects the tawny owl at the landscape scale. The effect of habitat fragmentation (i.e., forest fragmentation) on tawny owl populations has been studied previously ; however, to our knowledge, the effect of urban habitat fragmentation remains unknown. In addition, it is not common to study habitat selection through a multiscale approach, even though different variables can be important to a species at different spatial scales. As such, studies conducted at arbitrarily defined scales may suffer from serious limitations .
  • 468
  • 29 Oct 2021
Topic Review
Families of Viruses that Affect Passeriformes
Interest in emerging viruses is growing because some can cause serious or lethal disease in humans and animals. The number of cloacal virome studies is also growing, however, these usually focus on poultry and other domestic birds, These studies reveal a wide variety of viruses, although the pathogenic significance of most newly discovered viruses is uncertain. Analysis of viruses detected in wild birds is complex and often biased towards waterfowl because of the obvious interest in avian influenza or other zoonotic viruses. Less is known about the viruses present in the order Passeriformes, which comprises approximately 60% of extant bird species. This review aims to compile the most significant contributions, from traditional and metagenomic studies, on the viruses that affect passerines. It highlights most passerine species have never been sampled. Some viruses, especially Flaviviridae, Orthomyxoviridae, Poxviridae and Togaviridae, and arguably others, are considered emerging because of increased incidence or avian mortality/morbidity, spread to new geographical areas or hosts and their zoonotic risk. However, many of these viruses have only recently been described in passerines using metagenomics and their role in the ecosystem is unknown.
  • 378
  • 27 Oct 2023
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