External anatomical measurements have a long tradition in morphometric studies. Recently, three-dimensional laser surface scanners have revolutionized the way such measurements can be obtained. The aim of this study was to quantify measurement error (hereafter ME) and reliability of several linear skull measurements of the red fox obtained with three different techniques: using calipers, and by analyzing two- and three-dimensional digital images. Differences between observers had the highest ME values for most traits, followed by method and replicate. Inter-observer variability contributed the most to total ME. Measurements obtained from calipers and two-dimensional digital images showed high agreement, validating their use in traditional morphometric studies. The laser surface scanner was unreliable when compared with the reference in almost half the traits. To achieve greater accuracy, in future studies full advantage of the device's capabilities should be taken. Objects should be scanned in high definition, from many angles and orientations, and self-calibration should be performed.

The spatial ecology of feral horses (Equus ferus f. caballus) in Greece has never been studied before, including home range size and habitat selection. We tracked two mares fitted with global positioning system collars between September 2020 and August 2021 in a portion of Mount Menoikio in Central Macedonia, Northern Greece. We used K-select analysis to assess habitat selection for the study period by combining location data with several environmental variables. The mean home ranges for horses varied from 26.72 km² (95% Minimum Convex Polygon; SE = 0.442) to 27.84 km² (95% Kernel Density; SE = 1.83). Both horses selected areas with flat and smooth topography near natural grasslands with high green productivity. Conversely, they avoided areas near broadleaved forests and pastures, as well as at north-facing aspects. Overall, suitable habitats corresponded to a small portion (15.1%) of the available habitat. Our findings could assist land managers in mapping primary horses’ habitat in the wider region and implement management regimes that will aid in preserving natural grasslands.

The European Turtle Dove (Streptopelia turtur) has experienced significant population declines across its European breeding range, primarily due to habitat loss. Our study aimed to provide a new reference for the conservation of Turtle Doves in Evros province, a biodiversity hotspot. We used Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) modeling to assess Turtle Dove breeding habitat suitability and account for the area of suitable habitats that is not protected or have been affected by a recent mega-fire. The best performing model identified tree cover density, the percent cover of permanently irrigated land and heterogenous agricultural areas, proximity to non-irrigated agricultural land, and forest edge length as the most important predictors of habitat suitability, signifying the importance of an interplay between open and forested land. Our results indicate that 39% of the study area provides a suitable breeding habitat, with the majority located in central and southeastern regions. Conversely, irrigated agricultural areas in the northeast are unsuitable. We found that more than 60% of suitable habitats fall within the Natura 2000 network, underscoring the importance of protected areas for conservation. However, wildfires pose a major threat, with almost 25% of suitable habitats being affected by a recent mega-fire, highlighting the need for recovery in these areas. Our study provides a foundation for targeted habitat management and restoration efforts in NE Greece and contributes to the broader understanding of the species’ habitat requirements across its breeding range.

Migration plays a significant part in shaping wing morphology in avian taxa. Differences in wing shape and size have been found to vary with regard to age and sex, as well as between different populations. Here, we examine age-related variation in the wing morphology of the European Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur migrating through the eastern flyway. Wing morphology was examined by means of a size-constrained components analysis (SCCA) of standardised primary-feather lengths of 112 individuals killed by hunters. Our results showed that juvenile individuals had shorter and more pointed wings than adults, which is consistent with the pattern observed in individuals migrating through the western flyway. We conclude that in juveniles, the selection force of migration is perhaps stronger than selection of an anti-predator adaptation. Moreover, age-related variation in Turtle Dove wing morphology may influence juvenile survival, as well as migration timing, and both effects should be considered in future studies.

Invasive alien species pose a major threat to global biodiversity, especially within Europe. Understanding their spatial and temporal dynamics is essential for effective management planning and implementation. The ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri, hereafter RNP) has been established in Greece for over four decades, yet its invasion dynamics remain unstudied despite pilling evidence of ecological impacts. During 2024 and 2025, we conducted repeated transect surveys across 99 1 km² grid squares within the urban complex of Thessaloniki to assess environmental factors influencing occupancy and abundance, and to estimate RNP population trends. Dynamic occupancy and N-mixture models revealed that both the presence and abundance of RNP were positively associated with the proportion of dense urban fabric and urban green areas. The proportion of occupied sites increased by more than 10% between survey years (2024–2025), while the estimated population growth rate for this interval was 1.64, signaling a substantial short-term increase. Our findings provide the first detailed evidence of an established and growing RNP population within the urban complex of Thessaloniki, Greece. Continued monitoring and research on ecological impacts are essential, while any management actions should be developed with public engagement to ensure social acceptance and long-term effectiveness.