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Behavioral handedness is known to enhance an individual’s handling capabilities. However, the ecological advantages in brachyuran crustaceans remain unclear, despite the Ocypode species having been studied extensively. Thus, in this study, we analyzed the laterality of the endemic Red Sea ghost crab on one beach in Eilat, Israel. We successfully documented the laterality of the large cheliped in 125 crabs; in 60 (48.0%), the right cheliped was larger, and in 64 (51.2%), the left. We also observed temporal segregation between the right- and left-clawed crabs. The right-handed crabs start activity just after sunrise, while left-handed crabs appear ca. 40 min after it. Similarly, temporal segregations were also observed in the evening. The right-clawed crab activity peaked ca. 20 min before sunset, while the left-clawed crabs were active uniformly. Additionally, burrow entrances corresponded to the larger cheliped of the resident individual and is probably a self-defense-related behavior. We conclude that cheliped laterality in O. saratan populations should be considered as a bimodal trait, where left- and right-handedness is not under natural selection pressure.
Reuven Yosef; Michal Daraby; Alexei Semionovikh; Jakub Z. Kosicki. Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior. Symmetry 2021, 13, 1512 .
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Michal Daraby, Alexei Semionovikh, Jakub Z. Kosicki. Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior. Symmetry. 2021; 13 (8):1512.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Michal Daraby; Alexei Semionovikh; Jakub Z. Kosicki. 2021. "Individual Laterality in Ghost Crabs (Ocypode saratan) Influences Burrowing Behavior." Symmetry 13, no. 8: 1512.
Anthropogenic sounds are pollution that is not always evaluated in the environment in general and near wildlife in particular. Non-electric off-road vehicles (ORVs) are used in most wildlife reserves of India for ecotourism purposes in the form of wildlife-viewing safaris. We hypothesized that the e-vehicles would allow a closer approach to wildlife, reducing the flight-initiation distance (FID) to their normal behaviors. In order to understand the effects of noise, we evaluated the difference between the safari-ORVs regulated by the Indian Forest Department and six electric ORVs in the Jhalana Reserve Forest in Jaipur, Rajasthan. We used a mixed model approach. We found that mammals showed longer escape behavior when approached by non-electric cars (Gypsy ORVs) than by electric cars, even considering the effects of the initial distance. The level of noise produced by the two types of cars used in the experiment was different, with the Gypsy ORVs (non-electric) significantly louder than the Mahindra e-vehicles. FID was positively correlated with initial and alarm distances in all animal species. We commend this novel idea of the Rajasthan Forest Service and encourage them to further acquire and replace all of the non-electric ORVs with the e-vehicles for recreational wildlife viewing. An implication of this study is better management of wildlife watching for ecotourists with reduced disturbance and stress to the wild animals.
Reuven Yosef; Swapnil Kumbhojkar; Sudarshan Sharma; Federico Morelli. Electric vehicles minimize disturbance to mammals. European Journal of Wildlife Research 2021, 67, 1 -7.
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Swapnil Kumbhojkar, Sudarshan Sharma, Federico Morelli. Electric vehicles minimize disturbance to mammals. European Journal of Wildlife Research. 2021; 67 (4):1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Swapnil Kumbhojkar; Sudarshan Sharma; Federico Morelli. 2021. "Electric vehicles minimize disturbance to mammals." European Journal of Wildlife Research 67, no. 4: 1-7.
As is well-known, endemic island bird species are especially vulnerable to extinction from anthropogenic environmental change and reduced fitness compared with mainland taxa. The Cyprus Scops Owl, Otus cyprius, is a recently recognized island endemic species whose ecology and breeding biology have not been studied. It nests mainly in holes in trees and buildings, so the felling of old trees, modern architectural practices, and the renovation of old houses in villages may reduce nest site availability. Its population trend is also unknown. Therefore, to better determine its ecological requirements and habitat preferences we placed nest boxes in rural areas adjacent to the forest, in the forest, and in the ecotone between them, and used breeding success as our indicator of habitat suitability. We found that breeding parameters like laying date, clutch size, length of the incubation period, hatching day, hatching success, and number of nestlings did not differ between the three habitats. Despite the low level of nest box occupancy rate (5–11%) the endemic Cyprus Scops Owl readily breeds in artificial nests. Therefore, although we are unaware of any current threats to the Cyprus Scops Owl, we recommend that its conservation be prioritized, including studies, monitoring, habitat conservation, and the provision of nest boxes.
Savvas Iezekiel; Reuven Yosef; Constantinos Themistokleus; Dimitrios Bakaloudis; Christos Vlachos; Andreas Antoniou; Eandas Iezekiel; Malamati Papakosta; Jakub Kosicki. Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes. Animals 2021, 11, 1775 .
AMA StyleSavvas Iezekiel, Reuven Yosef, Constantinos Themistokleus, Dimitrios Bakaloudis, Christos Vlachos, Andreas Antoniou, Eandas Iezekiel, Malamati Papakosta, Jakub Kosicki. Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes. Animals. 2021; 11 (6):1775.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSavvas Iezekiel; Reuven Yosef; Constantinos Themistokleus; Dimitrios Bakaloudis; Christos Vlachos; Andreas Antoniou; Eandas Iezekiel; Malamati Papakosta; Jakub Kosicki. 2021. "Endemic Cyprus Scops Owl Otus cyprius Readily Breeds in Artificial Nest Boxes." Animals 11, no. 6: 1775.
Reuven Yosef; Hemant Dabi; Swapnil Kumbhojkar. Correction to: Thanatological behavior of a female Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). acta ethologica 2021, 24, 141 -141.
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Hemant Dabi, Swapnil Kumbhojkar. Correction to: Thanatological behavior of a female Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). acta ethologica. 2021; 24 (2):141-141.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Hemant Dabi; Swapnil Kumbhojkar. 2021. "Correction to: Thanatological behavior of a female Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)." acta ethologica 24, no. 2: 141-141.
We report an observation at Jhalana Leopard Reserve (JLR), Jaipur, India. On 16 March 2019, we saw a female walking up the mountain while calling her two, 4-month-old, male and female cubs. This allowed several safari jeeps to park in the shade of nearby Acacia trees. Two Striped Hyenas (Hyaena hyaena) approached and sniffed at the base of one of the trees near the parked jeeps. Upon seeing the Hyaenas, the female ran down the mountain, passed between the jeeps, and climbed into the tree. That is when we noticed the body of the female cub at a height of approximately 4.5 m. The female licked the body of the cub for several minutes and then picked it up in her mouth, climbed down from the tree, passed again between the jeeps, and walked up the mountain towards a dense stand of Thor (Euphorbia caducifolia), a thorny cactus. Our observations display how a mother leopard that has lost a cub refuses to abandon the carcass, cached it in a tree, and when discovered by scavengers removed it to a thicket of cacti. We consider the behavior towards her dead cub, and subsequent caching when discovered by other animals, to be the first evidence for thanatological expression in leopards.
Reuven Yosef; Hemant Dabi; Swapnil Kumbhojkar. Thanatological behavior of a female Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). acta ethologica 2021, 24, 137 -140.
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Hemant Dabi, Swapnil Kumbhojkar. Thanatological behavior of a female Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca). acta ethologica. 2021; 24 (2):137-140.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Hemant Dabi; Swapnil Kumbhojkar. 2021. "Thanatological behavior of a female Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca)." acta ethologica 24, no. 2: 137-140.
The Eurasian Black Vulture is a globally threatened raptor that in Southeast Europe only occurs in an isolated population in Greece. We examined the population viability for the species under demographic fluctuations and conservation scenarios. The current population showed no possibility of extinction for the next 100 years. However, simulated scenarios showed that the most important factor affecting the viability of the species was medium and high poisoning, leading to 94.8% and 100% probability of extinction, respectively. Furthermore, high reduction of supplementary feeding highlighted an 18.6% extinction possibility. Also, a high increase of wind farms in the area may result in 17.4% extinction possibility. Additionally, the non-establishment of the feeding station in 1987 in the study area would have resulted in an extinction risk of 7%. The species can be translocated to the Olympus National Park by releasing 80 juveniles over 10 years. The implementation of the conservation scenarios concerning the establishment of a supplementary feeding site network, and the reintroduction of the Eurasian Black Vulture in its historic range, along with the elimination of threats posed by poisoning, low food availability, and wind farms would increase the probability of the species persistence and allow the population to become a source for dispersal across Southeast Europe.
Kyriakos G. Dimitriou; Evangelos G. Kotsonas; Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis; Christos G. Vlachos; Graham J. Holloway; Reuven Yosef. Population Viability and Conservation Strategies for the Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Southeast Europe. Animals 2021, 11, 124 .
AMA StyleKyriakos G. Dimitriou, Evangelos G. Kotsonas, Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis, Christos G. Vlachos, Graham J. Holloway, Reuven Yosef. Population Viability and Conservation Strategies for the Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Southeast Europe. Animals. 2021; 11 (1):124.
Chicago/Turabian StyleKyriakos G. Dimitriou; Evangelos G. Kotsonas; Dimitrios E. Bakaloudis; Christos G. Vlachos; Graham J. Holloway; Reuven Yosef. 2021. "Population Viability and Conservation Strategies for the Eurasian Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) in Southeast Europe." Animals 11, no. 1: 124.
The ecology and predator–prey dynamics of large felids in the tropics have largely been studied in natural systems where wild ungulates constitute the majority of the prey base. However, in tropical countries where communities are primarily agrarian, the high density of domestic animals in human-dominated landscapes can be a potential prey source for large carnivores. We demonstrate almost complete dependence of the Vulnerable leopard Panthera pardus fusca in the Jhalana Reserve Forest in Jaipur, north-west India on domestic animals as prey. We analysed 132 leopard scats collected during the dry season of November 2017–April 2018. Domestic animals comprised the majority of the leopards' prey (89.5% frequency of occurrence): dogs Canis lupus familiaris (44%), cats Felis catus (13%), goats Capra aegagrus hircus (16%) and cattle Bos taurus (15%). Wild species, which occurred in the leopards' diet at a relatively low frequency, were rodents, the hare Lepus nigricollis, small Indian civet Viverricula indica, rhesus macaque Macaca mulatta, northern plains grey langur Semnopithecus entellus and mongoose Herpestes edwardsii. Diet is also a function of availability of potential prey, but no data are available on the density of the leopard's wild prey species in Jhalana Reserve Forest. Nevertheless, our results suggest that abundance of domestic prey around Jhalana Reserve Forest sustains the c. 25 known leopards. We conclude that these leopards, by preying on feral dogs in an urban environment, could be considered as suppliers of a service to the human population amongst whom they thrive, although this potentially exposes the leopards to the canine distemper virus.
Swapnil Kumbhojkar; Reuven Yosef; Jakub Z. Kosicki; Patrycja K. Kwiatkowska; Piotr Tryjanowski. Dependence of the leopard Panthera pardus fusca in Jaipur, India, on domestic animals. Oryx 2020, 1 -7.
AMA StyleSwapnil Kumbhojkar, Reuven Yosef, Jakub Z. Kosicki, Patrycja K. Kwiatkowska, Piotr Tryjanowski. Dependence of the leopard Panthera pardus fusca in Jaipur, India, on domestic animals. Oryx. 2020; ():1-7.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSwapnil Kumbhojkar; Reuven Yosef; Jakub Z. Kosicki; Patrycja K. Kwiatkowska; Piotr Tryjanowski. 2020. "Dependence of the leopard Panthera pardus fusca in Jaipur, India, on domestic animals." Oryx , no. : 1-7.
The suitability of the camera trap–retrap method was explored for identifying territories and studying the spatial distribution of leopards (Panthera pardus fusca) in the Jhalana Reserve Forest, Jaipur, India. Data from two years (November 2017 to November 2019, N = 23,208 trap-hours) were used to provide estimates of minimum home-range size and overlap. We conducted home-range analysis and estimation, using the minimum convex polygon (MCP) method with geographic information system (GIS) tools. We are aware of the limitations and advantages of camera trapping for long-term monitoring. However, the limitations of the research permit allowed only the use of camera traps to estimate the home ranges. A total of 25 leopards were identified (male = 8, female = 17). No territorial exclusivity was observed in either of the sexes. However, for seven females, we observed familial home-range overlaps wherein daughters established home ranges adjacent to or overlapping their natal areas. The median home range, as calculated from the MCP, was 305.9 ha for males and 170.3 ha for females. The median percentage overlap between males was 10.33%, while that between females was 3.97%. We concluded that camera trapping is an effective technique to map the territories of leopards, to document inter- and intraspecific behaviors, and to elucidate how familial relationships affect dispersal.
Swapnil Kumbhojkar; Reuven Yosef; Abhinav Mehta; Shrey Rakholia. A Camera-Trap Home-Range Analysis of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Jaipur, India. Animals 2020, 10, 1600 .
AMA StyleSwapnil Kumbhojkar, Reuven Yosef, Abhinav Mehta, Shrey Rakholia. A Camera-Trap Home-Range Analysis of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Jaipur, India. Animals. 2020; 10 (9):1600.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSwapnil Kumbhojkar; Reuven Yosef; Abhinav Mehta; Shrey Rakholia. 2020. "A Camera-Trap Home-Range Analysis of the Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) in Jaipur, India." Animals 10, no. 9: 1600.
The usurpation of house martin nests by house sparrows has previously been reported. However, our study demonstrates how neighbouring house martins cooperatively defended against nest-usurping attempts by house sparrows. House martins collectively helped a conspecific pair build their nest at a much faster pace than would be possible for the breeding pair alone, within several hours as compared to a couple of days, in order to overcome the continued attempts of house sparrows to usurp the partially built nest. In our study, between the two breeding seasons of 2018 and 2019, the number of breeding house martins at the study site decreased by almost 63% while in contrast the number of house sparrow breeding pairs increased almost sixfold. The number of usurped nests by house sparrows was comparatively higher in 2019 as compared to 2018.
Savvas Ieziekel; Reuven Yosef. Cooperative defence of colonial breeding house martins (Delichon urbicum) against nest-usurping house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Journal of Vertebrate Biology 2020, 69, 1 -5.
AMA StyleSavvas Ieziekel, Reuven Yosef. Cooperative defence of colonial breeding house martins (Delichon urbicum) against nest-usurping house sparrows (Passer domesticus). Journal of Vertebrate Biology. 2020; 69 (1):1-5.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSavvas Ieziekel; Reuven Yosef. 2020. "Cooperative defence of colonial breeding house martins (Delichon urbicum) against nest-usurping house sparrows (Passer domesticus)." Journal of Vertebrate Biology 69, no. 1: 1-5.
The intensity and frequency of human-animal conflicts has escalated in recent decades due to the exponential increase in the human population over the past century and the subsequent encroachment of human activities on wilderness areas. Jhalana Forest Reserve (JFR) presents the characteristics of island biogeography in the heart of Jaipur, which is a city of 3.1 million people. The leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is the top predator in this newly declared sanctuary of 29 km². We surveyed people in the 18 villages that engulf this sanctuary. We questioned the villagers’ (n = 480) perceptions about conservation. As much as 93% (round figure) of the population has encountered leopards, and 83% were fully aware of its role in the ecosystem. In addition, 100% stressed the necessity of conservation to save the forests and 91% supported the efforts to a wall in the reserve in order to prevent human encroachment. Most of the population is Jains and Gujars, which are communities that believe in non-violence. We conclude that the villagers support conservation efforts. The authorities that manage JFR view the villagers favorably and, as stakeholders, are the basis for continued human-leopard coexistence.
Swapnil Kumbhojkar; Reuven Yosef; Yanina Benedetti; Federico Morelli. Human-Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Co-Existence in Jhalana Forest Reserve, India. Sustainability 2019, 11, 3912 .
AMA StyleSwapnil Kumbhojkar, Reuven Yosef, Yanina Benedetti, Federico Morelli. Human-Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Co-Existence in Jhalana Forest Reserve, India. Sustainability. 2019; 11 (14):3912.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSwapnil Kumbhojkar; Reuven Yosef; Yanina Benedetti; Federico Morelli. 2019. "Human-Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) Co-Existence in Jhalana Forest Reserve, India." Sustainability 11, no. 14: 3912.
Jérôme Fuchs; Per Alström; Reuven Yosef; Urban Olsson. Miocene diversification of an open‐habitat predatorial passerine radiation, the shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes: Laniidae). Zoologica Scripta 2019, 48, 571 -588.
AMA StyleJérôme Fuchs, Per Alström, Reuven Yosef, Urban Olsson. Miocene diversification of an open‐habitat predatorial passerine radiation, the shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes: Laniidae). Zoologica Scripta. 2019; 48 (5):571-588.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJérôme Fuchs; Per Alström; Reuven Yosef; Urban Olsson. 2019. "Miocene diversification of an open‐habitat predatorial passerine radiation, the shrikes (Aves: Passeriformes: Laniidae)." Zoologica Scripta 48, no. 5: 571-588.
We studied the effect of tourist activity on the reproductive success of sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis). We snorkeled at two sites – one with a bridge over the reef allowing access to the reef from the seaside (Princess beach) and further south where the number of tourists is low (Taba beach). We identified 36 (65.5%) nests on the Princess reef and 19 (34.5%) on the Taba reefs. Average nest size at Princess was 11.8 cm2 (±2.68 SD) vs 19.6 cm2 (±3.9) at Taba. Further, at Princess although the number of nests was not correlated to the distance from the bridge (R2 = 0.352), average nest size increased with distance from the bridge (R2 = 0.861). At Taba, nests on the continuous reef averaged 21.8 cm2 (±1.8, N = 13) while those on the loose aggregation reefs averaged 14.8 cm2 (±2.02, N = 6). Although reef tourism is increasingly being regarded a major source to generate income for human coastal communities, a better understanding of the consequences of human activities to the reef system can enhance conservation initiatives and facilitate management implementation.
Reuven Yosef; Yuval Abergil; Federico Morelli. Ecotourism affects breeding in sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis). Journal of Environmental Management 2019, 237, 1 -4.
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Yuval Abergil, Federico Morelli. Ecotourism affects breeding in sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis). Journal of Environmental Management. 2019; 237 ():1-4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Yuval Abergil; Federico Morelli. 2019. "Ecotourism affects breeding in sergeant major damselfish (Abudefduf saxatilis)." Journal of Environmental Management 237, no. : 1-4.
Environmental recreation is a fast growing industry. However, in many cases the consequences for the environment are ignored. Eilat is just such a case wherein tourism is the mainstay of the city and the Red Sea is the main attraction. Most areas are developed specifically for enhancing tourism and one of the most benign of creatures, that sits permanently on rocks and seashores, is trodden upon regularly is the Acorn Barnacle (Tetraclita squamosa rufotincta). We surveyed 10 sites with the same area for the number of barnacles that were live, dead or deserted. We compared between areas frequented by recreationists, and from which, they were denied access. We found a significantly greater number of individuals, live barnacles, and fewer deserted barnacles in the restricted areas. We conclude that the Acorn Barnacles in the undisturbed areas had significantly greater probability of survival and longevity compared to those exposed to anthropogenic activity.
Reuven Yosef; Elena Polyakov; Noyah Ben Harush; Piotr Zduniak. Effects of recreational activity on Acorn Barnacle (Tetraclita squamosa rufotincta) in the Red Sea. European Journal of Ecology 2019, 4, 131 -133.
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Elena Polyakov, Noyah Ben Harush, Piotr Zduniak. Effects of recreational activity on Acorn Barnacle (Tetraclita squamosa rufotincta) in the Red Sea. European Journal of Ecology. 2019; 4 (2):131-133.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Elena Polyakov; Noyah Ben Harush; Piotr Zduniak. 2019. "Effects of recreational activity on Acorn Barnacle (Tetraclita squamosa rufotincta) in the Red Sea." European Journal of Ecology 4, no. 2: 131-133.
Context Tiger (Panthera tigris), leopard (Panthera pardus) and dhole (Cuon alpinus) represent a typical multi-predator system of species of conservation concern. Several studies have addressed this system, with heterogeneous results, and there’s a lack of information on population dynamics of multi-species assemblages. We studied a time series (1998–2009) of abundance indices for three predators and five prey species in Bor Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS), Maharashtra, India, before it was declared as Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR) in 2009. Aims To analyse the complex relationships within a predator–prey system in a dynamic fashion, to analyse data collected in a stable and undisturbed area and to form a comparison basis for future studies within the sanctuary after its declaration as a Tiger Reserve. Methods A 24-h effort was made annually to census the BWS. Predators were counted at waterholes from arboreal hideouts. The prey populations were censused along 353-km line-transects. For each species, we analysed the yearly growth rate, testing the effect of inter-species abundance. Key results Tiger growth rate did not depend on any particular prey, whereas mesopredators seemed to depend on medium-sized prey. A die-out of dholes in 2001 was followed by an increase in tiger populations (from 4 to 11), which, in turn, negatively affected leopard numbers (from 6 to 2).We found no direct evidence of top-down effect, but the density dependence for three of five prey species could be linked to predation pressure. We found some evidence of interspecific competition among prey species, especially among ungulates, potentially being mediated by predation pressure. Conclusions The relationships among species in a predator–prey system are very complex and often could be explained only by more-than-two-species interactions. The disappearance of one predator, not necessarily the top predator, could bring multiple effects, for which it could be difficult to detect causal relationships. Implications All subsequent changes in human activities in the sanctuary, as a consequence of its designation as the BTR in 2009, should be evaluated with respect to the results of the present study. The conservation of large predators should rely on the maintenance of a rich and abundant prey base, in which different-sized prey could lessen interactive-competition among the predators.
Chidanand S. Reddy; Reuven Yosef; Gianpiero Calvi; Lorenzo Fornasari. Inter-specific competition influences apex predator–prey populations. Wildlife Research 2019, 46, 628 -638.
AMA StyleChidanand S. Reddy, Reuven Yosef, Gianpiero Calvi, Lorenzo Fornasari. Inter-specific competition influences apex predator–prey populations. Wildlife Research. 2019; 46 (7):628-638.
Chicago/Turabian StyleChidanand S. Reddy; Reuven Yosef; Gianpiero Calvi; Lorenzo Fornasari. 2019. "Inter-specific competition influences apex predator–prey populations." Wildlife Research 46, no. 7: 628-638.
Grzegorz Maciorowski; Reuven Yosef; Ülo Väli; Piotr Tryjanowski. Nutritional Condition of Hybrid Nestlings Is Similar To That of Pure-Species Offspring of Spotted Eagles (Clanga clanga × C. pomarina). Journal of Raptor Research 2018, 52, 484 -490.
AMA StyleGrzegorz Maciorowski, Reuven Yosef, Ülo Väli, Piotr Tryjanowski. Nutritional Condition of Hybrid Nestlings Is Similar To That of Pure-Species Offspring of Spotted Eagles (Clanga clanga × C. pomarina). Journal of Raptor Research. 2018; 52 (4):484-490.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGrzegorz Maciorowski; Reuven Yosef; Ülo Väli; Piotr Tryjanowski. 2018. "Nutritional Condition of Hybrid Nestlings Is Similar To That of Pure-Species Offspring of Spotted Eagles (Clanga clanga × C. pomarina)." Journal of Raptor Research 52, no. 4: 484-490.
Adiv Gal; Reuven Yosef. The Contribution of Citizen Science to the Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Israel. Journal of Raptor Research 2018, 52, 511 -515.
AMA StyleAdiv Gal, Reuven Yosef. The Contribution of Citizen Science to the Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Israel. Journal of Raptor Research. 2018; 52 (4):511-515.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAdiv Gal; Reuven Yosef. 2018. "The Contribution of Citizen Science to the Conservation of the Lesser Kestrel (Falco naumanni) in Israel." Journal of Raptor Research 52, no. 4: 511-515.
Asymmetries in handedness/footedness has been demonstrated in many vertebrate and invertebrate species, including humans, but its role and origins are still debated. We studied the ratio of footedness in migratory Steppe Buzzards (Buteo vulpinus). We hypothesized that during our raptor banding program we could observe the preferred foot used by the raptor when trying to access the lure in a bal-chatri trap, and that if there was no preference in the population then it would show a 50:50 use of the right or left foot. A total of 367 different Steppe Buzzards were identified and their footedness analyzed. Of these 196 (53.4%) preferentially hit the trap first with the right foot, 148 (40.3%) with the left foot, and 23 (6.3%) appeared to be ambidextrous. In the avian world, predominance is considered to be species specific but mostly right-footed. The migratory Steppe Buzzards also show a predominantly right-sided lateralization. This result could be due to the task/situation that was analyzed; perhaps in a different more tool-like manipulation activity lateralization could be different. We recommend all future researchers that deal in wildlife trapping to also pay attention to this very interesting aspect of wildlife biology.
Reuven Yosef; Coral Gindi; Nufar Sukenik. Footedness in Steppe Buzzards (Buteo vulpinus). Behavioural Processes 2018, 158, 113 -116.
AMA StyleReuven Yosef, Coral Gindi, Nufar Sukenik. Footedness in Steppe Buzzards (Buteo vulpinus). Behavioural Processes. 2018; 158 ():113-116.
Chicago/Turabian StyleReuven Yosef; Coral Gindi; Nufar Sukenik. 2018. "Footedness in Steppe Buzzards (Buteo vulpinus)." Behavioural Processes 158, no. : 113-116.
Sympatric species adapt to, and temporally or geographically segregate access to similar limiting factors. We compared nesting habitat and diet affinities of six raptor species in central India between the years 2006‒2015. A large composition of reptiles in the diet was characteristic for Circaetus gallicus, Spilornis cheela and Elanus caeruleus, while Aquila fasciata, Falco chicquera and Nisaetus cirrhatus show a higher proportion of birds. Species with greatest similarity of diet were C. gallicus and S. cheela. Considering the environmental characterization of areas where raptors built the nest, some species were ecologically closer than others. N. cirrhatus and S. cheela were related to the presence of water bodies, dry deciduous forest and evergreen forests, while E. caeruleus and C. gallicus preferred more open habitats. A. fasciata bred either on cliffs or trees, F. chicquera on trees or mobile towers, and the other four species built their nests exclusively in trees. We conclude that although there was overlap in diet and nesting ecology for a number of species, the geographical separation likely limits competition for resources.
Satish Pande; Reuven Yosef; Federico Morelli; Rajkumar Pawar; Ram Mone. Diet and habitat affinities in six raptor species in India. Avian Research 2018, 9, 36 .
AMA StyleSatish Pande, Reuven Yosef, Federico Morelli, Rajkumar Pawar, Ram Mone. Diet and habitat affinities in six raptor species in India. Avian Research. 2018; 9 (1):36.
Chicago/Turabian StyleSatish Pande; Reuven Yosef; Federico Morelli; Rajkumar Pawar; Ram Mone. 2018. "Diet and habitat affinities in six raptor species in India." Avian Research 9, no. 1: 36.
Life-history theory predicts that current behaviour affects future reproduction, implying that animals should optimise their escape strategies to reflect fitness costs and benefits of premature escape. Both costs and benefits of escape may change temporally with important consequences for the evolution of escape strategies. Moreover, escape strategies of species may differ according to their positions on slow–fast pace of life gradients. We studied risk-taking in long-distance migratory animals, waders (Charadriiformes), during the annual cycle, i.e., breeding in Europe, stopover in the Middle East and wintering in tropical Africa. Phylogenetically informed comparative analyses revealed that risk-taking (measured as flight initiation distance, FID) changed significantly over the year, being lowest during breeding and peaking at stopover sites. Similarly, relationships between risk-taking and life-history traits changed among stages of the annual cycle. While risk-taking significantly decreased with increasing body mass during breeding, risk-taking–body mass relationship became marginally significant in winter and disappeared during migration. The positive trend of risk-taking along slow–fast pace of life gradient measured as adult survival was only found during breeding. The season-dependent relationships between risk-taking and life history traits suggest that migrating animals respond to fluctuating environments by adopting behavioural plasticity.
Peter Mikula; Mario Díaz; Tomáš Albrecht; Jukka Jokimäki; Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki; Gal Kroitero; Anders Pape Møller; Piotr Tryjanowski; Reuven Yosef; Martin Hromada. Adjusting risk-taking to the annual cycle of long-distance migratory birds. Scientific Reports 2018, 8, 13989 .
AMA StylePeter Mikula, Mario Díaz, Tomáš Albrecht, Jukka Jokimäki, Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki, Gal Kroitero, Anders Pape Møller, Piotr Tryjanowski, Reuven Yosef, Martin Hromada. Adjusting risk-taking to the annual cycle of long-distance migratory birds. Scientific Reports. 2018; 8 (1):13989.
Chicago/Turabian StylePeter Mikula; Mario Díaz; Tomáš Albrecht; Jukka Jokimäki; Marja-Liisa Kaisanlahti-Jokimäki; Gal Kroitero; Anders Pape Møller; Piotr Tryjanowski; Reuven Yosef; Martin Hromada. 2018. "Adjusting risk-taking to the annual cycle of long-distance migratory birds." Scientific Reports 8, no. 1: 13989.
Bee-eaters (Meropidae) are considered agricultural pests and their presence provokes conflicts with beekeepers and farmers who rely on the pollination services of honey bees. This problem is often deal with through the mass killing of the birds, even though the quantitative evidence on the impact of bee-eaters on honey bee colonies is scarce. The current paper reports the performance of honey bee colonies protected with mist nets from migrating flocks of European bee-eaters Merops apiaster in Israel. In the study the weight gains of bee hives surrounded by mist nets were 6.44 times higher than that of unprotected hives (26.4 kg vs. 4.1 kg). The results confirmed that bee-eaters locally pose a problem to apiaries and potentially to the crops that require pollination. Mist- netting appeared to be an effective mitigation method for alleviating conflicts between beekeepers and bee-eaters. However, the study also showed that bees were able to differentiate between their main predator and other avian species trapped in mist nets and stung only bee-eaters. Moreover, the bees were targeting the most vulnerable body parts of birds which resulted in some bird fatalities. Therefore, due to accidental mortal- ity of birds, mist-netting is recommended only on the migratory routes in cases when bee hives cannot be moved to other areas.
Aleksandra Langowska; Reuven Yosef; Piotr Skórka; Piotr Tryjanowski. Mist-Netting of Migrating Bee-Eaters Positively Influences Honey Bee Colony Performance. Journal of Apicultural Science 2018, 62, 67 -78.
AMA StyleAleksandra Langowska, Reuven Yosef, Piotr Skórka, Piotr Tryjanowski. Mist-Netting of Migrating Bee-Eaters Positively Influences Honey Bee Colony Performance. Journal of Apicultural Science. 2018; 62 (1):67-78.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAleksandra Langowska; Reuven Yosef; Piotr Skórka; Piotr Tryjanowski. 2018. "Mist-Netting of Migrating Bee-Eaters Positively Influences Honey Bee Colony Performance." Journal of Apicultural Science 62, no. 1: 67-78.