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We identified groups of mayfly species that share microhabitats in eastern Cuban streams by sampling during rainy and dry seasons in four microhabitats in pools (cobbles, sand, leaf litter and bank vegetation) and one microhabitat (cobbles) in riffles. A total of 20 species and three morphospecies were found. Species similarity in habitat use was analysed using k-means clustering. Overall, the highest number of individuals was collected in cobbles in riffles, followed by cobbles in pools. Five species groups, labelled from I to V, were identified based on their primary microhabitat use. Two groups (I and V) included species with a generalist pattern of habitat use, but differing in seasonality. Species in remaining groups tend to concentrate in specific microhabitats. Species of groups II and IV use mostly cobbles in riffles and in pools, respectively, while species in group III concentrate in sand during the rainy season. Our results allowed to identify the species most vulnerable to alterations of the hydrologic regimen.

Los escarabajos peloteros se consideran un taxón útil para describir patrones espaciales y temporales de biodiversidad. Este estudio se llevó a cabo durante 18 meses, en un gradiente altitudinal, de la cuenca del Oglán Alto, situada en la provincia de Pastaza, Ecuador. Se recolectaron un total de 10.227 individuos pertenecientes a 59 especies. Se analizó la preferencia alimentaria y se observó que las especies de escarabajos coprófagos son superiores a las especies necrófagas y generalistas. El grupo funcional de los cavadores fue más abundante que rodadores y moradores. Los efectos de la altitud y precipitación sobre la diversidad de escarabajos estercoleros se analizó mediante modelos lineales generalizados. Se utilizaron seis estimadores de riqueza para comparar los dos tipos de cebo utilizados (excremento y carroña). Se realizó un análisis de correspondencia, según los tipos de trampas y especies capturadas, con respecto a la variación del gradiente altitudinal. Se concluyó que la riqueza y abundancia de los escarabajos peloteros se ven influencias negativamente con la altitud y la precipitación. Pero, el grupo de cavadores evidenciaron una influencia positiva con la precipitación. Aunque la relación de gradiente altitudinal y promedio de riqueza por trampas es muy similar en el gradiente altitudinal muestreado, mostrando una mezcla de especies de escarabajos copronecrófagos asociados a tierras bajas amazónicas, con pocas especies de bosque siempreverde de piedemonte del oriente ecuatoriano. Se recomienda continuar los estudios en este tipo de vegetación, principalmente en un gradiente altitudinal mayor., Dung beetles are considered a useful taxon to describe and to monitor spatial and temporal patterns of biodiversity. This study was carried out over 18 months, on an altitudinal gradient in the Oglán Alto watershed, located in Pastaza Province, Ecuador. A total of 10,227 individuals belonging to 59 species were collected. Food preference was analyzed and it was observed that species of coprophagous beetles are superior to necrophagous and generalists species. Tunnelers functional group was more abundant than rollers and dwellers groups. The effects of altitude and precipitation on dung beetle diversity were analyzed using generalized linear models. Six richness estimators were used for comparison between the two types of bait used (excrement and carrion). Correspondence analysis was performed, according to the types of traps and species captured, with respect to the variation of altitudinal gradient. We concluded that the richness and abundance of dung beetles are negatively influenced by altitude and precipitation. However, the group of tunnelers evidenced a positive influence on precipitation. Although the relation of altitudinal gradient and average of richness by traps is very similar in the altitudinal gradient sampled, showing a mixture of species of copronecrophagous beetles associated to Amazon lowlands, with few species of foothill evergreen forest of the Ecuadorian east. It is recommended to continue studies in this type of vegetation, mainly in a higher altitudinal gradient.

Urban areas provide a constant and predictable supply of anthropogenic processed food. The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus Linnaeus, 1758), a declining urban bioindicator species, has recently been reported to have a high level of oxidative stress, with urban diet or pollutants proposed as the potential cause. In this study, we aimed to experimentally determine the effects of two urban trophic resource types (bar snack food leftovers and pet food) on sparrows' physical condition, plasma biochemical nutritional parameters, and blood oxidative status in captivity. To exclude the potential previous effect of urban pollutants, 75 House Sparrows were captured from a rural area in SE Spain and kept in outdoor aviaries. Individuals were exposed to one of three diet treatments: control diet (fruit, vegetables, poultry grain mixture), bar snack diet (ultra-processed snacks), or cat food diet (dry pellets) for 20 days. Blood samples were collected before and after diet treatments to analyze the relative change rates of 12 variables, including physical condition, nutritional status, and oxidant–antioxidant status. A principal component analysis was run to identify gradients of variables covariation, and Generalized Linear Mixed Models were used to determine the effect of diets on each selected PC and on raw variables. The bar snack diet led to signs of anemia and malnutrition, and females tended to lose body condition. The cat food diet increased oxidative stress indicators and protein catabolism. Unbalanced urban diets can affect the body condition and nutritional physiology of House Sparrows and may also induce oxidative stress despite the absence of environmental pollution.

Los métodos para estimar el tamaño poblacional de las aves urbanas no suelen considerar los efectos que pueden tener diferentes variables ambientales y antrópicas sobre su detectabilidad. El muestreo por distancia es una técnica de baja aplicación en ambientes urbanos, a pesar de que es un método muy efectivo para estimar densidades poblacionales y de bajo costo. En esta investigación analizamos aquellas covariables que pueden influir en la detectabilidad de la tórtola turca Streptopelia decaocto en ambientes antrópicos para estimar sus densidades en el este de España. A través de puntos de conteo realizamos estimaciones en ambientes urbanos, periurbanos y parques. La probabilidad de detección y la densidad fueron estimadas mediante el muestreo por distancia con múltiples covariables y empleamos varios análisis estadísticos para comparar las densidades estimadas. Nuestros resultados muestran que la altura de los edificios influye de manera negativa y la capacidad de los observadores influye positivamente en la detectabilidad de la tórtola turca. La zona urbana concentra la menor densidad tanto de grupos de aves como de individuos en comparación con las otras zonas. El uso del muestreo por distancia es de fácil aplicación en ambientes metropolitanos que ayuda al desarrollo de la ciencia ciudadana., Methods to estimate populations of urban birds usually do not consider the effects of environmental and anthropic variables on their detectability. Distance sampling is not commonly used in urban environments even though is a highly effective and low-cost method to estimate the population densities of birds. In this research, we analyzed those covariables that may influence the detectability of the Eurasian collared dove Streptopelia decaocto detectability in anthropic environments to estimate population densities in Eastern Spain. Point counts were carried out in three environments: urban, peri-urban, and parks. Detection probability and density were estimated through distance sampling considering multiple covariables and we used several statistical tests to compare the estimated densities. Our results show that building height negatively affects the detectability of the Eurasian collared dove while the observers’ ability affects it positively. Moreover, the urban environment has a lower density of individuals and flocks of birds when compared with the other two areas studied. Distance sampling is easy to apply in urban environments and it will help in the development of urban science.

Los espacios periurbanos suponen un reservorio importante de biodiversidad y teniendo en cuenta lo amenazada que se encuentra, sobre todo en grupos como los herpetos, es muy importante evaluar su estado de conservación en estas zonas. La ciudad de Alicante goza de espacios verdes periurbanos como las Lagunas de Rabasa, donde se ha evaluado en este trabajo las amenazas e impactos a los que pueden estar viéndose afectados los herpetos. Para ello, se caminó por el territorio buscando impactos visibles y se realizaron transectos lineales con el fin de estimar densidades de las especies que alcanzaran muestra suficiente. Además, se combinaron otros métodos de muestreo de fauna para realizar un inventario biológico de todas las especies de herpetos encontradas. En total se hallaron 11 especies distintas y se estimó la densidad de Psammodromus algirus y Timon nevadensis. Se detectaron abundantes puntos de vertidos ilegales, varias estructuras que funcionan como “efecto trampa” para la fauna y algunas especies exóticas invasoras, destacando la presencia de Trachemys scripta. Tras comparar los datos obtenidos con registros y la literatura existente se llegó a la conclusión de que los herpetos de la zona están sometidos a impactos que pueden estar amenazando a sus poblaciones. Aun así, destaca la importancia de este estudio para advertir a la sociedad de las amenazas que estamos causando a la biodiversidad y para concienciar del valor natural y paisajístico que puede tener una zona que, a priori, parece un simple descampado.

El gato doméstico (Felis catus) es un carnívoro que se encuentra ampliamente distribuido por todo el mundo. Sin embargo, surgen problemas con los gatos que deambulan libremente por su entorno, especialmente en ecosistemas insulares. Presentan un comportamiento depredador generalista, trasmiten enfermedades, compiten con otras especies, y afectan negativamente a la vida silvestre. En las áreas urbanas, los gatos sin dueño que son alimentados forman colonias felinas. En España, estas colonias son mayoritariamente gestionadas mediante el método CES-R. Para implementar planes de gestión adecuados, son necesarios argumentos sólidos que permitan comprender el comportamiento de estos individuos y los posibles impactos que puedan tener. En este trabajo se estudiaron dos colonias felinas urbanas ubicadas en diferentes hábitats: una en la Universidad de Alicante (UA) y otra en la Isla de Tabarca. El objetivo principal fue estimar la abundancia de gatos, estudiar sus comportamientos y evaluar su potencial impacto en la biodiversidad. Para llevar a cabo el estudio, se recopiló información, se realizaron censos periódicos, un formulario, dispositivos GPS y cámaras trampa. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron que en la UA se estima una población de 39 gatos (49 gatos/km2) con un 92,3% de esterilización. Sin embargo, según los modelos de marcaje y recaptura, habría 30 individuos (20-45) presentes simultáneamente. Por otro lado, en la Isla de Tabarca se identificaron 124 gatos (413 gatos/km2) con un 90,3% de esterilización, encontrándose 116 gatos en el área urbana y 8 en el área de campo. El uso de cámaras trampa con cebo resultó ser una herramienta eficaz. Las áreas de campeo en ambas áreas urbanas fueron similares (< 1 - 1,56 hectáreas) pero en la zona de campo de la Isla de Tabarca, fueron considerablemente mayores (< 3 - 13,19 hectáreas). Utilizando modelos de marcaje y recaptura en la UA, se constató que, además de otros datos estimados, los machos presentaron una mayor probabi

The Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) is an endangered passerine typical of Mediterranean shrub-steppes, whose European distribution is restricted to Spain. Here, we update the population size and distribution range of the species at a European scale and evaluate (i) the current status; (ii) the change in population size and distribution range of the species from 2004 to 2009 to the current period (2017–2022); and (iii) the effectiveness of the current network of special protection areas (SPAs) for protecting the Dupont’s lark. The European Dupont’s lark population showed a decrease of 29.9%, declining from ca. 3267 to 2289 territorial males from 2004 to 2009 to the current period. Moreover, the species has suffered a contraction in its distribution range of 35.9%, with only 39.3% of the species’ territories located within the current network of SPAs. Our findings agree with the previously described decline of the Dupont’s lark in Europe. The population decline was even larger in peripheral regions, which suggests that the species is suffering a centripetal process of contraction and extinction. These results indicate that if there is no change in present-day declining forces, several peripheral populations will reach extinction in a few decades and the overall population size of the species will continue decreasing. Our study should be considered as a last call for action and used for implementing urgent conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat. Future studies should focus on analyzing and managing the factors driving the species’ extinction and future actions for the conservation of the species should focus on increasing the percentage of the Dupont’s lark territories within protected areas, since the data are alarmingly low for a species that is facing clear risk of extinction.

Appropriate nesting sites are needed for the presence of European hedgehogs (Erinaceus europaeus) in an area, along with food availability. However, little attention has been paid to them in the literature. This study aimed at analysing, for the first time, the environmental characteristics of nesting sites chosen by hedgehogs, their spatial distribution and the effect of sex and season on them in two types of urban parks in southeastern Spain. A total of 31 hedgehogs were equipped with GPS devices, and 130 hedgehog nests were located and described. Both sexes had a similar number of nests; however, the spatial distribution of the male nests was larger, and they changed nests more frequently than females. The environment around the nests and hosting structures used also differed between the sexes, with males using a higher variety of nesting structures available and females being more selective. The differences in topography and habitat composition of the two urban parks also affected hedgehog nesting ecology, especially in reference to artificial elements like cat feeders. Further studies of nest locations at a microhabitat level are needed to contribute to a better understanding of a hedgehog’s requirements, fostering the design of more effective conservation strategies.

The Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) is an endangered passerine typical of Mediterranean shrub-steppes, whose European distribution is restricted to Spain. Here, we update the population size and distribution range of the species at a European scale and evaluate (i) the current status; (ii) the change in population size and distribution range of the species from 2004 to 2009 to the current period (2017–2022); and (iii) the effectiveness of the current network of special protection areas (SPAs) for protecting the Dupont’s lark. The European Dupont’s lark population showed a decrease of 29.9%, declining from ca. 3267 to 2289 territorial males from 2004 to 2009 to the current period. Moreover, the species has suffered a contraction in its distribution range of 35.9%, with only 39.3% of the species’ territories located within the current network of SPAs. Our findings agree with the previously described decline of the Dupont’s lark in Europe. The population decline was even larger in peripheral regions, which suggests that the species is suffering a centripetal process of contraction and extinction. These results indicate that if there is no change in present-day declining forces, several peripheral populations will reach extinction in a few decades and the overall population size of the species will continue decreasing. Our study should be considered as a last call for action and used for implementing urgent conservation measures to protect the species and its habitat. Future studies should focus on analyzing and managing the factors driving the species’ extinction and future actions for the conservation of the species should focus on increasing the percentage of the Dupont’s lark territories within protected areas, since the data are alarmingly low for a species that is facing clear risk of extinction.

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events represent a threat for biological diversity and are expected to increase in many regions over the following decades due to climate change. Our current knowledge about the impact of extreme weather events on the population dynamics of bird species is very limited. Here, we evaluated the impact of an extreme winter snowstorm on the abundance of 14 populations of the threatened Dupont’s Lark Chersophilus duponti, a resident bird whose European population is restricted to Spain. We found a drastic and significant population decline in the next reproductive season following the extreme weather event. During the control period (2017–2020) the species suffered an overall annual decline of 19.4% (±5.0, SE). However, the overall annual decline after the storm was 67.6% (±9.4, period 2019–2021), with a mean decline of 66.5% (±15.9) for seven populations monitored both the year before and the year after the snowstorm (period 2020–2021). The snow covered the ground for over 10 days in central and eastern Spain, which together with a subsequent extreme cold wave could have reduced the species ability to find food resources and properly thermoregulate, forcing the species to move to unknown areas. Indeed a few days after the storm, several individuals were reported in areas typically avoided. Such displacements may increase the mortality risk for dispersing individuals, besides the direct effects of the extreme cold event, such as thermal challenges to energy balance or a reduced immune function. We discuss the potential role that extreme weather events may have on the population dynamics and conservation of the species.

In landscape-scale ecological restoration, there is an urgent need to develop participatory systematic planning strategies and prioritization schemes that are operational under current technical and legal constraints. Different stakeholder groups may differ in their choice of criteria to define critical areas for restoration. Analyzing the correspondence between stakeholder characteristics and their expressed preferences is key to understand their values and facilitate consensus among the different groups. We analyzed the participatory identification of critical areas for restoration in a Mediterranean semiarid landscape of southeastern Spain by means of two Spatial Multicriteria Analyses. The first one included 33 ecological and socioeconomic prioritization criteria. The second included 24 ecosystem services. Prioritization criteria and services and their weights were based on the preferences of 46 stakeholders. We distinguished three stakeholder groups, according to their approach to ecological restoration. Stakeholders showed similarities regarding the most important criteria and services assessed. Yet, we found contrasted opinions between the group labeled as Biodiversity, who showed preference for Regulating Services and Ecosystem Functions, and the two groups labeled as Environment, and Agriculture & other occupations who assigned the highest importance to Provisioning and Cultural Services, along with highly Anthropized Environments. Maps integrating criteria and services weighted by the different groups of stakeholders were largely coincident, because of their overall agreement and the high number of criteria and services included in the analysis. Our approach allowed the identification of consensual critical areas for restoration, which were mainly covered by shrublands and rainfed crops, and mostly characterized by low to medium supply of ecosystem services. Our study emphasizes the need to recognize and integrate different social perspectives when identif

1. Landscape-scale prioritization models are powerful decision-making tools in ecological restoration. Yet, they often fail to integrate multi-stakeholder perspectives and socio-ecological criteria. 2. We designed a new methodology to identify high-priority areas for landscape-scale restoration. This participatory cost-effectiveness analysis model is based on execution and maintenance costs and the potential increase in the supply of multiple ecosystem services. 3. We tested the model in a 181,000 ha heavily anthropized semi-arid landscape in southeastern Spain. Restoring the whole area would cost 221 million EUR and enhance the supply of ecosystem services by 39%. The cost-effectiveness of restoring pine forest and abandoned and irrigated crops were higher than restoring other Landscape Units. Restoring the least degraded sites was more cost-effective than the most degraded areas or randomly selecting sites, even when potential recovery was incomplete. 4. Synthesis and applications. The cost-effectiveness of restoration actions depends on the type of ecosystem and degradation state. Visualizing the outcomes of alternative restoration scenarios needs participatory prioritization maps based on financial costs and the potential supply of ecosystem services. We propose a participatory prioritization protocol that is flexible and adaptable and can help government agencies, environmental managers, investors, consultancies and NGOs' plan restoration actions at the landscape scale and optimize the effectiveness of restoration programs.

The troglobitic harvestman Jimeneziella decui Avram, 1970 is known from four neighboring caves (Cueva de Majana, Cueva de los Golondrinos, Cueva Perla del Agua, and Cueva de Máximo) located in eastern Cuba. We present the first ecological data on a population of this endangered species in Cueva de Máximo. The sex ratio of the population estimated in the main gallery of the cave was not different from 1:1. The spatial distribution observed was uniform, and the density of individuals was 0.48 individuals/m2 (February–March) and 0.84 individuals/m2 (November). We describe morphological differences between the sexes and between males. Preliminary morphological and behavioral data suggests the possible existence of two male morphs in J. decui (“robust” and “slender” males). The slender males possessed less developed armature on leg IV; and the chelicerae, coxa IV and femur IV were less swollen than robust males. Our observations on male-male interactions suggest that robust males are more aggressive than slender males, which never initiated an attack on robust males, but in some occasions responded to attacks from robust males. The non-aggressive behavior exhibited by robust males towards slender males also suggests that the slender morph is not only a sneaker, but potentially a female mimic, which is also consistent with the morphology of slender males. Ecological and behavioral information also suggests the possible existence of territories defended by robust males with their well-developed weapons, and the presence of females inside them.

Desde los primeros asentamientos humanos permanentes del Holoceno, hace 10 000 años, hasta las ciudades contemporáneas, las aves han cohabitado con los seres humanos. En las últimas décadas la urbanización ha crecido exponencialmente en el planeta y, en 2030, más del 60% de la población mundial vivirá en zonas urbanas. En función de su tolerancia a la urbanización las aves se clasifican en tres categorías: evitadoras, adaptadoras o explotadoras urbanas. Las ciudades occidentales contemporáneas atraen a las aves por la presencia de recursos tróficos abundantes y predecibles, la reducción en la diversidad de depredadores o la provisión de estructuras donde ubicar los nidos, entre otras. Sin embargo, la urbanización es uno de los mayores problemas actuales para la biodiversidad y el modelo de ciudad contemporánea puede dejar de ser atractivo para las aves e incluso causar el declive a ciertas especies ligadas a medios urbanos. Algunas razones que explican este proceso son: la gestión urbana y la pérdida de zonas verdes, la contaminación, la comida antropogénica y las nuevas tendencias arquitectónicas. Un cambio en el modelo de ciudad contemporánea que proteja la biodiversidad, aunque es un reto difícil, es posible siguiendo ejemplos como el de la infraestructura verde y sostenibilidad ambiental de la ciudad de Vitoria-Gasteiz (España)., Since the first permanent human settlements in the Holocene, 10 000 years ago, until contemporary cities birds have cohabited with humans. In the last decades, urbanization has grown exponentially on the planet and in 2030 the 60% of the world population will live in urban areas. Based on their urbanization tolerance birds are classified into three categories: urban avoiders, adapters, or exploiters. Current occidental cities attract birds due to the presence of abundant and predictable trophic resources, reduction of predators’ diversity, or the existence of nesting places, among other factors. However, urbanization is nowadays one of the greatest problems for biodiversity and the model of a contemporary city may become unattractive to birds and indeed some urban species are declining in the present. Some reasons that explain this process are loss of green areas, pollution, changes in abundance and composition of trophic resources, and new building trends. Changing the model of a contemporary city to protect biodiversity is a difficult challenge but it is possible and there exist inspiring experiences like the green infrastructure of the city of Vitoria-Gasteiz (Spain).

Clues used by migrant birds to select sites for stopover are much less known than their reasons for leaving. Habitat characteristics and geographical location may affect the decision to use an island as a stopover site in different ways for different species. Thus, abundance and composition of migrants may be expected to differ between islands. Using standardized ringing from 9 western Mediterranean islands we evaluate drivers of abundance of trans-Saharan migrant passerines, specifically the role of species continental abundance, island characteristics and geographical location. Although continental abundance is a main driver of migrant composition on all islands migrant composition differs between them. Redundancy analysis and species response models revealed that the main drivers were distance to the nearest land toward the south, which has a positive effect on the number of migrants of most species, and island area, which appears as an important cue used for selecting a stopover island. Species whose abundance is positively related to island area have more pointed wings while species affected by distance to land toward the south have relatively more rounded wings. This suggests a hypothesis on the mechanism that may generate differences in passerine migrant composition between islands based on better efficiency of more pointed wings for long-distance flight.

Table S1: Number of alleles per locus in the recent past and current periods for Dupont´s lark; Table S2: Observed allele frequencies at each locus in each region at both periods of time (left = recent past; right = current). The number of individuals typed is shown in brackets. Person´s r correlation values (R) between allele frequencies in each period within each region are also indicated. Rare alleles are in bold and private alleles at each period are underlined; Table S3: Paired t-test results for temporal variation of genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity, Ho; unbiased expected heterozygosity, uHe; allelic richness, Ar; and inbreeding, FIS) of Dupont´s lark males at country (Morocco, Spain) and regional level. Significant values are represented with an asterisk; Table S4: Genetic diversity estimates for each of the nine Dupont´s lark regions considering the samples that overlapped geographically (sampled at the same localities) during the recent past (P) and the current (C) period. Sample size (N), observed heterozygosity (Ho), unbiased expected heterozygosity (uHe), allelic richness (AR), inbreeding coefficient (FIS). Paired t-test results for temporal variation of genetic diversity (observed heterozygosity, Ho; unbiased expected heterozygosity, uHe; allelic richness, AR and inbreeding, FIS) at regional level are also shown. Significant values are represented with an asterisk; Table S5: Matrix of pairwise (GST and D) values between regions in Morocco (Anti Atlas, AA; Ain Bni Mathar, ABM; Midelt, MID; Plateau of Rekkam, REKK). Values below diagonal correspond to comparisons in the recent past period and above diagonal in the current period. Values among sampling periods within regions are shown on the diagonal. Asterisks indicate statistically significant values; Table S6: Matrix of pairwise (GST and D) values between regions in Spain (Ebro Valley, EV; Iberian Mountains, IM; Northern Plateau, NP; Southern Plateau, SP and Southern Spain, SS). Values below d

Monitoring temporal dynamics in genetic diversity is of great importance for conservation, especially for threatened species that are suffering a rapid population decline and increased fragmentation. Here, we investigate temporal variation in genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow in the Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) across most of its range. This species shows increasing levels of population fragmentation, substantial population declines, and severe range contraction, so temporal losses of genetic diversity, increasing differentiation, and decreasing gene flow are expected when comparing present day data with previous situations. To address this, we resampled sites (nine regions in two countries) after 12–15 years (five-to-seven generations) and assessed changes in genetic parameters using 11 microsatellite markers. We found no substantial loss in genetic diversity over time at the species level, but we detected considerable variation among regions in the amount of allelic diversity and heterozygosity lost over time. Temporal variation in allele frequencies (common, rare, and private alleles), and changes in genetic differentiation and gene flow over time suggest a major role of connectivity for the stability of the overall metapopulation. Our results agree with the hypothesis that connectivity rescues genetic diversity via immigration and gene flow. However, evidence of recent genetic bottleneck and the substantial changes detected in some regions are clear signs of genetic erosion and may be signalling a rapid decline of the populations. Urgent actions must be carried out to stop and reverse human impacts on this threatened lark and its habitat.

Monitoring temporal dynamics in genetic diversity is of great importance for conservation, especially for threatened species that are suffering a rapid population decline and increased fragmentation. Here, we investigate temporal variation in genetic diversity, structure, and gene flow in the Dupont’s lark (Chersophilus duponti) across most of its range. This species shows increasing levels of population fragmentation, substantial population declines, and severe range contraction, so temporal losses of genetic diversity, increasing differentiation, and decreasing gene flow are expected when comparing present day data with previous situations. To address this, we resampled sites (nine regions in two countries) after 12–15 years (five-to-seven generations) and assessed changes in genetic parameters using 11 microsatellite markers. We found no substantial loss in genetic diversity over time at the species level, but we detected considerable variation among regions in the amount of allelic diversity and heterozygosity lost over time. Temporal variation in allele frequencies (common, rare, and private alleles), and changes in genetic differentiation and gene flow over time suggest a major role of connectivity for the stability of the overall metapopulation. Our results agree with the hypothesis that connectivity rescues genetic diversity via immigration and gene flow. However, evidence of recent genetic bottleneck and the substantial changes detected in some regions are clear signs of genetic erosion and may be signalling a rapid decline of the populations. Urgent actions must be carried out to stop and reverse human impacts on this threatened lark and its habitat.

Global demand for crops will continue increasing over the next few decades to cover both food and biofuel needs. This demand will put further pressure to expand arable land and replace natural habitats. However, we are only beginning to understand the combined effects of agrochemicals and land use change on tropical freshwater biodiversity. Here, we analyzed how pond-dwelling anuran larvae respond to pond characteristics, landscape composition, and agrochemical contamination in a sugarcane-dominated agroecosystem in Brazil. Then, we used an information theoretical approach with generalized linear models to relate species richness and abundance to predictor variables. The variation in tadpole abundance was associated with both agrochemical concentration (e.g., Ametryn, Diuron, and Malathion) and landscape variables (e.g., percentage of forest, percentage of agriculture, and distance to the closest forest). The relationship between species abundance and agrochemicals was species-specific. For example, the abundance of Scinax fuscovarius and Physalaemus nattereri were negatively associated with Ametryn, and Dendropsophus nanus was negatively associated with Tebuthiuron, while that of Leptodactylus fuscus was positively associated with Malathion. Conversely, species richness was associated with distance to forest fragments and aquatic vegetation heterogeneity, but not agrochemicals. Although we were unable to assign a specific mechanism to the variation in tadpole abundance based on field observations, the lower abundance of three species in ponds with high concentrations of agrochemicals suggest they negatively impact some frog species inhabiting agroecosystems. We recommend conserving ponds near forest fragments, with abundant stratified vegetation, and far from agrochemical runoffs to safeguard more sensitive pond-breeding species.

Spatial population synchrony is a key aspect in ecology. Normally, three mechanisms have been identified to explain similar temporal variations in abundance between spatially separated populations: Moran effect, trophic interactions and dispersal. We analysed the spatial synchrony of the abundance of five diving waterfowl species (White-Headed Duck, Black-Necked Grebe, Red-Crested Pochard, Common Pochard and Common Coot) by conducting a monthly census from October 2013 to September 2019 in 34 lakes located in Central Spain. Twenty-eight independent variables related to the hydroperiod, anthropogenic impacts, landscape and structural variables were tested in relation to temporal patterns. Synchronised lakes groups were identified for all species, with differential associations with variables. The variables associated with spatial synchrony were: Distance between lakes (White-Headed Duck and Common Pochard); Natural vegetation area in lakes (Red-Crested Pochard) and Accumulated precipitation until the breeding season (Common Pochard and Common Coot). For Black-Necked Grebe, no variable was associated with the observed temporal patterns. These results provide the first evidence for the mechanisms behind the spatio-temporal synchronisation of diving waterbirds populations in the central Iberian region.

The effect of sex on home range in an urban population of European hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus at the southern edge of the species distribution. As the transformation of natural habitats into urban environments increases, some species, such as hedgehogs, are able to adapt and thrive. Six hedgehogs, three males and three females, were tagged with radio–transmitters and tracked for three nights in the University of Alicante campus to study the effect of sex on their home range size, distance travelled per night, and night activity pattern. Time invested in several activities was also analyzed. Males showed larger home ranges than females (mean ± SD) (♂: 27.7 ha ± 19.2; ♀: 5.5 ha ± 3.4) and travelled longer distances per night (mean ♂: 1,077 m ± 251.18; ♀: 504 m ± 156.37). Activity rhythm through the night presented a bimodal pattern but differed between sexes. Males tended to be on the move significantly more often than females (♂: 38.7 %; ♀: 24.8 %) while females foraged more often than males (♂: 1.4 %; ♀: 9.2 %)., El efecto del sexo en el área de campeo de una población urbana de erizos europeos Erinaceus europaeus en el extremo sur de la distribución de la especie. En la creciente transformación de los hábitats naturales en entornos urbanos, algunas especies como el erizo pueden adaptarse y prosperar. Seis erizos, tres machos y tres hembras, fueron equipados con radiotransmisores y seguidos durante tres noches en el campus de la Universidad de Alicante con el fin de estudiar el efecto del sexo sobre el área de campeo, la distancia recorrida por noche y el patrón de actividad nocturna. También se analizó el tiempo invertido en diferentes actividades. Los machos presentaron áreas de campeo mayores que las hembras (media ± DE) (♂: 27,7 ha ± 19,2; ♀: 5,5 ha ± 3,4) y recorrieron distancias mayores por noche (media ♂: 1.077 m ± 251,18; ♀: 504 m ± 156,37). El ritmo de actividad durante la noche presentó un patrón bimodal, pero difirió entre sexos. Los machos tendieron a estar en movimiento con una frecuencia significativamente mayor que las hembras (♂: 38,7 %; ♀: 24,8 %), mientras que las hembras invirtieron más tiempo en forrajear (♂: 1,4 %; ♀: 9,2 %).

[EN] Stress in birds has been widely studied through the measurement of heterophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (H/L ratio). In this study we aimed to assess for the first time the potential variation of stress, measured as H/L ratio, associated to geography (between-country variation) and seasonality (between seasons and within the breeding season), as well as the leukocyte profiles, in the threatened Dupont’s Lark (Chersophilus duponti), using samples from Spain and Morocco. Furthermore, we tested whether variation in H/L ratio was associated with variables such as population density, presence of blood parasites and individual body condition. We found that H/L ratio did not vary between countries, but individuals captured during the breeding season showed higher values of H/L compared to non-breeding ones. Neither male density, nor date within the breeding season had an effect on the H/L ratio. In Spain, individuals with higher body condition showed lower H/L ratio regardless of whether they were malaria-infected. In Morocco, malaria-infected individuals showed higher values of H/L ratio than the non-infected birds. Moreover, we found that our average values of H/L ratio in Morocco were within the ranges of other passerines, but not in Spain. Individuals with higher H/L ratios may be more stressed or present higher capability to face stressful situations. Although H/L ratio is a useful and relatively easy way to obtain measure of stress, the impact that the environment might have on stress and the way it is explained by H/L ratio must be addressed carefully. This study provides new insight for this species’ biology and provides useful reference information to test the status and survival of other populations., [DE] Stress bei Vögeln ist durch die Messung des Verhältnisses von Heterophilen zu T-Lymphozyten (H/L-Verhältnis) umfassend untersucht worden. In dieser Studie wollten wir zum ersten Mal die potentiellen Veränderungen des Stresses in Verbindung mit der Geografie (Unterschiede zwischen einzelnen Ländern) und der Saisonalität (zwischen den Jahreszeiten und innerhalb der Brutsaison), gemessen als H/L-Verhältnis, sowie die Leukozytenprofile bei der bedrohten Dupontlerche (Chersophilus duponti) anhand von Proben aus Spanien und Marokko bewerten. Darüber hinaus haben wir untersucht, ob das H/L-Verhältnis mit Variablen wie der Populationsdichte, dem Vorhandensein von Blutparasiten und der individuellen physischen Verfassung zusammenhängt. Wir stellten fest, dass das H/L-Verhältnis zwischen den einzelnen Ländern nicht variierte, aber die während der Brutzeit gefangenen Tiere höhere H/L-Werte aufwiesen als nicht brütende Tiere. Weder die Dichte an Männchen, noch der Zeitpunkt innerhalb der Brutsaison hatten einen Einfluss auf das H/L-Verhältnis. In Spanien wiesen Tiere mit einer besseren physischen Verfassung ein niedrigeres H/L-Verhältnis auf, unabhängig davon, ob sie mit Malaria infiziert waren. In Marokko zeigten malariainfizierte Vögel höhere Werte des H/L-Verhältnisses als nicht infizierte. Außerdem stellten wir fest, dass unsere Durchschnittswerte für das H/L-Verhältnis in Marokko innerhalb der Werte für andere Sperlingsvögel lagen, nicht aber in Spanien. Tiere mit einem höheren H/L-Verhältnis sind möglicherweise gestresster oder besser in der Lage, mit Stresssituationen umzugehen. Obwohl das H/L-Verhältnis ein nützliches und relativ einfach zu beschaffendes Maß für Stress ist, muss der eventuelle Einfluss der Umwelt auf Stress und die Möglichkeiten, diesen durch das H/L-Verhältnis zu erklären, sorgfältig untersucht werden. Diese Untersuchung bietet neue Einblicke in die Biologie dieser Art und liefert nützliche Referenzinformationen für die Bestimmung des aktuellen St