Speed Controls the Amplitude and Timing of the Hippocampal Gamma Rhythm

Cortical and hippocampal gamma oscillations have been implicated in many behavioral tasks. The hippocampus is required for spatial navigation where animals run at varying speeds. Hence we tested the hypothesis that the gamma rhythm could encode the running speed of mice. We found that the amplitude of slow (20–45 Hz) and fast (45–120 Hz) gamma rhythms in the hippocampal local field potential (LFP) increased with running speed. The speed-dependence of gamma amplitude was restricted to a narrow range of theta phases where gamma amplitude was maximal, called the preferred theta phase of gamma. The preferred phase of slow gamma precessed to lower values with increasing running speed. While maximal fast and slow gamma occurred at coincident phases of theta at low speeds, they became progressively more theta-phase separated with increasing speed. These results demonstrate a novel influence of speed on the amplitude and timing of the hippocampal gamma rhythm which could contribute to learning of temporal sequences and navigation

Tracking data highlight the importance of human-induced mortality for large migratory birds at a flyway scale

Human-induced direct mortality affects huge numbers of birds each year, threatening hundreds of species worldwide. Tracking technologies can be an important tool to investigate temporal and spatial patterns of bird mortality as well as their drivers. We compiled 1704 mortality records from tracking studies across the African-Eurasian flyway for 45 species, including raptors, storks, and cranes, covering the period from 2003 to 2021. Our results show a higher frequency of human-induced causes of mortality than natural causes across taxonomic groups, geographical areas, and age classes. Moreover, we found that the frequency of human-induced mortality remained stable over the study period. From the human-induced mortality events with a known cause (n = 637), three main causes were identified: electrocution (40.5 %), illegal killing (21.7 %), and poisoning (16.3 %). Additionally, combined energy infrastructure-related mortality (i.e., electrocution, power line collision, and wind-farm collision) represented 49 % of all human-induced mortality events. Using a random forest model, the main predictors of human-induced mortality were found to be taxonomic group, geographic location (latitude and longitude), and human footprint index value at the location of mortality. Despite conservation efforts, human drivers of bird mortality in the African-Eurasian flyway do not appear to have declined over the last 15 years for the studied group of species. Results suggest that stronger conservation actions to address these threats across the flyway can reduce their impacts on species. In particular, projected future development of energy infrastructure is a representative example where application of planning, operation, and mitigation measures can enhance bird conservation

Coexistence in a multispecies assemblage of eagles in central Asia

Abstract. We evaluated factors that permit species coexistence in an exceptional assemblage of similar raptor species at the Naurzum Zapovednik (a national nature reserve) in north-central Kazakhstan. White-tailed Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla), Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), Golden Eagle (A. chrysaetos), and Steppe Eagle (A. nipalensis) all breed at the Zapovednik. Steppe Eagle use of nesting resources was distinct from that of tree-nesting species. We evaluated differences in nest tree and nest habitat characteristics, nest dimensions and positions, and nest spacing among the three forest-dwelling eagle species to distinguish between the effects of inter-and intraspecific resource limitations on species coexistence. Although the different species bred in similar habitat and sometimes reused other species' nests, the dimensions, positions and locations of their nests often differed. These differences did not appear to result from interspecific competition. Nest spacing trends were also species specific; Imperial Eagles generally nested farther from other eagle nests than did Golden Eagles and White-tailed Sea-Eagles. Intraspecific variation in habitat, physical characteristics, and spacing patterns of Imperial Eagle nests was extensive throughout the nature reserve. Although interspecific partitioning of nesting habitat may allow coexistence of ground-nesting Steppe Eagles, interspecific competition did not appear to be a primary determinant of the use of nest habitat, space, or nests by tree-nesting species. Rather, interspecific effects appeared secondary to intraspecific effects in determining coexistence of tree-nesting eagles at this site. Key words: Aquila chrysaetos, Aquila heliaca, Aquila nipalensis, habitat use, Haliaeetus albicilla, Kazakhstan, species coexistence. Coexistencia en una Asamblea Multiespecífica de Á guilas en Asia Central Resumen. Evaluamos los factores que permiten la coexistencia de varias especies de aves rapaces similares en Naurzum Zapovednik, una reserva natural nacional, en la región norcentral de Kazakhstan. Las águilas Haliaeetus albicilla, Aquila heliaca, A. chrysaetos y A. nipalensis se reproducen en Zapovednik. El uso de los recursos de nidificación por A. nipalensis fue diferente al de las otras especies, las cuales nidifican en árboles. Evaluamos las diferencias en los árboles y características de los hábitats de nidificación y las dimensiones, posición y distribución de los nidos entre las tres especies de águilas que habitan ambientes boscosos, para distinguir entre los efectos de limitación por recursos a nivel interespecífico e intraespecífico sobre la coexistencia de estas especies. A pesar de que las diferentes especies se reprodujeron en hábitats similares y a veces reutilizaron los nidos de otras especies, las dimensiones, posiciones y localizaciones de sus nidos difirieron a menudo. Estas diferencias no parecen ser un resultado de competencia interespecífica. Las tendencias de la distribución en el espacio de los nidos también fueron especie-específicas; Las águilas de la especie A. heliaca nidificaron generalmente más alejadas de nidos de las otras especies que las águilas H. albicilla y A. chrysaetos. La variación intraespecífica en el hábitat, características físicas y patrones de distribución de A. heliaca fue considerable a través de la reserva natural. A pesar de que la partición interespecífica del hábitat de nidificación podría permitir la coexistencia de la especie A. nipalensis (la cual nidifica sobre el suelo), la competencia interespecífica no pareció ser importante en determinar el uso del hábitat de nidificación, de los nidos o su distribución para las especies de águilas que nidifican en árboles. En cambio, los efectos interespecíficos parecieron ser secundarios con relación a los efectos intraespecífcos en determinar la coexistencia de las águilas que nidifican en árboles en este sitio

Use of noninvasive genetics to assess nest and space use by white-tailed eagles

Movement and space use are important components of animal interactions with the environment. However, for hard-to-monitor raptor species, there are substantial gaps in our understanding of these key determinants. We used noninvasive genetic tools to evaluate the details of space use over a 3-yr period by White-tailed Eagles (Haliaeetus albicilla) at the Naurzum Zapovednik in northern Kazakhstan. We genotyped, at 10 microsatellite markers and one mitochondrial marker, 859 eagle feathers and assigned naturally shed feathers to individuals. We identified 124 White-tailed Eagles, including both members of 5-10 pairs per year, and were able to monitor birds across years. Distances between eagle nests and hunting perches were always greater than nearest neighbor distances, eagles never used the closest available hunting perch, and hunting perches were always shared with other eagles. When eagles switched nests between years, the nests they chose were almost always well outside the space that theory predicted they defended the prior year. Our data are inconsistent with classical territorial and colonial models of resource use; they more closely resemble semi-colonial behavior. It is unlikely that standard methods of animal tracking (e.g., marking and telemetry), would have provided a similarly cost-effective mechanism to gain these insights into spatial and temporal aspects of eagle behavior. When combined with existing information on space use of other local species, these data suggest that partitioning of spatial resources among White-tailed Eagles and other eagles at the Zapovednik may be facilitated by the alternative strategies of space use they employ

The Estimation of the Potential for Using Smart-Trackers as a Part of a Medical Indoor-Positioning System

This research aims to estimate the feasibility of using smart-bracelets as a part of a medicine indoor-positioning system, to monitor the health status and location of patients in a hospital. The smart-bracelet takes on the role of a token of the system and can measure pulse, blood pressure and saturation and provide data transmission over the BLE. The distance between token and anchor was calculated by the RSSI. The position of a token and anchor relative to each other was determined by the trilateration method. The results of the research showed that the accuracy of the developed system in a static position is 1.46 m and exceeds 3 m in a dynamic position. Results of experiments showed that measurements from the smart bracelets are transmitted to the server of the system without distortion. The study results indicated that smart-bracelets could be used to locate patients inside a hospital or estimate their current health state. Given the low accuracy of systolic pressure measurement, it is recommended to develop an algorithm that will allow smooth measuring error for higher-precision estimation of the patient’s general health state. In addition, it is planned to improve the positioning algorithm

The Estimation of the Potential for Using Smart-Trackers as a Part of a Medical Indoor-Positioning System

This research aims to estimate the feasibility of using smart-bracelets as a part of a medicine indoor-positioning system, to monitor the health status and location of patients in a hospital. The smart-bracelet takes on the role of a token of the system and can measure pulse, blood pressure and saturation and provide data transmission over the BLE. The distance between token and anchor was calculated by the RSSI. The position of a token and anchor relative to each other was determined by the trilateration method. The results of the research showed that the accuracy of the developed system in a static position is 1.46 m and exceeds 3 m in a dynamic position. Results of experiments showed that measurements from the smart bracelets are transmitted to the server of the system without distortion. The study results indicated that smart-bracelets could be used to locate patients inside a hospital or estimate their current health state. Given the low accuracy of systolic pressure measurement, it is recommended to develop an algorithm that will allow smooth measuring error for higher-precision estimation of the patient’s general health state. In addition, it is planned to improve the positioning algorithm

Movements and landscape use of Eastern Imperial Eagles <i>Aquila heliaca</i> in Central Asia

<p><b>Capsule:</b> We describe ecological factors associated with movements of a globally declining raptor species, the Eastern Imperial Eagle <i>Aquila heliaca</i>.</p> <p><b>Aims:</b> To describe the movements, habitat associations and resource selection of Eastern Imperial Eagles marked in Central Asia.</p> <p><b>Methods:</b> We used global positioning system (GPS) data sent via satellite telemetry devices deployed on Eastern Imperial Eagles captured in Kazakhstan to calculate distances travelled and to associate habitat and weather variables with eagle locations collected throughout the annual cycle. We also used resource selection models to evaluate habitat use of tracked birds during autumn migration. Separately, we used wing-tagging recovery data to broaden our understanding of wintering locations of eagles.</p> <p><b>Results:</b> Eagles tagged in Kazakhstan wintered in most countries on the Arabian Peninsula, as well as Iran and India. The adult eagle we tracked travelled more efficiently than did the four pre-adults. During autumn migration, telemetered eagles used a mixture of vegetation types, but during winter and summer, they primarily used bare and sparsely vegetated areas. Finally, telemetered birds used orographic updrafts to subsidize their autumn migration flight, but they relied on thermal updrafts during spring migration.</p> <p><b>Conclusion:</b> Our study is the first to use GPS telemetry to describe year-round movements and habitat associations of Eastern Imperial Eagles in Central Asia. Our findings provide insight into the ecology of this vulnerable raptor species that can contribute to conservation efforts on its behalf.</p