Breeding biology of the Red Kite Milvus milvus in Corsica

The breeding biology of the Red Kite Milvus milvus is still little known in the southern part of its range (Mediterranean), despite recent conservation concerns and major declines in most insular populations (Sicily, Sardinia and Balearics). We report here on the breeding biology of the Red Kite in Corsica in 1996–99 and on recent population trends there. In a 42-km2 study area located in the northwest of the island (Balagne region), breeding density was locally high (1.17–1.78 breeding pairs/km2). Breeding dispersion ranged from loosely colonial to dispersed, with average nearest-neighbour distance of 444 ± 316 m (range 50–2000) (all data as means ± sd). Kites established breeding territories in January–February, and 92.4% of territorial pairs laid a clutch (n = 238). Laying took place between February and May (mean lay date: 27 March ± 16 days, n = 147). Clutch size averaged 2.44 ± 0.71 (1–5 eggs, n = 96), hatching success 66.9% and fledging success 78.6%. Productivity averaged 1.33 ± 0.88 young per breeding attempt (n = 221) and 1.65 ± 0.65 young per successful breeding attempt (n = 173). Overall breeding success was 51.4 ± 38.0% (n = 88). We describe the growth of young (wing, weight, tarsus and bill) and show a marked seasonal decline in clutch size and breeding performance, with pairs laying earlier producing larger clutches and being more successful than later breeding pairs. Unlike most other insular Mediterranean Red Kite populations that have recently declined, the breeding population in the northwest of Corsica, which accounts for c. 25% of the whole island population, increased from 25 to 35 pairs in 1989 to a maximum of 80–90 pairs in 1997. This increase was probably related to the lack of persecution and a local increase in abundance of Rabbits Oryctolagus cuniculus, following their introduction in the late 1970s, which provided an important feeding resource for Kites. Finally, we compare our results with those from other Red Kite populations studied in Europe. We found that there is a latitudinal gradient in laying date and productivity across Western Europe populations, but no evidence of an insular syndrome in the Corsican populatio

Quels sont les prédateurs responsables de l’accumulation de la faune des niveaux du Pléistocène supérieur de la grotte d’El Harhoura 2 (Témara, Maroc) ?

International audienceEl Harhoura 2 cave (Témara, Morocco) has yielded Aterian and Iberomaurusian lithic arti-facts associated with faunal remains. Both humans and carnivores occupied this cave and non-human predator modifications occurred mainly at the end of the Late Pleistocene. Diverse faunal taxa have been identified, with a predominance of gazelles and various car-nivores, particularly canids. The location of the cave and of the excavation area, at the bottom of a cliff of low elevation and in the entrance of the cave, does not correspond to a protected area for large raptor nests or a natural trap. Considering the consumed species, the type of carnivore remains, the skeletal representation of prey, taphonomic alterations such as tooth marks, semi-digested bones and destruction sequences, large canids would be the main cause for faunal modifications. However, North African fossil data attributed to hyena activities present similar results. This paper highlights the difficulty of discriminating between potential accumulators/consumers due to a lack of taphonomic reference data. This study thus demonstrates the necessity of compiling fossil records and neotaphonomic reference data for North African medium-large predators in order to better understand the taphonomic history of North African archaeological and paleontological sites.La grotte d’El Harhoura 2 (Témara, Maroc) a livré des industries lithiques attribuées à l’Atérien et à l’Ibéromaurusien, associées à des restes de faune. Les Hommes et les carnivores ont occupé la cavité, mais les modifications dues aux prédateurs non humains sont présentes principalement à la fin de la séquence du Pléistocène terminal. De nombreux taxons ont été identifiés, avec une prédominance des gazelles et une variété de carnivores, particulièrement des canidés. La localisation de la grotte et de la zone de fouille, à la base d’une falaise de faible élévation et en porche de grotte, ne correspond, ni à une zone protégée privilégiée par les rapaces de grande taille pour nicher, ni à un piège naturel. En considérant les proies, les altérations taphonomiques comme les traces de dents, les restes semi-digérés et les séquences de destruction, nous émettons l’hypothèse que les grands canidés pourraient être les principaux responsables des modifications. Cependant, des assemblages nord-africains similaires sont attribués à l’activité de l’hyène. Cet article met en évidence les difficultés de discrimination des différents prédateurs accumulateurs/consommateurs du fait de lacunes de référentiels. Il montre également la nécessité de compiler les données issues des enregistrements fossiles et de référentiels néo-taphonomiques sur les prédateurs de moyenne à grande taille en Afrique du Nord, afin d’améliorer notre perception de l’histoire taphonomique des assemblages archéologiques et paléontologiques de cette région