Predefinitive Plumage in the Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos): A Signal of Aggression or Submission?

acceptedVersio

Distribution and patterns of spread of recolonising Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber Linnaeus 1758) in fragmented habitat, Agdenes peninsula, Norway

The Agdenes peninsula, Sør-Trøndelag, Norway, 1060km2, is a heavily dissected mountainous landscape with numerous small watersheds, of mainly steep gradient, flowing separately into the sea or to fjords. Suitable habitat for permanent beaver occupation occurs mainly as isolated patches within these watersheds. Eurasian beavers were directly reintroduced to the area in 1926 and 1928. The last known individual of this population died in 1961. In 1968-69 2 pairs and a young animal were reintroduced on the Ingdalselva watershed. The current population is descended from these animals, and probably from the later 1990s by immigrants from the adjacent Orkla river system. In 2010-11 the area was surveyed and 24 beaver family group home ranges located, 20 of which were currently active and 4 abandoned; the population size was estimated at about 80 individuals within family territories plus in any year a number of dispersing individuals. Eighteen of the active territories were located on just four watersheds, Ingdalselva and three immediately adjacent to it. The remaining two territories were isolated on different watersheds distant from any other known group, requiring multiple crossings between watersheds and/or considerable movements through salt water to reach from them. Signs of vagrant individuals were found widely, including on a number of watersheds not occupied by any family group, though containing suitable habitat for permanent colonisation. Known data on the date of establishment of each family group is given, and the pattern of recolonisation to date discussed. An isolated population of beavers on a section of the Orkla river system, first noted in 1933, has been attributed to spread from the first study area reintroductions. However, there are grounds to suspect that this population may have had a different origin. Genetic studies would be useful to elucidate this point. beaver, Castor fiber, distribution, reintroduction, dispersal, Agdenes, Sør-Trøndelag, NorwayDistribution and patterns of spread of recolonising Eurasian beavers (Castor fiber Linnaeus 1758) in fragmented habitat, Agdenes peninsula, NorwaypublishedVersio

Managing small populations—using genetic data and trial translocations to help inform suitable conservation measures for the alpine blue-sowthistle (Cicerbita alpina) in Scotland

Habitat fragmentation is causing an increasing amount of species loss around the world and creates problems at the population level. Many species are left as only small and isolated populations, which are vulnerable to genetic erosion and inbreeding depression. Here we present a study on the alpine blue-sowthistle (Cicerbita alpina). Due to intensive grazing the species is very rare in Scotland, where it occurs at only four small, montane sites, has never been reported to reproduce and is in need of conservation interventions. As the species can grow clonally it is unknown how many individuals remain and whether populations are affected by genetic isolation. We (1) quantified genetic diversity, inbreeding and between-population differentiation in Scotland and Norway using 15 microsatellite loci, and (2) experimentally translocated plants to new sites. Genetic diversity in Scotland was low (HE: 0.35; Allelic Richness: 1.84; 4 sites) compared to Norway (HE: 0.52; Allelic Richness: 2.56; 5 sites). The transplants were able to grow at new sites and are therefore not restricted to steep, montane ledges. While grazing is likely to be the main factor preventing range expansion, long-term genetic isolation has possibly further lowered population viability. To avoid local extinction of this species, conservation translocations and genetic rescue might be appropriate conservation interventions, but this needs to be further tested in a controlled environment and away from wild sites to avoid potential risks of outbreeding depression. conservation genetics, translocations, gene flow, microsatellites, grazing, Scotland, AsteraceaepublishedVersio

Antiparasite treatments reduce humoral immunity and impact oxidative status in raptor nestlings

Parasites are natural stressors that may have multiple negative effects on their host as they usurp energy and nutrients and may lead to costly immune responses that may cause oxidative stress. At early stages, animals may be more sensitive to infectious organisms because of their rapid growth and partly immature immune system. The objective of this study was to explore effects of parasites by treating chicks of two raptor species (northern goshawk Accipiter gentilis and white-tailed sea eagle Haliaeetus albicilla) against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). Nests were either treated against ectoparasites by spraying with pyrethrin or left unsprayed as control nests. Within each nest, chicks were randomly orally treated with either an antihelminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water as control treatment. We investigated treatment effects on plasma (1) total antioxidant capacity TAC (an index of nonenzymatic circulating antioxidant defenses), (2) total oxidant status TOS (a measure of plasmatic oxidants), and (3) immunoglobulin levels (a measure of humoral immune function). Treatment against ectoparasites led to a reduction in circulating immunoglobulin plasma levels in male chicks. TOS was higher when not receiving any parasite reduction treatment and when receiving both endo- and ectoparasitic reduction treatment compared with receiving only one treatment. TAC was higher in all treatment groups, when compared to controls. Despite the relatively low sample size, this experimental study suggests complex but similar relationships between treatment groups and oxidative status and immunoglobulin levels in two raptor species

Anti-parasite treatment and blood biochemistry in raptor nestlings

Author's accepted version (postprint).We investigated the effects of parasite removal on various blood clinical–chemical variables (BCCVs). BCCVs are indicators of health, reflecting, e.g., homeostasis of liver, kidney function, and bone metabolism. The study was conducted in Norway on chicks of two predatory birds: White-tailed Eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla (L., 1758)) and Northern Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis (L., 1758)). Chicks were treated against both endoparasites (internal parasites) and ectoparasites (external parasites). We treated against ectoparasites by spraying nests with pyrethrins. Within nests, chicks were randomly treated with either an antihelminthic medication (fenbendazole) or sterile water (controls). Treatment against either ectoparasites or endoparasites led to higher levels of the bone and liver enzyme alkaline phosphatase. Bilirubin levels were lower when treated against ectoparasites, whereas bile acids were higher. Anti-endoparasite treatment led to higher creatinine levels. In Northern Goshawks, treating against endoparasites led to higher urea levels and lower potassium levels. Treatment against ectoparasites increased uric acid and urea levels and reduced bilirubin levels and protein:creatinine ratios. In conclusion, anti-parasite treatments led to changes in several BCCVs, suggesting differences in nutrient absorption and physiological state of chicks that are possibly related to the costs of parasitism, but maybe also to the parasite treatment itself.acceptedVersio

PERANAN PELUKIS ADE MOELYANA DALAM MENGEMBANGKAN SENI LUKIS DARI LIMBAH PELEPAH PISANG DI CIMAHI: (Kajian historis dari tahun 1969-2010)

Skripsi ini berjudul “Peranan Pelukis Ade Moelyana Dalam Mengembangkan Seni Lukis Pelepah Pisang di Cimahi Kajian Historis Tahun 1969-2010”. Permasalahan pokok yang dikaji dalam skripsi ini adalah bagaimana perkembangan seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang di Cimahi dari tahun 1969-2010 dan keterkaitannya dengan potensi ekonomi dari seni lukis pelepah pisang yang terabaikan. Metode yang digunakan adalah metode historis yang melalui empat tahap yaitu pengumpulan sumber lisan maupun sumber tertulis, kritik, interpretasi, dan historiografi. Untuk memperdalam analisis, penulis menggunakan pendekatan interdisipliner melalui kajian ilmu sosial dan ilmu ekonomi dengan memakai konsep-konsep seperti interaksi sosial, distribusi, ekonomi kreatif, kewirausahaan, dll. Teknik penelitian yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah dengan menggunakan teknik wawancara. Hal ini dilakukan karena terbatasnya sumber tertulis yang mengkaji secara langsung mengenai permasalahan di atas. Berdasarkan hasil temuan di lapangan, seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang ini telah ada sejak tahun 1969. Seni lukis ini merupakan seni lukis yang unik karena menggunakan limbah dari pelepah pisang. Pada awal perkembangannya seni lukis ini tidak serta merta dapat diterima oleh masyarakat sekitar, dan barulah pada tahun 2002 seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang ini mengalami puncak perkembangan. Pasalnya seni lukis ini tidak hanya dipasarkan di Cimahi saja, melainkan sampai ke mancanegara. Seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang ini dapat dijadikan sebagai sektor ekonomi kreatif dan dapat dijadikan sebagai lahan lapangan pekerjaan. Banyak upaya yang dilakukan oleh pelukis untuk mengembangkan seni lukis dari limbah pelepah pisang, selain itu pula pemerintah turut serta dalam mengembangkan seni lukis pelepah pisang. Kata kunci : Seni Lukis Pelepah Pisang, Ekonomi Kreatif, Pemasaran This skripsi titled Ade Moelyama role in developing the art painting of wasted banana leaves in Cimahi of historical studies from 1969 to 2010. The main issue studied in this skripsi was “How Development Art Painting of Wasted Banana Leaves in Cimahi from 1969 to 2010 and linkages with economic potential of art painting of banana leaves neglected. The method used is the historical method through four phases of heuristics, criticism, interpretation and historiography. To deepen the analysis, the author use the approach interdisciplinary through the study of social and economic by using concepts such as social interaction, distribution, creative economy, entrepreneurship, and other. A research technique used in this research is to use interview techniques. This is done because of the limited resources that examines written directly on the above problems. Based on the research results, the art painting of wasted banana leaves has existed since 1969. This painting is a painting that is unique because it uses waste form banan leaves. In the early development of art is not necessarily acceptable to the local community, and then in 2002 the art painting of wasted banana leaves is experiencing the peak development. This is because not only do marketing painting around Cimahi but abroad as well. Painting of wasted banana stalks can be used as a creative economic sector and creates jobs. Lack of awareness of the various parties to make this painting became dormant. Many attempts were made by the painter to develop the art of waste banana leaves, in addition the goverment also participated in the development the art of painting banana leaves. Keywords : Art Painting of Banana Leaves, Creative Economy, Marketin

Stable isotope values of carbon and nitrogen in Norwegian brown bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine tissue and their significance for understanding diets

Halley, D.J. 2017. Stable isotope values of carbon and nitrogen in Norwegian brown bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine tissue and their significance for understanding diets - NINA Report 1341. 41 pp. Analysis of stable isotope values of carbon and nitrogen in body tissues of a consumer allow inferences to be drawn about the dietary sources of the tissues (ie, the foods) from which that body tissue was made. Muscle tissue of the four large mammalian predators found in Norway – brown bear, lynx, wolverine, and wolf – was analysed and compared with the isotope values of plants and animals in the Norwegian terrestrial food chain. This method cannot distinguish between the proportion of food consumed that was taken directly as live prey or indirectly by scavenging. Mean values for each predator species were similar. As a result, they did not allow inferences to be made between species about the relative balance of food sources in their diets. This was because the differences between the four species were well within the known inter-species variation in systematic change in isotope ratios caused by digestive processes (‘dietary fractionation’). The overall values of all species were in the ranges expected for animals consuming a diet dom-inated by the food chain from plants (ie, not lichens), through wild mammal herbivores excluding wild and semi-domestic reindeer. Reindeer have very distinctive isotope profiles, mainly because they eat much lichen, which is isotopically distinct from plant species. Values are not compatible with reindeer tissue being a major source of the assimilated diet of any of the species; though they may have been a significant subsidiary source for some individual wolverines in wild reindeer areas of south Norway, and some individual lynx living in semi-domestic reindeer areas. For wolverine especially this result is at variance with dietary studies using other methods such as scat analysis, and suggest that those methods may overestimate the significance of reindeer in wolverine diets. Further research would be useful to clarify this issue. Sheep isotope values are closely similar to those of the large predators themselves. This appears to be an effect of the high values for carbon and nitrogen in marine protein. Marine protein is an element in the artificial feeds sheep consume in winter in Norway. The result is that the proportion of sheep in the diet in Norway is very difficult to interpret using this method. However, if sheep were a very large proportion of the diet, predator stable isotope values would be expected to be even higher than they were observed to be. In brown bears, no significant differences in isotope values between males and females; or between bears in areas with semi-domestic reindeer and without, were found; indicating that by this method there was no evidence of variation in diet between these groups. In lynx, female lynx in areas without semi-domestic reindeer had stable isotope values that distinguished them from other groups; indicating a significantly different balance of diet from those other groups. The nature of this difference was unclear. In wolverine, carbon isotope values differed significantly between males and females, and between areas with semi-domestic reindeer and other areas; indicating relative dietary differences between males and females; and between areas with domestic reindeer and those without. However, this was within an assimilated diet dominated by wild mammalian herbivores excluding reindeer. In wolves, only one sample was available from areas with semi-domestic reindeer. In areas with no semi-domestic reindeer, there was no significant difference between sexes in stable isotope values. Values were consistent with an assimilated diet dominated by wild mammalian herbivores excluding reindeer; and reindeer could not have been a significant element. The proportion of sheep in the assimilated diet was hard to interpret, but could not have been dominant.Halley, D.J. 2017. Stable isotope values of carbon and nitrogen in Norwegian brown bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine tissue and their significance for understanding diets - NINA Rapport 1341. 41 s. Ved å analysere stabil-isotopverdier av karbon og nitrogen fra kroppsvev hos dyr kan man trekke sluttinninger om hvilke kilder (i form av mat) kroppsvevet har. «I denne studien ble» muskelvev fra Norges fire store rovdyr: brunbjørn, gaupe, jerv, og ulv, analysert og sammenlignet med verdiene hos planter, lav og andre dyr i den norske terrestriske næringskjeden. Metodikken kan ikke skille mellom føde som kommer fra levende byttedyr og fra åtsel. Resultatene viser at rovdyrartene har ganske like gjennomsnittsverdier, så like at de ikke tillater å trekke slutninger om den relative balansen av fødekilden mellom artene. Dette er fordi forskjellene mellom de fire artene er godt innenfor kjent variasjon mellom arter i systematiske endringer i isotopverdier forårsaket av fordøyelsesprosesser (‘fordøyselsesfraksjonering’). Oppsummert plasserer verdiene til artene seg innenfor spekteret som er forventet for dyr som spiser en diett dominert av planteetende pattedyr (unntatt rein) som igjen spiser planter (dvs, ikke lav). Rein har veldige bestemte isotopprofiler som skiller seg fra andre pattedyr. Dette er hovedsakelig på grunn av at de spiser mye lav, som har karbonverdier som er veldig annerledes enn planter. Verdiene som ble funnet hos alle de fire artene stemmer for arten som helhet ikke overens med at reinsvev utgjør en vesentlig andel av den fordøyde dietten. Rein kan ha vært en signifikant bi-ressurs for noen individer av jerv i villreinområder i Sør-Norge, og for noen individer av gaupe som lever i områder med tamrein. For jerv spesielt er resultatene ikke i samsvar med diettundersøkelser som bruker andre meto-der, som f.eks. avforingsanalyse. Det antyder at metodikkene muligens overestimerer andelen av rein i jervens diett. Det er en fordel med videre forskning for å få klarhet i dette. Isotopverdier som måles fra sau ligner veldig på isotopverdiene som måles fra de fire store rovdyrene. Dette synes å være forårsaket av veldig høye verdier av karbon og nitrogen i marint protein, som er en viktig bestanddel i kraftforet som sau fores med om vinteren i Norge. Resultatet er at andelen sau (i rovdyrdietten) er svært vanskelig å tolke ved bruk av metodikken. Likevel, dersom sau utgjorde en veldig stor andel av dietten, ville stabil-isotopverdier hos rovdyrene forventes å være enda høyere enn de som ble funnet. Hos brunbjørn ble det ikke funnet betydelig statistiske forskjeller i isotopverdier mellom hanner og hunner, eller mellom områder med tamrein og uten tamrein. Dette indikerer at det mangler bevis for variasjon i dietten mellom gruppene med bruk av stabil-isotopteknikken. Hos gaupe hadde hunner i områder uten tamrein stabil-isotopverdier som skilte de statistisk fra alle andre gruppene (hunner i områder med tamrein, samt hanner i både tamrein og ikke-tamreinområder). Dette indikerer en statistisk betydelig forskjell i balansen mellom diettkilder i denne gruppen i forhold til de andre gruppene. Årsaken til forskjellen er uklar. I områder med tamrein, men der rådyr er sjelden eller ikke funnet, var verdiene forenelig med en større, men ikke dominerende andel rein i dietten. Hos jerv ble det funnet en statistisk betydelig forskjell i karbon-isotopverdier mellom hanner og hunner, og mellom områder med tamrein og områder uten. Likevel var den assimilerte dietten dominert, bortsett fra noen få individer, av ville planteetende pattedyr unntatt rein. Hos ulv var det en bare en prøve fra tamreinområder tilgjengelig. I områder uten tamrein var det ikke noen statistisk betydelig forskjell mellom kjønnene i stabil-isotopverdier. Verdiene var i overenstemmelse med en assimilert diett dominert av ville planteetende pattedyr, unntatt rein. Resultatene viste at det ikke var mulig at rein utgjorde en betydelig andel av dietten. Andelen sau er vanskelig å tolke, men kan ikke ha vært dominerende

Breeding and overland flight of red-throated divers Gavia stellata at Smøla, Norway, in relation to the Smøla wind farm

Halley, D.J. & Hopshaug, P. 2007. Breeding and overland flight of red-throated divers Gavia stellata at Smøla, Norway, in relation to the Smøla wind farm. – NINA Report 297. 26 pp. This report surveys the distribution and breeding success of red-throated divers Gavia stellata on the island of Smøla, Norway in the breeding seasons 1999-2004 inclusive, and 2007. Dur-ing this period, a large windfarm was constructed in the northwestern portion of the island in two stages. Stage 1, 20 2MW turbines, was constructed between September 2001 and Sep-tember 2002; stage 2, 48 2.3MW turbines, between October 2003 and October 2005. A total of twenty three breeding sites were found, up to twenty of which were used in any given year, though more typically 10-13 pairs would breed each year. Overall fledging success was 0.42 chicks/pair/year, similar to other coastal breeding populations. Whole-island breeding suc-cess in 2007, the first post-construction year for which we have data, was 0.15 chicks/pair; however, strong fluctuations in breeding success between years are normal in this species and it seems unlikely that the windfarm was a factor in this result as all breeding sites in 2007 were some distance away. Three red-throated diver breeding locations were noted within the windfarm area prior to con-struction, none of which have been used in years following construction of the stage in which each breeding site lies. It is unclear if this is due to the presence of the wind turbines in them-selves, increased disturbance due to easier human access to the area, and/or lingering effects of the extreme disturbance concomitant with construction. Although 46 hours and 20 minutes of structured observations were made within the windfarm area, and many more of unstructured observations by all scientists working in the windfarm area throughout the breeding season, not a single red-throated diver was observed to fly through the windfarm area, suggesting strong avoidance. At least four pairs breed in central areas of the island where the coast on the far side of the turbine arrays is, albeit by a small margin, the closest potential feeding habitat. The turbine arrays were checked regularly using a specially trained dog for birdstrike casual-ties. Although many such birds were found, mainly sea eagles Haliaeetus albicilla, grouse Lagopus lagopus, and waders, no red-throated diver corpses were recovered. Taken with the lack of observations of red-throated divers breeding in, or flying through, the windfarm area, this suggests that the risk of direct mortality from collisions at this location is very low. Further monitoring may include surveys early in the breeding season to determine if red-throated divers visit the wind farm area at that time, and so might resume breeding now that the construction phase and attendant disturbance is at an end; and focussed observations of the direction of feeding flights to and from the breeding sites on the central mire of the island, to determine whether these birds are simply preferring other feeding areas to those on the coast off the wind farm, or actively avoiding flight directions which would take them through the turbine arrays. Smøla; red-throated diver, Gavia stellata, windfarm, wind turbines, distribution, breeding, flight, population, Smøla, smålom, Gavia stellata, vindkraft, distribusjon, hekkebiologi, fluktadferd, bestan

The reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle to Ireland. Project report 2009

Nygård, T., Halley, D., & Mee, A. 2010 The reintroduction of the white-tailed eagle to Ireland. Project report 2009 - NINA Report 583. 30 pp. A programme to reintroduce the white tailed eagle Haliaeetus albicilla to Ireland, where the spe-cies became extinct in the early 20th century, commenced in 2005. The work is managed in Ireland by the Golden Eagle Trust; in Norway collection activities are organised by NINA and the Norwegian Ornithological Society with the assistance of a team of expert volunteers. The first young birds were collected in Trøndelag, Norway and released in Kerry, Ireland in 2007. Here we report on progress so far, including collection activities in 2009, the third of five planned years of collection and release of young white-tailed eagles. Active nests were located in April-May and young birds collected from nests 15th-25th June (always leaving at least one chick in the nest). The 55 birds exported 2007-2009 were checked by a veterinarian, weighed and measured, and ringed the day before being flown directly to Kerry by charter aircraft in the end of June. Release from holding cages in Kerry National Park was done in early August – early September. Birds have been regularly monitored thereafter, individual recognition made possible with wing-tags and VHF or GPS transmitters. Survival in Ireland has been good, 9 of 15 birds released in 2007, 18 out of 20 released in 2008, and 19 of 20 birds released in 2009 being known or assumed alive as of January 2010 (46 of 55 total). Survival rate for the first year is on average 0.85, and for later years 0.90. These rates are similar to wild populations in Norway and other countries, and higher than in the earlier and successful Scottish west coast reintroduction. The survival rate would have been excellent (higher than any known wild population) but for illegal poisoning (5 cases) and to a lesser extent shooting (1), certainly the cause of death in 6 of the 9 casualties. Illegal killing was also the probable cause of death in a 7th (where the transmitter was recovered in a river, having been removed from the bird), and possibly in the two remaining cases where the cause of death was undeterminable. Poisoning is clearly the main threat to reintroduced white-tailed eagles, as for other raptors, in Ireland. Poisoning of meat under regulations which should make killing of raptors impossible, but which are evidently often ignored, is still permitted though illegal almost everywhere else in Europe. Since non-meat baits are effective for this purpose we strongly recommend the banning of all meat baits in Ireland for conservation and animal welfare reasons. The project is planned to continue in 2010 and 2011, when a total of 95 birds will have been re-leased to the wild in Ireland during the course of the project. KEY WORDS : White-tailed eagle, reintroduction, Norway, Ireland, survival, mortality, havørn, gjeninnføring, Norge, Irland, overlevelse, dødelighe

Population and distribution of beavers Castor fiber and Castor canadensis in Eurasia

1. A century ago, overhunting had reduced Eurasian beaver Castor fiber populations to c. 1200 animals in scattered refugia from France to Mongolia. Reintroductions and natural spread have since restored the species to large areas of its original range. Population has more than tripled since the first modern estimate in 1998; the minimum estimate is now c. 1.5 million. 2. Range expansion 2000–2020 has been rapid, with large extensions in western and south-central Europe, southern Russia, and west and central Siberia. Beavers are now re-established in all countries of their former European range except for Portugal, Italy, and the southern Balkans; they occur broadly across Siberia to Mongolia, with scattered populations father east. About half of the world population lives in Russia. Populations appear to be mature in much of European Russia, Belarus, the Baltic States, and Poland. 3. There is a significant population of North American beaver Castor canadensis in Finland and north-west Russia. Most other 20th-Century introductions of this species have become extinct or been removed. 4. Recent DNA studies have improved understanding of Castor fiber population prehistory and history. Two clades, east and west, are extant; a third ‘Danube’ clade is extinct. Refugial populations were strongly bottlenecked, with loss of genetic diversity through genetic drift. 5. Future range extension, and large increases in populations and in impacts on freshwater systems, can be expected. Beavers are now recolonising densely populated, intensely modified, low-relief regions, such as England, the Netherlands, Belgium, and north-west Germany. They will become much more common and widespread there in coming decades. As beavers are ecosystem engineers with profound effects on riparian habitats, attention to integrating beaver management into these landscapes using experience gained in other areas – before the rapid increase in population densities and impacts occurs – is recommended. beaver, Castor fiber, Castor canadensis, distribution, Eurasia, population, reintroductionpublishedVersio