Influence of hatching order and brood size on growth in jackass penguins

Jackass penguins Spheniscus demersus hatch two different-sized eggs asynchronously: the second-hatched chick, being, on average, 59% of the weight of the first-hatched chick on hatching. We examined the effect of hatching order on growth rates of mass, culmen length and culmen depth by comparing: (i) growth rates of first-and second-hatched chicks, and (ii) chicks from experimentally synchronized broods to chicks from normal asynchronous broods. Only growth rates in mass showed significant variation. Within a brood, B chicks grew more slowly than A chicks. The effect of synchronizing a brood was to lower the growth rate of both chicks to that of a B chick, suggesting that equal-sized siblings feed less efficiently. Chicks hatching from larger A eggs, that had been synchronized for age and size with chiçks from B eggs, did not grow faster, indicating that chicks hatching from A and B eggs do not have intrinsically different growth rates. Single-chick nests result usually from egg infertility. Singletons showed only a non-significant trend towards faster growth in mass than offspring in two-chick broods, even though food availability in one-chick nests should be better than in two-chick nests. Overall, hatching order had more impact on growth rates of mass than did brood size or egg dimensions

High definition video loggers provide new insights into behaviour, physiology, and the oceanic habitat of a marine predator, the yellow-eyed penguin

Camera loggers are increasingly used to examine behavioural aspects of free-ranging animals. However, often video loggers are deployed with a focus on specific behavioural traits utilizing small cameras with a limited field of view, poor light performance and video quality. Yet rapid developments in consumer electronics provide new devices with much improved visual data allowing a wider scope for studies employing this novel methodology. We developed a camera logger that records full HD video through a wide-angle lens, providing high resolution footage with a greater field of view than other camera loggers. The main goal was to assess the suitability of this type of camera for the analysis of various aspects of the foraging ecology of a marine predator, the yellow-eyed penguin in New Zealand. Frame-by-frame analysis allowed accurate timing of prey pursuits and time spent over certain seafloor types. The recorded video footage showed that prey species were associated with certain seafloor types, revealed different predator evasion strategies by benthic fishes, and highlighted varying energetic consequences for penguins pursuing certain types of prey. Other aspects that could be analysed were the timing of breathing intervals between dives and observe exhalation events during prey pursuits, a previously undescribed behaviour. Screen overlays facilitated analysis of flipper angles and beat frequencies throughout various stages of the dive cycle. Flipper movement analysis confirmed decreasing effort during descent phases as the bird gained depth, and that ascent was principally passive. Breathing episodes between dives were short (<1 s) while the majority of the time was devoted to subsurface scanning with a submerged head. Video data recorded on free-ranging animals not only provide a wealth of information recorded from a single deployment but also necessitate new approaches with regards to analysis of visual data. Here, we demonstrate the diversity of information that can be gleaned from video logger data, if devices with high video resolution and wide field of view are utilized

Community Attitudes and Practices of Urban Residents Regarding Predation by Pet Cats on Wildlife: An International Comparison

International differences in practices and attitudes regarding pet cats\u27 interactions with wildlife were assessed by surveying citizens from at least two cities in Australia, New Zealand, the UK, the USA, China and Japan. Predictions tested were: (i) cat owners would agree less than non-cat owners that cats might threaten wildlife, (ii) cat owners value wildlife less than non-cat owners, (iii) cat owners are less accepting of cat legislation/restrictions than non-owners, and (iv) respondents from regions with high endemic biodiversity (Australia, New Zealand, China and the USA state of Hawaii) would be most concerned about pet cats threatening wildlife. Everywhere non-owners were more likely than owners to agree that pet cats killing wildlife were a problem in cities, towns and rural areas. Agreement amongst nonowners was highest in Australia (95%) and New Zealand (78%) and lowest in the UK (38%). Irrespective of ownership, over 85% of respondents from all countries except China (65%) valued wildlife in cities, towns and rural areas. Non-owners advocated cat legislation more strongly than owners except in Japan. Australian non-owners were the most supportive (88%), followed by Chinese non-owners (80%) and Japanese owners (79.5%). The UK was least supportive (non-owners 43%, owners 25%). Many Australian (62%), New Zealand (51%) and Chinese owners (42%) agreed that pet cats killing wildlife in cities, towns and rural areas was a problem, while Hawaiian owners were similar to the mainland USA (20%). Thus high endemic biodiversity might contribute to attitudes in some, but not all, countries. Husbandry practices varied internationally, with predation highest where fewer cats were confined. Although the risk of wildlife population declines caused by pet cats justifies precautionary action, campaigns based on wildlife protection are unlikely to succeed outside Australia or New Zealand. Restrictions on roaming protect wildlife and benefit cat welfare, so welfare is a better rationale

A Science-Based Policy for Managing Free-Roaming Cats

Free-roaming domestic cats (i.e., cats that are owned or unowned and are considered ‘at large’) are globally distributed non-native species that have marked impacts on biodiversity and human health. Despite clear scientific evidence of these impacts, free-roaming cats are either unmanaged or managed using scientifically unsupported and ineffective approaches (e.g., trap-neuter-release [TNR]) in many jurisdictions around the world. A critical first initiative for effective, science-driven management of cats must be broader political and legislative recognition of free-roaming cats as a non-native, invasive species. Designating cats as invasive is important for developing and implementing science-based management plans, which should include efforts to prevent cats from becoming free-roaming, policies focused on responsible pet ownership and banning outdoor cat feeding, and better enforcement of existing laws. Using a science-based approach is necessary for responding effectively to the politically charged and increasingly urgent issue of managing free-roaming cat populations

Nature-Based Interventions for Improving Health and Wellbeing : The Purpose, the People and the Outcomes

Engagement with nature is an important part of many people's lives, and the health and wellbeing benefits of nature-based activities are becoming increasingly recognised across disciplines from city planning to medicine. Despite this, urbanisation, challenges of modern life and environmental degradation are leading to a reduction in both the quantity and the quality of nature experiences. Nature-based health interventions (NBIs) can facilitate behavioural change through a somewhat structured promotion of nature-based experiences and, in doing so, promote improved physical, mental and social health and wellbeing. We conducted a Delphi expert elicitation process with 19 experts from seven countries (all named authors on this paper) to identify the different forms that such interventions take, the potential health outcomes and the target beneficiaries. In total, 27 NBIs were identified, aiming to prevent illness, promote wellbeing and treat specific physical, mental or social health and wellbeing conditions. These interventions were broadly categorized into those that change the environment in which people live, work, learn, recreate or heal (for example, the provision of gardens in hospitals or parks in cities) and those that change behaviour (for example, engaging people through organized programmes or other activities). We also noted the range of factors (such as socioeconomic variation) that will inevitably influence the extent to which these interventions succeed. We conclude with a call for research to identify the drivers influencing the effectiveness of NBIs in enhancing health and wellbeing.Peer reviewe

Stomach Sampling in the Yellow-Eyed Penguin: Erosion of Otoliths and Squid Beaks

Experimental feeding of Yellow-eyed Penguins (Megadyptes antipodes) with meals containing cephalopod beak pairs and otoliths of known weight, and subsequent flushing of stomachs at 2-48 h intervals after feeding, were carried out to determine the rate of digestion of beaks and otoliths. Otoliths and beaks were placed in HCl to observe changes. All otoliths were totally digested after 24 h in penguin stomachs, disappearance rate was inversely related to size of the otolith. After 24 h squid beaks showed increasing signs of wear, the extent of which was dependent on the presence or absence of small stones in the stomach. Experiments showed that HCl only causes otolith erosion at pH 1.5; erosion rate was twice as slow as in the stomachs. Acid had no effect on squid beaks after 78 h immersion. /// Se llevó a cabo alimentación experimental de pingüinos (Megadyptes antipodes) con comida previamente pesada que contenía otolitos y picos de cefalópodos, para determinar la velocidad de digestión de picos, y de picos-y-otolitos. Para determinar la velocidad de digestión se lavó el estómago de las aves utilizando la técnica de Wilson (1984) a intervalos de 2-48 h, una vez los pingüinos eran alimentados. Otolitos y picos fueron también colocados en HCl para observar cambios en estos. Los otolitos fueron totalmente digeridos luego de pasar 24 h en el estómago de los pingüinos. La velocidad de desaparición fue inversamente proporcional al tamaño del otolito. Después de 24 h los picos de los calamares mostraban signos de desgaste; la extención del desgaste estuvo relacionado con la presencia o ausencia de gúijaros en el estómago de los pingüinos. Los experimentos in vitro demostraron que el HCl solo causa erosión de los otolitos a un pH de 1.5; la velocidad de erosión resultó ser dos veces más lenta que en el estómago de los pingüinos. Los picos de calamares no se afectaron después de estar sumergidos por 78 h en ácido

Technological inroads into understanding city children's natural life-worlds

Maps and mapping are integral elements in the methodological toolbox used by children's geographers studying children's environmental relationships. The advent of new technologies, particularly computer-mapping software, offers immense potential for enhancing understanding and representation of children's everyday spatial relationships. Computerised mapping tools appeal to children and offer new and exciting applications where children can directly demonstrate their ecological knowledge providing evidence that can be used to challenge commonly held notions that city children are disconnected from nature. This paper explores the development of a computer-mapping interface, combining aerial photos and GIS. We argue that the appropriate application of child-oriented methods allows children to demonstrate carefully, meaningfully and effectively their knowledge of nature as it occurs at the micro-scale in their neighbourhoods and in their lives

City children’s nature knowledge and contact: it is not just about biodiversity provision

Much attention has been directed at the perceived decline in city children’s contact with nature. We used a child-centric approach to assess neighborhood nature knowledge in 187 children aged 9 to 11 years, from different socioeconomic and ethnic groups in three New Zealand cities. We evaluated the relative importance of social (independence, gender, social connections, deprivation, age) and environmental factors (biodiversity) in explaining variation in knowledge at a scale relevant to each child’s independent movements. Our biodiversity evaluation reflected the natural dimensions of the habitats where children interacted with nature. Generalized linear modeling identified ethnicity as having the strongest association with nature knowledge. Within each ethnic group, social factors were most important (independence, social connections, deprivation) except for Pākehā/NZ European children, where local biodiversity was most important. Enhancing biodiversity values of private green spaces (yards) would be effective in facilitating opportunities to experience nature, which is fundamental to supporting nature contact

Ontogeny of Behavior of Hand-reared and Hen-reared Captive Houbara Bustards

The ontogeny of behavior of hand-reared and hen-reared captive houbara bustards (Chlamydotis undulata) was recorded between hatching and fledging and compared to determine ways to improve the behavioral and physiological health of individuals destined for release into the wild. Chicks from both groups were able to walk and run on the first day after hatching, although they were least active during the first 5 days. Thereafter, time spent prone with the head down, in a half-crouch position (resting on the tarsi) or being brooded during the day (in the case of hen-reared chicks), decreased quickly, and time spent walking and standing increased. Pecking and some preening and comfort behaviors were expressed from the first day in both groups, but increased after ~15 days. Simple threat displays were first expressed at 6 days in both groups, but developed into more complete displays with age. The only differences found between the two rearing techniques were in time spent walking and in the half-crouch position: hen-reared chicks spent more time walking and less time in a half-crouch position than hand-reared chicks, because the hen stimulates the chicks to move. Lack of exercise during growth may result in poor development of locomotive structures, which may compromise the survival of chicks destined to be released to the wild. However, hand-reared juveniles were equally likely to survive as hen-reared juveniles after being released, suggesting that hen-rearing by captivebred birds in a confined and artificial environment did not confer appreciable advantages

Diversity of native and exotic birds across an urban gradient in a New Zealand City

Few urban studies of avian diversity discriminate between native and exotic species, although highly modified urban environments typically support significant numbers of non-native species. High overall diversity may mask poor native diversity. We identify which native species are successful in a variety of urban habitats in a New Zealand city, and examine the roles that garden size and complexity, native fragments, and vegetation composition and cover play in explaining variations in native and exotic avian diversity. Nearly half (44%) of 39 species recorded were exotic: four (three exotic and one native) comprised 45% of birds counted. While there was little variation between habitats in combined native and exotic species richness, the number and abundance of bush-dependent natives differed. Similarity measures identified three groups: (1) commercial, industrial and residential areas with small structurally simple gardens where 3–4 exotic species were numerically dominant and few bush natives made up <10% of the total count; (2) suburbs with medium/large gardens dominated by lawns, shrubs and trees, with many exotic species but also several bush natives (comprising 24–32% of the total count); and (3) bush fragments where both diversity and species richness of bush natives were highest (comprising 50–75% of the total count), including four insectivores absent from all residential areas. Vegetation structure, composition and cover, and proximity to fragments did not explain much of the variation in total or native species richness and diversity, but did explain 69% and 72% of bush-native species richness and abundance respectively