First evidence of early socialization in the Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)

Peer reviewe

First evidence of early socialization in the Great Spotted Cuckoo (Clamator glandarius)

Peer reviewe

Etología. Introducción a la ciencia del comportamiento

1ª ed., 3ª reimp.El objetivo de este libro es proporcionar una introducción a la Etología. Ésta ciencia responde al interés por profundizar en el conocimiento de las costumbres animales; por comprender la variedad de comportamientos que en diferentes situaciones exhiben los individuos de diferentes especies. Una posible definición de Etología podría ser: el estudio científico del comportamiento de los seres vivos. A lo largo de esta obra se analizan todos los aspectos que tienen que ver con el comportamiento animal, desde las causas y mecanismos de actuación o la adaptación y evolución y el bienestar animal.The purpose of this book is to provide an introduction to Ethology. This science responds to the interest in deepening the knowledge of animal customs; to understand the variety of behaviour that in different situations exhibit individuals of different species. A possible definition of ethology could be: the scientific study of the behavior of living beings. Throughout this book all aspects related to animal behavior, from the causes and mechanisms of action or adaptation and evolution and animal welfare, are analyzed

Evolución de los comportamientos altruistas y cooperativos

Se analiza cómo la selección natural es un concepto básico para Darwin que implica la supervivencia del más apto. La selección natural entraña que los individuos se comporten en su propio interés. Es evidente que los animales también cooperan entre sí. Tal sucede cuando los individuos ayudan a otros en el cuidado parental. Existen gran cantidad de ejemplos en los que los individuos se ayudan con fines de alimentación o de defensa.Discusses how natural selection is a basic concept for Darwin involving the survival of the fittest. Natural selection implies that individuals behave in their own self-interest. It is evident that animals also cooperate with each other. This happens when individuals help others in parental care. There are many examples where individuals help each other for feeding or defence purposes

Nest placement by azure-winged magpies (Cyanopica cyana)

Nest site selection of Azure-winged Magpies (Cyanopica cyana) was studied in relation to their proximity to the nests of Japanese Lesser Sparrowhawks (Accipiter gularis). Magpies used nest sites that were more concealed when not nesting in ssociation with the hawk, and nests with a higher rate of leaf cover were less frequently depredated. Magpies preferred to nest close to hawk nests, and such siteshad higher breeding success. However, Azure-winged Magpies nested in places with less leaf cover near hawk nests. Despite the lack of cover, the magpie nests were more successful when located near a hawk nest.Magpies effectively avoid nest predation by exploiting the defending behavior of the hawks.Peer reviewe

Women in the Hunt: A More Useful and Sustainable Hunt for Biodiversity?

Recreational hunting can have positive consequences on biodiversity conservation, but in many countries the number of hunters is declining. This downward trend threatens the sustainability of an important human activity that can be used as a tool for wildlife management and biodiversity conservation. On the other hand, in developed countries there is an upward trend in the number of female hunters. In this study, we analyzed women and men’s hunting preferences in Spain, focusing our attention on the game species they were interested in. We found that female hunters were more interested than male hunters in hunting big game species. We discussed potential consequences of our results on the sustainability of hunting and biodiversity conservation

Are quartzite scree slopes used by birds to promote sound transmission in the Mediterranean forest?

Are quartzite scree slopes used by birds to promote sound transmission in the Mediterranean forest? Birds generate vocalisations (songs and calls) to communicate. Acoustic communication may be hindered by habitat features so birds can use several strategies to favour sound transmission. Sound transmission depends on the acoustic properties of their habitats. Scree slopes, also known as 'pedrizas', are frequent in the Mediterranean forests of south and central western Spain. As the acoustic properties of these rocky grounds might favour sound transmission, we propose that birds might actively use 'pedrizas' to increase sound transmission. We assessed the following prediction of the hypothesis: the number of vocalisations recorded should be higher near the 'pedrizas' than in forest areas far away from 'pedrizas'. Using portable recorders in the Mediterranean forest of Monfragüe National Park, we found that the number of recorded vocalisations was higher near the 'pedrizas'. As this result was not due to differences in species richness, we consider it supports the prediction of the hypothesis. This is new evidence that birds might use a natural element within their habitat to increase sound transmission.¿Las aves utilizan las pendientes pedregosas (pedrizas) de cuarcita para fomentar la transmisión del sonido en los bosques mediterráneos? Las aves generan vocalizaciones (melodías y llamadas) para comunicarse. Como la comunicación acústica puede verse obstaculizada por ciertas características del hábitat, es posible que las aves se valgan de diferentes estrategias para favorecer la transmisión del sonido. La transmisión del sonido depende de las propiedades acústicas del hábitat. Las pedrizas son frecuentes en los bosques mediterráneos del oeste meridional y central de España. Las propiedades acústicas de este terreno pedregoso podrían favorecer la transmisión del sonido, de forma que la hipótesis que se formula es que las aves podrían utilizar las pedrizas para aumentar la transmisión del sonido. Se evaluó la siguiente predicción de la hipótesis: el número de vocalizaciones grabadas debería ser superior cerca de las pedrizas que en zonas forestales alejadas. En este estudio se utilizaron grabadoras portátiles en el bosque mediterráneo del Parque Nacional de Monfragüe, y el número de vocalizaciones grabadas fue superior cerca de las pedrizas. Este resultado no se debió a diferencias en la riqueza de especies, de manera que respalda la predicción de la hipótesis. Este es un nuevo indicio de que las aves podrían utilizar un elemento natural de su hábitat para aumentar la transmisión del sonido