Post–breeding movements and migration patterns of western populations of common quail (Coturnix coturnix): from knowledge to hunting management

Patrones de movimientos y de migración postcría en la población occidental de codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix): algunas recomendaciones de gestión cinegética Hemos investigado los patrones de los movimientos postcría de la codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix) en la península ibérica con el fin de describir su fenología de paso migratorio y algunas características fisiológicas de los individuos. Esta información es necesaria para un ajuste óptimo de los períodos de caza. Hemos trabajado a partir de dos conjuntos de datos: a) capturas efectuadas en una zona que no es de cría (Garraf) de agosto a octubre en 2009 y 2010; b) recuperaciones, posteriores a la presunta época de cría, de individuos anillados en Europa y recapturados en España durante el período 1933–2005. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los movimientos postcría en Garraf están formados por dos oleadas: una primera, que se produce sobre el 10 VIII, formada principalmente por jóvenes del año inactivos sexualmente que no son fisiológicamente migrantes; y una segunda, mucho más intensa, que se produce sobre el 17 IX, formada principalmente por migrantes jóvenes del año inactivos sexualmente. La época de caza en España tiene lugar principalmente durante la primera oleada, preservando el paso de los migrantes provenientes de España y de otros países europeos. La información de los movimientos postcría en otras regiones españolas y en otros países europeos en los que la codorniz común es una especie cinegética popular, permitiría mejorar el ajuste entre el período de caza y la migración, proporcionando recomendaciones de gestión cinegética más precisas para esta especie.Patrones de movimientos y de migración postcría en la población occidental de codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix): algunas recomendaciones de gestión cinegética Hemos investigado los patrones de los movimientos postcría de la codorniz común (Coturnix coturnix) en la península ibérica con el fin de describir su fenología de paso migratorio y algunas características fisiológicas de los individuos. Esta información es necesaria para un ajuste óptimo de los períodos de caza. Hemos trabajado a partir de dos conjuntos de datos: a) capturas efectuadas en una zona que no es de cría (Garraf) de agosto a octubre en 2009 y 2010; b) recuperaciones, posteriores a la presunta época de cría, de individuos anillados en Europa y recapturados en España durante el período 1933–2005. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que los movimientos postcría en Garraf están formados por dos oleadas: una primera, que se produce sobre el 10 VIII, formada principalmente por jóvenes del año inactivos sexualmente que no son fisiológicamente migrantes; y una segunda, mucho más intensa, que se produce sobre el 17 IX, formada principalmente por migrantes jóvenes del año inactivos sexualmente. La época de caza en España tiene lugar principalmente durante la primera oleada, preservando el paso de los migrantes provenientes de España y de otros países europeos. La información de los movimientos postcría en otras regiones españolas y en otros países europeos en los que la codorniz común es una especie cinegética popular, permitiría mejorar el ajuste entre el período de caza y la migración, proporcionando recomendaciones de gestión cinegética más precisas para esta especie.We investigated the patterns of post–breeding movements of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) in the Iberian peninsula with the aim of describing its migratory phenology and some physiological features of individuals. This information is needed to adjust hunting seasons in an optimal way. We worked with two data–sets: a) captures made in a non–breeding site (Garraf) from August to October in 2009 and 2010; b) post–breeding recoveries of individuals ringed in Europe and recaptured in Spain between 1933 and 2005. The results showed that post–breeding movements in Garraf occur in two waves: a first wave that occurs around 10 VIII and is mainly composed of non–sexually active yearlings that do not correspond physiologically to migrants, and a second much more intense wave, which occurs around 17 IX and is mainly composed of non–sexually active migrant yearlings. The hunting season in Spain takes place mainly during the first wave, preserving the passage of migrant individuals from Spain and other European countries. Information on the post–breeding movements in other Spanish regions and other European countries where the common quail is a popular game species would improve timing between the hunting season and migration by providing more precise recommendations for hunting management

Determining population trends and conservation status of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) in Western Europe

In this paper we review the conservation status and population trends of the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) from 1900 to the present. Data are sometimes contradictory with regard to the status of this species as it has some features that make it difficult to produce reliable population estimates. Recent data clearly suggest, either at a local scale or at a trans–national scale, that the Atlantic common quail populations have remained stable in the last two decades, and that restocking practices with farm–reared quails (hybrids with the Japanese quail, Coturnix japonica) do not affect our estimates. The complex movement patterns showed by this species require special attention. Analysis of ring recoveries can give important information, especially about the nomadic movement of quails in search of suitable habitats after the destruction of winter cereal crops due to harvesting. Thus, when developing a breeding distribution model for this species, continuously updated information on seasonal habitat and weather must be included for optimal prediction. Including fortnightly data of vegetation indices in distribution models, for example, has shown good results. Obtaining reliable predictions about changes in species distribution and movements during the breeding period could provide useful knowledge about the conservation status and population trends and would help in the design of future management measures

Expansión del alburno Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) en la península Ibérica: el papel de los embalses

Since its first record in a tributary of the Ebro basin in 1992, the bleak Alburnus alburnus has spread to almost the whole Iberian Peninsula. In this paper (based on electrofishing surveys in 598 localities), we provide information on the expansion of the bleak. We detail current distribution in the Ebro basin and the rivers of the Eastern Pyrenees and we report its presence in three other major Iberian drainages. Currently, the bleak is sympatric with 15 Iberian endemic species (58% of total Iberian endemic fish). The possible threats to the rich Iberian ichthyofauna caused by the presence of the bleak are discussed. The factors that promoted the extremely rapid expansion of this exotic cyprinid are examined, focusing on the role of reservoirs, which seem to favour its dispersal.Desde su aparición en un afluente de la cuenca del Ebro en 1992, el alburno Alburnus alburnus se ha expandido en gran parte de la península Ibérica. El presente trabajo aporta nueva información sobre su expansión (basada en el muestreo de 598 localidades mediante pesca eléctrica). Se facilita información detallada sobre su actual distribución en la cuenca del Ebro y en cuencas al este de los Pirineos, así como nuevas citas de tres grandes cuencas hidrográficas. De acuerdo a su actual distribución en la península Ibérica, el alburno habita en simpatría con 15 especies endémicas (el 58% del total de endemismos ibéricos). Se analiza la posible amenaza que el alburno representa para la ictiofauna ibérica, examinando los factores causantes de su rápida expansión, en especial el papel de los embalses

Exploring male and female preferences, male body condition and pair bonds in the evolution of sexual male aggregation: the case of the Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix)

One of the unresolved problems of male sexual aggregations is that a small number of males monopolize most matings. The Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix (L., 1758)), is a bird species that has a short life span and a reproductive strategy that involves male aggregations, which females visit for the purpose of mating. Once a mate has been chosen, birds leave the aggregation and form pair-bonds until incubation begins. This remarkable mating system might represent an intermediate step between lekking and pair-bond mating systems in which males provide some parental care. We designed a field experiment with funnel traps simulating male groups and single females to observe male and female preferences, and to examine the possible evolutionary process that drives males to aggregate. Radio-tagged individuals were also monitored to study pair-bonding behaviour in the field. Our results suggest that body condition is an important factor in male group formation, and that males with better body condition tend to aggregate, while males in poorer condition wait for extra-pair copulation opportunities. Moreover, this mating system creates a situation in which a queuing strategy might occur

Biodiversity patterns of megabenthic non-crustacean invertebrates from an exploited ecosystem of the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea

22 pages, 9 figures, 4 tables, 3 appendicesWe evaluated seasonal patterns of biodiversity of the megabenthic non-crustacean invertebrates on soft bottoms of the continental shelf and slope of the Catalan Sea (Balearic Sea, Northwestern Mediterranean). Scientific demersal trawls were carried out between 30 and 400 m during winter and summer of 2013 in 37 and 45 stations respectively. Among a total of 188 species, a limited number of echinoderms, cephalopods and occasionally ascidians dominated the bulk of the community, covering up to 95% of the total wet weight. Seasonal and bathymetric variations were found in the different biodiversity patterns, with higher values in summer and in shallower depths, regarding overall wet weight (>14,000 kg/km2), density (>1 million ind/km2), richness and diversity (143 species; H’=1.74). The statistical differences in density and wet weight between bathymetric strata reflected in particular groups of species typifying each environment, but without any exclusiveness in depth preferences, since generalist species were the main components of the community. Depth was the main driver of statistical differences in the community structure, but a combined influence of geographic location was also identified from an interaction effect. Sediment type may be influencing habitat preferences, with echinoderms (especially crinoids Leptometra and Antedon), dominating on sandy substrates, and cephalopod mollusks (especially cephalopods Illex, Eledone, Octopus) dominating on muddy substrates. Trawling activity may also influence the dominance of some target and non-target species. Several infrequent bivalves, opistobranchs and species from phyla Porifera, Cnidaria, Bryozoa and Sipuncula constituted an important understudied component of the richness of this community. This is the first study dealing with bathymetric variation of the megabenthic non-crustacean community of the Catalan Sea within this gradient of depths above the middle slope and also considering seasonal variabilityFinancial support to conduct this research was provided by the Spanish National Project ECOTRANS, whose members participated in the in study design and the collection, analysis and interpretation of dataPeer Reviewe

Spread of the alien bleak Alburnus alburnus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Actinopterygii, Cyprinidae) in the Iberian Peninsula: the role of reservoirs

Desde su aparición en un afluente de la cuenca del Ebro en 1992, el alburno Alburnus alburnus se ha expandido en gran parte de la península Ibérica. El presente trabajo aporta nueva información sobre su expansión (basada en el muestreo de 598 localidades mediante pesca eléctrica). Se facilita información detallada sobre su actual distribución en la cuenca del Ebro y en cuencas al este de los Pirineos, así como nuevas citas de tres grandes cuencas hidrográficas. De acuerdo a su actual distribución en la península Ibérica, el alburno habita en simpatría con 15 especies endémicas (el 58% del total de endemismos ibéricos). Se analiza la posible amenaza que el alburno representa para la ictiofauna ibérica, examinando los factores causantes de su rápida expansión, en especial el papel de los embalses