The formation of sclerophilic ornythocomplexes in the quarries in the South of Ukraine and their conservation prospects

The ornithocomplexes of the quarries include both domain-specific breeding burrowing birds, or sclerophylls, as well as species from the surrounding biotopes. In the quarries 4 species from the group of primary minnows (Merops apiaster, Coracias garrulus, Alcedo atthis, Riparia riparia) were registered, and and 15 species of secondary burrowing birds (Tadorna tadorna, T. erruginea, Upupa epops, Falco tinnunculus, F. naumanni, Athene noctua, Sturnus vulgaris, Pastor roseus, Passer montanus, P. domesticus, Corvus monedula, Motacilla alba, Oenanthe oenanthe, O. pleschanka), as well as 25 related species of dendrophils, camphophiles. Riparia riparia colonies in quarries count up to 500-1500 pairs, Merops apiaster – up to 100-250 pairs, Coracias garrulus – up to 7-15 pairs. The core of the ornithocomplexes is the Riparia riparia and Merops apiaster. The process of formation of ornithocomplexes of quarries runs as follows: the new quarries in the initial years of their formation are first settled down by Riparia riparia, in 2-4 years there arrive Merops apiaster, then Coracias garrulus. In 5-10 years, with the coming of grassy and shrub-tree vegetation in large quarries appear 20-25 species of the related ornithocomplexes, represented by the steppe birds (Alauda arvensis, Anthus campestris), ruderal (Calerida cristata), shrub-tree (Phasianus colchicus, Perdix perdix, Columba palumbus, Streptopelia turtur, Otus scops, Cuculus canorus, Corvus cornix, Pica pica, Turdus merula, T. philomelos, Lanius collurio, L. minor, Sylvia communis, S. nisoria, Luscinia luscinia) meadow complex (Motacilla flava, M. feldegg, Saxicolla rubetra, S. torquata, Coturnix coturnix). Mixed or multi-species colonies of Riparia riparia and Merops apiaster comprise about 60%. Mixed colonies with associated species (secondary burrowers) comprise up to 10-15 species. Large species of birds occupy for breeding the habitats of crevices and cavities in natural cliffs and quarries. Annual changes in the species composition of bird nesting in quarries increases 2-3 times, the quantitative composition gains 10-30 times, which is related to the climatic, weather, and forage conditions of seasons and human activity. The decrease in the number of species-determinants (primary burrowers) leads to the breach of consortia, accompanied by a sharp decrease in quantity or disappearance of consortment species (secondary burrowers). Key words: Birds, Conservation, Ecological groups, Management, Ornithocomplexes, Quarries, Species diversity

Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of monochorionic pregnancy

The objective. We aimed to study obstetric and perinatal outcomes in multiple pregnancies, depending on the type of choriality. Materials and methods. We used a retrospective analysis of the birth histories. 174 women with spontaneously occurring multiple pregnancies were involved in the study. There were 50 women with monochorionic placentation and 120 women with a dichorionic type of placentation. We analyzed the course of pregnancy, parturition and perinatal outcomes in these patients. The data were processed using parametric and nonparametric statistics. Results. Mean age of women was comparable and amounted to 28.5 ± 5.4 in women with monochorionic pregnancy and 29.4 ± 5.1 with dichorionic pregnancy. Both groups were comparable in social status, place of residence and parity. The risk of placental disorders (OR 2.9; 95% CI 1.4-5.7), fetal growth retardation (OR 2.4; 95% CI 1.1-5.4), gestational diabetes (Or 4,24; 95% CI 1.5-11.7), premature birth (OR 2.3; 95% CI 1.3-3.9), premature delivery at 34-36 weeks (OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.4-5.3), operative parturitions (OR 3.54; 95% CI 1.4-8.4), discordance of fetuses (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.5-7.1) were higher in monochorionic multiple pregnancy. Prematurity (ОR 4.6; 95% CI 2.8-7.4) and low weight by gestational age (ОR 2.0; 95% CI 1,1-3.5) were the leading diagnosis in newborns who were born from monochorionic pregnancy. Conclusions. It is necessary to continue researches on this problem and develop guidelines for the management of women with monochorionic and dichorionic forms of placentation