ESPECIES

Seguimento das poboacións de aves mariñas no Parque Nacional Marítimo e Terrestre das illas Atlánticas de Galicia. Resultados de 2021.

Enlace mardeaves Calonectris diomedea,ESPECIES,Haematopus ostralegus,Hydrobates pelagicus,INFORME,Larus fuscus,Larus marinus,Larus michahellis,Phalacrocorax aristotelis,REPOSITORIO ,,,,

Munilla, I. e Lapeña, P. 2021. Seguimento das poboacións de aves mariñas no Parque Nacional Marítimo e Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia: resultados de 2021. Parque Nacional Maritimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia. Outubro 2021.

Corvo mariño (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)

• A poboación reprodutora de corvo mariño en 2021 estimouse en 811 parellas. O 57% aniñou no arquipélago de Ons, o 37% no de Cíes e o 7% restante en Sálvora (Sagres, Noro e Gavoteira). A colonia máis numerosa foi Ons Norte con 377 parellas, o 46,5% das estimadas para o conxunto do Parque.

• Este ano censouse a illa de San Martiño (150 parellas) da que non se tiñan datos directos dende 2018.

• A estima de 2021 supón un lixeiro aumento en relación a 2020 (18 parellas; 1,9%) aínda que pode estar condicionado pola falla de estimas directas de San Martiño en anos anteriores. En Ons (-6,3%) e Arousa (-37%) perdeuse poboación..

• A estima do éxito reprodutor no Parque Nacional en 2021, estimada a partir do seguimento de 39 sitios ocupados en Sagres e Ons foi de (media ± desviación típica): 0,79 ± 0,80 polos por niño.

• A análise de 93 egagrópilas indica que a dieta durante o periodo reprodutivo estivo composta maioritariamente de cinco grupos de peixe: lábridos (Labridae; 41,9%), bolos (Ammodytidae; 21,5%), pións (Atherina presbyter; 20,4%), fanecas (Trisopterus spp., 20,4%) e lorchos (Gobiidae; 18,3%). Observáronse diferencias entre os tres arquipélagos, coa dieta máis diversa en Ons.

• Este ano recolléronse 2 cadáveres de corvos mariños enmallados.

Gaivota patiamarela (Larus michahellis)

• A poboación reprodutora de gaivota de patas amarelas nos 6 sectores definidos para o seguimento desta variable foi estimada en 1308 parellas.

• Estes datos suxiren un certo freo na caída poboacional observada nesta especie pois a variación interanual para o conxunto de sectores foi do 9,8% e oscilou entre o -5,6% de Muxieiros e o 43,3% de Hortas-Canabal.

• Dende a instauración deste esquema de seguimento (2011) perdeuse o 60% da poboación reprodutora de gaivota patiamarela dos sectores, o que equivale a unha taxa anual de declive do -8,8%.

• O tipo de alimento mellor representado na mostra de egagrópilas analizada (N= 155) foi o patexo (Polybius henslowii; 68,4%) seguido dos invertebrados do intermareal (21,3%) o lixo urbano (5,8%).

• O suceso reprodutor rexistrado nunha mostra de 25 territorios na illa de O Faro foi baixo (media ± desviación típica = 0,80 ± 1,00 polos a voar por territorio). A metade das parellas con territorio (52%) non conseguiron sacar adiante polo ningún.

Gaivota escura (Larus fuscus)

• A poboación reprodutora foi estimada en 27 parellas, 25 en Sálvora, 1 en Vionta e 1 en Ons.

Gaivotón (Larus marinus)

• Rexistráronse 3 parellas reprodutoras, 2 na illa Vionta e 1 en Sálvora.

Pardela cincenta (Calonectris diomedea)

• Este ano comprobouse a reprodución da pardela cincenta en tres zonas da illa de Monteagudo Tropezas, A Perchán e mais en Chancelos.

• A parella de Chancelos criou na parcela onde se instalara o sistema de atracción social en 2013. O último rexistro de cría comprobada en Chancelos é de 2015.

• Os datos recollidos en Tropezas suxiren un número elevado de polos producidos en relación ao número de sitios ocupados. Detectáronse evidencias da presencia de polos en 13 sitios (o 52% dos sitios ocupados).

Paíño europeo (Hydrobates pelagicus)

• O primeiro de xullo realizouse un censo da poboación reprodutora de paíño europeo no illote Boeiro, única colonia coñecida no Parque Nacional e que non tiña sido inspeccionada dende 2011.

• Rexistráronse evidencias de ocupación por paíños reprodutores nun total de tres sitios de niño, dous deles nas caixas-niño instaladas en 2011.

Outras especies

• Censáronse 4 territorios de gavita (Haematopus ostralegus) no arquipélago de Sálvora. Comprobouse a aniñamento de pato frisado (Anas strepera) en Sagres.

Seguimento remoto de corvo mariño

• Entre setembro de 2020 e novembro de 2021 estiveron activos seis dos oito transmisores cos que foran equipados os corvos mariños do Parque entre 2018 e 2020. Este ano non se equiparon novos exemplares. Rexistráronse en total 6155 localizacións.

• A área do polígono mínimo convexo elaborado con todas as localizacións foi de 693 km2. O vértice sur deste polígono sitúase en Oia e o punto máis ao norte en Ribeira. Os puntos máis cara ao interior situáronse en Bouzas (Vigo) e os máis ao oeste en Sagres.

• As variacións individuais na área de campo total (3,1 km2 – 176,0 km2) e na área de campo promediada por meses (1,8 km2 – 40,9 km2) foron elevadas. Os valores máis altos corresponderon aos exemplares procedentes de Cíes que mudaran a Arousa ou que realizaran desprazamentos lonxanos esporádicos.

• O solapamento entre as áreas de campo dos distintos individuos, definidas polos respectivos polígonos mínimos convexos, foi moi reducido. A zona de maior solapamento correspóndese cun pousadoiro no bico suroeste da illa de Onza.

• Agás no caso dun dos exemplares, as áreas dos polígonos mínimos convexos construídos coas localizacións emitidas dentro do espazo protexido do Parque Nacional foron máis ben cativas, e supoñen porcentaxes pequenas do espazo protexido nos distintos arquipélagos (media ± desviación típica = 2,9 ± 4,6 %).

Seguimento das poboacións de aves mariñas no Parque Nacional Marítimo e Terrestre das illas Atlánticas de Galicia. Resultados de 2020.

Enlace mardeaves Calonectris diomedea,ESPECIES,INFORME,Larus fuscus,Larus marinus,Larus michahellis,Phalacrocorax aristotelis,REPOSITORIO ,,,,

Munilla, I. e Lapeña, P. 2020. Seguimento das poboacións de aves mariñas no Parque Nacional Marítimo e Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia: resultados de 2020. Parque Nacional Maritimo-Terrestre das Illas Atlánticas de Galicia. Outubro 2020.

Corvo mariño (Phalacrocorax aristotelis)

• A poboación reprodutora de corvo mariño en 2020 estimouse en 793 parellas. O 63% aniñou no arquipélago de Ons, o 28% no de Cíes e o 9% restante en Sálvora (Sagres e Noro). A colonia máis numerosa foi Ons Norte con 412 parellas, o 52% das estimadas para o conxunto do Parque.

• A estima de 2020 supón un descenso considerable en relación a 2019 (-169 parellas; -17,6%). A maior perda en termos absolutos rexistrouse en Ons (108 parellas) e o maior declive porcentual na illa de O Faro (-41%).

• Dentro deste contexto compre destacar a pequena colonia de Noro (arquipélago de Sálvora) que duplicou o tamaño ata os 12 niños.

• A estima do éxito reprodutor no Parque Nacional en 2020, estimada a partir do seguimento de niños en Cíes e Ons foi de (media ± desviación típica): 1,00 ± 1,03 polos por niño (N = 31 niños).

• A análise de 102 egagrópilas indica que a dieta durante o periodo reprodutivo estivo composta maioritariamente de cinco grupos de peixe: bolos (Ammodytidae; 31,4%); lorchos (Gobiidae; 23,5%); pións (Atherina presbyter; 22,5%); fanecas (Trisopterus 21,6%) e lábridos (Labridae; 20,6%). Observáronse diferencias marcadas entre os tres arquipélagos.

Gaivota patiamarela (Larus michahellis)

• A poboación reprodutora de gaivota de patas amarelas estimouse en 6955 parellas. O 44,2% concéntranse no arquipélago de Sálvora, o 28,3% en Cíes e o 27,4% de Ons.

• Os resultados de 2020 supoñen un descenso alarmante con respecto de 2019 (-2218 parellas; -24,0%). As maiores derrubas en porcentaxe rexistráronse nas illas de O Faro (-50,8%) e Vionta (-37,1%). Porén, a illa de Ons experimentou unha lixeira recuperación da poboación (10,6%).

• Entre 2006, ano no que comezou o declive, e 2020 perdéronse 23.475 parellas, o 77% da poboación reprodutora daquela (taxa de declive anual= -10,0%).

• Os datos recollidos anualmente dende 2011 en 6 sectores de seguimento indican que nesta última década perdeuse o 63,6% da poboación reproductora (taxa anual de declive= -10,6%).

• Rexistráronse un total de 24 gaivotas de patas amarelas afectadas por síndrome de parálise: 13 en Arousa, 8 en Cíes e 3 en Ons. Todas, agás unha, no mes de maio.

• O tipo de alimento mellor representado na mostra de egagrópilas analizada (N= 160) foi o patexo (Polybius henslowii; 48,4%) seguido dos invertebrados do intermareal (22,0%) o lixo urbano (15,1%) e máis o alimento de hábitats terrestres (5,7%).

Gaivota escura (Larus fuscus)

• A poboación reprodutora foi estimada en 28 parellas, 27 en Sálvora e unha en Vionta.

Gaivotón (Larus marinus)

• Rexistráronse dúas parellas reprodutoras, unha na illa Vionta e outra en Sálvora.

Pardela cincenta (Calonectris diomedea)

• O seguimento da colonia de Tropezas indica que a porcentaxe de ocupación dos sitios de niño coñecidos foi alta (80%). En 13 sitios (52%) as evidencias atopadas indicaban a ocupación por parellas reproductoras.

• A taxa de ocupación por parellas con polos é semellante á de anos anteriores.

Seguimento remoto de corvo mariño

• Equipáronse catro corvos mariños con equipos de seguimento remoto GPS/GSM, dous en Ons e dous en Cíes. Entre outubro de 2019 e setembro de 2020 rexistráronse 13.172 localizacións procedentes dos sete corvos mariños que estiveron operativos. Un dos exemplares de Ons deixou de transmitir ao mes de saír.

• A área do polígono mínimo convexo elaborado con todas as localizacións foi de 1297 km2. O vértice sur deste polígono sitúase en Oia e o punto máis ao norte en Porto do Son. Os puntos máis cara ao interior foron Vigo, Sanxenxo e Boiro. Os máis afastados de terra obtivéronse 1400 m ao oeste das illas de O Faro e Onza.

• Os maiores desplazamentos corresponderon aos corvos mariños das illas Cíes e os menores aos de Sálvora. Os de Ons seguiron un padrón moi regular con desprazamentos continuados á costa do noroeste da ría de Pontevedra. Dous dos exemplares equipados en Cíes trasladáronse ás augas de Sálvora durante varios meses.

• Os datos suxiren diferencias amplias ao longo dos meses. Os maiores desprazamentos tiveron lugar no segundo trimestre do ano, no pleno do periodo reprodutor.

• As variacións individuais na área de campeo total foron moi amplas (8,9 km2 – 562 km2). Os valores máis altos foron debidos, ou ben a individuos que mudaron de arquipélago ou ben a desprazamentos lonxanos esporádicos.

• Tódolos exemplares solaparon a súa área de campeo con a lo menos outros dous conxéneres (máximo= 6; moda= 3). As zonas de maior solapamento configuran tres polígonos situados en cada un dos tres arquipélagos do Parque, o menor deles en Ons.

• A proporción de espazo protexido cuberto polas respectivas áreas de campeo individuais foi, en promedio, do 8,5% (0,2% – 25%).

Gut microbiome and telomere length in gull hatchlings

Enlace mardeaves ESPECIES,Larus michahellis,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,REPOSITORIO ,,,,
Velando, A., Noguera, J.C., Aira, M. and Domínguez, J., 2021. Gut microbiome and telomere length in gull hatchlings. Biology Letters, 17(10), p.20210398.

In many animals, recent evidence indicates that the gut microbiome may be acquired during early development, with possible consequences on newborns’ health. Thus, it has been hypothesized that a healthy microbiome protects telomeres and genomic integrity against cellular stress. However, the link between the early acquired microbiome and telomere dynamics has not hitherto been investigated. In birds, this link may also be potentially modulated by the transfer of maternal glucocorticoids, since these substances dysregulate microbiome composition during postnatal development. Here, we examined the effect of the interplay between the microbiome and stress hormones on the telomere length of yellow-legged gull hatchlings by using a field experiment in which we manipulated the corticosterone content in eggs. We found that the hatchling telomere length was related to microbiome composition, but this relationship was not affected by the corticosterone treatment. Hatchlings with a microbiome dominated by potential commensal bacteria (i.e. Catellicoccus and Cetobacterium) had larger telomeres, suggesting that an early establishment of the species-specific microbiome during development may have important consequences on offspring health and survival.

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Airplane-based abundance and distribution of seabirds off western iberia – monitoring towards conservation

Enlace mardeaves Calonectris diomedea,ESPECIES,Morus bassanus,Puffinus mauretanicus,REPOSITORIO,TESE ,,,,,
Fernandes, H.A., 2021. Airplane-based abundance and distribution of seabirds off western Iberia; monitoring towards conservation (Doctoral dissertation, Universidade de Vigo).

In this thesis, multi-annual seabird distribution and abundance were investigated for the first time in WIW using aerial surveys. Each seabird distribution and abundance estimates were presented with the corresponding coefficient of variation (CV) and 95% confidence interval (CI) calculations. MaxEnt software was used to compute seasonal and inter-annual Habitat Suitability models for the Balearic Shearwater and the Northern Gannet. The predicted species distribution was based on occurrence probability in relation to habitat suitability. The use of models with different sets of environmental variables are particularly important in the marine environment because variability in ocean conditions may lead to identifiable species distribution changes (Becker et al. 2017). This modelling approach proved to be effective in determining areas of high and low use by the target species. These data are crucial to policy makers and stakeholders involved in conservation planning, particularly when defining marine protected areas (including SPAs) and threat mitigation measures.

In comparison to vessel platforms, airplane surveys are more cost-effective, use lower effort time and produce a lower responsive effect on seabirds. Data collected in airplane surveys allow estimating absolute and relative abundances and associated errors. Data also allow establishing temporal trends and they can be used to model species distribution. If a double platform is used, airplane surveys reduce the number of animals that are not detected on the line or have evasive responses. However, the availability of suitable platforms for aerial surveys is low, observers must be trained and experienced and the identification of similar species (e.g., Storm-petrels, some Larids and Shearwaters) is difficult. Also, there may be problems in estimating angles to sightings in high-density areas and in collecting additional oceanographic or climatic data. For less common species, there is a risk of high variability in the error associated with sampling, which can hamper the detection of small fluctuations. Overall, line transect aerial surveys proved to be a time and cost-effective method allowing for robust seabird abundance and density estimates across a large study area.

The information collected in this thesis contributed to understand the distribution and abundance of the target species, being necessary for EU member states, such as Portugal and Spain, so that they can meet the European Marine Framework Strategy Directive and the Birds Directive. Furthermore, this information can help decision-makers designate or review proposed marine protection areas. In this study it was also possible to estimate Balearic Shearwater and Northern Gannet PBR in relation to bycatch. Areas of higher bycatch risk were mapped and results emphasised that Balearic Shearwaters bycatch mortality was above the PBR threshold (mostly due to set nets in the Polyvalent fleet). Northern Gannet bycatch mortality was at the PBR limit (mostly due to the Longliner and Polyvalent fleets). These data highlighted the necessity for implementation of mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch in fisheries, defined and enforced by European or national governmental agencies, to particularly with focus on the critically endangered Balearic Shearwater.

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Distribution and ten-year temporal trends (2009–2018) of perfluoroalkyl substances in gull eggs from Spanish breeding colonies

Enlace mardeaves ESPECIES,Larus michahellis,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,REPOSITORIO ,,,,,
Colomer-Vidal, P., Bertolero, A., Alcaraz, C., Garreta-Lara, E., Santos, F. J., & Lacorte, S. (2022). Distribution and ten-year temporal trends (2009–2018) of perfluoroalkyl substances in gull eggs from Spanish breeding colonies. Environmental Pollution, 293, 118555.

Gull eggs are excellent bioindicators of environmental pollution as reflect the contamination levels of coastal areas, especially of persistent and bioacumulative compounds such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This study aims to evaluate the geographical distribution and 10-year temporal trends (2009–2018) of 17 PFAS in eggs of two gull species (Larus michahellis and Larus audouinii) from 5 main Spanish colonies. ∑PFAS ranged from 13.7 ± 5.9 to 164 ± 17 ng g−1 wet weight and higher concentrations were observed in L. audouinii than in L. michahellis. Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) was the predominant compound in all samples, followed by perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA) and perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTriDA). Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFNA) were also found in all studied areas but at lower concentrations, while perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was only detected in the Medes Islands. Principal Component Analysis revealed the co-occurrence of the 6 detected PFAS, and differentiated samples from Ebro Delta and Medes Islands, both located in the North-Eastern Mediterranean Sea, with high contribution of all PFAS, from Chafarinas and Atlantic Islands with lower concentration levels and variability. Also, different patterns were observed among colonies, suggesting the fish-based diet plays an important role in PFAS bioaccumulation. In all colonies, except for the Medes Islands, ∑PFAS decreased through the 10-year study period, with PFOS, PFUnA, and PFTriDA showing a significant concentration reduction in a colony-specific manner. This study demonstrates the usefulness and importance of continuous systematic long-term monitoring to determine the geographical distribution and temporal variations of PFAS in marine protected areas using gull eggs as bioindicators of environmental pollution.

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Faeces of marine birds and mammals as substrates for microbial plankton communities

Enlace mardeaves ESPECIES,Larus michahellis,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,REPOSITORIO ,,,,
Alba-González, P., Álvarez-Salgado, X.A., Cobelo-García, A., Kaal, J. and Teira, E., 2022. Faeces of marine birds and mammals as substrates for microbial plankton communities. Marine Environmental Research, 174, p.105560.

The chemical composition of the seawater soluble fraction (WSF) of yellow-legged gulls and harbour seal faeces and their impact on microbial plankton communities from an eutrophic coastal area have been tested. After characterisation of the C:N:P stoichiometry, trace metals content and organic molecular composition of the faeces, significant differences between species have been observed in all parameters. Seagull faeces present about three times larger N content than seal faeces and are also richer in trace elements except for Cu and Zn. Organic nitrogen in seagull faeces is dominated by uric acid, while the proteins are the main N source in seal faeces. It is remarkable that seagull faeces are five times more soluble in seawater than seal faeces and present a much higher N content (48.0 versus 3.5 mg N in the WSF per gram of dry faeces), >85% of which as dissolved organic nitrogen, with C:N molar ratios of 2.4 and 13 for seagull and seal faeces, respectively. Based on this contrasting N content, large differences were expected in their impact on microbial populations. To test this hypothesis, a 3-day microcosm incubation experiment was performed, in which coastal seawater was amended with realistic concentrations of the WSF of seagull or seal faeces. A significant and similar increase in bacterial biomass occurred in response to both treatments. In the case of phytoplankton, the impact of the treatment with seagull faeces was significantly larger that the effect of the treatment with seal faeces. Our data suggest that the distinct competitive abilities of phytoplankton and bacteria largely influence the potential impact of distinct animal faeces on primary productivity in coastal ecosystems. Impacts on the microbial plankton communities do not affect only this trophic level, but the whole trophic chain, contributing to nutrient recycling in coastal areas where large populations of these species are settled.

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The Rapid Effects of Yellow-Legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Colony on Dune Habitats and Plant Landscape in the Atlantic Islands National Park (NW Spain)

Enlace mardeaves ESPECIES,Larus michahellis,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,REPOSITORIO ,,,,
Peña-Lastra, S.D.L., Torre, F., Carballeira, R., Santiso, M.J., Pérez-Alberti, A. and Otero, X.L., 2022. The Rapid Effects of Yellow-Legged Gull (Larus michahellis) Colony on Dune Habitats and Plant Landscape in the Atlantic Islands National Park (NW Spain). Land, 11(2), p.258.

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The Atlantic Islands of Galicia Maritime/Terrestrial National Park hosts one of the largest breeding colonies of yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis) in the world. In 2002, a new yellow-legged gull breeding colony was established on the Punta Muxieiro dune complex, which also harbors rare and threatened plant species and habitat types of community interest according to Directive 92/43/EEC. This study assesses the effect of this colony on two habitats of community interest: white dunes and grey dunes. For this purpose, plant cover and soil properties, composition, and nutrient content were monitored in plots with different gull densities. Moreover, historic aerial images were compiled to observe changes in the plant landscape of the dune system. The results showed that, despite the recentness of the occupation of the dune system by yellow-legged gull species, significant changes in acidic–alkaline processes and nutrient availability were already observed in soils. Soils in plots with higher gull density showed more acidic pH values and a higher content of the most labile N and P fractions. Moreover, a decrease in plant cover and number of species was also demonstrated in plots with higher gull densities. Finally, the presence of ruderal and alien species such as Urtica membranacea and Parietaria judaica was also observed..

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Heavy metals and metalloid levels in the tissues of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) from Spain: sex, age, and geographical location differences

Enlace mardeaves ESPECIES,Larus michahellis,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,REPOSITORIO ,,,,,,,,,,
Vizuete, J., Hernández-Moreno, D., López-Beceiro, A., Fidalgo, L.E., Soler, F., Pérez-López, M. and Míguez-Santiyán, M.P., 2022. Heavy metals and metalloid levels in the tissues of yellow-legged gulls (Larus michahellis) from Spain: sex, age, and geographical location differences. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29(36), pp.54292-54308.

Mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), selenium (Se), and arsenic (As) were measured in liver, kidney, and feathers of adult, juvenile, and chick seagulls (Larus michahellis) collected from the northwest of Spain. Age, sex, and the geographical location of samples were considered variables that can influence metal bioaccumulation, for which concentrations were determined by means of ICP-MS. The mean concentrations (dry weight) found in seagulls were 7.01 ± 0.37 mg Hg/kg, 22.82 ± 2.83 mg Cd/kg, 7.36 ± 1.36 mg Pb/kg, 18.64 ± 0.63 mg Se/kg, and 10.64 ± 0.59 mg As/kg. Regarding the different factors analyzed, Hg was the only metal showing sex-related differences, being significantly higher (p < 0.05) the concentrations found in feathers of males (1.26 ± 0.12 mg/kg) than those in females (0.99 ± 0.11 mg/kg). A highly significant (p < 0.01) increase in levels of some metals was found in liver related to the increase of age: Hg (adults (A) 3.33 ± 0.22 mg/kg vs chicks (C) 1.76 ± 0.28 mg/kg), Cd (A 4.74 ± 0.62 mg/kg vs C 1.79 ± 0.2), Pb (A 0.65 ± 0.12 mg/kg vs juveniles 0.4 ± 0.11 mg/kg), and Se (A 7.56 ± 0.43 mg/kg vs C 5.24 ± 0.53 mg/kg). Positive correlations between Cd-Hg and Se–Hg were found in liver (p < 0.001), kidney (p < 0.001), and feathers (p < 0.05 and p < 0.001, respectively). The associations found may reflect antagonistic interactions between Se and Cd on Hg toxicity. The results suggest that L. michahellis can reveal local contamination around the foraging and breeding sites and can be a very useful monitoring instrument for assessing heavy metal contamination and sentinel species of environmental health..

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Seabird abundance and distribution off western Iberian waters estimated through aerial surveys

Enlace mardeaves Calonectris diomedea,ESPECIES,Morus bassanus,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,Puffinus mauretanicus,REPOSITORIO ,,,,,,,,
Araujo, H., Correia-Rodrigues, P., Bastos-Santos, J., Ferreira, M., Pereira, A.T., Martinez-Cedeira, J., Vingada, J. and Eira, C., 2022. Seabird abundance and distribution off western Iberian waters estimated through aerial surveys. Marine Ornithology, 50, pp.71-80.

Western Iberian waters are important migratory flyways, stopover sites, and wintering areas for several of the world’s seabird species. To describe seabird species composition, distribution, and abundance in these waters, we performed six aerial surveys in September and/ or October of each year, 2010–2015, covering 74840 km2. Using line-transect methodology, 27396 seabird sightings from 17 taxonomic groups were recorded along 10496.3 nautical miles (19 433 km). Using the program “Distance,” annual and overall abundance estimates were obtained for nine taxonomic groups: Balearic Shearwater Puffinus mauretanicus, Great Shearwater Ardenna gravis, Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris borealis, shearwaters, Northern Gannet Morus bassanus, Sabine’s Gull Xema sabini, Great Skua Stercorarius skua, storm petrels, and Red Phalarope Phalaropus fulicarius. For the six-year period, Northern Gannet was the most abundant species (89 630 individuals, coefficient of variation [CV] = 6.28%), followed by Cory’s Shearwater (25 044 individuals, CV = 7.56%) and Balearic Shearwater (13 632 individuals, CV = 20.81%). The remaining taxonomic groups exhibited variable abundances. Results confirm that the study area is important to several seabird species, providing baseline estimates to inform conservation policies and instruments, such as the Birds Directive and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive.

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Light received by embryos promotes postnatal junior phenotypes in a seabird

Enlace mardeaves ESPECIES,Larus michahellis,PUBLICACIÓN CIENTÍFICA,REPOSITORIO ,,,,,
Ruiz-Raya, F., Noguera, J.C. and Velando, A., 2022. Light received by embryos promotes postnatal junior phenotypes in a seabird. Behavioral Ecology, 33(6), pp.1047-1057.

Light is a salient and variable ecological factor that can impact developmental trajectories of vertebrate embryos, yet whether prenatal light environment can act as an anticipatory cue preparing organisms to cope with postnatal conditions is still unclear. In asynchronous birds, last-laid eggs are particularly exposed to sunlight as parental incubation behavior becomes intermittent after the hatching of senior chicks. Here, we explore whether natural variations in prenatal light exposure shape the distinctive phenotype showed by last-hatched chicks of a semi-precocial seabird, the yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis), potentially preparing them to cope with the postnatal competitive context. To do this, we manipulated the amount of light received by last-laid eggs (within a natural range) during last stages of embryonic development. Prenatal exposure to light cues promoted the development of the resilient “junior phenotype” exhibited by last-hatched gull chicks, characterized by accelerated hatching, increased begging behavior and a slower growth rate. These developmental and behavioral adjustments were accompanied by down-regulation of genes involved in metabolism and development regulation (SOD2 and TRalpha), as well as changes in the HPA-axis functioning (lower baseline corticosterone and robust adrenocortical response). Junior chicks exposed to light cues during the embryonic development showed longer telomeres during the early postnatal period, suggesting that light-induced adjustments could allow them to buffer the competitive disadvantages associated with hatching asynchrony. Our study provides evidence that postnatal junior phenotypes are, at least in part, prenatally shaped by light cues that act during a critical temporal window of developmental sensitivity.

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