Grassland bird populations in North America are in steady decline. Despite declining faster and more consistently than any other group of birds, grassland songbird populations are relatively understudied and little is known about factors driving breeding-site philopatry and dispersal. Landscape and habitat composition may influence fidelity of grassland songbirds to a breeding area. As predicted by the theory of the <i>Ideal Free Distribution</i>, high-quality sites are likely to have a higher percentage of return breeders than low-quality sites because higher quality sites should have more or better-quality resources birds need for improved fitness. Using stable hydrogen isotope (äD) analysis, I approximated minimum fidelity rates of two grassland songbirds to two landscape (grass- vs crop-dominated landscapes) and two habitat (native grass vs planted grass) types. I hypothesized that grassland songbirds would return more readily to higher quality sites. For Spragues Pipit (<i>Anthus spragueii</i>), a habitat specialist, this would mean returning more readily to native grass habitat in grass dominated landscapes. I expected no difference in return rate of Savannah Sparrow (<i>Passerculus sandwichensis</i>), a habitat generalist, to either habitat or landscape. However, I found that the proportion of non-returning breeders was not influenced by landscape or habitat for either species. Furthermore, I examined attributes (distance from capture point to nearest crop and to the nearest road, as well as the percentage of native grass, planted grass, water and woody vegetation within landscape and territory buffers around the capture point) of the landscape and territory of each individual to determine if specific landscape or territory characteristics influenced their return rate to a breeding area. Neither species showed an affinity or aversion to any of the landscape or territory characteristics considered.<p> At a larger scale, geographical position within the breeding range may influence dispersal rates of migratory songbirds. Given that environmental factors often change in a clinal manner, central populations presumably experience the most favorable environmental conditions and peripheral populations the least favorable. Therefore, geographically peripheral locations likely occur in ecologically marginal or stressful conditions, resulting in higher dispersal rates of migratory birds. I examined the differences in dispersal rates of two grassland songbirds at two geographically distinct locations; one centrally located in the Spragues Pipit breeding range (Last Mountain Lake area, SK, Canada) and one at the periphery (Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, MT, USA). As expected, Spragues Pipits at the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge had a significantly larger dispersal rate than at the Last Mountain Lake area. Savannah Sparrow dispersal rates did not differ between locations at the more conservative outlier classification. These results provide some limited evidence that geographical position within the breeding range can influence dispersal rates.<p> Using äD analysis, I found that local amount-weighted growing-season deuterium in precipitation (äDp) at locations within grassland ecosystems differed from those long-term (45+ year) models described by stable hydrogen isotope ratio basemaps, illustrated in Hobson and Wassenaar (1997), Meehan et al. (2004) and Bowen et al. (2005). Therefore, I describe how äDp values were corrected from the long-term isoscape value predicted by Bowen et al. (2005). This method of determining year-specific local weighted growing-season äDp is an improvement upon the currently used Bowen et al. (2005) isoscape that is based on long-term precipitation patterns. To improve assignment of individuals to origins based on their äDf values, future research should incorporate year-to-year variation by applying year-specific corrections to the Bowen et al. (2005) isoscape.<p> More research is needed to determine the factors affecting the philopatry and dispersal of grassland songbirds in order to conserve them.

Several species of North American migratory songbirds reportedly experience seasonal diet shifts involving a shift from an insect diet during the breeding season to one incorporating fruits during migration and non-breeding periods but the extent to which dietary plasticity occurs in migratory songbirds is poorly quantified. Thus, I used stable carbon (ä13C) and nitrogen (ä15N) isotope analyses to evaluate the timing and extent of frugivory throughout the annual life cycle of 16 species of migratory songbirds, representing wide ranges in body size and reported diets. Birds were sampled during spring and fall migration at the Delta Marsh Bird Observatory in 2003. To investigate dietary patterns, I sampled multiple tissues (muscle, liver, whole blood, claws, bone collagen, feathers) as these represent different periods of diet integration due to varying elemental turnover rates.<p>Assuming that relatively low ä15N values represent a fruit diet and relatively high ä15N values represent an insect diet, I expected tissues representing fall migration (liver, blood, and muscle from fall-captured birds) and winter (greater coverts and claws from spring-captured birds) to have lower ä15N values than tissues representing spring migration (liver, blood, and muscle from spring-captured birds) and summer (tail feathers and claws from fall-captured birds) when fruits are presumed to be less common in songbird diets. Based on blood and claw ä15N values, there was no isotopic segregation of species I classified a priori as insectivores or omnivores. For most species, tissue ä15N values showed either no seasonal change or a shift opposite to my prediction (e.g., ä15N values higher in fall birds compared to spring birds). Boreal fruit ä15N values were lower than those for insects; however, ä15N values of agricultural fruits overlapped both boreal fruit and insect values suggesting that food web baselines did not conform to a simple (single) linear trophic-enrichment model. In Yellow-rumped Warblers (Dendroica coronata), within-tissue seasonal comparisons for liver, muscle and blood indicated a fruit diet during fall and winter and an insect diet during spring and summer; claws and feathers of birds captured in spring (representing winter diet) had unexpectedly high ä15N values. Diet-tissue isotopic discrimination factors associated with both a fruit diet and insect diet were taken from the literature and used to correct stable isotope values of tissues to putative diet because, currently, little is known about the nature of factors influencing discrimination factors to be used in simple linear dietary mixing models. There were differences in tissue ä13C and ä15N values depending on which discrimination factor was used. Based on mixing model results for tissue ä15N values, a higher proportion of insects vs. fruits was detected in the diet of Yellow-rumped Warblers for all tissues except muscle and claws. <p>My interpretations are contingent on the fact that the available natural history information, on which guild classifications were based, was correct and that elemental turnover rates and discrimination factors used were accurate. However, much uncertainty remains about the appropriate diet-tissue isotopic discrimination factors corresponding to fruit and insect diets. Due to extensive natural variability of stable nitrogen isotope values in food sources, possible anthropogenic influences and a lack of knowledge of the metabolic processes that can potentially affect stable isotope values, I caution against using stable isotope analysis alone to track frugivory in temperate North American migratory songbirds. Future research should focus on captive studies aimed at determining and validating discrimination factors of various tissues, particularly claws and feathers, for birds feeding on varying proportions of fruits and insects. Additionally, more information on the dietary habits of these migratory songbirds is needed, as previous estimates of insectivory and frugivory in songbirds may not be accurate.

No description available.

Temperate grasslands and the biodiversity they sustain are becoming increasingly imperilled. Habitat loss and degradation are considered primary causes of grassland species declines. Since livestock production is a dominant use of remaining temperate grassland, livestock producers and the grazing management decisions they make play a vital role in the recovery of grassland species. In this thesis, I examined social and ecological factors that drive habitat management and abundance of prairie wildlife species so as to contribute to conservation planning for prairie species at risk and their habitat. I focused on grassland songbirds because, of all prairie wildlife species, grassland birds have undergone some of the most dramatic declines in recent years. I employed an interdisciplinary approach, using theory and methodology from ornithology, rangeland management and the human dimension of conservation biology to achieve three objectives: i) to determine the extent to which indices of rangeland health explained variation in grassland songbird abundance for ten grassland bird species, including three species currently listed under Canada’s Species at Risk Act: Sprague’s pipit, McCown’s longspur and Chestnut-collared longspur; ii) to describe livestock producer characteristics, summarize producer awareness of and attitudes towards species at risk and the Canadian Species at Risk Act and evaluate how characteristics, awareness and attitudes affect producer willingness to engage in voluntary stewardship actions that support species at risk conservation; and iii) to explore relationships between select social and ecological factors and bird abundance for the three aforementioned grassland bird species at risk to elucidate novel pathways for achieving their conservation. I address the first objective in Chapter 2, where I identify the rangeland health index as a poor predictor of bird abundance and vegetation structure variables, such as litter and vegetation volume, as strong predictors of bird abundance. These findings make a case for further refining the rangeland health index as a tool for biodiversity assessment. In Chapter 3 I achieve the second objective and summarize producer characteristics, awareness and attitudes towards species. I also identify awareness, attitudes and rangeland management learning approach as important to producer willingness to support species at risk recovery. I accomplish the third objective in Chapter 4, where I present results of a structural equation model that upholds bird-habitat relationships identified in Chapter 2 and distinguishes management jurisdiction, size of land holdings and attitudes as important social factors to consider in conservation planning. Chapters 2 and 3 contribute to theory and methodology related to the ecological and social dimensions of grassland bird conservation, respectively. Chapter 4 demonstrates how structural equation models can be used to integrate social and ecological factors, and thereby inform habitat conservation and management. Both social and ecological data presented in this thesis make valuable contributions to producer engagement and habitat management aspects of conservation planning efforts for species at risk in the Milk River watershed of southwestern Saskatchewan. Overall, my findings point to the importance of a joint effort by regional private and public managers to use livestock grazing to create a mosaic of vegetation structure and habitat conditions suitable for the grassland bird community as a whole. This thesis provides a methodological approach that draws on and integrates social and ecological data, methods and concepts, thereby demonstrating how to conduct interdisciplinary research for biological conservation.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Missouri-Columbia, 1996. / Typescript. Vita. Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Submitted by Helmut Patrocinio (hell.kenn@gmail.com) on 2017-11-19T18:33:02Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Tarcisio_Velho_TESE_2008.pdf: 3588366 bytes, checksum: 527ea32ab36807e796e40f24a77425a5 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ismael Pereira (ismael@neuro.ufrn.br) on 2017-11-22T12:06:30Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 Tarcisio_Velho_TESE_2008.pdf: 3588366 bytes, checksum: 527ea32ab36807e796e40f24a77425a5 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-22T12:07:03Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Tarcisio_Velho_TESE_2008.pdf: 3588366 bytes, checksum: 527ea32ab36807e796e40f24a77425a5 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-06 / The consolidation of long-lasting sensory memories requires the activation of gene expression programs. However, to fully understand the contribution of genomic events necessary for sensory learning, it is necessary to characterize the components involved in this response, their induction kinetics, and the possible functional interactions among individual components. Birdsong represents one of the best natural behaviors to study gene expression induced by auditory stimulation in awake, freely behaving animals. The present work addresses the properties and functional consequences of the genomic response to birdsong in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), with a specific focus on the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), a cortical-like auditory area involved in song auditory processing and memorization. We found that song induces a wellorchestrated cascade of gene expression that includes early and late genes. Early genes are co-expressed by NCM neurons and their induction is regulated by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. In addition, we also found that the induction of early genes is locally modulated by norepinephrine. We have also identified two late genes, syn2 and syn3, whose induction is repressed by early song-induced proteins genes in NCM. Functionally, we show that blockade of this response by ?-adrenergic antagonists disrupts the long-term maintenance of long-lasting neuronal changes triggered by song. Finally, we show that the pattern of early song-induce gene expression in NCM is stimulus dependent. These patterns also indicate the existence of functional subdomains of more or less selectivity towards conspecific songs. Overall, these results help us understand the functional significance of the genomic response to song and the functional organization of sound representation in a higher order auditory area of the songbird brain. / The consolidation of long-lasting sensory memories requires the activation of gene expression programs. However, to fully understand the contribution of genomic events necessary for sensory learning, it is necessary to characterize the components involved in this response, their induction kinetics, and the possible functional interactions among individual components. Birdsong represents one of the best natural behaviors to study gene expression induced by auditory stimulation in awake, freely behaving animals. The present work addresses the properties and functional consequences of the genomic response to birdsong in zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata), with a specific focus on the caudomedial nidopallium (NCM), a cortical-like auditory area involved in song auditory processing and memorization. We found that song induces a wellorchestrated cascade of gene expression that includes early and late genes. Early genes are co-expressed by NCM neurons and their induction is regulated by the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway. In addition, we also found that the induction of early genes is locally modulated by norepinephrine. We have also identified two late genes, syn2 and syn3, whose induction is repressed by early song-induced proteins genes in NCM. Functionally, we show that blockade of this response by ?-adrenergic antagonists disrupts the long-term maintenance of long-lasting neuronal changes triggered by song. Finally, we show that the pattern of early song-induce gene expression in NCM is stimulus dependent. These patterns also indicate the existence of functional subdomains of more or less selectivity towards conspecific songs. Overall, these results help us understand the functional significance of the genomic response to song and the functional organization of sound representation in a higher order auditory area of the songbird brain.

Master of Science / Department of Biology / Brett K. Sandercock / Grassland birds are declining throughout their native range. The Flint Hills of eastern Kansas and Oklahoma contain large tracts of tallgrass prairie, but intensification of agricultural practices may be contributing to ongoing population declines. Common rangeland management practices include annual burning coupled with heavy grazing by cattle. This system, known as intensive early stocking and burning, promotes homogeneous utilization of forage by cattle but may not provide habitat for some grassland bird species. Patch-burn grazing is an alternative management system that aims to restore heterogeneity on rangelands by recreating the fire-grazing interaction that would have historically occurred throughout the Great Plains. From 2011-2013, we examined responses of grassland birds to traditional rangeland management and patch-burn grazing by conducting vegetation surveys, line transect surveys, and nest monitoring on privately-owned pastures in Chase County and Greenwood County, Kansas. Vegetative heterogeneity was higher on patch-burned pastures, with unburned patches having higher visual obstruction and less bare ground. Densities of grassland birds differed by species and among habitat strata. Unburned patches on patch-burned pastures were associated with increased densities of Dickcissels (Spiza americana), Eastern Meadowlarks (Sturnella magna) and Grasshopper Sparrows (Ammodramus savannarum). Henslow’s Sparrows (A. henslowii) were only detected on patch-burned pastures. Nest survival of grassland songbirds was similar among management systems but varied by year. Probability of nest parasitism by Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater) varied among years and between treatments for Dickcissels and Grasshopper Sparrows, with overall lower rates on burned areas and during drought years. For Dickcissels and Grasshopper Sparrows, there was a significant reduction in host clutch size between parasitized versus unparasitized nests. Overall, nest survival of grassland songbirds in managed rangelands was low. Patch-burn grazing improved rangeland conditions and provided habitat for more species of birds, but did not increase nest survival. Drought conditions in 2012 and 2013 may have influenced the results of this study, as many landowners were unable to burn as planned. Further study is needed to determine underlying factors driving variation in nest success and parasitism rates for grassland birds, particularly on private lands which make up the vast majority of remnant tallgrass prairies.

The objectives of the study were to determine the year-round distribution and habitat selection of four marsh passerine species, as described by vegetation type and its physical characteristics, and to investigate interspecific competition as a factor in the habitat selection of the Long-billed Marsh Wren and the Red-winged Blackbird. Fulfillment of these objectives should help the B.C. Fish and Wildlife Branch to assess the effects of their management plans on marsh passerines. I determined the abundance of four passerine species in different vegetation types via marsh census transects over the period of one year. Nesting habitat and breeding information on marsh wrens and redwings was obtained via nest study plots. The results were: Areas traversed from the central and deepest marsh outward towards higher ground are inhabited by redwings, marsh wrens. Common Yellowthroats, and Song Sparrows, respectively. Habitats of wrens and redwings are spatially and temporally segregated. Wrens use the "Dense Spiraea" (Hardhack shrub) habitat extensively, while redwings use it hardly at all in the marsh. Similarly, redwings are abundant in Scirpus cyperinus (Hairy-seeded Bulrush), whereas wrens seldom use this habitat. Both wrens and redwings use other vegetation types, but redwings use them in the late spring, whereas wrens use them in the summer. Both wrens and redwings have lower reproductive success when nesting in close proximity than when nesting apart. This supports the hypothesis that interspecific competition exists and indicates that selection may favour habitat segregation. I also found mutual suppression of reproductive success when the effects of different vegetation types were removed. The results were not statistically significant however, possibly due to small sample sizes. Of the observed differences between the physical nest site parameters of wrens and redwings, vegetation height and presence and/or depth of water require further investigation as factors in the habitat selection of the two species. Bren-wren competition does not appear to affect wren nesting success in the present study marsh. Management recommendations are given based on the objective of maintaining and possibly enhancing bird species diversity in the study marsh. / Science, Faculty of / Zoology, Department of / Graduate

Die vorliegende Arbeit befasst sich mit den Bezeichnungen für Singvögel im Russischen und Deutschen. Die Arbeit zeigt, wie diese Bezeichnungen entstanden sind und heute verwendet werden. Sie beschäftigt sich mit der Übersetzbarkeit von Vogelnamen als Nomenklaturzeichen in Fachtexten und in schöngeistiger Literatur sowie in Redewendungen und Sprichwörtern, in denen ihr Gebrauch eher symbolischer Art ist. Nach einer Einführung in die Terminologie, als deren Bereich Nomenklaturzeichen angesehen werden, gibt die Arbeit einen Überblick über die Entstehung und Bedeutung der deutschen und russischen Vogelnamen. Viele Vogelnamen in diesen beiden Sprachen sind ähnlich entstanden, ihre einzelnen Komponenten können teilweise sogar wörtlich übersetzt werden. Eine korrekte Übersetzung von Vogelnamen in Fachtexten ist jedoch nur mit Hilfe der internationalen wissenschaftlichen Bezeichnungen möglich, die für alle Vogelarten existieren und für die Fachkommunikation unerlässlich sind. Die Taxonomie der Vögel und die Nomenklatur der wissenschaftlichen Vogelnamen werden deshalb ebenfalls erläutert. Ziel der Arbeit ist es, einen Überblick über die verschiedenen Bereiche des Übersetzens von Vogelnamen, im weiteren Sinne also zoologischen Namen, zu geben, bei denen die wissenschaftlichen Bezeichnungen nicht immer als „Brücke“ weiterhelfen können. Ornithologische Fachliteratur wird ohnehin fast ausschließlich von Fachleuten übersetzt. Dennoch können Vogelnamen natürlich auch in anderen zu übersetzenden Fachtexten auftreten. Ihre Übersetzung mit Hilfe der wissenschaftlichen Namen ist nicht ganz unproblematisch. Es gibt wissenschaftliche Literatur über die Vogelarten aller Regionen der Erde, sodass Probleme selten daher rühren, dass eine Art in einer bestimmten Region endemisch ist, also nur dort auftritt. Im Russischen und Deutschen existieren gemeinsprachliche Namen für so gut wie alle rezenten, also derzeit lebenden Vogelarten der Erde. Trotzdem kann es vorkommen, dass die gesuchte Art in dieser Literatur nicht gefunden wird und ein zielsprachliches Äquivalent fehlt. Der Grund dafür ist, dass auch die wissenschaftlichen Namen international nicht einheitlich verwendet werden, was die Recherche beim Übersetzen stark erschwert. Diese Probleme sowie Lösungsvorschläge werden erläutert. Vogelnamen können jedoch selbstverständlich auch in nicht allgemeinsprachlichen Texten auftreten. Gerade in der schöngeistigen Literatur werden sie jedoch oft uneinheitlich verwendet. Art-, Gattungs- und in manchen Fällen sogar Familienbezeichnungen werden nicht immer so deutlich von einander getrennt, dass dies für Laien, die auch Übersetzer auf diesem Gebiet meist sind, erkennbar wäre. Dabei treten in den beiden betrachteten Sprachen teilweise Unterschiede auf, was zu Übersetzungsproblemen und -fehlern führen kann. Auch auf diese Schwierigkeiten und Lösungsansätze wird in der vorliegenden Arbeit eingegangen. Vogelnamen in Redewendungen und Sprichwörtern stellen ein besonderes Problem bei der Übersetzung dar. Die Bedeutungen, die verschiedene Vögel im Volksglauben und der Mythologie eines Volkes haben, sind von Land zu Land unterschiedlich. Mit diesem Exkurs endet der übersetzungswissenschaftliche Teil der Arbeit. Ein umfangreiches Glossar, das neben den Bezeichnungen für alle Singvögel, die auf dem Gebiet der ehemaligen UdSSR vorkommen, auch eine kleinere Auflistung deutscher volkstümlicher Vogelnamen enthält, die einen Beitrag zur Übersetzung zoologischer Namen leisten soll, schließt die Arbeit ab. Es dient als Ausgangspunkt für die übersetzungswissenschaftlichen Untersuchungen und soll gleichzeitig einen Beitrag zum Ausbau des am Institut für angewandte Linguistik und Translatologie der Universität Leipzig in Erarbeitung befindlichen allgemeinsprachlichen elektronischen russisch-deutschen Wörterbuchs leisten.