habitat preference

The capture points and the displacement distance of marked individuals were calculated on satellite images using Google Earth (http://earth.google.com/). For the study of the suitable area of the species, each plot was di- vided into four zones based on presence or absence of dunes and by the cover vegetation type: A: dune with psammophile vegetation; B: zone with exotic species of shrubs and trees; C: open sandy areas outside the dune and roads for traffic people through the beach; D: intertidal zone. Based on satellite images, the four zones were delimited in polygons and analyzed with Qgis 2.2. Valmiera [47]. Density of marked spiders in each zones were considered for estimating habitat preference using the Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric analysis of variance. If we found significant differences, the Mann-Whitney test with the Bonferroni correction was applied. To test whether there was a correlation between temperature and the number of specimens observed, we performed a simple linear regression analysis of the density of A. brasiliensis in function with the temperature. This relation was analyzed at local and a regional scale. A Chi 2 was calculated for comparing paired frequency data on the base of an expected distribution. Data analyses were performed using Past Paleontological Statistics Software 2.16 [48].

Indeed, grey seals are suspected to prefer foraging in certain sediment types. This is either a direct consequence of the seals’ bio-turbating search tactics (Bowen et al. 2002) or an indirect consequence of the habitat preference of sediment-burrowing prey such as sandeels (Wright et al. 2000, Holland et al. 2005). Sediment type was derived from British Geological Survey (BGS) data obtained from core samples, spaced, on average, at 5km intervals throughout the study area. For every core sample, the data were given as a percentage-by-weight of gravel (defined as particles greater than 2.0mm in diameter), sand (particles 0.0625-2.0mm in diameter) and mud (particles smaller than 0.0625mm in diameter). I used a random sub-sample of cores to calculate the semi-variogram (Isaaks and Srivastava 1990) characterising the spatial autocorrelation of each of the three sediment components. The semi-variograms were then used to generate kriged estimates of each sediment component throughout the study region, at a resolution of 1km2. I kriged the three sediment components independently despite the fact that they are measured as complementary percentages. To check that the three kriged maps were approximately complementary, I checked the distribution of the sum of estimated percentages over all grid cells in the study region. This had an average value of 101% with standard deviation of 5%. These estimates were then normalised to 100% for each cell in the study area. In the analysis, I only used two (i.e. the percentage mud and gravel) out of three sediment components to avoid severe problems of multi-collinearity (see §2.2.5).

Roost characteristics and habitat preference of Indian flying fox, Pteropus giganteus were observed at 14 day roost sites of Lakhimpur - Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh, India form January 2010 to December 2015. All roosts harbor 972 trees belonging to 9 families, 11 genera and 14 species, of which 157 trees belonging to 6 families, 7 genera, and 10 species served as roost trees for these bats. Height of the roost trees varied from 8.80 m (Psidium guajava)) to 16.18 m (Bambusa balcooa) and DBH ranged from 10.73 cm (Bambusa balcooa) to 144.71 cm (Ficus benghalensis). Maximum average bats (n=336.25) were roosted on Ficus religiosa, having height of 9.97 m and DBH of 134.47 cm whereas minimum bats (n=7) were observed on Psidium guajava, having height of 8.80 m and DBH of 44.10 cm. The current study revealed that P. giganteus preferred to roost in larger trees with sufficient heights and dense canopy, located nearby water bodies and human habitations.

Reliable and sufficient information regarding status, distribution and habitat preference of red panda (Ailurus fulgens fulgens) is lacking in Nepal. The research activities on red panda in the mid-western Nepal are very limited, so the status of red panda in the region is quite unknown. The study conducted during May, 2013 in three Village Development Committees (VDCs) namely God- hemahadev, Malikathata and Tamti of Jumla district was an important step for providing vital in- formation including distribution and habitat preference of this species. The study included the reconnaissance, key informants survey, interviews and consultation for the most potential area identification, opportunistic survey comprising the direct observation and indirect sign count method for the presence and distribution, habitat assessment consisting vegetation sampling and ocular estimation. The study revealed the presence of red panda in three forests namely Bahire- patan, Imilchadamar and Tyakot of Godhemahadev, Tamti and Malikathata VDCs respectively. The species was found distributed between 2880 and 3244 m with an average dropping encounter rate of 1.04 per hour of searching effort and 12 pellets per dropping. Red panda mostly preferred the habitat in the elevation range of 2900 - 3000 m with southwest facing steep slopes (36˚ - 45˚), as- sociated with water sources at the distance of ≤100 m. Trees such as Acer spp., Betula utilis and Quercus semecarpifolia, shrub species of Elaeagnus parvifolia, Drepanostachyum spp. and Jasmi- num humile, and the herbs like Polygonatum cirrhifolium, Fragaria nubicola and Galium asperifo- lium were found to be the most preferred species by red panda. The red panda preferred the ha- bitat with dense crown coverage (>20% - 100%) and 31% - 50% ground cover. Fallen logs (39%) were the most preferred substrate used for defecation.

Very few studies have been conducted on habitat preference of Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus) during its breeding season in Indian subcontinent. The present investigation was carried out with an objective to understand its habitat preference in a freshwater wetland located in Himalayan flood plain area of Kashmir valley. The findings may prove helpful in safeguarding its breeding habitats, thereby ensuring its own conservation. The wetlands of J&K provide important habitat for a number of aquatic avifauna including some passerines such as Great Reed Warbler (Acrocephalus arundinaceus).This bird species utilizes the resources of freshwater wetlands of J&K during summer months for foraging and breeding. The present study was undertaken to evaluate its preference for various habitats available in Chandhara wetland during April 2008 to September 2008.This bird was found to show significant preference for Phragmites dominant area followed by open water area and dry land strip(X 2 =184.8, p<0.0001) during nesting period. It generally avoided Carex dominated floating zone and peripheral zones.During post nesting period Great Reed Warbler was found to display its significant preference for Phragmites dominant area (X 2 = 313.15, p<0.0001).

The Orthopterans are distributed through the physiographic zones of the world but their distribution largely depends upon the vegetation like grasslands, forests and agricultural fields 1 . Though many studies have been conducted elsewhere, no such attempt has ever made in Anamudi Shola National Park (ASNP) to assess the status and diversity of Orthoptera. The present study is conducted to study the diversity and habitat preference of Orthopterans in ASNP.

Despite more than a century of research, some key aspects of habitat preference and ecology of the earliest angiosperms remain poorly constrained. Proposed growth ecology has varied from opportunistic weedy species growing in full sun to slow-growing species limited to the shaded understorey of gymnos- perm forests. Evidence suggests that the earliest angiosperms possessed low transpiration rates: gas exchange rates for extant basal angiosperms are low, as are the reconstructed gas exchange rates for the oldest known angiosperm leaf fossils. Leaves with low transpirational capacity are vulnerable to overheat- ing in full sun, favouring the hypothesis that early angiosperms were limited to the shaded understorey. Here, modelled leaf temperatures are used to examine the thermal tolerance of some of the earliest angiosperms. Our results indicate that small leaf size could have mitigated the low transpirational cooling capacity of many early angiosperms, enabling many species to survive in full sun. We propose that during the earliest phases of the angiosperm leaf record, angiosperms may not have been limited to the understorey, and that some species were able to compete with ferns and gymnosperms in both shaded and sunny habitats, especially in the absence of competition from more rapidly growing and transpiring advanced lineages of angiosperms.

Abstract: The black timber bark beetle Xylosandrus germanus (Blandford) is an invasive ambrosia beetle originating from Southeastern Asia that has become successfully established within Europe and North America. Herein, we provide a review of the spread and distribution of this pest of trees and timber across Europe before and after 2000, along with a review of its habitat preferences. Since the spread of X. germanus across Europe has accelerated rapidly post-2000, emphasis is placed on this period. X. germanus was first recorded in Germany in 1951 and since then in 21 European countries along with Russia. Ethanol-baited traps were deployed in oak, beech, and spruce forest ecosystems in the Western Carpathians, Central Europe, Slovakia, to characterize the distribution and habitat preference of this non-native ambrosia beetle. Captures of X. germanus within Slovakia have been rising rapidly since its first record in 2010, and now this species dominates captures of native ambrosia beetles. X. germanus has spread throughout the whole Slovakia from the

Comparative studies on the chemical compositions of Gnetum africana and Gnetum bulchozianum leaves in relation to habitat preference were studied in Ibesikpo Asutan Local Government Area. The mineral elements analyzed from the leaf tissues of these plants included P, K, Ca, Na and Mg. The results revealed that the Calcium (8.10±0.09 mg/kg) and potassium (38.91±0.12mg/kg) concentrations in Gnetum africana were significantly (P< 0.05) higher than concentration values of Gnetum bulchozianum which were (6.12±0.08mg/kg) and (32.80±0.56mg/kg) respectively. On the contrary Sodium (16.21±0.73mg/kg), Magnessium (6.82±1.20mg/kg) and Phosphorus (3.62±0.01mg/kg) in Gnetum bulchozianum differed significantly in concentration values present in Gnetum africana (15.82±0.06 mg/kg, 5.23±0.03 mg/kg and 2.31±0.10 mg/kg). Statistical comparison of the pedological indices of the soils of the habitats harbouring this species revealed that the habitats did not differ significantly. The study also showed that both species prefer weakly acidic, well drained, sandy loam soils, enriched with phosphorus. The result of this research thus lends weight to the practice of agronomy and conservation of this threatened plant.

ABSTRACT: The ecology, behavior and breeding biology of most of the endemic bird species of Ethiopia have not been fully documented. Yellow Fronted Parrot is one of endemic birds of Ethiopia which is poorly known thus information an observer discovers about it will be new to science. The study was carried out from August 2017 to March 2018 in Zegie peninsula forest to identify Activity Pattern, Flocking Behavior and Habitat Preference of Yellow Fronted Parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons). A systematic random sampling technique, with the variable circular plot method was used. The study plots were selected according to the area in which Yellow-Fronted parrots were observed during the preliminary survey and on the basis of vegetation type. Visits were made two months (August and September) in wet season and two months (January and February) in dry season with ten days in each month and on each visit the area was surveyed from dawn to dusk (6:oo am to 6:00 pm) 50 minutes on each plot. Yellow Fronted parrots were selected randomly during the surveys of the study area and their behavior was observed by using binocular. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), mean, descriptive statistics and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to analyze the collected data. The time spent by the species on feeding, courtship and resting behaviors was significantly different. However, the time spent by the species on scanning, preening and moving behaviors was not significantly different in the study area regarding to season. Except resting daily time budget of the activity pattern of Yellow Fronted Parrots has no significant difference according to hours of day. In the wet season flocks that were composed of 1 to 6 individual parrots were observed. In the dry season flocks that were composed of 1 to 9 individual parrots were observed. Tree species particularly Juniperus procera, Ficus vasta, Cordia Africana, Celitis africana, Podocarpus falcatus, Prunus africana, Albizia gummifera and Croton macrostachyus were selected by Yellow-Fronted Parrot. In general activity pattern, flocking behavior and habitat preference of Yellow Fronted Parrots showed diference regarding to season and hours of the day. In the study area plantation of indigenous trees like J. procera, F. vasta, C. Africana, C. africana, P. falcatus, P. africana, A. gummifera and C. macrostachyus which are important for Yellow Fronted Parrots has to be strengthened.

The current vector control strategies in Kenya, such as LLINs and IRS which target indoor resting mosquitoes, are insufficient. These strategies may not protect against outdoor resting mosquito vectors such as the culicine species that transmit RVF and secondary malaria vectors like An. pharoensis and An. coustani. Larval source man- agement (LSM) should, therefore, be an additional strat- egy to supplement the existing interventions as part of an integrated vector management (IVM) policy [12]. This is possible because larval habitats in Baringo are mainly permanent artificial water bodies which are few in num- ber, accessible and easily identifiable [13]. Information on the diversity and distribution of endemic vector species is essential and requires knowledge on the identity of mos- quito species present in each locality for effective imple- mentation of vector management [14–16]. The present study determined species diversity, seasonal occurrence and larval habitat preference by RVF and malaria vectors in Baringo.

and aspirators in the early morning (5:00–8:00 am). The rationale for making collections as early in the morning as possible was to avoid disturbance to mosquitoes by smoke from kitchens and by sun light. For collecting resting mosquitoes outdoors, natural shelters such as tree holes, stone cavities, erosion furrows, empty animal sheds and piles of firewood were inspected. Adult mos- quitoes were also collected using a CDC light trap in human houses and animal shelters. The trap was set up in locations that were far away from competing light sources and hung up about 1.5 m above ground from dusk to dawn during one night per household or cattle shed. The light trap was kept turned on overnight. On the next morning the catch bag was removed and mos- quitoes were immobilized with chloroform (ethanol stabi- lized; RFCL Limited, New Delhi) and identified using taxonomic keys and catalogues [3,38,39]. Small rain pools, seepage, streams, tree holes, water tanks ponds, rock pool, stone cave and artificial container such as discarded tires were surveyed for the presence of larvae, and collection were made by applying a standard sampling procedure described elsewhere [37,40]. Depending on the size of breeding habitat and the availability of larvae, three to ten samples were taken from each larval habitat. In streams, dipping was carried out at the edges and stream beds for a distance 300 m to 2,310 m depending on presence of larvae and access of stream water for sampling.

very prey specific and habitat specialist. Several studies reported that most of the species showed high feeding potential, foraging activity and reproductive efficiency, which are the characteristics of effective biocontrol agent used in IPM (Fernandez-Arhex and Corley, 2003; Kohno, 2003). With regard to biodiversity, the significance of predacious coccinellids lies in the fact that they keep the prey population under control, thereby contribute to the maintenance of the ecosystem balance because control of natural pest reduces dependence on chemical pesticides, which are considered harmful to environment and promote resistance in pests (Murdoch, 1975).

The Bale Mountains region is located in the south-east highlands of Ethiopia at 400 km from, Addis Ababa, the capital city of Ethiopia. At the heart of these chain of mountains is the Bale Mountains National Park (BMNP), which covers an area of c. 2200 km 2 (OBARD, 2007). The region contains five broad vegetation zones (Fig. 2): the northern montane grasslands, the northern woodlands, ericaceous forest, the Afro-alpine moorland and grassland, and the southern Harenna forest (Hillman, 1986). Seventy-eight mammal and 278 bird species have been recorded from the Bale Mountains area; of which 17 mammal and 6 bird species are endemic (Asefa, 2007, 2011). The Bale Mountains area is characterized by eight months (March-October) of rainy season and four months of dry season (Hillman, 1986). In the Bale Mountains, Abyssinian long-claw has been reported from the northern montane grasslands and the Afroalpine moorland habitats (Hillman, 1986; Asefa, 2007). The present study was carried out in the montane grasslands of the area (Fig. 2). This grassland has an area of c. 25 km 2 of which ~ 13.92 km 2 is included in the BMNP and the remaining area is being used as a communal livestock grazing land by the surrounding community (Hillman, 1986; Mamo et al, 2012). This grassland area occurs as a central broad flat valley in between two mountainous ranges from the north and south at an altitudinal range of 3000 and 3150 m a.s.l. The vegetation of the area can be broadly classified in to three types (for detail see Table 1) as: open grassland (dry land areas covered by short grasses), marsh grassland (characterized by tall swamp grasses and sedges), and shrubland (covered by bushes of Artemesia afra and Helichrysum splendidum) (Hillman, 1986; Afework, Bekele and Balakrishnan, 2009; OARDB, 2007; Mamo et al. 2012). This montane grassland generally is considered as a critical habitat for the endangered endemic mountain nyala (Tragelaphus buxtoni), as well for several ungulate species in the BMNP (Hillman, 1986; Stephens et al. 2001; Mamo et al. 2012). Consequently, most conservation efforts in the national park are focused on this grassland (OBARD, 2007).

Freshwater ecosystems have well defined boundaries and differ distinctly in surface area, depth, type of vegetation and existence of prey items than the terrestrial environment. Insects that dwell in water bodies occupy various ecological niches to the extent of shores as well as bottom. Among them, aquatic bugs under the sub Heteroptera are of great importance since they decide the potency of freshwater ecosystem (Newbury, 1984). Habitat plays a vital role in deciding the activities of organisms. Substratum is the stage upon which the drama of aquatic insect ecology is acted out. It is the medium upon which aquatic insects move, rest, find shelter and seek food.Aquatic insect communities may be totally aquatic or partially aquatic in their mode of life (Brown, 1987). Members of each family are highly unique in possessing certain diagnostic features that are of high adaptive value for their existence and survival in selective microhabitats of freshwater environment. Each genus of water bug occupies a distinct habitat and exhibits distinctive behaviour patterns and shows an affinity with the type of substratum. Structure of substratum is inseparably linked to variations inspatial colonizations of insects (Minshall, 1984). Autecology is the study of the environmental relations of the individuals of single species whereas synecology is the

humpback whale social groups and singers, in relation to depth categories 50 m and substrate type muddy and mixed on a coastal southeastern Pacific breeding.. One hundred and forty-three[r]

Despite the increasing number of wild boars and the increasing threats of urban living, there is limited infor- mation to control them in cool-temperate zones like South Korea. Once the wild boar’s preferred site condi- tions and forest types are known, it would be meaningful information to manage the growing wild boar popula- tion. Therefore, this study is aimed at examining the preference of the wild boar on forest type and site condi- tion as feeding grounds in two national parks, Odaesan and Seoraksan, which are cool-temperate forests and known with a large wild boar population in South Korea (NIBR 2017).

The presence of spring tidal range and current speed in some of the best regional models may be linked. Currents play an important role in coastal ecosystems, particularly when combined with variable topography (Mann and Lazier 2006). In the Small Isles and the Sound of Jura detections were highest in the areas of high current. Where interactions between tidal water movements and land masses occur, eddies and rips are produced, serving to increase turbulence and productivity (Mann and Lazier 2006). Areas with large tidal ranges will result in a greater volume of water moving in the tidal cycle, which will increase the presence and strength of these aggregating features. Such spatially and temporally predictable features are known to impact the distribution of harbour porpoise prey species (Wolanski and Hamner 1988; Yen et al. 2004; Zamon 2003). The presence of islands (anchor points for eddies/rips) and channels (through which tidal water is forced thus increasing current speeds) throughout the Small Isles and the northern Sound of Jura (Ellett and Edwards 1983) may also explain why current speed was important in explaining porpoise distribution in these regions. Many studies have investigated harbour porpoise distribution and/or habitat preferences with respect to tidal features and observed site-specific relationships. The highest densities of harbour porpoises have been observed during flood tides (Calderan 2003; Johnston et al. 2005; Sekiguchi 1995), ebb tides (Isojunno 2006; Pierpoint 2008) and during the slack periods between flood and ebb (Embling et al. 2010 - using some of the same data from this study). Position relative to tidal cycle and position in the daily tidal cycle were not retained in any of the models in this analysis.

ent between tropical forest and a field. This loca- tion provides an overview of the hunting habitat that is influenced by intensive human presence. The existence of parking arena, camping ground, and playground allegedly become an influence on animal activities in general. Point C, which is the point of entry of the jungle track, also has quite a lot of disturbance because of its location adjacent to the hot water pool. This location is visited by many people every day.

throughout the breeding cycle in order to evaluate how reproductive constraints impact foraging distribution, habitat segregation, at-sea activity patterns, and habitat preference in the context of their oligotrophic breeding environment. Based on previous studies, we expected that foraging movements would be most constrained during the brooding period for both species and least constrained during the incubation and chick-rearing pe- riods [28, 29, 32]. We also expected to see the greatest overlap in foraging distributions during brooding when adults take shorter trips to frequently provision young chicks [29]. We therefore hypothesized that activity pat- terns of Hawaiian albatrosses during brooding would dif- fer from the incubation and chick-rearing periods in response to (1) the need to maximize energy delivery to rapidly-growing chicks, (2) the use of a low-productivity foraging environment, and (3) the greater potential for inter- and intraspecific competition due to contraction of foraging ranges. We also hypothesized that greater in- terspecific differences in activity patterns would be ob- served during brooding; divergent foraging strategies could reduce competitive interactions between species despite high overlap in foraging distributions. Finally, we hypothesized that each species would display consistent environmental associations in selecting habitats through- out the breeding season, but that reproductive con- straints and seasonal variation in marine habitats would influence the composition of utilized habitats during the different breeding stages.