Investigación

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https://hdl.handle.net/10201/51

Investigación contiene los documentos generados por los docentes e investigadores de la Universidad en su labor de investigación. Este depósito tiene como objetivos el almacenamiento, la gestión, la preservación y la difusión de estos documentos, y pretende contribuir al aumento de la visibilidad del trabajo desarrollado por los miembros de la comunidad universitaria.

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An integrative and participatory coastal habitat mapping framework for sustainable development actions in the United Arab Emirates
(Elsevier, 2021-09-15) Mateos Molina, Daniel; Pittman, S. J.; Baldwin, R.; Chakraborty, A.; Antonopoulou, M.; García Charton, José Antonio; Taylor, O. J. S.; Ecología e Hidrología
Coastal habitat mapping is a potentially powerful enabling tool to inform the design of strategies and actions in coastal zone planning and management, biodiversity conservation and more recently for blue carbon accounting. Habitat mapping is typically carried out by experts in remote sensing and geographical information systems, and rarely integrates stakeholders’ local ecological knowledge. To address a key knowledge gap in a previously unmapped coastal region of the Arabian Gulf, we applied a mixed-methods habitat mapping framework that integrates conventional remote sensing methods with shared knowledge from participatory mapping with local stakeholders. Using methodological pluralism, an accurate and cost-effective coastal habitat map was produced that had local relevance, facilitated knowledge exchange, considered socio-ecological factors, and incorporated spatial details that would have been absent or under-represented with conventional remote sensing methods. We demonstrate the relevance of the coastal habitat map as an enabler of actions that address multiple local and global sustainable development and biodiversity conservation policy targets for the Arabian Gulf coast of the United Arab Emirates.
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Assessment of mercury exposure and maternal-foetal transfer in Miniopterus schreibersii (Chiroptera: Miniopteridae) from southeastern Iberian Peninsula
(Springer, 2016-12-27) Espín, Silvia ; Aroca, Bárbara ; José Francisco Calvo; Lisón Gil, Fulgencio; Calvo Sendín, José F.; García Fernández, Antonio Juan; Ecología e Hidrología
Mercury (Hg) is a highly toxic and widely distributed metal that is bioaccumulated in insectivorous mammals and may cause adverse effects on the reproductive system. Bats are considered excellent Hg bioindicators due to their wide distribution, life span, trophic position, metabolic rate and food intake. However, few studies have analysed Hg residues in bats, and to the best of our knowledge, no studies have been made in the Iberian Peninsula. The main aim of this study was to undertake the first ever assessment of Hg exposure in Schreiber’s bent-winged bats inhabiting a natural cave in the southeast of Spain. The findings suggest that Schreiber’s bent-winged bats in the sampling area are chronically exposed to low levels of Hg. The Hg concentrations found in different tissues (fur, kidney, liver, muscle and brain) were below the threshold levels associated with toxic effects in mammals. Non-gestating females showed Hg concentrations in the brain and muscle that doubled those found in gestating females. This could be due to Hg mobilization from the mother to the foetus in gestating females, although other factors could contribute to explain this result such as variations in hunting areas and the insect-prey consumed and/or different energetic needs and average food consumption during the breeding season. Hg levels were 1.7 times higher, although not significant, in foetus’ brains than in the maternal brains, and Hg concentration in foetus’ brain was significantly correlated with levels in the corresponding mothers’ kidney. These results suggest that there could be an active mother-to-foetus transfer of Hg in bats, which would be of special relevance in a scenario of higher Hg exposure than that found in this study. However, further research is needed to support this view due to the limited number of samples analysed. Given the scarce ecotoxicological data available for bats and their protected status, we encourage further opportunistic studies using carcasses found in the field, the validation of non-destructive samples such as fur and guano for Hg monitoring, and new modelling approaches that will increase the data needed for proper ecological risk assessment in bat populations.
Open Access
Avoidance of carnivore carcasses by vertebrate scavengers enables colonization by a diverse community of carrion insects
(Public Library of Science, 2019-08-29) Muñoz Lozano, Carlos; Martín Vega, Daniel; Sánchez Zapata, José Antonio; Morales Reyes, Zebensui; Moleón Paiz, Marcos; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Gonzálvez Juan, Moisés; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
Carrion resources sustain a complex and diverse community of both vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers, either obligate or facultative. However, although carrion ecology has received increasing scientific attention in recent years, our understanding of carrion partitioning in natural conditions is severely limited as most studies are restricted either to the vertebrate or the insect scavenger communities. Moreover, carnivore carcasses have been traditionally neglected as study model. Here, we provide the first data on the partitioning between vertebrate and invertebrate scavengers of medium-sized carnivore carcasses, red fox (Vulpes vulpes (Linnaeus)), in two mountainous Mediterranean areas of south-eastern Spain. Carcasses were visited by several mammalian and avian scavengers, but only one carcass was partially consumed by golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos (Linnaeus). These results provide additional support to the carnivore carrion-avoidance hypothesis, which suggests that mammalian carnivores avoid the consumption of carnivore carcasses to prevent disease transmission risk. In turn, the absence of vertebrate scavengers at carnivore carcasses enabled a diverse and well-structured successional community of insects to colonise the carcasses. The observed richness and abundance of the most frequent families was more influenced by the decomposition time than by the study area. Overall, our study encourages further research on carrion resource partitioning in natural conditions.
Open Access
Bloque 3. Memorias PEHSU Murcia 2014–2019. Aprendiendo a trabajar con otros hacia un modelo de salud planetaria
(Unidad de Salud Medioambiental Pediátrica (PEHSU Murcia), Servicio de Pediatría, Hospital Clínico Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, IMIB-Arrixaca, Universidad de Murcia., 2020) Ortega García, Juan Antonio; Ortega García, Juan Antonio; Cirugía, Pediatría y Obstetricia y Ginecología; Juan Antonio Ortega García; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Medicina
Serie documental que reúne las memorias de actividad de PEHSU Murcia entre 2014 y 2019, periodo de maduración organizativa, trabajo en red y evolución hacia un modelo explícito de salud planetaria. El bloque integra las memorias 2014–2016, presentadas bajo el lema “Aprendiendo a trabajar con Otros”, y 2017–2019, ya formuladas “Hacia un modelo de Salud Planetaria”. Documenta una estructura plenamente consolidada, integrada en el Servicio de Pediatría, el IMIB-Arrixaca y la Universidad de Murcia, con desarrollo avanzado de asistencia, formación, investigación, materiales divulgativos, gestión medioambiental, presencia en medios, página web, premios y reconocimientos.
Open Access
Caminhar como uma prática de conhecimento sensível: a relevância ecológica do flâneur e a deriva na Educação Ambiental
(Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), 2025-11-10) Ruiz Bañón, María Luz; Bellas Artes
Este artigo propõe uma abordagem metodológica de educação ambiental, baseada em epistemologias ecológicas, que articula uma experiência educativa de caminhada pedagógica, registro sensorial e mapeamento afetivo como estratégias de reapropriação do território. Em diálogo com a fenomenologia, os estudos sensoriais e a antropologia da caminhada, ele recupera a figura do flâneur e a deriva para explorar o corpo em movimento como uma forma de sentir-pensar o ambiente mais do que humano. Essas práticas corporais e multissensoriais favorecem uma percepção incorporada e relacional do ambiente, promovendo uma ética de atenção, cuidado e reciprocidade com os seres vivos. É evidente que tais metodologias geram conhecimento situado e contra-hegemônico que desestabiliza o antropocentrismo, contribuindo para uma educação ambiental crítica e aberta ao medo, com o potencial de inspirar novas formas de aprendizagem coletiva e práticas pedagógicas transformadoras orientadas para a justiça ecológica. ---------------------------
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Carnivore carcasses are avoided by carnivores
(Wiley, British Ecological Society , 2017-06-13) Moleón, Marcos; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Muellerklein, Oliver C.; Getz, Wayne M.; Muñoz-Lozano, Carlos; Sánchez-Zapata, José A.; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
Ecologists have traditionally focused on herbivore carcasses as study models in scavenging research. However, some observations of scavengers avoiding feeding on carnivore carrion suggest that different types of carrion may lead to differential pressures. Untested assumptions about carrion produced at different trophic levels could therefore lead ecologists to overlook important evolutionary processes and their ecological consequences. Our general goal was to investigate the use of mammalian carnivore carrion by vertebrate scavengers. In particular, we aimed to test the hypothesis that carnivore carcasses are avoided by other carnivores, especially at the intraspecific level, most likely to reduce exposure to parasitism. We take a three-pronged approach to study this principle by: (i) providing data from field experiments, (ii) carrying out evolutionary simulations of carnivore scavenging strategies under risks of parasitic infection, and (iii) conducting a literature-review to test two predictions regarding parasite life-history strategies. First, our field experiments showed that the mean number of species observed feeding at carcasses and the percentage of consumed carrion biomass were substantially higher at herbivore carcasses than at carnivore carcasses. This occurred even though the number of scavenger species visiting carcasses and the time needed by scavengers to detect carcasses were similar between both types of carcasses. In addition, we did not observe cannibalism. Second, our evolutionary simulations demonstrated that a risk of parasite transmission leads to the evolution of scavengers with generally low cannibalistic tendencies, and that the emergence of cannibalism-avoidance behaviour depends strongly on assumptions about parasitebased mortality rates. Third, our literature review indicated that parasite species potentially able to follow a carnivore–carnivore indirect cycle, as well as those transmitted via meat consumption, are rare in our study system. Our findings support the existence of a novel coevolutionary relation between carnivores and their parasites, and suggest that carnivore and herbivore carcasses play very different roles in food webs and ecosystems.
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Coinfection is an important factor in epidemiological studies: the first serosurvey of the aoudad (Ammotragus lervia)
(Springer, 2008-11-20) González Candela, Mónica; Serrano Ferron, Emmanuel; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Martín Atance, Pablo; Cubero Pablo, María José; Alonso de Vega, Francisco-Domingo; León Vizcaíno, Luis; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
Despite being considered an invasive ungulate outside its native range (North Africa), little information exists regarding the role of the aoudad (also called Barbary sheep, Ammotragus lervia) as a pathogen reservoir. Furthermore, in most epidemiological surveys the potential role of coinfections (e.g. a first infection may make the host more immuno-competent or susceptible against a second pathogen) as a risk factor is often neglected. In this study we first performed a serological survey for selected pathogens (Mycobacterium bovis, M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis, Chlamydophila abortus, bovine viral diarrhoea/border disease viruses (BVDV-BDV), Salmonella spp., Brucella melitensis and Toxoplasma gondii) on free (n = 66) and captive (n = 25) aoudad from south-east Spain. Then, by using Akaike’s information criterion, we evaluated the importance of coinfection in two statistical models that included the effects of population, age, and sex. Our results show that neither free nor captive aoudad had antibodies against Brucella melitensis, Chlamydophila abortus, or BVDV-BDV. However, compared to other wild ungulates in Spain, aoudads have high prevalence of antibodies against M. bovis (free = 49.5%; captive = 8%), very high prevalence of antibodies against M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (free = 19.4%; captive = 56%), and intermediate prevalence of antibodies against Salmonella spp. (free = 13.4%; captive = 0%) or T. gondii (free = 1.5%; captive = 24%). Although the additive effects of population and age were included in our set of selected models, coinfection was the most influential factor to detect antibodies response against mycobacterials and salmonella infections. The direction of this influence could be exclusion of disease between tuberculosis and paratuberculosis seroreactor animals, or enhanced susceptibility to disease between tuberculosis and salmonella seroreactor animals. In conclusion, we believe that wildlife managers must pay more attention to the potential risk posed by aoudads as hosts (and probably reservoirs) of paratuberculosis and tuberculosis mycobacterials, while epidemiologists should be more aware of coinfection as an important factor in epidemiological surveys, especially in wildlife populations where multiple infections are common.
Open Access
Comparing scavenging in marine and terrestrial ecosystems: a case study with fish and gull carcasses in a small Mediterranean island
(Elsevier, 2022-01-20) Redondo Gómez, Daniel; Quaggiotto, Maria Martina; Bailey, David Mark; Eguía, Sergio; Morales Reyes, Zebensui; López Pastor, Beatriz de las N.; Martín Vega, Daniel; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Sebastián González, Esther; Sanchéz Zapata, José Antonio; Moleón, Marcos; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
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Complementary effects of encroachment and grazing intensity for soil quality in a mountain grassland
(Science Direct, 2025-03) Mark, Evan; Barbosa, Jomar; Mataix, Jorje; García-Orenes, Fuensanta; Rincón, Marina; Arcenegui, Victoria; Contreras de Vera, Antonio; Sanchez-Zapata, Jose Antonio; Sanidad Animal; Sanidad Animal
Grasslands are globally significant ecosystems held in an ecological balance by herbivory, with a natural tendency towards shrub encroachment, creating a tension between two alternative successional trajectories. The influence of grazing pressure on soil properties is not yet accurately predicted across ecosystems, nor its interaction with encroachment, with quite variable effects found. We studied the combined effect of grazing and encroachment on soil ecophysiological processes by collecting soil samples from paired locations with and without shrub presence across a managed high-altitude pastureland of 14,000 ha. By tracking 26 sheep herds with GPS collars over multiple years, we created a spatially explicit map of grazing intensity over the landscape, permitting quantification of grazing impacts on soil properties on a continuous scale. Grazing changed soil nutrient status, increasing total soil nitrogen (TN) by up to 0.77 % over the gradient, and available phosphorus (Pavail) by up to 12 times. Grazing increased soil organic carbon (SOC) content by up to 4.5 % across the gradient, and encroachment increased SOC by 1.2 %. SOC increases under these two conditions likely represent two co-occurring paths soil carbon accumulation since particulate organic carbon (POC) was increased by 44 % under shrubs, while the effect of grazing was unclear. Grazing and encroachment impacts on the soil microbial community diverged, since microbial biomass carbon (Cmic) increased by up to 86 % with grazing intensity with a simultaneous decrease in microbial basal respiration and metabolic quotient (qCO2), however neither were affected by encroachment. Overall, encroachment and grazing were seen to be complementary for soil protection and provision of ecosystem services, though their effects on certain parameters were contrasting. This knowledge may be useful for adaptive management in high nature value agroecological landscapes, and can improve large-scale projections of SOC stocks and other soil properties incorporating varying degrees of grazing intensity and the influence of encroachment
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Conservation on the blink: Deficient technical reports threaten conservation in the Natura 2000 network
(Elsevier , 2017-02-10) Altamirano, Adison ; Field, Richard ; Jones, Gareth; Lisón Gil, Fulgencio; Ecología e Hidrología
Globally, laws define both where protected areas are and their level of protection. Usually, the legal protection is not absolute and alternative land-uses can be implemented if perceived gains outweigh conservation losses. Technical reports, describing the importance of each protected area, are therefore crucial for decision-making, impact assessments, mitigation policies and management plans, and thus effective conservation. While much research has focused on protected areas themselves, including the biodiversity they contain and the impact of illegal activities, almost no research has evaluated the adequacy of the technical reports. Given high levels of data availability, the European Natura 2000 network (N2000) might be expected to represent best practice. Here we compare known bat presences with records from Standard Data Forms (SDFs) of Spanish N2000 Special Areas of Conservation (SAC); the Habitats Directive protects all European bat species. Across 1206 SACs, we found far fewer bat species listed in the SDFs than are known to occur in the SACs they represent, for both Annex II and particularly Annex IV bat species. These findings have serious conservation implications, including that decisions are systematically biased against conservation outcomes: if SDFs greatly underestimate the conservation value of their SACs, development of the land (or sea) is much more likely to be permitted. Incorporating known species presences into the SDFs of SACs is low in cost and straightforward, and can potentially achieve tremendous conservation benefits for minimal outlay; it should therefore be a top conservation priority globally, and conservation scientists should urgently engage with government agencies, accordingly.
Open Access
Continuity and change in the Ricote Valley Region (Southeastern Spain): an integrated analysis of socio-demographic, territorial and landscape transformations
(MDPI, 2024-11-20) Giménez García, Rubén; García Marín, Ramón; Molina Ruiz, José; Geografía
Historically, the Ricote Valley Region (Region of Murcia) has based its economic development on traditional agriculture based on the exploitation of water resources for the cultivation of citrus and fruit trees. Since the middle of the last century, industrial and service development, urban attraction and agricultural policies have generated a multitude of social, population and territorial transformations in this geographical area. The Ricote Valley Region has suffered an unprecedented demographic decline, making it one of the areas with the greatest depopulation problem in SE Spain. The demographic emptying of this region brings with it other associated problems, such as the abandonment of the land and traditional farming systems, with the consequent change in land use. This work aims to analyse both the demographic transition experienced by this Murcian region, the changes in land use/land cover generated and the possible relationship between both phenomena. In order to address these objectives, the methodology and sources used have been diverse. In this regard, population dynamics have been assessed by analysing the evolution experienced by different demographic indicators whose information has been obtained from the National Institute of Statistics (NIS) and the Murcia Regional Statistics Centre (MRSC). In turn, the transformations of the territorial surface have been obtained by comparing the representation of land cover/use present in the years 1990 and 2018 by means of georeferenced spatial information elaborated by the Corine Land Cover project (CLC). The results obtained show that, despite the fact that the region as a whole has experienced a positive population evolution, three of the seven municipalities that comprise it have been suffering the most significant depopulation process in their history for decades. In addition, the analysis of changes in land cover/land use revealed that 27.5% of the territory of the region has been transformed over the last 30 years, with a significant increase in permanently irrigated land. Finally, the correlation of information derived from the two proposed objectives shows a significant relationship between demographic evolution and the degree of territorial transformation suffered by each of the municipalities studied.
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Dermatophytosis caused by Microsporum canis in Estern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
(Springer, 2007-02-22) Tizzani, Paolo; Gallo, Maria Grazia; Peano, Andrea; Molinar Mir, Annarita; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Meneguz, Piergiuseppe; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus, fam. Leporidae) has previously been shown to be a potential healthy carrier of dermatophyte fungi both geophilic (Microsporum gypseum, M. cookei, Trichophyton ajelloi, T. terrestre) and zoophilic (M. canis, T. mentagrophytes). In this communication, the first case, to the best of our knowledge, of a symptomatic dermatophyte infection in S. floridanus is described.
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Detection and characterization of hemotropic mycoplasmas in bats in Chile
(Wildlife Disease Association, 2019-10-01) Millán, Javier ; Cevidanes, Aitor ; Sacristán, Irene; Alvarado-Rybak, Mario ; Sepúlveda, Gastón ; Ramos-Mella, Christopher A. ; Fulgencio Lisón; Lisón Gil, Fulgencio; Ecología e Hidrología
Hemoplasma DNA was found in 22% (12/55) of samples from six bat species in Chile, including one of three big-eared brown bats (Histiotus macrotus), one of three small big-eared brown bats (Histiotus montanus), and 10 of 27 Chilean myotis (Myotis chiloensis). Characterization of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene identified three genotypes phylogenetically related to other bat, rodent, and human hemoplasmas.
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Detection of antibodies in wild ruminants to evaluate exposure to liver trematodes
(BioOne Digital Library, 2012-03-13) Arias, María del Sol; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; León Vizcaíno, Luis; Paz Silva, Adolfo; Díez Baños, Pablo; Morrondo, Patrocinio; Alonso de Vega, Francisco-Domingo; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
Wild ruminants sharing pastures with domestic livestock are at risk of infection by liver trematodes. Detection of antibodies provides a very useful tool to gain more knowledge about the distribution of these parasites. Non-lethal methods are strongly encouraged for the analysis of the risk of infection among wild ruminants. A seroepidemiological survey was conducted to analyze exposure to hepatic trematodes (Fasciola hepatica and Dicrocoelium dendriticum) in wild ruminants from southern Spain. Blood samples were collected from 69 bovids (mouflon and Iberian ibex) and 143 cervids (red deer and fallow deer) from Sierra de Cazorla, Segura and Las Villas Natural Park. The samples were analyzed using the excretory/secretory antigens of each trematode to determine the IgG response. All the animals were examined at necropsy for the presence of flukes, and the species, age, and gender of the animals were recorded. Fasciola hepatica were only observed in cervids (3%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 52-8), while D. dendriticum specimens were recorded in 1% (0-8) of bovids and 4% (CI 5 2-9) of the cervids. The IgG-seroprevalence against F. hepatica was significantly higher in the cervids. Statistical differences according to gender were observed. The bovids exhibited the greatest percentages of positive cases to D. dendriticum antigens, and the DdES-seroprevalence was related to age of the animals. When considering all the factors, the FhES-seroprevalence was initially distributed according to the type of ruminant (cervids), gender (male), and age ( more than 2 years).
Open Access
Detection of Stephanurus dentatus in wild boar urine using different parasitological techniques
(Elsevier, 2021-04-15) Fernández Vizcaíno, Elena; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Moratal, Samantha; Barroso, Patricia; Vicente Baños, Joaquín; Sanidad Animal; Facultad de Veterinaria
Stephanurus dentatus is a nematode that parasitizes the urinary tract of domestic and wild Suidae, especially in tropical areas. However, there is a lack of information about stephanurosis in wild boar (Sus scrofa), thus making it necessary to develop sensitive techniques with which to diagnose this pathogen in order to carry out further research. In Spain, the high prevalence of this nematode has been evidenced in Do˜nana National Park (DNP). The objective of the present work is twofold. The first is to compare the efficacy of three parasitological techniques to detect S. dentatus eggs in the urine of infected wild boar: (i) gravity sedimentation, (ii) sedimentation by centrifugation, and (iii) flotation techniques, while the second is to determine whether the quantification of eggs can serve as an indicative value of the host’s parasite intensity. In order to accomplish these purposes, 27 wild boars from DNP were necropsied, and the urinary system of each animal was examined in order to determine parasite intensity. While all the aforementioned techniques can be used to detect eggs in urine, the most effective in terms of egg quantification are sedimentation by gravity and by centrifugation, as they allow a greater number of S. dentatus eggs to be detected. However, none of the results obtained with these techniques significantly correlated with the number of adult nematodes parasitizing the host, signifying that counts in urine can provide guidance on only the parasite intensity of wild boar.
Open Access
Displacement weaves. On memory, matter, and the fragile structures that hold us (versión preliminar)
(Denison University, 2025-11) Ruiz Bañón, María Luz; Vivero, Micaela; Bellas Artes; Vivero, Micaela. Visual Art Department; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Bellas Artes
This document corresponds to the preliminary version of the Displacement Weaves catalogue, produced during a research residency funded by the Moving Minds Program – University of Murcia / Campus Mare Nostrum, in collaboration with Denison University (Ohio, USA). It presents a selection of artworks, processes, and visual documentation linked to the 2025 exhibition project, focusing on memory, displacement, temporality, and the fragile structures that shape material and affective identity. This version is deposited in DIGITUM for institutional dissemination and research accreditation purposes.
Open Access
Does forest structure influence the abundance of predators and habitat competitors of the endangered Pyrenean capercaillie?
(MDPI, 2025-07-01) Moreno, Adrian; Navarro, Inmaculada; Chamizo, Rubén; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Sánchez García, Carlos; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
The Pyrenean capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus aquitanicus) is a forest obligate grouse that has experienced a marked population decline in recent decades owing to the lack of optimal habitats. However, the effect of forest structure on potential predators and habitat competitors has not been well-studied. We conducted a camera-trapping study at three conservation areas in Huesca province (northeastern Spain), which were classified as ‘optimal’, ‘favorable’, and ‘unfavorable’ based on habitat suitability for the capercaillie. This study was conducted for 3417 days at a total of 130 camera locations in autumn–winter and spring–summer, capturing 8757 valid photos. In total, 36 different species were recorded. The most frequently detected species were Southern chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica pyrenaica; 32.6%), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus; 18%), wild boar (Sus scrofa; 9.6%), red squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris; 6.1%), mustelids (5.6%), and red fox (Vulpes vulpes; 4.8%). Capercaillies were photographed in the optimal and favorable habitat areas. Nest predators, such as mustelids and red fox, were more frequently detected in the favorable area during autumn–winter and in the optimal area in spring–summer, while corvids were more frequently detected in the unfavorable habitat area during both periods. No clear pattern was found for wild boar (nest predator and habitat competitor) or cervids (competitors). As capercaillie coexist with a wide range of predators and competitors, and habitat structure may not always explain species relative abundance, factors such as disturbance and food resources should be also taken into account when aiming to develop targeted management for the benefit of the capercaillie.
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Effect of forest landscapes composition and configuration on bird community and its functional traits in a hotspot of biodiversity of Chile
(Elsevier, 2022-06-24) Camilo Matus-Olivares; Troncoso, Ernesto ; Catalan, German ; Jiménez-Franco, María Victoria; Lisón Gil, Fulgencio; Ecología e Hidrología
Understanding the effect of landscape configuration on the bird species richness and their functional traits (dietary preferences) is important to link the conservation and restoration plans to the production of the crops. Our aims were: 1) to study the influence of forest types (native, mixed and plantations) on the bird species richness in two agroforestry landscapes (heterogeneous/homogeneous); 2) to assess the effect of size/density of forest patches in the birds’ functional traits; 3) to evaluate the effect of isolated trees on them, and 4) to discuss conservation and restoration measures for the birds’ functional traits in agroforestry landscapes. We used hierarchical occupancy models to evaluate the effect of different landscape metrics and detectability measures on bird communities. We recorded a total of 64 bird species. The estimated species richness was considerable higher in homogeneous landscape (31.7 ± 2.7) than heterogeneous (27.3 ± 2.5). Our results showed the bird assemblage had a positive trend with native forests, negative with mixed forests and neutral trend for plantations. The granivores and insectivore’s species showed significant preferences for homogeneous landscape, while omnivores had significant preferences for heterogeneous landscape. Carnivores/Piscivores and herbivores/frugivores species did not show preferences by any landscape type. The response of functional traits depended on different forests attributes. The isolated trees had a significant effect on the birds’ functional traits. In conclusion, it is necessary a deep knowledge about the relationship between the landscape configuration and the bird species richness/functional traits. These findings could help in the future with the conservation, restoration, and rewilding policies in this important hotspot of biodiversity, avoiding alterations in the ecosystem services.
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Effect of mebendazole and ivermectin on the shedding of nematode eggs by three species of gazelles (Gazella dama mhorr, G. cuvieri, and G. dorcas)
( American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, 1995-07-07) Abaigar, Teresa; Ortiz, Juana; Cano, Mar; Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Albaladejo, Antonio; Alonso de Vega, Francisco-Domingo; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
Mebendazole and ivermectin were studied for the control of gastrointestinal helminthiasis in three species of captive gazelles: Gazella dama mhorr, G. cuvieri, and G. dorcas. Ivermectin was given s.c. in a single 0.2-mg/kg live-weight dose and mebendazole was given in three dosages based on species: G. dorcas, 14 mg/kg; G. cuvieri, 6 mg/kg; and G. dama, 3 mg/kg orally twice daily for 3 consecutive days. Each drug was tested in 13 individuals of each species; 13 additional individuals served as untreated controls. Helminths detected by fecal examination and culture were species of Trichuris, Ostertagia, Cooperia, Trichostrongylus, Nematodirus, and Strongyloides. The prevalence among the total gazelle population was: Trichuris, 55%; Nematodirus, 26%; and other nematodes, 84%. After treatment with mebendazole, the nematode egg counts and the number of animals shedding eggs decreased moderately. After ivermectin treatments, there were marked decreases in the amount of eggs being shed and the number of animals shedding eggs of these nematodes.
Open Access
Epidemiological factors of Eucoleus aerophilus infection in red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) from semi-arid Mediterranean environments
(Elsevier, 2026-01-13) Martínez-Carrasco Pleite, Carlos; Ruiz de Ybáñez Carnero, María del Rocío; Catala-Barrasetas, Mireia; Pérez Cutillas, Pedro; Arcenillas Hernández, Irene; Sanidad Animal; Facultades de la UMU::Facultad de Veterinaria
Eucoleus aerophilus is a ubiquitous zoonotic nematode found in the tracheobronchial mucosa of the definitive hosts, described in wild and domestic canids, including the red fox (Vulpes vulpes). To assess E. aerophilus occurrence and intensity in red foxes, the respiratory system of 126 foxes from Region of Murcia (SE, Spain) were examined. Statistical analyses were performed to investigate the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the parasite´s occurrence. The occurrence of E. aerophilus was 28.6% (95% CI: 20.6-36.4), with a mean intensity of 3.1 nematodes per parasitised fox. The infection rate and parasite intensity were higher in forested areas, suggesting that earthworm abundance and a longer survival of infective E. aerophilus eggs increase the risk of transmission and maintenance in the environment. Moreover, an inverse relationship between E. aerophilus occurrence and temperature (p<0.05) was observed. Results demonstrated that foxes participate in maintaining the cycle of E. aerophilus in semi-arid Mediterranean environments. This should be taken into account at the wild-domestic-human interface. The development of a predictive model of E. aerophilus infection risk in red foxes will allow the design of future strategies for the prevention of capillariosis, especially in areas where contact between foxes, domestic carnivores, and humans exists.