Insect diet of some afrotropical insectivorous passerines at the jos wildlife park, nigeria.
01 Jan 2011-Science World Journal (Kaduna State University, Faculty of Science)-Vol. 6, Iss: 4, pp 1-4
TL;DR: The study shows that insects utilised by avian insectivores in the Jos Wildlife Park is probably a reflection of insect abundance and diversity, and therefore insectivorous passerines may have adapted to feeding largely on abundant and diversed insect species present in the study area.
Abstract: Despite being the most common avian dietary strategy, our understanding of the nutrition of avian insectivores lags behind that of less populous granivores, herbivores, and frugivores; thereby attracting research interest. Insect diet of Afrotropical insectivorous passerines at the Jos Wildlife Park was studied by trapping birds using mist nets in 2009. Trapped birds were identified and kept in a wooden box for 15 minutes to create a dark interior for the discharge of faeces. Insect remains in faecal droppings collected from individual passerines were identified to at least Order level. SPSS 2001 506 /id software packages was used for statistical analyses. Identified insect remains in faecal droppings of insectivorous passerines showed that there were 13 positively identified Orders. Ten Families belonging to the Orders Hymenoptera, Coleoptera, Orthoptera, Diptera, Isoptera, Anoplura and Mantodae were positively identified. There was a significant difference (One sample- T-test; t=5.05, df=18, P<0.001) in the choice of insect diet by the insectivorous passerines trapped during the study. Of the fragments recorded from the faecal droppings, 325(83%) constitute insect diet, 35(10%) plant materials and 25(7%) were unidentified. The study shows that insects utilised by avian insectivores in the Jos Wildlife Park is probably a reflection of insect abundance and diversity. Therefore insectivorous passerines may have adapted to feeding largely on abundant and diversed insect species present in the study area.
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TL;DR: In this paper, the authors identified and compared the anthropogenic footprints in the Jos Wildlife Park and Amurum Forest Reserve and sort linkages with some management strategies and challenges in the two reserves.
Abstract: Protected areas are constantly under anthropogenic threats especially those in close proximity to human settlements thus, it is highly important to regularly monitor human footprints (activities) within such areas in order to ensure the existence of the species they are meant to protect. Hence, this study identified and compared the anthropogenic footprints in the Jos Wildlife Park and Amurum Forest Reserve and sort linkages with some management strategies and challenges in the two reserves. Data was collected using a total of 40 quadrates of sizes 50 x 50 m placed systematically at a minimum distance of 50 m in each habitat. 20 of the quadrates were placed at the core and 20 at the edge of each study habitat. Anthropogenic activities were then examined in each habitat. Identified anthropogenic footprints include logging, firewood collection, mining, burning, residential encroachment, grazing, farmland, indiscriminate defeacation, waste dumping, road encroachment and play ground. Of these, mining, waste dumping and play ground were not recorded in the Amurum Forest Reserve. Anthropogenic footprints were significantly higher in terms of both type and level within the Jos Wildlife Park as compared to the Amurum Forest Reserve (P 0.05). Inadequate management strategies, funding, poor staff strength, and bureaucratic challenges were some of the possible reasons for the high level of anthropogenic activities observed in the Jos Wildlife Park. Keywords: Anthropogenic footprints, Amurum Forest Reserve, Jos Wildlife Park, Management strategies
2 citations
TL;DR: Findings revealed that birds predominantly consumed animal nutrients that included insect larvae/caterpillars, grasshoppers, moths/butterflies, ants, and beetles, which was supplemented with plant nutrients (grass seeds) from two grass species, Eragrostis tenuifolia and Harpachne schimperi.
Abstract: Anthropogenic activities have continued to threaten critical habitats of many tropical birds. Few studies, however, have established the habitat requirements, diet and foraging strategies of the threatened species to guide conservation efforts. The Red-capped Lark Calandrella cinerea, which inhabits tropical grasslands in Africa is highly threatened by habitat loss and anthropogenic activities such as burning for pasture regeneration and overgrazing by livestock. Many aspects of the feeding behaviour of this threatened tropical lark are still unknown. We studied the diet and feeding behaviour of the adult Red-capped Lark in its open grassland habitat at Kedong, Naivasha, Kenya from 04 March 2016 to 12 August 2016. Findings revealed that birds predominantly consumed animal nutrients that included insect larvae/caterpillars, grasshoppers, moths/butterflies, ants, and beetles. This was supplemented with plant nutrients (grass seeds) from two grass species, Eragrostis tenuifolia and Harpachne schimperi. Picking and gulping were the most employed food capture and handling techniques respectively. In relation to foraging substrates, grass substrate was most selected for food capture as compared to large mammal dung and soil mounds. Given that tropical grasslands are becoming increasingly threatened biomes, the findings are critical in guiding the management of grassland habitats of birds to ensure their protection from negative impacts as well as deepen understanding on how they adapt to environmental changes.
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01 Jan 1990TL;DR: A revised and updated edition of this textbook is presented in this paper, with a clear presentation of mathematical aspects and the material aims to be accessible to the undergraduate with little experience and also stimulating to practising ecologists.
Abstract: A revised and updated edition of this textbook. As before the study of plant and animal ecology is fully integrated and mathematical and laborotory studies are described where necessary. Examples drawn from real ecological systems ilustrate the complexity of this subject and the involvement of diverse areas: descriptive natural history, physiology, behaviour, field experimentation and mathematical modelling. The authors attempt to encourage the reader to combine all the above facets, so that a balanced view emerges. Emphasis is placed on the clear presentation of mathematical aspects and the material aims to be accessible to the undergraduate with little experience and also stimulating to practising ecologists. This new edition contains two new chapters both of which consider areas of applied ecology which are relevant to contemporary global issues. The first considers the control of abundance; on the one hand the limiting of pest and weed populations, on the other, maintaining the biological diversity of endangered species. The second considers large areas as an extension of the discussion of communities. These "ecosystems" in the newest sense of the word are an important field of study when considering some of the important environmental problems facing mankind.
3,666 citations
Book•
26 Oct 1992
TL;DR: Purpose and design in counting birds census errors territory mapping methods line transects point contacts catching and marking counting individual species counting colonial flocking and nesting birds distribution studies description and measurement of bird habitat chapter summaries and points to consider.
Abstract: Purpose and design in counting birds census errors territory mapping methods line transects point contacts catching and marking counting individual species counting colonial flocking and nesting birds distribution studies description and measurement of bird habitat chapter summaries and points to consider.
3,236 citations
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01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: This book discusses Habitat and Density Regulation, Habitat Fragments and Metapopulations, and Interactions Between Different Limiting Factors.
Abstract: Preview. Behaviour and Density Regulation: Social Systems and Status. Habitat and Density Regulation. Territorial Behaviour and Density Limitation. Density Dependence in Bird Populations. Habitat Fragments and Metapopulations. Natural Limiting Factors: Food-Supply. Nest-Sites. Predation. Parasites and Pathogens. Weather. Inter-Specific Competition. Interactions Between Different Limiting Factors. Human Impacts: Hunting and Pest Control. Pesticides and Pollutants. Extinction. Bibliography. Index.
2,041 citations
"Insect diet of some afrotropical in..." refers background in this paper
...Fundamental to understanding the ecological requirements of a species is knowledge of its diet and the factors that affect food availability (Newton, 1998)....
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...INTRODUCTION Fundamental to understanding the ecological requirements of a species is knowledge of its diet and the factors that affect food availability (Newton, 1998)....
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Book•
01 Jan 1998
TL;DR: Dietary patterns anatomy and physiology of the digestive system digestion of food nutritional strategies and adaptations nutrient requirements amino acids lipids carbohydrates energy essential minerals nutrition and metabolism of vitamins.
Abstract: Dietary patterns anatomy and physiology of the digestive system digestion of food nutritional strategies and adaptations nutrient requirements amino acids lipids carbohydrates energy essential minerals nutrition and metabolism of vitamins.
563 citations
"Insect diet of some afrotropical in..." refers background in this paper
...Despite being the most common dietary strategy, our understanding of the nutrition of insectivores lags behind that of less populous granivores, herbivores, and frugivores (Davies, 1977; Klasing, 2000 and Rodway & Cooke, 2002)....
[...]
...In terms of nutrition, insect diet is quite adequate as it is rich in easily digestible protein and fat though the digestibility of various parts largely depends on their chitin content (Kaspari & Joern, 1993; Klasing, 2000)....
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TL;DR: Results of this study indicate that birds may track changes in resource abundance and suggest that preservation of many species and of the biotic integrity of entire systems may require conservation of large, connected blocks of suitable habitat.
Abstract: We studied temporal fluctuations in fruit production by plants and in pop- ulations of understory fruit-eating birds at three elevations (50, 500, and 1000 m) in Costa Rican wet forests over a 12-16 mo period to investigate effects of resource variation on bird movements and community structure We used mist nets to monitor changes in frugivore abundance, migration patterns, and breeding and molting cycles We sampled understory fruits of each forest concurrent with studies of frugivores Both frugivores and fruit exhibited considerable seasonal variation in abundance Peak frugivore capture rates occurred during peak periods of ripe fruit abundance Altitudinal migrants left lower mon- tane (1000 m) forest during periods of fruit scarcity and were present in lowland (50 m) and foothill (500 m) forest when ripe fruit was abundant Migrants, both altitudinal and temperate, accumulated fat before migration, and perhaps (for altitudinal migrants) in anticipation of breeding Some residents also put on fat before breeding Breeding was seasonal at all forests and occurred when ripe fruit abundance was low Results of this study indicate that birds may track changes in resource abundance Thus, variation in resource abundance influences dynamics of bird communities, both in terms of species composition and abundance Further, results illustrate the importance of viewing com- munities from different scales; dynamics at a local scale (eg, one elevation) can be influ- enced by changes in conditions (eg, fruit abundance) elsewhere That some species regularly move along elevational gradients implies that preservation of many species and of the biotic integrity of entire systems may require conservation of large, connected blocks of suitable habitat
391 citations
"Insect diet of some afrotropical in..." refers background in this paper
...Diet requirements may limit populations and structure of communities (Loiselle & Blake, 1991; Malizia, 2001) and can also affect the evolutionary physiology, life history and behavior (Brändle et al., 2004), and influence patterns of habitat use as well as intra- and inter-specific interactions…...
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