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1

Local ecotypes of roe deer populations (Capreolus capreolus L.) in relation to morphometric features and fur colouration in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula

100%

Horcajada-Sanchez F. , Barja I.

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tom 64

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nr 1

EN

The extent of the area occupied by populations of roe deer and the diversity of environments in which it lives, determine the existence of different local forms or ecotypes. In order to characterize the populations of the Guadarrama Mountains in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula we examined the morphology and fur colouration of 154 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) based on their body size, age and sex. To determine the age of roe deer, we analyzed tooth cementum layers (incisor I1) to observe the growth lines. The remaining individual data (body size, sex and fur colouration) were obtained in the field, from animals hunted in the study area. In adult individuals, the average body weight in males was significantly higher than in females, being these weight ranges similar to those of the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Body measurements were positively related to individuals age, but only significant differences in body girth were found between males and females. The analysis of fur colouration of dead specimens showed a high variability with four different ecotypes during the summer coat and not significant differences were found in the body size between individuals with different summer coats. The morphological parameters described in the roe deer of the Guadarrama Mountains do not correspond with the latitudinal gradient as it was indicated for other Spanish populations. However, the existence of Pleistocene refuges in the central mountains of the Iberian Peninsula seems to have provided a high variety of ecotypes in relation to fur colouration in the populations of Guadarrama Mountains.

2

Chemical communication in large carnivores: urine-marking frequencies in captive tigers and lions

100%

Barja I. , Miguel F. J.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2010

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tom 58

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nr 2

EN

Environmental and social pressures can result in interspecies differences in marking behaviours. There is a strong relationship between marking behaviour and the environment. Therefore, closely related species that show behavioural differences in the wild may have different scent marking strategies. We conducted a comparative study of the urine-marking behaviours of tigers and lions in captivity (Madrid Zoo, open enclosures of 514 m² and 730 m² respectively, observations of 8 animals for each species). These two closely related species have different natural habitats. We observed interspecific differences in the rates, seasonal variations, and durations of the urine-marking acts. The marking rate was higher in tigers, which also showed seasonal variations not observed in lions. The duration of urine marking was lower in tigers than in lions. These differences seem to correspond to differences between tigers and lions in terms of their natural habitats (forest areas vs open areas), social organizations (solitary vs social), and reproductive biology patterns (seasonal polyoestrous vs annual polyoestrous).

3

Local Ecotypes of Roe Deer Populations (Capreolus capreolus L.) in Relation to Morphometric Features and Fur Colouration in the Centre of the Iberian Peninsula

100%

Horcajada-Sánchez F. , Barja I.

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2016

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tom Vol. 64, nr 1

113--124

EN

The extent of the area occupied by populations of roe deer and the diversity of environments in which it lives, determine the existence of different local forms or ecotypes. In order to characterize the populations of the Guadarrama Mountains in the centre of the Iberian Peninsula we examined the morphology and fur colouration of 154 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) based on their body size, age and sex. To determine the age of roe deer, we analyzed tooth cementum layers (incisor I1) to observe the growth lines. The remaining individual data (body size, sex and fur colouration) were obtained in the field, from animals hunted in the study area. In adult individuals, the average body weight in males was significantly higher than in females, being these weight ranges similar to those of the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. Body measurements were positively related to individuals age, but only significant differences in body girth were found between males and females. The analysis of fur colouration of dead specimens showed a high variability with four different ecotypes during the summer coat and not significant differences were found in the body size between individuals with different summer coats. The morphological parameters described in the roe deer of the Guadarrama Mountains do not correspond with the latitudinal gradient as it was indicated for other Spanish populations. However, the existence of Pleistocene refuges in the central mountains of the Iberian Peninsula seems to have provided a high variety of ecotypes in relation to fur colouration in the populations of Guadarrama Mountains.

4

Chemical communication in large carnivores : urine-marking frequencies in captive tigers and lions

100%

Miguel F. , Barja I.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2010

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tom Vol. 58, nr 2

397-400

EN

Environmental and social pressures can result in interspecies differences in marking behaviours. There is a strong relationship between marking behaviour and the environment. Therefore, closely related species that show behavioural differences in the wild may have different scent marking strategies. We conducted a comparative study of the urine-marking behaviours of tigers and lions in captivity (Madrid Zoo, open enclosures of 514 m2 and 730 m2 respectively, observations of 8 animals for each species). These two closely related species have different natural habitats. We observed interspecific differences in the rates, seasonal variations, and durations of the urine-marking acts. The marking rate was higher in tigers, which also showed seasonal variations not observed in lions. The duration of urine marking was lower in tigers than in lions. These differences seem to correspond to differences between tigers and lions in terms of their natural habitats (forest areas vs open areas), social organizations (solitary vs social), and reproductive biology patterns (seasonal polyoestrous vs annual polyoestrous).

5

The response of European pine marten [Martes martes L.] feeding to the changes of small mammal abundance

80%

Rosellini S. , Barja I. , Pineiro A.

Polish Journal of Ecology

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2008

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tom 56

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nr 3

497-504

EN

The European pine marten (Martes martes) is commonly classified as an opportunistic predator. If this is the case, the species ought to show seasonal differences in the small mammal composition of its scats – the types of prey taken depending on their abundanc. In addition, it ought to consume the food that requires lower energy cost for their acquisition in each season. The feeding strategy of the European pine marten was studied in northwestern Spain by analyzing 209 scats collected between July 2004 and June 2005, and by seasonally trapping small mammals to obtain information on their abundance. The study area (5,722 ha) was located in a mountainous region (1,707–880 m a.s.l.) and covered with brushwood and deciduous forest (oak, birch, holly and pine). Molecular analysis of scats (PCR-RFLP) was performed to rule out the presence of the stone marten (Martes foina L.). The frequency of occurrence and biomass of the small mammals (the main prey species) preyed upon each season were compared. The pine marten consumed significantly more small mammals in the seasons in which their abundance was the lowest (winter and spring). In the autumn, when the highest number of small mammals was detected, the pine marten did not increase its predation of them. These results indicate that the European pine marten is not an opportunistic predator. Rather, the feeding strategy adopted by the species seems to be intermediate between that of an opportunist and specialist predator.

6

Effectiveness and Applications of Hair Traps for the Study of Wild mammal populations

80%

Barja I. , Navarro-Castilla A. , Pérez L.

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tom Vol. 64, nr 3

409--419

EN

Direct studies of wild mammals are challenging due to the difficulty for capturing and handling and the associated high costs. Thus, noninvasive hair trapping for surveying mammal populations has been widely used in wildlife ecology and management. However, the efficiency of this method may differ depending on the animal species and other different factors. Here we aimed at evaluating the potential of hair tube traps for reliable detecting mammal species as well as to assess whether type of habitat, baits, hair trap´s size variables (length, diameter and time staying active) and position variables (height, altitude, orientation and location) influenced trapping success (i.e. obtaining hair samples or not) and effectiveness (i.e. percentage of successful sampling traps and the number of species detected) of hair traps. Hair traps were done with PVC tubes with adhesive tape inside, and they were placed at different locations where mammal cues were previously detected. Collected hairs were identified to species by macro and microscopic characteristics. We collected hairs in the 82% of the hair traps placed and we detected 9 species which represented 64% of the wild mammals potentially detectable with this method in the study areas. No one of the studied variables explained trapping success. However, trap´s diameter significantly influenced effectiveness, but contrary to expected, the larger traps presented lower sampling success and less species were registered. Position variables did not influence effectiveness of hair traps. Sampling success due to baits used was related to diet preferences of the species. Further, trap´s diameter and length, height, inclination and altitude influenced collecting hair samples from the different animal taxonomic orders. These results suggest that hair trapping can be used as a good tool for the study of wild mammals, but assumptions related to trap size and position variables should be taken into account to increase the effectiveness of this method.

7

Are baseline glucocorticoid levels linked to aggressive behaviour in wild wood mice?

61%

Hernandez M. C. , Navarro-Castilla A. , Pineiro A. , Silvan G. , Illera J. C. , Barja I.

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nr 1