Understanding drivers of population change is critical for effective species conservation. In the northeast Atlantic Ocean, recent changes amongst seabird communities are linked to human and climate change impacts on food webs. Many species have declined severely, with food shortages, and increased predation reducing productivity. Arctic skua Stercorarius parasiticus, a kleptoparasite of other seabirds, is one such species. The aim of the study was to determine relative effects of bottom-up and top-down pressures on Arctic skuas across multiple colonies in a rapidly declining national population. Long-term monitoring data were used to quantify changes in population size and productivity of Arctic skuas, their hosts (black-legged kittiwake Rissa tridactyla, common guillemot Uria aalge, Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica, Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea) and an apex predator (great skua Stercorarius skua) over 24 years (1992-2015) in Scotland. We used digital mapping and statistical models to determine relative effects of bottom-up (host productivity) and top-down (great skua density) pressures on Arctic skuas across 33 colonies, and assess variation between three colony types classified by host abundance. Arctic skuas declined by 81% and their hosts by 42%-92%, whereas at most colonies great skuas increased. Annual productivity declined in Arctic skuas and their hosts, and reduced Arctic skua breeding success was a driver of the species' population decline. Arctic skua productivity was positively associated with annual breeding success of hosts and negatively with great skua density. Intercolony variation suggested Arctic skua trends and productivity were most sensitive to top-down pressures at smaller colonies of host species where great skuas had increased most, whereas bottom-up pressures dominated at large colonies of host species. Scotland's Arctic skua population is declining rapidly, with bottom-up and top-down pressures simultaneously reducing breeding success to unsustainably low levels. Marine food web alterations, strongly influenced by fisheries management and climate change, are driving the decline, and this study demonstrates severe vulnerability of seabirds to rapid change in human-modified ecosystems. Potential but untested conservation solutions for Arctic skuas include marine protected areas, supplementary feeding within colonies and management of great skuas.
Physical examination diagnosis of pelvic floor relaxation disorders is frequently inaccurate, especially for large vaginal eversions. Four-contrast defecography improves diagnostic accuracy, helps to identify all pelvic floor defects before surgery, and can assist with planning the correct operative approach.
Using the Islamic State/Da'esh as a case study, we identify the genesis of a new form of terrorism arising from the convergence of networked social media and changes in the forms of conflict. Socially mediated terrorism is defined as 'the use of social and networked media to increase the impact of violent acts undertaken to further a social, political and/or religious cause with the aim of creating physical, emotional or psychological suffering that extends beyond the immediate audience'. Our analysis distinguishes three strategies involving cultural heritage. The first is smoke, mirrors and mock destruction, which exaggerates perceptions of power and tests the impact of potential destruction. The second is shock, awe and censure, which uses international outrage to cloak the Islamic State with an aura of invincibility and highlight the impotence of its opponents. The third is financing the Kaliphate, which has transformed the ad hoc looting of archaeological sites into a business model. Iconoclasm has a lengthy history in which cultural icons were destroyed with the primary aim of subjugating local populations/audiences. In contrast, the Islamic State's promotion of cultural heritage destruction through networked social media is directed simultaneously towards local, regional, and international audiences with reactions from one audience used to subdue, embolden or intrigue another. As such, networked social media can be viewed as a fresh -and currently under-rated -threat to cultural heritage in conflict zones. Finally, we draw
In this article, the author reflects on the dilemma she faced when choosing an appropriate qualitative method for her master's thesis, which is entitled Creatively Rehabilitating Self-Esteem After an Acquired Brain Injury: An Auto-Ethnography of Healing. She found herself in a unique “insider” position, because, as well as being the student researcher, she was from the same culture as the participants. Therefore, to gain maximum access to the valuable data available, the author chose also to be a participant in the study. She chronicles her journey while choosing the most suitable method. The study, which was conducted as a requirement of her master's program, was eventually completed as an autoethnography.
Duetting and female vocalisations have rarely been studied in tropical non-passerines. In coucals, a subfamily of nesting cuckoos, these behaviours have evolved under unusual conditions of male-biased parental care and reversed sexual size dimorphism. Here we provide the first detailed description of the structure and occurrence of sex-specific calls and duets in a monogamous coucal species, the pheasant coucal, Centropus phasianinus. Pheasant coucals of either sex use two types of far-reaching (>1 km) calls in their solo and duet displays: the ‘descending whoops’ call and, less frequently (25%), ‘scale’ calls. Both calls are series of very deep hooting notes that the larger females produce at lower frequency than the males (~326 versus 480 Hz). Descending whoops calls also vary among individuals but this difference is not consistent enough for individual identification. Most duets (63%) comprise a single scale call by each partner and the sexes start duets with equal frequency. Duetting triggers neighbouring pairs to duet too, suggesting a role in territory defence. Calling is most intense in the morning and early in the breeding season. The cryptic behaviour of coucals makes their calls an important tool for studies on their mating system, survey work and taxonomic research.
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