An overlap in attributes of nest cavities used by Great Tit Parus major across Eurasia suggests similar nest site preferences within the geographical range, although the drivers of these preferences are unclear. To determine whether preferred cavities provide conditions enhancing successful reproduction, we investigated the breeding performance of Great Tits in relation to tree cavity characteristics using data collected during 2008-2011 in primeval conditions (Białowie_ za National Park, Poland). Here, tree cavities are diverse and superabundant but nesting birds are at risk from a variety of predators. According to expectations, nest losses were high (60 % of Great Tit nests failed), mostly due to predation (69 % of nest failures). The risk of nest failure varied with nest cavity attributes. Compared to successful nests, failures were situated higher above the ground and placed closer to the cavity entrance. Very deep cavities with narrow entrances and strong livings walls provided effective protection against larger predators (e.g., martens, woodpeckers), unable to enter the cavity or pull out the contents. Yet, such holes were no barrier for the smallest predators (e.g., Forest Dormouse Dryomys nitedula), which were able to enter any Great Tit nest cavity and destroyed most of the nests. Avoiding small predators would give a selective advantage to the birds, but this seems hardly possible to achieve. We conclude that tree cavities preferred by the tits show a combination of properties which are a compromise for avoiding predation (the strongest selective pressure) and providing the minimum requirements (sufficient nest illumination, microclimate, protection against nest soaking) for development and growth of young.
We investigated evidence for climate warming in the primeval forest of Bia8owieża National Park (E Poland) over the last 33 yr (1975-2007). We examined whether local populations of 4 sedentary birds (Sitta europaea, Poecile palustris, Cyanistes caeruleus, Parus major) advanced their breeding phenology during that time, and how breeding phenology was affected by temperature variation during the period preceding egg laying. Mean yearly temperatures varied strongly across years, with a significant warming (~1°C) trend. Spring temperatures increased significantly solely in the second half of April. Only P. major, which breeds later than the other species, showed a significant advance (~9 d) in breeding. Breeding dates of S. europaea and P. palustris, which usually lay eggs before mid-April, did not significantly change over time. In all species, the onset of breeding was very variable across years (up to 30 d), as birds started breeding earlier in springs with higher temperatures in the pre-laying period. Such a wide range of phenological plasticity indicates that the birds already possess mechanisms enabling them to accelerate breeding in response to climate warming, provided that warming occurs in the pre-laying period. All species shifted their laying dates concurrently; thus, the order of egg laying (S. europaea, P. palustris, C. caeruleus, P. major) was retained irrespective of the spring earliness. This also indicates that mechanisms allowing birds to respond to their changing environments exist at the community level.
Knowledge of the breeding ecology of the Great Tit Parus major is vast, but almost exclusively concerns birds using nest-boxes. Information on birds nesting in natural conditions is scant. Here, we present the results of the first thorough study on natural nest-sites of the Great Tit. The data, including descriptions of nestcavity location and dimensions, were collected during 39 breeding seasons in the primeval forest of Białowie_ za National Park (BNP), Poland. With an excess of available tree-cavities providing a diverse choice of nesting options, Great Tits nested mainly in non-excavated, very deep and spacious cavities with elongated, narrow openings, placed at intermediate heights in living tree trunks. Different sets of tree species were used in different habitats. The pattern of nest-site utilisation by Great Tits in BNP overlapped with that recorded in other areas, but showed niche separation from other non-excavating hole-breeders in BNP. This indicates that Great Tits have core nest-site preferences, which have probably evolved in response to selective forces such as, e.g., risk of predation, flooding, sufficient nest illumination and/or efficient air ventilation. Keywords Parus major Á Tree cavities Á Nest placement Á Cavity dimensions Á Primeval conditions Zusammenfassung Natürliche Nistplätze der Kohlmeise in einem Urwald (Białowie_ za Nationalpark, Polen) Das Wissen über die Brutökologie der Kohlmeise (Parus major) ist sehr groß, bezieht sich aber fast ausschließlich auf Vögel, die in Nistkästen brüten. Informationen über Vögel, die unter natürlichen Bedingungen brüten, sind rar. Hier stellen wir die Ergebnisse der ersten umfassenden Untersuchung vor, die sich mit natürlichen Nistplätzen der Kohlmeise beschäftigte. Die Daten, darunter Beschreibungen der Lage und Dimension der Nisthöhlen, wurden während 39 Brutzeiten im Urwald des Białowie_ za Nationalparks (BNP) in Polen gesammelt. Bei einem Ü berschuss an verfügbaren Baumhöhlen, der eine vielfältige Auswahl von Nistmöglichkeiten zur Verfügung stellte, brüteten die Kohlmeisen hauptsächlich in natürlichen, sehr tiefen und geräumigen Höhlen mit länglichen, schmalen Ö ffnungen, in mittlerer Höhe von Stämmen lebender Bäume. In unterschiedlichen Habitaten wurden andere Baumarten gewählt. Das Muster der Nistplatzwahl der Kohlmeisen im BNP überlappte mit dem in anderen Gebieten aufgezeichneten, zeigte aber eine Nischentrennung von anderen Höhlenbrütern, die in natürlichen Höhlen brüteten. Das zeigt, dass Kohlmeisen grundlegende Nistplatzpräferenzen haben, die sich wahrscheinlich als Antwort auf einen Selektionsdruck entwickelt haben, wie zum Beispiel Prädationsrisiko, Ü berschwemmungsgefahr, ausreichende Ausleuchtung der Bruthöhle und/oder Ventilation. Communicated by F. Bairlein.
ObjectivesTo analyze the association between periodontal conditions and inflammation, nutritional status and calcium-phosphate metabolism disorders in hemodialysis (HD) patients.Material and MethodsWe analyzed 128 HD patients divided into two groups: dentate (n = 103) and edentulous (n=25). The following items were assessed: baseline characteristics, age at the start and duration of HD, biochemical data: C-reactive protein (CRP), serum albumin, calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, parathormone. A single dentist performed a complete dental/periodontal examination, including parameters of oral hygiene and gingival bleeding.ResultsOne person had healthy periodontium, 62.14% of the patients had gingivitis, and 36.9% had moderate or severe periodontitis. The age at HD onset had a positive impact on periodontal status and negatively correlated with the number of teeth. A positive correlation between age and CRP level and negative correlations between age and serum albumin and phosphorus were found. Pocket depth (PD) was negatively correlated with serum albumin. The number of teeth was negatively correlated with serum CRP.ConclusionsHigh prevalence and severity of periodontal disease are observed in hemodialysis patients. There is a high probability that periodontal disease may be present at the early stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD) before the hemodialysis onset.
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