Springtime migratory restlessness and departure orientation of Great Knots(Calidris tenuirostris)in the south compared to the north Yellow Sea

Background: The motivation of birds to proceed with migration is associated with both endogenous and exogenous factors. According to their migratory situation and to the characteristics of stopover sites, birds might exhibit migratory motivation differently among sites. Although migratory motivation of migrating birds has been well studied in many species, the investigation of the same species in different migratory situations and at different stopover sites is still limited. We predicted that birds at different stopover sites could differ in migratory disposition, including expression of migratory restlessness and responses to environmental cues.Methods: Here we compared migration motivation and orientation of Great Knots(Calidris tenuirostris) at two stopo ver sites, Chongming Dongtan in the south Yellow Sea, which is a temporary rest site, and Yalujiang Estuary Wetland in the north Yellow Sea, which is a critical refuelling site, during northward migration. Modified Emlen funnels, with thermal paper inside to record scratches of the birds, were used to detect activity(intensity and direction) of birds. Environmental conditions, including wind direction and speed, cloud cover, tide condition, times of the day(before and after sunset) were recorded during experiments. Generalized linear models were used to detect the effects of endogenous and exogenous factors on the migratory motivation of the birds.Results: In the south Yellow Sea, the migratory activity intensity of Great Knots was positively related to wind assistance. In the north Yellow Sea, where birds exhibited higher intensity of migratory activity than in the south, the intensity increased and the motivation to initiate migration grew stronger as the season advanced. The Great Knots exhibited wind-related orientation behaviour in the funnels at both sites.Conclusions: The results suggest that the intensity of migratory motivation differed between the two sites. Departure decisions of Great Knots appear to be affected mainly by external factors at the temporary rest site in the south Yellow Sea but possibly by endogenous factors at the final pre-breeding refuelling site in the north Yellow Sea.

Impacts of Ecological Restoration and Human Activities on Habitat of Overwintering Migratory Birds in the Wetland of Poyang Lake, Jiangxi Province, China

Increasing human activities have contributed to global climate change, and thus resulted in a downward trend in the number of species and population sizes of migratory birds. This trend is closely related to a reduction in habitat size and lower habitat quality. The Poyang Lake wetland in China constitutes one of Asia's largest overwintering habitats for migratory birds. Over the past 10 years, restoration projects have improved the habitat ecology of these wetlands. In this study, we assessed the changes in habitat quality for overwintering migratory birds from 2000 to 2012 near two villages in the Poyang Lake wetland using the In VEST model. Average habitat quality for migratory birds has been improved by 18.8% and47.7%. Differences in the degrees of habitat improvement can be attributed to differences in the change of habitat size and in the impact of threat sources that resulted from the combined effects of restoration and human activities in these two villages.

Effects of Bt-transgenic Rice on Cold Resistance of Oriental Migratory Locust

In this study, the Bt-transgenic and non-transgenic rice were fed to three generations of oriental migratory Iocust, respectiveIy under Iaboratory conditions so as to investigate the effects of Bt-transgenic rice on coId resistance of oriental migratory Iocust. The supercooIing point and freezing point of oriental migratory Iocust was de-termined using supercooIing point meter. The resuIts showed that the supercooIing points of fourth instar Iarvae, fifth instar Iarvae, male aduIts and female aduIts, which were al fed with Bt-transgenic rice, were -5.89, -7.59, -6.64 and -6.79, respectiveIy. There were no significant differences between treatment and controI groups.

A tissue-engineered rostral migratory stream for directed neuronal replacement

New neurons are integrated into the circuitry of the olfactory bulb throughout the lifespan in the mamma- lian brain--including in humans. These new neurons are born in the subventricular zone and subsequently mature as they are guided over long distances via the rostral migratory stream through mechanisms we are only just beginning to understand. Regeneration after brain injury is very limited, and although some neuroblasts from the rostral migratory stream will leave the path and migrate toward cortical lesion sites, this neuronal replacement is generally not sustained and therefore does not provide enough new neurons to alleviate functional deficits. Using newly discovered microtissue engineering techniques, we have built the first self-contained, implantable constructs that mimic the architecture and function of the rostral migratory stream. This engineered microtissue emulates the dense cord-like bundles of astrocytic somata and processes that are the hallmark anatomical feature of the glial tube. As such, our living microtissue-en- gineered rostral migratory stream can serve as an in vitro test bed for unlocking the secrets of neuroblast migration and maturation, and may potentially serve as a living transplantable construct derived from a patient＇s own cells that can redirect their own neuroblasts into lesion sites for sustained neuronal replace- ment following brain injury or neurodegenerative disease. In this paper, we summarize the development of fabrication methods for this microtissue-engineered rostral migratory stream and provide proof-of-princi- ple evidence that it promotes and directs migration of immature neurons.

Combining otolith elemental signatures with multivariate analytical models to verify the migratory pattern of Japanese Spanish mackerel(Scomberomorus niphonius) in the southern Yellow Sea

Japanese Spanish mackerel,Scomberomorus niphonius,is a commercially important,highly migratory species that is widely distributed throughout the northwestern Pacific region.However,its life history and migratory patterns are only partially understood.This study used otolith chemistry to investigate the migratory pattern of S.niphonius in the southern Yellow Sea,an important fishing ground.Transverse sections of otoliths from 15 age-1 spawning or spent individuals,comprising up to one complete migration cycle,were analyzed from the core to the margin by using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.The ratios of the element to Ca were integrated with microstructural analysis to produce age-related elemental profiles.Combining multielemental analysis of otolith composition with multivariate analytical models,we quantified structural changes in otolith chemistry profiles.Results revealed there were diverse changing patterns of otolith chemistry profiles for detected elements and the elements of Na,Mg,Sr and Ba were important for the chronological signal.Five clusters were identified through chronological clustering,representing the five life stages from the early stage to the spawning stage.Variation of Ba:Ca ratio was most informative,showing a step-decreasing pattern in the first four stages and a rebound in the spawning stage.These results support the hypothesized migratory pattern of S.niphonius:hatching and spending their early life in the coastal sandy ridges system of the southern Yellow Sea,migrating northeastward and offshore for feeding during juvenile stage,aggregating in early October and migrating outward to the Jeju Island for wintering,and returning to the coastal waters for spawning.This study demonstrated the value of life-history related otolith chemistry profiles combined with multivariate analytical models was a means to verify the migration patterns of S.niphonius at regional scales with potential application in fisheries assessment and management.

Influences of the Weather and Climate on Wintering Migratory Bird in Dongting Lake

[Objective] The research aimed to study influences of the weather and climate on wintering migratory bird in Dongting Lake. [Method] Bird analysis data provided by East Dongting Lake National Nature Reserve and wintering migratory bird monitoring data in big and small west lakes in recent 5 years were used. By combing water level data and various meteorological factors in Chenglingji, wintering migratory bird in Dongting Lake was analyzed. [Result] Abnormal precipitation led to drought or flood in Dongting Lake, causing significant adverse effect on the birds. Abnormal climate was important reason for that wintering migratory bird greatly reduced, such as high temperature and later going south of the strong cold air. Extreme weather and climate events led that some birds in Dongting Lake significantly reduced. Meteorological element had certain influence to bird survey. We should select a reasonable investigation time based on weather and climate. In Birding Festival, weather had little effect on bird species observation. In the migratory season of bird, we could see many birds in fine cold weather after a strong cold air, which suitable for observing bird. When it was low temperature or less rain in autumn, and was high temperature or more rain and sunshine in early winter, it was suitable for migratory birds wintering in Dongting Lake. Ardea cinerea, Anser fabalis and Anser erythropus were more in sunny days while Phalacrocorax carbo was more in rainy weather. Grus grus was more in heavy wind weather while Recurvirostra avosetta was more in small wind weather. [Conclusion] The research provided scientific basis for studying migratory bird in east Dongting Lake.

The Rural Households in the Process of Rapid Urbanization:Unwilling to Move,Floating and Migratory

I divide the rural households into three types:the rural households unwilling to move;the floating rural households;the migratory rural households.Through questionnaire survey of the married housewives in Anhui Province and Zhejiang Province,I conduct comparative analysis of income and expenditure,change in the status of family members,the couple's housework time,the wives' will to settle in the city and attitude towards life,related to these three types of rural households.Results show that promoting wives' educational level and monthly family income will significantly make the wives in households unwilling to move,have stronger desire to make their children settle in the city;the housework time of the wives in the floating households is 3.4 times that of their husbands,the monthly income of the husbands in the floating households is significantly lower than that of the husbands in the migratory households,with heavy family burden assessed by themselves;the age of the wives in the migratory households is the smallest,and the educational level and income of them are the highest,but the monthly expenditure has not yet significantly expanded,and at the same time,the migratory households have the weakest desire to settle in the city.The recommendations concerning these three types of rural households are put forward as follows:promoting the skills of the members in the households unwilling to move,in agricultural cultivation,development of agricultural products and circulation of agricultural products;paying close attention to the floating rural households;promoting the government,enterprise,households to work together to stabilize the migratory households.

The 2015 Migratory Crisis:The Disillusion of Visiting Rights

What has really happened in Europe since 2014?Why in 2018 are so many migrants still making their way towards Europe?For the first time since the Second World War,an important number of individuals have entered into European soil.The idea for this article goes back to October 2015 when the prefet from the town where I live went in search of asylum seekers.This is what sparked off my inquiry amongst about 50 exiles housed in the annex of the Montmorency(95)hospital in July 2015.But against popular belief,migrants are not accepted fairly into countries,and the geographical distribution of Syrians in Turkey,Lebanon,Jordan,and Europe is contrary to what Kant had defended as a“right to visit”.Although the majority of researchers suggest welcoming migrants,it is necessary to reconsider some methodological and epistemological aspects and get away from some wrongly perceived concepts which dated prior to the year 2000.Yet,the Arab Spring has showed that we are dealing with unfinished post-colonialism,something that we will soon come back to in another article where we will propose another solution.

Dynamic analysis and bifurcation control of a delayed fractional-order eco-epidemiological migratory bird model with fear effect

In this paper,a new delayed fractional-order model including susceptible migratory birds,infected migratory birds and predators is proposed to discuss the spread of diseases among migratory birds.Fear of predators is considered in the model,as fear can reduce the reproduction rate and disease transmission rate among prey.First,some basic mathematical results of the proposed model are discussed.Then,time delay is regarded as a bifurcation parameter,and the delay-induced bifurcation conditions for such an uncontrolled system are established.A novel periodic pulse feedback controller is proposed to suppress the bifurcation phenomenon.It is found that the control scheme can successfully suppress the bifurcation behavior of the system,and the pulse width can be arbitrarily selected on the premise of ensuring the control effect.Compared with the traditional time-delay feedback controller,the control scheme proposed in this paper has more advantages in practical application,which not only embodies the advantages of low control cost and easy operation but also caters to the periodic changes of the environment.The proposed control scheme,in particular,remains effective even after the system has been disrupted by a constant.Numerical simulation verifies the correctness of the theoretical results.

Comparative analysis of the microbiome of sympatric wintering Bean Geese,Domestic Ducks,humans,and soil at Shengjin Lake of China reveals potential public risk to human health

The gut microbiota of migratory waterbirds is affected by various complex factors,including cross-species transmission,which increases the risk of pathogen spreading among sympatric animals and poses a potential public health risk to humans.In this study,we investigated the microbial communities of wintering Bean Geese(Anser fabalis),Domestic Ducks(A.platyrhynchos domesticus),humans,and soil using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene region in Shengjin Lake,China.In total,6,046,677 clean reads were obtained,representing 41,119 operational taxonomic units(OTUs)across the four groups.The dominant microbial phyla were the Proteobacteria,Firmicutes,Bacteroidota,and Actinobacteriota.The Sorensen similarity index and alpha and beta diversity results showed that the gut microbial communities of Bean Geese and Domestic Ducks were more similar to those of the other pairs.Network analysis revealed that Faecalibacterium prausnitzii,Pseudomonas fragi,and Bradyrhizobium elkanii were hubs of the three major modules.Fourteen common microbiomes were iden-tified in Bean Geese,Domestic Ducks,humans,and soil in Shengjin Lake.A total of 96 potential pathogens were identified among the four groups,with 20 specific potentially pathogenic microbiomes found in the gut of Bean Geese.Some of these pathogens are responsible for significant financial losses in the poultry industry and pose risks to human health.Klebsiella pneumoniae,Morganella morganii,Escherichia coli,and Ralstonia insidiosa are potential core pathogens found in the four groups at Shengjin Lake that can cause diseases in humans and an-imals and facilitate cross-species transmission through various media.Therefore,humans are at risk of con-tracting these pathogens from migratory birds because of their frequent contact with domestic poultry.However,further studies are required to explore the potential pathogenic species and transmission pathways among sympatric wintering Bean Geese,Domestic Ducks,humans,and soil.

Integrating host biological and ecological variables to predict probability of haemosporidian infection in raptors

Variations in host traits that influence their exposure and susceptibility may impact probability of vector-transmitted diseases.Therefore,identifying the predictors of infection probability is necessary to understand the risk of disease outbreaks during expanding environmental perturbation.Here,we conducted a large survey based on microscopic examination and molecular analysis of haemosporidian parasite infection in raptors rescued at the Beijing Raptor Rescue Centre.Combining these data with biological and ecological variables of the raptors,we determined predictors that affect the probability of haemosporidian infection using generalized linear mixed models and multimodel inference.Our results showed that infection probability exhibited considerable variation across host species in raptors,and body mass,sex,and evolutionary history played relatively weaker roles in driving infection probability.Instead,activity pattern,age,geographic range size,migration distance,and nest type were important predictors of the probability of haemosporidian infection,and the role of each predictor differed in the three main haemosporidian genera(Plasmodium,Haemoproteus,and Leucocytozoon).This macro-ecological analysis will add to our understanding of host traits that influence the probability of avian haemosporidian infection and will help inform risk of emerging diseases.

A Speculation: Avian Migration and the K-T Extinction

One caveat to the dinosaur’s extinction is the conclusion that avian dinosaurs survived and became ancestors of birds. Their mobility enabled them to migrate great distances and find the nutrients needed to survive. Given this scenario, could the current observable migration of birds (the “dinosaurian offspring”) now be related? Migration is the regular seasonal movement undertaken by many species of birds, with the most common pattern, flying north in the Northern spring to breed in the temperate or Arctic summer and returning in the Northern autumn to wintering grounds in warmer regions of the south. The primary motivation for migration appears to be food. None of the major North-South migratory pathways fly over the Caribbean but three main fly ways, past to the west of the theorized K-T impact centre. Due to their ability to fly, the “avian Dinosaurs” adapted and survived very quickly in response to the disaster that marked the K-T boundary. It is an interesting speculation that the avian migration that we witness today is rooted in an event that occurred 66 million years ago! But it does explain why the migratory birds mostly fly from Polar summer to polar summer when they could just be as easily fly from Polar zone to the warmer equatorial region and back. In the recent article in Nature by Melanie During about identifying the late spring timing of the “Astro disaster”, it can be cited as consistent with my speculation. A late April early May Impact as suggested by During would have seen these migrations completely. The western migratory routes would have been found to be “luxurious” in vegetation in that first northern autumn after the “Astro-impact” while all eastern routes would have still been barren.

Evidence for transmission of aphid-pathogenic fungi by migratory flight of Myzus persicae alates

The alates of the green peach aphid, Myzus persicae, were daily trapped from the air from late October through early January and carried to laboratory for determination of fungal infection by individually rearing them for 7 d on detached cabbage leaves in Petri dishes. Among 760 alates trapped, 266 (35%) were found carrying various fungal pathogens, 87.3% of them died due to mycosis during the first 3-day period of rearing and the rest died in the following two days. Most of the deaths of the alates were attributed to entomophthoralean fungi, taking 94.4%, and the rest were the hyphomycetous fungus Beauveria bassiana. Among the Entomophthorales-killed alates, P. neoaphidis took a proportion of 66.1%, Z. anhuiensis 22.6%, E. planchoniana 9.7%, and N. fresenii 1.6%, respectively. Two alates were found suffering from cross infection of two fungal species, i.e. P. neoaphidis with Z. anhuiensis and N. fresenii, respectively. The results represent the first report on transmission of aphid-pathogenic fungi

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 Clade 2.3.2.1c virus in migratory birds,2014–2015

A novel Clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 reassortant virus caused several outbreaks in wild birds in some regions of China from late 2014 to 2015.Based on the genetic and phylogenetic analyses,the viruses possess a stable gene constellation with a Clade 2.3.2.1c HA,a H9N2-derived PB2 gene and the other six genes of Asian H5N1-origin.The Clade 2.3.2.1c H5N1 reassortants displayed a high genetic relationship to a human H5N1 strain(A/Alberta/01/2014).Further analysis showed that similar viruses have been circulating in wild birds in China,Russia,Dubai(Western Asia),Bulgaria and Romania(Europe),as well as domestic poultry in some regions of Africa.The affected areas include the Central Asian,East Asian-Australasian,West Asian-East African,and Black Sea/Mediterranean flyways.These results show that the novel Clade 2.3.2.1c reassortant viruses are circulating worldwide and may have gained a selective advantage in migratory birds,thus posing a serious threat to wild birds and potentially humans.

The potential function of post-fledging dispersal behavior in first breeding territory selection for males of a migratory bird

One possible hypothesis for the function of post-fledging dispersal is to locate a suitable future breeding area.This post-fledging period may be particularly important in migratory species because they have a limited period to gather information prior to autumn migration,and in protandrous species,males must quickly acquire a territory after returning from spring migration to maximize their fitness.Here we use color-ring resightings to investigate how the post-fledging dispersal movements of the Cyprus wheatear Oenanthe cypriaca,a small migratory passerine,relate to their first breeding territory the following year when they return from migration.We found that males established first breeding territories that were significantly closer to their post-fledging location than to their natal sites or to post-fledging locations of other conspecifics,but these patterns were not apparent in females.Our findings suggest that familiarity with potential breeding sites may be important for juveniles of migratory species,particularly for the sex that acquires and advertises breeding territories.Exploratory dispersal prior to a migrant’s first autumn migration may contribute toward its breeding success the following year,further highlighting the importance of early seasonal breeding on fitness and population dynamics more generally.

FORECASTING AND MANAGEMENT OF MIGRATORY PESTS IN AUSTRALIA

The Decision Support System (DSS) used by the Australian Plague Locust Commission for management of several important migratory insect pests in Australia is described. The DSS is based on a Geographic Information System that integrates data on weather and habitat condition with the migration, development and distribution of the pest to prepare forecasts and aid decisions for control. The GIS is module based with the number and nature of the modules easily modified depending on the detail of data required to manage the pest concerned.

Ecology of avian influenza viruses in migratory birds wintering within the Yangtze River wetlands

Migratory birds are considered natural reservoirs of avian influenza A viruses(AIVs).To further our viral ecology knowledge and understand the subsequent risk posed by wild birds,we conducted a 4-year surveillance study of AIVs in the bird wintering wetlands of the Yangtze River,China.We collected over8000 samples and isolated 122 AIV strains.Analyses were then carried out with 108 novel sequenced genomes and data were deposited in GISAID and other public databases.The results showed that the Yangtze River wintering wetlands functioned as a mixing ground,where various subtypes of AIVs were detected harboring a high diversity of nucleotide sequences;moreover,a portion of AIV gene segments were persistent inter-seasonally.Phylogenetic incongruence presented complex reassortment events and distinct patterns among various subtypes.In addition,we observed that viral gene segments in wintering wetlands were closely related to known North American isolates,indicating that intercontinental gene flow occurred.Notably,highly pathogenic H5 and low pathogenic H9 viruses,which usually circulate in poultry,were found to have crossed the poultry/wild bird interface,with the viruses introduced to wintering birds.Overall,this study represented the largest AIV surveillance effort of wild birds within the Yangtze River wintering wetlands.Surveillance data highlighted the important role of wintering wild birds in the ecology of AIVs and may enable future early warnings of novel AIV emergence.

Carrying capacity for shorebirds during migratory seasons at the Jiuduansha Wetland, Yangtze River Estuary, China

The carrying capacity of food resources for migrating shorebirds was estimated at a stopover site in the Yangtze River Estuary during the two migratory seasons(spring and autumn).From March to May and September to November 2005,the macrobenthos resources of the Jiuduansha Wetland were investigated,and most of the macrobenthos species in the newlyformed shoal were found to be appropriate food for shorebirds.Biomass measurements showed that the total food resource was about 4541.20 kg AFDW(Ash-Free Dry Weight)in spring and about 2279.64 kg AFDW in autumn.Calculations were also done in the available habitats(intertidal bare mudflat and Scirpus×mariqueter/Scirpus triqueter zones)for the shorebirds.The food resources in the available areas were about 3429.03 kg AFDWin spring and about 1700.92 kgAFDWin autumn.Based on the classification(by lean weight,basic metabolic rate and body length)of the shorebird community,and using the energy depletion model,it was theorized that all of the food resources in the Jiuduansha Wetland could support about 3.5 million shorebirds during spring season and 1.75 million shorebirds during autumn season.The shorebird carrying capacities in terms of the available food were about 2.6 million and 1.3 million birds during the two respective migration seasons.Considering the effect of intake rate,the potential carrying capacity was about 0.13–0.26 million shorebirds in the study area.The main factor restricting use of the area by shorebirds was the scarcity of available habitats for roosting at high tide rather than availability of food supply.We recommend restoring some wading pools in the dense Phragmites australis and Spartina alterniflora zones for shorebirds to roost in,to improve shorebirds’utilization efficiency of the resources in the Jiuduansha Wetland.

Current Status and Stategies of Infectious Diseases among Migratory Population in Wenzhou

Along with increase of the migratory population as the development of economy, the morbidities of some infec- tious diseases increases among mingratory population in some areas in the current years. The epidemiological characteris tics of infectious diseases among migratory, population differ from them of local residents. In this article we described the current status and its reasons of occurrences and outbreaks of some infectious diseases among the migratory population in Wenzhou city, and provided the strategies on control and Prevention for infectious diseases accordingly.