02134nas a2200229 4500008004100000245008100041210006900122260001200191300001000203490000600213520143100219100002101650700002001671700001701691700003201708700001601740700002401756700002001780700002201800700002301822856005901845 2018 eng d00aSocial context modulates digestive efficiency in greylag geese (Anser anser)0 aSocial context modulates digestive efficiency in greylag geese A c11/2018 a164980 v83 a

In group-living animals, social context is known to modulate physiology, behaviour and reproductive output as well as foraging and nutritional strategies. Here we investigate the digestive efficiency of 38 individuals belonging to different social categories of a semi-feral and individually marked flock of greylag geese (Anser anser). During 9 consecutive days in winter 2017, when the ground was fully covered with snow (i.e. no grass or other natural forage available) and the accessible food was standardized, 184 individual droppings were collected and analysed to estimate the apparent digestibility of organic matter (ADOM). Lignin was used as an indigestible internal marker in the food and droppings. The digestive efficiency was higher in pairs with offspring as compared to pairs without offspring or unpaired birds. Furthermore, individuals with high ADOM were more likely to breed successfully in the following season than those with low ADOM. Our findings demonstrate that social status modulates digestive efficiency, probably via a chain of physiological mechanisms including a dampened stress response in individuals enjoying stable social relationships with and social support by their family members (i.e. their own pair-partner and offspring). Our findings underline the importance of the social network in modulating physiology, such as digestive efficiency, and ultimately reproductive success.

1 aFrigerio, Didone1 aKotrschal, Kurt1 aFabro, Carla1 aPuehringer-Sturmayr, Verena1 aIaiza, Lara1 aHemetsberger, Josef1 aMason, Federico1 aSarnataro, Chiara1 aFilacorda, Stefano uhttps://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-34337-3.pdf02176nas a2200145 4500008004100000245012800041210006900169260001200238300001300250490000700263520167500270100002001945700002001965856004501985 2018 eng d00aHome ranges and movements of resident graylag geese (Anser anser) in breeding and winter habitats in Bavaria, South Germany0 aHome ranges and movements of resident graylag geese Anser anser  c09/2018 ae02024430 v133 a

In several countries in northwestern Europe, the number of resident greylag geese (Anser anser) has increased by up to 20% a year over the last few decades. The increasing numbers of geese are causing problems in tourism and agriculture. The number of resident greylag geese visiting the Altmuehlsee lake, a recreational area in the south of Germany, has also increased, especially in June and July. However, the geese leave the lake again at the beginning of August. 30 adult greylag geese were banded with telemetry transmitters during molting at the Altmuehlsee lake to determine when the geese leave the lake in August and what structures they need in their winter habitat. The distances the greylag geese flew from their resting sites to foraging sites were calculated, as well as the size of their home ranges and the proportions of each habitat type in the home range. It was found that the greylag geese used small home ranges while rearing their young, and fed close to the water. After molting, the size of their home ranges increased. They fed on fields and meadows around the lake. In the winter habitat, the geese also had a small home range, and they preferred eating grain and corn and the availability of an open body of water. In addition, one group of geese remained in the city of Munich during the winter, benefiting from supplementary food from people. This information helps us to understand the different requirements of resident greylag geese. It can be used to inform management decisions aimed at preventing agricultural damage. Special goose areas can for example be designated for the different periods in a goose’s life cycle.

1 aKleinhenz, Anke1 aKoenig, Andreas uhttps://fegeco.myspecies.info/node/4171002032nas a2200217 4500008004100000022001400041245007700055210006900132300001200201490000700213520142600220653001801646653001201664653001201676653001601688653001401704653002501718100001301743700001301756856004501769 2018 eng d a0029-447000aHigh densities of water-birds at two New Zealand fresh-water urban lakes0 aHigh densities of waterbirds at two New Zealand freshwater urban a84–910 v653 a

Abstract We compared summer counts of water-birds (November–January, 2012–2016; mainly Anatidae, Phalacrocoracidae,
Rallidae, Laridae) at 2 small, shallow, urban lakes set in parkland surroundings: Western Springs Lake (Auckland)
and Henley Lake (Masterton), New Zealand. We recorded 25 species of water-birds; 17 at Western Springs Lake and 22
at Henley Lake, with 14 species in common. The average total densities (and biomasses) were 61 birds/ha (113 kg/ha) at
Western Springs Lake, significantly higher than the 40 birds/ha (95 kg/ha) at Henley Lake. Ducks (Tadorninae, Anatinae)
made the biggest single contribution to numbers at both lakes (40–60% of total water-bird density). Swans and geese (Anserinae)
were less common than ducks but because they were heavier birds they accounted for 60–70% of total biomass,
and were therefore the main consumers of food and producers of droppings. Introduced water-birds made up 60–70% of
the density at both lakes, and 80–90% of the biomass, with no significant differences between lakes. The presence of some
native species (in significantly greater total density and biomass at Western Springs Lake), and breeding of the endemic
New Zealand scaup at both sites, illustrate the potential conservation value of New Zealand’s small urban lakes.

10aaquatic birds10aBiomass10aDensity10aHenley Lake10aWaterfowl10aWestern Springs Lake1 aGill, BJ1 aWest, RC uhttps://fegeco.myspecies.info/node/41709