We tested the role of interspecific competition in driving species distribution at multiple spatial scales using two sibling species of Galerida larks (G. cristata and G. theklae) in Morocco (sympatry), Balearic islands (G. theklae only) and Israel (G. cristata only). We first investigated regional-scale determinants by contrasting allopatric versus sympatric patterns in five distinct habitat t...

Parental body mass changes during the nesting period were analysed for Thekla Larks, Galerida theklae, and Lesser Short-toed Larks, Calandrella rufescens. Body mass of female Thekla Larks declines from the start of incubation until the chicks fledge; laying date, interpreted as the number of renesting attempts, also has a negative effect. Body mass of female Lesser Short-toed Larks was not rela...

A survey on mite fauna of bird nests was carried out in Tehran, Golestan and Sistan & Baluchestan provinces in 2008. A total of 18 nests belonging to six bird species, namely Rock Dove Columba livia, House Sparrow Passer domesticus, Eastern Olivaceous Warbler Hippolais (Iduna) pallida, White-eared Bulbul Pycnonotus leucotis, Common Magpie Pica pica and Crested Lark Galerida cristata were collec...

The aim of this paper was to provide new records of Amblyomma sculptum on two species of terricolous birds in two areas of the Cerrado (savannah- like) bioma: two specimens of Cariama cristata were captured in the state of Goiás and one specimen ofCrax fasciolata was captured in the state of Minas Gerais. One of the C. cristata was parasitized by 15 larvae, six nymphs, one male and two females ...

Global warming may affect the physiology, distributions, phenology and adaptations of plants and animals. In Israel, minimum summer temperatures increased by an average of 0.26 degrees C per decade during the second half of the 20th century. Bergmann's rule predicts that, in warm-blooded animals, races from warm regions are smaller than races from cold regions. Numerous studies have reported ge...

Condensation of water vapor in the exhaled air stream as it passes over previously cooled membranes of the nasopharynx is thought to be a mechanism that reduces respiratory water loss in mammals and birds. Such a mechanism could be important in the overall water economy of these vertebrates, especially those species occupying desert habitats. However, this hypothesis was originally based on mea...