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Factors affecting survival in Mediterranean populations of the Eurasian eagle owl

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Abstract

The survival rate is a key parameter for population management and the monitoring of populations. Thus, an analysis of survival rate variations and the factors influencing the same is essential for understanding population dynamics. Here, we study the factors determining the survival and the causes of mortality of the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo) in two Spanish Mediterranean populations (Murcia and Seville) where the species has a high population density and breeding success; yet its survival rates and the factors that affect them are unknown. Between 2003 and 2010, 63 breeding owls were captured and radio-tracked. Three monthly (quarterly) survival rates were estimated using known-fate models in the program MARK. The mean overall annual survival rate was 0.776 (95 % CI: 0.677, 0.875). We observed survival differences between sexes, and between the breeding and non-breeding periods, although no overwhelming support was found for any particular model. We concluded that (i) females have a lower survival rate than males, probably due to their larger home ranges, which increase the risk of mortality; (ii) the survival rates of both sexes were lower during the non-breeding period; and (iii) the causes of mortality differed significantly between the two populations, gunshot being the main cause in Seville and electrocution in Murcia.

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Acknowledgments

We are very grateful to Eloy Peréz, José Alfonso Lacalle, Letizia Campioni, Chiara Bettega, Rui Lourenço and other collaborators for their help on the field work. We thank Encarni Montoya, María Victoria Jiménez-Franco and Silvia Villaverde for their unconditional support and comments. The suggestions and comments of Jari Valkama and two anonymous reviewers considerably helped to improve the manuscript. The Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE) is also acknowledged for partial financial support in the Murcia area. The Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (CGL2012–33240; FEDER co-financing) funded this study in the Seville area. The research adheres to the legal requirements of the country where it has been carried out.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departamento de Ecología e Hidrología, Universidad de Murcia, Campus de Espinardo, Murcia, Spain

    Mario León-Ortega, José E. Martínez & José F. Calvo

  2. Research Unit of Biodiversity (UMIB, UO-CSIC-PA), Oviedo University - Campus Mieres, 33600, Mieres, Spain

    María del Mar Delgado & Vincenzo Penteriani

  3. Bonelli’s Eagle Study and Conservation Group, Apdo. 4009, E-30080, Murcia, Spain

    José E. Martínez

  4. Department of Conservation Biology, Estación Biológica de Doñana, C.S.I.C., c ⁄ Americo Vespucio s ⁄ n, 41092, Sevilla, Spain

    Vincenzo Penteriani

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  1. Mario León-Ortega
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  2. María del Mar Delgado
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  3. José E. Martínez
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Correspondence to Mario León-Ortega.

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León-Ortega, M., Delgado, M., Martínez, J.E. et al. Factors affecting survival in Mediterranean populations of the Eurasian eagle owl. Eur J Wildl Res 62, 643–651 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10344-016-1036-7

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