New publication on Shearwaters!

Bolumar Roda,S.,J.M. Igual,J.-M.,Rotger,A., Santangeli, A., Genovart,M., Oro,D., Martín-Pérez,M.,Ferrer-Palou,L.,Sanz-Aguilar,A., & Tavecchia,G., 2026. Environmental forcing, individual repeatability, and mother–daughter resemblance shape the phenology of a long-lived seabird, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.123 (45) e2533000123, https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2533000123 (2026).

 In a shell: Using 22 years of data from 2,065 breeding events in Scopoli’s Shearwaters, we show that laying dates respond plastically to climatic variation (wNAO), while individual breeding timing is highly repeatable and resembles that of mothers, suggesting persistent individual or inherited effects. Earlier breeding was associated with higher breeding success and adult survival, highlighting how environmental plasticity and individual differences jointly shape reproductive timing and fitness.

 Abstract: Climate change and variability push species to shift their distributions and phenology to track their climatic niche. Predicting population responses requires identifying the environmental cues that trigger reproduction, their fitness consequences, and the intrinsic factors that shape individual breeding decisions. In long-lived species with deferred breeding, extrinsic (environmental) and intrinsic (individual/maternal) factors may interact in shaping responses to environmental change, but direct empirical evidence remains scarce. We use 2065 breeding events collected over 22 y on a wide-ranging seabird, the Scopoli’s Shearwater. 

We quantify the effects on population mean laying date of a large-scale climatic index (wNAO) associated with oceanographic conditions. We assess how individual breeding experience and mother–daughter resemblance contribute to among-female differences in reproductive timing, and evaluate the consequences for breeding success (BS) and adult survival. Average laying date was earlier under negative phases of wNAO, indicating a plastic response at the population level. Individual repeatability in the relative laying date (RLD) was high (R = 0.50) irrespective of experience, indicating consistency among females. Using 142 mother–daughter cases, daughters’ RLD resembled those of their mothers, a covariance that may reflect genetic inheritance, maternal effects, or shared environment. Early laying was associated with higher BS and survival, translating into an annual fitness advantage. Differences in survival and BS across individuals were more evident during the first observed breeding attempts. Together, these results support a scenario in which plasticity shifts the population mean breeding date in response to climatic variation, while persistent traits generate differential fitness among individuals. 

New press note on ReMatch!

The software ReMatch for photoidentification from natural marks developped by the GEDA and the DataLAB of the IMEDEA hit the news! here

New Publication on Lizard helminths!

Ribas A, de los Ríos-Solera JA, Tavecchia G, Rotger, A, Delgado Pizzo, I., Esquivel, C., and Baldo, L. 2026. Intestinal helminths of the Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi (Günther, 1874): morphology, genetics and prevalence. Parasitology. Published online 1-11. doi:10.1017/S003118202610290X 

In a shell: This study reassessed intestinal helminths in eight insular populations of the endemic Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi, confirming two species, Spauligodon cabrerae and Parapharyngodon lilfordi, with high overall prevalence (52%) but low parasite diversity. While P. lilfordi occurred on all eight islands, S. cabrerae was restricted to Dragonera and Cabrera, and differences in genetic structure between the two species highlight the need for broader sampling and genomic approaches to better understand host–parasite evolution in insular environments.

Abstract: Many insular lacertids represent endemic lineages and are known to harbour unique assemblages of endemic intestinal parasites, making them an interesting system to study host-parasite dynamics. Here, we reassessed the diversity, distribution and prevalence of intestinal helminths infecting the endemic Balearic lizard Podarcis lilfordi across eight insular populations of Mallorca and Cabrera archipelagos. Using a combination of coprological screening, morphological analyses and molecular characterization, we confirmed the presence of two helminth species, Spauligodon cabrerae and Parapharyngodon lilfordi (Oxyuroidea:Pharyngodoninae), both originally described in the late 1980s. 

No additional helminth taxa were observed, indicating a poorly diverse parasite community compared to historical reports. Phylogenetic analyses based on the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences, obtained from newly designed primers, supported a clear species-level identification and indicated low genetic variation in Par. lilfordi and more pronounced structuring in S. cabrerae across insular populations. Parasite prevalence was high (52%), with Par. lilfordi occurring across all eight islands, whereas S. cabrerae was restricted to the largest islands of Dragonera and Cabrera. Specimen coinfection with both nematode species was observed on both islands. Infection probability was not associated with lizard body size, sex or body condition, which is consistent with a low virulence of these oxyurids, likely favoured by coevolutionary dynamics and temporal stability of the symbiosis in these high-density lizard populations. Overall, this study provides an updated assessment of parasite diversity in Pod. lilfordi and underscores the need for expanded sampling and genomic approaches to better understand host–parasite evolution in insular environments. 

New publication on biodiversity!

Guilbault, E., Antão, L.H., Santangeli, A. et al. Shifting balance between habitat and climate in boreal biodiversity patterns across space, time and taxa. Nature Communication (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-78359-2

In a shell: We found that habitat composition was the main driver of biodiversity patterns in Finland, particularly for butterflies, birds, and small mammals, whereas climate and habitat jointly influenced large mammals and moths, with their relative importance varying across spatial and temporal scales. These findings highlight the central role of land use and its interactions with climate in shaping biodiversity.

 Abstract: Climate and habitat are key drivers of biodiversity patterns. However, how they independently and jointly affect species distribution across space, time, and taxa remains poorly understood. Here, we evaluate the relative importance of habitat and climate variables underpinning occurrence and abundance patterns of 503 terrestrial animal species over 20 years and a ~ 1100 km latitudinal gradient in Finland. Habitat composition is the main explanatory variable of biodiversity patterns, with varying importance and uncertainty across taxa, regions, and years, and with effects being partially correlated for many species. Specifically, habitat dominate in importance for butterflies, birds, and small mammals, while both habitat and climate explain the patterns of large mammals and moths. 

 Additionally, patterns between biogeographical regions and years are mainly explained by climate, while habitat explains most variation within regions and years. Further differences emerge among functional groups, as body size, pace of life and specialization modulate the relative importance of habitat and climate. Our findings emphasize that land use is a major force in shaping terrestrial biodiversity, while highlighting its tight connection with climate. Considering functional, spatial, and temporal contexts is thus essential for building effective conservation strategies for biodiversity under global change.

ReMatch on the news!

The algorithm ReMatch for the photo-identification of animals hits the news! 

 

New Publication on Coastal Resilience!

Hernan, G., [...], Tavecchia, G., [...], Santangeli, A., [...] and Stelzenmüller, V. 2026. Coastal Resilience in a Changing World: Lessons, Gaps, and Pathways Forward". Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, vol. 107, no. 9. E2326–E2336 https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-26-0238.1

 

The 4th-5th of November the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Studies (IMEDEA, UIB/CSIC) hosted the International Symposium Coastal Resilience: Mitigating Threats for Healthy Oceans, bringing together more than 50 participants from over 15 international institutions. 

The symposium fostered interdisciplinary discussions on the main challenges facing coastal ecosystems, identifying key knowledge gaps, barriers, and innovative research directions to help define future scientific priorities and inform research investment. The article at https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-26-0238.1 is the Meeting Report.

 

 

 

New publication on red-necked nightjars!

Hidalgo-Rodríguez, P, Sanz-Aguilar, A., Edelaar P., [...],  Camacho, C. 2026 Temperature extremes across breeding and nonbreeding regions shape annual survival in a migratory bird, Current Zoology https://doi.org/10.1093/cz/zoag045

In a shell:Using 12 years of capture–recapture data from a migratory population of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis), we found that adult survival was stable over time, with no effect of vegetation development (NDVI). In contrast, land surface temperature (LST) in both, wintering and breeding grounds, was positively associated with survival across age classes.  

Summary:Migratory birds experience diverse ecological conditions throughout their migratory range that can influence survival, particularly during vulnerable life stages such as juveniles. Identifying the life stages and regions that constrain populations is therefore essential for migratory species of conservation concern, including aerial insectivores. 

Using a migratory population of red-necked nightjars (Caprimulgus ruficollis) as a model, we analyzed 12 years (2010–2021) of capture–recapture data to estimate sex- and age-specific annual survival probabilities and assessed the effects of time (year), vegetation development (normalized difference vegetation index [NDVI]), and land surface temperature (LST) in the breeding (Doñana) and nonbreeding staging areas (Mali and Guinea). Survival probabilities remained constant throughout the study period. Adults showed higher survival (females: 0.660 ± 0.038 standard error (SE), 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.581–0.731; males: 0.677 ± 0.037 SE, 95% CI: 0.6–0.746) than juveniles (females: 0.398 ± 0.040 SE, 95% CI: 0.323–0.479; males: 0.352 ± 0.036 SE, 95% CI: 0.285–0.426), after accounting for age-specific differences in recapture probabilities. NDVI did not affect survival. In contrast, LST in both Doñana and Guinea was positively associated with survival in adults and juveniles. Our findings demonstrate that climatic factors operating in geographically distant regions can jointly shape red-necked nightjar demography and suggest that this species may be relatively resilient to projected increases in temperature.

 

 

Raccoons in Mallorca!

A press release on the situation of the raccoons in the Sierra de Tramuntana (Mallorca), mentioning the work by the GEDA in collaboration with the COFIB. 

 Here