International Journal of Zoology最新文献

{"title":"Bats of the Safi-Essaouira Provinces (Morocco): New Inputs to the Knowledge of Bat Populations of the Atlantic Littoral","authors":"Youssef Dbiba, Mohamed Dakki, Ismail Mansouri, El Hassan El Mouden","doi":"10.1155/2023/6624548","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6624548","url":null,"abstract":"In Morocco, investigations of bats are limited and fragmentary. The majority of studies were done in northern provinces close to the Mediterranean Sea and focused on the geographical distribution of bats. With the aim of overcoming these gaps, we used diurnal caves visits, hand nets and mist nets, and acoustic surveys to make an inventory of the Atlantic littoral of Safi-Essaouira provinces, which is considered one of the most neglected regions in the country. In total, five caves and nine foraging habitats were surveyed from 2020 to 2022. Our surveys highlighted the distribution of eleven bat species belonging to five families, of which Rhinolophus blasii and Tadarida teniotis species were newly recorded in the study area. Three caves, namely, Sbaa Fam, Haouya, and Sidi Benkrara were newly discovered and hosted medium-sized colonies of five species. They were important for bats during the daytime, hibernation, and breeding. In foraging habitats, 2650 passes of 10 species were recorded. Pipistrellus pipistrellus and Pipistrellus kuhlii were the most active, followed by Miniopterus schreibersii and Eptesicus isabellinus, while Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Hipposideros tephrus, Rhinolophus mehelyi, T. teniotis, Myotis punicus, and R. blasii were less active. Olive groves were the most diverse habitat with 8 species, followed by Safi pinewood and degraded Argane forest with 4 species each and Sidi Abderrahmane lake with 3 species. The other habitats hosted only two species each. This paper is the first to highlight data on bats in the coastal areas of Morocco and North Africa. Our results contribute to improve knowledge of the annual cycle of these bats and fill the gaps related to their distribution in the coastal area of the Safi-Essaouira provinces.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":"8 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136013365","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Reproductive Behavior of Bubalus arnee (Kerr, 1792) (Mammalia: Artiodactyla: Bovidae) in Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve and Chitwan National Park, Nepal","authors":"Ram Krishna Bhattarai, Rajeev Joshi, Jeetendra Gautam, Birendra Kandel, Bikram Singh","doi":"10.1155/2023/6305614","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6305614","url":null,"abstract":"The Asiatic wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee Kerr), an endangered species featured on the IUCN Red List, is distributed across Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Bhutan, Cambodia, and Thailand. This investigation delves into the reproductive and certain social behaviors exhibited by Bubalus arnee across distinct habitats and herd types within Nepal’s Koshi Tappu Wildlife Reserve (KTWR) and Chitwan National Park (CNP) during the premonsoon and postmonsoon spans of 2018. The data were amassed through direct observations employing focal animal sampling, continuous sampling, and scan sampling methodologies. Eight primary behavioral activities were noted: chasing, courtship, grazing, mating, mowing, sniffing, urination, and wallowing. We carefully structured the gathered data and input it into a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet to facilitate analysis. For a more comprehensive visualization of reproductive behavior, we utilized the ggplot2 package within R-studio, enabling the creation of informative graphical depictions. During the premonsoon phase, Bull A exhibited six reproductive behaviors in KTWR. Notably, sniffing was the most frequently observed behavior, recorded six times (37.5%) daily, succeeded by fighting and urination with four (25%) and three (18.35%) daily observations, respectively. Chasing, mating, and courtship were each observed once (6.25%) daily. In contrast, during both seasons, Bulls B, M, and J were not observed partaking in mating activities. When analyzing the postmonsoon reproductive behavior of the observed B. arnee in KTWR and CNP, a notable distinction emerged. In KTWR, there were four more instances of sniffing behavior compared to CNP. In addition, courtship behavior was slightly more frequent in KTWR, occurring three times, whereas it was observed only twice in CNP. Similarly, urination activity was recorded twice as often in KTWR as compared to CNP. As a suggestion for future research, exploring the specific factors influencing the observed variations in reproductive behaviors and habitat preferences of Bubalus arnee could provide valuable insights into the conservation and management of these endangered species.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":"32 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135352631","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Trade-Off between Sampling Frequency and Duration and Their Influences on the Estimation of Space Use of Japanese Macaques","authors":"Kana Terayama, Hiroshi Ebihara, Hironori Seino, Masaaki Takiguchi, Motomi Genkai-Kato","doi":"10.1155/2023/1384365","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/1384365","url":null,"abstract":"Space use, estimated based on location data, provides fundamental knowledge in the basic and applied ecology of wild animals. There is a trade-off between sampling frequency and duration in location data which are collected from a tracking device attached to an animal because the battery of the device has a limited life. In this study, we assessed how different combinations of sampling frequency and duration would affect estimates for home-range size and maximum utilization area (MUA) of Japanese macaques, using datasets subsampled by reducing frequency and/or duration from the original dataset. Estimates of MUA were likely to be overestimated if the sampling duration was shorter than 80 days for Japanese macaques. Reductions in sampling frequency and duration had opposite effects on estimates of home-range size: the estimated area decreased with decreasing sampling duration, while it increased with decreasing sampling frequency. Moreover, these opposite effects can be offset when the sampling frequency and duration are simultaneously reduced. We discussed the applicability of our results to animals other than Japanese macaques and how to design the sampling frequency and duration in future research.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":"48 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135589967","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diversity and Composition of Gastrointestinal Helminths and Gram-Negative Bacteria of the West African Rainbow Lizard (Agama picticauda) in a Human-Modified Landscape: Implications for Conservation and Zoonosis","authors":"B. Ofori, Juliet Ewool, Rachel E. A. Asamoah, Philomina A. Adarkwah, D. Oduro","doi":"10.1155/2023/9977489","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/9977489","url":null,"abstract":"Emerging infectious diseases are negatively impacting herpetofaunal populations globally, posing a major conservation threat. Anthropogenic perturbations of natural habitats may influence wildlife disease dynamics and spillover events. Although viral and fungal diseases of vertebrates have received considerable studies, there is scant information on the enteric bacteria and helminths of herpetofauna. Here, we assessed the gastrointestinal helminths and Gram-negative bacteria of the West African rainbow lizard (Agama picticauda) in a human-dominated landscape in Accra, Ghana. We used the flotation method and standard cultural, morphological, and biochemical methods, for helminths and bacteria, respectively. Four helminth species, Ascaris spp., Enterobius spp., Pharyngodon spp., and Oxyurid spp., were identified, with overall high (71.9%) prevalence. Ascaris spp. (χ2 = 33.33, \u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 <\u0000 0.001\u0000 \u0000 ) and Pharyngodon spp. (χ2 = 14.5, \u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 <\u0000 0.001\u0000 \u0000 ) were more prevalent in suburban lizards during the wet season than dry season. The prevalence of Ascaris spp. and Enterobius spp. was significantly higher (χ2 = 12.34, \u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 <\u0000 0.001\u0000 \u0000 ) in urban than suburban lizards, while Oxyurid spp. was more prevalent (χ2 = 4.75, \u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 =\u0000 0.03\u0000 \u0000 ) in the suburban lizards during the wet season. The gut bacteria identified (prevalence) were Escherichia spp. (86.5%), Enterobacter spp. (75.7%), Proteus spp. (67.6%), Shigella spp. (40.5%), Klebsiella spp. (21.6%), and Salmonella spp. (16.2%). The prevalence of Escherichia spp. and Proteus spp. was significantly higher (χ2 = 5.77–7.34, \u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 =\u0000 0.01\u0000 –\u0000 0.02\u0000 \u0000 ) in suburban lizards than urban lizards during the wet season. Some Ascaris spp., Enterobius spp., Escherichia spp., Enterobacter spp., Shigella spp., and Salmonella spp. are found in humans. Our data can serve as baseline information for long-term monitoring studies of reptile-parasites-environment interactions in the Accra plains of Ghana. Further studies using molecular techniques are needed to ascertain the zoonotic helminths and bacteria of A. picticauda.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":"1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-09-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41621426","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Gastrointestinal Parasites of the Ethiopian Rock Hyrax (Procavia capensis, Pallas, 1766) in the North East Region of Ghana","authors":"Langbong Bimi, Ato Kwamena Tetteh, D. Oduro, F. Anto","doi":"10.1155/2023/6008732","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6008732","url":null,"abstract":"Wildlife may serve as potential reservoirs and intermediate or accidental hosts of zoonotic pathogens due to their interactions with human beings. For the first time in Ghana, we report extempore the gastrointestinal parasites of three Ethiopian rock hyraxes captured in September 2021. Forty adult parasites (21 nematodes and 19 tapeworms) were recovered from the gastrointestinal tracts of these three game hyraxes (Procavia capensis, Pallas, 1766) from the hills of Bimbagu (near the Gambaga Scarp) in the North East Region of Ghana. Adult worms comprising 16 tapeworms and 24 nematodes were identified. The intestinal faecal examination detected ova of Trichuris spp., tapeworms, and hookworms. The results are presented alongside the results of the molecular determination of the worm identities. Since wildlife has been identified as an important source of emerging human pathogens, including helminth parasites, there is an urgent need for sufficient literature on wildlife parasites in Ghana. As the rock hyrax is hunted for its meat, there is a potential risk of transmitting these identified helminths and other zoonotic pathogens to humans, especially involving people who handle the carcasses as the transmission is faecal-oral. A more precarious situation may arise when the eggs of cestodes are ingested by handlers of these carcasses and could result in cysticercosis/neuro-cysticercosis when these eggs cross the blood-brain barrier in the person.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-08-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42220085","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Population Status and Threats to Galliform Bird in the Arjo-Didessa River Valley, Southwestern Ethiopia","authors":"Yihenew Aynalem, A. Bekele, Bezawork Afework Bogale","doi":"10.1155/2023/5730010","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5730010","url":null,"abstract":"The study was conducted to assess the species composition, population size, public knowledge, and threats to Galliform birds in the Arjo-Didessa River Valley, Southwestern Ethiopia. Data were collected from January 2018 to December 2020, covering both the dry and wet seasons. The study area was classified into four habitat categories: farmland, forest, grassland, and riverine areas. A line transects survey and point count routes were employed in the open habitats and dense habitats, respectively, to collect data. The species’ composition and relative abundance of Galliformes were estimated by timed species counting and encounter rates. To assess public knowledge and threats, direct inventories, questionnaire surveys, key informant interviews, and informal communications were employed. Three Galliform species, namely, Clapperton’s Francolin (Pternistis clappertoni), Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris), and Stone Partridge (Ptilopachus petrosus), were recorded in the area. The Helmeted Guineafowl were abundant (66.83%), Clapperton’s Francolin was common (30.14%), and Stone Partridge was a rare (3.03%) species. The population size of Galliformes recorded in the area was 461 during the dry season and 365 during the wet season, with a mean population size of 124.5 ± 11.5, 276 ± 33, and 12.5 ± 3.50 individuals of Clapperton’s Francolin, Helmeted Guineafowl, and Stone Partridge, respectively. The recorded flock size of Galliformes ranged from 1 to 22 individuals per flock. There was a statistically significant difference (F = 90.06, df = 3, and \u0000 \u0000 p\u0000 <\u0000 0.05\u0000 \u0000 ) in the population size of Galliformes between habitats, where the highest mean was recorded in the farmland (141.5 ± 7.5) and the lowest in the riverine (61.5 ± 43.5) habitats. The majority of the respondents (86.36%, n = 286) have prior knowledge and awareness about guineafowl and francolin species. They use these species mainly as a source of food (55.06%), eggs and meat consumption, a source of income (28.48%), and other values (16.45%), including foster-rearing and medical practices. In addition, guarding, trapping, scarecrows, and related crop raid protection measures were employed in the area to protect crops from crop damage by these birds. Although there is factual public understanding and a positive attitude towards Galliformes in the study area, habitat destruction and loss, agricultural intensification, overgrazing, fire, fuelwood collection, agrochemicals, and hunting and egg collection were observed as major threats affecting the species and their habitats. Further research and community-based conservation interventions are, therefore, essential to thoroughly monitor the population trends of Galliformes and maintain their habitats in the region.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-07-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42870351","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"An Emerging Issue of Human-Leopard Conflict in the Human-Dominated Landscape of Mid-Hills: A Case Study from Tanahun District of Nepal","authors":"Shalikram Kandel, B. Neupane, M. S. Miya, B. M. Sadadev, Namrata Devi Khatri, Bijaya Dhami","doi":"10.1155/2023/5690289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5690289","url":null,"abstract":"Information on the spatial and temporal patterns of losses caused by leopard (Panthera pardus) in terms of human attacks and livestock depredation in the human-dominated landscape of the mid-hills of Nepal is essential in formulating and implementing effective mitigation measures. This study aimed to assess the spatial and temporal patterns of leopard attacks on humans and livestock and the economic losses incurred by livestock depredation between 2015 and 2019 in the Bhanu municipality of Tanahun District. We adopted a household survey (N = 110), key informant (N = 10), and focus group discussion (N = 4) for this study. We purposively chose two conflict wards: 2 and 4, based on the severity of the attacks by the leopard. Within each ward, we selected the households randomly and conducted a semistructured questionnaire survey in September 2020. A total of 8 incidents of human attacks and 142 incidents of livestock depredation were recorded, with six human casualties in ward 2 and 1.45 incidents of livestock depredation per household in ward 4. The maximum attack was observed during 2019 both on humans (n = 6) and livestock (n = 67). Leopards mostly attacked children below 9 years, living within 200 m of the nearest forest edge, with the highest attack during the autumn months (62.5%). During the five years, leopard killed goats that represent 83.1% of total livestock loss categories. A significant difference was found in the frequency of attacks on livestock over the years (χ2 = 87.60, df = 4, and \u0000 \u0000 P\u0000 ≤\u0000 0.01\u0000 \u0000 ), months (χ2 = 16.53, df = 11, and \u0000 \u0000 P\u0000 =\u0000 0.12\u0000 \u0000 ), and time of day (χ2 = 48.47, df = 3, and \u0000 \u0000 P\u0000 ≤\u0000 0.001\u0000 \u0000 ) with the highest attack during the year 2019 (47.18%), July (14.08%), and daytime (42.96%), respectively. Households living nearer to the forest edge (<200 m) lost more livestock (72.54%). The monetary value of a total of 8142 USD (74 USD per household) was lost due to livestock depredation, with major monetary loss at a distance >400 m from the forest edge. We suggest adopting mitigation measures like predator-proof livestock corals while stall feeding and strengthening conscientious livestock herding practices during grazing, encouraging livestock insurance schemes, educating local communities about leopard behavior, caring for and protecting children intensively in the leopard attack sites, improving the prey base in the wild, and timely management of man-eater leopard to reduce the conflict in the study area and the country.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"44783902","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Feeding Habits and Activity Patterns of Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops L.) in Batiero Church Forest, Northern Ethiopia","authors":"Aschalew Alelign, Meheretu Yonas, Eshetu Moges","doi":"10.1155/2023/5828576","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/5828576","url":null,"abstract":"Grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops) are restricted to fragmented forests where food and space are limiting factors. The study investigated the feeding and activity patterns of grivet monkeys in Batiero Church Forest, northern Ethiopia, using focal and scan sampling techniques. Both focal and scan animal sessions lasted 15 min, with 5 min rest intervals between sessions. During the early dry season, grivet monkeys mainly fed on Acacia sieberiana (26.5%) and Juniperus procera (17.5%). Dry season food selection was significantly different, J. procera (20.5%), Acacia mearnsii (15.6%), A. sieberiana (14.2%), and Cyperus bulbosus (12.7%). The predominant plant parts eaten were seeds (42.6% and 33.3% in early dry and dry seasons, respectively) followed by leaves (34.5% and 22.5% in early dry and dry seasons, respectively). The activity patterns showed no significant seasonal variation, and the most frequent activity was feeding (33.3% and 32.6%, in early dry and dry seasons, respectively). The preferred food source tree species are threatened, and the survival of the grivet monkeys depends on the conservation of indigenous plants and trees.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-05-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45812489","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"First Record of Catfish Amblyceps waikhomi (Darshan, Kachari, Dutta, Ganguly, and Das 2016) (Siluriformes: Amblycipitidae) for Nepal from the Singhiya River of Morang District, Eastern Nepal","authors":"Jash Hang Limbu, Dipak Rajbanshi, B. R. Subba, Asmit Subba, Jin-Quan Yang, Chenhong Li","doi":"10.1155/2023/3707208","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/3707208","url":null,"abstract":"In 2016, Amblyceps waikhomi from the Brahmaputra drainage of Arunachal Pradesh, India, was described. Based on morphometric and meristic characteristics, we report the first-ever sighting of A. waikhomi from the Singhiya River in Morang district. A deeper body depth at the anus sets the A. waikhomi apart from its congeners. The river systems of Nepal are home to two Amblycipitidae species, including this one.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-04-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48349256","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Diversity and Abundance of Breeding Birds, Habitat, and Nesting Substrate Selection in Urban Areas: A Relevant Case from the Southern Slope of the Mediterranean","authors":"Ikram Douini, Wafae Squalli, I. Mansouri, Mohamed Mounir, E. Benka, M. Dakki, Soumaya Hammada","doi":"10.1155/2023/8554860","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/8554860","url":null,"abstract":"Urban areas may affect the richness of avian species. The abundance and diversity of urban landscapes offer breeding habitats and nesting resources for urban-adapted species. In our study, we investigated the breeding birds in urban landscapes of Fez’s historical city (Morocco). We used line-transects to search for nests of breeding species, populations, and habitats counting breeding sites and predicting factors (foraging, nesting resources, and urbanization). Furthermore, four habitats counting green gardens, old city walls, urban farms, and urban forests were prospected to search for nests of breeding birds. Among 13 breeding species including 12 resident-breeders, and one breeding migrant, a total of 109 nests were documented. Five species counting Turdus merula, Sylvia atricapilla, Spilopelia senegalensis, Columba livia, and Coloeus monedula were encountered in green gardens; four species counting Athene noctua, Sturnus unicolor, Passer domesticus, and Tachymarptis melba were observed in old city walls. Falco tinnunculus, Fringilla coelebs, and Accipiter nisus occurred in urban forests; and Streptopelia decaocto in urban farms. The recorded nests were divided between cavities (50 nests) and trees (59 nests). In green spaces, nests were distributed among Olea europaea (17), Citrus aurantium (15), Bambusa vulgaris (11), and Eucalyptus globulus (7). In contrast, Olea oleaster and Cupressus sp. hosted only tree nests each, while Populus sp. and Washingtonia filifera hosted only one nest each. Most nests were recorded in habitats rich in nesting trees and close to water sources. On the contrary, the number of nests decreased as the surface and distance of the habitat to the urban center increased. Our data revealed the diversity, habitat use, and nesting substrates of urban breeding bird communities in Morocco and the Southern slope of the Western Palearctic. Future urban plans must integrate measures to provide suitable breeding resources such as cavities of old walls and a high diversity of urban green spaces for birds to enhance their breeding performances, thus promoting the well-being of the population via increasing biodiversity.","PeriodicalId":38719,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Zoology","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-03-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43151674","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}