Many species only show sexual dimorphism at the age of maturity, such that juveniles typically re... more Many species only show sexual dimorphism at the age of maturity, such that juveniles typically resemble females. Under these circumstances, estimating accurate age‐specific demographic parameters is challenging. Here, we propose a multievent model parameterization able to estimate age‐dependent survival using capture–recapture data with uncertainty in age and sex assignment of individuals. We illustrate this modeling approach with capture–recapture data from the ring‐necked parakeet Psittacula krameri. We analyzed capture, recapture, and resighting data (439 recaptures/resightings) of 156 ring‐necked parakeets tagged with neck collars in Barcelona city from 2003 to 2016 to estimate the juvenile and adult survival rate. Our models successfully estimated the survival probabilities of the different age classes considered. Survival probability was similar between adults (0.83, 95% CI = 0.77–0.87) and juveniles during their second (0.79, 95% CI = 0.58–0.87) and third winter (0.83, 95% CI...
Bathing is one of the main actions birds perform as part of their preening. They may bathe in wat... more Bathing is one of the main actions birds perform as part of their preening. They may bathe in water, snow, dust, and even ants. Leaf bathing, where birds make use of water droplets on leaves to bathe, is less common. Here we describe four observations between 2017 and 2021 of ring-necked parakeets Psittacula krameri bathing on water droplets on leaves during rain.Over the past twenty years we have often seen monk parakeets Myiopsitta monachus bathing in puddles but never on leaves. The monk parakeet often forages on the ground, but ring-necked parakeets are reluctant to do so. We therefore interpret that the leaf bathing we observed in the ring-necked parakeet could be an anti-predatory strategy to avoid going down to the ground.
OBJECTIVE To provide prevalence data for future comparative analysis of the health status of rabb... more OBJECTIVE To provide prevalence data for future comparative analysis of the health status of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accumulated in the archaeological record. MATERIALS Two contrasting assemblages were analysed for pathological and sub-pathological changes: 1) an assemblage of domestic modern rabbit bones; and 2) a non-anthropogenic accumulation of archaeological rabbit remains. METHODS The lesions observed macroscopically, under magnification, and radiographically in both assemblages are quantified and described. RESULTS In the first assemblage, pathological and sub-pathological changes mostly affected the lower limb bones and primarily took two forms: diaphyseal periosteal proliferation and hypervascularised distal physes. Differential diagnosis of the periosteal proliferation suggests that pododermatitis is the most probable cause. In the second assemblage fractures were the most common lesions, but isolated examples of hypervascularised physes, periosteal proliferation, and musculo-skeletal stress markers were also identified. The pathological changes recorded is typical of a naturally-accumulated population of wild rabbits. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of pathological and sub-pathological skeletal changes in the rabbits, and thus their health status, are closely related to living conditions. This study demonstrates the value of systematically recording pathologies in rabbit bones. SIGNIFICANCE We contribute new data to help understand rabbit interactions with humans in the past and also the environment they inhabited. LIMITATIONS Working with modern samples frequently means only incomplete skeletons are available for study. In these cases lesion prevalence always needs to be interpreted with caution. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Paleopathological studies of rabbit remains are remarkable for their absence. Further exhaustive research in this area is advised.
Se presentan los resultados de la excavación y estudio de la necrópolis ibérica de Les Esquartera... more Se presentan los resultados de la excavación y estudio de la necrópolis ibérica de Les Esquarterades (Ulldecona, Tarragona) y la reconstrucción del ritual funerario del período Ibérico Antiguo a partir de los mismos. Este yacimiento se sitúa en una zona donde existen datos relativamente abundantes sobre el mundo funerario, incluyendo varias necrópolis excavadas entre los ríos Ebro y Mijares. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estas investigaciones se realizó entre las décadas de 1960 y 1970, con importantes carencias metodológicas, entre las que destaca la total ausencia de estudios antropológicos. Esta necrópolis se ha estudiado mediante una metodología renovada, con elevado carácter interdisciplinar. Esto ha permitido recuperar información de calidad sobre aspectos hasta ahora poco conocidos para el período y la zona, como la caracterización antropológica de la población enterrada, los ustrina o la identificación de banquetes funerarios o libaciones en el momento de realizar los depósitos...
Home-range size is a key aspect of space-use, and variation in home-range size and structure may ... more Home-range size is a key aspect of space-use, and variation in home-range size and structure may have profound consequences for the potential impact of damage and control strategies for invasive species. However, knowledge on home-range structure of naturalized parrot species is very limited. The aim of this study was to quantify patterns of home-range variation according to sex and age of the monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus, an invasive parakeet in Europe. Mean kernel home-range size was 12.4 ± 1.22 ha (range 1.7–74.1 ha; N = 73 birds). Juveniles had a larger home-range size than adults, but sexes did not differ in kernel home-range size. The mean maximum distance moved by monk parakeets was 727 ± 37.0 m (range: 150–1581 m), and it was not dependent on either the sex or age of the birds. Having a small home range is one of the conditions for the feasible eradication of an invasive species; hence, the small home range of urban monk parakeets that we report here is good news for pe...
Archaeofauna International Journal of Archaeozoology, 2011
Información del artículo Evidencias sobre el uso del perro en la carga durante el Bronce Inicial ... more Información del artículo Evidencias sobre el uso del perro en la carga durante el Bronce Inicial en la Peninsula Ibérica: el caso de Can Roqueta II (Sabadell, Barcelona).
This paper describes the pathologies on the spinal column of two dogs retrieved in ritual pits fr... more This paper describes the pathologies on the spinal column of two dogs retrieved in ritual pits from the Early Bronze Age (2.300-1.300 cal BC) at the site of Can Roqueta II (Sabadell, Barcelona). The X-ray analyses reveal both a thickening and bending of the neural processes of some dorsal and lumbar vertebrae consistent with reactive musculo-skeletical stresses most likely produced by loads placed on the back of the animals. This finding points to the use of dogs as pack animals at this time, reinforcing archaeological evidence from other parts of the world as well as ethnographic data from Europe and North America
We describe two radiological projections that ensure correct imaging of the ulnar coronoid proces... more We describe two radiological projections that ensure correct imaging of the ulnar coronoid process and that can be carried out with minimum mobilization of the joint, thus being practical in virtually all patients.
A new technique is described for evaluating trauma to the elbow. The modified radial head--capite... more A new technique is described for evaluating trauma to the elbow. The modified radial head--capitellum view is an alternative radiological projection to that described by Greenspan and Norman (the radial head--capitellum view). This new projection is useful in demonstrating minimally displaced or non-displaced fractures of the radial head, capitellum and coronoid process.
Many species only show sexual dimorphism at the age of maturity, such that juveniles typically re... more Many species only show sexual dimorphism at the age of maturity, such that juveniles typically resemble females. Under these circumstances, estimating accurate age‐specific demographic parameters is challenging. Here, we propose a multievent model parameterization able to estimate age‐dependent survival using capture–recapture data with uncertainty in age and sex assignment of individuals. We illustrate this modeling approach with capture–recapture data from the ring‐necked parakeet Psittacula krameri. We analyzed capture, recapture, and resighting data (439 recaptures/resightings) of 156 ring‐necked parakeets tagged with neck collars in Barcelona city from 2003 to 2016 to estimate the juvenile and adult survival rate. Our models successfully estimated the survival probabilities of the different age classes considered. Survival probability was similar between adults (0.83, 95% CI = 0.77–0.87) and juveniles during their second (0.79, 95% CI = 0.58–0.87) and third winter (0.83, 95% CI...
Bathing is one of the main actions birds perform as part of their preening. They may bathe in wat... more Bathing is one of the main actions birds perform as part of their preening. They may bathe in water, snow, dust, and even ants. Leaf bathing, where birds make use of water droplets on leaves to bathe, is less common. Here we describe four observations between 2017 and 2021 of ring-necked parakeets Psittacula krameri bathing on water droplets on leaves during rain.Over the past twenty years we have often seen monk parakeets Myiopsitta monachus bathing in puddles but never on leaves. The monk parakeet often forages on the ground, but ring-necked parakeets are reluctant to do so. We therefore interpret that the leaf bathing we observed in the ring-necked parakeet could be an anti-predatory strategy to avoid going down to the ground.
OBJECTIVE To provide prevalence data for future comparative analysis of the health status of rabb... more OBJECTIVE To provide prevalence data for future comparative analysis of the health status of rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) accumulated in the archaeological record. MATERIALS Two contrasting assemblages were analysed for pathological and sub-pathological changes: 1) an assemblage of domestic modern rabbit bones; and 2) a non-anthropogenic accumulation of archaeological rabbit remains. METHODS The lesions observed macroscopically, under magnification, and radiographically in both assemblages are quantified and described. RESULTS In the first assemblage, pathological and sub-pathological changes mostly affected the lower limb bones and primarily took two forms: diaphyseal periosteal proliferation and hypervascularised distal physes. Differential diagnosis of the periosteal proliferation suggests that pododermatitis is the most probable cause. In the second assemblage fractures were the most common lesions, but isolated examples of hypervascularised physes, periosteal proliferation, and musculo-skeletal stress markers were also identified. The pathological changes recorded is typical of a naturally-accumulated population of wild rabbits. CONCLUSIONS The prevalence of pathological and sub-pathological skeletal changes in the rabbits, and thus their health status, are closely related to living conditions. This study demonstrates the value of systematically recording pathologies in rabbit bones. SIGNIFICANCE We contribute new data to help understand rabbit interactions with humans in the past and also the environment they inhabited. LIMITATIONS Working with modern samples frequently means only incomplete skeletons are available for study. In these cases lesion prevalence always needs to be interpreted with caution. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH Paleopathological studies of rabbit remains are remarkable for their absence. Further exhaustive research in this area is advised.
Se presentan los resultados de la excavación y estudio de la necrópolis ibérica de Les Esquartera... more Se presentan los resultados de la excavación y estudio de la necrópolis ibérica de Les Esquarterades (Ulldecona, Tarragona) y la reconstrucción del ritual funerario del período Ibérico Antiguo a partir de los mismos. Este yacimiento se sitúa en una zona donde existen datos relativamente abundantes sobre el mundo funerario, incluyendo varias necrópolis excavadas entre los ríos Ebro y Mijares. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estas investigaciones se realizó entre las décadas de 1960 y 1970, con importantes carencias metodológicas, entre las que destaca la total ausencia de estudios antropológicos. Esta necrópolis se ha estudiado mediante una metodología renovada, con elevado carácter interdisciplinar. Esto ha permitido recuperar información de calidad sobre aspectos hasta ahora poco conocidos para el período y la zona, como la caracterización antropológica de la población enterrada, los ustrina o la identificación de banquetes funerarios o libaciones en el momento de realizar los depósitos...
Home-range size is a key aspect of space-use, and variation in home-range size and structure may ... more Home-range size is a key aspect of space-use, and variation in home-range size and structure may have profound consequences for the potential impact of damage and control strategies for invasive species. However, knowledge on home-range structure of naturalized parrot species is very limited. The aim of this study was to quantify patterns of home-range variation according to sex and age of the monk parakeet Myiopsitta monachus, an invasive parakeet in Europe. Mean kernel home-range size was 12.4 ± 1.22 ha (range 1.7–74.1 ha; N = 73 birds). Juveniles had a larger home-range size than adults, but sexes did not differ in kernel home-range size. The mean maximum distance moved by monk parakeets was 727 ± 37.0 m (range: 150–1581 m), and it was not dependent on either the sex or age of the birds. Having a small home range is one of the conditions for the feasible eradication of an invasive species; hence, the small home range of urban monk parakeets that we report here is good news for pe...
Archaeofauna International Journal of Archaeozoology, 2011
Información del artículo Evidencias sobre el uso del perro en la carga durante el Bronce Inicial ... more Información del artículo Evidencias sobre el uso del perro en la carga durante el Bronce Inicial en la Peninsula Ibérica: el caso de Can Roqueta II (Sabadell, Barcelona).
This paper describes the pathologies on the spinal column of two dogs retrieved in ritual pits fr... more This paper describes the pathologies on the spinal column of two dogs retrieved in ritual pits from the Early Bronze Age (2.300-1.300 cal BC) at the site of Can Roqueta II (Sabadell, Barcelona). The X-ray analyses reveal both a thickening and bending of the neural processes of some dorsal and lumbar vertebrae consistent with reactive musculo-skeletical stresses most likely produced by loads placed on the back of the animals. This finding points to the use of dogs as pack animals at this time, reinforcing archaeological evidence from other parts of the world as well as ethnographic data from Europe and North America
We describe two radiological projections that ensure correct imaging of the ulnar coronoid proces... more We describe two radiological projections that ensure correct imaging of the ulnar coronoid process and that can be carried out with minimum mobilization of the joint, thus being practical in virtually all patients.
A new technique is described for evaluating trauma to the elbow. The modified radial head--capite... more A new technique is described for evaluating trauma to the elbow. The modified radial head--capitellum view is an alternative radiological projection to that described by Greenspan and Norman (the radial head--capitellum view). This new projection is useful in demonstrating minimally displaced or non-displaced fractures of the radial head, capitellum and coronoid process.
Uploads
Papers by xavier tomas