The Future of the Red-legged Partridge: Science, Hunting and Conservation

Description

There has been a recent upsurge of red-legged partridge research in most countries where the species is distributed, but no comprehensive review of that fresh and relevant multidisciplinary and international knowledge is available. In fact, this is probably the first scientific book on this important species, apart from Dick Potts’ excellent works on British-introduced population, or ONCFS’s (Office Nationale de la Chasse et le Faune Sauvage, France) older technical reports. This is in strong contrast with a plethora of literature in hunting magazines or non-academic books, not often precise, realistic, or well informed. Thus, the book fills a great bibliography gap that could have important social impact. The common thread of the book is the prominent role a species like this may play for research, from basic physiological or ecological knowledge to socio-economics of hunting and the rural world. The general framework of the book [I1] is the important role that hunting and game management may play in both rural economies and biodiversity conservation, with the partridge as flag species, and also in identifying the “dark drift” that industrial, incorrectly deployed management, or hunting vision may have on both sustainability of resources and nature conservation at large. The final aim of the book is identifying the best future scenario, both for partridge hunters and managers as well as the general public. Foreword Referees´ List Contents About the Editors The Red-Legged Partridge: A Historical Overview on Distribution, Status, Research and Hunting A Review of Historical Changes of Distribution: What Are the Main Contributing Factors? Conservation Status: Is a Revision Needed? Hunting Importance in Europe Relevant Multidisciplinary and International Research in the Past 50 Years Scientific Topics Not Sufficiently Covered References Advances in Research on Ecophysiology and Evolutionary Ecology: The Red-Legged Partridge as a Study Model Introduction: From Game Species to Evolutionary Ecology Starlet The Redness of the Red-Legged Partridge as a Study System of Carotenoid-Based Ornamentation Carotenoids in Teguments and Blood: Sources of Variation Physiological Regulation of Carotenoid-Based Signals Carotenoid-Based Traits as Indicators of Oxidative Stress and Immune Function Testosterone-Mediated Control of Carotenoid-Based Traits Melanin-Based Traits of the Red-Legged Partridge Plumage Melanin-Based Plumage Patches: Signals of Oxidative Stress and Condition? A Matter of Pattern Expression? Future Research Directions References Habitat Use and Selection: Is Habitat Management the Key to Restore Red-Legged Partridge Populations? Habitat Requirements Nesting Habitat Use and Selection Brooding Habitat Use and Selection Microhabitat Selection of the Red-Legged Partridge in Agrarian Landscapes Olive Groves and the Red-Legged Partridge Red-Legged Partridge Habitat Requirements in Italy Historical Range Reintroduced Populations Lowland Populations Anthropogenic Factors Affecting Red-Legged Partridge Distribution and Abundance at a Large Scale Habitat Improvement Red-Legged Partridge Habitat Requirements in France Habitat Selection Impact of Human Activities on Distribution and Abundance Red-Legged Partridge Habitat Requirements in Mainland Portugal Habitat Selection Impact of Human Activities on Distribution and Abundance Is Habitat Management the Key for Restoring Red-Legged Partridge Populations? References Is Predation the Key Factor of Partridge Ecology and Management? Introduction Predation and Other Mortality Causes in Red-Legged Partridges Predators of Red-Legged Partridges Predators During Spring-Summer (Breeding Season) Predators During Autumn-Winter Causes of Mortality and Factors Affecting the Incidence of Predation at Each Life-History Stage Mortality During Nesting Mortality of Hatchlings and Early Chicks Mortality of Late Chicks Adult Mortality Partridge Restocking and Predation The Role of Other Preys: Is Red-Legged Partridge Affected by Hyperpredation Processes? How to Reduce Red-Legged Partridge Mortality to Predators? The Role of Predation on Population Dynamics of Red-Legged Partridge Predation and the Future of Red-Legged Partridge Populations References The Introduced Red-Legged Partridge in Britain: Management and Challenges for the Future What Is the Origin of British Red-Legged Partridges? Distribution, Population Estimates, Density and Trends Harvesting of Red-Legged Partridges in Britain Similarities and Differences Between British and Continental Populations Habitat Food and Water Nesting Double Brooding Predation Conclusion Effects of Targeted Management for Wild Red-Legged Partridges in Britain The Future of Red-Legged Partridges in Britain: Conservation Actions and Research Gaps References Molecular DNA Studies in the Red-Legged Partridge: From Population Genetics and Phylogeography to the Risk of Anthropogenic Hy... Genus Alectoris: Origin and Diversification Phylogeography and Genetic Structure of Alectoris rufa Determination of Hybridization Status of Anthropogenic Hybridization Fitness Consequences of Hybridization and Domestication Concluding Remarks References Enough Reared Red-Legs for Today, but Fewer Wild Ones for Tomorrow? The Dilemma of Gamebird Rearing and Releasing Why Do We Rear and Release Red-Legged Partridges? A Brief History of the Gamebird Rearing `Industry´ What Do Hunters Prefer to Shoot? What Kind of Shooting Are Managers Offering? The Scale of Red-Legged Partridge Releasing and Legal Framework in Europe How Many Red-Legged Partridges Are Reared and Released in Europe? Legislative Framework of Releasing How Rearing and Releasing Work? Description of Rearing Systems Releasing Strategies What Are the Consequences of Rearing and Releasing? Effects of Line Selection, Hybridization and Commercial Rearing Systems on Partridges Survival and Breeding Success After Release Effects on Wild Counterparts Effects on Other Wildlife How Can We Make Rearing and Releasing Sustainable? Wild Red-Legged Partridges Come First Guidelines for Red-Legged Partridge Re-establishment References Ecotoxicology Relevant to the Red-Legged Partridge and Other Galliformes Introduction Heavy Metals Lead Exposure of Red-Legged Partridge and Other Galliformes in the Field Sublethal Effects of Lead Exposure in Galliformes Effects of Lead on Bone Mineralization Effects of Lead on Reproduction Effects of Lead on the Immune System Antioxidant Allocation Trade-Offs and Ornamental Coloration Risks of Agrochemicals to Red-Legged Partridges Exposure of Partridges to Pesticides and Fertilizers Exposure to Pesticide-Coated Seeds Exposure Through Drinking Water: Fertilizers Dermal and Inhalation Exposure Effects of Pesticides on Red-Legged Partridges Direct Effects on Reproduction Other Sublethal Effects Indirect Effects Effects of Pesticide Mixtures Population Impacts Regulatory Framework and Practices to Reduce Risk of Pesticides to Partridges Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) Food Safety Red Legged Partridge as a Model Species for Experimental Studies in Toxicology References Health Monitoring and Disease Control in Red-Legged Partridges Introduction Disease-Related Mass Mortalities Bagaza Virus Avian Pox Enterobacteria Outbreaks (See Box 2) Parasitic Diseases Causing Significant Mortality Sporadic Mortality and Sublethal Infections Viral Diseases Bacterial Infections Parasites Fungal Infections Human Health Aspects of Partridge Diseases Zoonoses (See Box 3) Antibiotic Usage in Gamebirds (See Box 6) Health Monitoring and Disease Control Monitoring Farms Managed Populations Natural Populations References Red-Legged Partridge Monitoring and Population Trends Current Monitoring Used in European Countries France Italy Portugal Spain United Kingdom Population Estimates and Trends in Europe France Italy Portugal Spain United Kingdom What´s Next? References Social and Economic Aspects of Red-Legged Partridge Hunting and Management in Spain Introduction Red-Legged Partridge Hunting in Spain Economics of Red-Legged Partridge Hunting in Spain Social Aspects of Red-Legged Partridge Hunting: Views Within the Hunting Sector About Farm-Reared Bird Releases Predator Control for Partridge Hunting: Perceptions, Beliefs and Decision-Making Information Sources and Regulation of Hunting Pressure Conclusions References Does the Red-Legged Partridge Have a Future?