Efecto de las serpientes introducidas sobre la lechuza común Tyto alba en Ibiza

  1. Casandra Riera
  2. Alba Blesa
  3. Carles Cabrera
  4. Sara Ribas
  5. Mar Ribas
  6. Esteban Cardona
  7. Jaume Estarellas
  8. Elba Montes
Journal:
Anuari Ornitològic de les Balears: revista d'observació, estudi i conservació dels aucells

ISSN: 2174-4998,  1137-831X

Year of publication: 2022

Volume: 37

Pages: 1-11

Type: Article

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More publications in: Anuari Ornitològic de les Balears: revista d'observació, estudi i conservació dels aucells

Abstract

Effect of introduced snakes on the Barn Owl Tyto alba in Ibiza. The Barn Owl Tyto alba is one of the nocturnal species on Ibiza and it plays an important ecological role in the ecosystem. Unfortunately, their populations are in decline, leading us to dedicate effort to better understand their situation on the island of Ibiza. One of the aspects has to do with the recent snake irruption of 2003 on the islands of Ibiza and Formentera. Since then, their abundance has continually increased due to the absence of natural predators. The objective of the study is to analyse the trophic relationship established between these two species. To do this, a total of 100 samples of pellets from different island locations with a greater or lesser presence of snakes were analysed. The results show that the Barn Owl has not directly preyed on snakes, but it could be causing a collateral effect on their diet, as in the areas with a greater presence of snakes, the proportions of small mammals in the Barn Owl diet decrease notably with respect to the areas with less presence. These results indicate that the snake presence could have an impact on other species of the archipelago with which it shares a diet, such as the case of the Barn Owl.

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Data source: Dialnet