Ptice grabljivice kao vršni predatori

undergraduate thesis

• Title (english): Birds of prey as apex predators
• Author: Toni Kočevar
• Mentor: Zoran Marčić (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Science; (Department of Biology); Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2022, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: NATURAL SCIENCES; Biology

Abstract

Ptice grabljivice su filogenetski nepostojeća skupina unutar razreda Aves koja obuhvaća 5 redova
– Falconiformes (sokolovke), Cariamiformes (kariame), Cathartiformes (strvinari Novog svijeta
ili kondori), Accipitriformes (jastrebovke) i Strigiformes (sove) (McClure i sur. 2019). Skupinu
karakteriziraju oštre i duge kandţe na dugim prstima, oštar i zakrivljen kljun, oštar vid te dugačka
krila prilagoĎena različitim tehnikama lova (Venable 1996). Ptice grabljivice su predatori,
precizinije vršni predatori, što podrazumijeva zauzimanje vrha hranidbenog lanca. Ishrana
uključuje plijen različitih karakteristika i veličina. Najčešće se hrane malim sisavcima,
gmazovima ili drugim pticama, dok rijetko u kategoriju plijena ulaze ribe, vodozemci te kukci
(Venable 1996). Izuzetak su supovi i kondori koji su najznačajnije oportunističke vrste unutar
grabljivica, pri čemu se njihova prehrana zasniva isključivo na strvinama (ne love ţivi plijen)
(Svensson i sur. 2010). OdreĎene vrste imaju mogućnost kontrole populacije plijena, specifično
na populacije glodavaca, pri čemu je vaţno naglasiti kako su metode analize utjecaja na
populacije plijena još uvijek u stadiju razvoja. Zbog izuzetne osjetljivosti na okolišne promjene
izazvane antropogenim utjecajima (smanjenje staništa i populacije plijena), brojne vrste
grabljivica nalaze se na IUCN-ovoj crvenoj listi (2022) kao ugroţene ili kritično ugroţene vrste,
ali uz programe očuvanja grabljivice mogu doţivjeti porast prirodnih populacija u skorijoj
budućnosti.

Abstract (english)

Birds of prey (or raptors) are phylogenetically non-existent group in class Aves which numbers 5
orders – Falconiformes (falcons), Cariamiformes (cariamas), Cathartiformes (New World
vultures or condors), Accipitriformes (hawks) and Strigiformes (owls) (McClure et al. 2019).
Raptors are characterized by long fingers ending in long sharp talons, sharp and curved beak (or
bill), keen eyesight and long wings specifically shaped for specific type of hunt (Venable 1996).
Raptors are also predators, specifically apex predators, which are understood to take place at the
top of the food chain. They feed mainly on small mammals, reptiles and other smaller birds, but
can also feed on prey like fish, amphibians and insects (Venable 1996). All raptors hunt and feed
on live prey, except of vultures who mainly feed on carrion (Svensson et al. 2010). Some species
of raptors can even control prey populations (mainly rodent populations), but it is important to
emphasize that exact methods of analysis of effects on prey populations are yet to be developed.
Due to their extreme sensitivity to ecological changes caused by humans (loss of habitats and
decline in prey populations), raptors are known to be the most endangered group among all birds.
IUCN (2022) assigned a lot of raptor species endangered or critically endangered species mark,
but it is believed that populations in the wild could see a rise in near future.

• Keywords: Accipitriformes; Falconiformes; Strigiformes; predatorstvo; ugroţenost
• Keywords (english): Accipitriformes; Falconiformes; Strigiformes; predation; endangerment
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:217:851340
• Study programme: Title: Ecology; Study programme type: university; Study level: undergraduate; Academic / professional title: sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) biologije (sveučilišni/a prvostupnik/prvostupnica (baccalaureus/baccalaurea) biologije)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-10-04 09:34:58