Legendarius per circulum anni, pars.

Légendier disposé dans l'ordre du calendrier liturgique du 20 juillet au 25 novembre et contenant les saints suivants: ss. Margarita, Maria Magdelene, Jacobus major ap., Stephanus, Laurentius, Hippolytus, assumptio b. Mariae, Bartholomaeus, Augustinus, Johannes Baptista, Aegidius, nativitas b. Mariae, Gorgonius, Protus et Hyacinthus, exaltatio s. Crucis, Euphemia, Matthaeus, Mauritius, Cosmas et Damianus, Michael archangelus, Hieronymus, Leodegarius, Dionysius, Lucas, Simon et Judas, Martinus, Caecilia, Clemens, Catharina. F. 1-130. Legendarius. F. 1-3v. "... passio sancte Margarete virginis"; cf. B.H.L. n° 5306. F. 3v-6v. "... vita sancte Marie Magdalene" [ODO Cluniacensis abbas, sermo 2, excerptum] (P.L. 133, 714B-719C); cf. B.H.L. n° 5440. F. 6v-8v. "... passio sancti Jacobi [majoris] apostoli" incomplet des lignes finales par lacune matérielle, à partir de "decollandi erant dixit [Jacobus...]" [Virtutes apostolorum, de s. Jacobo majore] (Mombritius, 2a ed., II, 37-40 lig. 15); cf. B.H.L. n° 4057; C.A.N.T. n° 272. F. 9-12. "Inventio sancti Stephani prothomartyris" [LUCIANUS presbyter, interprete AVITO presbytero Bracarensi ]. "Domino venerabili Nimpsio [sic] episcopo... [Julianus exponctué et corrigé en] Lucianus... Revelationem que mihi ostensa est...-... aperire dignatus est..." recensio mixta suivie d'un court épilogue: "Bovem appellatum... declarata sunt"; cf. C.P.L. n° 575; B.H.L. Suppl. n° 7851n (E. Vanderlinden, Rev. des études byzantines, IV, 1946, 190-216, version A'; ne fait pas partie des mss. recensés pour l'édition). F. 12-16. "... passio sancti [Sixti et sancti] Laurentii". "In illo tempore Decius Caesar et Valerianus prefectus jusserunt...-... participati sunt omnes"; cf. B.H.L. Suppl. n° 7801 avec var. incipit et n° 4754. F. 16-18. "... passio sancti Ypoliti et sociorum ejus". "Egressus itaque Ypolitus post tercium diem...-... vivere male et regnare cum Christo "; cf. B.H.L. n° 3961 avec var. incipit et explicit. F. 18-31. "... [sermo] beati Ieronimi in assumptione sancte Virginis" [PASCHASIUS RADBERTUS, De Adsumptione b. Mariae] (C.C.C.M., LVI C 109-162; édité aussi parmi les apocryphes de saint Jérôme, P.L., XXX, 126-147); cf. C.P.L. n° 633, ep. 9 (18-29). F. 29-31. Addition contemporaine : "In vigilia assumptionis beate Marie legatur: Secundum Lucam (Lc 11, 27). [M]agne devocionis et fidei...-... ubera que suxisti" [BEDA, In Lc, l. IV, excerptum] divisé en trois paragraphes, correspondant sans doute à trois leçons (P.L., XCII, 479 C-480 B; C.C.S.L., CXX, 236-237 lig. 213-244) (29). — "Sermo iste legatur in nativitate beate Marie virginis"; cf. infra f. 56v. "[A]pprobate consuetudinis est apud christianos...-... pacta cessare" [FULBERTUS CARNOTENSIS, sermo 4] incomplet de la fin qui a été laissée en blanc (P.L. CXLI, 320-324 A; J.M. Canal, dans Rech. théol. anc. méd., XXX (1963), 56-61 lig. 168); ne fait pas partie des mss. répertoriés par J.M. Canal, ibid., XXIX (1962), 36-37; division marginale en neuf, puis en trois fois trois leçons; en marge du titre, une note difficilement lisible identifie l'auteur: "sermo Fulberti ep. Carnotensis" (29v-31). F. 32-35. "... vita [sic pro passio] sancti Bartholomei apostoli" [Virtutes apostolorum, de s. Bartholomaeo]; cf. B.H.L. Suppl. n° 1002a; C.A.N.T. n° 259. F. 35-49v. "[Vita s.] Augustini episcopi", sans prologue [POSSIDIUS]. "Ex provincia affricana civitate...-... perfruar"; cf. B.H.L. n° 785; C.P.L. n° 358 (35-49a lig. 7); suivi de la liste des livres de s. Augustin dans l'ordre des Retractations : "Libros vero quod edidit hic breviter enumerare vel annotare non omissi. Et hoc indicium librorum omnium sancti Augustini. Contra paganos achademicos [sic] libri III. De beata vita liber I. De ordine sacro libri II. De soliloquiis...-... et gratia liber. Requievit autem... V. kal. septembris..." (C.C.S.L., LVII (1984), 1-4, var.); texte proche du ms. lat. 5276, ff. 136v-137, répertorié par A. Wilmart, Miscellanea Agostiniana, Roma, 1931, 157 (Testi e studi, 2) (49a lig. 7-49v). F. 49v-52v. "Inventio capitis sancti Johannis Baptiste"; cf. B.H.L. n° 4296 (49v-51). — "De translatione ejusdem [Angeriacum]"; cf. B.H.L. n° 4297 (51-52v). F. 52v-56v. "... vita sancti Egidii"; cf. B.H.L. n° 93. F. 56v-59v. "De nativitate sancte Marie". "Petis a me petitiunculam opere...-... prefationem habuisse"; cf. B.H.L. Suppl. n° 5345 (56v a-b lig. 27) ; suivi de: "Petitis a me...-... scribi potuerunt. Igitur beata et gloriosissima semper virgo Maria..-... docuerunt Dominum..." (éd. parmi les apocryphes de s. Jérôme, P.L., XXX, 2a ed., 307-317); cf. B.H.L. n° 5344-5343; C.P.L., n° 633, ep. 50 (56v b lig. 27-59v). L'attribution à Paschase Radbert des deux lettres regroupées en une seule faite par C. Lambot, dans Rev. bénéd., XLVI (1934), 271-282, est réfutée par R. Beyers, dans Rev. Théol. et Philos., CXXII (1990), 171-188. Voir sa nouv. éd. dans CC Apocrypha, 10. F. 59v-61v. "Passio sancti Gorgonii [et Dorothei]; cf. B.H.L. n° 3617. F. 61v-62. "[Passio ss.] Prothi et Jacincti"; cf. B.H.L. n° 6977. F. 62-63v. "De exaltatione sancte Crucis". "Tempore illo postquam Constantino Augusto contra Maxentium..."; cf. B.H.L. n° 4178, avec var. incipit. F. 64-68v. "[Passio s.] Eufemie virginis". "Quinto persecutionis anno Diocletiani...-... Completum est autem martyrium... Prisco proconsule Europe..."; cf. B.H.L. n° 2709, avec var. explicit. F. 68v-72v. "[Passio] sancti Mathei apostoli" [Virtutes apostolorum, de s. Jacobo majore]; cf. C.A.N.T. n° 270; B.H.L. n° 5690, avec var. explicit de l'épilogue: "Zaroes autem...-... passio eorum ostendit". F. 72v-76. "[Passio s.] [Marcii corrigé en] Mauricii con [sic] sociis suis" [s. EUCHERIUS LUGDUNENSIS] sans le prologue; cf. B.H.L. n° 5738; C.P.L. n° 490. F. 76-79v. "[Passio ss.] Cosme et Damiani"; cf. B.H.L. Suppl. n° 1975. F. 79v-80. "[In festivitate s.] Michaelis archangeli". "Angelorum quippe et hominum naturam...-... medicina Dei." [GREGORIUS MAGNUS, Hom. in Ev., 34, excerptum]; C.P.L. n° 1711 (P.L., LXXVI, 1249 C-1251 A, §§ 6, fin-9 début) divisé en 8 paragraphes; une interpolation a été ajoutée dans la marge inférieure du f. 79v par une main contemporaine qui a également numéroté les paragraphes en IX leçons, le texte ajouté formant la lectio IIa : "[N]ovem esse angelorum ordines ad Dei judicia...-... principantur."; il s'agit d'un court extrait du sermon Legimus in ecclesiasticis historiis édité par J. E. Cross, dans Traditio, 33 (1977), 108-109 lig. 41-47 (Beda, Homilia subditia 71, P.L., XCIV, 453 C); cf. C.P.P.M., I, 4046. F. 80-82v. "[Vita s.] Jeronimi presbiteri". "Hieronimus noster [corrigé en: presbiter] in oppido Stridonis...-... etatis sue anno in Domino requievit cui..." extraits de la Vie apocryphe de Gennadius (P.L., XXII, 175-184, passim, avec var.); cf. C.P.L. n° 623; B.H.L. n° 3869; Lambert, B.H.M., IIIA, 630 (80-81b lig. 26); suivi du miracle du lion extrait de la Vie du Ps. Sebastianus Casinensis: "Contigit autem hujusmodi miraculum in monasterio... Quadam namque die ingens leo... - asserendo narrantur" (P.L., XXII, 210 lig. 11-213 lig. 11); cf. C.P.L. n° 622; B.H.L. n° 3872 avec var. incipit; Lambert, B.H.M., IIIA, 630 (81b lig. 26-82v). F. 82v-88v. "[Vita s.] Leodegarii". "Igitur sanctus Leodegarius ex progenie...-... postmodum cecum. ... adnecteret opera ibidem" [URSINUS LOGOGIACENSIS] sans le prologue et incomplet de la fin (C.C.S.L., CXVII, 589-632 lig. 14, avec var.); cf. C.P.L. n° 1079a; B.H.L. n° 4851; suivi d'un court extrait omis à sa place plus haut dans le texte: "Deinde vero ire ceperunt... Dei opera ibidem" (ed. cit., 631 § 31 lig. 3-7). F. 88v-98. "[Passio] sancti Dyonisii martyris", texte incomplet par suite de la perte de 2 ff. entre les ff. 96 et 97, le texte s'arrête à "...fideliter adhe[-rebat]" et reprend à "[Domitia-]no per tres Cesares..." (P.L., CVI, 23-40 C et 48 A-50); cf. B.H.L. n° 2175. F. 98-100v. "[Laudatio s.] Luce evvangeliste". "Gloriosus igitur evvangelista Jhesu Christi Lucas natione Syrus...-... ubique confluunt qui ..." [PAULUS DIACONUS, hom. 59] incomplet du prologue (P.L., XCV, 1530-1535, avec var.); cf. B.H.L. n° 4974, d'après ce ms. F. 100v-106. "[Passio ss.] Symonis et Jude apostolorum" avec l'épilogue [ABDIAS, Virtutes Simonis et Judae Thaddaei]; cf. B.H.L. n° 7750-7751; C.A.N.T. n° 284. F. 106-107v. "[Laudatio] sancti Martini archiepiscopi" [ALCUINUS, De vita s. Martini, pars I]; cf. B.H.L. n° 5625. — GREGORIUS TURONENSIS, De virtutibus s. Martini; cf. B.H.L. n° 5618; seule l'adresse du prologue, introduite par une initiale filigranée, a été copiée au bas du f. 107v, col. b: "Domnis sanctis et in Christi amore dulcissimis fratribus... Gregorius peccator", le texte lui-même manque, soit en raison de la perte du cahier suivant, soit qu'il n'ait pas été copié. F. 108-115v. "[Passio s.] Cecilie virginis et martyris"; cf. B.H.L. Suppl. n° 1495a. F. 115v-118v. "[Passio s.] Clementis pape". [Prologus] "Postquam igitur beatus Petrus apostolus in Antiochia cathedram... -... passio secuta est"; cf. B.H.L. Suppl. n° 1849, d'après ce ms. (115v-116a, lig. 11); — "Tunc sanctus Clemens romane ecclesie episcopus disciplinam...-... Cersone Licie provincie"; C.P.L. n° 2177; B.H.L. n° 1848 (Mombritius, 2a ed., I, 341-344, var. à l'incipit et à l'explicit); suivi de: "Oremus fratres ut Dominus... participes. Per..." (116a, lig. 11-118v). F.118v-130. "[Passio] sancte Katerine virginis et martyris"; cf. B.H.L. n° 1663, sans le prologue. F. 130-130v. Additions. Table des saints contenus dans le volume, XIVe s. (130). — Prière latine en 10 strophes de deux vers, XVe s.: "Jhesu tue matris prece ab Orci me serva nece...-... ab inferi atris" (130v).

De l'intime au social : l'écriture de l'enfance dans le roman francophone contemporain de Maurice et de la Réunion

Dans cette thèse, qui interroge la mise en écriture de l’enfance dans le roman contemporain de Maurice et de la Réunion, il s’agit d’analyser les dimensions suivantes : les modalités narratives, la construction, l’évolution et les fonctions du personnage enfant dans l’économie des textes, les rapports qu’il entretient avec les membres de sa famille et de son entourage immédiat, ainsi que la relation entre ces œuvres et leur contexte social et discursif. Notre corpus inclut quatorze récits d’enfance fictionnels de dix écrivains et écrivaines des Mascareignes, publiés de 1987 à 2012 : du côté mauricien, Nathacha Appanah, Ananda Devi, Marie-Thérèse Humbert, Shenaz Patel, Amal Sewtohul et Carl de Souza; du côté réunionnais, Danielle Dambreville, François Dijoux, Axel Gauvin et Jean-François Samlong. Dans ces romans, si la diversité et l’hybridité narratives, discursives et symboliques témoignent de l’imaginaire pluriel de ces sociétés hétérogènes, l’on retrouve néanmoins certaines grandes tendances, comme une écriture axée sur la mémoire du narrateur adulte ou sur l’expérience immédiate de l’enfant; des personnages enfants principalement souffrants, mal-aimés, subalternes et révoltés; ainsi que des familles et des sociétés dont le fonctionnement, les discours et les idéologies paraissent inappropriés, voire tout à fait néfastes. Si certains de ces choix esthétiques reconduisent certaines conventions, d’autres incarnent une perspective tout à fait nouvelle, voire transgressive. Par exemple, les emprunts à d’autres formes génériques comme le conte ou le théâtre, certaines écritures tout à fait singulières, ainsi que le fréquent mélange des voix et des langages se distinguent clairement des normes établies. La maltraitance extrême des petites et jeunes filles et l’apparition de la figure de l’enfant violent semblent également inédites. Le point de vue et l’expérience de l’enfant jettent enfin un regard global, approfondi et foncièrement critique sur les sociétés mauricienne et réunionnaise du présent (surtout dans le cas mauricien) comme du passé (années 1930 à 1970), procédant ainsi à un contre-discours s’opposant aux images exotiques et bucoliques de l’île paradisiaque. Du statut de témoin à celui d’acteur, l’enfant permet à l’auteur d’aborder une série de motifs et de problématiques distinctifs de l’imaginaire et des littératures de l’océan Indien, tels que l’altérité, l’identité, l’histoire, la mémoire, etc.

Effectiveness of coir geotextiles in soil moisture conservation

Among the diversified use of coir geotextiles, its use as a protective covering to improve crop productivity and to reduce weed problem assumes to be much significant. An experiment has been conducted at Kumbazha, in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala, India to evaluate the different types of coir geotextiles and polythene as soil mulch. The treatments include different mulching materials like natural needled felt, black needled felt, rubberized coir, black polythene and transparent polythene along with a control plot (no mulch). The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design with six replications. The test crops used were bhindi (var. Salkeerthi) and pineapple (var. Mauritius). The study reveals that with bhindi crop growth parameters like plant height, leaf number and lateral spread were increased by mulching with rubberized coir and transparent polythene. These two mulches caused early flowering and increased fruit yield. Coir materials as mulch recorded a yield increase ranging from 67 to 196%. Observations also reveal that weeds were not grown in plots mulched with black polythene, transparent polythene and rubberized coir. Rubberized coir as mulch enhanced the fruit yield in the case of pineapple, which is followed by natural needled felt and transparent polythene. Black polythene resisted weed growth up to 7MAP, whereas rubberized coir and transparent polythene suppressed weeds up to 8MAP. Though the weeds were grown in other treatments the weeds count was significantly lower than that of control plot. Mulching with transparent polythene enhanced the soil temperature whereas rubberized coir lowered soil temperature. More over all mulched treatments had a favourable influence in increasing soil moisture. Observing the biodegradability and eco-friendly nature of coir it could be inferred that rubberized coir can serve as good mulch for bhindi and pineapple with minimum weed problem

Análisis del Espacio Schengen en materia de seguridad como base para la implementación del Protocolo sobre la Facilitación del Movimiento de Personas de la Comunidad para el Desarrollo de África Austral (SADC)

El fin de la Guerra Fría supuso no sólo el triunfo del capitalismo y de la democracia liberal, sino un cambio significativo en el Sistema Internacional; siendo menos centralizado y más regionalizado, como consecuencia de la proximidad y relaciones de interdependencia entre sus actores (no sólo Estados) y permitiendo la formación de Complejos Regionales de Seguridad (CRS). Los CRS son una forma efectiva de relacionarse y aproximarse a la arena internacional pues a través de sus procesos de securitización y desecuritización consiguen lograr objetivos específicos. Partiendo de ello, tanto la Unión Europea (UE) como la Comunidad para el Desarrollo de África Austral (SADC) iniciaron varios procesos de securitización relacionados con la integración regional; siendo un ejemplo de ello la eliminación de los controles en sus fronteras interiores o libre circulación de personas; pues consideraron que de no hacerse realidad, ello generaría amenazas políticas (su influencia y capacidad de actuación estaban amenazadas), económicas (en cuanto a su competitividad y niveles básicos de bienestar) y societales (en cuanto a la identidad de la comunidad como indispensable para la integración) que pondrían en riesgo la existencia misma de sus CRS. En esta medida, la UE creó el Espacio Schengen, que fue producto de un proceso de securitización desde inicios de la década de los 80 hasta mediados de la década de los 90; y la SADC se encuentra inmersa en tal proceso de securitización desde 1992 hasta la actualidad y espera la ratificación del Protocolo para la Facilitación del Movimiento de personas como primer paso para lograr la eliminación de controles en sus fronteras interiores. Si bien tanto la UE como la SADC consideraron que de no permitir la libre circulación de personas, su integración y por lo tanto, sus CRS estaban en riesgo; la SADC no lo ha logrado. Ello hace indispensable hacer un análisis más profundo de sus procesos de securitización para así encontrar sus falencias con respecto al éxito de la UE. El análisis está basado en la Teoría de los Complejos de Seguridad de Barry Buzan, plasmada en la obra Security a New Framework for Analysis (1998) de Barry Buzan, Ole Waever y Jaap de Wilde y será dividido en cada una de las etapas del proceso de securitización: la identificación de una amenaza existencial a un objeto referente a través de un acto discursivo, la aceptación de una amenaza por parte de una audiencia relevante y las acciones de emergencia para hacer frente a las amenazas existenciales; reconociendo las diferencias y similitudes de un proceso de securitización exitoso frente a otro que aún no lo ha sido.

Las TIC en la administración de la cadena de suministro y su incidencia en el desempeño operacional

Las tecnologías de la información han empezado a ser un factor importante a tener en cuenta en cada uno de los procesos que se llevan a cabo en la cadena de suministro. Su implementación y correcto uso otorgan a las empresas ventajas que favorecen el desempeño operacional a lo largo de la cadena. El desarrollo y aplicación de software han contribuido a la integración de los diferentes miembros de la cadena, de tal forma que desde los proveedores hasta el cliente final, perciben beneficios en las variables de desempeño operacional y nivel de satisfacción respectivamente. Por otra parte es importante considerar que su implementación no siempre presenta resultados positivos, por el contrario dicho proceso de implementación puede verse afectado seriamente por barreras que impiden maximizar los beneficios que otorgan las TIC.

Restricted dispersal reduces the strength of spatial density dependence in a tropical bird population

Spatial processes could play an important role in density-dependent population regulation because the disproportionate use of poor quality habitats as population size increases is widespread in animal populations-the so-called buffer effect. While the buffer effect patterns and their demographic consequences have been described in a number of wild populations, much less is known about how dispersal affects distribution patterns and ultimately density dependence. Here, we investigated the role of dispersal in spatial density dependence using an extraordinarily detailed dataset from a reintroduced Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus) population with a territorial (despotic) breeding system. We show that recruitment rates varied significantly between territories, and that territory occupancy was related to its recruitment rate, both of which are consistent with the buffer effect theory. However, we also show that restricted dispersal affects the patterns of territory occupancy with the territories close to release sites being occupied sooner and for longer as the population has grown than the territories further away. As a result of these dispersal patterns, the strength of spatial density dependence is significantly reduced. We conclude that restricted dispersal can modify spatial density dependence in the wild, which has implications for the way population dynamics are likely to be impacted by environmental change.

Indirect population dynamic benefits of altered life-history trade-offs in response to egg harvesting

Variations in demographic rates due to differential resource allocation between individuals are important considerations in the development of accurate population dynamic models. Systematic harvesting can alter age structure and/or reduce population density, conferring indirect positive benefits on the source population as a result of a consequent redistribution of resources between the remaining individuals. Independently of effects mediated through changes in density and competition, demographic rates can also be influenced by within-individual competition for resources. Harvesting dependent life stages can reduce an individual's current reproductive costs, allowing increased investment in its future fecundity and survival. Although such changes in demographic rates are well known, there has been little exploration of the potential impact on population dynamics. We use empirical data collected from a successfully reintroduced population of the Mauritius kestrel Falco punctatus to explore the population consequences of manipulating reproductive effort through harvesting. Consequent increases in an individual's future fecundity and survival allow source populations to withstand longer and more intensive harvesting regimes without being exposed to an increase in extinction risk, increasing maximum sustainable yields. These effects may also buffer populations against the impacts of stochastic events, but directional shifts in environmental conditions that increase reproductive costs may have detrimental population-level effects.

The impact of harvesting on a formerly endangered tropical bird: insights from life-history theory

1. Life-history theory assumes that trade-offs exist between an individual's life-history components, such that an increased allocation of a resource to one fitness trait might be expected to result in a cost for a conflicting fitness trait. Recent evidence from experimental manipulations of wild individuals supports this assumption. 2. The management of many bird populations involves harvesting for both commercial and conservation purposes. One frequently harvested life-history stage is the egg, but the consequences of repeated egg harvesting for the individual and the long-term dynamics of the population remain poorly understood. 3. We used a well-documented restored population of the Mauritius kestrel Falco punctatus as a model system to explore the consequences of egg harvesting (and associated management practices) for an individual within the context of life-history theory. 4. Our analysis indicated that management practices enhanced both the size and number of clutches laid by managed females, and improved mid-life male and female adult survival relative to unmanaged adult kestrels. 5. Although management resulted in an increased effort in egg production, it reduced parental effort during incubation and the rearing of offspring, which could account for these observed changes. 6. Synthesis and applications. This study demonstrates how a commonly applied harvesting strategy, when examined within the context of life-history theory, can identify improvements in particular fitness traits that might alleviate some of the perceived negative impact of harvesting on the long-term dynamics of a managed population.

Describing long-term trends in precipitation using generalized additive models

With the current concern over climate change, descriptions of how rainfall patterns are changing over time can be useful. Observations of daily rainfall data over the last few decades provide information on these trends. Generalized linear models are typically used to model patterns in the occurrence and intensity of rainfall. These models describe rainfall patterns for an average year but are more limited when describing long-term trends, particularly when these are potentially non-linear. Generalized additive models (GAMS) provide a framework for modelling non-linear relationships by fitting smooth functions to the data. This paper describes how GAMS can extend the flexibility of models to describe seasonal patterns and long-term trends in the occurrence and intensity of daily rainfall using data from Mauritius from 1962 to 2001. Smoothed estimates from the models provide useful graphical descriptions of changing rainfall patterns over the last 40 years at this location. GAMS are particularly helpful when exploring non-linear relationships in the data. Care is needed to ensure the choice of smooth functions is appropriate for the data and modelling objectives. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Immigration, species radiation and extinction in a highly diverse songbird lineage: white-eyes on Indian Ocean islands

Molecular phylogenetic hypotheses of species-rich lineages in regions where geological history can be reliably inferred may provide insights into the scale of processes driving diversification. Here we sample all extant or recently extinct white-eye (Zosterops) taxa of the southwest Indian Ocean, combined with samples from all principal continental lineages. Results support a high dispersal capability, with at least two independent continental sources for white-eyes of the region. An early (within 1.8 million years ago) expansion into the Indian Ocean may have originated either from Asia or Africa; the three resulting lineages show a disparate distribution consistent with considerable extinction following their arrival. Africa is supported as the origin of a later expansion into the region (within 1.2 million years ago). On two islands, a pair of Zosterops species derived from independent immigrations into the Indian Ocean co-occur or may have formerly co-occurred, providing strong support for their origin by double-island colonization rather than within-island (sympatric or microallopatric) speciation. On Mauritius and La Reunion, phylogenetic placement of sympatric white-eyes allow us to rule out a scenario in which independent within-island speciation occurred on both islands; one of the species pairs must have arisen by double colonization, while the other pair is likely to have arisen by the same mechanism. Long-distance immigration therefore appears to be responsible for much of the region's white-eye diversity. Independent immigrations into the region have resulted in lineages with mutually exclusive distributions and it seems likely that competition with congeneric species, rather than arrival frequency, may limit present-day diversity.

Climate change and the risks associated with delayed breeding in a tropical wild bird population

There is growing evidence of changes in the timing of important ecological events, such as flowering in plants and reproduction in animals, in response to climate change, with implications for population decline and biodiversity loss. Recent work has shown that the timing of breeding in wild birds is changing in response to climate change partly because individuals are remarkably flexible in their timing of breeding. Despite this work, our understanding of these processes in wild populations remains very limited and biased towards species from temperate regions. Here, we report the response to changing climate in a tropical wild bird population using a long-term dataset on a formerly critically endangered island endemic, the Mauritius kestrel. We show that the frequency of spring rainfall affects the timing of breeding, with birds breeding later in wetter springs. Delays in breeding have consequences in terms of reduced reproductive success as birds get exposed to risks associated with adverse climatic conditions later on in the breeding season, which reduce nesting success. These results, combined with the fact that frequency of spring rainfall has increased by about 60 per cent in our study area since 1962, imply that climate change is exposing birds to the stochastic risks of late reproduction by causing them to start breeding relatively late in the season.

The short- and long-term fitness consequences of natal dispersal in a wild bird population

Dispersal is a key process in population and evolutionary ecology. Individual decisions are affected by fitness consequences of dispersal, but these are difficult to measure in wild populations. A long-term dataset on a geographically closed bird population, the Mauritius kestrel, offers a rare opportunity to explore fitness consequences. Females dispersed further when the availability of local breeding sites was limited, whereas male dispersal correlated with phenotypic traits. Female but not male fitness was lower when they dispersed longer distances compared to settling close to home. These results suggest a cost of dispersal in females. We found evidence of both short- and long-term fitness consequences of natal dispersal in females, including reduced fecundity in early life and more rapid aging in later life. Taken together, our results indicate that dispersal in early life might shape life history strategies in wild populations.

Anthropogenic natal environmental effects on life histories in a wild bird population

Recent work suggests that the environment experienced in early life can alter life histories in wild populations [1, 2, 3, 4 and 5], but our understanding of the processes involved remains limited [6 and 7]. Since anthropogenic environmental change is currently having a major impact on wild populations [8], this raises the possibility that life histories may be influenced by human activities that alter environmental conditions in early life. Whether this is the case and the processes involved remain unexplored in wild populations. Using 23 years of longitudinal data on the Mauritius kestrel (Falco punctatus), a tropical forest specialist, we found that females born in territories affected by anthropogenic habitat change shifted investment in reproduction to earlier in life at the expense of late life performance. They also had lower survival rates as young adults. This shift in life history strategy appears to be adaptive, because fitness was comparable to that of other females experiencing less anthropogenic modification in their natal environment. Our results suggest that human activities can leave a legacy on wild birds through natal environmental effects. Whether these legacies have a detrimental effect on populations will depend on life history responses and the extent to which these reduce individual fitness.