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Cortes-Fossati, FernandoCorresponding AuthorRojo, ManuelAuthor

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When toxicity is not enough: review and new data on blister beetle (Coleoptera, Meloidae) predation by shrikes

Publicated to:Acta Ornithologica. 57 (2): 197-202 - 2023-12-01 57(2), DOI: 10.3161/00016454AO2022.57.2.007

Authors: Cortés-Fossati, F; Rojo, M

Affiliations

Univ Rey Juan Carlos, Area Biodivers & Conservat, Madrid, Spain - Author

Abstract

Shrikes from the genus Lanius are generalists in terms of diet, even consuming highly toxic species, as blister beetles (Coleoptera, Meloidae). Despite the fact that regular predation on these coleopterans have never been described both in recent and historical literature, birds stand out as one of the groups to most often prey upon these insects. In the Old World, records of shrikes preying on oil-beetles - most of them treated as anecdotal - have been published since the 19th century. However, despite being repetitive, no review or in-depth study of this behavior has been conducted. After a literature study and new data collected in the Iberian Peninsula, it seems an extended behaviour within the clade. As could be observed in a high number of cases, birds even apply a specific technique, selecting specific body parts to kill the beetle, more sclerotic and presumably less toxic. In some cases, strict predation has been demonstrated. To date, at least six different shrike species - Red-backed Shrike Lanius collurio, Great Grey Shrike L. excubitor, Iberian Grey Shrike L. meridionalis, Loggerhead Shrike L. ludovicianus, Lesser Grey Shrike L. minor, and Woodchat Shrike L. senator - have been found to show signs of preying on at least nine Meloidae species throughout Europe, North Africa and North America, constituting a line of research that should be studied in greater detail.

Keywords

BeetleBerberomeloeBirdCantharidinColeopteraDietEthologyExcubitorFoodIberian peninsulaInsectivorous birdsLaniusLanius-meridionalisMeloidaeNorth africaNorth americaPredationPredator-prey interactionPredatory behaviourShrikesToxicity

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal Acta Ornithologica, and although the journal is classified in the quartile Q3 (Agencia WoS (JCR)), its regional focus and specialization in Ornithology, give it significant recognition in a specific niche of scientific knowledge at an international level.

Independientemente del impacto esperado determinado por el canal de difusión, es importante destacar el impacto real observado de la propia aportación.

Según las diferentes agencias de indexación, el número de citas acumuladas por esta publicación hasta la fecha 2025-06-19:

  • Scopus: 1

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-06-19:

  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 1 (PlumX).

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (Cortés Fossati, Fernando) and Last Author (Rojo Valencia, Manuel).

the author responsible for correspondence tasks has been Cortés Fossati, Fernando.