The Teleno, mountain deified by the Romans (Mars Tilenus) not only had treasures of gold on its slopes, but harbored other scientific treasure: the capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) and Southern rarest in the world, whose existence was unknown to scientists until 2005.
Because from the southern Sierra de Gistredo at the foot of Teleno on an area of \u200b\u200b3,000 square kilometers about 40 grouse surviving adults, in what form "the rarest of the world population, according to the scientific community" says Manuel Antonio Gonzalez of the Universidad de León, who investigates the past five years.
Studies at the University of León began in 2005 with a doctoral thesis, but then there has been an investigation team of the Department of Biodiversity and Environmental Management, which explores the control of the stronghold of value special.
"The Cantabrian capercaillie and are special because they live in deciduous forests (beech and birch), while the rest of the grouse inhabits coniferous areas, but these copies of the Montes de León are also inhabitants of a Mediterranean ecosystem survive conditions of drought and a different diet, "said the expert.
The grouse is a common bird in northern Europe, where even a game species, but that is rare to the south: "As we get into more developed countries, populations are maintained only in forests sections, "says Gonzalez.
The grouse of the Pyrenees and the Cantabrian Mountains, are already living in forests which are coniferous, but easily withstand winters: Euro-Siberian forest-dwelling, cold and wet, birch and beech.
But the peculiarities of these 40 specimens detected now, are unusual because they live in a Mediterranean forest of Pyrenean oak, supporting at least one month of summer drought.
Front grouse further north, a lover of fruit and holly berries, the most southern-most southern Europe have adapted their eating habits to pardalina (Senecio) and oak trees, of those who eat the green buds and acorns.
"Everything we find is new, we're trying to get to know because we do not know yet what they do and how they live ... but are there forever, but had gone unnoticed by the scientific community" maintains the expert consulted.
Ignorance of its existence has been a misfortune, because the wind are entering this area of \u200b\u200bhigh ecological value, but has no treatment of SCI or SPA or National Park: "There is an obvious clash between interests of conservation and renewable energy companies, "he observes.
To Manuel Antonio Gonzalez, the normal reproduction and this bird is observed, although the number of Cantaderas and nesting areas are not well understood: "Do not bother because it prevents their reproduction, and we're talking about a endangered subspecies, "he argues.
holly plant expert rejects or conifers to enhance the food of the birds: "The capercaillie is plenty of food and if there is enough forest because it also to receive it; the condition for living well is tied to the existence of forests, not to food, food resources are not the problem. "
data can not stagnation or decline of the subspecies' because we are starting from ignorance of what was, is all data are new. We're just getting to know the number of roosters in the area and their way of life .
doctoral thesis, begun in 2005, will be completed in two years, although the working group, five scientists led by biologist Francisco Purroy, has already started work on some submissions.
" The thesis will end in two years, but the research group should continue its work, said Manuel Antonio González. (Tomás Álvarez - El Mundo - Spain)
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