Home About us Contact
|
Home About us Contact | ||
|
|
||
Aves
Kinds of Aves Terms modified by Aves Selected AbstractsTESTING THE ROLE OF INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION IN THE EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF ELEVATIONAL ZONATION: AN EXAMPLE WITH BUARREMON BRUSH-FINCHES (AVES, EMBERIZIDAE) IN THE NEOTROPICAL MOUNTAINSEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2007Carlos Daniel Cadena Interspecific competition might drive the evolution of ecological niches and result in pairs of formerly competing species segregating along ecological gradients following a process of character displacement. This mechanism has been proposed to account for replacement of related species along gradients of elevation in many areas of the world, but the fundamental issue of whether competition is responsible for the origin of elevational replacements has not been tested. To test hypotheses about the role of interspecific competition in the origin of complementary elevational ranges, I combined molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography, and population genetic analyses on Buarremon torquatus and B. brunneinucha (Aves, Emberizidae), whose patterns of elevational distribution suggest character displacement or ecological release. The hypothesis that elevational distributions in these species changed in opposite directions as a result of competition is untenable because: (1) a historical expansion of the range of B. brunneinucha into areas occupied by B. torquatus was not accompanied by a shift in the elevational range of the former species; (2) when B. brunneinucha colonized the range of B. torquatus, lineages of the latter distributions had already diverged; and (3) historical trends in effective population size do not suggest populations with elevational ranges abutting those of putative competitors have declined as would be expected if competition caused range contractions. However, owing to uncertainty in coalescent estimates of historical population sizes, the hypothesis that some populations of B. torquatus have declined cannot be confidently rejected, which suggests asymmetric character displacement might have occurred. I suggest that the main role of competition in elevational zonation may be to act as a sorting mechanism that allows the coexistence along mountain slopes only of ecologically similar species that differ in elevational distributions prior to attaining sympatry. The contrasting biogeographic histories of B. brunneinucha and B. torquatus illustrate how present-day ecological interactions can have recent origins, and highlights important challenges for testing the hypothesis of character displacement in the absence of data on population history and robust reconstructions of the evolution of traits and geographic ranges. [source] Isolation, characterization and chromosome locations of polymorphic black-billed magpie Pica pica (Corvidae, AVES) microsatellite lociMOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 6 2009DAVID MARTÍN-GÁLVEZ Abstract One-hundred and two unique loci were isolated from a microsatellite-enriched black-billed magpie Pica pica genomic library. Sixteen of these new loci, along with 148 existing microsatellite passerine loci, were tested for polymorphism in four unrelated black-billed magpies. We identified a total of 43 unique polymorphic loci (10 and 33 respectively) that we characterized in 24 unrelated individuals from a population in Guadix, Spain. The putative chromosomal locations of loci polymorphic in black-billed magpie were assigned based on the location of their orthologues in the assembled zebra finch and chicken genomes. [source] Microsatellite markers characterized in the barn owl (Tyto alba) and of high utility in other owls (Strigiformes: AVES)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 6 2009ÁKOS KLEIN Abstract We have identified 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci for the barn owl (Tyto alba), five from testing published owl loci and 10 from testing non-owl loci, including loci known to be of high utility in passerines and shorebirds. All 15 loci were sequenced in barn owl, and new primer sets were designed for eight loci. The 15 polymorphic loci displayed two to 26 alleles in 56,58 barn owls. When tested in 10 other owl species (n = 1,6 individuals), between four and nine loci were polymorphic per species. These loci are suitable for studies of population structure and parentage in owls. [source] A Nationwide Assessment of the Biodiversity Value of Uganda's Important Bird Areas NetworkCONSERVATION BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2006HERBERT TUSHABE AIAs; complementariedad; congruencia trans-taxón; selección de sitios de conservación Abstract:,BirdLife International's Important Bird Areas (IBA) program is the most developed global system for identifying sites of conservation priority. There have been few assessments, however, of the conservation value of IBAs for nonavian taxa. We combined past data with extensive new survey results for Uganda's IBAs in the most comprehensive assessment to date of the wider biodiversity value of a tropical country's IBA network. The combined data set included more than 35,000 site × species records for birds, butterflies, and woody plants at 86 Ugandan sites (23,400 km2), including 29 of the country's 30 IBAs, with data on additional taxa for many sites. Uganda's IBAs contained at least 70% of the country's butterfly and woody plant species, 86% of its dragonflies and 97% of its birds. They also included 21 of Uganda's 22 major vegetation types. For butterflies, dragonflies, and some families of plants assessed, species of high conservation concern were well represented (less so for the latter). The IBAs successfully represented wider biodiversity largely because many have distinctive avifaunas and, as shown by high cross-taxon congruence in complementarity, such sites tended to be distinctive for other groups too. Cross-taxon congruence in overall species richness was weaker and mainly associated with differences in site size. When compared with alternative sets of sites selected using complementarity-based, area-based, or random site-selection algorithms, the IBA network was efficient in terms of the number of sites required to represent species but inefficient in terms of total area. This was mainly because IBA selection considers factors other than area, however, which probably improves both the cost-effectiveness of the network and the persistence of represented species. Resumen:,El programa de Áreas de Importancia para las Aves (AIAs) de Birdlife International es el sistema global más desarrollado para la identificación de sitios de prioridad para la conservación. Sin embargo, ha habido pocas evaluaciones del valor de conservación de las AIAs para taxa no aviares. En la evaluación más integral, hasta la fecha, del valor de la biodiversidad en general de la red de AIAs de un país tropical, combinamos datos antiguos con los resultados de muestreos extensivos recientes de las AIAs de Uganda. El conjunto de datos combinados incluyó más de 35000 registros de sitios x especies de aves, mariposas y plantas leñosas en 86 sitios en Uganda (23400 km2), incluyendo 29 de las 30 AIAs del país, con datos sobre taxa adicionales en muchos sitios. Las AIAs de Uganda contenían por lo menos un 70% de las especies de mariposas y plantas leñosas del país, 86% de sus libélulas y 97% de sus aves. También incluyeron 21 de los 22 principales tipos de vegetación. En las mariposas, libélulas y algunas de las familias de plantas evaluadas, la representación de especies de alto interés para la conservación fue buena (menor en las plantas). Las Áreas de Importancia para las Aves representaron exitosamente a la biodiversidad en general principalmente porque muchas tienen avifaunas distintivas y, como muestra la alta congruencia trans-taxón en complementariedad, tales sitios tendieron a ser distintivos para otros grupos también. La congruencia trans-taxón en la riqueza de especies total fue más débil y se asoció principalmente con diferencias en el tamaño del sitio. Cuando se compara con conjuntos alternativos de sitios seleccionados mediante algoritmos basados en complementariedad, área o selección aleatoria de sitios, la red de AIAs fue eficiente en términos del número de sitios requeridos para representar especies, pero ineficiente en términos del área total. Sin embargo, esto se debió principalmente a que la selección de AIA considera factores distintos al área que probablemente mejoran tanto la efectividad de la red como la persistencia de las especies representadas. [source] Ultrastructure of the spermatozoon of Apus apus (Linnaeus 1758), the common swift (Aves; Apodiformes; Apodidae), with phylogenetic implicationsACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2005Barrie G. M. Jamieson Abstract The spermatozoon of Apus apus is typical of non-passerines in many respects. Features shared with palaeognaths and the Galloanserae are the conical acrosome, shorter than the nucleus; the presence of a proximal as well as distal centriole; the elongate midpiece with mitochondria grouped around an elongate distal centriole; and the presence of a fibrous or amorphous sheath around the principal piece of the axoneme. The perforatorium and endonuclear canal are lost in A. apus as in some other non-passerines. All non-passerines differ from palaeognaths in that the latter have a transversely ribbed fibrous sheath whereas in non-passerines it is amorphous, as in Apus, or absent. The absence of an annulus is an apomorphic but homoplastic feature of swift, psittaciform, gruiform and passerine spermatozoa. The long distal centriole, penetrating the entire midpiece, is a remarkably plesiomorphic feature of the swift spermatozoa, known elsewhere only in palaeognaths. The long centriole of Apus, if not a reversal, would be inconsistent with the former placement of the Apodiformes above the Psittaciformes from DNA,DNA hybridization. In contrast to passerines, in A. apus the microtubules in the spermatid are restricted to a transient single row encircling the cell. The form of the spermatozoon fully justifies the exclusion of swifts from the passerine family Hirundinidae. [source] Microscopic structure of the sperm storage tubules in the polygynandrous alpine accentor, Prunella collaris (Aves)ACTA ZOOLOGICA, Issue 4 2001Akira Chiba Abstract We describe the microscopic structure of the sperm storage tubules (SSTs) of the polygynandrous alpine accentor, Prunella collaris. The SSTs were found at the utero-vaginal junction of the oviduct and were composed of a single layer of columnar epithelium. The cells of the tubule proper were non-ciliated and had a round or oval nucleus in their basal portion. Their cytoplasm was finely or coarsely vacuolated due to lipid inclusions. Under the electron microscope, the epithelial cells exhibited a number of mitochondria, Golgi bodies, occasional lysosome-like dense bodies, granular endoplasmic reticula, junctional complex, and tonofilaments. The apical margin of the cells was fringed with numerous microvilli. The epithelial lining of the SSTs was devoid of mucous cells, but showed occasional infiltration of lymphoid cells. No contractile elements were found in association with the SSTs, but a close apposition of unmyelinated nerve fibres to the basal part of the SST cells was recognized. Intraluminal sperm were arranged in bundles, and their heads were orientated towards the distal portion of the SSTs. Evidence for engulfment of sperm by the SST cells was obtained for the first time. A sign of atrophy or regression of the SSTs was found in one specimen. [source] Simultaneous analysis of multiple PCR amplicons enhances capillary SSCP discrimination of MHC allelesELECTROPHORESIS, Issue 8 2010Miguel Alcaide Abstract Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) genotyping still remains one of the most challenging issues for evolutionary ecologists. To date, none of the proposed methods have proven to be perfect, and all provide both important pros and cons. Although denaturing capillary electrophoresis has become a popular alternative, allele identification commonly relies upon conformational polymorphisms of two single-stranded DNA molecules at the most. Using the MHC class II (, chain, exon 2) of the black kite (Aves: Accipitridae) as our model system, we show that the simultaneous analysis of overlapping PCR amplicons from the same target region substantially enhances allele discrimination. To cover this aim, we designed a multiplex PCR capable to generate four differentially sized and labeled amplicons from the same allele. Informative peaks to assist allele calling then fourfold those generated by the analysis of single PCR amplicons. Our approach proved successful to differentiate all the alleles (N=13) isolated from eight unrelated birds at a single optimal run temperature and electrophoretic conditions. In particular, we emphasize that this approach may constitute a straightforward and cost-effective alternative for the genotyping of single or duplicated MHC genes displaying low to moderate sets of divergent alleles. [source] Singing in the Face of Danger: the Anomalous Type II Vocalization of the Splendid Fairy-WrenETHOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Bethanne Zelano Males of certain species of fairy-wrens (Aves: Maluridae) emit a unique vocalization, the Type II vocalization, in response to the calls of potential predators. We conducted field observations and playback experiments to identify the contexts in which the Type II vocalization is emitted by splendid fairy-wren (Malurus splendens) males, and to examine social and genetic factors that influence its occurrence. In field observations and controlled playback experiments, Type II vocalizations were elicited most consistently by calls of the predatory gray butcherbird (Cracticus torquatus). Some vocalizations from other avian species also elicited Type II vocalizations, and the majority of these were vocalizations from avian predators. Splendid fairy-wrens are cooperative breeders, and males that responded with Type II vocalizations to playbacks of butcherbird calls tended to be primary rather than secondary males, had larger cloacal protuberances, and were older than those that did not respond. In addition, secondary males that were sons of resident females were more likely than non-sons to respond with a Type II vocalization. In another playback experiment, females responded similarly to the Type I song and Type II vocalizations of their mates. Although the Type II vocalization is emitted primarily in response to predator calls, it is inconsistent with an alarm call explanation. Patterns of reproductive success among Type II calling males suggest that it does not function as an honest signal of male quality. At present, the function of the vocalization remains anomalous, but indirect fitness benefits may play a role in its explanation. [source] TESTING THE ROLE OF INTERSPECIFIC COMPETITION IN THE EVOLUTIONARY ORIGIN OF ELEVATIONAL ZONATION: AN EXAMPLE WITH BUARREMON BRUSH-FINCHES (AVES, EMBERIZIDAE) IN THE NEOTROPICAL MOUNTAINSEVOLUTION, Issue 5 2007Carlos Daniel Cadena Interspecific competition might drive the evolution of ecological niches and result in pairs of formerly competing species segregating along ecological gradients following a process of character displacement. This mechanism has been proposed to account for replacement of related species along gradients of elevation in many areas of the world, but the fundamental issue of whether competition is responsible for the origin of elevational replacements has not been tested. To test hypotheses about the role of interspecific competition in the origin of complementary elevational ranges, I combined molecular phylogenetics, phylogeography, and population genetic analyses on Buarremon torquatus and B. brunneinucha (Aves, Emberizidae), whose patterns of elevational distribution suggest character displacement or ecological release. The hypothesis that elevational distributions in these species changed in opposite directions as a result of competition is untenable because: (1) a historical expansion of the range of B. brunneinucha into areas occupied by B. torquatus was not accompanied by a shift in the elevational range of the former species; (2) when B. brunneinucha colonized the range of B. torquatus, lineages of the latter distributions had already diverged; and (3) historical trends in effective population size do not suggest populations with elevational ranges abutting those of putative competitors have declined as would be expected if competition caused range contractions. However, owing to uncertainty in coalescent estimates of historical population sizes, the hypothesis that some populations of B. torquatus have declined cannot be confidently rejected, which suggests asymmetric character displacement might have occurred. I suggest that the main role of competition in elevational zonation may be to act as a sorting mechanism that allows the coexistence along mountain slopes only of ecologically similar species that differ in elevational distributions prior to attaining sympatry. The contrasting biogeographic histories of B. brunneinucha and B. torquatus illustrate how present-day ecological interactions can have recent origins, and highlights important challenges for testing the hypothesis of character displacement in the absence of data on population history and robust reconstructions of the evolution of traits and geographic ranges. [source] LINKING COEVOLUTIONARY HISTORY TO ECOLOGICAL PROCESS: DOVES AND LICEEVOLUTION, Issue 10 2003Dale H. Clayton Abstract Many host-specific parasites are restricted to a limited range of host species by ecological barriers that impede dispersal and successful establishment. In some cases, microevolutionary differentiation is apparent on top of host specificity, as evidenced by significant parasite population genetic structure among host populations. Ecological barriers responsible for specificity and genetic structure can, in principle, reinforce macroevolutionary processes that generate congruent host-parasite phylogenies. However, few studies have explored both the micro- and macroevolutionary ramifications of close association in a single host-parasite system. Here we compare the macroevolutionary histories of two genera of feather lice (Phthiraptera: Ischnocera) that both parasitize New World pigeons and doves (Aves: Columbiformes). Earlier work has shown that dove body lice (genus Physconelloides) are more host specific and have greater population genetic structure than dove wing lice (Columbicola). We reconstructed phylogenies for representatives of the two genera of lice and their hosts, using nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences. The phylogenies were well resolved and generally well supported. We compared the phylogenies of body lice and wing lice to the host phylogeny using reconciliation analyses. We found that dove body lice show strong evidence of cospeciation whereas dove wing lice do not. Although the ecology of body and wing lice is very similar, differences in their dispersal ability may underlie these joint differences in host specificity, population genetic structure, and coevolutionary history. [source] Notes on the osteology and phylogenetic affinities of the Oligocene Diomedeoididae (Aves, Procellariiformes)FOSSIL RECORD-MITTEILUNGEN AUS DEM MUSEUM FUER NATURKUNDE, Issue 2 2009Gerald Mayr Abstract New specimens of the procellariiform taxon Diomedeoididae are reported from the early Oligocene (Rupelian) deposits of Wiesloch-Frauenweiler in southern Germany. Two skeletons belong to Diomedeoides brodkorbi, whereas isolated legs of larger individuals are tentatively assigned to D. lipsiensis, a species which has not yet been reported from the locality. The fossils allow the recognition of some previously unknown osteological features of the Diomedeoididae, including the presence of a vestige of the hallux. Diomedeoidids are characterized by extremely wide phalanges of the third and fourth toes, which also occur in some species of the extant procellariiform Oceanitinae (southern storm-petrels). The poorly developed processus supracondylaris dorsalis of the humerus supports a position of these Oligocene tubenoses outside a clade including the Diomedeidae (albatrosses), Procellariidae (shearwaters and allies), and Pelecanoididae (diving-petrels). It is hypothesized that like modern Oceanitinae, which have an equally short supracondylar process, diomedeoidids probably employed flap-gliding and used their immersed feet to remain stationary. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [source] A large collection of Presbyornis (Aves, Anseriformes, Presbyornithidae) from the late Paleocene and early Eocene of MongoliaGEOLOGICAL JOURNAL, Issue 4 2010Evgeny N. Kurochkin Abstract We describe a large collection of fossil ,waterfowl' bones that are referable to the extinct clade Presbyornithidae (Anseriformes). All of these fossils were collected between 1971 and 1994 from Upper Paleocene and Lower Eocene sediments at the Tsagaan Khushuu site in the Gobi Desert of southern Mongolia. The collection includes specimens referred to a new small species within the genus Presbyornis Wetmore, 1926 as well as large numbers of bones that we place in the genus Presbyornis. On this basis of the Tsagaan Khushuu collection we suggest that several species of Presbyornis likely coexisted in this region; indeed, the presence of large numbers of middle-sized, morphologically consistent but probably ecologically disparate species at the Tsagaan Khushuu site is consistent with the range of variation seen, for example, in taxa of extant dabbling ducks (Anatini). Although the anatomy and phylogenetic position of Presbyornithidae (in particular Presbyornis) are well known, this material from Mongolia further demonstrates the prevalence of these birds in aquatic and semi-aquatic habitats by the earliest Paleogene. Because presbyornithids are also well documented from the late Cretaceous, their palaeoecology and morphological diversity provides a clue to selective avian survivorship across the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] The separation of Pterodroma madeira (Zino's Petrel) from Pterodroma feae (Fea's Petrel) (Aves: Procellariidae)IBIS, Issue 2 2008FRANCIS ZINO The taxonomic status of petrels from the North East Atlantic has long been a matter of debate. Breeding colonies of petrels occurring on the islands of Madeira, Bugio and Cape Verde were originally thought to be outlying populations of the polytypic species Pterodroma mollis. Subsequent taxonomic treatments have varied considerably in their classification of birds from these islands. The petrel populations on Madeira and Bugio represent some of Europe's rarest breeding birds and their exact species designation, and hence relation to conservation mandates, is a question of considerable importance. In this study we use molecular techniques alongside more traditional taxonomic characters to confirm the existence of two species of the genus Pterodroma in the Archipelago of Madeira. We also discuss identification of these species in the field and the implications for their conservation management. [source] Breeding in high-elevation habitat results in shift to slower life-history strategy within a single speciesJOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY, Issue 2 2009H. Bears Summary 1Elevational gradients create environmental variation that is hypothesized to promote variation in life-history strategies. We tested whether differences in life-history strategies were associated with elevation in a songbird, the dark-eyed junco (Junco hyemalis; Aves; A.O.U. 1998). 2We monitored birds in four replicated sites per elevation, at 2000 m a.s.l. (high elevation) and 1000 m a.s.l. (low elevation), in the Rocky Mountains of Canada. 3Over 5 years, we measured the following traits and vital rates: egg-laying schedules, morphological indicators of reproductive stage, seasonal reproductive success, indicators of competitive class (age, size, arrival time), and survival rates. 4We found two main patterns: with an increase in breeding elevation, dark-eyed juncos delayed the development of structures necessary for reproduction (e.g. cloacal protuberance in males) and reduced the duration of their reproductive period to less than half of the time used by low-elevation birds; and 5Juncos at high-elevation sites had 55,61% lower annual reproductive success and 15 to 20% higher survival rates. While adult juncos at high elevations produced fewer offspring, those offspring were in better condition. Proportions of age and size classes in high- compared to low-elevation populations were similar, suggesting that a life-history trade-off is present, rather than competition forcing inferior competitors to breed in a peripheral habitat. The apparent trade-off between reproduction and survival corresponded to a shorter period of favourable weather and available food in high- compared to low-elevation habitats. 6Thus, elevation had a strong influence on life-history characteristics of a single species over a short spatial distance, suggesting a shift in life history from a high reproductive strategy at lower elevations to a high survivor strategy at high elevations. 7This is the first paper to show a shift in avian life-history strategies along an elevational gradient (in both genders, of multiple age classes) when region (latitude) and phylogenetic histories are controlled for. [source] Diving in shallow water: the foraging ecology of darters (Aves: Anhingidae)JOURNAL OF AVIAN BIOLOGY, Issue 4 2007Peter G. Ryan Diving birds have to overcome buoyancy, especially when diving in shallow water. Darters and anhingas (Anhingidae) are specialist shallow-water divers, with adaptations for reducing their buoyancy. Compared to closely-related cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), darters have fully wettable plumage, smaller air sacs and denser bones. A previous study of darter diving behaviour reported no relationship between dive duration and water depth, contrary to optimal dive models. In this study I provide more extensive observations of African darters Anhinga melanogaster rufa diving in water<5 m deep at two sites. Dive duration increases with water depth at both sites, but the relationship is weak. Dives were longer than dives by cormorants in water of similar depth (max 108 s in water 2.5 m deep), with dives of up to 68 s observed in water<0.5 m deep. Initial dives in a bout were shorter than expected, possibly because their plumage was not fully saturated. Dive efficiency (dive:rest ratio) was 5,6, greater than cormorants (2.7±0.4 for 18 species) and other families of diving birds (average 0.2,4.3). Post-dive recovery periods increased with dive duration, but only slowly, resulting in a strong increase in efficiency with dive duration. All dives are likely to fall within the theoretical anaerobic dive limit. Foraging bouts were short (17.8±4.3 min) compared to cormorants, with birds spending 80±5% of time underwater. Darters take advantage of their low buoyancy to forage efficiently in shallow water, and their slow, stealthy dives are qualitatively different from those of other diving birds. However, they are forced to limit the duration of foraging bouts by increased thermoregulatory costs associated with wettable plumage. [source] Are the Northern Andes a species pump for Neotropical birds?JOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2010Phylogenetics, biogeography of a clade of Neotropical tanagers (Aves: Thraupini) Abstract Aim, We used mitochondrial DNA sequence data to reconstruct the phylogeny of a large clade of tanagers (Aves: Thraupini). We used the phylogeny of this Neotropical bird group to identify areas of vicariance, reconstruct ancestral zoogeographical areas and elevational distributions, and to investigate the correspondence of geological events to speciation events. Location, The species investigated are found in 18 of the 22 zoogeographical regions of South America, Central America and the Caribbean islands; therefore, we were able to use the phylogeny to address the biogeographical history of the entire region. Methods, Molecular sequence data were gathered from two mitochondrial markers (cytochrome b and ND2) and analysed using Bayesian and maximum-likelihood approaches. Dispersal,vicariance analysis (DIVA) was used to reconstruct zoogeographical areas and elevational distributions. A Bayesian framework was also used to address changes in elevation during the evolutionary history of the group. Results, Our phylogeny was similar to previous tanager phylogenies constructed using fewer species; however, we identified three genera that are not monophyletic and uncovered high levels of sequence divergence within some species. DIVA identified early diverging nodes as having a Northern Andean distribution, and the most recent common ancestor of the species included in this study occurred at high elevations. Most speciation events occurred either within highland areas or within lowland areas, with few exchanges occurring between the highlands and lowlands. The Northern Andes has been a source for lineages in other regions, with more dispersals out of this area relative to dispersals into this area. Most of the dispersals out of the Northern Andes were dispersals into the Central Andes; however, a few key dispersal events were identified out of the Andes and into other zoogeographical regions. Main conclusions, The timing of diversification of these tanagers correlates well with the main uplift of the Northern Andes, with the highest rate of speciation occurring during this timeframe. Central American tanagers included in this study originated from South American lineages, and the timing of their dispersal into Central America coincides with or post-dates the completion of the Panamanian isthmus. [source] Predicting the distribution of four species of raptors (Aves: Accipitridae) in southern Spain: statistical models work better than existing mapsJOURNAL OF BIOGEOGRAPHY, Issue 2 2004Javier Bustamante Abstract Aim, To test the effectiveness of statistical models based on explanatory environmental variables vs. existing distribution information (maps and breeding atlas), for predicting the distribution of four species of raptors (family Accipitridae): common buzzard Buteo buteo (Linnaeus, 1758), short-toed eagle Circaetus gallicus (Gmelin, 1788), booted eagle Hieraaetus pennatus (Gmelin, 1788) and black kite Milvus migrans (Boddaert, 1783). Location, Andalusia, southern Spain. Methods, Generalized linear models of 10 × 10 km squares surveyed for the presence/absence of the species by road census. Statistical models use as predictors variables derived from topography, vegetation and land-use, and the geographical coordinates (to take account of possible spatial trends). Predictions from the models are compared with current distribution maps from the national breeding atlas and leading reference works. Results, The maps derived from statistical models for all four species were more predictive than the previously published range maps and the recent national breeding atlas. The best models incorporated both topographic and vegetation and land-use variables. Further, in three of the four species the inclusion of spatial coordinates to account for neighbourhood effects improved these models. Models for the common buzzard and black kite were highly predictive and easy to interpret from an ecological point of view, while models for short-toed eagle and, particularly, booted eagle were not so easy to interpret, but still predicted better than previous distribution information. Main conclusions, It is possible to build accurate predictive models for raptor distribution with a limited field survey using as predictors environmental variables derived from digital maps. These models integrated in a geographical information system produced distribution maps that were more accurate than previously published ones for the study species in the study area. Our study is an example of a methodology that could be used for many taxa and areas to improve unreliable distribution information. [source] Genome sizes of cranes (Aves: Gruiformes)JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 12 2006Ellen M. Rasch Abstract The DNA content of blood cell nuclei of 15 species of cranes was determined by Feulgen-DNA cytophotometry. Genome sizes agree with values reported elsewhere for several crane species analyzed by flow cytometry. Males have more DNA per cell than females in several species. A karyotype where 2n = 80 is reported for a male greater sandhill crane. J. Morphol., 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Ultrastructure of the spermatid of Caprimulgus europaeus Linnaeus 1758, the European nightjar (Aves; Caprimulgidae), with phylogenetic implicationsJOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY, Issue 10 2006Sandro Tripepi Abstract The sperm of Caprimulgus europaeus is typical of other nonpasserines in many respects. Features shared with Paleognathae and Galloanserae are the conical acrosome, shorter than the nucleus; the presence of a perforatorium and endonuclear canal; the presence of a proximal as well as distal centriole; the elongate midpiece with mitochondria grouped around a central axis (here maximally six mitochondria in ,10 tiers); and the presence of a fibrous or amorphous sheath around the principal piece of the axoneme. A major (apomorphic) difference from paleognaths and galloanserans is the short distal centriole, the midpiece being penetrated for most of its length by the axoneme and for only a very short proximal portion by the centriole. Nonpasserines differ from paleognaths in that the latter have a transversely ribbed fibrous sheath, whereas in nonpasserines it is amorphous, as in Caprimulgus, or absent. The absence of an annulus is an apomorphic feature of Caprimulgus, apodiform, psittaciform, gruiform, and passerine sperm, homoplastic in at least some of these. In contrast to passerines, in Caprimulgus the cytoplasmic microtubules in the spermatid are restricted to a transient longitudinal manchette. The structure of the spermatid and spermatozoon is consistent with placement of the Caprimulgidae near the Psittacidae, but is less supportive of close proximity to the Apodidae, from DNA,DNA hybridization and some other analyses. J. Morphol. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Characterization of Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques) microsatellite loci and their cross-utility in other parrots (Psittacidae, Aves)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 4 2009CLAIRE RAISIN Abstract We characterized 21 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the endangered Mauritius parakeet (Psittacula eques). Loci were isolated from a Mauritius parakeet genomic library that had been enriched separately for eight different repeat motifs. Loci were characterized in up to 43 putatively unrelated Mauritius parakeets from a single population inhabiting the Black River Gorges National Park, Mauritius. Each locus displayed between three and nine alleles, with the observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.39 and 0.96. All loci were tested in 10 other parrot species. Despite testing few individuals, between seven and 21 loci were polymorphic in each of seven species tested. [source] Characterization of polymorphic microsatellites in the logrunner, Orthonyx temminckii (Aves: Orthonychidae)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 6 2007JAMES A. NICHOLLS Abstract We isolated and characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the logrunner (Orthonyx temminckii), a rainforest-dwelling Australian bird. The number of alleles per locus observed within two populations ranged from three to 39, with observed heterozygosities of between 0.12 and 1.00. We demonstrate that these markers are useful for both population- and individual-level analyses. [source] Fourteen polymorphic microsatellite loci characterized in the house sparrow Passer domesticus (Passeridae, Aves)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 2 2007SIMON C. GRIFFITH Abstract We characterized 14 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the house sparrow Passer domesticus. Four loci were isolated from house sparrow genomic libraries and 10 loci were identified by testing 100 loci that had been originally isolated in other passerine species. Loci were characterized in 37,54 unrelated sparrows from British and Norwegian populations. Each locus displayed between two and 31 alleles, with the observed heterozygosity ranging between 0.30 and 0.91. [source] Identification of 15 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the Príncipe seedeater (Serinus rufobrunneus) and assessment of their utility in nine other Serinus species (Fringillidae, Aves)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 4 2006MARTIM MELO Abstract We tested 74 passerine microsatellite loci for cross-amplification in the Príncipe seedeater (Serinus rufobrunneus), and identified 15 loci that were both polymorphic and easy to score. In a sample of 113 individuals, the number of alleles ranged between three and 71. Three loci deviated from Hardy,Weinberg equilibrium after correcting for multiple tests, and one locus had high estimated null allele frequency. These 15 loci were highly successful in amplifying polymorphic products also in nine other Serinus species. [source] Characterization of polymorphic microsatellite loci in Castelnau's Antshrike, Thamnophilus cryptoleucus (Aves: Thamnophilidae)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 2 2006A. ÁGREDA Abstract In order to study the biogeography and population genetic structure of the obligate river-island species Thamnophilus cryptoleucus (Thamnophilidae) we isolated four microsatellite loci. Number of alleles ranged from six to 11, heterozygosities from 60% to 89%, and individual populations were found in Hardy,Weinberg equilibrium. Cross-species amplification of the loci was tested in eight species of the family Thamnophilidae and all loci successfully amplified in five or more related species. [source] Isolation and characterization of microsatellite markers for paternity assessment in the golden whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis: Aves)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 1 2005W. F. D. VAN DONGEN Abstract We isolated and characterized six novel microsatellite markers for paternity analysis in the golden whistler Pachycephala pectoralis, by screening an enriched genomic library using nonradioactive PCR techniques. The six loci exhibited little or no evidence of null alleles and showed high levels of polymorphism (mean HE = 0.85, mean number of alleles = 15.2), making them suitable for paternity assessment in this species (exclusion probability of six unlinked loci = 0.9997). [source] Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for paternity analysis in the red-capped robin (Petroica goodenovii: Aves)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 4 2003D. K. Dowling Abstract Seven microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from the red-capped robin Petroica goodenovii, using nonradioactive polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based techniques to screen an enriched genomic library. Five loci showed no evidence of null alleles and were variable [mean heterozygosity (HE) = 0.440, mean number of alleles = 8]. Cross-amplification using primers for microsatellites in Phylloscopus occipitalis and Emberiza schoeniclus yielded another two polymorphic loci. The combined set of five red-capped robin and two cross-amplified loci are suitable for paternity assignment (exclusion probability for seven unlinked loci = 0.9760). [source] Isolation of microsatellite loci in the Capricorn silvereye, Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus (Aves: Zosteropidae)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 3 2003F. D. Frentiu Abstract The Capricorn silvereye (Zosterops lateralis chlorocephalus) is ideally suited to investigating the genetic basis of body size evolution. We have isolated and characterized a set of microsatellite markers for this species. Seven out of 11 loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles detected ranged from two to five and observed heterozygosities between 0.12 and 0.67. One locus, ZL49, was found to be sex-linked. This moderate level of diversity is consistent with that expected in an isolated, island population. [source] Isolation and characterization of dinucleotide microsatellite loci in communally breeding Guira cuckoos (Aves: Cuculidae)MOLECULAR ECOLOGY RESOURCES, Issue 2 2003L. S. B. Muniz Abstract Guira cuckoos (Guira guira) are communal nesting birds endemic to South America that show high levels of conflict between members of the group over the contribution to the clutch. Adults eject eggs and even nestlings from the communal nest, sometimes leading to the loss of the entire brood. We developed seven polymorphic microsatellites for Guira cuckoos using an enrichment protocol. The number of alleles ranged from 5 to 14 (mean 9.86) and the heterozygosity ranged from 0.41 to 0.89 for the eight to 88 individuals screened. These loci will allow parentage assignments and population analysis in this species. [source] The Hindlimb Muscles of Rhea americana (Aves, Palaeognathae, Rheidae)ANATOMIA, HISTOLOGIA, EMBRYOLOGIA, Issue 5 2010M. B. J. Picasso With 13 figures Summary The Greater Rhea is the largest cursorial Ratitae bird native to South America. Due to its increasing importance in farming and therefore in the sustainable use of this species, a comprehensive knowledge of their anatomy is essential. The goal of this study was to provide an anatomical description of the hindlimb muscles of Rhea americana. Six adult birds of both sexes were macroscopically studied analysing the origin and insertion of thigh and shank muscles. The thigh showed the highest number of muscles, whereas the shank showed the lowest number; this feature minimizes inertia and allows achieving high stride frequencies. The muscles of the shank showed long tendons of insertion that reduce the energetic cost during running. The major muscles responsible for extension of the hip and the ankle joints were massive and robust indicating their importance for cursorial locomotion. The pelvic limb muscles of Rhea americana resemble those of other cursorial Ratitae and their features are consistent with specialization for high-speed locomotion. [source] A preliminary evaluation of the sustainability of cassowary (Aves: Casuariidae) capture and trade in Papua New GuineaANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 2 2004Arlyne Johnson Wildlife capture and trade for traditional use in Papua New Guinea has led to the extirpation of cassowary in some areas and increasing pressure for trade from areas where they remain. We tested a village-based monitoring programme to evaluate sustainability of wildlife capture and trade by households in the Crater Mountain Wildlife Management Area. We monitored the type and number of wildlife species captured and traded. For the most heavily traded species, dwarf cassowary, we compared estimated annual offtake of live cassowary to maximum sustainable offtake and also compared change in hunter effort over time. We found that live offtake rates of 0.06,0.07/km2 were unsustainable in one village catchment and on the threshold of unsustainable use in another. Extirpation of cassowary will probably occur in the management area unless the location or quantity of the harvest can be restricted and the husbandry of captive birds improved. Results indicate that village monitoring of cassowary offtake is feasible when done in collaboration with outside, trained observers. Such monitoring should be encouraged as a means for landowners and management agencies to collectively evaluate the sustainability of the cassowary harvest in Papua New Guinea. This study provides an example of how scientists working with local communities in tropical forests can contribute to systematic monitoring and evaluation of wildlife offtake for sustainable use. [source] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||