Genetic structure in Brazilian breeding colonies of the Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja, Aves: Threskiornithidae)

Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja, Linnaeus) are wading birds present in two of the most important Brazilian wetlands: the Pantanal wetlands and Rio Grande do Sul marshes. Natural populations of these species have not been previously studied with variable nuclear molecular markers. In order to support decision making regarding the management and conservation of these populations, we estimated and characterized the distribution of genetic variability among five Brazilian breeding colonies. The average observed heterozygosity in Brazilian Roseate Spoonbill populations (Ho = 0.575) did not differ significantly from the value determined in a U.S. wild-caught sample of 15 individuals, using data generated by the same set of microsatellite loci. Considering that the U.S. population underwent a recent reduction in size, we discuss this result supposing that the U.S. population was not genetically affected or that both populations had suffered a bottleneck. Global F(ST) indicated the lack of genetic differentiation among colonies, indicating the occurrence of past and/or present gene flow among them. Analysis of molecular variance revealed that most of the genetic variation is distributed within the colonies. Results are explained by a recent origin of colonies or by high levels of gene flow. Management decisions should take into consideration the fact that, even in the presence of high genetic exchange, ecological adaptations to different environments are important for species survival.     

Genetic Differentiation Among Populations of the Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja; Aves: Pelecaniformes) in Three Brazilian Wetlands

Effective population size, levels of genetic diversity, gene flow, and genetic structuring were assessed in 205 colonial Roseate spoonbills from 11 breeding colonies from north, central west, and south Brazil. Colonies and regions exhibited similar moderate levels of diversity at five microsatellite loci (mean expected heterozygosity range 0.50–0.62; allelic richness range 3.17–3.21). The central west region had the highest Ne (59). F _ST values revealed low but significant genetic structuring among colonies within the north and within the south regions. Significant global genetic structuring was found between the northern and central western populations as well as between the northern and southern populations. An individual-based Bayesian clustering method inferred three population clusters. Assignment tests correctly allocated up to 64% of individuals to their source regions. Collectively, results revealed complex demographic dynamics, with ongoing gene flow on a local scale, but genetic differentiation on a broader scale. Populations in the three regions may all be conserved, but special concern should be given to central western ones, which can significantly contribute to the species’ gene pool in Brazil.     

Population Genetic Study of Mitochondrial DNA in Roseate Spoonbill (Aves; Platalea ajaja) Breeding Colonies from the Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

Five breeding colonies of the Roseate spoonbill (Aves: Platalea ajaja) from two Brazilian wetland areas (Pantanal and Taim marshes) were sampled, and domain I of the mitochondrial DNA control region (483 bp) was sequenced in 50 birds. The average haplotype diversity (h = 0.75, s = 0.071) and average nucleotide diversity (pi = 0.004, s = 0.003) were evaluated, and nonsignificant differences were found among the colonies studied. The lack of differentiation among breeding colonies revealed by AMOVA analysis was explained either as a consequence of high gene flow or recent expansion. The significantly negative results of the neutrality tests (Fu's F ( s ) = -23.271, P < 0.01; Tajima's D = -1.941, P < 0.01) associated with the star shape of the haplotype tree and mismatch distribution data are evidence supporting the idea that these populations underwent a recent demographic expansion in the Pantanal region. The average time since the expansion is estimated to be 25,773 years, and this agrees with a period of increased moisture that occurred during the last glacial period.     

Breeding displays of the African Spoonbill Platalea alba

Breeding colonies of the African Spoonbill Platalea alba were studied in Kenya and South Africa during 1980. In Kenya nesting was in trees and in South Africa in reedbeds; the nesting area in both colonies was shared with other species of waterbirds.
During the breeding season, adult African Spoonbills acquire a more immaculate plumage and brighter soft-part coloration. Sexes are distinguishable by the larger size and more robust proportions of males.
Males are more sedentary and aggressive during pair formation, and females are more mobile and submissive. The general pattern of pair formation is described, with a variety of ritualized courtship displays acting to bring and keep the sexes together.
Comfort movements, vocalizations, and 14 distinct ritualized social displays are described and illustrated for the African Spoonbill. Some similarities and possible homologies with displays of other ciconiiform birds are mentioned. This paper represents the first part of a continuing study of the comparative ethology of the five species of spoonbills of the world.     

白琵鹭雏鸟的生长和恒温能力的发育

1994年和 1995年 4～ 6月在扎龙自然保护区 (4 7°2 9′N ,12 4°0 2′E)测定了 13只白琵鹭 (Platalealeucorodia)雏鸟的体重、体长、翅长、跗长和体温 ,以及环境温度。雏鸟生长符合逻辑斯谛模型 ,而 4～ 8日龄相对生长率最大。随着雏鸟日龄增大 ,体温稳步增加而且不随环境温度局部波动改变 ;冷暴露 2 5min后体温下降的幅度减小。孵出至 2 8日 ,雏鸟的体重与在巢内和冷暴露后的体温正相关 ,其体重和体长也与恒温指数正相关 ,雏鸟身体生长和恒温能力发育有某种同步关系 ,体现了晚成鸟的发育特点。     

中国首次发现黑脸琵鹭的繁殖地

1999年6月15日在中国黄海北部辽宁省大连市长海县石城乡一个无人居住的岛屿上,首次发现了3对黑脸琵鹭的繁殖个体(在观察时还见到另外3只黑脸琵鹭)。该岛屿位于石城乡东侧,北纬39°31′,东经123°02′,面积约025km2,海拔高46m。鸟的群落结构主要以黑尾鸥数量最多,约有800只左右,其次为黄嘴白鹭约400只左右,还有少量的银鸥、海鸥等在岛上繁殖。     

Risk of Sperm Competition Mediates Copulation Duration, but not Paternity, of Male Burying Beetles

Males should increase their investment in ejaculates whenever they are faced with an increased risk of sperm competition. Burying beetles (Nicrophorus vespilloides), insects that breed on small vertebrate carcasses, offer an ideal model with which to examine sperm allocation tactics because females typically mate with many males prior to laying eggs. Males compete directly for control of carcasses, and males losing such contests often become satellites, lurking in the vicinity of the carcass and attempting surreptitious copulations with the resident female. We predicted that both the dominant resident male and the satellite male would increase their sperm allocation in the presence of the other, but that relative to dominant males, satellite males would allocate a greater number of sperm per ejaculate. We employed a repeated-measures design in which two full-sib rival males, differing only in their dominance status, were each mated a single time to a previously-inseminated female under two conditions, once in the absence of their rival and once in the presence of their rival. Satellite males exhibited longer copulation durations than dominant resident males when both males were present on a carcass. Copulation durations of dominant males did not differ in the presence or absence of satellite males. Contrary to expectation, the increased copulation durations of satellite males did not result in a greater share of paternity relative to dominant males. The absence of any discernible effect of increased copulation durations on paternity in satellite males could be due to post-copulatory preferences of females or, alternatively, satellite males may require longer durations of copulation to transfer the same amount of sperm as dominant males.     

Breeding ecology of the African Spoonbill Platalea alba in the Free State,South Africa

Kopij, G. 1997. Breeding ecology of the African Spoonbill Platalea alba in the Free State, South Africa. Ostrich 68 (2–4): 77–79.

The breeding ecology of the African Spoonbill is surprisingly little known. In the Free State, the number of nesting African Spoonbills appears to have declined; 120 nests in 11 colonies were located in 1972–1973, compared to 32 nests in four colonies in 1993–1996 (though this later survey may have missed a few small colonies). In 1976–1977, a colony with 15 active spoonbill nests was monitored for an entire breeding season. Mean clutch size was 2.6 (n = 15); 56% of eggs hatched; 91% of hatched eggs resulted in fledglings; and chicks fledged from 53% of nests. The main food of spoonbill chicks was frogs, mainly Rana angolensis and Xenopus laevis, and aquatic invertebrates.     

Redescription, generic allocation and synonymy of Decorataria magnilabiata (Molin, 1860) n. comb. (Nematoda: Spirurida: Acuariidae), a parasite of the roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja L. (Aves: Threskiornithidae) in South America

Decorataria magnilabiata (Molin, 1860) n. comb. is proposed for Dispharagus magnilabiatus Molin, 1860 [= Acuaria (Cheilospirura) magnilabiata (Molin, 1860) Railliet, Henry & Sisoff, 1912; Cheilospirura magnilabiata (Molin, 1860) Stiles & Hassall, 1920; Dispharynx magnilabiata (Molin, 1860) Gendre, 1920] (Nematoda, Spirurida, Acuariidae), a parasite of the roseate spoonbill Platalea ajaja L. (Ciconiiformes, Threskiornithidae) known from Brazil, France (bird in captivity), Argentina and Cuba. The species is redescribed and illustrated on the basis of the type-series (from Brazil) in the Helminthological Collection of the Naturhistorisches Museum, Vienna. Syncuaria diacantha Petter, 1961 [= Decorataria diacantha (P.) Skryabin, Sobolev & Ivashkin, 1965], originally described from Platalea ajaja in France (bird in captivity), is recognised as a junior synonym of Decorataria magnilabiata (new synonymy).     

Genetic diversity and population structure of the Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) among its breeding sites in South Korea: Implication for conservation

The endangered Black-faced Spoonbill Platalea minor has experienced drastic reductions in population size, geographic distribution, and habitat availability throughout East Asia. In the present study, we examined population genetic structure and genetic diversity of Black-faced Spoonbills inhabiting five sites off the west coast of South Korea encompassing a few of its major breeding sites. Ten microsatellite loci and the mitochondrial sequence were used to assess patterns of genetic variation based on 63 individuals. Three ND2 haplotypes were found among 61 individuals; the remaining two were identified as Eurasian Spoonbills, revealing an unexpected hybridization between these two species having different ecological niches in South Korea—the Eurasian Spoonbill overwinters in inland areas, whereas the Black-faced Spoonbill inhabits coastal areas during the summer. Analyses of microsatellite variation revealed no discrete population structure among the five breeding sites but very weak genetic differentiation among geographically distant regions. Assignment tests identified several possible migrants among sites. Our findings suggested that Black-faced Spoonbills from the five breeding sites could be managed as a single population and highlighted the importance of conserving the populations from Maedo, Suhaam, and Namdong reservoir, which are geographically close and have retained high levels of genetic diversity and large populations.     

Possible Female Choice During Copulation in Ozophora baranowskii (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae): Female Behavior, Multiple Copulations, and Sperm Transfer

The remarkable behavior of female Ozophora baranowskii of lightly tapping the male with the hind legs during copulation was studied in relation to multiple copulations, copulation length, and sperm transfer. Multiple copulations did not affect female fecundity, fertility, or longevity. The incidence of tapping was higher in shorter copulations, which did not result in sperm transfer to the female. Female tapping behavior may be a mechanism for choosing between males after copulation has begun.     

Copulation behavior inside and outside the beetleMacrohaltica jamaicensis (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae)

Copulation behavior inMacrohaltica jamaicensis involved a complex, relatively stereotyped series of events both inside and outside the female. Only incomplete sperm transfer occurred in many copulations. Some aspects of male copulatory courtship behavior performed during and following copulation were consistently coordinated with particular stages in sperm transfer. This coordination suggests that copulatory courtship may function to induce critical internal female responses which sometimes do not occur, such as relaxing the bursal muscles to permit deeper penetration, and allowing sperm transfer to occur before the spermatophore is discarded.     

Autumn migration of the White Stork,Ciconia ciconia,and the Black Stork,C. nigra,over the Bosphorus (Aves: Ciconiidae)

The Bosphorus is one of the main migration routes for soaring birds in Europe. Migrating White Storks and Black Storks have been counted at Büyük Çamlica hill in the four autumn seasons of 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 for 78 days each year. The numbers recorded are significantly lower than those counted in the1970’s, and it is discussed whether this decline could be related to a change in migration routes caused by an increase in the size of the urban area of the City of Istanbul. The population of Istanbul has increased from 3.0 million in 1970 to 13.2 million in 2010.     

Hindlimb myology of the monk parakeet (Aves,Psittaciformes)

We studied the hindlimb myology of the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). Like all parrots, it has zygodactyl feet enabling perching, climbing, hanging, moving easily among trees, and handling food. Muscles were described and weighed, and physiological cross‐sectional area (PCSA) of four flexors and one extensor was calculated. In comparison to other muscles, the M. tibialis cranialis and the M. fibularis brevis show increased development and high PCSA values, and therefore, large potential force production. Also, a large proportion of muscle mass was involved in flexing the digits. We hypothesize that these muscle traits are associated with the arboreal locomotion and food manipulation habits. In the monk parakeet, the M. extensor digitorum longus sends a branch to the hallux, and the connection between the M. flexor digitorum longus and the M. flexor hallucis longus is type I (Gadow's classification). We reaffirm the presence of the M. ambiens as a plesiomorphic condition that disappears in most members of the order. Among Psittaciformes, the M. fibularis brevis is stronger and the M. fibularis weaker in arboreal species than in basal terrestrial ones (e.g., Strigops). J. Morphol. 275:732–744, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

A phylogenetic supertree of the fowls (Galloanserae, Aves)

The fowls (Anseriformes and Galliformes) comprise one of the major lineages of birds and occupy almost all biogeographical regions of the world. The group contains the most economically important of all bird species, each with a long history of domestication, and is an ideal model for studying ecological and evolutionary patterns. Yet, despite the relatively large amount of systematic attention fowls have attracted because of their socio‐economic and biological importance, the species‐level relationships within this clade remain controversial. Here we used the supertree method matrix representation with parsimony to generate a robust estimate of species‐level relationships of fowls. The supertree represents one of the most comprehensive estimates for the group to date, including 376 species (83.2% of all species; all 162 Anseriformes and 214 Galliformes) and all but one genera. The supertree was well‐resolved (81.1%) and supported the monophyly of both Anseriformes and Galliformes. The supertree supported the partitioning of Anseriformes into the three traditional families Anhimidae, Anseranatidae, and Anatidae, although it provided relatively poor resolution within Anatidae. For Galliformes, the majority‐rule supertree was largely consistent with the hypothesis of sequential sister‐group relationships between Megapodiidae, Cracidae, and the remaining Galliformes. However, our species‐level supertree indicated that more than 30% of the polytypic genera examined were not monophyletic, suggesting that results from genus‐level comparative studies using the average of the constituent species’ traits should be interpreted with caution until analogous species‐level comparative studies are available. Poorly resolved areas of the supertree reflect gaps or outstanding conflict within the existing phylogenetic database, highlighting areas in need of more study in addition to those species not present on the tree at all due to insufficient information. Even so, our supertree will provide a valuable foundation for understanding the diverse biology of fowls in a robust phylogenetic framework.     

On the phylogenetic relationships of trogons (Aves, Trogonidae)

Although trogons (Aves, Trogonidae) are well characterized by the possession of heterodactyl feet, their phylogenetic relationships to other extant birds still are only poorly understood. Molecular studies did not show conclusive results and there are amazingly few comparative studies of the anatomy of trogons. Virtually the only hypothesis on trogon relationships that was supported with derived morphological characters is a sister group relationship to alcediniform birds (bee-eaters, kingfishers, and allies), which share a derived morphology of the columella (ear-ossicle) with trogons. However, in this study a very similar columella is reported for the oilbird (Steatornithidae) and additional previously unrecognized derived osteological characters are presented, which are shared by trogons and oilbirds. A numerical cladistic analysis of 28 morphological characters also resulted in monophyly of Trogonidae and Steatornithidae, although the corresponding node was not retained in a bootstrap analysis.     

Phylogeny and classification of the Old World Emberizini (Aves, Passeriformes)

The phylogeny of the avian genus Emberiza and the monotypic genera Latoucheornis, Melophus and Miliaria (collectively the Old World Emberizini), as well as representatives for the New World Emberizini, the circumpolar genera Calcarius and Plectrophenax and the four other generally recognized tribes in the subfamily Emberizinae was estimated based on the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene and introns 6-7 of the nuclear ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) gene. Our results support monophyly of the Old World Emberizini, but do not corroborate a sister relationship to the New World Emberizini. Calcarius and Plectrophenax form a clade separated from the other Emberizini. This agrees with previous studies, and we recommend the use of the name Calcariini. Latoucheornis, Melophus and Miliaria are nested within Emberiza, and we therefore propose they be synonymized with Emberiza. Emberiza is divided into four main clades, whose relative positions are uncertain, although a sister relation between a clade with six African species and one comprising the rest of the species (30, all Palearctic) is most likely. Most clades agree with traditional, morphology-based, classifications. However, four sister relationships within Emberiza, three of which involve the previously recognized Latoucheornis, Melophus and Miliaria, are unpredicted, and reveal cases of strong morphological divergence. In contrast, the plumage similarity between adult male Emberiza (formerly Latoucheornis) siemsseni and the nominate subspecies of the New World Junco hyemalis is shown to be the result of parallel evolution. A further case of parallel plumage evolution, between African and Eurasian taxa, is pointed out. Two cases of discordance between the mitochondrial and nuclear data with respect to branch lengths and genetic divergences are considered to be the result of introgressive hybridization.     

The pterolichoid feather mites (Acarina, Astigmata) of the Megapodiidae (Aves, Galliformes)

The pterolichoid feather mites of megapodes are reviewed. Named taxa are briefly discussed and most are figured. The Pterolichidae (Pterolichinae) are: Ascetohchus Perez & Atyeo, three species; Echinozonus Atyeo & Perez, six species; Pereziella Atyeo, two species; and Phycoferus Atyeo & Perez, two species. New pterolichine taxa, with the type species listed first, include: Botryaspis cordiforma gen. et sp.n. and B. cordata gen. et sp.n.; Cycloprotarsus lineatus gen. et sp.n., C. centralis gen. et sp.n. and C. monacrotrichus gen. et sp.n.; Eurypterolichus gen.n. for Pterolichus navicula comb.n. Trouessart & Neumann and E. coniger gen. et sp.n.; Goniodurus gen.n. for Pterolichus ( Pseudalloptes ) quadratus comb.n. Trouessart and G. bilobatus gen. et sp.n.; Haptepigynus gen.n. for Pterolichus ( Pseudalloptes ) tridentiger comb.n. Trouessart and H. holonotus gen. et sp.n.; Heliaspis ventralis gen. et sp.n.; Leipobius ocellatus gen. et sp.n.; Maleolichus maleo gen. et sp.n.; Mayracarus gen.n. for Pterolichus (P.) tritilobus comb.n. Trouessart; Megapodobius arcuatus gen. et sp.n. and M. striatus gen. et sp.n.; Oxygynurus brevissimus gen. et sp.n., O. longicaulis gen. et sp.n., O. mediocaulis gen. et sp.n. and O. parvicaulis gen. et sp. n.; Prionoturus amembranatus gen. et sp. n.; Talegallobius bidentatus gen. et sp.n.; and Tanysomacarus imperfectus gen. et sp.n. and T. brachymeles gen. et sp.n. A new taxon of the Thoracosathesidae is: Thoracosathes caudiculata sp.n. Keys are provided and host- commensal associations are discussed. All taxa are restricted to the Megapodiidae. Cheylabis fuscina Trouessart is assigned to Pereziella and has as a synonym P. dupilcata Atyeo.     

Function of Prolonged Copulation in Nysius huttoni White (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae) Under Male-Biased Sex Ratio and High Population Density

Prolonged copulation as a response to sex ratio and population density has been demonstrated for a number of species but the functions behind it remain controversial. It is difficult to determine the function of prolonged copulations without examining the mechanisms of sperm transfer and storage, and fertilization success–copulation duration relationships. Here, we report our work on a polygamous seed bug, Nysius huttoni White (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae), where we manipulated the population density and sex ratio for a series of mating trials, quantified the relationship between copulation duration and ejaculate amount as well as reproductive outputs, and examined the sperm transfer and storage mechanisms. Our results suggest that males prolong copulations to increase their fertilization success relative to their rivals in response to high sperm competition intensity under male-biased sex ratio and high population density. The mechanism behind the positive correlation between copulation duration and fertilization success may be attributed to the characteristic structures of aedeagus and spermatheca in this insect, which allow direct transfer of sperm to a storage site of fixed size during copulation.     

Geometric morphometrics of the skull of Tinamidae (Aves, Palaeognathae)

The Tinamidae comprise exclusively Neotropical palaegnathous birds, with homogeneous body morphology and no sexual dimorphism. The goal of this work was to explore the variation in skull morphology between taxa and its possible correspondence with features such as diet or gender using geometric morphometric tools. Eleven landmarks were analyzed in 53 skulls of 4 genera that inhabit grasslands: Nothoprocta, Eudromia, Nothura and Rhynchotus. Intrageneric and intergeneric variability was analyzed. The genera studied here can be distinguished based on the geometric shape of their skull, with prenarial region length and neurocranium shape as the most outstanding features. In the genus Eudromia, males and females could be differentiated, while in the genus Nothoprocta, the species differentiated according to their trophic habits. This study allows establishing that genera and, in some cases, the gender of the Tinamidae can be differentiated based on cranial shape.