7. SHORT NOTES

Raseroka, B. H. 1974. Diet of the Hadedah Ibis. Ostrich 45:51-54.

The diet of the Hadedah Ibis in Victoria East, Cape Province is described. 60% of the weight of the diet is composed of animals obtainable from the surface of the soil, indicating that the birds can survive in dry areas where the hardness of the ground would prevent probing for the collection of food.     

BODY MEASUREMENTS,PLUMAGE AND MOULT OF THE SACRED IBIS IN SOUTH AFRICA

Lowe, K. W., Clark, A. & Clark, R. A. 1985. Body measurements, plumage and moult of the Sacred Ibis in South Africa. Ostrich 56: 111–116.

Body measurements, plumage and moult of Sacred Ibis Threskiomas aethiopicus were studied at Pretoria from July 1973 to June 1974. Adult and immature Sacred Ibises are sexually dimorphic in size. Bill length alone can be used to sex most birds. Body mass, wing, tarsus and tail lengths overlap greatly between the sexes but males are generally larger than females. The sexes show similar patterns of variation in body mass and gonad size throughout the year. Juveniles follow a different pattern of variation in these parameters. The plumages of adults, immatures and juveniles are described and compared. There is no sexual dimorphism in plumage pattersn. Moult in adults occurs mainly in the post-breeding period from January to August, and in juveniles and immatures throughout the year. Adult Sacred Ibises have an-extensive, irregular and asymmetrical moult. Factors affecting sexual size dimorphism in African and Australian populations are discussed.     

FOOD OF SACRED IBIS THRESKIORNIS AETHIOPICUS NESTLINGS IN THE FREE STATE PROVINCE,SOUTH AFRICA

Kopij, G., Kok, O. B. & Z. N. Roos 1996 Food of Sacred Ibis Threskiornis aethiopicus nestlings in the Free State province, South Africa. Ostrich. 67:138-143.

A total of 88 regurgitated pellets and 47 stomachs collected from Sacred Ibis chicks was analysed. The bulk of the food consisted of frogs (mainly Rana angolensis and Xenopus laevis), crabs Potamon warreni, larvae of Calliphoridae and Sphingidae and imagos of Coleoptera. Such inorganic materials as gravel, pieces of glass and plastic were also recorded. Analyses of stomach contents showed that during the first 10 days of life the nestlings fed mainly on crabs and the imagos of Coleoptera and later mainly on the larvae of Sphingidae and imagos of Coleoptera. There were marked differences in nestling food between two breeding seasons at the same site. The proportion of larvae of Calliphoridae, pupae and larvae of Sphingidae and frogs was higher in pellets than in stomachs collected during the same breeding season from the same site.     

OBSERVATIONS ON THE BREEDING OF THE GREATER FLAMINGO PHOENICOPTERUS RUBER LINNAEUS IN THE BREDASDORP DISTRICT,SOUTH AFRICA

Clark, R. A. 1979. Seasonal levels of body fat, protein, ash and moisture in the Sacred Ibis. Ostrich 50:129-133.

Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aethiopicus in Pretoria, Transvaal, were analyzed for body composition throughout the year. Body fat levels in adults and immatures were approximately 7% of feather-free empty body mass in the winter. Just prior to breeding the levels of fat were approximately 12% in adults and 6% in immatures. Lowest levels were recorded for adults and immatures in January (3,5%). In contrast to fat, levels of moisture, protein and ash did not appear to vary significantly between seasons.     

COMPARATIVE ETHOLOGY OF THE CICONIIDAE. THE WOOD-STORKS (GENERA MYCTERIA AND IBIS)*

This paper reports on an 11-year study of the comparative behaviour of the four species of wood-storks. All species were studied under natural conditions at breeding colonies in the U.S.A., East Africa, India, and Indonesia. In addition, observations were made on hand-reared young of two species (Mycteria americana and Ibis ibis). Various aspects of signal (display) and non-signal behaviour are described. The most common ritualised display away from the nest is the Forward Threat. At the neBt, the following displays are seen, mainly during courtship and pair-formation: Aerial Clattering Threat, Forward Clattering Threat, Snap Display, Anxiety Stretch, Flying Around, Gaping, Balancing Posture, Swaying Twig-Grasping, Display Preening, Up-Down, and Copulation Clattering. Each of these patterns is described in the text and many of them are illustrated. The four species treated here are similar to each other in most behaviour patterns. They do show some quantitative differences in courtship displays, particularly in the Up-Down, a common “greeting” display shown to the mate at the nest. The behavioural and morphological evidence now available does not justify the separation of M. americana into a monotypic genus, and I suggest that all four wood-storks be combined in the genus Mycteria. Thus, the wood-storks include: M. americana, M. cinerea, M. ibis, and M. leucocephala.     

THE BIRDS OF LIVINGSTONE TOWNSHIP,NORTHERN RHODESIA, 1942–1950

Summary

Clark, R. A. 1979. DDT contamination of the Sacred Ibis. Ostrich 50:134-138.

Samples of fat and brain from Sacred Ibises Threskiornis aethiopicus in Pretoria, Transvaal, were analyzed for organochlorine insecticides. Except for traces of p,p'-DDT only p,p'-DDE was found to occur (means of 28,35 mg/kg wet fat and 0,22 mg/kg wet brain). There was a significant correlation between the concentrations of DDE in the fat and brain of birds (r = 0,53; p ? 0,01). In the period when Sacred Ibises mobilized their fat reserves there was no significant correlation between the level of body fat and the concentration of DDE in either the brain or the remaining body fat.     

Chromosomal location of genes for resistance to powdery mildew in common wheat (Triticum aestivum L. em Thell.) 6. Alleles at the Pm5 locus

Genetic characterization of powdery mildew resistance genes were conducted in common wheat cultivars Hope and Selpek possessing resistance gene Pm5, cvs. Ibis and Kormoran expressing resistance gene Mli, a backcross-derived line IGV 1–455 and a Triticum sphaerococcum var. rotundatum Perc. line Kolandi. Monosomic analyses revealed that one major recessive gene is located on chromosome 7B in the lines IGV 1–455 and Kolandi. Allelism tests of the F₂ and F₃ populations involving the tested resistant lines crossed with either cv. Hope or Selpek indicated that their resistance genes are alleles at the Pm5 locus. The alleles are now designated Pm5a in Hope and Selpek, Pm5b in Ibis and Kormoran, Pm5c in T. sphaerococcum var. rotundatum line Kolandi, and Pm5d in backcross-derived line IGV 1–455, respectively. Received: 5 November 1999 / Accepted: 14 April 2000     

The species of Ibidoecus (Phthiraptera) on Threskiornis (Aves)

The species of Ibidoecus parasitic on the Ibis genus Threskiornis are reviewed-clausus (Giebel), dianae Tandan, insularis sp.n., tandani sp.n., threskiornis Bedford-and a key for their identification presented. The host and geographical distribution of the phthirapteran parasites of this genus are discussed.     

Feeding on the edge: foraging White Ibis target inter‐habitat prey fluxes

Avian population dynamics are influenced by the availability of spatiotemporally variable prey resources, but the conditions producing abundant and accessible prey are not always clear. In the Florida Everglades, wading birds nest in the dry season when receding water levels concentrate prey and facilitate improved foraging efficiency. White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) feed extensively on crayfish in sloughs, and previous studies have demonstrated that crayfish move downgradient from higher elevation, heavily vegetated ridge habitats into adjacent less‐vegetated sloughs when ridges are almost dry. Most White Ibis foraging is thought to occur in sloughs with relatively shallow water (< 19 cm), but crayfish move and their densities peak when water in sloughs is deeper (~ 21–32 cm). We conducted an observational study of White Ibis foraging in drying wetlands to determine if White Ibis restricted their foraging to shallow water or if they foraged in relatively deep water when crayfish were migrating. In a series of large drying wetlands, we used time‐lapse imagery to quantify White Ibis foraging activity over 61 d from February to April 2017 and we also quantified crayfish biomass density in sloughs. Crayfish biomass density peaked when ridges were almost dry. Most White Ibis foraging occurred over 2–3 d when ridges were almost dry and water in sloughs averaged ≥ 29 cm deep. White Ibis selected slough edges for foraging, suggesting that they were capturing crayfish migrating between habitats. Our results point to a new mechanism of prey exploitation driven by inter‐habitat prey flux when ridge habitat dries. Although the results of previous studies suggest that White Ibis will not forage on fish in deeper water (> 25 cm), we found that White Ibis will forage on crayfish in water at those depths. Maintenance of habitat elevational differences and hydro‐patterns that promote crayfish production will be necessary to promote this predator–prey interaction in the ridge‐slough landscape of the Everglades.     

Evolutionary dynamics of hybridization and introgression following the recent colonization of Glossy Ibis (Aves: Plegadis falcinellus) into the New World

Geographic range shifts can cause secondary contact and hybridization between closely related species, revealing mechanisms of species formation and integrity. These dynamics typically play out in restricted geographic regions, but highly vagile species may experience major distributional changes resulting in broad areas of contact. The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a dispersive waterbird of the Old World and Australia that colonized eastern North America in the early 19th century and came into contact with the native White‐faced Ibis (P. chihi). Putative hybrids between the two species have been observed across North America. To examine the population genomic consequences of this natural invasion, we sequenced 4,616 ultraconserved elements from 66 individuals sampled across the distributions of falcinellus, chihi, and the Puna Ibis (P. ridgwayi) of South America. We found genomic differentiation among the three species. Loci with high sequence divergence were often shared across all pairwise species comparisons, were associated with regions of high nucleotide diversity, and were concentrated on the Z chromosome. We detected signals of genetic admixture between chihi and falcinellus in individuals both near and far from their core area of sympatry. Genomic cline analyses revealed evidence of greater introgression into falcinellus from chihi, but we found little evidence for selection against hybrids. We also found signals of admixture between ridgwayi and South American populations of chihi. Our results indicate vagile species can experience pervasive introgression upon secondary contact, although we suggest these dynamics may be more ephemeral than the stable hybrid zones often observed in less dispersive organisms.     

The species of Ardeicola (Phthiraptera) on Threskiornis (Aves)

The species of Ardeicola parasitic on the Ibis genus Threskiornis are reviewed-clayae Brelih, freemani sp.n., ibis Le Souef & Bullen, indicus Brelih, intermedia sp.n., nippon Hajela & Tandan-and a key for their identification is presented. Notes on the affinities of the species and a discussion on the distribution of Ardeicola on Threskiornis are included.     

不同野化训练条件下朱鹮的行为差异

2010年7月至201 1年1月,在陕西省洋县朱鹮生态园和华阳镇朱鹮野化训练基地,采用瞬时扫描取样法和行为取样法,对2处野化训练大网笼中朱鹮(Nipponia nippon)(n洋县=30只;n华阳=22只)的行为进行研究,同时调查2处大网笼野化训练条件的不同.结果表明,在觅食行为的时间分配中,秋季洋县群的划动寻觅、探...     

Use of exotic conifers as nesting sites by Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis) in an urban area of southern Chile

We studied the influence of seven habitat variables, including tree species, for nesting by the Black-faced Ibis (Theristicus melanopis melanopis) in an urban area of southern Chile. Variables were compared between 30 trees with nests and 30 randomly selected trees without nests. Nests were found in big trees with large diameters and heights. However, the only variable found to have a significant effect on site selection was tree species, which explained 57.9% of data variability (deviance) and suggested a selection of exotic conifers, mainly Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). Tree species and tree diameter also had significant effects upon the number of nests per tree, jointly explaining 68.9% of data deviance. Our results suggest that in urban environments the Black-faced Ibis uses larger trees that provide greater nest stability and protection.     

A REINTERPRETATION OF THE ONTOGENY OF THE ASCOCARP OF SPECIES OF THE ERYSIPHACEAE

A study of four species of Erysiphaceae (Uncinula salicis, Podosphaera leucotricha, Erysiphe cichoracearum, and Microsphaera diffusa) revealed that the binucleate stages of the ascocarp are initiated in a similar manner to those of Diporotheca rhizophila Gordon & Shaw. The “appendages” developing on immature ascocarps are considered to be receptive hyphae. Appendages characteristic of mature ascocarps are produced much later. Lysis of certain centrum cells occurs, and asci are initiated from some of the remaining binucleate centrum cells. Resorption of centrum cells by the asci is supported by this investigation, corroborating Björling's earlier studies on Erysiphe graminis.     

THE EFFECT OF ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABILITY ON THE HERITABILITIES OF TRAITS OF A FIELD CRICKET

The presence of heritable variation in traits is a prerequisite for evolution. The great majority of heritability (h²) estimates are performed under laboratory conditions that are characterized by low levels of environmental variability. Very little is known about the effect of environmental variability on the estimation of components of quantitative variation, although theoretical extrapolations from lab studies have been attempted. Here we investigate the effects of environmental heterogeneity on variance component estimation using full-sib families of Gryllus pennsylvanicus split between a homogeneous laboratory environment and a more variable field environment. Although large standard errors prevent demonstration of statistically significant differences among h² of traits measured in the two environments for all but one trait, the values of h² are, on average, lower in the variable field environment, with a mean reduction of 19%. Developmental time is an exception, exhibiting high levels of additive variance in the field, leading to a higher value of h² in the variable environment. Underlying the lower field h² estimates are greater components of environmental variance as expected, as well as lower components of genetic variance. In this study, there is no evidence that the increase in the environmental component of variance in the field is any more important in the reduction of h² than is the decrease in the additive genetic component. The implications of the relative changes in the two components of variance are discussed.     

THE SEPARATION OF NINE SPECIES OF THE IRIDACEAE BY PAPER CHROMATOGRAPHY

Riley , H. P., and T. R. Bryant . (U. Kentucky, Lexington.) The separation of nine species of the Iridaceae by paper chromatography. Amer. Jour. Bot. 48(2): 133–137, Illus. 1961.—Chromatograms were made from small pieces of the root tip of 9 species of 4 genera of the Iridaceae. Under ultraviolet light, the patterns of Watsonia ardernei and W. vanderspuyae were almost identical which suggests that they are closely related species. On the basis of chromatographic patterns, W. fourcadei apparently is not so closely related to them but is rather closely related to W. wilmaniae; W. pyramidata and W. wordsworthiana are less closely related to the other species. The patterns of Dietes grandiflora, Babiana bainesii and Sparaxis aureum are strikingly different from one another and from those of the species of Watsonia.     

THE ORGANIZATION OF THE VASCULAR SYSTEM IN THE STEMS OF THE NYMPHAEACEAE. III. VICTORIA AND EURYALE

Organization of the stem vascular system was analyzed in Victoria species and Euryale ferox. The stem vascular system consists of a number of concentrically-organized continuing axial stem bundles. At the node each leaf is supplied with a root trace, two lateral leaf traces, and a median leaf trace. A peduncle fusion bundle is also present at each node. The peduncle fusion bundle supplies vascular tissue to the median leaf trace and to the peduncle trace. Flowers are nonmedian axillary but have specific vascular, spatial, and developmental relationships to leaves in a manner that resembles the genus Nymphaea. On the basis of the analysis of the stem vascular system, Victoria and Euryale are more similar to each other than to Nymphaea. However, the vascular system in Victoria and Euryale is similar enough to Nymphaea to suggest that Nymphaea, Victoria, and Euryale form a natural taxon of unique angiosperms. The organization of the stem vascular system in Victoria and Euryale is dicotyledonous.     

MOLECULAR EVIDENCE FOR THE ORIGIN OF THE S-DERIVED GENOMES OF POLYPLOID TRITICUM SPECIES

The genus Triticum includes several polyploid species that arose due to hybridization between two or more diploid species. Section Sitopsis is comprised of five diploid species given the genome designation S. Four polyploid species are recognized that contain an S or S-derived genome. We have used two repetitive DNA sequences found primarily in the S genomes of Triticum to determine the likely diploid progenitors of the polyploid species. Comparison of restriction fragments that hybridize to probes for these sequences suggests that T. speltoides is distinct from other members of section Sitopsis (i.e., T. longissimum, T. bicorne, T. searsii, and T. sharonense). The S-derived genome of T. aestivum is more closely related to T. speltoides than to the other Sitopsis diploids. The restriction fragment pattern of T. timopheevii is 98% identical to that of T. speltoides, while those of T. kotschyi and T. syriacum are identical to the group of diploids represented by T. longissimum, T. bicorne, T. searsii, and T. sharonense. Our results are compatible with previous molecular and biochemical data regarding relationships among Triticum species containing an S or S-derived genome.     

朱鹮卵壳的微观结构和成分研究

本文首次对世界珍禽——朱鹮的卵壳在电子显微镜下的微观结构进行了研究;对卵壳中的26种无机元素进行了定量分析。根据两巢卵壳所含有害元素的对比,以及两巢区土壤中有害元素含量对照情况,指出保护朱鹮自然种群、研究其环境因子,刻不容缓。     

基于人工巢试验分析黄腹角雉巢卵捕食者

2007年至今,我国在陕西宁陕、铜川和千阳,以及河南董寨和浙江德清初步建立了朱鹮(Nipponia nippon)野化放归种群。鸟类的繁殖行为是其生活史策略的重要组成部分,可以反映动物个体的营养状态、所处栖息地的质量,以及对栖息地的适应等。本文报道浙江德清朱鹮野化放归种群的繁殖行为,旨在了解其在我国南方的适应情况,为最终建立中国朱鹮南方种群提供科学支撑。本研究于2018年4和5月及2020年3至5月对浙江德清野化放归朱鹮的3个繁殖巢进行实时监测,记录孵卵期和育雏期繁殖行为,总记录时长为134 d,有效数据时长为2 958 h。利用线性混合模型探究朱鹮衔巢材频率、孵卵期以及育雏期行为的影响因子,采用Spearman相关分析检验朱鹮翻卵频率与孵卵进程的关系,建立Logistic回归模型探究朱鹮亲鸟暖雏时长随雏鸟日龄的变化情况,并利用one-way ANOVA分析德清朱鹮与陕西洋县野生种群和其他野化放归种群的换巢频率差异。结果表明,德清朱鹮平均窝卵数3.7 ± 0.3,孵化成功率90.9%,雏鸟出飞率100.0%;繁殖的不同时期、营巢条件和亲鸟性别均显著影响朱鹮的衔巢材频率;朱鹮的翻卵频率随孵卵进程显著下降;亲鸟的暖雏时长在雏鸟11日龄时下降率最大;育雏的不同时期对朱鹮的暖雏时长、换巢频率以及喂雏频率有极显著的影响;环境温度较高可能是导致德清朱鹮比洋县野生种群提前产卵的原因之一;较高的平均窝卵数与出飞成功率表明,朱鹮对我国南方的栖息地较为适应。鉴于本研究发现利用人工巢筐营巢的亲鸟花费更多时间补充巢材,表明人工巢筐的结构和大小有必要优化,建议在今后设计时加大筐壁仰角并减小深度、扩大外径,使人工巢筐更接近于自然巢的盘状结构,同时,应将巢筐底部设计成多孔透气、利于排水的结构,以适应我国长江中下游地区湿热多雨的气候。