An Evaluation of Diazacon as a Potential Contraceptive in Non-Native Rose-Ringed Parakeets

ABSTRACT Rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri) have become widely established outside their native range through accidental or deliberate release. Potential economic impacts on agriculture, conservation concerns, and mixed public opinion regarding the species have highlighted the need to develop effective but humane management options. Fertility control might provide such a solution if a safe and environmentally benign contraceptive was available. The chemical 20,25-diazacholesterol dihydrochloride (diazacon) has previously been used to reduce reproductive output in avian species through reduction of blood cholesterol and cholesterol-dependent reproductive hormones. We orally dosed captive rose-ringed parakeets with a solution of either 9 mg/kg or 18 mg/kg of diazacon for up to 10 days and found that a dose of 18 mg/kg for 10 days temporarily reduced blood cholesterol levels with no adverse side effects. We evaluated this dose level in a captive population in semi-natural conditions during the 2008 breeding season and found a significant decrease in fertility. We concluded that diazacon has potential for fertility control in this species if a suitable formulation and delivery system is developed for free-living populations.     

牡丹鹦鹉(Psittacula agapornis)的鸣声发育

牡丹鹦鹉的鸣声发育分为5个时期。0￣12d为先天性鸣声期,鸣声特征为以基本音(BS)为主音的单音节单音调声,声长短。13￣30d为空白模板形成期,鸣声特征为以基本音为主音的多音节单音调声,声长和音量显著性增加,表明发声学习通路开始形成。31￣45d为鸣声模板形成期,鸣声特征为以第1陪音(UP)1为主音的多音节单变调声,声长和音量显著性增加,主音频提升约920音分,涵盖的律音数增加1倍,表明发声学习模板逐渐形成,发声学习开始。46￣90 d为鸣声反馈学习期,鸣声特征为以BS和UP1为主音的双变调声,声长和音量显著性增加,主音频涵盖的律音数增加2.6￣3.0倍,第2主音频提升约970音分,表明稳定模板逐渐形成,短期记忆逐渐向长期记忆转化。91d后为完美鸣声期,鸣声特征为以UP1为主音的复合变音调声,声长、音量、主音频的提升和涵盖的律音数都趋于平稳,鸣声稳定而和谐,表明发声运动通路基本形成。这些结果可为进一步揭示鸟类发声学习记忆机制提供直接的声学证据。     

Research and conservation of the larger parrots of Africa and Madagascar: a review of knowledge gaps and opportunities

Parrot populations in Africa and Madagascar are declining and the need for conservation actions to address threats is increasingly recognised. Effective conservation requires a robust knowledge base on which decisions over appropriate actions can be made, yet at present there is no current and readily accessible synthesis of the status of populations, the threats they face and knowledge gaps. Here we begin to address this shortfall for the larger species in the region belonging to the genera Coracopsis, Poicephalus, Psittacus and Psittacula. We review developments since the production of the IUCN Parrot Action Plan published in 2000, identify areas where critical knowledge is lacking and highlight opportunities to address them. While advances have been made over the last decade, progress has not been evenly spread, with a strong bias towards populations in southern Africa. To date much research has focused on describing aspects of ecology and behaviour and there remains a need for studies determining the current status of populations and the factors limiting distributions and abundance. This review aims to provide a basis upon which progress towards an improved understanding of the conservation needs of the larger parrots of Africa and Madagascar can be made.     

Estimates of the Daily Phase and Amplitude of the Endogenous Component of the Circadian Rhythm of Core Temperature in Sedentary Humans Living Nychthemerally

Fifteen healthy female subjects were studied for eight days while living conventionally. Subjects were free to choose the ways they spent their time within a framework of regular times of retiring and rising; in practice, much of the waking time was spent in sedentary activities. Nine of the subjects were aware of the natural light-dark cycle, this approximating to a 12:12 L:D schedule at the time of year when the study took place. Before the study, subjects were assessed for their degree of "morningness" by questionnaire; throughout the study, they wore a rectal probe, and an activity meter on their non-dominant wrist. The timing (phase) and amplitude of the circadian rectal temperature rhythm were assessed on each day by cosinor analysis as well as by a me thod based on visual inspection of the data. These two parameters were also assessed after the temperature data for each day had been "purified" by a number of methods. From these results it was possible to investigate the effect of purification upon the amplitude of the circadian rhythm of temperature. Also, the day-by-day variability of phase, and the relationship between morningness and phase, were compared using these methods of phase estimation, and using cross-correlation between data sets from adjacent days; in all cases, raw and purified temperature data were used. There was a significantly greater amount of daily variation in phase using purified rather than raw data sets, and this difference was present with all methods of purification as well as with all methods for estimating phase. Purifi cation decreased the amplitude of the circadian temperature rhythm by about 30%. Finally, there was a significant correlation between the morningness score of the subjects and the phase of the circadian temperature rhythm, the phase becoming earlier with increasing morningness; when this relationship was re-examined using purified data, it became more marked. These results reflect the masking effects exerted upon raw temperature data by lifestyle. The extent to which the purification methods enable the endogenous component of a circadian rhythm – and, by implication, the output of the endogenous circadian oscillator – to be estimated in subjects living normally is addressed.     

笼养大紫胸鹦鹉的活动时间分配

研究了笼养大紫胸鹦鹉的行为活动和时间分配。结果表明：笼养大紫胸鹦鹉一天中除静栖外,其余各行为所占时间比例在中午较小,而在早晚较大;在一年中不同月份间各种行为活动所占时间比例也有变化,呈明显的年周期和日节律;节律变化与日出、日落时间、季节、温度等变化有关。大紫胸鹦鹉各种行为活动所占比例分别为静栖４５．５５％、身体护理１６．６６％、取食１４．５１％、运动１０．６０％、在巢８．９８％、繁殖２．５５％、社     

Establishment success of invasive ring‐necked and monk parakeets in Europe

Aim Invasive alien species are a growing threat to biodiversity, and identifying the mechanisms that enable these species to establish viable populations in their new environment is paramount for management of the problems they pose. Using an unusually large number of both failed and successful documented introductions of parakeets (Aves: Psittacidae) in Europe, we test two of the major hypotheses on the establishment success of invading species, namely the climate‐matching and the human‐activity hypothesis. Location European human population centres where ring‐necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri) and/or monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) introductions have occurred. Methods Data on ring‐necked and monk parakeet introductions in Europe were gathered from various sources, including published books and articles, but also from unpublished reports and local grey literature. Information was verified with experts from the region under consideration. In order to test the climate‐matching hypothesis, we verified whether the climatic factors that determine the parakeets’ native ranges also explain establishment success in Europe. Parakeet occurrence data from the native ranges were analysed using the presence‐only modelling method Maxent , and correlations between parakeet establishment and climatic and anthropogenic variables in Europe were assessed using both stepwise logistic regression and the information‐theoretic model selection approach. Results The establishment success of ring‐necked and monk parakeets was found to be positively associated with human population density, and, both in the native and in the introduced regions, parakeet occurrence was negatively correlated with the number of frost days. Thus, parakeets are more likely to establish in warmer and human‐dominated areas. Main conclusions The large number of independent parakeet introductions in Europe allows us to test the often‐used climate‐matching and human‐activity hypotheses at the species level. We show that both hypotheses offer insight into the invasion process of monk and ring‐necked parakeets. Our results suggest that, in the future, parakeet establishment probability may increase even further because global warming is likely to cause a decrease in the number of frost days and because urbanization and human populations are still increasing.     

Distribution and population development of introduced Ring-necked Parakeets Psittacula krameri in Britain between 1983 and 1998

Capsule Of the three subpopulations, only the one west of London was increasing, with little spread.

Aims To investigate the distribution and population dynamics of feral Ring-necked Parakeets in Great Britain.

Methods County bird report records (from 1983–95) were collated and analysed to determine distribution and population trends. Roost counts were undertaken monthly from September 1996 to September 1998 to determine minimum population counts and trends.

Results The parakeets were distributed in three subpopulations: west of London, southeast London and in Thanet, Kent. The total population increased during the period, with little spread, except for a slight westward range expansion. Flock size did not increase, and population growth was only apparent from maximum counts at communal roosts. The roosts were largest in the early autumn when, in each of the three years, minimum total population counts were obtained. The west of London population was large and growing, while the southeast London and Thanet populations were smaller and not increasing. The yearly total population counts were 1508, 1880 and 2060.

Conclusion The population is still relatively small and range expansion is slow, suggesting that agricultural areas are not yet threatened by this potential pest species.     

Dynamic species distribution models reveal spatiotemporal habitat shifts in native range‐expanding versus non‐native invasive birds in an urban area

Urbanisation as a major driver of changes leads to the extinction of some species while others increase in abundance, especially non‐native species. Spatiotemporal distribution patterns of these successful species are likely to be shaped by their response and tolerance to urban features. This study assesses the anthropo‐ecological requirements of two co‐occurring bird species, the native range‐shifting jackdaw Corvus monedula and the non‐native invasive ring‐necked parakeet Psittacula krameri. We built yearly models over an eight‐year period using an ensemble modelling approach assessing response differences through time and between species. Predictors describing human‐made structures, socio‐ecological proxies and resources availability were extracted from temporally coincident databases. Dispersal and habitat constraints were implemented in final models to provide more realistic forecasts of species future distributions. Ensemble models evaluated with a random partition of the training dataset showed a higher accuracy than those evaluated with an independent dataset from another time period. Our results highlight temporal variations in the relative importance of predictors for both studied species. Single‐season occurrence data may thus be insufficient to characterize species ecological requirements. The ring‐necked parakeet and the jackdaw showed different responses to urban features. Jackdaws preferred the more urbanized part of the city while the distribution of parakeets was strongly positively associated with the density of exotic ornamental trees. We concluded that ring‐necked parakeet range expansion is likely to be driven by its effective ability to exploit urban resources which native species do not or under exploit, suggesting an open window of foraging opportunities. However, the jackdaw may be misled by a high cavity availability and a large amount of low‐quality anthropogenic food in the urban core. We suggest that dynamic SDMs are a critical tool not only to forecast the future expansion of invasive species but also for a better understanding of processes driving urban biodiversity persistence.