scholarly journals Preferential Begging Responses of Shiny Cowbirds to the Conspecific Chatter Call

2022 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ignacio Crudele ◽  
Juan C. Reboreda ◽  
Vanina D. Fiorini
Keyword(s):  
Negative Control ◽  
Troglodytes Aedon ◽  
Brood Parasites ◽  
Specific Signal ◽  
House Wrens ◽  
Conspecific Recognition ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Unique Species ◽  
Similar Intensity ◽  
Positive Controls

Avian brood parasites lay their eggs into the nests of other species, which incubate them and raise the chicks until their independence. Despite living their early weeks of life surrounded by heterospecifics, young brood parasites have the ability to recognize and associate to conspecifics after independence. It has been proposed that the initial conspecific recognition develops when a young parasite encounters a unique species-specific signal that triggers the learning of other aspects of the producer of the signal. For cowbirds (Molothrus spp.), this species-specific signal is hypothesized to be the chatter call. Young birds also could express auditory biases, which in some cases lead to discrimination in favor of conspecific songs. Therefore, the perceptual selectivity for chatters might be also present in nestlings. Our aim was to assess if nestlings of the shiny cowbird (M. bonariensis) present a preferential begging response to conspecific chatter calls. We evaluated if they respond more to the parasitic vocalization than host chicks and if they respond more to the chatter than to heterospecific nonhost calls. We tested shiny cowbird chicks reared by chalk-browed mockingbirds (Mimus saturninus) or house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) and host chicks, as control species. We randomly presented to 6-day-old chicks the following playback treatments: (1) conspecific chatter calls, (2) host calls, used as positive controls, and (3) nonhost calls, used as negative control. We measured if chicks begged during the playback treatments and the begging intensity. When responding to the playback of chatter calls, shiny cowbird chicks begged at a higher frequency and more intensively than host chicks. Shiny cowbird chicks reared by mockingbirds begged more intensively to playbacks of conspecific chatter calls than to host calls, while those reared by wrens begged with a similar intensity to playbacks of conspecific chatter and host calls. On the contrary, wren nestlings begged more intensively to playbacks of the wren call than to chatter calls. Mockingbird nestlings did not beg during any treatment. None of the three species begged during the playback of nonhost calls. Our results show that the chatter call produced a preferential begging response in cowbird nestlings, which may be the beginning of a process of conspecific recognition.

scholarly journals First Report of the Nivalenol Chemotype of Fusarium graminearum Causing Head Blight of Wheat in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg

Plant Disease ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
pp. 1217-1217 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Pasquali ◽  
F. Giraud ◽  
C. Brochot ◽  
L. Hoffmann ◽  
T. Bohn
Keyword(s):  
Fusarium Graminearum ◽  
Aerial Mycelium ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Head Blight ◽  
First Report ◽  
Low Levels ◽  
Species Specific ◽  
Control Water ◽  
Positive Controls

Head blight caused by Fusarium graminearum is one of the major diseases of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in Luxembourg (2) and there is concern for mycotoxins in diseased grain. Isolates of F. graminearum have been assigned to chemotypes based on the particular toxins produced. Ten wheat fields representing different topoclimatological areas of Luxembourg were surveyed in 2007 and 2008 to determine the frequency and distribution of chemotypes. Partially blighted wheat heads were collected, and diseased grains were plated on Fusarium-selective agar (dichloran-chloramphenicol-peptone) for 12 days at 22 ± 2°C with a 12-h light period. Monoconidial isolates of F. graminearum (79 in 2007 and 85 in 2008) were obtained by conidia dilution on 2% water agar and needle selection under a microscope. F. graminearum isolates showed rapid growth on potato dextrose agar, dense aerial mycelium with red pigment deposits in the plate, macroconidia with five to six defined septa, and a basal cell with the typical foot shape. Microconidia were absent. To confirm species identification, a PCR reaction was carried out using the F. graminearum species-specific primers Fg16F (5′-CTCCGGATATGTTGCGTCAA-3′) and Fg16R (5′-GGTAGGTATCCGACATGGCAA-3′) according to Demeke et al. (1). Chemotype of each isolate was determined according to Ward et al. (4). In particular, PCR primer 12CON (5′ CATGAGCATGGTGATGTC-3′) coupled with primer 12NF (5′-TCTCCTCGTTGTATCTGG-3′) and primer 3CON (5′-TGGCAAAGACTGGTTCAC-3′) coupled with primer 3NA (5′-GTGCACAGAATATACGAGC-3′) identified the nivalenol chemotype, primer 12CON coupled with primer 12-15F (5′-TACAGCGGTCGCAACTTC-3′) and primer 3CON coupled with primer 3D15A (5′-ACTGACCCAAGCTGCCATC-3′) identified the 15-acetylated deoxynivalenol (DON) chemotype, while primer 12CON coupled with primer 12-3F (5′-CTTTGGCAAGCCCGTGCA-3′) and primer 3CON coupled with primer 3D3A (5′-CGCATTGGCTAACACATG-3′) identified 3-acetylated DON chemotype. Reactions were repeated two times and positive controls (provided by Kerry O'Donnell, NRRL collection, Peoria, IL) and a negative control (water) were used in each reaction. Frequency of the nivalenol chemotype was found to be 2.5% in 2007 and 1% in 2008. Interestingly, the nivalenol chemotype was absent in southern Luxembourg. According to this finding, nivalenol was likely to be present at low levels in grain from Reisdorf and Echternach in 2007 (central Luxembourg) and in 2008 from grain of Troisvierges (northern Luxembourg). The remaining isolates in both years belonged to the 15-acetylated DON chemotype and the 3-acetylated DON chemotype was not detected. Compared with a previous report from the Netherlands (3), the nivalenol chemotype in Luxembourg is less frequent and widespread. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the nivalenol chemotype of F. graminearum causing head blight on wheat in Luxembourg. References:(1) T. Demeke et al. Int. J. Food Microbiol. 103:271, 2005. (2) F. Giraud et al. Plant Dis. 92:1587, 2008. (3) C. Waalwijk et al. Eur. J. Plant Pathol. 109:743, 2003. (4) T. J. Ward et al. Fung. Genet. Biol. 45:473, 2008.

scholarly journals Flight-call as species-specific signal in South American parrots and the effect of species relatedness in call similarity

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 143-151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carlos B. de Araújo ◽  
Paulo A. M. Marques ◽  
Jacques M. E. Vielliard
Keyword(s):  
South American ◽  
Specific Signal ◽  
As Species ◽  
Species Specific

Female Attraction To Male Song in House Wrens (Troglodytes Aedon)

Behaviour ◽  
1996 ◽  
Vol 133 (5-6) ◽  
pp. 357-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
William A. Searcy ◽  
L. Scott Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Evidence ◽  
Empty Nest ◽  
Troglodytes Aedon ◽  
Nest Box ◽  
Male Song ◽  
Visit Rate ◽  
House Wrens ◽  
Female Attraction ◽  
Male House

AbstractThis study tested the hypothesis that the song of male birds can function to attract mates. At 11 different locations on our Wyoming study area, we broadcast the song of male house wrens (Troglodytes aedon) from a loudspeaker mounted next to an empty nest box in an unoccupied wren territory. The number of female wrens attracted to the 'speaker box' was compared to the number visiting a silent, control box on another, unoccupied territory nearby. Females visited speaker boxes at a significantly higher rate than they visited control boxes. Ten females visited speaker boxes in six different trials during periods when no male was associated with either the speaker or control box (total time = 45.5 h; visit rate = 0.22/h). In contrast, only one female visited a control box during these same periods (= 0.02 visits/h), and she did so after first visiting the speaker box. Two females visited the speaker box simultaneously in some trials and chasing or fighting always ensued. Many females showed signs of settling permanently at speaker boxes, remaining at speaker boxes from their arrival to the end of the trial (> 5 h in two cases), and most began constructing nests in boxes, despite the absence of a male. In summary, this study provides strong experimental evidence that the song of male house wrens can function to attract mates for breeding.

Do House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) add spider egg cases to their nests for heterospecific cleaning?

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56
Author(s):  
C.L. Gable ◽  
T.J. Underwood ◽  
G.P. Setliff
Keyword(s):  
Dna Barcoding ◽  
Body Condition ◽  
Significant Relationship ◽  
The Body ◽  
Troglodytes Aedon ◽  
House Wren ◽  
Late Season ◽  
House Wrens ◽  
Significant Difference

House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon Vieillot, 1809) regularly add spider egg cases (Arachnida: Araneae) to their nests, which may be an example of heterospecific cleaning. This behavior involves one animal employing another to remove parasites from their nests. In House Wren nests, juvenile spiders hatching from egg cases may facilitate the reduction of mites that feed on nestlings. We tested this ectoparasite reduction hypothesis by monitoring House Wren nests for spider egg cases and by collecting completed nests to compare the number of spider egg cases and Dermanyssus hirundinis (Hermann, 1804) mites. No significant relationship was found between the number of spider egg cases and number of D. hirundinis mites in nests. We also found no significant relationship between the number of D. hirundinis mites in nests and the body condition of nestlings. Finally, no significant difference was found between the number of D. hirundinis mites in early versus late season nests, but significantly more spider egg cases were added to late season nests. Of a subsample of spider egg cases dissected, we found that 28% contained spider eggs or embryos. We also identified three species of juvenile spiders from House Wren nests using DNA barcoding. Overall, we found no evidence that spider egg cases reduce the number of D. hirundinis mites or engender better quality offspring in House Wren nests.

scholarly journals IMMUNOMODULATORY EFFECT OF A MIXTURE OF WATER EXTRACTS OF BETEL (PIPER BETLE L.) LEAF AND (UNCARIA GAMBIR ROXB.) GAMBIER ON PHAGOCYTIC CELLS AND MODULATION ON PHOSPHATASE ENZYME OF MICE

2019 ◽  
pp. 203-207
Author(s):  
MUHAMMAD YANIS MUSDJA ◽  
AMINAH NURHADIYAH ◽  
ZILHALDIA ◽  
ANDRIA AGUSTA
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Tests ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Immunomodulatory Effect ◽  
Piper Betle ◽  
Phagocytic Cells ◽  
Water Extracts ◽  
Macrophage Cells ◽  
Phagocytosis Activity ◽  
Phosphatase Enzyme ◽  
Positive Controls

Objective: This study was to determine the immunomodulatory effect of a mixture of water extracts of betel (Piper betle L.) leaf and (Uncaria gambir Roxb.) gambier on phagocytic cells and modulation on phosphatase enzyme of mice. Methods: Mixture of extracts of betel leaf and gambier (ratio, 429:71) was given to seven groups of mice for 14 days with doses of 100, 200, and 400 mg/kg body weight (BW). Two kinds of immunomodulatory drug in syrup form commonly used in the treatment of infectious were used as positive controls. The peritoneal fluid of mice containing macrophage cells was isolated by performing surgery. Immunomodulatory effect was done by calculating the number of phagocytosis activity and capacity of macrophage cells of mice, and measurement of phosphatase enzyme was done using a spectrophotometer ultraviolet visible on λ=405 nm, after 1 h intraperitoneal injection Staphylococcus epidermidis on each group of mice. Immunomodulatory effects of each group of a mixture of extract were compared with negative control, normal control, and positive controls. Results: The result showed that doses administered 200 mg/kg BW of mixture extract most efficacy for both phagocytosis activity and phagocytosis capacity as well as for the results of testing for phosphatase enzyme. Based on statistical tests, it was significantly different (p≤0.05), if compared with negative controls and normal controls but not significantly different, if compared to positive controls (p≥0.05). Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it has been obtained that a mixture of water extracts of betel (P. betle L.) leaf and (U. gambir Roxb.) gambier with a dose of 200 mg/kg BW is very potential to be used as an immunomodulatory.

Survival of Macrobrachium amazonicum embryos submitted to cooling

Zygote ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 288-295 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur Vinícius Lourenço Ferreira ◽  
Moisés Fernandes Martins ◽  
Míriam Luzia Nogueira Martins de Sousa ◽  
Aldeney Andrade Soares Filho ◽  
Célia Maria de Souza Sampaio
Keyword(s):  
Survival Rate ◽  
Storage Time ◽  
Survival Rates ◽  
Negative Control ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Treatment Groups ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Macrobrachium Amazonicum ◽  
Cryoprotectant Solution ◽  
Positive Controls

SummaryCooling techniques have several applications for reproduction in aquaculture. However, few studies have sought to create protocols for cooling and cryopreservation of Macrobrachium amazonicum embryos. Thus, the objective of this work was to verify the survival of M. amazonicum embryos and the correlation between embryonic volume and mortality of M. amazonicum embryos after cooling. Embryo pools were collected from three females and divided into two treatment groups: dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 3% and ethylene glycol (EG) 0.5%, both of them associated with 2 M sucrose. Positive and negative control groups consisted of seawater 10%. Aliquots of 10 µg of embryos were placed in Falcon® tubes containing a cryoprotectant solution and submitted directly to the test temperature of 2°C for 2 and 6 h of cooling. Further analysis of survival and embryonic volume were performed under a stereoscopic microscope. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), and means were compared using the Tukey test at 5%. The highest embryonic survival rate was observed after the shortest storage time for both the DMSO 3% and the 0.5% EG groups, with survival rates of 84.8 ± 3.9 and 79.7 ± 2.8%, respectively. There was a reduction in survival after 24 h, with the DMSO 3% group presenting a survival rate of 71.7 ± 6.6%, and the EG 0.5% group, 66 ± 6.9%. Survival showed a statistically significant difference when compared with the positive controls after 2 h and 24 h of cooling, with 99 ± 0.5% and 95.8 ± 1.5% survival rates, respectively. There was no significant statistical difference in the embryonic volume, but it was possible to observe a change in the appearance of the embryos, from a translucent coloration to an opaque white or brownish coloration, after 24 h in incubators. Thus, it can be concluded that survival is inversely proportional to storage time and that, although there was no change in the embryonic volume after cooling, a change in the appearance of embryos could be observed.

Natal and Breeding Dispersal in House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon)

The Auk ◽  
1988 ◽  
Vol 105 (3) ◽  
pp. 480-491 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nancy E. Drilling ◽  
Charles F. Thompson
Keyword(s):  
Reproductive Success ◽  
Natal Dispersal ◽  
Breeding Dispersal ◽  
Adult Males ◽  
Troglodytes Aedon ◽  
Grid Pattern ◽  
Breeding Sites ◽  
House Wrens ◽  
Previous Season ◽  
Central Illinois

Abstract We studied the natal and breeding dispersal of yearling and adult House Wrens (Troglodytes aedon) for 7 yr in central Illinois. The forested study areas contained 910 identical nest boxes placed in a grid pattern. On average 38.1% (n = 643) of the adult males and 23.3% (n = 1,468) of the adult females present in one year returned the next; 2.8% (n = 6,299) of the nestlings that survived to leave the nest returned each year. Adult male (median distance = 67 m) and adult female (median = 134 m) breeding dispersal was less than yearling male (median = 607.5 m) and yearling female (median = 674 m) natal dispersal. Females that returned had produced more offspring the previous season than had nonreturning females, and females that successfully produced at least one chick in their last nesting attempt of the previous season moved shorter distances than did unsuccessful females. There were, however, no consistent differences between returning and nonreturning females in two other measures of reproductive success. Females that were unsuccessful in their last breeding attempt of the previous year were more likely to be successful in their next attempt if they moved two or more territories than if they did not move. Reproductive success did not affect the likelihood that a male would return nor the distance that he moved. The success of subsequent nesting attempts by males was also not related to the distance moved. Inbreeding avoidance may explain differences between breeding and natal dispersal, but it does not explain the lack of difference in dispersal of yearling females and males. Differences between adult and yearling dispersal are best explained by advantages accruing to adults that remain near former breeding sites and by the necessity for yearlings to move farther because of their late return from the wintering grounds. The advantages for adults to reoccupy previous breeding sites are counterbalanced, especially in females, by advantages associated with moving after breeding failure.

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