Sublethal toxicity of carbofuran in cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus): hematological, biochemical, and histopathological alterations

This study was aimed to investigate Carbofuran (CF)-induced pathological changes in cattle egret. Two hundred cattle egrets were reared and equally divided into four groups and given different CF concentrations (0.03 mg/L, 0.02 mg/L, 0.01 mg/L and 0 mg/L (control group)). Hematology, serum biochemistry, histopathology, and immunological markers were studied. Our results confirm that CF induces anemic conditions, leukocytosis, elevated liver enzymatic activity, and alterations in renal biomarkers. Moreover, specific microscopic lesions such as multifocal necrosis, pyknotic nuclei, hemorrhages, congestion, and inflammatory cell proliferation were observed in the liver, kidney, spleen, and thymus. These findings suggest that CF can induce harmful effects, so the application of this pesticide in the field must be strictly monitored to mitigate the possibility of exposure to non-target species.

Population Status and Habitat Requirement of Endangered Migratory Waterfowl of Patisar Lake, Bahawalpur, Pakistan

Patisar lake is an important wetland for migratory birds in mid-winter which is located in the center of the Lal Suhanra National Park of Bahawalpur, Pakistan. In this study Patisar lake has been explored to find out the endangered bird species. We used a map, a pencil, a notebook, a watch that is used to show seconds and binoculars for the census. Point counting system is used for the monitoring of birds and their habitat requirement was also measured. Result of the study indicated that these population belonging to 6 different orders, 10 different families, 18 genera and 32 different species of waterfowl were observed (1) Podicipediformes iPodicipedidae; iTachybaptus iruficollis), (2) Pelecaniformes (Family: Phalacrocoridae; Phalacrocorax iniger; P. carbo; Family; Anhingidae, Anhinga melanogaster), (3) Ciconiiformes (Family: Ardeidae, Ardea cinerea, A. purpurea, Ardeola grayii, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta alba, E. garzetta, E. intermedia), (4) Anseriformes (Family: Anatidae; Anas acuta, A. crecca, A. platyrhynchos, A. strepera, A. penelope, A. clypeata, Aythya ferina, A. fuligula, A. nyroca), (5) Gruiformes (Family: Rallidae: Fulica atra, Porphyrio porphyrio, Gallinula chloropus) and (6) Charadriiformes (Family: Recurvirostridae, Himantopusi himantopus; Family: Charadridae, Vanellusi indicus, V. vanellus, V. leucurus, Charadrius dubius; Family: Scolopacidae, Tringa tetanus, T. nebularia, Actitis hypoleucus; Family: Laridae,Sterna aurantia). According to They all preferred fresh water layer of the lake and marshes near the lake as their habitat. It was concluded that Patisar lake is a prodigious natural resource for the migratory waterfowl and the number of waterfowl declining with the passage of time.

How food supply in rubbish dumps affects the breeding success and offspring mortality of cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of food supply in garbage dumps on the reproductive fitness of Cattle Egret Bubulcus ibis and offspring losses. A total of 236 nests were monitored during two distinct periods of 2 years for each: 146 nests during a period without food supply in dumps (1998–1999) and 90 with food supply in dumps (2007–2008). The study was carried out in the colony of El-Kseur in the Lower Soummam Valley (northeast Algeria). For the entire study period, the mean of clutch size, average number of hatched chicks, productivity, and breeding success varied significantly between years (Kruskal–Wallis test: p < .05). Also, the average calculated losses for eggs, chicks, and total offspring vary significantly (Chi2 test: p > .0001). The clutch size and the number of hatched chicks per nest were highest during the period with food supply in garbage dump (respectively: 3.46 ± 0.86; 2.85 ± 1.11), compared to the period when cattle egrets feed in natural or agricultural habitats (3.04 ± 0.87; 2.54 ± 1.03). However, productivity and breeding success were highest during the period without food supply (respectively: 2.11 ± 1.16 fledging’s/nest; 0.70 ± 0.35) than in the period with food supply (1.14 ± 0.91; 0.35 ± 0.30). While egg losses were substantially similar between the two study periods, chick’s mortality (59.9%) and total offspring losses (36.7%) were higher during the period with food supply. The generalized linear mixed model (GLMM) analysis indicated a large negative effect of food supply in dumps on the productivity, on the chick’s losses; and a positive effect on the total offspring losses ( p < .001). Also, feed in dump garbage revealed a significant negative effect on the breeding success linear mixed model (LMM, p = .01). However, no significant effects (GLMM, p > .05) of food supply in dumps were noted on average clutch size, the mean number of hatched chicks per nest, and egg losses.

Gut content analysis of cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis) in Asam Kumbang Crocodile Park, North Sumatra

Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a widespread avian species inhabiting a variety of natural and artificial sites. Asam Kumbang Crocodile Park is one of establishments that occupied some portions of B. ibis habitat with no recent information on the food resource and prey availability for the viability of B. ibis. To this aim, we collected 10 random individuals of B. ibis to be sacrificed for gut content analysis of prey species. A total of 19 taxa was found as prey items in the gut of B. ibis with the dominant group from insects (Orthoptera, Scolopendromorpha). The diversity of prey species was categorized as moderate with intraspecific diet variation which formed four guilds that fed on specific taxa namely Group 1 (Haplotaxida, Lepidoptera, Anurans), Group 2 (Blattodea, Coleoptera, Araneae), Group 3 (Orthoptera, Scolopendromorpha); and Group 4 (Dermaptera, Squamata). Oxya chinensis and Oxya velox are important rice grasshopper pests that were also found in the gut of B. ibis reflecting their potential function as biological control agent.

Do I stay or do I go? Shifts in perch use by lizards during morning twilight suggest anticipatory behaviour

Anticipatory behaviour is the expectation of a near-future event based on information processed in the past and influences an animal's tactical decisions, particularly when there are significant fitness consequences. The grass lizard ( Takydromus viridipunctatus ) perches on blades of grass at night which likely reduces the probability of predation by terrestrial predators such as snakes, rodents and shrews. During twilight (starting 30 min before sunrise), they move from above the grass to within grass clumps and this is thought to afford the lizard protection while reducing detection by avian predators. Here, we examined how lizards shift their behaviour as a function of visual detectability to their primary predator, the cattle egret ( Bubulcus ibis ). We show that the lizards shift from their perch site during twilight at the earliest time at which egrets depart communal roosts. At the same time, visual modelling shows a dramatic increase in the detectability of the lizards to the visual system of egrets. Therefore, anticipatory behaviour in response to environmental cues acts to reduce predation risk as lizards become more conspicuous and predators become more active. Grass lizard anticipatory behaviour appears to be finely tuned by natural selection to adjust to temporal changes in predation risk.

Estructura, composición y variación estacional del ensamble de aves en el Parque Urbano Guapilo, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia

Este estudio reporta la estructura, composición y variación estacional de las aves del Parque Urbano Guapilo entre la primavera del año 2012 y el otoño del 2018. En los distintos hábitats del parque, se registró un total de 19025 aves pertenecientes a 208especies que en conjunto con otros inventarios realizados en el área se llega a un total de 216 especies, esto representa el 15,05% de las aves registradas en Bolivia y el 17,7% del departamento de Santa Cruz. La composición del ensamble mostró un núcleode pocas especies dominantes y alta diversidad específica de aves acuáticas o asociadas a humedales. Seis especies presentaron las poblaciones más numerosas que en conjunto representan el 47,5% del total de los registros visuales: Dendrocygna bicolor,Dendrocygna viduata, Gallinula galeata, Fulica leucoptera, Bubulcus ibis y Dendrocygna autumnalis. El 75% de las especies fue considerada como residente, 25,5% migrante y 9,6% accidental. Solo un 13% de las especies registradas se reproducen en el áreay un 6% de especies presentaron juveniles. En las especies migrantes se identificaron 39 migrantes australes y 14 migrantes boreales. El Parque Urbano Guapilo es un área con alta biodiversidad y posee características singulares para conformar un sitio con elevados componentes de conservación. La información obtenida en este estudio contribuirá a generar pautas de manejo más eficientes para la conservación del área como evitar la destrucción de manchas de vegetación, contener el ingreso de residuos hacia la laguna y programar acciones de limpieza y reforestación bajoun modelo ecológico.

Variation within the Bird Community of a Rehabilitated Urban Environment, Case of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University Campus (Côte d'Ivoire)

In order to understand the ecological impact of the rehabilitation of the Félix Houphouët-Boigny University Campus on the bird community, a study was carried out over two months (October-November 2016). The ornithological inventory carried out by the IPA method in five different habitats identified on the campus gave a total species richness of 51 bird species of 41 genera, 27 families and 13 orders for 1374 birds, with H' = 2.93 and J = 0.74. Five species dominate the population (819 individuals, Fr = 59, 61%). These are Bubulcus ibis (9.32 %), Apus affinis (8.95 %), Corvus albus (19.94 %), Ploceus cucullatus (10.48 %), Lonchura cucullata (10.92 %). The most diversified habitat is the Habitations (26 bird species), while the most abundant is the Brush (416 individuals). Only seven species are common to all sampled habitats. Thus, 12 species observed on campus formerly could not be observed during the present study. Similarly, 18 species observed in this study were not observed in the previous study. The profound transformation of the environment following the rehabilitation has led to a slight increase in diversity but a significant drop in numbers. It is therefore important to better understand the different interactions between the components of the habitat and the various species involved. Such data would be crucial in urban planning policies.

Contributions to the study of water and semiaquatic birds in the Ramsar Wetland ”lower Prut lakes”

The Republic of Moldova has few wet areas. One of them was designated in the year 2000 with the status of Wetland of International Importance (Ramsar). The ecosystems of lakes and ponds are home to a multitude of bird species. Aquatic and semi-aquatic species make up a major component of the studied sector and consists of 94 species. Thousands of specimens transit the area during spring and autumn migrations; others retreat in the winter to be safe and to feed; the summer guests arrive in the warm period of the year to breed. Out of the total number of aquatic and semi-aquatic birds, 26 species are protected nationally and internationally. During the study period, rare or accidental species were recorded, such as: Bubulcus ibis, Cygnus columbianus, Branta ruficollis, Grus grus, Sterna caspia, Arenaria interpres, Larus ichthyaetus etc.