Two new feather mites of the genus Proctophyllodes Robin (Acari formes: Proctophyllodinae) from passerines in Brazil

Proctophyllodes Robin (Proctophyllodidae: Proctophyllodinae) is a widely distributed feather mite genus, which most species show high level of specificity to their bird hosts. We describe two new species of this genus from passerines commonly found in urban environments in Brazil: Proctophyllodes molothrus sp. nov. from the Shiny Cowbird Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin) (Icteridae), and P. carmenmirandae sp. nov. from the Rufous-collared Sparrow Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Müller) (Passerellidae). The former is similar to P. egglestoni Spory and differs from it in having a unique shape of opisthosomal lobes in females; P. carmenmirandae is closer to P. tiaris Atyeo & Braasch and differs in having a relatively longer adeagus in males and setae h1 situated on soft tegument between hysteronotal and lobar shields in females.

Bird visits and resource use in Butia odorata (Arecaceae) palm groves in southern Brazil

ABSTRACT We evaluated avian use of a palm grove of Butia odorata (Barb. Rodr.) Noblick in the Brazilian Pampa. We recorded bird species richness, frequency of visits, and feeding behavior in palms trees with different flower and fruit availability. From January 2018 to February 2019, we observed 1,094 bird visits in 347 palm trees and identified 53 species. The most frequent visitors were Sicalis flaveola (Linnaeus, 1766), Myiopsitta monachus (Boddaert, 1783) and Zonotrichia capensis (Statius Muller, 1776). Perching was the most frequent use of palm trees by the birds (79%). Our hypothesis that an increase in the availability of flowers and fruits will be followed by a larger number of visits by insectivorous and frugivorous birds was not corroborated. In addition, there was a higher number of species visiting palm trees with no resources. The species composition and the number of guilds of visiting birds varied seasonally, but independently from resources availability. Bird richness, number of visits, and time length of visits did not vary between flowering/fruiting and resourceless palm trees. Based on this we argue that the main contribution of Butia odorata to the establishment of bird assemblages in palm groves is their role in offering perching, sheltering, and nesting sites.

Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes

Breeding biology in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes. Elevation strongly influences the evolution of life history traits associated with bird physiology and reproduction. Since life history traits in birds are modulated by environmental factors that vary with elevation, we expected to find changes in breeding biology traits of Z. capensis at different elevations. In this study, we compared the breeding biology (clutch size, egg volume, and reproductive activity) of a non-migratory population of Z. capensis in two localities at different elevations (low and high elevations, 1 800 m a.s.l., and 3 800 m a.s.l., respectively) and same latitude in the Colombian Tropical Andes for a one-year period. We found no differences in clutch size between the localities; however, egg volume was higher at high elevation. Furthermore, the reproductive activity differed significantly between localities. We propose that clutch size is likely conserved throughout the altitudinal distribution of Z. capensis since the species evolved in Tropical lowlands. On the other hand, the larger egg volume at high elevation could obey local environmental factors that may favor the reproductive success of the population.

Differences in circulating corticosterone levels associated with elevation of breeding sites in Rufous-collared Sparrows Zonotrichia capensis

To facilitate breeding and any energetically costly activity, individuals of the same species can substantially vary their circulating corticosterone (CORT) levels to cope with local environmental conditions at different elevations. We compared baseline and the stress-induced plasma CORT levels during the parental care stage between free-living Rufous-collared Sparrows (Zonotrichia capensis) that breed at high (~ 2500 m) and low (~ 500 m) elevations in central Chile. We found that baseline CORT levels at different elevations were similar and that stress-induced levels were significantly lower in birds breeding at high elevation; however, we detected no sexual dimorphism in CORT levels related to elevation. We found that larger individuals had higher stress-induced CORT levels at low elevation regardless of sex. Our results show that environmental conditions at high elevation seem to be not severe enough to promote more elevated baseline CORT levels. However, breeding Rufous-collared Sparrow must still deal with both shorter breeding seasons and increased exposure to unpredictable events. Thus, a reduced stress response during the parental care stage would be more favorable for supporting breeding activities at high elevations. Future studies should focus on describing the life-history traits of these populations and the effects that other stressors, such as predation pressure and food availability, may have on the adrenocortical response in these environments to evaluate the consequences for survival and reproductive success. This information is important for enhancing our understanding of the ecological and evolutionary mechanisms that modulate variation in the adrenocortical response among populations of the same species.

Morphological differences in a population of Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis, Statius Müller, 1776) (Passerine, Emberizidae) at different elevations in the Tropical Andes

Populations that breed along steep elevation gradients show diverse physiological and morphological changes in response to the different environmental conditions. The latter has been discussed by Bergmann’s and Allen’s ecogeographic rules about body and appendage sizes and environmental temperature. We compared morphometric measures (mass, bill width, tarsus, wing, and tail length) of a Zonotrichia capensis population in two localities at different elevations with similar latitudes and photoperiods on the western slope of the Colombian Central Andes. We compared a Low Elevation locality (LE) at 1800 m a.s.l. and a High Elevation locality (HE) at 3853 m a.s.l. that have approximate wind speeds of 1.3 m/s and 8.4 m/s, respectively. During 12 months of sampling, we captured 46 adults using mist-nets; 26 in the LE and 20 in the HE. Each individual was sexed using molecular techniques at the Laboratory of Genetics of the Department of Biological Sciences of Universidad de Caldas. Individuals (males + females) from the HE had longer wings and tails than those from the LE (F1,44 = 5.93; P = 0.019). Also, wings of males in the HE were longer than those of females in both localities and tails of males in the HE were longer than those of LE males. Our results did not agree with what was expected according to Allen’s and Bergmann’s ecogeographic rules. Longer wings and tails increase sustainment, maneuverability, and balance in low atmospheric pressures and strong air currents and these conditions are found at high elevation habitats. Most likely, the longer wings found for HE males allow greater movement during territorial behavior. Further, these differences in morphological traits along elevational gradients could result from micro-evolutionary changes between localities or phenotypic plasticity of individuals exposed to different environmental conditions.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Haemoproteus coatneyi and Haemoproteus erythrogravidus (Haemosporida: Haemoproteidae) in Passeriformes in Brazil’s Atlantic Forest

Haemoproteus spp. are protozoan parasites found in birds around the world. These parasites are identified through the morphology of gametocytes, phylogenetic analysis based on the mitochondrial cytb gene, and the parasite’s geographic distribution. The absence of erythrocytic merogony, high intraspecific genetic variation and low parasitemia in wild birds makes it essential to use integrative approaches that assist in the identification of these parasites. Thus, microscopic and molecular analyses, combined with spatial distribution, were carried out to verify the presence of Haemoproteus spp. in wild birds in Brazil. Light microscopy revealed one Tangara sayaca bird was parasitized by Haemoproteus coatneyi and, two specimens of Zonotrichia capensis presented Haemoproteus erythrogravidus. The morphology of the gametocytes of these two parasitic species showed high similarity. The molecular analysis revealed the presence of one lineage of H. coatneyi and two lineages of H. erythrogravidus, one of which is considered a new lineage. These lineages were grouped phylogenetically in separate clades, with low genetic divergence, and the H. erythrogravidus lineage emerged as an internal group of the lineages of H. coatneyi. The geographic distribution demonstrated that the two species occur in the American continent. This is the first report of H. erythrogravidus in Brazil.

Variación estacional de la avifauna del Bosque Montano en la Quebrada del Portugués, Tucumán, Argentina

La Quebrada del Portugués es un Área de Importancia para la Conservación de las Aves (AICA) y forma parte del Parque Nacional Aconquija. El sector estudiado corresponde al Distrito de los Bosques Montanos de las Yungas. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue conocer la composición y estructura estacional del ensamble de aves que frecuentan un sector de dicha área. Se realizaron 161 muestreos de todas las aves vistas u oídas, en puntos de radio fijo de 30 m y 15 minutos de duración, desde agosto a noviembre de 2014 y desde febrero a junio de 2015. Se encontraron 93 especies de 31 familias y 16 órdenes. La riqueza por estación fue de 72 para el período seco y 60 para el período húmedo. Las especies más abundantes a lo largo del año fueron Zonotrichia capensis, Turdus chiguanco, Mecocerculus leucoprhrys, Cypseloides rostchildi y Vanellus chilensis. Seis especies, consideradas Amenazadas a Nivel Mundial, fueron registradas: Vultur gryphus, Cypseloides rosthchildi, Scytalopus superciliaris, Elaenia strepera, Cinclus schulzii y Atlapetes citrinellus. A partir de este primer relevamiento de un sector de bosques montanos, se daría indicio del potencial biológico que tiene esta zona para toda la región, sumado al hecho de que la misma forma parte del nuevo Parque Nacional Aconquija. Sería importante realizar estudios estacionales, a largo plazo, en sus diferentes ambientes lo que permitiría realizar un adecuado plan de manejo y conservación.