Interspecies Chromosome Mapping in Caprimulgiformes, Piciformes, Suliformes, and Trogoniformes (Aves): Cytogenomic Insight into Microchromosome Organization and Karyotype Evolution in Birds

Interchromosomal rearrangements involving microchromosomes are rare events in birds. To date, they have been found mostly in Psittaciformes, Falconiformes, and Cuculiformes, although only a few orders have been analyzed. Hence, cytogenomic studies focusing on microchromosomes in species belonging to different bird orders are essential to shed more light on the avian chromosome and karyotype evolution. Based on this, we performed a comparative chromosome mapping for chicken microchromosomes 10 to 28 using interspecies BAC-based FISH hybridization in five species, representing four Neoaves orders (Caprimulgiformes, Piciformes, Suliformes, and Trogoniformes). Our results suggest that the ancestral microchromosomal syntenies are conserved in Pteroglossus inscriptus (Piciformes), Ramphastos tucanus tucanus (Piciformes), and Trogon surrucura surrucura (Trogoniformes). On the other hand, chromosome reorganization in Phalacrocorax brasilianus (Suliformes) and Hydropsalis torquata (Caprimulgiformes) included fusions involving both macro- and microchromosomes. Fissions in macrochromosomes were observed in P. brasilianus and H. torquata. Relevant hypothetical Neognathae and Neoaves ancestral karyotypes were reconstructed to trace these rearrangements. We found no interchromosomal rearrangement involving microchromosomes to be shared between avian orders where rearrangements were detected. Our findings suggest that convergent evolution involving microchromosomal change is a rare event in birds and may be appropriate in cytotaxonomic inferences in orders where these rearrangements occurred.

Nonrandom spatial distribution of Neotropic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) along a coastal highway in Lima, Peru

Neotropic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) are common seabirds along the Peruvian coast. They frequently perch on trees, poles and port structures in urban areas, producing guano that builds up in areas of high levels of human activity. Hundreds of Neotropic Cormorants rest on lighting poles and telephone cables along a 12.7 km highway in the coastal strip of the city of Lima, Peru. We hypothesized that the distribution of the cormorants along this highway is clustered and could be associated with physical features of both the coast and the adjacent marine area. Fortnightly or monthly surveys were performed from July 2018 to March 2020 in the Circuito de Playas de la Costa Verde highway. At each survey, cormorants were counted per lighting pole and adjacent telephone cables (collectively, “pole-cable”) at four count hours (0600 h, 1000 h, 1400 h and 1800 h). Our results revealed that daily bird numbers varied from 46 to 457 individuals and that only 17% of the total number of pole-cables (N = 651) was occupied once by at least one individual. The number of cormorants also varied between count hours within the same day (higher numbers at 1000 h and 1400 h). Birds were clustered into a maximum of five hotspots along the highway. According to a model selection criterion, higher numbers of cormorants on pole-cables were associated mainly to a closer distance from these structures to the shoreline and to the surf zone, suggesting that Neotropic Cormorants may select such pole-cables as optimal sites for sighting and receiving cues of prey availability. Based on the results, the use of nonlethal deterrents and the relocation of these birds to other perching structures on nearby groynes could be the most suitable management proposal for the problems caused by their feces.

Nonrandom spatial distribution of Neotropic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) along a coastal highway in Lima, Peru

Neotropic Cormorants (Phalacrocorax brasilianus) are common seabirds along the Peruvian coast. They frequently perch on trees, poles and port structures in urban areas, causing discomfort and esthetic problems due to the dropping of their feces on infrastructure and people. Hundreds of these birds rest on lighting poles and telephone cables along a 12.7 km highway in the coastal strip of the city of Lima, Peru. We hypothesized that the distribution of the cormorants along this highway is clustered and could be associated with physical features of both the coast and the adjacent marine area. Half-monthly or monthly surveys were performed from July 2018 to March 2020 in the Circuito de Playas de la Costa Verde highway. At each survey, cormorants were counted per lighting pole and adjacent telephone cables (pole-cable) at four count hours (0600 h, 1000 h, 1400 h and 1800 h). Our results revealed that daily bird numbers varied from 46 to 457 individuals and that only 17% of the total number of pole-cables (N = 651) was occupied once by at least one individual. The number of cormorants also varied between count hours within the same day (higher numbers at 1000 h and 1400 h). Birds were clustered into a maximum of five hotspots along the highway. According to the Akaike’s information-theoretic approach applied to Poisson GLMM, higher numbers of cormorants on pole-cables were associated mainly to a closer distance from these structures to the shoreline and to the surf zone, suggesting that Neotropic Cormorants may select such pole-cables as optimal sites for sighting and receiving clues of prey availability. Based on the results, the use of nonlethal deterrents and the relocation of these birds to other perching structures on nearby groynes could be the most suitable and eco-friendly solution for the problems caused by their droppings.

Parasites of the Neotropic cormorant Nannopterum (Phalacrocorax) brasilianus (Aves, Phalacrocoracidae) in Chile

The Neotropic cormorant Nannopterum (Phalacrocorax) brasilianus (Suliformes: Phalacrocoracidae) is widely distributed in Central and South America. In Chile, information about parasites for this species is limited to helminths and nematodes, and little is known about other parasite groups. This study documents the parasitic fauna present in 80 Neotropic cormorants’ carcasses collected from 2001 to 2008 in Antofagasta, Biobío, and Ñuble regions. Birds were externally inspected for ectoparasites and necropsies were performed to examine digestive and respiratory organs in search of endoparasites. Ectoparasites collected were cleared and mounted for identification under a microscope. Fecal samples were also evaluated to determine the presence of protozoan parasites employing a flotation technique. A total of 44 (42.5%) of birds were infested with at least one ectoparasite species, while 77 (96.25%) were carrying endoparasites. No protozoan forms were found after examination. Most prevalent endoparasite species found were Contracaecum rudolphii s. l. (72/80, 90%), followed by Pectinopygus gyroceras (33/80, 41.25%), and Profilicollis altmani (26/80, 32.5%). This is the first report of P. altmani, Baruscapillaria carbonis, Avioserpens sp., Cyathostoma (Cyathostoma) phenisci, and Eidmaniella pelucida in the Neotropic cormorant. These findings also expand the distributional range of Andracantha phalacrocoracis, Paradilepis caballeroi, Hysteromorpha triloba, and P. gyroceras to Chile.

Detección de anticuerpos séricos de influenza aviar tipo A, enfermedad de Newcastle y bronquitis infecciosa y laringotraqueitis infecciosa en aves acuáticas silvestres de tres lagunas andinas del Ecuador

El objetivo del estudio fue determinar la presencia de anticuerpos séricos frente a cuatro patógenos respiratorios (influenza aviar [AI], enfermedad de Newcastle [NDV], bronquitis infecciosa aviar [IBV] y laringotraqueítis infecciosa aviar [ILTV]) que podrían afectar a las aves acuáticas migratorias y residentes de tres lagunas altoandinas del Ecuador. Se colectaron 153 muestras de sangre de aves de siete especies en las lagunas andinas de Colta, Yambo y Yahuarcocha. La presencia de anticuerpos (Ac) contra IBV e ILTV se detectó por un ELISA indirecto (ELISAi) y por la prueba de inhibición de la hemoaglutinación (HI); para NDV e influenza aviar (H5N1 y H7N3) se usó un ELISAc e HI. La seropositividad a NDV fue de 3.2% (5/153), habiendo tres casos en Yahuarcocha en el cormorán neotropical (Phalacrocorax brasilianus), un caso en Colta en la focha andina (Fulica ardesiaca) y uno en Yambo en el pato rojizo andino (Oxyura ferruginea). La seropositividad contra AI fue de 13% (20/153), mayormente en el pato rojizo andino y el zambullidor plateado (Podicceps occipitalis) en Colta, y en el ánade piquiamarillo (Anas georgica), focha andina y pato rojizo andino en Yambo. Asimismo, se encontró Ac séricos contra IBV en dos cormoranes en Yahuarcocha. No se encontraron anticuerpos contra ILTV.