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The simplification of forest structural complexity, caused by anthropogenic land-use practices, is one of the main threats to understory specialist birds. We examined the association of both single structural attributes and structural complexity, with the density of 4 understory bird species in the Global Biodiversity Hotspot "Chilean Winter Rainfall-Valdivian Forests" of South America. Between 2011 and 2013, we surveyed habitat attributes and conducted bird point counts in 505 plots in Andean temperate ecosystems in Chile. In each habitat plot, we measured understory density, volume of coarse woody debris (CWD), number of snags, diameter at breast height (DBH) of trees, and leaf litter depth. With these attributes, we developed an index of stand structural complexity (ISC). On average, old-growth forests had higher values for understory density, CWD volume, DBH, and litter depth than secondary forests and open fields, and thus greater values of ISC. The density of understory birds was positively correlated with the ISC for the Rhinocryptidae Pteroptochos tarnii, Scelorchilus rubecula, and Scytalopus magellanicus. We also found a positive association between understory density and litter depth, with the density of the Furnariidae Sylviorthorhynchus desmursii. However, this latter species showed a negative association with the density of snags. Our results suggest the utility of using an index of structural complexity, rather than single or even additive habitat attributes, for determining the density of understory specialist birds. We recommend that management plans should promote the retention of habitat attributes that contribute to the structural complexity of temperate forests of South America and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large and necessary diffusion of huge solar plants in extra urban areas implies the adoption of maintenance strategies especially where human intervention would require high costs and logistic problems. Animal dejections like bird droppings and agricultural sprays are environmental agents able to significantly decrease light absorption and, in some cases, cause serious damage to the electric conversion systems in a photovoltaic panel. In this work, the performance of a superhydrophobic (SH) coating in terms of durable self-cleaning properties and transparency has been studied in the presence of commercial and simulated contaminants on glass reference and solar panel surfaces. Wettability studies have been carried out both in static and dynamic conditions in order to compare the compositional effect of commercial liquids used as fertilizers or pesticides and molecules like pancreatin as model substances simulating bird droppings. From these studies, it can be observed that the superhydrophobic coating, independently from the surface where it is applied, is able to repel water and substances used such as fertilizers or pesticides and substances simulating bird droppings, maintaining its properties and transparency. This kind of approach can provide information to design suitable spray formulations without the above-mentioned drawbacks to be used in natural environment areas and agrosolar plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae require nutrients and optimal pH for good growth and metabolite production. Microalgae biomass has various applications in food and feed, pharmaceuticals, bio-energy, aquaculture, cosmetics and other related industries. However, the cost of media represents a significant percentage of the total production cost. The aim of this work was therefore, to develop a cheap medium for efficient outdoor cultivation of microalgae and to find the optimum pH for biomass production. Three Chlorella species designated A, B and C were isolated from three stagnant water bodies at Amoke Lane, University market road in Nsukka town by using BG-11 enriched with poultry droppings. Poultry droppings medium was prepared by drying under the sunlight for 5 days. The dried poultry droppings were crushed into a fine powder and 200 g was weighed and soaked in 1000 ml of distilled water for 3 days and filtered using a muslin cloth. A mixture of the poultry droppings medium and the conventional BG-11 medium was prepared by mixing equal volume of each medium. The growth and biomass productivity of the three local isolates in BG-11 medium were compared with those in poultry medium, and a mixture of poultry and BG-11 media. The results showed that the growth of the three isolates in poultry medium alone were significantly higher than the values obtained in BG-11 and a mixture of BG-11 and poultry medium (p< 0.05). With poultry medium, the maximum optical densities of the cultures were 2.10± 0.07, 2.56± 0.09 and 3.35± 0.11 for isolates A, B, and C respectively. However, with a mixture of BG-11 and poultry medium, the maximum optical densities were 0.83± 0.01, 1.67± 0.05 and 0.57± 0.02 respectively. BG-11 supported the least growth of the three isolates, giving maximum optical densities of 0.38± 0.01, 0.42± 0.03 and 0.52± 0.02 respectively. All the three isolates had their best growth in poultry medium at pH of 5.0. The results show that poultry medium, which is cheap and can be easily prepared from poultry droppings, is very good for cultivation of some species of microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To reduce the toxicity of modern feeds polluted by mycotoxins, various sorbents are added to them when feeding animals. A part of the mycotoxins is excreted from the body of animals with these sorbents and remains in the manure. As a result, bulk animal wastes containing mixtures of mycotoxins are formed. It is known that it is partially possible to decrease the initial concentration of mycotoxins in the process of anaerobic digestion (AD) of contaminated methanogenic substrates. The aim of this review was to analyze the recent results in destruction of mycotoxins under the action of enzymes present in cells of anaerobic consortia catalyzing methanogenesis of wastes. The possible improvement of the functioning of the anaerobic artificial consortia during detoxification of mycotoxins in the bird droppings is discussed. Particular attention was paid to the possibility of effective functioning of microbial enzymes that catalyze the detoxification of mycotoxins, both at the stage of preparation of poultry manure for methanogenesis and directly in the anaerobic process itself. The sorbents with mycotoxins which appeared in the poultry wastes composed one of the topics of interest in this review. The preliminary alkaline treatment of poultry excreta before processing in AD was considered from the standpoint of effectively reducing the concentrations of mycotoxins in the waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to investigate the among-populations diversity of prey composition in Eurasian Reed Warblers' diets via their droppings, both to assess the ecological validity of this sampling method and to test whether the prey species most abundant in fecal samples were also the most present in the Italian study site. We collected fecal samples at four sites throughout Italy, for a total of 144 samples. Within reedbeds, the breeding habitat of the Eurasian Reed Warbler, we also collected arthropods by carrying out entomological sweepings at one of the study sites. Within the fecal samples, we identified dozens of prey species, belonging mainly to Araneae, Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera and Aphidoidea taxa, whose compositions were not statistically different among sites. The commonest prey species were Coleoptera in the droppings (68.5%) and Diptera in the reedbeds (31.3%), although the latter was less numerous in the fecal samples. The diets of different Italian populations of Eurasian Reed Warbler emerging from our study underline a strong Coleopteran presence, without differences across Italy. Fecal samples appear to be an exhaustive method to study variation in Eurasian Reed Warbler diet and its ecological importance; however, although potential caveats do exist, such as the possible under-representation of Diptera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to determine the diet of the insectivorous bird guild through the analysis of excreta and insect collection. From August 2018 to January 2019, search-intensive, branch cutting-shaking, mist-netting, scat analysis and insect identification were applied. Richness (Jacknife1), similarity (Jaccard) and diversity (Shannon-Wiener) were determined. Kruskal-Wallis, X², Poisson regression analysis (PRA) and canonical correspondence (CCA) were applied. Jacknife1 shows a mean of 39 families. Jaccard shows a similarity of 19.88 %. Shannon-Wiener shows a diversity of H' = 3.09. Kruskal-Wallis shows differences in richness (0.0423*) and diversity (0.0148*). The X² test shows that the richness of insect families theoretically present was not recorded (P < 0.05). PRAs show that six orders, two families, two insect types (cut and shake); one order, one family and one item (feces) have an effect on bird abundance. The CCAs show the conformation of seven (cutting and shaking) and six (feces) groups that show relationships between birds and the orders, families, insect type and items recorded. Trophic sympatry is exhibited in some of the birds recorded, favoring the biological control of pest and parasitic insects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background. A method of obtaining microfertilizer, in which the fertilizer is obtained by the joint processing of humates of allkali metals and salts of trace elements in the solid phase, followed by mechanochemical activation of the mixture in the presence of an oxidizing agent (potassium permanganate) and an alkaline agent. However, this method is considered economically impractical from the point of view of the complexity of the technological design and, as a consequence, the need to purchase expensive equipment [1]. The objective of this work is to develop a method for producing a chelated polymer-containing microfertilizers, which reduces the cost of the process, improves the quality of the finished product and partially solves the issue of recycling technogenic waste. Purpose. Studying the process of obtaining chelated polymer-containing microfertilizers based on technogenic waste. Methodology. The chemical composition of raw materials and the yield of humic acid determined using SEM and IR spectrum. Originality. A method has been developed for the preparation of chelated polymer-containing microfertilizers based on phosphorus sludge - waste phosphorus production and bird droppings, and humic acid is used as a solvent using SAS «OGSPlast» surfactant as a chelating agent with trace elements. Finlings. It was established that mainly in the presence of chelated polymer-containing microfertilizers is formed in the form of an amorphous structure with a partial appearance of crystallization structures, it is also determined that microfertilizers obtained are characterized by a high content of humic substances that are involved in the structure of the soil, the accumulation of nutrients and trace elements in plants accessible to plants form, contribute to the regulation of geochemical metal flows in water and soil ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the effects of bird droppings on mercury pollution levels in soil, specifically on the speciation and total concentration of mercury (Hg) in soil from Tongli Wetland, East China. Thirty soil samples and four bird dropping samples were collected from Tongli Wetland along with fifteen eggshells and five feathers from Heron Branch birds. Results indicated that bird droppings affect local soil's physic-chemical properties and Hg accumulation. Additionally, heron feathers were found to contain more total mercury (HgT) than their eggshells. Hg concentration in soil that is affected by bird dropping was determined to be 0.194±0.026 mg/kg; concentration in soil without bird droppings was 0.104±0.039 mg/kg. Therefore, HgT concentration in the former exceeded that of the latter (86.54%). Numerical analysis revealed that concentrations of water-soluble (F1), acid-soluble (F2), alkali-soluble (F3), hydrogen peroxide-soluble (F4), and residual mercury (F5) in soil that is affected by bird dropping were higher in soil that isn't affected by bird droppings. However, concentrations of F1 remained mostly stable. We found a positive correlation between Hg concentrations in soil and excrement and concentrations of total carbon (Ctot), total nitrogen (Ntot), and hydrogen (H), in addition to an exponential proportional relationship between C/N and Hg/C. We concluded that fresh bird droppings in soil may promote mercury enrichment. Furthermore, bird droppings and highly decomposed humus increase soil HgT concentration when they remain in soil for an extended period of time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Asian Gyps vulture species are gradually recovering from the devastating effect of diclofenac being present in contaminated carcasses. This drug was responsible for the death of over 10 million vultures in India, Nepal and Pakistan. To prevent the extinction of vultures, meloxicam was introduced after the ban of veterinary diclofenac. Meloxicam's safety in vultures was attributed to its short elimination half-life in contrast with diclofenac. The reason for the rapid elimination of meloxicam is yet to be explained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of biotransformation in the elimination of meloxicam. Six Cape griffon vultures (Gyps coprotheres) were treated with 2 mg/kg meloxicam intramuscularly for faecal and plasma quantification of meloxicam concentration over time. In the plasma meloxicam was characterised by a half-life, mean residence time, clearance and volume of distribution at steady state of 0.37 ± 0.10 h, 0.90 ± 0.12 h, 0.02 ± 0.00 l/h kg and 0.02 ± 0.00 l/kg respectively (presented as geometric mean). Over the 24 h monitoring period, the total non-metabolised meloxicam in the faeces was 1.35 ± 0.71% of the total concentration in the plasma. Based on the short meloxicam elimination half-life and low cumulative concentration of total faecal meloxicam over a period in excess of 10 half-lives, this study indicates that Cape griffon vultures are efficient metaboliser of meloxicam, which is suggestive of different set of cytochrome enzymes being involved in the metabolism to that for diclofenac in this species. Identification of orthologous human CYP2C9 and CYP3A4 enzyme families in vultures will be an important further step in explaining the differences in the metabolic pathway(s) of meloxicam and diclofenac for the species. Highlights • Develop and validate a high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the quantification of meloxicam in vulture faeces. • Evaluate pharmacokinetic parameter of meloxicam in Cape vulture 10 h post administration using HPLC. • Evaluate faecal concentration of non-metabolised meloxicam 24 h post administration using HPLC method. • Investigate the reason (s) for meloxicam safety in old world vultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Biochar and poultry manure alone, and in combination, improved soil properties, leaf nutrient concentrations and radish yield. • In 2016, the application of biochar alone increased yield of radish, but in 2015 it only increased soil pH and organic matter. • There was a significant interaction effect of biochar and poultry manure (B x PM). • For a short season crop like radish, expected benefit of B alone without addition of PM may not be achieved within the first year. Abstract Studies on the effect of biochar and poultry manure on soil properties and radish productivity is rare, hence, field experiments were conducted over two years, 2015 and 2016, to evaluate the effects of biochar (B) and poultry manure (PM) on soil properties, leaf nutrient concentrations and root yield of radish (Raphanus sativus L.). Each year, the experiment consisted of 3 × 3 factorial combinations of biochar (0, 25 and 50 t ha−1) and poultry manure (0, 2.5 and 5.0 t ha−1). Application of B and PM alone, and in combination, improved soil physical and chemical properties, leaf nutrient concentrations and yield components of radish. In 2016, the application of B alone increased the soil pH and concentrations of organic matter, N, P, K, Ca and Mg, as well as leaf nutrient concentrations and yield of radish, but in 2015 it only increased soil pH and organic matter and not leaf nutrient concentrations and yield. In both years, the application of B significantly influenced the root length of the radish. In both years, there was a significant interaction effect of biochar and poultry manure (B × PM) and this was attributed to the ability of the B to increase the efficiency of the utilization of the nutrients in the PM. The combination of 50 t ha−1 B and 5 t ha−1 PM (B 50 + PM 5) resulted in the highest radish yield. Averaged over the two years, (B 50 + PM 5) increased the root weight of radish by 192, 250 and 257% compared with biochar alone at 50 t ha−1, biochar alone at 25 t ha−1 and no application of B or PM (control). Therefore, for a short season crop like radish the expected benefit of the biochar alone without the addition of poultry manure may not be achieved within the first year. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anaerobic co-digestion of poultry droppings (PD) and briquetted wheat straw (BWS) with alkali additive in the form of KOH (BWS add ) or without any additive (BWS raw ) was conducted using continuously stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) under both mesophilic (35 °C) and thermophilic (53 °C) conditions. The aims of the study were to compare 1) co-digestion of PD and BWS versus mono-digestion of PD; 2) co-digestion of PD and BWS with or without additives; and 3) mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic digestion (AD). Co-digestion of PD and BWS was superior to mono-digestion of PD in terms of gas production. Co-digestion of PD with BWS add at thermophilic temperatures resulted in a higher methane volumetric yield per kg substrate compared to mesophilic conditions. With and without additive, co-digestion with BWS produced 8% and 11% higher yields at thermophilic conditions than at mesophilic conditions. Co-digestion of PD with BWS add resulted in, respectively, 14% and 27% more methane produced at mesophilic and thermophilic conditions over mono-digestion of PD. When mono-digesting PD, the mesophilic temperature was superior to the thermophilic since methane yield was higher in the mesophilic temperature regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, studies have demonstrated that the gut microbiota strongly influences the physiology, behavior, and fitness of its host. Such studies have been conducted primarily in humans and model organisms under controlled laboratory conditions. More recently, researchers have realized the importance of placing host-associated microbiota studies into a more ecological context; however, few non-destructive methods have been established to collect fecal samples from wild birds. Here, we present an inexpensive and easy-to-use kit for the non-invasive collection of feces from small birds. The portability of the collection kit makes this method amenable to field studies, especially those in remote areas. The main components of the collection kit include a flat-bottomed paper bag, a large modified weigh boat (tray), vinyl-coated hardware cloth fencing (grate), a clothespin, and a 10% bleach solution (to sterilize the tray and grate). In the paper bag, a sterile tray is placed under a small grate, which prevents the birds from contacting the feces and reduces the risk of contamination. After capture, the bird is placed in the bag for 3-5 min until it defecates. After the bird is removed from the bag, the tray is extracted and the fecal sample is moved to a collection tube and frozen or preserved. We believe that our method is an affordable and easy option for researchers studying the gut microbiota of wild birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to determine changes in the digestibility of fat and individual fatty acids during the growth of Japanese quails. The study was conducted on 48 female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) from hatching to 6th week of life. All quails were fed ad libitum granulated commercial diets. The chemical composition and fatty acid content of the diets and faecal samples were determined and the coefficient of total tract apparent individual fatty acids digestibility and fat digestibility was calculated. There were no significant age differences in protein, fibre and ash content in faecal. Fat content decreased with the age of the birds. During the whole growth the faecal comprised mainly the C18:2n-6, 18:1n-9, C16:0, and C18:0 acids. However, the faecal fatty acids content was affected by age - in older birds more C10:0 and C14:0, and less C16:1, C18:1, C18:2 and C20:4 acids were found. The digestibility of most of fatty acids was high, except for C18:0, C20:0, and C18:1n-7. The digestibility of linoleic acid was increasing with age, from 0.70 to 0.89, while the digestibility of linoleic acid remained at similar, high level (>0.93) during the growth. C20:4n-6 was higher until 4th week of life in faecal than taken with diet. This may indicate that when quails are young this fatty acid deposited in the body comes from the conversion of C18:2n-6 and the dietary one is excreted. The high conversion on n-6 pathway, connected with high digestibility of C18:3n-3 may suggest that possible fatty acids modification, for example by addition of n-3 to the diet, should be made when birds are young, which can end up with a better n-6/n-3 ratio in body/tissues. Additionally, the SFA digestibility increases with age, so PUFA/SFA ratio could be better in young animals. However, if most of the enzymes in young animals are used for n-6 conversions, the conversion of n-3, C18:3n-3 to C20:5n3, can be inhibited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses reports on the prevalence of histoplasmosis outbreaks around the world caused by the pathogenic fungus histoplasma capsulatum (HC). The natural history and fungal biology as well as the presence of HC in bird droppings are also discussed. Health risk assessment of histoplasmosis are mentioned.

Following an environmental infertility crisis, guano fertilisation became an important part of Cape colonial agriculture in the nineteenth century. Collected from various offshore islands, guanopreneurs initially exported the product directly to its main markets in Europe and America. Because of a strong local demand for state-subsidised guano, a central storage facility for mixing and dispatch was established in Cape Town in 1890. In addition, a number of guano depots were established in the principal wheat-growing areas of the Colony. Because of guano’s obnoxious smell and the dust created by its mixing, it soon acquired status as an urban nuisance at a time that fear of miasmic diseases persisted. Urban dwellers with a heightened awareness of plagues and other infectious diseases also demanded the removal and closure of the various storage facilities. Farmers naturally resisted this call as contrary to their interests and forced the Cape government and legislature as the owners of the guano stores and the elected representatives of all citizens, to mediate. This article traces the discourse, compromises, convergence and resolution of the issues against the background of the struggle for a proper public health system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An account is given, including a larval description, of Monopis crocicapitella (Clemens, 1859) being reared from case-bearing larvae found feeding on bat droppings in Devon, England. Although there have been three notes in the British literature recording the larva as a case-bearer, these appear to have been overlooked in subsequent publications. There has been no prior report of the larva feeding on bat droppings in the British Isles, nor any larval description based on British observations. We consider records made both within and outside the British Isles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Histoplasma capsulatum is a dimorphic fungus predominately found in soils enriched with bird and bat excreta. Although several cases of histoplasmosis have been reported in India, diagnosis using cytology has been done in very few cases.Case Presentation: We report here a case of disseminated histoplasmosis in a 46-year-old Indian man.Conclusion: Skin scrape cytology is a simple, safe, and rapid technique to establish the initial diagnosis, thus promoting early treatment and favorable outcome, in cutaneous fungal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reasons why bats are coming into contact with wind turbines are not yet well understood. One hypothesis is that bats are attracted to wind turbines and this attraction may be because bats perceive or misperceive the turbines to provide a resource, such as a foraging or roosting site. During post-construction fatality searches at a wind energy facility in the southern Great Plains, U.S., we discovered bat feces near the base of a wind turbine tower, which led us to hypothesize that bats were actively roosting and/or foraging at turbines. Thus over 2 consecutive years, we conducted systematic searches for bat feces on turbines at this site. We collected 72 bat fecal samples from turbines and successfully extracted DNA from 56 samples. All 6 bat species known to be in the area were confirmed and the majority (59%) were identified as Lasiurus borealis ; a species that also comprised the majority of the fatalities (60%) recorded at the site. The presence of bat feces provides further evidence that bats were conducting activities in close proximity to wind turbines. Moreover, feces found in areas such as turbine door slats indicated that bats were using turbines as night or foraging roosts, and further provided evidence that bats were active near the turbines. Future research should therefore aim to identify those features of wind turbines that bats perceive or misperceive as a resource, which in turn may lead to new minimization strategies that effectively reduce bat fatalities at wind farms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deterioration of buildings as a result of the deposition of bird excreta is a phenomenon which has been well-documented. A number of mechanisms have been proposed as playing a role in deterioration, some of which involve biological processes. Uric acid in bird excreta is broken down by fungi into urea and glyoxylic acid. This paper examines the effect of exposing stone and cement specimens to glyoxylic acid solutions. These materials were a limestone, a sandstone and two cement pastes – Portland and calcium sulfoaluminate cement. Specimens of these materials were submerged in acid solutions and deterioration characterised using mass loss measurements, micro-CT scanning, and analysis of the solutions at the end of the experiment and the acid-degraded layers at the specimen surface. Attempts were made to synthesise and characterise calcium salts of glyoxylic acid. Additionally, geochemical modelling was conducted to provide further understanding of the deterioration processes. The results indicate that the main processes involved in glyoxylic acid attack of the materials investigated are acidolysis and complex formation. No calcium glyoxylate salts were present in the degraded materials. Instead, a conversion of glyoxylate to oxalate occurred leading to precipitation of calcium oxalate compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study explored biogas production from the co-digestion of Arachis hypogaea hull and poultry droppings. Mechanical and thermo-alkaline pretreatments were applied to a sample of the mixture. Another sample was treated mechanically but without thermo-alkaline methods. Optimization was done using the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs). The optimal values for each of the five major parameters optimized are Temperature of 32.00 °C, pH of 7.62, Retention time of 30.00 day, Total solids of 12.00 g/kg and Volatile solids of 10.00 g/kg and the predicted biogas yield for RSM was 3903.15 10 −3 m 3 /kg TSfed and 3338.3 10 −3 m 3 /kg TSfed for ANNs in the thermo-alkaline pretreated experiment . Gas chromatography show the CH 4 and CO 2 content of biogas generated to be 65.5 ± 1.5%; 26 ± 1% and 53 ± 1%; 26 ± 2% respectively. The co-digestion of peanut hull with poultry droppings and other energy-yielding substrates is further encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Detailed data on shorebird feeding ecology is mostly lacking for tropical wintering sites, limiting our understanding of trophic interactions among shorebird species and their prey. Using dropping analysis and video recordings we compared the diet of eight shorebird species wintering in the Bijagós archipelago, Guinea-Bissau, one of the most important but also least known coastal sites for shorebirds in Africa. We also calculated niche width and foraging niche overlap among these eight species. Whimbrel, grey plover and redshank fed mainly on fiddler crabs, confirming previous observations made in the Bijagós. A large proportion of the diet of bar-tailed godwit, curlew sandpiper, sanderling and ringed plover was composed of polychaetes, particularly Nereis and Glycera , and also Marphysa in the case of larger shorebirds. Red knots fed mainly on the bivalve Dosinia isocardia . All species showed narrow trophic niches, but particularly so whimbrel, red knot, grey plover and redshank. Niche overlap among shorebird species was mostly insignificant, with the exception of species that fed mainly on fiddler crab. Low levels of niche overlap suggest that shorebirds are able to partition the available food resources in the Bijagós despite the reported low macrobenthic densities in the area. In fact, observational data for bar-tailed godwit suggests resource partitioning even occurs within species, with dietary differences among sexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Food Safety Management System – Diagnostic Instrument (FSMS-DI) was used to determine context factors, core control and assurance activities, as well as food safety outputs for three Global G.A.P. certified and six Non Global G.A.P. certified orchard raspberries farms, and eight cold stores (all of them having certified FSMS systems, often in combination with BRC, IFS and/or FSSC 22000 standards). Examined orchard farms operate at moderate to high-risk context. High risk is mainly related to the microbiological and pesticides contamination of raspberries and open cultivation system, which can provoke additional contaminations (e.g. bird droppings). However they differed in chain and organizational characteristics. Non Global G.A.P. certified orchard farms were mainly characterised by low to basic performance of the FSMS combined with low food safety outputs, while in Global G.A.P. orchard farms moderate performance of FSMS resulted in moderate to advanced food safety outputs. Cold store companies represent the subsequent link in the raspberries chain, with the raw material food safety risks directly connected with the orchard farms final product. This is related to the production process of frozen raspberries without any physical or chemical intervention step which might reduce the level of potentially present microorganisms or chemicals in raspberries. The core control and assurance activities in the FSMS present in the cold stores are mainly at medium to high level, resulting in medium to advance food safety outputs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe the excretion pattern of corticosterone metabolites collected from droppings in barnacle goslings (Branta leucopsis) raised under 24 hours of continuous natural light in the Arctic. In lower latitudes, circulating corticosterone peaks around waking and shows a nadir between midnight and 4:00, whereas the peak and nadir are time-delayed slightly when measuring corticosterone metabolites from droppings. Photoperiod, along with other environmental factors, helps to entrain an animal’s endogenous rhythm to that of the natural world. North of the Arctic Circle, photoperiod may not be a reliable cue as light is continuously absent during the winter and continuously present during the summer. Here, for the first time, we used droppings to describe a 24-hour excretion pattern of corticosterone metabolites (CORTm). By applying circular statistics for dependent data, we found a diel rhythmic pattern even under continuous natural light. We discuss potential alternative ‘Zeitgeber’ that may function even in the polar regions, focusing on melatonin. We propose a line of research to measure melatonin non-invasively from droppings. We also provide a validation of the adopted enzyme immunoassay (EIA) that was originally developed for greylag geese. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seabird excrements (guano) have been preserved in the arid climate of Northern Chile since at least the Pliocene. The deposits of marine organic material in coastal areas potentially open a window into the present and past composition of the coastal ocean and its food web. We use the stable isotope composition of nitrogen and carbon as well as element contents to compare the principal prey of the birds, the Peruvian anchovy, with the composition of modern guano. We also investigate the impact of diagenetic changes on the isotopic composition and elemental contents of the pure ornithogenic sediments, starting with modern stratified deposits and extending to fossil guano. Where possible, 14C systematics is used for age information. The nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition of the marine prey (Peruvian anchovy) of the birds is complex as it shows strong systematic variations with latitude. The detailed study of a modern profile that represents a few years of guano deposition up to present reveals systematic changes in nitrogen and carbon isotopic composition towards heavier values that increase with age, i.e. depth. Only the uppermost, youngest layers of modern guano show compositional affinity to the prey of the birds. In the profile, the simultaneous loss of nitrogen and carbon occurs by degassing, and non-volatile elements like phosphorous and calcium are passively enriched in the residual guano. Fossil guano deposits are very low in nitrogen and low in carbon contents, and show very heavy nitrogen isotopic compositions. One result of the study is that the use of guano for tracing nitrogen and carbon isotopic and elemental composition in the marine food web of the birds is restricted to fresh material. Despite systematic changes during diagenesis, there is little promise to retrieve reliable values of marine nitrogen and carbon signatures from older guano. However, the changes in isotopic composition from primary marine nitrogen isotopic signatures towards very heavy values generate a compositionally unique material. These compositions trace the presence of guano in natural ecosystems and its use as fertilizer in present and past agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Juvenile birds are generally less efficient foragers than adults, and this can lead to reduced survival or delayed reproduction. Feeding on hard-shelled nuts and mollusks after breaking them open by dropping is particularly challenging. To determine whether juvenile birds are as proficient as adults at this complex foraging task, we compared juvenile and adult Herring Gulls ( Larus argentatus) feeding at low tide by dropping clams ( Rangia cuneata) at a coastal estuary in Virginia, USA. Juvenile (first-winter) gulls were less successful than adult (2+ years old) birds at finding clams to drop. Moreover, the clams they selected were of a wider range of sizes, more often being difficult to handle or of lower nutritional value. Juveniles did, however, drop clams with the same degree of success as adult birds. Together these results suggest that learning to find and recognize profitable clams is the developmental bottleneck in this complex behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study used morphological techniques to describe and name four new species of coccidia from the brown kiwi ( Apteryx mantelli). Four distinct eimerian oocyst species were recovered that we describe as new species. The largest of these, Eimeria paraurii n. sp. measured 32.2 × 19.8 μm and is morphologically similar to gametocytes previously described histologically in colorectal polyps (Morgan et al. in Parasitol Res 111(4):1689-1699, 2012). Eimeria apteryxii n. sp. measured 23.9 × 14.9 μm and is similar to renal oocysts described histologically in brown, rowi ( A. rowii) and Haast tokoeka kiwi ( A. australis 'Haast') (Morgan et al. in Avian Pathol 42(2):137-146, 2013). Eimeria kiwii n. sp. measured 14.8 × 13.9 μm and resembled gametocytes described previously in kiwi intestinal epithelial cells in brown kiwi (Morgan et al. in Parasitol Res 111(4):1689-1699, 2012). Eimeria mantellii n. sp. measured 17.8 × 10.7 μm and did not appear similar to any coccidia previously described in histological studies in kiwi. These are the first species of Eimeria to be described and named from brown kiwi. Because the morphological descriptions in the present study were determined from a limited number of kiwi droppings from two geographical locations, it is likely that these represent only a portion of Eimeria species present in other populations of both brown kiwi and other Apteryx species from around New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bat guano is a relatively untapped reservoir of information, having great utility as a DNA source because it is often available at roosts even when bats are not and is an easy type of sample to collect from a difficult-to-study mammalian order. Recent advances from microbial community studies in primer design, sequencing, and analysis enable fast, accurate, and cost-effective species identification. Here, we borrow from this discipline to develop an order-wide DNA mini-barcode assay (Species from Feces) based on a segment of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome c oxidase I (COI). The assay works effectively with fecal DNA and is conveniently transferable to low-cost, high-throughput Illumina MiSeq technology that also allows simultaneous pairing with other markers. Our PCR primers target a region of COI that is highly discriminatory among Chiroptera (92% species-level identification of barcoded species), and are sufficiently degenerate to allow hybridization across diverse bat taxa. We successfully validated our system with 54 bat species across both suborders. Despite abundant arthropod prey DNA in guano, our primers were highly specific to bats; no arthropod DNA was detected in thousands of feces run on Sanger and Illumina platforms. The assay is extendable to fecal pellets of unknown age as well as individual and pooled guano, to allow for individual (using singular fecal pellets) and community (using combined pellets collected from across long-term roost sites) analyses. We developed a searchable database () that allows users to determine the discriminatory capability of our markers for bat species of interest. Our assay has applications worldwide for examining disease impacts on vulnerable species, determining species assemblages within roosts, and assessing the presence of bat species that are vulnerable or facing extinction. The development and analytical pathways are rapid, reliable, and inexpensive, and can be applied to ecology and conservation studies of other taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Canada geese ( Branta canadensis) faeces have been shown to contain pathogenic protozoa and bacteria in numerous studies over the past 15 years. Further, increases in both the Canada geese populations and their ideal habitat requirements in the United States ( US) translate to a greater presence of these human pathogens in public areas, such as recreational freshwater beaches. Combining these factors, the potential health risk posed by Canada geese faeces at freshwater beaches presents an emerging public health issue that warrants further study. Here, literature concerning human pathogens in Canada geese faeces is reviewed and the potential impacts these pathogens may have on human health are discussed. Pathogens of potential concern include Campylobacter jejuni, Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, Helicobacter canadensis, Arcobacter spp., Enterohemorragic Escherichia coli pathogenic strains, Chlamydia psitacci, Cryptosporidium parvum and Giardia lamblia. Scenarios presenting potential exposure to pathogens eluted from faeces include bathers swimming in lakes, children playing with wet and dry sand impacted by geese droppings and other common recreational activities associated with public beaches. Recent recreational water-associated disease outbreaks in the US support the plausibility for some of these pathogens, including Cryptosporidium spp. and C. jejuni, to cause human illness in this setting. In view of these findings and the uncertainties associated with the real health risk posed by Canada geese faecal pathogens to users of freshwater lakes, it is recommended that beach managers use microbial source tracking and conduct a quantitative microbial risk assessment to analyse the local impact of Canada geese on microbial water quality during their decision-making process in beach and watershed management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article examines the role played by village schoolmasters in eighteenth-century rural France. Although schoolmasters were not supported or regulated by the state, as they would be a century later, they were able to navigate successfully the complex network of social relationships that existed within early modern rural society. Using the journal of one schoolmaster, Pierre Delahaye, the article demonstrates that in addition to teaching, schoolmasters also worked as record keepers for village notables, as clerks for the parish, and even cleaned the churches and belfries. The schoolmaster's position afforded him a much greater social position than might be assumed from knowledge of only his income and background, and even allowed him to serve as a mediator between the village and the curé. Thus it can be argued that schoolmasters of the eighteenth century were as important to rural society as their state supported counterparts of the nineteenth century. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Lactobacillus strains commonly used as probiotics which possess some properties such as resistance to gastric acidity and bile salts, production of antimicrobial compounds, the ability to modulate immune responses, and adhesion to gut tissues. This study aimed to isolate, identify, production and characterization of the probiotic strains. Total of 10 digestive tracts of chickens fed without antibiotics for presence of Lactobacillus spp was evaluated. All isolates were grown with different conditions like effect of temperature, pH, pepsine, bile, sodium chloride tolerance, aggregation, adhesion and antibiotic resistance test tested and then antibacterial activity was determined.In this study, 34 lactic acid bacteria were investigated as putative probiotic candidates. Based on the molecular identification using 16S rDNA sequencing the isolates belonged to Lactobacillus species. The strains showed potent antibacterial activity. The results on acid tolerance showed that all the strains tested survived at pH 2.0 to 5.5. L. agilis strain M18, L. salivarius strain M10, L.vaginalis strains M8 and M19, and L. crispatus strains Or2 and M10 showed the lowest sensitivity to pepsine. All the studied Lactobacillus strains were able to grow at both 15 and 45°C . Five Lactobacillus strains adhered well to the Caco-2 cells. The result of antibiotic resistance test of 34 lactic acid bacteria showed that most of them were resistant or intermediate. Based on 34 Lactobacillus strains, L. vaginalis strain M8 and L. reuteri strain M6 were selected for the further in vivo assays and possible eventual use as prophylactic and therapeutic agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this data paper, Bird tracking - GPS tracking of Lesser Black-backed Gulls and Herring Gulls breeding at the southern North Sea coast is described, a species occurrence dataset published by the Research Institute for Nature and Forest (INBO). The dataset (version 5.5) contains close to 2.5 million occurrences, recorded by 101 GPS trackers mounted on 75 Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 26 Herring Gulls breeding at the Belgian and Dutch coast. The trackers were developed by the University of Amsterdam Bird Tracking System (UvA-BiTS, http://www.uva-bits.nl). These automatically record and transmit bird movements, which allows us and others to study their habitat use and migration behaviour in great detail. Our bird tracking network is operational since 2013. It is funded for LifeWatch by the Hercules Foundation and maintained in collaboration with UvA-BiTS and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ). The recorded data are periodically released in bulk as open data (http://dataset.inbo.be/bird-tracking-gull-occurrences), and are also accessible through CartoDB and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pellets of raptors are an important source for the study of the taxonomy, phylogeography and ecological diversity of small vertebrates. Since birds of prey are efficient collecting agents for both rare species and those reluctant to enter traps, they offer an important complement to traditional trapping efforts in the field. The possibility of using bones and teeth recovered from pellets as a convenient alternative DNA source for genetic studies requires a more complete understanding of the DNA preservation of these partially digested remains. It is not yet clear, for example, to which degree DNA is preserved and how heterogeneous DNA preservation is in the different skeletal remains found in pellets since systematic quantitative analyses are missing. Here, we attempt to improve this knowledge by quantifying the degradation of DNA during the digestion process of raptors using 62 individual rodent bones and teeth from different pellets. We show a very high variability in DNA preservation between bones. Interestingly, variability between bones within the same pellet is much higher than that found between pellets, which has major consequences for genetic studies as it implies that bones from the same pellet that could belong to different individuals/species should be tested individually when multiple markers are analyzed. We find that neither the identity of the skeletal part nor microscopic observation of the degree of digestion are useful proxies for DNA preservation, and we thus recommend the use of screening strategies to identify the most suitable bones to include in analyses. We conclude that pellets of owls, whether freshly collected or from natural history collections, can be a practical noninvasive source for genetic studies of small vertebrates provided the design of the study takes into account the short DNA molecule length, the low quantity of DNA preserved and the heterogeneity in DNA preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian fecal droppings may negatively impact environmental water quality due to the presence of high concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) and zoonotic pathogens. This study was aimed at evaluating the performance characteristics and utility of a Helicobacter spp. associated GFD marker by screening 265 fecal and wastewater samples from a range of avian and non-avian host groups from two continents (Brisbane, Australia and Florida, USA). The host-prevalence and -specificity of this marker among fecal and wastewater samples tested from Brisbane were 0.58 and 0.94 (maximum value of 1.00). These values for the Florida fecal samples were 0.30 (host-prevalence) and 1.00 (host-specificity). The concentrations of the GFD markers in avian and non-avian fecal nucleic acid samples were measured at a test concentration of 10 ng of nucleic acid at Brisbane and Florida laboratories using the quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. The mean concentrations of the GFD marker in avian fecal nucleic acid samples (5.2 × 10 3 gene copies) were two orders of magnitude higher than non-avian fecal nucleic acid samples (8.6 × 10 1 gene copies). The utility of this marker was evaluated by testing water samples from the Brisbane River, Brisbane and a freshwater creek in Florida. Among the 18 water samples tested from the Brisbane River, 83% ( n = 18) were positive for the GFD marker, and the concentrations ranged from 6.0 × 10 1 –3.2 × 10 2 gene copies per 100 mL water. In all, 92% ( n = 25) water samples from the freshwater creek in Florida were also positive for the GFD marker with concentrations ranging from 2.8 × 10 1 –1.3 × 10 4 gene copies per 100 mL water. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the GFD marker is highly specific to avian host groups, and could be used as a reliable marker to detect the presence and amount of avian fecal pollution in environmental waters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of granivorous birds as agents of seed dispersal has been little explored and is poorly understood. We assessed the ability of three species of birds from a Central European agricultural landscape to disperse seeds of dry-fruited plants. We hypothesised that Grey Partridge Perdix perdix is a better seed disperser than either of two species of buntings-Yellowhammer Emberiza citrinella and Reed Bunting Emberiza schoeniclus-in terms of the number of intact seeds recovered from their droppings. Partridge droppings contained the highest number of intact seeds. Surprisingly, however, the number of intact seeds per 1 g of droppings was the highest in Reed Bunting, smaller in Grey Partridge and the smallest in Yellowhammer. Our findings suggest that the passage of intact seeds of dry-fruited plants through the digestive tract of seed-eating birds is most likely an effect of limited digestion, resulting from the intake of a large volume of seeds, a small part of which remains undigested. This effect could be magnified by the inclusion in the diet of some items of different digestibility (invertebrates or leaves). We suggest that non-standard dispersal of seeds with no adaptations to endozoochory by birds is a far more frequent and as yet under-appreciated phenomenon, which has potential ecological implications for the colonisation of new habitats/islands by plants. The ultimate elucidation of this process is extremely difficult and would require large sets of faeces to be examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mass aggregation of waterfowls for breeding, results in allochthonous nutrient inputs into aquatic systems. This study evaluated accumulation of bird droppings as allochthonus nutrient input and its fluctuations in Anavilundawa International Ramsar Sanctuary in Sri Lanka where Asian openbill (Anastomus oscitans) mass breeding occurs annually. Reservoir was divided into four strata: Inlet, breeding ground, reservoir centre and outlet. The highest nutrients levels (NO3-, PO43-, NH4+, alkalinity) and the lowest dissolved oxygen and pH levels were recorded in breeding grounds for both surface and bottom water. The highest turbidity was recorded in inlet surface and centre bottom water. Canonical Variate Analysis of water quality parameters indicated the significantly distinct influence of ornithological eutrophication on surface water of four strata whilst, showing similarities in water quality of bottom layers in inlet and outlet. In the breeding ground, surface water was covered with thick mats of aquatic flora consisting of Water hyacinth, Salvinia, duckweed and Polygonum. Therefore, it is concluded that in addition to dilution, amelioration of water quality could also be happening due to absorption by plants. Due to interactions between invasive plants and waterfowls, restoration with native aquatic flora is needed to be considered to regain reservoir resilience and self-sustenance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence, seasonal variation and genetic diversity of Campylobacter spp. in pigeons and crows over a 1-year period were evaluated. Campylobacter spp. were isolated from 166 (34.6 %) out of 480 wild bird faecal samples. The occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in faecal samples was higher among crows (39.2 %) than pigeons (30.0 %), ( P < 0.05). Campylobacter jejuni was the most common species detected among wild bird faecal samples (98.2 %). Meanwhile, Campylobacter coli prevalence in wild bird faecal samples was low-6 %. The Simpson's diversity index of C. jejuni flaA RFLP types was lower in pigeons ( D = 0.88) compared with C. jejuni isolates detected in crows ( D = 0.97). Obtained results revealed that C. jejuni are widely prevalent among crows and pigeons, indicating these wild birds as potential infection sources to humans. Further studies are required to determine crows and pigeons role in zoonotic transmission of Campylobacter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Masquerade describes a defence by animals that have evolved to closely resemble inedible objects such as twigs, stones or bird droppings. Animals that masquerade often match their models in size or shape, and may even adopt specific postures in order to enhance their resemblance, causing predators to misclassify them as their model objects. The caterpillars of some moth species resemble bird droppings, and bend their bodies while resting on branches or leaves. We hypothesized that such bending might enhance the caterpillars' resemblance to real bird droppings. In this study, we tested this hypothesis by pinning artificial caterpillars with green or bird dropping coloration onto tree branches in both straight and bent postures, after which we exposed them to bird predation in the wild. We found that the adoption of a bent posture resulted in a lower attack rate by birds on the artificial caterpillars with the bird dropping coloration, while green caterpillars experienced no benefit from the same treatment. This study is the first experimental demonstration of the protective value of a specific posture in masquerading prey, and highlights the importance of considering an organism's shape and posture in the study of masquerade. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theoretical arguments suggest that increased plant productivity may not only increase consumer densities but also their fluctuations. While increased consumer densities are commonly observed in fertilization experiments, experiments are seldom performed at a spatial and temporal scale where effects on population fluctuations may be observed. In this study we used a natural gradient in soil fertility caused by cormorant nesting. Cormorants feed on fish but defecate on their nesting islands. On these islands we studied soil nutrient availability, plant nutrient content and the density of Galerucella beetles, main herbivores feeding on Lythrum salicaria. In a common garden experiment, we followed larval development on fertilized plants and estimated larval stoichiometry. Soil nutrient availability varied among islands, and several cormorant islands had very high N and P soil content. Plant nutrient content, however, did not vary among islands, and there was no correlation between soil and plant nutrient contents. Beetle densities increased with plant nutrient content in the field study. However, there was either no effect on temporal fluctuations in beetle density or that temporal fluctuations decreased (at high P). In the common garden experiment, we found limited responses in either larval survival or pupal weights to fertilization. A possible mechanism for the limited effect of fertilization on density fluctuations may be that the distribution of L. salicaria on nesting islands was restricted to sites with a lower N and P content, presumably because high N loads are toxic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nest ofMinixi suffusumoffers a rare form of mimicry: bird dropping masquerading of the nest by the potter wasp was recorded in mid-western Brazil, in the municipality of Dourados MS. Nesting biology ofM. suffusumand the material involved in the action of the camouflage were observed. Eleven nests were sampled, with a total of 38 cells. Use of uric acid for staining the cell was evident in all nests. The way that the wasp stains the cells was observed. Substrate nest site, seasonality, larvae biology, sex ratio, prey and parasitoids ofM.suffusumwere reported. Nest camouflage may be related to defense against natural enemies. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Wild birds are important to public health, and they carry immerging zoonotic pathogens as a reservoir host. They often cause acute gastroenteritis in humans. Many playgrounds in parks are natural habitats for wild birds. Children's behavior, the frequent hand-mouth contact in this age group, is also likely to increase the risk of eating infective material. In this study, we looked into the likelihood that contamination by wild-birds of children's playground is a source of human infection. We did that by estimating the prevalence of Campylobacter spp. in fresh and dried wild-bird fecal samples. From July to August, 2013, we collected 200 samples of fresh and dried feces from 5 publicly accessible children's playgrounds in Mashhad, Iran. Our data by using a cultural method and a test, showed that 17.5% of feces samples contained Campylobacter spp. It was significantly ( P < 0.05) more prevalent in the fresh samples (23.85%) than the dried samples (5.7%). We only detected one species of Campylobacter spp. from wild birds in this study. In conclusion, the results of this study showed wild bird species may set up a reservoir for Campylobacter spp. They could be of risk to humans. As far as we are aware, this is the first study in Iran to isolate Campylobacter spp. from children's playgrounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Past mining and smelting activities have resulted in metal polluted environments all over the world, but long-term monitoring data is often scarce, especially in higher trophic levels. In this study we used bird (Parus major and Ficedula hypoleuca) excrement to monitor metal pollution in the terrestrial environment following 16 years of continuously reduced emissions from a copper/nickel smelter in Finland. In the early 1990s, lead and cadmium concentrations dropped significantly in excrement, but the reduction did not directly reflect the changes in atmospheric emission from the smelter. This is likely due to a continuous contribution of metals also from the soil pool. We conclude that bird excrement can be used to assess changes in the environment as a whole but not specifically changes in atmospheric emission. Inter-annual variation in excrement concentration of especially copper and nickel demonstrates the importance of long-term monitoring to discern significant trends. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the consumption of bird feces by fire ant Solenopsis geminata in a garden at a residential area in Caracas, Venezuela. The author observed that the ant consumed feces from mistnetted Blue-gray tanager Thraupis episcopus that contained mostly papaya pulp. Other ant species that also consume bird feces are mentioned, including Cephalotes atratus and Camponotus sericeiventris.

The article focuses on a study which analyzes the prey contents from snowy owl pellets during the 2011-2012 irruption in Kansas. A total of 12 pellets from four localities was analyzed which were collected between January 10 and March 5, 2012. Topics discussed include morphological data on snowy owl pellets and prey remains and prey composition and abundance from pellets of the birds.