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Stripe (yellow) rust, caused by the biotrophic fungal pathogen Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is emerging as a serious threat to wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) production in many regions ...

Stripe rust caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is a devastating fungal disease of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The best economical technique for disease control is breeding for genetic resistance to stripe rust. To find resistance genes in landrace PI388222 from Pakistan, a segregating population was developed by a cross between PI388222 and susceptible Australian spring wheat line Avocet ‘S’. The F2:4 seeds were harvested and seeds were planted in the greenhouse of Washington State University Pullman, to grow F4:5 recombinant inbred lines (RIL). A variable set of seedling reactions were noted when a set of 136 F5 and parental lines were screened with four Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici races (PSTv-37, PSTv-40, PSTv-4 and PSTv-51). The great proportion of RILs showed resistant reaction displayed by the RILs was against PSTv-40, for which 85% of the RILs showed resistant reaction, while less resistance to the race PSTv-37 was detected against which the resistance was for only 49% of the RILs. The RIL population was further evaluated at two locations; Palouse Conservation Field Station (PCFS) and Mount Vernon (MV). In MV field, 76% of RILs displayed resistant reaction while 15% of RILs exhibited moderate reaction. About 53% of RILs exhibited resistant reaction to four P. tritici races that were used in glasshouse screening and they were also resistant in field environments at PCFS and MV. This study demonstrates that landrace comprises partial resistance in the range of resistant to moderately resistant lines.

Author(s): Hartman, C. Alex; Ackerman, Joshua T.; Schacter, Carley R.; Herzog, Mark P.; Tarjan, L. Max; Wang, Yiwei; Strong, Cheryl; Tertes, Rachel; Warnock, Nils | Abstract: In south San Francisco Bay, former salt ponds now managed as wildlife habitat support large populations of breeding waterbirds. In 2006, the South Bay Salt Pond Restoration Project began the process of converting 50% to 90% of these managed pond habitats into tidal marsh. We compared American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) abundance in south San Francisco Bay before (2001) and after approximately 1,300 ha of managed ponds were breached to tidal action to begin tidal marsh restoration (2019). Over the 18-year period, American Avocet abundance declined 13.5% (2,765 in 2001 vs. 2,391 in 2019), and Black-necked Stilt abundance declined 30.0% (1,184 in 2001 vs. 828 in 2019). Forster’s Tern (Sterna forsteri) abundance was 2,675 birds in 2019. In 2019, managed ponds accounted for only 25.8% of suitable habitats, yet contained 53.9%, 38.6%, and 65.6% American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Forster’s Tern observations, respectively. Conversely, tidal marsh and tidal mudflats accounted for 42.9% of suitable habitats, yet contained only 18.4%, 10.3%, and 19.8% of American Avocet, Black-necked Stilt, and Forster’s Tern observations, respectively. Using a separate nest-monitoring data set, we found that nest abundance in south San Francisco Bay declined for all three species from 2005–2019. Average annual nest abundance during 2017–2019 declined 53%, 71%, and 36%, for American Avocets, Back-necked Stilts, and Forster’s Terns, respectively, compared to 2005–2007. Loss of island nesting habitat as a result of tidal marsh conversion and an increasing population of predatory California Gulls (Larus californicus) are two potential causes of these declines. All three species established nesting colonies on newly constructed islands within remaining managed ponds; however, these new colonies did not make up for the steep declines observed at other historical nesting sites. For future wetland restoration, retaining more managed ponds that contain islands suitable for nesting may help to limit further declines in breeding waterbird populations.n

Summary Introduced predators threaten prey species worldwide, but strategies to protect vulnerable wildlife from introduced predators can be expensive, time-consuming, and logistically difficult 1 , 2 . Novel conservation strategies that reduce predation affordably and efficiently must be explored. ‘Headstarting’ is one such strategy, whereby prey are isolated from predators only during the critical early life stage before being returned to the wild, thus improving juvenile survivorship and recruitment to contribute to an increase in population growth 3 . Headstarting is a particularly useful conservation strategy for species facing higher levels of a threatening process during only the early part of their life history when mortality rates are higher, and has demonstrably improved conservation outcomes for birds and marine species 3 , 4 . Here we report findings from the first known headstarting program for a terrestrial mammal, the endangered bridled nailtail wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata) at Avocet Nature Refuge (henceforth ‘Avocet’) in Queensland, Australia.

Una época crítica para los organismos es la reproductiva, pues de ella dependen, en parte, la salud y el tamaño de las poblaciones. Generar información sobre este aspecto permite tomar adecuadas decisiones de manejo o conservación. Para evaluar la importancia del noroeste de México en la reproducción de nueve especies de aves playeras, estudiamos, en mayo de 2017, a sus poblaciones en 12 sitios, localizados en Baja California Sur (3), Sonora (3), Sinaloa (4), límites entre Baja California y Sonora (1) y Sinaloa y Nayarit (1). Realizamos conteos y búsqueda de evidencia reproductiva, en la costa. Registramos nueve especies hipotéticamente reproductivas y un híbrido (Haematopus palliatus x H. bachmani). Obtuvimos 6,960 registros de aves playeras, donde sobresalieron Himantopus mexicanus (42%), Recurvirostra americana (32%) y H. palliatus (18.4%). Los sitios con mayores abundancias fueron Marismas Nacionales (35%), Huizache-Caimanero (13%), Yavaros-Moroncárit (12.5%) y Bahía de Tóbari (12%), todos ubicados en el continente. Para tres especies (H. palliatus, Charadrius nivosus y Ch. wilsonia) los individuos reproductores representaron un porcentaje importante de su total poblacional. Esta investigación reafirma la importancia del noroeste de México para la reproducción de aves playeras residentes, algunas protegidas por el gobierno mexicano.

Eggshell thickness is important for physiological, ecological, and ecotoxicological studies on birds; however, empirical eggshell thickness measurements for many species and regions are limited. We measured eggshell thickness at the equator and the egg poles for 12 avian species and related eggshell thickness to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. Within an egg, eggshells were approximately 5.1% thicker at the equator than the sharp pole of the egg, although this difference varied among species (0.6%–9.8%). Within Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri), where eggshell thickness was measured at 5 equally spaced positions along the longitude of the egg, eggshell thickness changed more rapidly near the sharp pole of the egg compared to near the blunt pole of the egg. Within species, eggshell thickness was related to egg width and egg volume for six of the 12 species but was not related to egg length for any species. Among species, mean eggshell thickness was strongly related to species mean egg width, egg length, egg volume, and bird body mass, although species mean body mass was the strongest predictor of species mean eggshell thickness. Using three species (American avocet [Recurvirostra americana], black‐necked stilt [Himantopus mexicanus], and Forster's tern), whose nests were carefully monitored, eggshell thickness (including the eggshell membrane) did not differ among viable, naturally abandoned, dead, or failed‐to‐hatch eggs; was not related to total mercury concentrations of the egg content; and did not decrease with embryonic age. Our study also provides a review of all existing eggshell thickness data for these 12 species., We measured eggshell thickness at the egg equator and the egg poles for 12 avian species, and related eggshell thickness to egg morphometrics, embryonic development, egg status, and mercury contamination. Our study also provides a review of all existing eggshell thickness data for these 12 species.

Yellow rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst), is economically one of the most important diseases of wheat in India and worldwide. During four wheat-growing seasons (2015-19), a total of 951 yellow rust samples collected from farmers’ fields (n = 602) and trap plot nurseries (n = 349) were analyzed for virulence on 30 differentials. From this analysis, 11 distinct Pst pathotypes were identified. The virulence pattern of these pathotypes was also tested on 14 Avocet near-isogenic lines (NILs) and Avocet S. None of the pathotypes were virulent to Yr5, Yr10, Yr15, Yr16, Yr24, Yr32, and YrSP. Pathotype 46S119 (46E159) was most prevalent and widely distributed in all the areas and its overall frequency was maximum (56.2%) followed by 110S119 (110E159, 31.9%). However, the frequency of 46S119 has decreased gradually from 62.0% (2015-16) to 48.4% (2018-19). Pathotype 238S119 (238E159) being the most virulent among the identified pathotypes, was detected in 6.8% of samples. Each of the remaining pathotypes was identified in

Loss of wetlands may restrict foraging opportunities for many species of migratory shorebirds that depend on such habitats during the non-breeding periods. In addition, tidal cycles, both daily (high and low tides) and lunar (spring and neap tides), periodically modulate the availability of foraging areas within coastal wetlands, which can limit area and foraging time for shorebirds. We tested whether densities of shorebirds (marbled godwit, willet, western sandpiper, black-necked stilt, American avocet, two dowitcher species, and whimbrel) observed at a shrimp farm varied with predictable tidal cycles on the coast of northwestern Mexico. We found that most species occurred in higher densities during high- and neap-tides, when nearby intertidal areas were flooded and thus unavailable for foraging shorebirds. The majority of shorebirds at the shrimp farm were actively feeding, indicating that the shrimp farm can provide an alternate foraging habitat. As an exception, western sandpipers were found in lower densities during neap tides, and we suggest that predation risk from peregrine falcons at the shrimp farm may displace this species to other nearby safe habitats. Understanding the spatio-temporal variability on the use of shrimp farms will increase the general knowledge about the function of alternative anthropogenic habitats for migratory shorebirds.

Continuing the avocet story, this chapter focuses on the development of nature reserves. The RSPB’s management at Havergate and Minsmere nature reserves was both pioneering and crucial in the development of British nature conservation practices, making them excellent places to investigate which nature was seen in need of conserving in post-war Britain. Minsmere was key to a new phase in British nature conservation in the late 1950s, in which the survival of wild places was seen to need much more active interference, and during the 1960s, bulldozers created new feeding areas, and screened walkways and observation hides orchestrated and hid the movement of visitors. The avocets were also important to the development of the RSPB’s film unit in the mid-1950s, with the birds thus becoming visible not only to the reserve’s visitors but also to people attending public lectures and watching televisions.

This chapter weaves a different intruder into the region. In 1947, the avocet began breeding in two areas flooded for war-related reasons, Havergate Island and Minsmere, after a hundred-year absence from Britain. Guarded and kept secret by former servicemen, the birds then came under the protection of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), who took the birds’ success as a symbol for British nature conservation, later making the bird their logo. This story captured the public imagination, and I explore its themes of militarised nature, showing how the story was framed in terms of secrecy and privacy and was related to the public as a continuation of wartime watching and guarding. Protecting birds also appeared in post-war fiction as a way for returning servicemen to recover, where nature appeared both as intrinsically militarised and simultaneously as a refuge from war: the Britain they had been fighting for.

Animal groups have emergent properties that result from simple interactions among individuals. However, we know little about why animals adopt different interaction rules because of sparse sampling among species. Here, we identify an interaction rule that holds across single and mixed-species flocks of four migratory shorebird species spanning a seven-fold range of body masses. The rule, aligning with a one-wingspan lateral distance to nearest neighbors in the same horizontal plane, scales linearly with wingspan but is independent of nearest neighbor distance and neighbor species. This rule propagates outward to create a global flock structure that we term the compound-V formation. We propose that this formation represents an intermediary between the cluster flocks of starlings and the simple-V formations of geese and other large migratory birds. We explore multiple hypotheses regarding the benefit of this flock structure and how it differs from structures observed in other flocking species., eLife digest Birds often fly in flocks ranging from very structured V-formations to unstructured clusters. Many studies have tried to prove what causes birds to flock and how it benefits them. Flocks, for example, may help birds to avoid predators and to navigate. Flying in a V-shaped formation likely also gives aerodynamic benefits that can make it easier to fly long distances. Few studies, however, have measured how the positions of birds in a flock relate to things like flying speed or the frequency of wing flaps. This is because it was difficult to take such measurements in large flocks of moving birds. Advances in cameras and computers are now making it easier to track individual birds flying in large flocks. The technology allows scientists to measure how birds position themselves in relation to other birds, or how flock-positioning varies by bird size, species, ecology, and behaviors. Such measurements may help scientists better understand why and how birds flock. Corcoran and Hedrick now show that four different types of shorebirds position themselves in the same way when flying in a flock. In the experiments, digital cameras recorded video of 18 cluster-like flocks of four different species of birds flying over a bird sanctuary or agricultural fields. The flocks ranged in size from a hundred to a thousand birds. Some flocks had two types of bird. The four types of birds – dunlin, short-billed dowitcher, American avocet, and marbled godwit – live in similar environments but greatly vary in size and fly at different speeds. Corcoran and Hedrick measured individual bird positions using three-dimensional computer reconstructions of the flocks. Each bird – regardless of size or species – most commonly flew about one wingspan to the side and between a half to one-and-a-half wingspans back from the bird in front of it. Birds flying in simple V-shaped formations follow similar rules. This suggests that birds flying in clusters may also gain aerodynamic benefits.

Phenotyping of wheat stripe rust in genetic studies has traditionally relied on quantifying disease by means of the modified Cobb Scale. This approach requires scoring of disease severity and response type, either on flag leaves or on a whole plot basis. The use of spectral crop sensors in wheat phenotyping has raised the question of whether this objective methodology is suitable for detecting stripe rust resistance loci in genetic studies. An Avocet S X Francolin#1 recombinant inbred population developed at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (Centro Internacional de Mejoramiento de Maiz y Trigo—acronym CIMMYT), and a Kariega X Avocet S doubled haploid population developed in South Africa, both with available genetic maps, were used in this study. Field trials for stripe rust evaluation of these populations were planted at Greytown, South Africa in 2013 and 2014. Severe and uniformly distributed infection of Puccinia striiformis race 6E22A+ occurred in both years. Populations and parents were phenotyped according to the modified Cobb Scale and with a handheld Trimble GreenSeeker® crop sensor (model HCS-100). The sensing device emits red and infrared light and measures the reflectance of each wavelength in terms of the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI). In both years, NDVI detected four previously characterized quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 1BL, 2BS, 3BS and 6AL in the Avocet S X Francolin#1 population. The same QTL were detected with visual estimates in 2013 but only 2BS was significant in 2014. In the Kariega X Avocet S population, all stripe rust traits, including NDVI, mapped to previously described QTL on chromosomes 2BS, 4AL and 7DS. Remote sensing of infection levels thus consistently detected the same QTL regions as described by using visual ratings in earlier studies, indicating that a crop sensor can be easily applied in genetic mapping of stripe rust resistance in wheat.

Avian nest-site selection is influenced by factors operating across multiple spatial scales. Identifying preferred physical characteristics (e.g., topography, vegetation structure) can inform managers to improve nesting habitat suitability. However, social factors (e.g., attraction, territoriality, competition) can complicate understanding physical characteristics preferred by nesting birds. We simultaneously evaluated the physical characteristics and social factors influencing selection of island nest sites by colonial-nesting American avocets (Recurvirostra americana) and Forster's terns (Sterna forsteri) at 2 spatial scales in San Francisco Bay, 2011–2012. At the larger island plot (1 m2) scale, we used real-time kinematics to produce detailed topographies of nesting islands and map the distribution of nests. Nesting probability was greatest in island plots between 0.5 m and 1.5 m above the water surface, at distances

In egg contaminant studies, it is necessary to calculate egg contaminant concentrations on a fresh wet weight basis and this requires accurate estimates of egg density and egg volume. We show that the inclusion or exclusion of the eggshell can influence egg contaminant concentrations, and we provide estimates of egg density (both with and without the eggshell) and egg-shape coefficients (used to estimate egg volume from egg morphometrics) for American avocet (Recurvirostra americana), black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), and Forster's tern (Sterna forsteri). Egg densities (g/cm(3)) estimated for whole eggs (1.056 ± 0.003) were higher than egg densities estimated for egg contents (1.024 ± 0.001), and were 1.059 ± 0.001 and 1.025 ± 0.001 for avocets, 1.056 ± 0.001 and 1.023 ± 0.001 for stilts, and 1.053 ± 0.002 and 1.025 ± 0.002 for terns. The egg-shape coefficients for egg volume (K v ) and egg mass (K w ) also differed depending on whether the eggshell was included (K v = 0.491 ± 0.001; K w = 0.518 ± 0.001) or excluded (K v = 0.493 ± 0.001; K w = 0.505 ± 0.001), and varied among species. Although egg contaminant concentrations are rarely meant to include the eggshell, we show that the typical inclusion of the eggshell in egg density and egg volume estimates results in egg contaminant concentrations being underestimated by 6-13 %. Our results demonstrate that the inclusion of the eggshell significantly influences estimates of egg density, egg volume, and fresh egg mass, which leads to egg contaminant concentrations that are biased low. We suggest that egg contaminant concentrations be calculated on a fresh wet weight basis using only internal egg-content densities, volumes, and masses appropriate for the species. For the three waterbirds in our study, these corrected coefficients are 1.024 ± 0.001 for egg density, 0.493 ± 0.001 for K v , and 0.505 ± 0.001 for K w .

Wheat yellow rust (causative agent Puccinia striiformis West.) is a widespread disease of common wheat in the North-West Russia. A comparative analysis of P. striiformis populations, collected in the Leningrad region in 2019 on wheat and triticale, by virulence and racial composition was carried out for the first time. Virulence and racial composition of P. striiformis were studied using international and European sets of differentiating varieties and isogenic lines of “Avocet” with 20 Yr genes. A total of 55 single-pustule isolates of P. striiformis were studied, including 31 from common wheat, 10 from durum wheat and 14 from triticale. Using differentiating varieties, 2 races (111E247, 110E247) were identified among isolates from common wheat, 3 races from durum wheat (111E213, 111E231, 111E247), and 5 races from triticale (111E247, 78E209, 79E209, 111E231, 78E215). Using “Avocet” isogenic Yr lines, all isolates were avirulent to lines with the Yr5, Yr10, Yr11, Yr12, Yr15, Yr24, Yr26 genes and virulent to Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr18, YrSp, YrJr(18), YrAS genes. Isolates virulent to Yr17 were revealed on triticale; avirulent to YrSk (27) – on durum wheat. and avirulent to YrAR – on triticale. Highly effective Yr genes can be recommended for wheat resistance breeding to to yellow rust.

Las diferentes anormalidades en el plumaje son resultado de múltiples factores ambientales y genéticos. En México se han reportado aberraciones en el plumaje de las aves, no obstante, todas se han clasificado como leucísticas (color blanco del plumaje debido a un gen recesivo). Otros tipos de aberraciones en el plumaje se han identificado, tales como el encanecimiento progresivo, el melanismo o las mutaciones, como la marrón, aún no reportadas para México. Durante trabajo de campo con aves en el estado de Nayarit, observamos individuos de seis especies de aves con plumajes anormales que caracterizamos como no leucísticos. Determinamos encanecimiento progresivo en pijije ala blanca (Dendrocygna autumnalis), zopilote aura (Cathartes aura), playero menor (Calidris minutilla) y golondrina tijereta (Hirundo rustica); plumaje marrón en avoceta americana (Recurvirostra americana) y plumaje ino en fragata magnífica (Fregata magnificens). El plumaje marrón y el ino involucran factores genéticos. El encanecimiento progresivo fue la aberración observada más frecuente, y diversos factores, que pueden ser genéticos, están involucrados en su expresión. Estas aberraciones, sin embargo, no habían sido previamente reportadas para aves en México.

Highlights: • A combination of methods is necessary to assess the foraging ecology of avocets. • Marine fish make up a higher proportion of the diet than previously assumed. • Telemetry data indicate that intertidal channels are important foraging grounds. • Avocet behaviour implies high fish densities in intertidal channels. • Protected areas are important habitats for breeding, resting and foraging avocets. Abstract: Pied avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) breeding in the Wadden Sea typically forage in shallow water, using their characteristic upward-curved bill to feed on macrozooplankton in the water column and prey items in the uppermost centimetre of the sediment. Former studies on prey choice based on droppings and visual observations of feeding behaviour suggested that ragworms were the main prey items of avocets. The present study combined different methods to assess the foraging ecology of breeding avocets in the eastern Wadden Sea. Important foraging grounds were identified using GPS telemetry. Diet was analysed from droppings and stable isotope signatures of whole blood samples from breeding avocets at two different colonies in April–June 2014 and 2015. Analysis of droppings confirmed the former results, but stable isotope analysis suggested that marine fish comprised the highest proportion of the avocet diet by mass. Telemetry data indicated that intertidal channels close to the breeding areas were used as the main foraging grounds. Avocets performed short foraging trips (maximum distance: 0.3–5.9 km) mainly during the daytime. Logger data and diet analysis thus implied the existence of high fish densities in intertidal channels, underlining the importance of this saltmarsh habitat as foraging areas for breeding avocets.

Stripe rust, caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici W., is a devastating disease of wheat worldwide. A new stripe rust resistance gene with moderate seedling and adult plant resistance was mapped using an F5 recombinant inbred line (RIL) population developed from the cross of the resistant parent ‘Almop’ with the susceptible parent ‘Avocet’. The parents and RILs were phenotyped for seedling stripe rust response variation in a greenhouse and in field trials at Toluca, Mexico for 2 years. Almop showed moderate levels of resistance at both seedling and adult plant stages compared with the highly susceptible response of Avocet. The distribution of homozygous resistant, homozygous susceptible, and segregating RILs conformed to segregation at a single locus. Seedlings and adult plant responses were correlated, indicating that the same gene conferred resistance at both stages. A bulk segregant analysis approach with widely distributed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers mapped the resistance gene to the distal region of the long arm of chromosome 4A. The SSR marker wmc776 cosegregated with this gene, whereas markers wmc219 and wmc313 were tightly linked and both located at 0.6 centimorgans. The resistance locus was designated Yr60.

La avoceta americana (Recurvirostra americana) es un ave playera que se encuentra asociada a los cuerpos de agua poco profundos; de figura estilizada y apariencia inconfundible, pertenece a la familia Recurvirostridae. El área de reproducción de esta especie, reconocida hasta ahora, no abarca el estado de Chihuahua, México, donde está catalogada como un ave migratoria. Debido a que no hay ningún estudio en el que se reporte la presencia de nidos de avocetas en este estado de la república mexicana, el descubrimiento de nidos en los años 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012 y 2013 cerca de los poblados de Janos, Ascensión, Palomas, Cuauhtémoc, Gómez Farías y la ciudad de Chihuahua representa los primeros registros de anidación documentados de esta especie en el estado. En 2013 hicimos un estudio más detallado en 12 nidos próximos a la ciudad de Chihuahua, y notamos que en el área hay una gran cantidad de peligros para los huevos y pollos de avoceta americana y para las aves asociadas como el candelero americano (Himantopus mexicanus) y el chorlo tildío (Charadrius vociferus), ya que son aves que anidan a nivel del suelo. La presencia de especies depredadoras como perros, gatos y animales silvestres así como de humanos, vacas y caballos que pueden pisar los huevos y pollos podría incidir en la supervivencia de estas especies.

El sistema estuarino-lagunar Marismas Nacionales (México) es un Sitio de Importancia Internacional designado por la Red Hemis­férica de Reservas de Aves Playeras. La Avoceta americana (Recurvirostra americana) es una de las aves playeras invernantes más numerosas en el área. Sin embargo hay poca información sobre su estancia invernal en el sitio, a pesar de que el sitio fue decretado Reserva de la Biosfera. En este estudio determinamos, a través de trayectos y muestreo de barrido durante el invierno (noviembre-marzo), la distribución y abundancia en las Marismas Nacionales (2010-2011), así como densidad y estructura de población en uno de los sectores de la Reserva de la Biosfera durante 2011-2013. Estimamos en 26,000 individuos la población invernante de Avoceta Americana en la Reserva de la Biosfera (5.7% de la población mundial), pero aproximadamente el 36% de la población invernante la observamos en sitios fuera del polígono de la reserva. La evidencia sugiere que la migración de primavera comenzó durante las primeras semanas de marzo. Hemos observado alguna segregación espacial entre los sexos, pero nuestros resultados, aunque válidos, no son concluyentes debido a la dificultad de identificación de los sexos en algunos individuos. A pesar de los cambios en estos humedales, la población invernante de Avoceta americana ha permanecido relativamente estable en los últimos veinte años. Por lo que Marismas Nacionales sigue siendo un humedal clave para la Avoceta americana en Norteamérica.

Author(s): Strum, Khara M.; Dybala, Kristen E.; Iglecia, Monica N.; Shuford, W. David | Abstract: The Central Valley of California provides important breeding habitat to numerous species of wetland-dependent birds, despite the loss of over 90% of naturally occurring wetlands. A majority of shorebirds breeding in this region rely on shallow-flooded habitat adjacent to sparsely vegetated uplands as provided by rice (Oryza sativa), managed wetlands, and other habitats. We estimated the current extent of potential breeding shorebird habitat provided by rice and managed permanent and semi-permanent wetlands in each of four major planning regions of the Central Valley, and estimated the average breeding densities and current population sizes of two species of shorebirds: the Black-Necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) and American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana). Using a population status framework based on principles of conservation biology, we estimated that stilt populations are small (l10,000 individuals) or very small (l1,000 individuals) in three of the four planning regions, and avocet populations are small or very small in all four planning regions. We then used the framework to define long-term (100-year) population objectives for stilts, avocets, and a third species, Killdeer (Charadrius vociferous), designed to meet our long-term conservation goal of supporting self-sustaining, genetically robust, and resilient populations of breeding shorebirds in the Central Valley. We also estimated the long-term species’ density and wetland habitat objectives necessary to achieve the population objectives for all three species. The corresponding short-term (10-year) conservation objectives are to restore semi-permanent wetlands to provide an additional 11,537 ha (28,508 ac) of habitat for breeding shorebirds (by planning region: 2,842 ha in Sacramento, 2,897 ha in Yolo–Delta, 2,943 ha in San Joaquin, and 2,855 ha in Tulare), and to enhance existing habitat to support density objectives. Our approach provides a transparent, repeatable process for defining science-based conservation objectives for breeding shorebirds and their habitats in the Central Valley, which can help unite stakeholders around common goals and motivate conservation actions.

A procedure for virulence phenotyping of isolates of yellow (stripe) rust using spray inoculation of wheat seedlings by spores suspended in an engineered fluid, Novec™ 7100, is presented. Differential sets consisting of near-isogenic Avocet lines, selected lines from the "World" and "European" sets, and additional varieties showing race-specificity facilitate a robust assessment of race, irrespectively of geographical and evolutionary origin of isolates. A simple procedure for purification of samples consisting of multiple races is also presented.

Identifying differences in reproductive success rates of closely related and sympatrically breeding species can be useful for understanding limitations to population growth. We simultaneously examined the reproductive ecology of American avocets Recurvirostra americana and black-necked stilts Himantopus mexicanus using 1274 monitored nests and 240 radio-marked chicks in San Francisco Bay, California. Although there were 1.8 times more avocet nests than stilt nests, stilts nonetheless fledged 3.3 times more chicks. Greater production by stilts than avocets was the result of greater chick survival from hatching to fledging (avocet: 6%; stilt: 40%), and not because of differences in clutch size (avocet: 3.84; stilt: 3.77), nest survival (avocet: 44%; stilt: 35%), or egg hatching success (avocet: 90%; stilt: 92%). We reviewed the literature and confirmed that nest survival and hatching success are generally similar when avocets and stilts breed sympatrically. In addition to species, chick survival was strongly influenced by age, site, and year. In particular, daily survival rates increased rapidly with chick age, with 70% of mortalities occurring ≤ 1 week after hatch. California gulls Larus californicus caused 55% of avocet, but only 15% of stilt, chick deaths. Differential use of micro-habitats likely reduced stilt chick's vulnerability to gull predation, particularly during the first week after hatch, because stilts nested in vegetation 2.7 times more often than avocets and vegetation height was 65% taller at stilt nests compared with avocet nests. Our results demonstrate that two co-occurring and closely related species with similar life history strategies can differ markedly in reproductive success, and simultaneous studies of such species can identify differences that limit productivity.

Shrimp aquaculture farms have greatly expanded at tropical areas worldwide, especially during the past three decades. One of the main core areas of this expansion was the northwestern coast of Mexico, prompting conservation concern for the shorebird populations that spend the nonbreeding period (October to March) in the region. We conducted a series of counts and behavioral observations to evaluate the importance of a shrimp farm as foraging habitat for shorebirds, relative to adjacent intertidal areas, during and after the shrimp harvest period at a tropical wetland in Sinaloa, Mexico, 2012 and 2013. Overall, low-tide counts within the entire wetland had an average of 3,168 ± 605 (SE) shorebirds during the shrimp harvest period (October–November) and subsequently dropped to 1,408 ± 373 birds following harvest (December to January), when shrimp ponds were emptied and foraging opportunities were reduced. The proportion of counts at the shrimp farm relative to total counts over the entire wetland ranged from 10 to 80 % for different shorebird species and dropped to 0 to 10 % in the postharvest period. During the harvesting period, black-necked stilt, American avocet, willet, and whimbrel selected shrimp ponds over intertidal areas to forage during low tide, while marbled godwit, western sandpiper, and dowitchers did not. The proportion of shorebirds observed feeding at the shrimp farm ranged between 60 and 90 % for most species and did not differ between low- and high-tide counts. These results suggest that shrimp farms can provide ephemeral but important complementary foraging areas for shorebirds, and appropriate management of existing farms may aid in conservation efforts for these species.

Primer registro de anidacion de Avoceta americana ( Recurvirostra americana ) e Ibis blanco ( Eudocimus albus ) en Laguna Ojo de Liebre, BCS, Mexico El humedal de Guerrero Negro es uno de los sitios de mayor relevancia para las aves acuaticas en Mexico y es un sitio importante para su reproduccion. Esta nota describe los primeros registros de anidacion de Avoceta americana ( Recurvirostra americana ) e Ibis blanco ( Eudocimus albus ) en este humedal, incrementando con esto a 24 el numero de especies cuya anidacion se ha registrado en la zona.

In order to investigate on inheritance and gene action for resistance to yellow rust, the resistant line C.B227 was crossed with the susceptible variety Avocet. Parents (P1 and P2) and the resulting F1, F2 and F3 generations were planted in a randomised complete block design with two replications in the field. The plants were inoculated with 70E0A+ pathotype of yellow rust in the research station of Gharakhil, Iran, and evaluated for resistance at adult plant stage. Disease severity and infection type of flag leaf were recorded for each single plant and final coefficient of infection was calculated. The results of weighted ANOVA indicated that the difference among the generations was significant (p

Exploring different types of resistance genes and deploying diversity resistance genes among different wheat producing regions are important strategy to control stripe rust epidemic in large scale. The resistance spectra of the wheat line Guinong 775 at seedling stage was tested in greenhouse with ten isolates of Puccinia triticina West. f. sp. tritici; and the inheritance of resistance was investigate with F(2:3) and BC(1) populations derived from a cross between Guinong 775 and a susceptible cultivar Avocet (S), inoculated with isolates CYR32 and CH42, which poses a notable threat to current wheat varieties carrying Yr26 resistance gene. The results showed that Guinong 775 was immune or nearly immune to all the tested races; however, the resistant germplasm 92R137, Chuanmai 42, Guinong 22, and Yr24/6*Avocet (S) were susceptible to CH42. The resistance of Guinong 775 was conferred by a single dominant gene to CYR32 and another single dominant gene to CH42, and these genes proved to be different.

Summary 1. The European soda pans of the Carpathian Basin provide important stopover sites for several waterbird species. We studied the effect of different invertebrate food types and other characteristics on the habitat choice and distribution of birds on 82 pans (in Hungary, Austria and Serbia) during spring migration. 2. Only three environmental variables proved to be significant determinants of the waterbird communities: pan density (spatial effect) along with the density of Arctodiaptomus spp. and anostracans (local effect). Variance partitioning of the data revealed that aquatic invertebrate food supply (Arctodiaptomus and anostracans) had a greater effect than pan density on the 10 investigated bird species, suggesting a dominant role of species sorting in structuring the communities. Pied avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) and northern shovelers (Anas clypeata) differed from the other species in their strong association with densities of anostracans (avocet) and Arctodiaptomus (shoveler). 3. Anostracans and microcrustaceans, especially the most frequent Branchinecta orientalis, Arctodiaptomus spinosus and Arctodiaptomus bacillifer, can be regarded as keystone elements of this soda pan habitat because of their bottom-up role in structuring waterbird assemblages during spring migration.

Orford Ness is an isolated 1551-acre shingle spit facing the North Sea, off the Suffolk coast of Great Britain. On the one hand, the place offers a distinct and spectacular experience of humanity’s relations with external nature. The site is about 2000 acres in size and is a rare but fragile environment for rare bird, plant, and insect life. Avocet, hawk, redshank, oystercatcher, and many other migratory waders all breed there and it is the largest vegetated shingle spit in Europe with a very wide range of rare plant life (National Trust 2003). It is now protected as an Environmentally Sensitive Area, a Site of Special Scientific Interest, and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Stem rust of wheat, caused by Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici, was under control worldwide for over 30 years by utilizing genetic resistance. The emergence of stem rust in 1998 in eastern Africa in form of race Ug99 and its evolving variants with virulence to many resistance genes were recognized as potential threats to wheat production. In this study we identified genomic regions contributing to putatively durable, adult plant resistance (APR) to wheat stem rust. A recombinant inbred line (RIL) population of 298 lines was previously developed at CIMMYT from a cross between ‘Avocet S’ and ‘Pavon 76’. Pavon 76 has been described to carry APR to stem rust. Avocet S carries the race-specific resistance gene Sr26. A subset of RILs without Sr26 segregated for APR to stem rust race Ug99 when evaluated in Kenya for three years. Single year and joint year analysis by inclusive composite interval mapping using 450 DArT markers identified five quantitative trait loci (QTL) that contributed to the resistance of wheat to stem rust race Ug99. Three of these, including QSr.cim-3B, which probably represents the Sr2 gene, were contributed by Pavon 76 whereas the remaining two QTL were contributed by Avocet S. QSr.cim-3B, or putatively Sr2, on chromosome arm 3BS explained 32 % of the phenotypic variation while the additional QTL in Pavon contributed 24 and 20 %, respectively. Two QTL from Avocet S explained 8 and 6 % of phenotypic variance, respectively. A combination of APR QTL from the two parents resulted in transgressive segregants expressing higher levels of resistance than Pavon 76. Our results indicate that it is possible to accumulate several minor resistance genes each with a small to intermediate effect resulting in a variety that exhibits negligible disease levels even under high stem rust pressure.

Translocation and reintroduction are used to reduce extinction risk associated with a small population and range size in threatened mammal species. We evaluated the outcome of a reintroduction of the bridled nailtail wallaby Onychogalea fraenata to Avocet Nature Refuge, a private refuge in central Queensland, Australia. This macropod was also reintroduced to Idalia National Park in western Queensland in 1996 and occurs in one natural population in central Queensland. We estimated population growth, adult and juvenile survival, and distribution changes since the last release of O. fraenata to Avocet in 2005, and evaluated female reproductive success and health. Although animals were in good condition, population size was a tenth of that of the 1996 Idalia reintroduction reported after 3 years and, unlike at Idalia, juvenile survival at Avocet was low. The likely causes are consistent with predictors of translocation and reintroduction failures in mammals. These are predation, the small number of individuals in each release, the likely suboptimal health status of reintroduced individuals, drought, and possibly lack of dispersal from the small area of preferred habitat. The lessons of this reintroduction are that future attempts are likely to have the best chance of success if they occur in non-drought years, at sites with large, non-fragmented areas of brigalow forest, involve the release of large groups of animals together, and are accompanied by intensive, long-term baiting to control introduced predators.

Absent as a breeding bird from Britain for at least a century, avocets (Recurvirostra avosetta) began nesting on the east coast of Britain, in Suffolk, shortly after the end of the Second World War, having homed in on two spots on Britain’s coast that had been flooded for war-related reasons. The avocets’ presence was surrounded in secrecy, while a dedicated few kept up a protective watch over them. As the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) took over responsibility for the flourishing colony, they claimed the episode as a symbol of success for British protection, later making the bird their logo. Counter to the RSPB’s story of protecting a British bird, I read the narratives of events in terms of making a bird British. I show how, as postwar Britain slumped economically and spiritually and tried to rebuild itself, the birds became a vehicle for formulating national identity: of Britain as a home to which to return and belong. Exploring the themes of returning servicemen and closed territories, the paper also examines the episode in terms of the naturalisation of the military and the militarisation of nature.

Floating bird eggs to estimate their age is a widely used technique, but few studies have examined its accuracy throughout incubation. We assessed egg flotation for estimating hatch date, day of incubation, and the embryo's developmental age in eggs of the American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus), and Forster's Tern (Sterna forsteri). Predicted hatch dates based on egg flotation during our first visit to a nest were highly correlated with actual hatch dates (r = 0.99) and accurate within 2.3 ± 1.7 (SD) days. Age estimates based on flotation were correlated with both day of incubation (r = 0.96) and the embryo's developmental age (r = 0.86) and accurate within 1.3 ± 1.6 days and 1.9 ± 1.6 days, respectively. However, the technique's accuracy varied substantially throughout incubation. Flotation overestimated the embryo's developmental age between 3 and 9 days, underestimated age between 12 and 21 days, and was most accurate between 0 and 3 days and 9 an...

Predators that feed on clustered prey tend to have an ‘area-restricted search’ (ARS), characterized by a combination of a slow and tortuous movement in prey-rich areas, and a fast and straight movement in poorer areas. Waders that forage in intertidal areas usually prey upon buried macroinvertebrates, whose distribution is often clustered. However, wader species differ in the strategy used to find their prey: some rely mainly on visual cues, some rely on tactile cues, and others follow a more generalist method, simply sweeping the sediment surface with the bill. We hypothesized that these strategies influence the adoption of an ARS by waders. We analysed this hypothesis by comparing the fine-scale movement of a ‘tactile’ predator (black-tailed godwit, Limosa limosa ), with that of a ‘visual’ predator (redshank, Tringa totanus ) and a ‘sweeper’ (avocet, Recurvirostra avosetta ). We filmed 190 individuals of the three species and, using GIS facilities, obtained more than 12 000 spatial positions, along with detailed records of feeding activity. We analysed several parameters of fine-scale movement of waders, such as foraging and searching speeds, tortuosity, and the relationship between these parameters and foraging success. Only the tactile predator, the black-tailed godwit, followed an ARS, reducing searching speed and increasing spatial turning rate whenever the prey intake was higher. Furthermore, its foraging strategy involved short-term adjustments of movement that maximized the likelihood of finding subsequent prey, suggesting a prior knowledge or an ability to perceive rapidly the distribution pattern of its prey.

Tens of thousands of shorebirds use saline lakes as migratory stopovers in the Southern Great Plains, USA. To assess their foraging strategies and understand how they replenish energy reserves during spring and summer/fall migrations, we examined diets, prey taxa selection, and prey size selection of American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana), Least Sandpipers (Calidris minutilla), Wilson's Phalaropes (Phalaropus tricolor), and Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes). Migrant shorebirds foraged opportunistically by taking most prey taxa according to their availability. Least Sandpipers preferred small prey (2–5 mm), whereas American Avocet, Wilson's Phalaropes, and Lesser Yellowlegs generally preferred intermediate and large prey (6–20 mm). By consuming prey taxa according to their availability and prey sizes that require minimum energy to capture and ingest, shorebirds increase their ability to replenish energy reserves while migrating through interior North America. Drought and drying of freshwate...

Female American Avocets (Recurvirostra americana) were radio-marked (N = 15) and tracked in the South San Francisco Bay, California, to determine if space use varied by breeding stage. Visual observations were used to determine breeding stage (pre-incubation, incubation, brood-rearing, post-breeding) of marked avocets. Space use measurements (linear movements, home ranges, core areas, and average distance from nest) varied significantly among breeding stages. Space use was greatest for the post-breeding stage, followed by pre-incubation, incubation, and brood-rearing. Most avocet nests (93%) were located within their pre-incubation core area boundaries, whereas only 36% of nests were within post-breeding core areas. Distance between daily location and future nest sites decreased significantly as the number of days prior to incubation decreased, suggesting that avocets prospected future nest sites several weeks prior to nesting. These data indicate that breeding stage influences space use of femal...

Despite great variation in breeding, social and migration systems, there have been few long-term (more than 5 years) studies of waders. This paper describes a 27-year study of breeding Greenshanks Tringa nebularia, and briefly reviews the scope for long-term work on breeding waders in the Western Palaearctic. Between 1964 and 1990 a Greenshank population in NW Scotland varied threefold in number but declined during the 1980s. Some territories were occupied almost every year whereas others became unoccupied. The increase up to the mid 1970s coincided with good summer weather likely to improve breeding success and subsequent adult recruitment. The decline occurred despite no adverse change in weather, an increase in over-winter numbers on British and Irish estuaries, and no increase in nest predation. Afforestation in the Flow Country of northern Scotland may have exacerbated the decline by reducing numbers of potential recruits from what were once productive areas. Habitat for broods has deteriorated considerably in the study area because of the impact of all-terrain vehicles: pool complexes have deteriorated to a greater degree in unoccupied than in occupied territories. Territories with most disturbance have been occupied less regularly. There has been a decline in habitat structural complexity likely to render chicks more prone to predation and less likely to find preferred food. Habitat is now set to recover, and predictions are made about the Greenshank's response. Of 47 wader species breeding regularly in the Western Palaearctic, none have had lifetime reproductive success measured and long-term population dynamics have been studied in only nine. We provide a list of species that might be appropriate for addressing six important ecological issues. Five emerge as common targets for further long-term work: Dotterel Charadrius morinellus, Lapwing Vanellus vanellus, Avocet Recurvirostra avosetta. Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos and Curlew Numenius arquata.

In 1994, a 117-ha wetland was designed, constructed, and operated by the Tulare Lake Drainage District (TLDD), California, USA, to provide foraging and nesting habitat for American avocets (Recurvirostra americana) and black-necked stilts (Himantopus mexicanus). The wetland was operated seasonally in compliance with regulatory requirements to compensate for impacts to stilts, avocets, and other wildlife exposed to elevated selenium concentrations, fluctuating water levels resulting in nest flooding, and high nest-predation rates at the TLDD agricultural drainage evaporation basins. Water supply for the wetland was from low-selenium (typically

We recorded and compared diurnal and nocturnal time-activity budgets of American Avocet (Recurvirostra americana), Lesser Yellowlegs (Tringa flavipes), Least Sandpiper (Calidris minutilla), and Wilson’s Phalarope (Phalaropus tricolor) on 21 saline lakes in the Southern Great Plains, USA, during spring and summer/fall 2002 and 2003 to examine importance of saline lakes as migratory stopover sites. All four species spent most of their time feeding (47-70%) and resting (7-37%) by day and at night during spring and fall migrations. Little time was spent in other behaviors. Time budgets differed among species and between seasons, likely due to different energy needs. Time spent foraging varied seasonally between saline lakes and freshwater playas for American Avocets and Least Sandpipers, likely due to differences in vegetation cover and availability of prey between these wetland types. For most species, time spent foraging and resting differed between day and night. Therefore, extrapolating diurnal a...

We evaluated whether mercury influenced survival of free-ranging American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) and black-necked stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) chicks in San Francisco Bay, California. Using radio telemetry, we radio-marked 158 avocet and 79 stilt chicks at hatching and tracked them daily until their fate was determined. We did not find strong support for an influence of in ovo mercury exposure on chick survival, despite observing a wide range of mercury concentrations in chick down feathers at hatching (0.40-44.31 microg g(-1) fw). We estimated that chick survival rates were reduced byor =3% over the range of observed mercury concentrations during the 28-day period from hatching to fledging. We also salvaged newly-hatched chicks that were found dead during routine nest monitoring. In contrast to the telemetry results, we found that mercury concentrations in down feathers of dead chicks were higher than those in randomly-sampled live chicks of similar age. However, capture site was the most important variable influencing mercury concentrations, followed by year, species, and hatching date. Although laboratory studies have demonstrated negative effects of environmentally relevant mercury concentrations on chick survival, our results concur with the small number of previous field studies that have not been able to detect reduced survival in the wild.

Footedness in birds has been reported, e.g., in parrots and chickens, but the direction of footedness remained unclear. Is a bird left-footed because it uses its left foot for holding and handling food, or is it right-footed because it uses the right foot for stabilisation and balancing while perching? In 2004 and 2006 I examined footedness in wildfowl and waders while the birds were performing a single task: roosting on the ground on one foot. Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta), northern shoveller (Anas clypeata), oystercatcher (Haematopus ostralegus), and Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) were right-footed. Another 21 species did not show any significant foot preferences. This study provides some evidence that asymmetries in preferential foot use in birds may be triggered by a preference during postural control.

Complementary genes for resistance to wheat stripe rust in an Avocet selection mapped to chromosome arms 3DL and 5BL. Susceptible Avocet selections lacked the 5BL gene due to a chromosomal deletion. This study reports the inheritance and genetic mapping of the YrA (temporary name of convenience to describe the specificity) seedling resistance to wheat stripe rust (caused by Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici; Pst) in a resistant selection of the Australian cv. Avocet [Avocet R (AvR)-AUS 90660]. Genetic analysis was performed on F2 populations and F3 generation families from crosses between wheats that carried and lacked the YrA resistance. Greenhouse seedling tests with two avirulent Pst pathotypes (104 E137 A- and 108 E141 A-) confirmed that the YrA resistance was inherited as two complementary dominant genes. Ninety-two doubled haploid (DH) lines from a cross between the Australian cv. Teal (Pst susceptible) and AvR were used for DArT-Seq genotypic analysis to map the seedling resistance. Marker-trait association analysis using 9035 DArT-Seq loci mapped the genes to the long arms of chromosomes 3D (3DL) and 5B (5BL), respectively. F2 populations from crosses between susceptible DH lines that carried either the 3DL or 5BL marker genotypes confirmed the complementary gene model. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis determined that Teal carries a reciprocal T5B-7B translocation. FISH analysis also identified a 5BL chromosomal deletion in Avocet S relative to AvR that further validated the complementary gene model and possibly explained the heterogeneity of closely related wheats carrying the YrA resistance. The individual loci of the complementary YrA resistance were designated Yr73 (3DL) and Yr74 (5BL). Candidate single gene reference stocks will be permanently accessioned following cytological analysis to avoid the T5B-7B translocation.

Groundwater-related discharges in the San Diego Creek/Newport Bay watershed in Orange County, California have the potential to adversely affect the surface waters within the watershed and would likely not comply with the established total maximum daily loads (TMDLs) for the watershed. In 2004 and 2005, we studied the concentrations of contaminants of TMDL concern (particularly selenium [Se]) in birds that are at risk of exposure to contaminated food items because they feed and nest in the Newport Bay watershed. Most bioaccumulation is from elevated Se in groundwater downstream of a historic terminal swamp. Se bioaccumulation was observed in all biota tested, and DDE was found in fish and bird egg samples. Effects of contaminants on fish and birds are inconclusive due to the management disturbances in the watershed (e.g., flood control) and lack of bird nesting habitat. Although a significant relationship was observed between DDE concentrations and eggshell thinning in American avocet (Recurvirostra americana) eggs, the shell thinning in avocet and other species examined was not enough to result in hatching failure. Further focused monitoring efforts will be needed to characterize the exposure and risk levels.