Search

Billions of birds migrate from the Palaearctic to sub-Saharan Africa, yet we are unaware about where exactly they stay over winter and how consistent they have been using these wintering areas over historical times. Here, we inferred the historical wintering areas of Eurasian Golden Orioles (Oriolus oriolus) from stable isotope ratios of feathers. Over the past 200 years, Golden Orioles used two major wintering grounds. Between 1895 and 1971, the relative use of these areas depended on local rainfall intensities. Golden Orioles may depend strongly on humid wintering areas in sub-Saharan Africa, which may put this species at stake when the global climate continues to change.

The development of new molecular methods has significantly improved the detection and identification of avian haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon) compared to microscopic examination. Very large numbers of previously hidden Haemosporida species of a wide range of avian hosts have thus been discovered in the last two decades. However, test parameters of the various detection methods remain largely unevaluated. In this study, the merits of microscopy, multiplex PCR, and nested PCR were compared to identify the infection status of three Malagasy bird species. A total of 414 blood samples of Hypsipetes madagascariensis, Foudia omissa and F. madagascariensis, as well as 147 blood smears, were examined for haemosporidian infection. Thirty-four lineages of haemosporidian parasites could be identified, of which six have been detected for the first time. Microscopy, multiplex and nested PCR showed differences in detection rate, most likely due to low parasitemia of chronically infected birds. The combination of both PCR methods yielded the best results. In particular, detection of multiple infections could be greatly improved and will enable more precise prevalence estimates of individual haemosporidian species in wild birds in the future.

Movalli, Paola et al., The chemical industry is the leading sector in the EU in terms of added value. However, contaminants pose a major threat and significant costs to the environment and human health. While EU legislation and international conventions aim to reduce this threat, regulators struggle to assess and manage chemical risks, given the vast number of substances involved and the lack of data on exposure and hazards. The European Green Deal sets a ‘zero pollution ambition for a toxic free environment’ by 2050 and the EU Chemicals Strategy calls for increased monitoring of chemicals in the environment. Monitoring of contaminants in biota can, inter alia: provide regulators with early warning of bioaccumulation problems with chemicals of emerging concern; trigger risk assessment of persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances; enable risk assessment of chemical mixtures in biota; enable risk assessment of mixtures; and enable assessment of the effectiveness of risk management measures and of chemicals regulations overall. A number of these purposes are to be addressed under the recently launched European Partnership for Risk Assessment of Chemicals (PARC). Apex predators are of particular value to biomonitoring. Securing sufficient data at European scale implies large-scale, long-term monitoring and a steady supply of large numbers of fresh apex predator tissue samples from across Europe. Natural science collections are very well-placed to supply these. Pan-European monitoring requires effective coordination among field organisations, collections and analytical laboratories for the flow of required specimens, processing and storage of specimens and tissue samples, contaminant analyses delivering pan-European data sets, and provision of specimen and population contextual data. Collections are well-placed to coordinate this. The COST Action European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility provides a well-developed model showing how this can work, integrating a European Raptor Biomonitoring Scheme, Specimen Bank and Sampling Programme. Simultaneously, the EU-funded LIFE APEX has demonstrated a range of regulatory applications using cutting-edge analytical techniques. PARC plans to make best use of such sampling and biomonitoring programmes. Collections are poised to play a critical role in supporting PARC objectives and thereby contribute to delivery of the EU’s zero-pollution ambition., This paper was carried out in collaboration between ‘European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility’ (COST Action 16224), and the project ‘LIFE APEX—Systematic use of contaminant data from apex predators and their prey in chemicals management’ (LIFE17 ENV/SK/000355). European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility is supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union. LIFE APEX is funded by the LIFE Programme, the EU’s funding instrument for the environment and climate action.

Previous studies about geographic patterns of species diversity of avian malaria parasites and others in the Order Haemosporida did not include the avian biodiversity hotspot Madagascar. Since there are few data available on avian malaria parasites on Madagascar, we conducted the first known large-scale molecular-based study to investigate their biodiversity. Samples (1067) from 55 bird species were examined by a PCR method amplifying nearly the whole haemosporidian cytochrome b gene (1063 bp). The parasite lineages found were further characterized phylogenetically and the degree of specialization was determined with a newly introduced host diversity index (Hd). Our results demonstrate that Madagascar indeed represents a biodiversity hotspot for avian malaria parasites as we detected 71 genetically distinct parasite lineages of the genera Plasmodium and Haemoproteus. Furthermore, by using a phylogenetic approach and including the sequence divergence we suspect that the detected haemosporidian lineages represent at least 29 groups i.e. proposed species. The here presented Hd values for each parasite regarding host species, genus and family strongly support previous works demonstrating the elastic host ranges of some avian parsites of the Order Haemosporida. Representatives of the avian parasite genera Plasmodium and Leucocytozoon tend to more often be generalists than those of the genus Haemoproteus. However, as demonstrated in various examples, there is a large overlap and single parasite lineages frequently deviate from this rule.

International audience; The genus Uranotaenia (Diptera: Culicidae) has been well documented in Madagascar where it includes 73 species, 89.4% being endemic. However, one problem is that most species are morphologically similar in the adult stage. Here, 713 Uranotaenia specimens collected in the tropical forests of Anorana and Maromizaha between 2008 and 2014 were examined. Using the dichotomous keys for the Uranotaenia fauna of Madagascar published in 2004, three species were identified: Uranotaenia neireti (220), Ur. alboabdominalis (110) and Ur. mayottensis (28). The other specimens (355) were not identifiable and were classified as Uranotaenia sp1. Using wing morphometry, the four taxa were classified into four morphogroups. Within the Uranotaenia sp1 group, specimens from the Anorana forest and those from the Maromizaha forest overlapped. This result suggests that wing morphometric traits could be a good marker to distinguish Uranotaenia species in Madagascar.

The common ancestry of congeneric species implies that their morphology and ecology are similar, and thus that these closely related species may experience intensified levels of competition when sympatrically distributed. Under such circumstances, selective pressure may lead to niche partitioning between and within species, with segregation achieved through variation in morphology, ecology and life history. Examining the mechanisms underlying the coexistence or segregation of congeneric species requires detailed data on aspects of their ecology such as their feeding behaviour or habitat use. Endemic island birds, such as the vangas of Madagascar, are good candidates for studying processes of niche segregation. Vangas underwent rapid speciation following the initial colonization of the island by a shared ancestor and now provide a prime example of adaptive radiation, with considerable variation in body size and shape. Four small species of Newtonia are an exception to this variation, as they show morphological overlap and partial spatial range sympatry. Here, we describe the morphology of two Newtonia species, the Common Newtonia Newtonia brunneicauda and Dark Newtonia Newtonia amphichroa, with respect to their ecology and trophic niches using a multi-isotope approach (stable isotope ratios of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur). We report evidence for adaptations involving morphological feeding traits and provide data on contrasting trophic niches between two species with a close phylogenetic relationship. We document micro-habitat niche specialization that may be due to vertical stratification within the forest. Differences in feather isotopic signatures indicate different nutrient sources and point towards microhabitat segregation that is sufficient to maintain species integrity and permit coexistence. published

International audience; The horizontal and vertical distribution of mosquito species was studied in Maromizaha rainforest, Madagascar. In November 2014, horizontal distribution was studied using light traps that were placed in four habitat types, ranging from degraded forest to primary rainforest. In November to December 2016, vertical distribution was studied using light traps placed near to the ground and elevated near the canopy. From the horizontal survey, 476 adults were collected: Uranotaenia (52.10%) and Culex (35.2%) were the most abundant genera. The highest numbers of mosquitoes were observed in the rainforest edge habitat, while the highest mosquito diversity was observed within primary rainforest. From the vertical survey, 276 adults were collected: Culex was the most abundant genus and represented 75.70% of adults caught. Mosquitoes were more abundant in traps placed near the ground than those near the canopy. The highest species diversity was observed near the canopy. The higher abundance of mosquitoes at the forest edge agrees with the role of this zone as an ecotone between intact rainforest and the nearest human habitation. Increased mosquito abundance in lower strata might heighten their contact with particular vertebrate hosts. The presence of vectors in different habitats and in varying elevations likely influences the risk of pathogen transmission between animals and humans in this rainforest.

Data on longevity is a prerequisite to understand the life-history strategies of a species. For Malagasy songbirds no information has been previously published. Therefore, we studied their longevity in a capture–recapture effort in a rainforest in eastern Madagascar (Maromizaha, Andasibe) between 2003 and 2016. We present first data on the longevity of 23 species of Malagasy songbirds. A female Dark Newtonia Newtonia amphichroa (Vangidae) and a Grey-crowned Greenbul Bernieria cinereiceps (Bernieridae) attained an age of at least 12 years, followed by two male Madagascar Brush Warblers Nesillas typica (Acrocephalidae), female Madagascar Bulbul Hypsipetes madagascariensis (Pycnonotidae) and Madagascar Drongo Dicrurus forficatus (Dicruridae) that attained at least 10 years. There was much variation within some taxonomic groups, longevity did not increase with the mass of a bird species and most insectivorous birds lived longer than granivorous ones.

Greylag Geese (Anser anser, Anatidae) are associated with water throughout their life and are, therefore, frequently exposed to avian malaria vectors such as mosquitoes (Culicidae) and black flies (Simuliidae). Thus, they could serve as reservoir for avian malaria parasites (Haemosporida). We examined 143 blood samples from individually ringed geese in a sedentary flock in Stuttgart, southwestern Germany, for the prevalence of Haemosporida including Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon, using established and newly developed PCR protocols. Only one adult female goose was infected with Plasmodium sp. GRW04 (AF254975.1), a lineage that is part of the morphospecies Plasmodium (Haemamoeba) relictum, which has a worldwide distribution. This is the first time this parasite lineage was detected in the Anseriformes. Our findings support the hypothesis that the transmission of this strain occurred in mainland Europe and is not restricted to wintering areas outside Europe as previously suggested. We discuss the low haemosporidian prevalence detected in the examined goose population in the light of other studies on waterbirds.

Although many parrot species are decreasing in their native range, introduced parrot populations can be found in urban areas around the globe. We thus need to understand how they adapt to this novel environment and to assess the possibility of a range expansion that might threaten native species. We studied population growth, nest site requirements, as well as limiting factors like reproductive output and mortality of the only European population of Yellow-headed Parrots (Amazona oratrix) in the city of Stuttgart, southwest Germany, to assess the risk of a possible range expansion. Although offspring could be seen on a regular basis, parrot numbers hardly increased during the last 5 years (51 individuals in spring 2015, including 12 breeding pairs). Ten accessible nest cavities were studied in detail: they were located exclusively in large, old London Plane (Platanus × acerifolia) trees in an area of less than 1 km2 in the city’s public parks and were at least 65 cm deep. Average reproductive output was 1.3 fledglings/pair, which is high in comparison to data from birds in their native range. Mortality, especially of young parrots, appears to be high due to risks in urban areas such as collisions with vehicles and windows and could partly explain slow population growth. This slow population growth in combination with the need for sufficiently large nest cavities may hinder a range expansion of this species in future years.

Paola Movalli et al., European Raptor Biomonitoring Facility COST Action (CA16224) is supported by COST (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) and funded by the Horizon 2020 Framework Programme of the European Union. Life APEX is financed by the European Union through the program LIFE17ENV/SK/000355‘Systematic use ofcontaminant data from apex predators and their prey in chemicals management’.

Summary Human-induced environmental change and habitat fragmentation pose major threats to biodiversity and require active conservation efforts to mitigate their consequences. Genetic rescue through translocation and the introduction of variation into imperiled populations has been argued as a powerful means to preserve, or even increase, the genetic diversity and evolutionary potential of endangered species [1, 2, 3, 4]. However, factors such as outbreeding depression [5, 6] and a reduction in available genetic diversity render the success of such approaches uncertain. An improved evaluation of the consequence of genetic restoration requires knowledge of temporal changes to genetic diversity before and after the advent of management programs. To provide such information, a growing number of studies have included small numbers of genomic loci extracted from historic and even ancient specimens [7, 8]. We extend this approach to its natural conclusion, by characterizing the complete genomic sequences of modern and historic population samples of the crested ibis (Nipponia nippon), an endangered bird that is perhaps the most successful example of how conservation effort has brought a species back from the brink of extinction. Though its once tiny population has today recovered to >2,000 individuals [9], this process was accompanied by almost half of ancestral loss of genetic variation and high deleterious mutation load. We furthermore show how genetic drift coupled to inbreeding following the population bottleneck has largely purged the ancient polymorphisms from the current population. In conclusion, we demonstrate the unique promise of exploiting genomic information held within museum samples for conservation and ecological research., Highlights • Recent population decline of crested ibis in 10 kya was likely shaped by human activity • Modern group has lost almost half of genetic variations in pre-bottleneck ancestors • Modern group suffers from a high inbreeding coefficient and deleterious mutation load • Ancestral balancing selection is outweighed by genetic drift in the modern group, Feng et al. use whole-genome sequencing of contemporary and historic crested ibis, an iconic endangered bird species, to explore how their genetic diversity has changed through time. Their analyses reveal the roles of genetic drift and intensive inbreeding on the loss of genetic diversity in today’s population.

Background Avian malaria parasites (Plasmodium spp.) and other Haemosporida (Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon spp.) form a diverse group of vector-transmitted blood parasites that are abundant in many bird families. Recent studies have suggested that corvids may be an important host for Plasmodium spp. and Leucocytozoon spp. Methods To investigate the diversity of Haemosporida of resident carrion crows (Corvus corone) and Eurasian Magpies (Pica pica) in southwest Germany, 100 liver samples of corvids were examined using a nested PCR method to amplify a 1063 bp fragment of the haemosporidian mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. The phylogenetic relationship of parasite lineages obtained from these birds was inferred. Results Haemosporidian DNA was detected in 85 carrion crows (89.5%) and in all five Eurasian Magpies. The most abundant parasite genus was Leucocytozoon with a prevalence of 85.3% (n = 95). 65.3% of the samples (n = 62) contained multiple infections. Thirteen haemosporidian lineages were isolated from the corvid samples. Female carrion crows were more likely infected with haemosporidian parasites than males. Discussion This study provides the first insight into the diversity of haemosporidian parasites of corvids in Germany. Very high prevalences were found and based on the applied diagnostic method also a high amount of multiple infections could be detected. Due to the high diversity of haemosporidian parasites found in corvids, they seem to be excellent model organisms to test species deliminations in haemosporidian parasites.

International audience; BACKGROUND:Avian malaria occurs almost worldwide and is caused by Haemosporida parasites (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon). Vectors such as mosquitoes, hippoboscid flies or biting midges are required for the transmission of these parasites. There are few studies about avian malaria parasites on Madagascar but none about suitable vectors.METHODS:To identify vectors of avian Plasmodium parasites on Madagascar, we examined head, thorax and abdomen of 418 mosquitoes from at least 18 species using a nested PCR method to amplify a 524 bp fragment of the haemosporidian mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. Sequences obtained were then compared with a large dataset of haemosporidian sequences detected in 45 different bird species (n = 686) from the same area in the Maromizaha rainforest.RESULTS:Twenty-one mosquitoes tested positive for avian malaria parasites. Haemoproteus DNA was found in nine mosquitoes (2.15%) while Plasmodium DNA was found in 12 mosquitoes (2.87%). Seven distinct lineages were identified among the Plasmodium DNA samples. Some lineages were also found in the examined bird samples: Plasmodium sp. WA46 (EU810628.1) in the Madagascar bulbul, Plasmodium sp. mosquito 132 (AB308050.1) in 15 bird species belonging to eight families, Plasmodium sp. PV12 (GQ150194.1) in eleven bird species belonging to eight families and Plasmodium sp. P31 (DQ839060.1) was found in three weaver bird species.CONCLUSION:This study provides the first insight into avian malaria transmission in the Maromizaha rainforest in eastern Madagascar. Five Haemoproteus lineages and seven Plasmodium lineages were detected in the examined mosquitoes. Complete life-cycles for the specialist lineages WA46 and P31 and for the generalist lineages mosquito132 and PV12 of Plasmodium are proposed. In addition, we have identified for the first time Anopheles mascarensis and Uranotaenia spp. as vectors for avian malaria and offer the first description of vector mosquitoes for avian malaria in Madagascar.

Invasive species are a key factor contributing to the global decline of biodiversity, and understanding the underlying mechanisms is crucial to mitigate detrimental effects [1]. One such mechanism is the introduction of invasive species with defensive strategies, such as novel toxins, that can disrupt native predator communities [2]. Disruption of such communities can produce trophic cascades, impacting a diverse array of taxa [2]. Madagascar, a globally significant biodiversity hotspot, has recently experienced the introduction of a toxic bufonid amphibian, the Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus) [3]. Since its invasion, the toad population has expanded rapidly, making control efforts problematic and eradication extremely difficult [4]. Previous cases of bufonid introductions, such as the ongoing spread of the cane toad (Rhinella marina) in Australia, have resulted in the decimation of many indigenous species [2], prompting fears that Madagascar may be similarly impacted [4]. Here we show that these fears are warranted: we demonstrate that many Malagasy vertebrates are likely to be susceptible to the toxins of this invasive toad.

Observations on the diet and feeding behaviour of naturalised Yellow-headed Amazona oratrix and Blue-fronted Amazon Parrots Amazona aestiva xanthopteryx and their hybrids were carried out in the city of Stuttgart, southwest Germany, the only European city known to host an established population. Food items taken ranged from bark, young shoots, flower and leaf buds, flowers, and seeds to fruit. Since the introduction of the Amazon Parrots in 1984, a total of 64 food plant taxa from 23 plant families were identified, amongst them 37 native taxa, and 27 non-native trees and shrubs. Food resources seem widely available for this naturalised population and therefore appear not to be a limiting factor for population growth. Some food items containing bitter and poisonous compounds are used exclusively by Amazon Parrots, reducing food competition with native birds.

Adaptive radiation is the rapid diversification of a single lineage into many species that inhabit a variety of environments or use a variety of resources and differ in traits required to exploit these. Why some lineages undergo adaptive radiation is not well-understood, but filling unoccupied ecological space appears to be a common feature. We construct a complete, dated, species-level phylogeny of the endemic Vangidae of Madagascar. This passerine bird radiation represents a classic, but poorly known, avian adaptive radiation. Our results reveal an initial rapid increase in evolutionary lineages and diversification in morphospace after colonizing Madagascar in the late Oligocene some 25 Mya. A subsequent key innovation involving unique bill morphology was associated with a second increase in diversification rates about 10 Mya. The volume of morphospace occupied by contemporary Madagascan vangas is in many aspects as large (shape variation)—or even larger (size variation)—as that of other better-known avian adaptive radiations, including the much younger Galapagos Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers. Morphological space bears a close relationship to diet, substrate use, and foraging movements, and thus our results demonstrate the great extent of the evolutionary diversification of the Madagascan vangas.

Peck rates (pecks/min) were used to compare the relative frequencies of food intake of Greylag Geese (Anser anser) of different gosling ages and of different social statuses. As the goslings grew up, their peck rates increased, and by the time of fledging they had reached the level of nonbreeders. Parent birds pecked the fastest. This may be due to the fact that they spent more time being vigilant over their goslings and as a result had less time for feeding, thus compensating for their lack of time by pecking faster.

Stonechats (genus Saxicola) are passerine birds with an extraordinarily large breeding distribution. Recent studies provide strong evidence that the taxon shows far greater geographic differentiation than originally suspected, with African, Siberian and European stonechats forming distinct, monophyletic groups that have been suggested to be species in their own right. Here, we present additional data on the geographic differentiation among African stonechats, Saxicola torquatus. Nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes indicate that the stonechats from Eastern Madagascar (Saxicola t. sibilla) form a distinct clade and that they constitute a monophyletic group with stonechats from mainland eastern Africa (Saxicola t. axillaris) and La Réunion (Saxicola tectes). The genetic and morphological data suggest that the Madagascar stonechat is very likely to be a distinct species, Saxicola sibilla (Linnaeus 1766). However, further studies are needed to verify this. A detailed description of the plumage and various external body measurements is given.