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Due to rapid homogenization in habitat types as a result of urbanization, some urban birds adapt their nesting strategies to changes in local habitat characteristics. Bird nesting decisions might have been mainly linked to resource constraints and ensuring reproductive success. In this study, we examined patterns of nesting behavior by spotted doves (Spilopelia chinensis) in a rapidly urbanizing area of Nanchang, China using ArcGIS 10.8, satellite tracking, camera traps, and field survey. To explore the mechanisms underlying nesting behavior in urban habitats, we assessed the correlations between nest reuse and reproductive success, and between nest reuse and nest predation. From December 2018 to December 2021, a total of 302 breeding nests were surveyed. The results revealed that the nest reuse rate was 38.08% (n = 115). Nests closer to trunk, with lower nest position and higher large‐scale urbanization score tended to have higher reuse rate. In addition, nests with the higher the nest height and percent of canopy cover, and the lower small‐scale urbanization score were more likely to reproduce successfully, and the reused nests also reproduce more successfully. The reproductive success associated with nest reuse was significantly higher than that associated with new nests (χ2 = 8.461, p =.004). High degree of urbanization promoted nest reuse of spotted doves (large‐scale urbanization score, z = 2.094, p =.036), which apparently enhanced their reproductive success (nest reuse, z = 2.737, p =.006). In conclusion, a nest structure with good permeability is the material basis for the nest reuse in spotted dove, while the relatively low risk of predation in urban habitat and the scarcity of nest site resources due to urbanization increase the tendency of birds to reuse old nests, which is associated with their reproductive success and evolutionary fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we used mitochondrial control sequences and microsatellite data from 231 Common Moorhen Gallinula chloropus individuals sampled from 19 sites in China to analyse their genetic structure and evolutionary history. High genetic diversity was found for all populations, although microsatellite analysis showed that the genetic diversity in non‐migratory populations was significantly higher than in migratory populations. High gene flow occurred between neighbouring populations, although long‐distance gene flow also occurred. The Huazhong population was the single greatest genetic source for other populations. High gene flow probably led to the shallow genetic structure that we observed. Demographic expansion was found in migratory populations, non‐migratory populations and with all individuals combined. The expansion time for all populations combined was estimated to be 221 000 years ago. The Common Moorhen population grew rapidly during the interglacial before the last glacial maximum (LGM), then remained generally stable from the LGM to the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In total, 535 nucleotides in the mtDNA cytochrome b have been sequenced in Tetraogallus. The 53 variable sites define 16 haplotypes in 53 Tetraogallus himalayensis samples, 1 haplotype in 2 T. altaicus samples, and 6 haplotypes in 19 T. tibetanus samples. The lowest genetic distance is between T. himalayensis and T. altaicus (0.011). The divergent time is 0.69 Ma BP between T. himalayensis and T. altaicus, 4.06 Ma BP between T. himalayensis and T. tibetanus, and 4.19 Ma BP between T. altaicus and T. tibetanus. The evidence of this work showed that T. altaicus should fall under the dark-bellied group of Tetraogallus. The dark-bellied and white-bellied speciation first occurred along with the uplift of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. A maximum glacier (0.80–0.60 Ma BP) led to the formation of T. altaicus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported here the first complete sequences of mitogenome ofTetraogallus himalayensisobtained by next generation sequencing methods. The assembled mitogenome is a 16 692 bp circle, comprising of 13 protein-coding genes, two rRNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 tRNA genes, and one control region. The resultant phylogenetic tree supportedT. himalayensisandT. tibeanusare sister taxon, andTetraogalluswithAlectorisandcoturnixformed a monophyletic group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waterfowl (Anseriformes) and shorebirds (Charadriiformes) are the most common wild vectors of influenza A viruses. Due to their migratory behavior, some may transmit disease over long distances. Migratory connectivity studies can link breeding and nonbreeding grounds while illustrating potential interactions among populations that may spread diseases. We investigated Dunlin (Calidris alpina), a shorebird with a subspecies (C. a. arcticola) that migrates from nonbreeding areas endemic to avian influenza in eastern Asia to breeding grounds in northern Alaska. Using microsatellites and mitochondrial DNA, we illustrate genetic structure among six subspecies: C. a. arcticola,C. a. pacifica,C. a. hudsonia,C. a. sakhalina,C. a. kistchinski, and C. a. actites. We demonstrate that mitochondrial DNA can help distinguish C. a. arcticola on the Asian nonbreeding grounds with >70% accuracy depending on their relative abundance, indicating that genetics can help determine whether C. a. arcticola occurs where they may be exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) during outbreaks. Our data reveal asymmetric intercontinental gene flow, with some C. a. arcticola short-stopping migration to breed with C. a. pacifica in western Alaska. Because C. a. pacifica migrates along the Pacific Coast of North America, interactions between these subspecies and other taxa provide route for transmission of HPAI into other parts of North America.

There were four species of Ardeidae in Tai Lake. The dominant vegetations in the habitat were Pinus massoniana, Cinnamomum hupehanum, Quercus acutissema, Ulmus prmila and Myrica rubra, which were suitable for Egretta garzetta to make nests. The area of the habitat was about 7 hm2, where there were totally 4200 Egretta garzetta nests with the density of 0.38 nest per tree in average. Studies on Egretta garzetta breeding ecology showed that the incubating time was 19-21 days, the average egg weight was 23.9 +/- 4.0 g(n = 41), and the average egg size was 44.5 +/- 4.1 mm x 32.6 +/- 4.9 mm(n = 41). The mean clutch size and brood size were 5.02(2-8) and 3.86(2-7), respectively, and the hatching rate was 84.25%. The measurements of Egretta garzetta nestling tarsus did not show any asymmetry (P > 0.05). Egretta garzetta fed mainly on small fish and shrimps in Tai Lake. The analysis results of Tai Lake samples showed that the pollutants including HCH, HCB, cyclodience, DDTs (DDT, DDE and DDD), PCBs, Cr, Hg and Pb in Egretta garzetta eggs were detected except Cd, and these pollutants accumulated through prey chain from sediments and preys to nestlings. Comparing samples from Tai Lake and those from Poyang Lake as relatively unpolluted area, only the concentration of DDTs residues was higher than 2 micrograms.g-1 in both lakes, and the other residues from Tai Lake like organochlorine insecticides, PCBs and heavy metals were all lower than those from Poyang Lake, and did not affect the development and breeding success of Egretta garzetta at present.