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An ecological niche has been defined as an n‐dimensional hypervolume formed by conditions and resources that species need to survive, grow, and reproduce. In practice, such niche dimensions are measurable and describe how species share resources, which has been thought to be a crucial mechanism for coexistence and a major driver of broad biodiversity patterns. Here, we investigate resource partitioning and trophic interactions of three sympatric, phylogenetically related and morphologically similar species of thrushes (Turdus spp.). Based on one year of data collected in southern Brazil, we investigated niche partitioning using three approaches: diet and trophic niche assessed by fecal analysis, diet and niche estimated by stable isotopes in blood and mixing models, and bipartite network analysis derived from direct diet and mixing model outputs. Approaches revealed that the three sympatric thrushes are generalists that feed on similar diets, demonstrating high niche overlap. Fruits from C3 plants were one of the most important food items in their networks, with wide links connecting the three thrush species. Turdus amaurochalinus and T. albicollis had the greatest trophic and isotopic niche overlap, with 90% and 20% overlap, respectively. There was partitioning of key resources between these two species, with a shared preference for fig tree fruits—Ficus cestrifolia (T. amaurochalinus PSIRI% = 11.3 and T. albicollis = 11.5), which was not present in the diet of T. rufiventris. Results added a new approach to the network analysis based on values from the stable isotope mixing models, allowing comparisons between traditional dietary analysis and diet inferred by isotopic mixing models, which reflects food items effectively assimilated in consumer tissues. Both are visualized in bipartite networks and show food‐consumers link strengths. This approach could be useful to other studies using stable isotopes coupled to network analysis, particularly useful in sympatric species with similar niches., Niche dimensions are measurable and describe how species share resources, which has been thought to be a crucial mechanism for coexistence and a major driver of broad biodiversity patterns. Morphologically, similar species of thrushes (Turdus spp.) are generalist species, but distinct, despite overlapping feeding habits allow coexistente.

Birds are among the most visually proficient group of animals on the planet; however, their inability to visualize and discriminate translucent glass structures results in an extreme number of deaths worldwide from high-speed collisions. Despite reports of avian glass collisions in North America, only a few studies have been developed to understand this problem in South America, and none evaluated radiographic and postmortem findings. One hundred cadavers were examined radiographically and postmortem, and data from 186 collision reports were analyzed for seasonality (website and manual reports and cadavers). A total of 34 different species of birds within 22 families were evaluated for this study, with the rufous-bellied thrush (Turdus rufiventris; n = 12), eared dove (Zenaida auriculata; n = 12), and ruddy ground dove (Columbina talpacoti; n = 10) being the most common species. Only 6 (27.7%) migratory species were reported: Sick's swift (Chaetura meridionalis), small-billed elaenia (Elaenia parvirostris), Black Jacobin (Florisuga fusca), Great kiskadee (Pitangus sulphuratus), Double-collared seedeater (Sporophila caerulescens), and Creamy-bellied thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus). Males (51) were more frequently reported than females (5), and 50.1% of the males had active gonads. Sex was unable to be determined in 44 birds. The most common radiographic lesion, noted in 16 of 82 (19.5%) animals, was loss of coelomic definition, suggestive of hemorrhage. Prevalent postmortem findings included skull hemorrhages (58/75, 77.3%) and encephalic contusions (47/73, 64.4%), followed by coelomic hemorrhages (33/81, 40.7%). Most of the window collisions (61/186, 32.8%) occurred during spring, the most common breeding season of avian species in Brazil. Cranioencephalic trauma was identified as the primary cause of mortality associated with birds flying into glass windows. Migration does not appear to be the main predisposing factor for window collisions by birds in Brazil. Increased activity and aggression related to breeding season, especially in males, may be a more important predisposing factor for window collision accidents.

Turdus amaurochalinus (Cabanis 1850) Observations. ARGENTINA • Multiple; Corrientes, La Cruz, Paraje Tres Cerros; 29°09′25′′S, 056°51′24′′W. Very common in the study site. Recorded at all seasons. Identification. Bill yellow (dark in females); streaked throat; lower belly whitish; back olive-brownish., Published as part of Fernandez, Juan Manuel, Thomann, Luz, Fandiño, Blas, Cajade, Rodrigo & Hernando, Alejandra, 2021, An annotated checklist of birds of Paraje Tres Cerros, Corrientes province, Argentina, pp. 415-443 in Check List 17 (2) on page 436, DOI: 10.15560/17.2.415

Made available in DSpace on 2020-12-10T17:26:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2020-02-19 Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) The description of life-history traits is a prerequisite to understand the complex patterns of bird biodiversity. However, most of the highly diverse Neotropical avifauna still lack basic information on their reproductive behavior. Here, we describe the breeding biology of the Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) in a periurban area of southeast Brazil. We found 67 nests between early September and December in 2017 and 2018. Nests were 3.8 +/- 1.9 m (mean +/- SD) above ground, in native plants (43.3%), exotic plants (43.3%), and anthropogenic structures (13.4%). Clutch size was 2.9 +/- 0.3 eggs, which were incubated exclusively by females during 75.6 +/- 18.1% of the time. Both sexes reared the nestlings, but females performed more feeding trips and removed more fecal sacs than males. Incubation and nestling periods lasted, respectively, 13.0 +/- 0.6 and 13.2 +/- 1.5 days. Overall nesting success according to Mayfield method was 31.6%, and predation was the major cause of nest failure (52.8%). We concluded that this species had higher nest attentiveness, shorter nestling period, and higher nest survival compared to other Neotropical thrushes. The use of exotic plants and anthropogenic structures as nesting substrate may enhance the settlement of this migratory thrush in human-modified areas. Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Programa Posgrad Ecol & Recursos Nat, Sao Carlos, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Rio Claro, Brazil Univ Fed Sao Carlos, Dept Hidrobiol, Sao Carlos, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Inst Biociencias, Rio Claro, Brazil

The aim of this work was to evaluate the presence of Borrelia infection in Ixodes sp. cf. Ixodes affinis ticks from Argentina. Specimens of Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis were collected on vegetation and birds in five locations belonging the most humid part of the Chaco Biogeographic Province. Specimens were tested for Borrelia infection by nested-PCR targeting the fla gene and the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer region (IGS), sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed. A total of 48 Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis (12 questing adults from vegetation and 20 nymphs and 16 larvae on nine bird species: Arremon flavirostris, Basileuterus culicivorus, Campylorhamphus trochilirostris, Myiothlypis leucoblephara, Tachyphonus rufus, Thlypopsis sordida, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris and Troglodytes aedon) were collected. Twelve adults, 14 nymphs and 11 larvae (3 individually and 8 in 3 pools) were analyzed. Partial sequences were detected in 6 adults, 11 nymphs and 4 larvae (2 individual and 2 pools). Phylogenetically, the Borrelia found in Ixodes sp. cf. I. affinis belongs to the B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.) complex. The partial sequences obtained from the borrelian gene fla and IGS were associated to two groups formed by sequences previously detected in Ixodes fuscipes, Ixodes longiscutatus and Ixodes pararicinus from the Southern Cone of America in northern Argentina, southern Brazil and Uruguay. The results of this work suggest that the haplotypes of B. burgdorferi s. l. complex detected in the three species of the I. ricinus complex distributed in the Southern Cone of America are related and widely distributed. Fil: Flores, Fernando Sebastián. Laboratorio de Ecologia de Enfermedades; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Saracho Bottero, María Noelia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Sebastian, Patrick Stephan. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Venzal, Jose M.. Laboratorio de Vectores y Enfermedades Transmitidas; Uruguay Fil: Mangold, Atilio Jose. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina Fil: Nava, Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Forest fragmentation threatens bird species throughout the world. Previous studies suggest that the sensitivity of bird species to forest fragmentation is related to food abundance, and that this could be a key factor in understanding demographic changes. We assessed the relationship between forest fragment size, isolation and food abundance and the abundance of seven common species of birds in southern Chaco forests of Argentina, which use different food items, and are involved in different ecosystem processes. Relative abundance of Turdus amaurochalinus (Creamy-bellied Thrush) and Saltator aurantiirostris (Golden-billed Saltator) significantly decreased with patch size reduction, whereas relative abundance of Taraba major (Great Antshrike) decreased with patch isolation and increased with arthropod abundance. Chlorostilbon lucidus (Glittering-bellied Emerald), Elaenia parvirostris (Small-billed Elaenia), Polioptila dumicola (Masked Gnatcatcher) and Zonotrichia capensis (Rufous-collared Sparrow) appeared to be resilient to forest fragmentation. Body size was a good predictor of bird sensitivity, as only the largest species were negatively correlated with forest fragmentation. Previous work suggests that birds inhabiting Chaco forests may be resilient to forest fragmentation. This needs to be reconsidered in the light of our results since the abundance of three out of seven common bird species were negatively related to forest fragmentation. Fil: Verga, Ernesto Gustavo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Sanchez Humoller, Hilda Leticia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina Fil: Peluc, Susana Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Diversidad y Ecología Animal; Argentina Fil: Galetto, Leonardo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal; Argentina

Reproduction is a key process in the life of organisms and represents high-energy cost to the parents, and often a tradeoff between survival and reproductive success. The breeding biology is an important aspect to be studied, which has inspired theories about bird life history evolution, such as the latitudinal gradient in the clutch size related to different survival rates between the temperate and tropical regions. To contribute with the knowledge of breeding ecology of tropical birds we monitored two reproductive periods of the Pale-breasted Thrush Turdus leucomelas in the northeastern Brazil. The breeding period in the studied area occurred from December through April. We found the nests mainly on Facheiro cactus (Cactaceae) at 1.43 ± 0.35 m above the ground. They were composed by roots, mosses, fungus mycelium, leaves, twigs, and a mix of fragmented vegetal material with soil and sand at the base. We found clutch sizes of three (n = 9), two (n = 3) and one (n = 1) eggs. The eggs (n = 21) had mass of 5.1 ± 0.9 g and measured 26.6 ± 1.3 mm by 19.5 ± 0.5 mm. We observed 12 days of incubation and 14 days of nestling period. The Mayfield nest success in 2013 was 7.3% and in 2014 it was 4.5%, lower during the nestling period than during the incubation in both years. Our results show that T. leucomelas breeds in the area in the beginning of rainy season, when the frequency of occurrence of the migrant Turdus amaurochalinus is low. In addition, the low nest success observed may be a consequence of the localization of the studied area in the periphery of the species range, where limited resources probably result in reduced fitness.

A new species of coccidia (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) found parasitizing the yellow-legged thrush Turdus flavipes (Vieillot, 1818), the pale-breasted thrush Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818 and the creamy-bellied thrush Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis, 1850 in Southeastern Brazil is described. Isospora brasilsatoae n. sp. has oocysts that are ovoidal to pyriform, 26.8 × 21.1 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ~1.6 μm thick. Micropyle present. Oocyst residuum absent, but one to three polar granules are present. Sporocysts are elongate ovoidal, 18.1 × 10.5 μm. Stieda body knob-like and sub-Stieda body trapezoidal. Sporocyst residuum is composed of granules that appear to be membrane-bounded. Sporozoites are vermiform with refractile bodies and striations. This is the ninth description of an Isospora sp. parasitizing a New World thrush.

Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis, 1850 Record. Table 3. The road-killed Creamy-bellied Thrush individual was distinguished by its brownish plumage, which was olivebrown above, brown-streaked white throat, and creamy white belly, and by the yellowish bill, and black lores., Published as part of Fischer, Wagner, Faria de Godoi, Raquel & Conceição Paranhos Filho, Antonio, 2018, Roadkill records of reptiles and birds in Cerrado and Pantanal landscapes, pp. 845-876 in Check List 14 (5) on page 873, DOI: 10.15560/14.5.845

We analyzed the prevalence and intensity of chewing lice on two neotropical species of Turdus and identified morphological parameters of birds influencing louse population dynamics. The study was conducted in southernmost Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), Brazil, between July 2009 and June 2010. Chewing lice were collected by dust-ruffling. The prevalence of chewing lice on both species of Turdus was high. Chewing lice from both species of Turdus exhibit similar composition and distribution patterns. However, chewing lice were more abundant on Turdus rufiventris, whereas species richness was higher on Turdus amaurochalinus. Myrsidea and Brueelia were the most prevalent and abundant genera on both host species in all seasons of the year. A predominance of chewing louse females and adults was observed. Aggregated distributions were observed. Body length was the only morphological parameter correlated with louse abundance, suggesting that specimens with a larger body have a higher abundance of lice.

The materials used for nesting have important structural and nonstructural functions in bird nests. A number of bird species incorporate anthropogenic debris in their nests, but there are few systematic studies about such use by terrestrial birds. Here, we test whether the prevalence and amount of plastic twine differs among nests of Neotropical birds in an orange orchard. We found 78 nests, of which 21 (27%) contained plastic. The nests with plastic belonged to 5 species (Columbina talpacoti, Thamnophilus doliatus, Turdus amaurochalinus, Coryphospingus cucullatus, and Zonotrichia capensis), which differed by both the prevalence and amount of plastic in their nests. The prevalence of plastic was higher in T. doliatus nests than in Z. capensis nests, and the amount of plastic was greater in T. doliatus nests than in those of C. cucullatus and of Z. capensis. Our results suggest that the use of anthropogenic material in nest construction may depend on the suitability of its properties to specific nest characteristics.

Seasonal segregation among syntopic species can be viewed as one of the available strategies for coexistence, reducing competitive process. The present work therefore aimed to interpret the assemblage structures comprising birds of the genus Turdus (Turdidae), through the analysis of seasonal variation in the species occurrence in a forest remnant located in the southcenter State of Paraná. Mist-netting was employed twice a month for capturing birds, totalling an annual effort of 7488 h.m². The frequency of occurrence, constancy and class of species dominance was determined, together with the parameters generally used in studies of ecological communities (richness, abundance, diversity and evenness). A total of 162 individuals were captured, representing five species. Turdus rufiventris was the most constant and frequent species. Turdus amaurochalinus and Turdus leucomelas were captured with variable constancies and frequencies along the seasons. Turdus amaurochalinus was also very common and may present an overlapping process between migrant and non-migrant individuals during spring. Turdus albicolis was considered accessory, whereas Turdus subalaris was only registered during the reproductive period. Hence, it was possible to observe that seasonal modifications occurred both in the frequency of occurrence and in the constancy and dominance of species. These results indicated the possibility of a lower use of the environment during the breeding season, as well as the presence of a higher number of individuals in summer and increased abundance of Turdus rufiventris and T. leucomelas during autumn and winter. Segregações sazonais entre espécies sintópicas podem ser interpretadas como táticas utilizadas para a coexistência, diminuindo processos competitivos. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho buscou interpretar a estrutura da assembléia formada por aves do gênero Turdus (Turdidae) para averiguar a possibilidade de padrões distintos de ocorrência em função da variação sazonal em um fragmento florestal situado no Centro-sul do Estado do Paraná. Foram utilizadas redes ornitológicas para a captura das aves, com um esforço amostral anual de 7488 h.m². Por meio das capturas quinzenais foi possível a obtenção do índice de frequência de ocorrência, constância e classes de dominância das espécies, bem como, de parâmetros ecológicos utilizados em estudos de comunidades. Um total de 162 indivíduos pertencentes a cinco espécies foram capturados. Turdus rufiventris foi a espécie mais frequente e constante durante o estudo. Turdus amaurochalinus e T. leucomelas foram capturadas com frequências e constâncias variáveis entre as estações do ano, sendo que, para T. amaurochalinus houve evidências de sobreposição de populações migrantes e não migrantes durante a primavera. Turdus albicollis foi considerada acessória, enquanto T. subalaris foi registrada somente durante a temporada reprodutiva. Desta forma, foi possível observar que ocorrem modificações sazonais, tanto na frequência de ocorrência, quanto na constância e dominância das espécies. Tais resultados indicam a possibilidade de menor intensidade do uso do ambiente durante o período reprodutivo, assim como a presença de um maior número de espécies no verão e aumento da abundância de T. rufiventris e T. leucomelas durante o outono e inverno.

Reportamos un caso de apropiación interespecífica de nido en donde una Torcaza (Zenaida auriculata) usurpa el nido de un Zorzal Chalchalero (Turdus amaurochalinus). Ambos pichones, incluido un pichón parásito de cría, resultaron muertos tras la usurpación, a pesar de los enérgicos esfuerzos de los zorzales por recuperar el nido y de los repetidos intentos de la paloma para alimentar los pichones. Creemos que la Torcaza perdió sus propios pichones cerca del nido de zorzal y esto motivó la usurpación. Atribuimos el falso reconocimiento de los pichones a un subproducto hormonal causado por la pérdida de sus propios pichones, similar a lo observado en el Pingüino Emperador (Aptenodytes fosteri)., We report a case of interspecific nest appropriation by the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) on a nest of the Creamy‐bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus). The usurpation attempt resulted in the death of both nestlings, including a parasitic cowbird, despite forceful attempts by the thrushes to retake their nest and repeated attempts by the dove to feed the nestlings. We believe that the loss of the dove offspring from a nest in a neighboring tree could have triggered this behavior, which may be a hormonal byproduct caused by the recent loss of their own offspring, similar to what has been observed in Emperor Penguins (Aptenodytes fosteri)., Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo

Several tick-borne Rickettsia species are recognized human pathogens in Argentina. Here we evaluated rickettsial infection in ticks collected on passerine birds during 2011-2012 in two eco-regions of Argentina. The ticks were processed by molecular analysis through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection and DNA sequencing of fragments of two rickettsial genes, gltA and ompA. A total of 594 tick specimens (532 larvae and 62 nymphs), representing at least 4 species (Amblyomma tigrinum, Ixodes pararicinus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris), were evaluated. At least one A. tigrinum larva, collected on Coryphospingus cucullatus in Chaco Seco, was infected with Rickettsia parkeri, whereas at least 12 larvae and 1 nymph of I. pararicinus, collected from Troglodytes aedon, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris, C. cucullatus and Zonotrichia capensis, were infected with an undescribed Rickettsia agent, genetically related to several rickettsial endosymbionts of ticks of the Ixodes ricinus complex. R. parkeri is a recognized human pathogen in several American countries including Argentina, where a recent study incriminated A. tigrinum as the potential vector of R. parkeri to humans. Birds could play an important role in dispersing R. parkeri-infected A. tigrinum ticks. Additionally, we report for the first time a rickettsial agent infecting I. pararicinus ticks. Algumas espécies de Rickettsia transmitidas por carrapatos são reconhecidos como patógenos humanos na Argentina. Este presente trabalho avaliou a infecção por Rickettsia em carrapatos coletados em aves passeriformes, durante 2011-2012, em duas ecorregiões da Argentina. Os carrapatos foram processados pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) e sequenciamento de DNA de dois genes de Rickettsia: gltA e ompA. Ao todo, 594 amostras de carrapatos (532 larvas e 62 ninfas), representando pelo menos 4 espécies (Amblyomma tigrinum, Ixodes pararicinus, Haemaphysalis juxtakochi, Haemaphysalis leporispalustris), foram avaliadas. Pelo menos uma larva de A. tigrinum, coletada de Coryphospingus cucullatus no Chaco Seco, estava infectada com Rickettsia parkeri, enquanto pelo menos 12 larvas e 1 ninfa de I. pararicinus, coletadas de Troglodytes aedon, Turdus amaurochalinus, Turdus rufiventris, C. cucullatus e Zonotrichia capensis estavam infectadas com Rickettsia sp., geneticamente relacionada a vários endossimbiontes riquetsiais de carrapatos do complexo Ixodes ricinus. R. parkeri é reconhecidamente um patógeno humano em alguns países americanos, incluindo a Argentina, onde um estudo recente incriminou A. tigrinum como um provável vetor. Aves poderiam desempenhar um papel importante na dispersão de carrapatos A. tigrinum infectados por R. parkeri. Em adição, relata-se pela primeira vez a infecção por Rickettsia em I. pararicinus. Fil: Flores, Fernando Sebastián. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología “Dr. J. M. Vanella”; Argentina Fil: Borges Costa, Francisco. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil Fil: Nava, Santiago. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Centro Regional Santa Fe. Estación Experimental Agropecuaria Rafaela; Argentina Fil: Diaz, Luis Adrian. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Biológicas y Tecnológicas; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Medicina. Instituto de Virología “Dr. J. M. Vanella”; Argentina Fil: Labruna, Marcelo Bahía. Universidade de Sao Paulo; Brasil

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T16:19:15Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-01-01 Russian Fund for Basic Research Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) A new feather mite species, Pteronyssoides turdinus n. sp. (Acariformes: Pteronyssidae), is described from two species of thrushes, Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis (type-host) and T. leucomelas Vieillot (Passeriformes: Turdidae) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. The new species belongs to the parinus species group and most clearly differs from previously known species of this group by the following features: in both sexes of P. turdinus, setae c2 are anterior to the level of the sejugal furrow; in males, the anterior margin of the hysteronotal shield has a deep trapezoidal concavity, setae d1 are situated on the striated tegument, the adanal shield is represented by a narrow longitudinal sclerite, and tarsus and tibia of legs IV are subequal in length; in females, the opisthosomal sclerites are split into proper opisthosomal sclerites and pygidial fragments encompassing the bases of setae h2 and h3. This is the first description of a feather mite of the genus Pteronyssoides Hull, 1931 from birds of the family Turdidae. Russian Acad Sci, Inst Zool, St Petersburg 199034, Russia Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, BR-04263000 Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool, BR-13506900 Sao Paulo, Brazil Russian Fund for Basic Research: 13-04-00608a FAPESP: 2011/50145-0 FAPESP: 2011/20805-8 FAPESP: 2011/11420-5 FAPESP: 2012/06951-4

This study was aimed at describing the community of arthropod ectoparasites associated with sympatric populations of Turdus amaurochalinus and Turdus rufiventris and analyzing the aggregation patterns of the chewing lice species, during reproductive and nonreproductive periods, of both Turdus species in three areas of the Atlantic forest in southern Rio Grande do Sul state (RS), Brazil. Altogether, we captured 36 specimens of T. amaurochalinus and 53 specimens of T. rufiventris. We identified two families of chewing lice, Menoponidae and Philopteridae, with Myrsidea and Brueelia as the most prevalent and abundant on both host birds. The lowest aggregation levels of chewing lice Myrsidea and Brueelia occurred during the reproductive period of both host species, suggesting a reproductive synchronization and a dispersion period. The most prevalent feather mite on T. amaurochalinus was Proctophyllodes weigoldi, and on T. rufiventris, Trouessartia serrana. Analges sp. and Pteronyssoides sp. were not observed on T. rufiventris. We identified three species of ticks; Ixodes auritulus was the most prevalent and abundant on the birds. Ornithoica vicina was the only hippoboscid fly collected, and only on T. amaurochalinus. The richness of ectoparasites was greater on T. amaurochalinus than on T. rufiventris. For T. amaurochalinus, the mean richness was lesser in winter compared to spring and autumn; however, we observed no variation in the mean richness of ectoparasites for T. rufiventris during the same seasons.

Las estrategias de muda de los zorzales se conocen principalmente para las especies del Hemisferio Norte, mientras que las del Neotrópico no están aún bien estudiadas. En este trabajo se describe la estrategia de muda y su relación con la reproducción y la migración en tres especies de zorzales neotropicales que habitan el norte de Argentina, uno de ellos residente (Turdus rufiventris) y los otros migratorios (Turdus amaurochalinus y Turdus nigriceps). Las tres especies presentaron una única muda anual, que ocurre después de la temporada de cría, sin superposición entre la muda y la reproducción. Turdus amaurochalinus comenzó su muda inmediatamente después de criar y la continuó durante su migración. No se observaron adultos en muda de Turdus nigriceps en los sitios de cría, por lo que la muda parece llevarse a cabo en las zonas de invernada. La muda en Turdus rufiventris puede extenderse a lo largo del año. En las tres especies la muda preformativa fue incompleta en los juveniles. Moult strategies in thrushes are known mainly for the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Neotropics they are not well studied. We described moult strategies and its relation to reproduction and migration in three species of thrushes from northern Argentina, one of them resident (Turdus rufiventris) and two migrants (Turdus amaurochalinus and Turdus nigriceps). The three species showed a single, post-breeding annual moult, and no overlap between moult and reproduction was observed. Turdus amaurochalinus began moulting immediately after breeding and continued with moulting as it moves on migration. Moulting adult individuals of Turdus nigriceps were not present in the breeding territories, so they should be moulting in the wintering grounds. Moult in Turdus rufiventris can be spread out throughout the year. The preformative moult is incomplete in the juveniles of the three species.

Seed dispersal by animals is a complex process involving several distinct stages: fruit removal by frugivores, seed delivery in different microhabitats, seed germination, seedling establishment, and adult recruitment. Nevertheless, studies conducted until now have provided scarce information concerning the sequence of stages in a plant's life cycle in its entirety. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the immediate consequences of frugivore activity for Eugenia umbelliflora (Myrtaceae) early recruitment by measuring the relative importance of each fruit-eating bird species on the establishment of new seedlings in scrub and low restinga vegetation in the Atlantic rainforest, Brazil.We conducted focal tree observations on E. umbelliflora trees recording birds' feeding behaviour and post-feeding movements.We also recorded the fate of dispersed seeds in scrub and low restinga vegetation. We recorded 17 bird species interacting with fruits in 55 h of observation. Only 30% of the handled fruits were successfully removed. From 108 post flight movements of exit from the fruiting trees, 30.6% were to scrub and 69.4% to low restinga forest. Proportion of seed germination was higher in low restinga than in the scrub vegetation. Incorporating the probabilities of seeds' removal, deposition, and germination in both sites, we found that the relative importance of each frugivorous bird as seed dispersers varies largely among species. Turdus amaurochalinus and Turdus rufiventris were the best dispersers, together representing almost 12% probability of seed germination following removal. Our results show the importance of assessing the overall consequence of seed dispersal within the framework of disperser effectiveness, providing a more comprehensive and realistic evaluation of the relative importance of different seed dispersers on plant population dynamics.

Espécie típica de ambientes úmidos, Rapanea ferruginea produz diásporos globosos contendo uma única semente, envolta por um delgado pericarpo negro-arroxeado. Os comportamentos alimentares e a contribuição das aves na dispersão de sementes de R. ferruginea foram investigados em uma área de borda de mata de galeria, no município de São Manuel (22°43’S, 48°34’W), estado de São Paulo, sudeste do Brasil. Em 38 horas e 40 minutos de observações realizadas entre 20 de outubro e 12 de novembro de 2005, foram consumidos 11618 frutos por 31 espécies de aves, sendo a alta taxa de remoção de diásporos provavelmente devido à superabundância de frutos e à exposição dos mesmos na planta. Das 31 espécies registradas, 25 foram consideradas como potenciais dispersores por engolirem o diásporo inteiro e por realizarem visitas freqüentes e de curta duração. Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis, 1851 foi a espécie que mais se alimentou em R. ferruginea, seguida por Dryocopus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1766) e Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818, responsáveis por 43% do total de frutos consumidos, sendo ainda a primeira a espécie mais freqüente. A técnica de captura de frutos mais empregada foi "picking", enquanto "hanging" foi a menos utilizada, mas predominante em Vireo olivaceus(Vieillot, 1817) e D.lineatus. Foram registrados poucos encontros agonísticos, sendo Mimus saturninus Hellmayr, 1903 a espécie responsável pelo maior número de encontros interespecíficos, enquanto que as interações intraespecíficas foram lideradas por T. amaurochalinus e por T. leucomelas. Characteristic of humid habitats, Rapanea ferruginea produces globose drupes containing a single seed covered by a thin black-purplish pulp. The feeding behavior and the contribution of birds in dispersing R. ferrugineafruits was examined in a gallery forest edge in São Manuel (22°43’S, 48°34’W), state of São Paulo, southeastern Brazil. In 38 hours and 40 minutes of focal observations carried out between October 20 to November 12, 2005, an amount of 11618 fruits were consumed by 31 bird species, probably due to both superabundance of food and exposure of fruits on tree. From the total, 25 species could be considered potential seed dispersers by swallowing the whole diaspore and having short and frequent visits. The most common feeder were Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis, 1851, Dryocopus lineatus (Linnaeus, 1766) and Turdus leucomelas Vieillot, 1818, accounting for 43% of the total fruits consumed, being the former the most frequent in R. ferruginea. The birds involved removed fruits mainly by the picking technique, while hanging was the least employed, but for Vireo olivaceus (Vieillot, 1817) and D. lineatus. Aggressive interactions were minimal, being Mimus saturninus Hellmayr, 1903 the responsible for most interespecific encounters, in contrast to intraspecific actions dominated by T. amaurochalinus and T.leucomelas.

We describe the breeding biology and reproductive success of a Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus) population from a southern temperate zone in western Argentina. We found 236 Creamy-bellied Thrush nests of which most were predated (67%). The breeding season was from late October to late December and clutch size was three eggs. Egg survival, hatching success, and fledgling survival of non-depredated nests were quite high (0.67 6 0.03, 0.74 6 0.03, and 0.87 6 0.04, respectively). The number of eggs in the nest did not affect egg survival or hatching success, but number of nestlings in the nest affected fledgling success. Daily nest mortality was higher during the early and late nestling period than during laying, and early and late incubation periods. Highest nest mortality coincided with periods when activity of parents at the nest was highest. The clutch size was similar to data reported for thrushes from the tropics and south temperate areas, and lower than reported for thrushes from north temperate areas. This latitudinal pattern is similar to the general pattern described for passerines in the tropics and southern temperate areas. Fil: Astié, Andrea Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina Fil: Luchesi, María Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina

Submitted by Vitor Silverio Rodrigues (vitorsrodrigues@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2014-05-27T11:26:24Z No. of bitstreams: 0Bitstream added on 2014-05-27T14:47:38Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 2-s2.0-84861112200.pdf: 552204 bytes, checksum: a96474dfd66abb66b1faa2494200c1c6 (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2014-05-27T11:26:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2012-03-01 The transit time of seeds ingested by frugivorous animals has important implications for the spatial distribution of seeds and their dispersal distance. Nevertheless, this parameter is rarely included in seed dispersal studies. In this paper, we provide information about the transit time of seeds of nine species of plants ingested by individuals of six species of captive birds (Turdus albicollis, T. amaurochalinus, T. leucomelas, T. rufiventris, Stephanophorus diadematus and Saltator similis). We found that (1) seeds are regurgitated quickly through the digestive tract of birds than defecated seeds, and (2) large seeds (e.g., > 5 mm in diameter for Turdus spp.) are regurgitated rather than defecated. These results corroborate other studies, but the relationship between seed size and transit time seems to be quite complex and variable, requiring more detailed studies on this important aspect of the ecology of seed dispersal and digestive physiology of frugivorous birds. Rua São Domingos 1120, CEP 93010-210, São Leopoldo, RS UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Zoologia, CEP 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista Departamento de Zoologia, CEP 13506-900, Rio Claro, SP

Frugivorous birds play a key role in seed dispersal and establishment of a range of plant species, including invasive weeds, such as the Brazilian Pepper Schinus terebinthifolius. The potential of seed dispersal of Schinus by birds with varied feeding behaviours was studied through seed-viability tests and germination experiments using seeds obtained from birds in the field and birds kept in captivity. It was found that seeds collected after gut passage in five bird species in the field had higher proportion of germination as well as higher germination rates compared to the control seeds. Viability of seeds ingested by the Blue-and-yellow Tanager Thraupis bonariensis, which mandibulates seeds before ingesting, was significantly lower than control seeds, while reduction in viability of seeds ingested by the Creamy-bellied Thrush Turdus amaurochalinus was nonsignificant. Seeds ingested by birds in captivity germinated earlier than the control seeds, within 1-2 weeks, and had proportion and germination rates higher than controls. Probably both mechanical and chemical effects play a role in enhancing germination of seeds. In Brazil where both Schinus and avian frugivores had evolved together, the dependence of Schinus on generalist frugivores had been demonstrated in this study, similar to other countries where the invasive Schinus is dependent on native or introduced avian species for its spreading. This finding has important implications for the restoration of human-altered areas in South America, were Schinus is a native pioneer species, as well as for the management and restoration of areas invaded by Schinus elsewhere. As aves frugívoras desempenham papel chave na dispersão de sementes e no estabelecimento de uma ampla gama de espécies de plantas, incluindo espécies invasoras como a Aroeira-vermelha Schinus terebinthifolius. O potencial de dispersão das sementes de Aroeira-vermelha pelas aves com diferentes tipos de comportamentos alimentares foi estudado através de testes de viabilidade de sementes e experimentos de germinação de sementes obtidas de aves em campo e de aves mantidas em cativeiro. Demonstrou-se que as sementes coletadas após a passagem pelo trato digestório de cinco espécies de aves em campo tiveram proporção de germinação mais alta e taxas de germinação semelhantes aos controles. A viabilidade das sementes ingeridas por Thraupis bonariensis, o qual mandibula as sementes antes de ingeri-las foi significativamente inferior ao controle, enquanto a redução na viabilidade das sementes ingeridas por Turdus amaurochalinus não foi significante. Sementes ingeridas por aves em cativeiro germinaram antes que seus controles, entre 1 e 2 semanas, e tiveram proporção e taxa de germinação mais altas que o controle. Provavelmente ambos os efeitos, químico e mecânico, desempenham papel no aumento da germinação das sementes. No Brasil, tanto a Aroeira-vermelha quanto as aves frugívoras estudadas evoluíram juntas, e foi demonstrado neste estudo a dependência que a aroeira tem das aves frugívoras para sua dispersão, semelhante a outros países onde esta árvore é dependente de espécies de aves nativas ou introduzidas para sua dispersão. Estes resultados têm importantes implicações para a recuperação de áreas alteradas por atividades antropogênicas na América do Sul, onde a Aroeira-vermelha é uma espécie pioneira nativa, assim como para o manejo e recuperação de áreas invadidas pela espécie em outros locais do planeta.

Sex determination is important for conservation and population studies, particularly for reproduction programs of threatened species and behavioural ecology. Turdus amaurochalinus, Creamy-bellied Thrush, only exhibits sexual dimorphism during the breeding season, when males are considered to show intense yellow bills, and females and immature males show dark brown bills. The objectives of this study were: 1) to determine the sex of individuals using genetic techniques, and 2) to test the hypothesis that sex dimorphism can be detected by morphometry. This study was carried out at Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, a preserved area located on the North coast of Rio de Janeiro State. The birds were captured using ornithological nets, singly marked with metal rings, weighed, measured and had blood samples collected before being released. The sex of 42 T. amaurochalinus individuals was determined using the CHD gene marker. A total of 20 males and 22 females were identified from June to August, with peak capture frequency in June. Turdus amaurochalinus females and males differed significantly in morphometrical measures. The most important traits to distinguish males from females were wing length (Student t-test=4.34, df=40, p=0.0001) and weight (Student t-test=2.08,df=40, p=0.044): females were heavier and had significantly shorter wing length than males. Females and males were correctly classified in 86% and 75% of cases, respectively, using Discriminant Analysis. The molecular analysis was the most secure method for sex determination in the studied species. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 789- 794. Epub 2011 June 01.La determinación del sexo es importante para la conservación y los estudios poblacionales. Turdus amaurochalinus no presenta aparente dimorfismo sexual. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar el sexo a través de una técnica genética, mediante el uso del marcador del gen CHD y se puso a prueba la hipótesis de que el dimorfismo sexual puede ser detectado por morfometría. Este estudio se llevó a cabo en el Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, una zona protegida situada en la costa norte de Río de Janeiro. Las aves fueron capturadas con redes de niebla, los individuos se marcaron con anillos de metal, se pesaron, medieron y se les tomó una muestra de sangre antes de ser liberados. Un total de 20 machos y 22 hembras fueron identificados en el área de estudio desde junio hasta agosto, con la frecuencia máxima de captura en junio. La prueba de t-student fue usada para evaluar si hembras y machos se diferencian considerablemente en relación a medidas morfométricas. Los rasgos más importantes para distinguir machos de hembras fueron la longitud del ala y el peso: las hembras eran más pesadas y tenían longitud de ala considerablemente más corta que los machos. Hembras y machos fueron correctamente clasificados en un 86% y 75% de casos respectivamente, donde se usó un análisis discriminante. El análisis molecular es el método más seguro para la determinación sexual en la especie estudiada.

Las aves parasitas usualmente remueven o pican los huevos de sus hospedadores. Se han propuesto varias hipótesis para explicar la función de este comportamiento. El remover o picar los huevos del hospedador podría mejorar la eficiencia de la incubación de los huevos del parásito (hipótesis de la eficiencia de incubación) o reducir la competencia por comida entre los pichones del parasito y del hospedador (hipótesis de la reducción de la competencia). En nidos no parasitados en avanzado estado de incubación, podría forzar al dueño de este a reanidar y de esta forma proveerle al tordo la oportunidad de parasitar nidos nuevos (hipótesis de depredación). La picadura de huevos podría también permitirle al tordo determinar el estado de desarrollo de los huevos del hospedador y utilizar esta información para decidir si parasita o no el nido (hipótesis de prueba del estado de incubación). Entre los años 1999 y 2002 pusimos a prueba estas hipótesis utilizando una población de Zorzal chalchalero, Turdus amaurochalinus en Mendoza, Argentina, que estaba siendo altamente parasitada por el tordo renegrido (Molothrus bonariensis). Encontramos que 56 de 94 nidos (60%) fueron parasitados durante los estadios de construcción y puesta y que el numero promedio de huevos de tordo resultó ser de 1.6 ± 0.1 (N = 54). Al menos un huevo del zorzal fue picado en 71% (40 de 56) de los nidos parasitados y en 42% (16/38) de los no-parasitados. Encontramos que el exito de eclosión de los huevos de tordo no fue distinto en nidos donde fueron picados cero, uno o dos huevos de hospedador y que la proporción de huevos picados asociados al parasitismo disminuyó a medida que avanzó la incubación. Por lo tanto nuestros resultados no apoyan las hipótesis de eficiencia en la incubación, depredación de nidos o estado de desarrollo de los huevos. Sin embargo, la supervivencia de los pichones de tordo estuvo asociada negativamente al número de pichones de zorzal en los nidos. Por lo cual, nuestros resultados apoyan la hipótesis de reducción de la competencia, en donde los tordos pican los huevos de la especie hospedadora para reducir la competencia entre sus pichones y los del hospedador. Avian brood parasites usually remove or puncture host eggs. Several hypotheses have been proposed to explain the function of these behaviors. Removing or puncturing host eggs may enhance the efficiency of incubation of cowbird eggs (incubation-efficiency hypothesis) or reduce competition for food between cowbird and host chicks in parasitized nests (competition-reduction hypothesis) and, in nonparasitized nests, may force hosts to renest and provide cowbirds with new opportunities for parasitism when nests are too advanced to be parasitized (nest-predation hypothesis). Puncturing eggs may also allow cowbirds to assess the development of host eggs and use this information to decide whether to parasitize a nest (test-incubation hypothesis). From 1999 to 2002, we tested these hypotheses using a population of Creamy-bellied Thrushes (Turdus amaurochalinus) in Argentina that was heavily parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis). We found that 56 of 94 Creamy-bellied Thrush nests (60%) found during nest building or egg laying were parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds, and the mean number of cowbird eggs per parasitized nest was 1.6 ± 0.1 (N = 54 nests). At least one thrush egg was punctured in 71% (40/56) of parasitized nests, and 42% (16/38) of nonparasitized nests. We found that cowbird hatching success did not differ among nests where zero, one, or two thrush eggs were punctured and that the proportion of egg punctures associated with parasitism decreased as incubation progressed. Thus, our results do not support the incubation-efficiency, nest-predation, or test-incubation hypotheses. However, the survival of cowbird chicks in our study was negatively associated with the number of thrush chicks. Thus, our results support the competition-reduction hypothesis, with Shiny Cowbirds reducing competition between their young and host chicks by puncturing host eggs in parasitized nests. Fil: Astié, Andrea Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina Fil: Reboreda, Juan Carlos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina

El éxito reproductivo del los tordos parásitos ( Molothrus spp.) varía entre sus especies hospedadoras y esta´ afectado por el grado de sincronizacion en el momento de la puesta de huevos, la duración de los períodos de incubación del hospedador y el parásito y la habilidad del hospedador para incubar y criar a los pichones parasitos. Nosotros estudiamos el éxito reproductivo del Tordo Renegrido ( Molothrus bonariensis) en nidos del Zorzal Chalchalero (Turdus amaurochalinus) en la region del desierto del Monte de Argentina. El Tordo Renegrido parasita frecuentemente los nidos del Zorzal Chalchalero (60%) y la mayoría de los tordos sincroniza su puesta con la de los zorzales (79%). La mayoría de los huevos parásitos (80%) eclosionan entre 1 día antes y un día después del primer huevo del hospedador y más del 91% de los huevos sobreviven hasta el final de la incubación. Sin embargo, solo el 60% de los huevos de tordo eclosionan y el 52% de los pichones sobreviven. La proporción de huevos de Tordo Renegrido puestos en nidos de Zorzal Chalchalero que resultan en volantones fue 0.03, incluyendo los huevos y los pichones perdidos por depredación o abandono. A pesar de este bajo éxito reproductivo, el Zorzal Chalchalero es intensamente parasitado por el Tordo Renegrido en nuestra área de estudio. Es posible que el Tordo Renegrido continúe parasitando a estos zorzales debido a un proceso de selección difusa o porque los pichones de tordo tienen mayores posibilidades de llegar a volantones en nidos de Zorzal Chalchalero en anos o en áreas con ´ mayor disponibilidad de alimento, donde no ocurra reducción de nidada. The reproductive success of parasitic cowbirds (Molothrus spp.) varies among host species and is influenced by the degree of synchronization in timing of egg laying, the duration of parasite and host incubation periods, and the ability of hosts to incubate and rear parasite young. We studied the reproductive success of Shiny Cowbirds (Molothrus bonariensis) that parasitized the nests of Creamy-bellied Thrushes (Turdus amaurochalinus) in the Monte desert region of Argentina. Shiny Cowbirds frequently parasitized Creamy-bellied Thrush nests (60%), and most cowbirds synchronized egg laying with that of thrushes (79%). Most parasitic eggs (80%) hatched within 1 d of the hatching of the first host egg, and more than 91% of the eggs survived until the end of the incubation. However, only 60% of the cowbird eggs hatched and 52% of young survived. The proportion of Shiny Cowbirds eggs laid in Creamy-bellied Thrush nests that resulted in fledged young was 0.03, including eggs and young lost due to predation or desertion. Despite this low reproductive success, Creamy-bellied Thrushes were heavily parasitized by Shiny Cowbirds in our study area. Shiny Cowbirds may continue to parasitize these thrushes because of diffuse selection or because Shiny Cowbird chicks are more likely to fledge from Creamy-bellied Thrush nests in years or areas with greater food availability when brood reduction does not occur. Fil: Astié, Andrea Alejandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Provincia de Mendoza. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas. Universidad Nacional de Cuyo. Instituto Argentino de Investigaciones de las Zonas Áridas; Argentina Fil: Reboreda, Juan Carlos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Ecología, Genética y Evolución. Laboratorio de Ecología y Comportamiento Animal; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Ecología, Genética y Evolución de Buenos Aires; Argentina

Restingas are considered stressful habitats associated with the Brazilian Atlantic forest, and their ecological interactions are poorly known. The goal of the present study was to determine the potential role of frugivorous birds as seed dispersers in a restinga habitat. Data were collected in Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, southeastern Brazil, where the main physiognomy (Open Clusia Formation) is characterized by the presence of patches of vegetation covering 20 to 48 % of the sandy soil and reaching a height of 5 m. Birds were captured with mist nets (12 x 2.5 m; 36 mm mesh; 1 680 net-hrs) and had their fecal and regurgitate samples inspected for seeds. Six plant species found in these bird samples were studied. The germination of seeds obtained from plants was compared to those from the birds. Both groups of seeds were set on Petri dishes at room temperature and washed when infected with fungi. In general, there was no effect on germination rate, and the effect on germination speed was negative. Germination of seeds from Pilosocereus arrabidae treated by the birds seemed to be influenced by storage of defecated seeds, while few Miconia cinnamomifolia seeds both from plants and from birds germinated. Ocotea notata presented a great variation in time to the onset of germination, perhaps an advantage against dissecation. Aechmea nudicaulis, Clusia hilariana and Erythroxylum subsessile probably take advantage of the arrival to favorable microhabitats, not by the gut effect on the seeds. All plant species studied are numerically important for the community and some of them are main actors in the succession of vegetation patches. Among the birds, Mimus gilvus is an important resident species, endemic to restingas in Brazil, while Turdus amaurochalinus is a visitor and may be important for plants that fructify during its passage by the study site. Although the effect of pulp removal was only tested for one species (Achmea nudicaulis) in the present study, we confirmed that the tested effect of restinga frugivorous birds on seed germination was generally null. Although there is a need for more detailed studies on specific animal-plant interactions on this habitat, the overall effect of the birds on seed dispersal in restinga is probably positive. Rev. Biol. Trop. 56 (1): 205-216. Epub 2008 March 31.Las restingas se consideran hábitats estresantes asociados al bosque del Atlántico brasileño y sus ecológicas se conocen poco. El objetivo principal del presente trabajo fue determinar el papel potencial de las aves frugívoras como dispersores de plantas en un hábitat de restinga. La información se recolectó en el Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba, Brasil. Las aves se capturaron con redes de niebla y sus muestras fecales y de regurgitación se inspeccionaron en busca de semillas. Estudiamos seis especies de plantas de estas muestras. En general, el efecto del paso por el sistema digestivo de las aves sobre el porcentaje de germinación fue nulo (y negativo en la velocidad de germinación). Todas las especies de plantas estudiadas son numéricamente importantes a la comunidad y algunas de ellas tienen papeles principales en la sucesión de parches de vegetación. Entre las aves, Mimus gilvus es una especie residente importante, endémica de tales hábitats en Brasil, mientras que Turdus amaurochalinus es una especie visitante y puede ser importante para las plantas que fructifican durante su paso por el sitio del estudio. El efecto general de los pájaros en la dispersión de semillas en la restinga es probablemente positivo.

This study describes the mangrove bird community of Paranaguá Bay in Paraná - South Brazil. Seasonal surveys were conducted during September 1997 to September 1998 at three sites in Paranaguá Bay. Frequencies and abundances of birds were registered in 200m transects and one hour point counts. A total of 81 bird species were observed in the three sampling sites. Most of the bird species in Paranaguá mangroves are fruits, seeds and arthropods consumers, and predators of flying insects. The most frequent and abundant species were Egretta caerulea, Ceryle torquata, Chloroceryle amazona, Pitangus sulphuratus, Turdus amaurochalinus and Parula pitiayumi. The bird community of these three sites is composed mainly by forest bird species. The mangroves of Paranaguá Bay shelter one of the richest avifauna of Brazilian mangroves. Differences between sampling sites could be related to the proximity of the Paranaguá city and human impacts in the areas. Only in the most disturbed site were observed Passer domesticus and large flocks of Coragyps atratus. This study contributed to the knowledge of mangrove communities, and could be an important basis to fluvial-marine conservation plans in Paraná- Brazil.Este estudo teve como objetivos caracterizar a comunidade de aves de manguezais na baía de Paranaguá e comparar descritivamente a comunidade das três áreas amostradas, diferentes em relação à proximidade de centros urbanos. Foram amostradas sazonalmente, entre setembro de 1997 a setembro 1998, três áreas de manguezais a diferentes distâncias da cidade e do porto de Paranaguá. A avifauna foi registrada em transectos de 200m no interior dos manguezais e em observações de 1 hora em pontos fixos. Foram determinadas freqüência, abundancia relativa e densidade de espécies em cada área. Foram observadas 81 espécies de aves nas três áreas de manguezais. As guildas mais significativas foram das espécies consumidoras de frutos, sementes e artrópodos de copa e das predadoras de insetos em vôo. As espécies mais freqüentes e abundantes foram Egretta caerulea, Ceryle torquata, Chloroceryle amazona, Pitangus sulphuratus Turdus amaurochalinus e Parula pitiayumi. Esta comunidade é uma das mais ricas dos manguezais brasileiros atualmente estudados e se destaca por ser composta principalmente por aves que também ocorrem nas florestas de restinga ao redor. Algumas diferenças entre as áreas amostradas podem ser decorrentes dos impactos ocasionados pela proximidade dos centros urbanos. Além de contribuir significativamente para o conhecimento deste ecossistema, os resultados do presente estudo poderão servir de base para planos de conservação dos ambientes de influencia flúvio-marinha no estado do Paraná.

We describe two new pterodectine feather mites (Analgoidea: Proctophyllodidae) from Brazilian passerines (Passeriformes): Pterodectes amaurochalinus sp. n., from Turdus amaurochalinus Cabanis (Turdidae), and Dolichodectes neotropicus sp. n., collected from Elaenia chiriquensis Lawrence (Tyrannidae). A key to species of the genus Dolichodectes is presented.

El parasitismo de cría es una estrategia reproductiva en la que el ave parásita deposita sus huevos en los nidos de otras especies, las que realizan el cuidado parental de huevos y pichones. El tordo renegrido es un parásito de cría obligado y generalista que parasita a más de 200 hospedadores, entre ellos al zorzal chalchalero. En este trabajo se estudiaron las interacciones hospedador-parásito entre el tordo renegrido y el zorzal chalchalero. Se registró una tasa de parasitismo del 60% con una intensidad de 1,5 huevos de tordo por nido parasitado. El mayor costo del parasitismo sobre el éxito reproductivo del zorzal fue debido a las picaduras de huevos de zorzal inflijidas por los tordos cuando visitan el nido. Además, en los nidos parasitados el éxito de eclosión de los huevos de zorzal fue menor. La presencia de pichones de tordo en el nido no afectó la supervivencia de los pichones zorzal. El zorzal chalchalero no ha desarrollado defensas efectivas frente al parasitismo, aunque es capaz de reconocer a los tordos como una amenaza. En nidos exitosos (nidos que no fueron predados ni abandonados) sólo el 20% de los huevos de tordo alcanzó el estadío de volantón. Se plantean posibles explicaciones para estos resultados. Brood parasitism ia a breeding strategy in which the parasitic bird lay eggs in nests of other species (host), which incubate the eggs and provide parental care to the chicks. The shiny cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) is an obligate brood parasite that lay eggs in nests of more than 200 hosts, included the Creamy-bellied Thrush (Turdus amaurochalinus). In this work, I studied the interactions between shiny cowbirds and creamy-bellied thrushes. I found 60% of nest parasitized with an intensity of 1,5 eggs per nest. The main cost inflicted by the parasite was the puncture of host eggs. Parasitized nests had a lower hatching success, but parasite chicks did not affect the survival of host chicks. On the other hand, creamy-bellied thrushes did not develop effective defences against parasitism, although they recognize shiny cowbird as a threat. In successful nests (those that were not depredated or deserted) only 20% of shiny cowbird eggs produced fledglings. I discuss why creamy-bellied thrushes did not develop better antiparasitic defences, and why shiny cowbirds use so frequently this low-quality host. Fil: Astié, Andrea A.. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales; Argentina.