Growth model analysis of wild hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) nestlings based on long-term monitoring in the Brazilian Pantanal.

Studies on the breeding of vulnerable and endangered bird species are hindered by low numbers of individuals, inaccessible location of nests, unfavourable environmental conditions, and complex behavioural patterns. In addition, intraspecific variation may emerge only following long-term, systematic observations of little-known patterns and processes. Here, data collected over 30 years were used to determine growth model of hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) chicks in the Pantanal biome of Brazil. During this period, the speed of growth and body mass of chicks varied widely. Four growth models were tested: logistic, Gompertz, Richards, and cubic polynomial. They were fitted using three biometric measurements: body mass, total length, and tail length. The best-fitting growth curves were identified using Akaike's information criterion. The best models were the cubic polynomial for body mass, Richards for total length, and Gompertz for tail length. We confirmed the occurrence of dwarf individuals, whose body mass, total length, and tail length were 20%, 22%, and 70% smaller, respectively, than in the overall population. The dwarfs remain small in size after having fledged and are easily identified as adults. We discuss the importance of long-term studies to identify windows of opportunity for further research that will help in the conservation of endangered macaw species.

Human-modified landscapes narrow the isotopic niche of neotropical birds.

Deforestation and habitat loss resulting from land use changes are some of the utmost anthropogenic impacts that threaten tropical birds in human-modified landscapes (HMLs). The degree of these impacts on birds' diet, habitat use, and ecological niche can be measured by isotopic analysis. We investigated whether the isotopic niche width, food resources, and habitat use of bird trophic guilds differed between HMLs and natural landscapes (NLs) using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen isotopes (δ15N). We analyzed feathers of 851 bird individuals from 28 landscapes in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest. We classified landscapes into two groups according to the percentage of forest cover (HMLs ≤ 30%; NLs ≥ 47%), and compared the isotopic niche width and mean values of δ13C and δ15N for each guild between landscape types. The niches of frugivores, insectivores, nectarivores, and omnivores were narrower in HMLs, whereas granivores showed the opposite pattern. In HMLs, nectarivores showed a reduction of 44% in niche width, while granivores presented an expansion of 26%. Individuals in HMLs consumed more resources from agricultural areas (C4 plants), but almost all guilds showed a preference for forest resources (C3 plants) in both landscape types, except granivores. Degraded and fragmented landscapes typically present a lower availability of habitat and food resources for many species, which was reflected by the reduction in niche width of birds in HMLs. Therefore, to protect the diversity of guilds in HMLs, landscape management strategies that offer birds more diverse habitats must be implemented in tropical regions.

ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS: a data set of bird morphological traits from the Atlantic forests of South America.

Scientists have long been trying to understand why the Neotropical region holds the highest diversity of birds on Earth. Recently, there has been increased interest in morphological variation between and within species, and in how climate, topography, and anthropogenic pressures may explain and affect phenotypic variation. Because morphological data are not always available for many species at the local or regional scale, we are limited in our understanding of intra- and interspecies spatial morphological variation. Here, we present the ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS, a data set that includes measurements of up to 44 morphological traits in 67,197 bird records from 2,790 populations distributed throughout the Atlantic forests of South America. This data set comprises information, compiled over two centuries (1820-2018), for 711 bird species, which represent 80% of all known bird diversity in the Atlantic Forest. Among the most commonly reported traits are sex (n = 65,717), age (n = 63,852), body mass (n = 58,768), flight molt presence (n = 44,941), molt presence (n = 44,847), body molt presence (n = 44,606), tail length (n = 43,005), reproductive stage (n = 42,588), bill length (n = 37,409), body length (n = 28,394), right wing length (n = 21,950), tarsus length (n = 20,342), and wing length (n = 18,071). The most frequently recorded species are Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 1,837), Turdus albicollis (n = 1,658), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 1,468), Turdus leucomelas (n = 1,436), and Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 1,384). The species recorded in the greatest number of sampling localities are Basileuterus culicivorus (n = 243), Trichothraupis melanops (n = 242), Chiroxiphia caudata (n = 210), Platyrinchus mystaceus (n = 208), and Turdus rufiventris (n = 191). ATLANTIC BIRD TRAITS (ABT) is the most comprehensive data set on measurements of bird morphological traits found in a biodiversity hotspot; it provides data for basic and applied research at multiple scales, from individual to community, and from the local to the macroecological perspectives. No copyright or proprietary restrictions are associated with the use of this data set. Please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications or teaching and educational activities.

Temporal and spatial variation of richness and abundance of the community of birds in the Pantanal wetlands of Nhecolândia(Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) / Variación temporal y espacial en la riqueza y abundancia de la comunidad de aves del humedal Pantanal de Nhecolândia (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil)

Abstract The Pantanal wetlands represent one of the largest flood plains in the World, with extreme climatic variations between dry and wet seasons. The area shelters a high diversity of habitats, representing the main formations found in this sub-region: grasslands, savannah, forested savannah, riparian forests, bays and salines, and Negro river itself. This habitat variability determines the structure and dynamics of the bird community, because most species are closely related to specific habitats. For this, we studied the abundance of bird species from 2001 to 2004 in a Pantanal area of Fazenda Rio Negro, Aquidauana, Brazil. The abundance was compared among those four consecutive years, seasons (dry and wet), time of the day (morning and afternoon), and also between seven different habitats, in order to determine the variation in distribution patterns and habitats used by birds. For this, we used the linear transect method in each of the seven habitats, and recorded bird abundances to obtain richness. The richness registered in the mosaic of habitats was of 201 species for the savannah, 87 in forested savannah, 116 in the riparian forest, 75 in grasslands, 120 in bays, 92 in the salines and 64 in the Negro river, accounting for 348 species in the Pantanal of Rio Negro. Overall, 98 species of migratory birds were registered. The results highlighted some important issues regarding the total abundance of birds in Nhecolândia: Psittacidae was the most abundant family in the region, with prominence in all environments. Recurvirostridae, a monospecific family, showed expressive abundance due to the dominance of Himantopusmexicanus in the salinas, followed by Ardeidae, Anatidae and Cracidae. Other families with high abundance were Tyrannidae, Columbidae, Thraupidae and Emberizidae, all in predominantly terrestrial environments. Moreover: a) The highest number of specimens was recorded in the morning period and in the dry season, regardless of the habitat; b) there were no differences in abundance in the same habitat along the years, but the abundance was different among habitats. In general, the results indicated that there is a relatively stable bird population in each habitat along the annual cycle, but there were differences in abundance among habitats. Thus, additional studies on food availability in dry and wet seasons should be better explored in the future, either in this region or in other Pantanal regions. This fact could better explain the seasonal dynamics of the richness and abundance of birds in the Pantanal area in general.

Resumen Los humedales del Pantanal representan una de las mayores llanuras de inundación del mundo, con variaciones climáticas extremas entre las estaciones seca y húmeda. La zona alberga una gran diversidad de hábitats, representando las principales formaciones encontradas en esta subregión de humedales del Pantanal: pastizales, sabanas, sabanas boscosas, bosques ribereños, bahías y salinas, y el propio Río Negro. La variabilidad del hábitat es una parte determinante de la estructura y dinámica de la comunidad de aves, ya que la mayoría de las especies están estrechamente relacionadas con hábitats específicos. Estudiamos la abundancia de especies de aves de 2001 a 2004 en la Fazenda Río Negro, Aquidauana, Brasil. La abundancia se comparó entre los cuatro años consecutivos, las estaciones (seca y húmeda), la hora del día (mañana y tarde) y también entre siete hábitats diferentes, para determinar la variación en los patrones de distribución y hábitats utilizados por las aves. Para ello, se utilizó el método de transectos lineales en cada uno de los siete hábitats, y se registraron las abundancias de aves para obtener la riqueza. La riqueza registrada en el mosaico de hábitats fue de 201 especies para la sabana, 87 sabana boscosa, 116 bosque ribereño, 75 en pastizales, 120 en bahías, 92 en salinas y 64 en el río Negro, con 348 especies en el Pantanal de Río Negro. En total, se registraron 98 especies de aves migratorias. Los resultados destacaron algunas cuestiones importantes con respecto a la abundancia total de aves en Nhecolândia: Psittacidae fue la familia más abundante en la región, con prominencia en todos los ambientes. Recurvirostridae, una familia monoespecífica, mostró abundancia significativa debido a la dominancia de Himantopusmexicanus en las salinas, seguido por Ardeidae, Anatidae y Cracidae. Otras familias con gran abundancia fueron: Tyrannidae, Columbidae, Thraupidae y Emberizidae, todas en ambientes predominantemente terrestres. Además: a) Se registró el mayor número de ejemplares en el período de la mañana y en la estación seca, independientemente del hábitat; B) no hubo diferencias en la abundancia en el mismo hábitat a lo largo de los años, pero la abundancia fue diferente entre los hábitats. En general, los resultados indicaron que hay una población de aves relativamente estable en cada hábitat a lo largo del ciclo anual, pero hubo diferencias en la abundancia entre los hábitats.

Cranial osteology of the genus Sclerurus (Passeriformes: Furnariidae) / Osteología craneal comparativa en el género Sclerurus (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Abstract:The Furnariidae encompasses 293 species and has been recognized as an example of continental adaptive radiation. They inhabit biomes from deserts to humid forests at all strata and show morphological heterogeneity unparalleled among birds at any taxonomic level. Sclerurus is a uniform genus of cryptic, mainly dark brown furnariids, with short black tails which are found solitary on or near the ground inside humid forest. The aim of the present study was to describe and to compare the cranial osteology of all six Sclerurus species (S. scansor, S. mexicanus, S. guatemalensis, S. caudacutus, S. rufigularis, and S. albigularis) to identify osteological characters that are (1) unique to each species, (2) shared among species, and (3) that are exclusive to the genus when compared to other members of Furnariidae. For this, bone structures and measurements were done following standard methodologies. The results showed that Sclerurus differs from other Furnariidae in the following characteristics: a narrowed caudal portion of the nostril with a more rounded shape allowing upper's jaw greater mobility, used when foraging on soft substrates; the development of the post-orbital process may be related to digging behavior, as the presence of a short parsphenoid rostrum projection, a reduced cerebellar prominence, and the tapered caudal portion of the nostrils. Among the species, the interorbital width is larger in S. caudacutus and S. rufigularis, than in the remaining species. The development of the post-orbital process may be related to the behavior of digging nests in earthen banks; the narrowing of the caudal portion of the nostril allows for the greater mobility of the superior maxilla, which is used by Sclerurus when foraging in soft substrates on forest grounds. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (3): 1155-1170. Epub 2016 September 01.

ResumenLa familia Furnariidae está compuesta por 293 especies y ha sido reconocida como un ejemplo de la adaptación continental a la radiación. Habitan biomas de desiertos a bosques húmedos en todos los estratos y muestran heterogeneidad morfológica sin precedentes entre las aves de cualquier nivel taxonómico. Sclerurus es un género uniforme de crípticos, principalmente furnáridos café oscuro con colas negras cortas, que pueden ser encontrados solitarios o cerca del suelo dentro del bosque húmedo. El objetivo del presente estudio fue describir y comparar la osteología craneal de las seis especies de Sclerurus (S. scansor, S. mexicanus, S. guatemalensis, S. caudacutus, S. rufigularis y S. albigularis) para identificar los caracteres osteológicos que son (1) únicos de cada especie, (2) compartidos entre las especies, y (3) exclusivos de género cuando se comparan con otros miembros de Furnariidae. Los resultados mostraron que Sclerurus difiere de otro Furnariidae en las siguientes características: un estrechamiento de la porción caudal de la fosa nasal con una forma más redondeada que permite una mayor movilidad de la mandíbula superior, usada durante la recolección de sustratos blandos; el desarrollo del proceso post-orbital puede estar relacionado con el comportamiento de excavación así como la presencia de una corta proyección "parsphenoid rostrum", una reducida prominencia cerebelar, y una cónica porción caudal de las fosas nasales. Entre las especies, la anchura interorbital es mayor en S.caudacutus y S.rufigularis, que en las especies restantes. El desarrollo del proceso post-orbital puede estar asociado con el comportamiento de excavación de nidos en los bancos de barro; el estrechamiento en la porción caudal de la fosa nasal permite una mayor movilidad del maxilar superior, que es usado por el Sclerurus cuando se alimenta de sustratos blandos en suelos forestales.

Cranial osteology of the genus Sclerurus (Passeriformes: Furnariidae).

The Furnariidae encompasses 293 species and has been recognized as an example of continental adaptive radiation. They inhabit biomes from deserts to humid forests at all strata and show morphological heterogeneity unparalleled among birds at any taxonomic level. Sclerurus is a uniform genus of cryptic, mainly dark brown furnariids, with short black tails which are found solitary on or near the ground inside humid forest. The aim of the present study was to describe and to compare the cranial osteology of all six Sclerurus species (S. scansor, S. mexicanus, S. guatemalensis, S. caudacutus, S. rufigularis, and S. albigularis) to identify osteological characters that are (1) unique to each species, (2) shared among species, and (3) that are exclusive to the genus when compared to other members of Furnariidae. For this, bone structures and measurements were done following standard methodologies. The results showed that Sclerurus differs from other Furnariidae in the following characteristics: a narrowed caudal portion of the nostril with a more rounded shape allowing upper's jaw greater mobility, used when foraging on soft substrates; the development of the post-orbital process may be related to digging behavior, as the presence of a short parsphenoid rostrum projection, a reduced cerebellar prominence, and the tapered caudal portion of the nostrils. Among the species, the interorbital width is larger in S. caudacutus and S. rufigularis, than in the remaining species. The development of the post-orbital process may be related to the behavior of digging nests in earthen banks; the narrowing of the caudal portion of the nostril allows for the greater mobility of the superior maxilla, which is used by Sclerurus when foraging in soft substrates on forest grounds.

Relationship between jaw apparatus, feeding habit, and food source in oriental woodpeckers.

Associations among feeding habit, beak type, and food source in birds have been widely studied and are well known to exist. The relationship between feeding habit and jaw apparatus in birds has not attracted attention from ornithologists, perhaps because of the complexity of the skeletal morphology of the feeding system of birds. The goal of this study was to compare the jaw apparatus and foraging strategies of various Oriental species of the Picidae (Meiglyptini and Picini tribes) using a morphofunctional analysis of the skeletal structure of the jaw apparatus. This study showed that there are at least three types of jaw apparatus in these woodpeckers, as follows: 1) robust, developed, and complex; 2) complexity and development intermediate, as observed in Meiglyptes tristis and Dinopium spp., whose main foraging method involves gleaning, probing, and tapping; and 3) poorly developed, as observed in Picus miniaceus and Hemicircus concretus. The success of woodpeckers as a natural group is due not only to their feeding diversity, but also their ability to explore a wide range of different resources, as appropriate to their jaw apparatus.

Cranial osteology of meiglyptini (aves: piciformes: picidae).

THE MEIGLYPTINI COMPRISE EIGHT SPECIES GROUPED INTO THREE GENERA: Meiglyptes and Mulleripicus, with three species each, and Hemicircus, with two species. The aim of the present study was to describe the cranial osteology of six species and three genera of Meiglyptini and to compare them to each other, as well as with other species of woodpeckers and other bird groups. The cranial osteology varied among the investigated species, but the most markedly distinct characteristics were: (1) a frontal overhang is only observed in the middle portion of the frontale of H. concretus; (2) the Proc. zygomaticus and suprameaticus are thick and long in species of the genus Mulleripicus, but short in other species; (3) the Pes pterygoidei is relatively larger in species of the genus Mulleripicus, while it is narrow, thin and relatively smaller in species of the genus Meiglyptes and indistinct in H. concretus; (4) the bony projection of the ectethmoidale is relatively short and thin in species of Mulleripicus and more developed in H. concretus. It appears that the greatest structural complexity of the cranial osteology is associated with the birds' diet, with the frugivorous H. concretus being markedly different from the insectivorous species.

Skull and mandible formation in the cuckoo (Aves, Cuculidae): contributions to the nomenclature in avian osteology and systematics.

The study of the contributions of different bones to the formation of the skeleton in birds is necessary: (1) to establish homologies in comparative anatomy; (2) to delimit each bone structure correctly, mainly in relation to the skull and mandible where the bones are fused to each other in adults; and (3) to standardize nomenclature in avian osteology. In this paper at least one young specimen belonging to each sub-family of Cuculidae was examined in order to identify each bone in terms of boundaries and contributions to skull and mandible formation. These cuckoos specimens were also compared with adults and young of turacos and hoatzin. The results show little variation of skull and jaw among the young cuckoos studied compared with the variations among adult specimens. However, it provides new suggestions for the boundaries and nomenclature of certain osseous structures in the skull and mandible of birds, specifically fissura zona flexoria craniofacialis, prominetia frontoparietalis, crista temporalis transversa, processus squamosalis, fossa laterosphenoidalis, tuberculum laterosphenoidale and processus retroangularis. This study also provides more reliable homologies for use in cladistic analysis and above all it contributes to the phylogenetic position of Cuculidae within Neognathae, specifically the skull formation suggest that turacos and hoatzin are more similar to each other than either is to the cuckoos.