Cytogenetic Evidence Clarifies the Phylogeny of the Family Rhynchocyclidae (Aves: Passeriformes).

The phylogenetic position and taxonomic status of Rhynchocyclidae (Aves: Passeriformes) have been the subject of debate since their first description. In most models, Rhynchocyclidae represents a subfamily-level taxon placed within the Tyrant Flycatchers (Tyrannidae). Considering that this classification does not include cytotaxonomic characters, we tested the hypothesis that the chromosome organization of Rhynchocyclidae members differs from that of Tyrannidae. Hence, we selected two species, Tolmomyias sulphurescens, and Pitangus sulphuratus, representing Rhynchocyclidae and Tyrannidae, respectively. Results revealed a diploid number (2n) of 60 in T. sulphurescens and 2n = 80 in P. sulphuratus, indicating significant chromosomal differences. Chromosome mapping of Gallus gallus (GGA) and Taeniopygia guttata bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) corresponding to chromosomes GGA1-28 (except 16) revealed that the genome evolution of T. sulphurescens involved extensive chromosome fusions of macrochromosomes and microchromosomes. On the other hand, P. sulphuratus retained the ancestral pattern of organization of macrochromosomes (except the centric fission involving GGA1) and microchromosomes. In conclusion, comparing our results with previous studies in Tyrant Flycatchers and allies indicates that P. sulphuratus has similar karyotypes to other Tyrannidae members. However, T. sulphurescens does not resemble the Tyrannidae family, reinforcing family status to the clade named Rhynchocyclidae.

Drivers of nest survival in the Tawny-bellied Seedeater Sporophila hypoxantha (Aves: Thraupidae): time-specific factors are more related to success than ecological variables.

Tawny-bellied Seedeater (Sporophila hypoxantha) is an endangered (in Brazil) grassland dependent species, whose breeding success remains poorly known hampering conservation measures on its breeding grounds. Here we analyze the nest survival of the species in relation to temporal and environmental variables over three breeding seasons in hilly dry grasslands in southern Brazil. The apparent nest success was 40%, and MARK survival 20%. Predation was the main cause of failure, affecting 55% of the unsuccessful nests, followed by desertion, infestation by Philornis fly larvae, cattle trampling and burning. The productivity was 1.77 young per pair. Best models include time-specific factors (nest age and time of breeding season), reflected by a gradual reduction in nest survival over the nesting cycle, accompanied by an increase in temperature, subcutaneous larvae infestation, and predation. Nest site characteristics did not influence nest survival. Predation is more prevalent in the nestling rearing period than during incubation. This tendency may be caused by an increase in the activity in the nests, as is predicted by the Skutch hypothesis. The conclusion that time-specific factors influence nest survival more than ecological variables is important to plan on seasonally dependent conservation and management measures.

Species limits in the Tawny-crowned Pygmy-tyrant Euscarthmus meloryphus complex (Aves: Passeriformes: Tyrannidae).

Euscarthmus pygmy-tyrants include two species of tiny passerines that inhabit semi-open landscapes in South America. One of these, Euscarthmus meloryphus is a taxonomic complex comprising three recognized subspecies for which previously proposed splits and lumps were not founded on proper taxonomic analysis. We assessed morphology (morphometrics and plumage), distribution models, and vocalizations of a substantial dataset with the aim of evaluating species limits within the E. meloryphus complex. Our results support the recognition of two species, the widespread E. meloryphus from east-central South America, and E. fulviceps from Ecuador and Peru, which are clearly diagnosable on morphological and vocal characters. We consider that E. meloryphus paulus from Colombia and Venezuela is a synonym of the nominotypical taxon based on the absence of diagnostic vocal and morphological characters. The allopatric distribution of the two populations of E. meloryphus may be related to the savannah connections during the LGM in South America. Further, we show that Lepturus ruficeps Swainson, 1838 is a synonym of E. rufomarginatus instead of E. meloryphus as it has long been treated.

A family-group name correction in Aves: Tachurisidae instead of Tachurididae Ohlson, Irestedt, Ericson & Fjeldså, 2013.

The genus Tachuris Lafresnaye, 1836 was recently placed in a new monotypic family rank taxon, Tachurididae Ohlson, Irestedt, Ericson & Fjeldså, 2013, proposed to reflect the molecular recovery of this taxon as an independent lineage related to Tyrannidae Vigors, 1825 and Rhynchocyclidae Berlepsch, 1907 (Ohlson et al. 2013). The purpose of this paper is to propose a correction in the original spelling of the family name Tachurididae used by Ohlson et al. (2013) to agree with the rulings of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999; hereafter "Code"), taking account of the complex etymology of the name.

Levantamento da ictiofauna da Floresta Nacional de Canela, na região superior da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Caí, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil / A survey of the ichthyofauna at Floresta Nacional de Canela, in the upper region of Rio Caí basin, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

Neste trabalho são apresentados dados referentes a um inventário da fauna de peixes da Floresta Nacional de Canela, uma Unidade de Conservação Federal localizada no trecho superior da bacia hidrográfica do Rio Caí, em elevadas altitudes da Serra Geral do Rio Grande do Sul. Foram amostrados nove pontos de coleta em diversos ambientes aquáticos, incluindo um banhado, açudes e arroios, situados tanto no interior quanto no entorno da unidade. Para a captura dos exemplares utilizou-se puçá, picaré, linhas de pesca, redes de emalhar e armadilhas do tipo covo. Ao total, foram encontradas 20 espécies pertencentes a 10 famílias e 6 ordens. Hyphessobrycon luetkenii teve distribuição mais ampla, ocorrendo em quase todos os pontos amostrados, enquanto Callichthys callichthys foi registrado somente em um ponto. Nos açudes, a ordem Perciformes foi a mais representativa, seguida por Cypriniformes e Characiformes. Esses ambientes caracterizaram-se pela predominância da família Cichlidae (Perciformes), cuja maioria das espécies Neotropicais tem preferência por ambientes de água parada. Com distribuição restrita aos açudes, destaca-se a ocorrência de 4 espécies exóticas introduzidas (Ctenopharingodon idella, Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix e Micropterus salmoides). Para os arroios, foi observado maior riqueza específica de Characiformes e Siluriformes de pequeno porte, padrão já encontrado em muitos estudos nos riachos sul-americanos. Destaca-se a presença de espécies com "status" taxonômico indefinido, tais como Trichomycterus sp. e Astyanax aff. scabripinnis, reforçando a importância dos levantamentos em riachos nas cabeceiras de rios do Rio Grande do Sul, para a obtenção de informações que subsidiem medidas de conservação desses ambientes. Embora as espécies exóticas tenham sido registradas apenas em açudes, recomenda-se a erradicação destas da unidade de conservação, em função das ameaças que podem representar à ictiofauna nativa e aos ...

Data referring to a survey of the fish fauna at Floresta Nacional de Canela, a National Conservation Unity located in the upper region of Rio Caí basin, in higher altitudes of Serra Geral do Rio Grande do Sul are presented in this study. Nine sites were sampled in several aquatic environments, including a swamp, dams and streams situated inside and in the nearby area of the unity. In order to capture the specimens, hand net, seine net, fishing lines, gill nets and baited traps were used. Altogether 20 species were found, belonging to 10 families and 6 orders. Hyphessobrycon luetkenii had a wider distribution, occurring in almost all of the sampled points, while Callichthys callichthys was recorded in only one site. In the dams, the order Perciformes was the most representative, followed by Cypriniformes and Characiformes. These environments are characterized by the dominance of family Cichlidae (Perciformes), of which most of the Neotropical species have preference for stagnant water environments. The occurrence of four exotic introduced species is highlighted (Ctenopharingodon idella, Cyprinus carpio, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix and Micropterus salmoides) with distribution restricted to the dams. For the streams, a greater specific richness of Characiformes and Siluriformes of small size was observed, a pattern that had already been found in the South American streams. It is also featured, the presence of species with non defined taxonomic status, such as Trichomycterus sp. and Astyanax aff. scabripinnis, reinforcing the importance of surveys on headwaters streams from Rio Grande do Sul, in order to obtain information to subsidize measures to conserve these environments. Despite the fact that the exotic species were registered only in the dams, their eradication from the conservation unity is recommended, considering the threats that they may represent for the native ichthyofauna and for the other aquatic ecosystems of the region.

A new host record for Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae) / Novo registro de hospedeiro para Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae)

The crested becard, Pachyramphus validus (Lichtenstein, 1823), is recorded, for the first time, as host of Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae). Subcutaneous larvae were collected in one nestling at the Floresta Nacional de Canela (Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil).

O caneleiro-de-chapéu-preto, Pachyramphus validus (Lichtenstein, 1823), é registrado, pela primeira vez, como hospedeiro de Philornis (Diptera, Muscidae). Larvas subcutâneas foram coletadas em um filhote na Floresta Nacional de Canela (Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil).