An Overview of the Current Known and Unknown Roles of Vitamin D3 in the Female Reproductive System: Lessons from Farm Animals, Birds, and Fish.

Recent studies have clearly shown that vitamin D3 is a crucial regulator of the female reproductive process in humans and animals. Knowledge of the expression of vitamin D3 receptors and related molecules in the female reproductive organs such as ovaries, uterus, oviduct, or placenta under physiological and pathological conditions highlights its contribution to the proper function of the reproductive system in females. Furthermore, vitamin D3 deficiency leads to serious reproductive disturbances and pathologies including ovarian cysts. Although the influence of vitamin D3 on the reproductive processes of humans and rodents has been extensively described, the association between vitamin D3 and female reproductive function in farm animals, birds, and fish has rarely been summarized. In this review, we provide an overview of the role of vitamin D3 in the reproductive system of those animals, with special attention paid to the expression of vitamin D3 receptors and its metabolic molecules. This updated information could be essential for better understanding animal physiology and overcoming the incidence of infertility, which is crucial for optimizing reproductive outcomes in female livestock.

Urbanization, habitat extension and spatial pattern, threaten a Costa Rican endemic bird / Urbanización, cantidad de hábitat y distribución espacial, amenazan un ave endémica de Costa Rica

Introduction: Migration of people from rural environments to cities has accelerated urbanization and modified the landscape as well as the ecological processes and communities in these areas. The Costa Rican endemic Cabanis´s Ground-Sparrow (Melozone cabanisi) is a species of limited distribution restricted to the "Gran Area Metropolitana", which is the biggest urban settlement of the country. This area has experimented and still experiment an ongoing fragmentation and loss of habitat used by this species (coffee plantations, shrubs, and thickets). Objective: To determine the effects of urbanization on habitat abundance and spatial pattern for the occurrence of Melozone cabanisi. Methods: We modeled the area of potentially suitable habitat for this species in Costa Rica using occurrence and bioclimatic data. Then, we estimated the actual suitable habitat using land cover type layers. Finally, we analyzed the connectivity among the actual suitable habitat patches using single-patch and multi-patch approaches. Results: From the area of potentially suitable habitat estimated by the bioclimatic model, 74 % were urban areas that are unsuitable for Melozone cabanisi. The largest suitable patches within urban areas were coffee plantations; which also were crucial for maintaining connectivity between habitat patches along the species' range. Conclusions: To preserve and protect the Melozone cabanisi, these areas must be taken into consideration by decision-makers in the present and future management plans. We recommend avoiding change shrubs and thickets to urban cover to preserve the occurrence of Melozone cabanisi, and implement a program for the payment of environmental services to landholders, supported by the local governments, to protect those habitats in urban contexts.

Introducción: La migración desde ambientes rurales hacia las ciudades ha incrementado la urbanización. Esto ha modificado el paisaje, así como los procesos ecológicos y comunidades dentro de estas áreas. El Cuatro-ojos de Jupa-roja (Melozone cabanisi) es una especie distribuida principalmente al interior del asentamiento urbano más grande de Costa Rica. Hasta el presente esta área sigue experimentando fragmentación y pérdida del hábitat utilizado por esta especie (plantaciones de café, charrales y tacotales). Objetivo: Determinar los efectos de la urbanización sobre la cantidad de hábitat y su distribución espacial, basada en datos de presencia para M. cabanisi. Métodos: Modelamos el hábitat potencialmente adecuado para M. cabanisi utilizando datos bioclimáticos y de presencia. Luego estimamos el hábitat real utilizando el hábitat potencialmente adecuado y las capas de cobertura del suelo. Finalmente analizamos la conectividad entre los parches de hábitat real utilizando un enfoque multi y mono-parche. Resultados: Del área del hábitat potencialmente adecuado estimada por el modelo bioclimático, 74 % fueron áreas urbanas, lo que consideramos es un porcentaje inadecuado para M. cabanisi. Los parches más grandes de hábitat real dentro de las áreas urbanas fueron plantaciones de café, que a su vez fueron cruciales para mantener la conectividad entre los parches a lo largo del rango de distribución de la especie. Conclusiones: Para conservar y proteger a M. cabanisi, los tomadores de decisiones deben tener en cuenta los charrales, tacotales y cafetales dentro de la distribución de las especies en los planes de gestión presentes y futuros, evitando su cambio a coberturas urbanas.

Traditional knowledge and perception of birds in the Parnaíba Delta environmental protection area, Northeast Brazil

Local inhabitants retain a vast knowledge about the bird richness surrounding them, as well as many of their ethological and ecological aspects, and can identify the importance of those birds to the maintenance of ecosystem integrity. The present study sought to document the traditional knowledge retained by members of the Labino community concerning the avifauna of the Delta do Rio Parnaíba Environmental Protection Area (APA), Piauí State, Brazil. We interviewed 76 male (51% of the sample) and 74 female (49%) residents. The interviewees indicated the occurrence of 97 bird species belonging to 21 orders and 40 families. Men could identify more bird species than women. Older individuals recognize more bird species than younger members of the community. Individuals with less schooling demonstrated greater knowledge of species richness than those with more formal educations. A very significant percentage (45%, n = 68) of the interviewees reported consuming native birds, principally Aramides cajaneus, Columbina squammata, and Zenaida auriculata. A total of 48 species were perceived as having their populations reduced in recent years, principally Mimus gilvus, Icterus jamacaii, Aramides cajaneus, Turdus rufiventris, and Cacicus cela. The residents of the Labino community were therefore found to have a detailed knowledge of the local avifauna and perceived impacts caused mainly by hunting in the Parnaiba River Delta region.

Bird community of upper-montane rupestrian fields in South of Minas Gerais State, Southeastern Brazil

Studies about the birds of rupestrian fields in the south of Minas Gerais State in Southeastern Brazil are incomplete, although this region is ornithologically well studied. This bird community has closely associated ecology with fields and the most endangered species of the Cerrado domain. The objective of this manuscript is to create a list of birds which occur in the rupestrian fields of seven municipalities in the south of Minas Gerais State, and further to analyze the birds’ distribution, the endangered species (and their conservation status), and generate bases for future conservation actions. We evaluated seven cities in the south of Minas Gerais State between 2012 and 2018 by using binoculars and cameras. We found a high richness in relation to other open areas, with the Tyrannidae and Trochilidae families being the most representative. We highlight the endangered species in the Cerrado domain which of these species are closely linked to rupestrian fields. The composition is similar to closer areas, with exception to São Thomé das Letras city because it suffers an influence of mining areas. We suggest creating a wildlife protected area to preserve and conserve a great area of rupestrian fields and consequently the associated biota, especially the bird communities

Efeito da luz ultravioleta na eclodibilidade e viabilidade de pintos provenientes de ovos férteis sujos / Effect of ultraviolet light in hatchability and viability of chicks from dirty fertile eggs

Considerando a necessidade de se desenvolver estratégias para a incubação de ovos sujos e a demanda de se utilizar métodos renováveis de sanitização, a utilização da luz ultravioleta para desinfecção de ovos incubáveis sujos foi o objetivo desta pesquisa. Foram avaliados ovos sem desinfecção (C-), desinfetados com paraformaldeído (C+), e expostos a tempos diferentes de exposição ultravioleta: UV 3’30”, UV 4’30” e UV 5’30”. Os ovos C(+) e os expostos à UV por 3’30” e 5’30” tiveram uma redução significativa na quantidade de colônias na casca dos ovos em relação ao C(-), variando de 0.64 a 1 logUFC/g. Os tratamentos C(+), UV 3’30” e UV 5’30” foram aplicados para avaliação da incubabilidade dos ovos. A eclodibilidade do tratamento UV 3’30” (70,51%) foi superior ao UV 5’30” (51,16%) e similar ao C(+) (55,81%). Conclui-se que o tratamento UV 3’30” é eficaz na redução da contaminação microbiológica de ovos sujos e não afeta negativamente a eclodibilidade e a viabilidade dos pintinhos nascidos.

Considering the need to develop strategies for dirty eggs incubation and the demand to use renewable methods of sanitation, the use of ultraviolet light for disinfecting hatching dirty eggs was the objective of this research. Eggs not disinfected (C-), disinfected with paraformaldehyde (C+) and exposed to different times of UV radiation (UV 3’30”, UV 4’30” and UV 5’30”) were tested. The eggs C(+) and those exposed to UV for 3’30” and 5’30” presented a significant reduction on the number of colonies of eggshells comparing to C(-), with a 0.64 to 1 logUFC/g variation. The treatments C(+), UV 3’30” and UV 5’30” were applied in an incubation phase. The hatchability of treatment UV 3’30” (70,51%) was superior to UV 5’30” (51,16%) and alike C(+) (55,81%). In conclusion, the treatment UV 3’30” is effective in reducing microbiologic contamination of dirty eggs and do not affect negatively hatchability and quality of chicks.

Organ weights and histopathology of double-crested cormorants (Phalacrocorax auritus) dosed orally or dermally with artificially weathered Mississippi Canyon 252 crude oil.

A series of toxicity tests were conducted to assess the effects of low to moderate exposure to artificially weathered Deepwater Horizon Mississippi Canyon 252 crude oil on representative avian species as part of the Natural Resource Damage Assessment. The present report summarizes effects of oral exposure (n=26) of double-crested cormorants (DCCO; Phalacrocorax auritus) to 5 or 10ml oil kg-1 day-1 for up to 21 days or dermal application (n=25) of 13ml oil to breast and back feathers every three days totaling 6 applications in 21 days on organ weights and histopathology. Absolute and relative kidney and liver weights were increased in birds exposed to oil. Additionally, gross and/or histopathologic lesions occurred in the kidney, heart, pancreas and thyroid. Clinically significant renal lesions in the orally dosed birds included squamous metaplasia and increased epithelial hypertrophy of the collecting ducts and renal tubules and mineralization in comparison to controls. Gross cardiac lesions including thin walls and flaccid musculature were documented in both orally and dermally dosed birds and myocardial fibrosis was found in low numbers of dermally dosed birds only. Cytoplasmic vacuolation of the exocrine pancreas was noted in orally dosed birds only. Thyroid follicular hyperplasia was increased in dermally dosed birds only possibly due to increased metabolism required to compensate damaged feather integrity and thermoregulate. Gastrointestinal ulceration was found in orally dosed birds only. There were no significant hepatic histopathologic lesions induced by either exposure route. Therefore, hepatic histopathology is likely not a good representation of oil-induced damage. Taken together, the results suggest that oral or dermal exposure of DCCOs to artificially weathered MC252 crude oil induced organ damage that could potentially affect survivability.

Life history, immunity, Peto's paradox and tumours in birds.

Cancer and tumours may evolve in response to life-history trade-offs between growth and duration of development on one hand, and between growth and maintenance of immune function on the other. Here, we tested whether (i) bird species with slow developmental rates for their body size experience low incidence of tumours because slow development allows for detection of rapid proliferation of cell lineages. We also test whether (ii) species with stronger immune response during development are more efficient at detecting tumour cells and hence suffer lower incidence of tumours. Finally, we tested Peto's paradox, that there is a positive relationship between tumour incidence and body mass. We used information on developmental rates and body mass from the literature and of tumour incidence (8468 birds) and size of the bursa of Fabricius for 7659 birds brought to a taxidermist in Denmark. We found evidence of the expected negative relationship between incidence of tumours and developmental rates and immunity after controlling for the positive association between tumour incidence and body size. These results suggest that evolution has modified the incidence of tumours in response to life history and that Peto's paradox may be explained by covariation between body mass, developmental rates and immunity.

Local and interannual variations in mercury and cadmium in eggs of eight seabird species of the Sinaloa coast, México.

Mercury (Hg) and cadmium (Cd) concentrations in eggs of 8 seabird species inhabiting 5 coastal ecosystems in Sinaloa, México were determined during 2 breeding seasons (2012 and 2013): blue-footed booby (Sula nebouxii), brown booby (Sula leucogaster), double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus), magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens), brown pelican (Pelecanus occidentalis), royal tern (Thalasseus maximus), laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla), and Heermann's gull (Larus heermanni). The interspecific differences found in the concentrations of both metals were attributed to the diet and foraging ecology of the species. The highest Hg concentrations were detected in piscivorous species (brown pelican, 0.42 µg/g; brown booby, 0.31 µg/g; blue-footed booby, 0.26 µg/g; and double-crested cormorant, 0.23 µg/g); whereas species with more varied diets presented the highest Cd concentrations (Heermann's gull, 0.31 µg/g; laughing gull, 0.27 µg/g; and magnificent frigatebird, 0.27 µg/g). Cadmium concentrations were significantly greater in 2013 than 2012 for most species, and brown pelican and laughing gull also had higher Hg concentrations in 2013 in Santa María Bay, suggesting a relationship as a result of the changes either in oceanographic conditions or in continental runoff. Mercury concentrations in brown pelican and Cd concentrations in Heermann's gull and laughing gull were above threshold levels for adverse effects on reproduction and survival. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2330-2338. © 2016 SETAC.

Towards completion of the early Eocene aviary: A new bird group from the Messel oil shale (Aves, Eopachypterygidae, fam. nov.).

A new avian species is described from the early Eocene Messel fossil site in Germany. Eopachypteryx praeterita, gen. et sp. nov. is a small bird and exhibits a characteristic morphology with a short and robust beak, a distinctively shaped coracoid, stout humerus, robust pectoral girdle skeleton, and short hindlimbs. Although similarities to the Paleogene Eocuculus as well as to some extant telluravian and strisorine taxa are noted, the phylogenetic affinities of the new species are unresolved. To account for the fact that the new species is clearly distinguished from any of the known fossil or extant avian taxa, it is here assigned to the new taxon Eopachypterygidae, fam. nov.. Eopachypteryx praeterita is represented by three partial skeletons. A further partial skeleton from Messel belongs to a second, unnamed species, which is tentatively referred to Eopachypteryx.

THE INFLUENCE OF ULTRAVIOLET-B RADIATION ON THE GROWTH OF MARABOU STORK (LEPTOPTILOS CRUMENIFERUS) NESTLINGS IN RELATION TO PLASMA CALCIUM, PHOSPHORUS, AND VITAMIN D3 CONCENTRATIONS.

In order to prevent metabolic bone disease in growing captive-bred marabou storks (Leptoptilos crumeniferus), three hatchlings were exposed twice a day for 30 min each time to ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation. During their first 35 days of life, body weights were monitored weekly, and blood was collected to determine total calcium, phosphorus, 25(OH) cholecalciferol, and 1.25(OH)2cholecalciferol plasma levels. Data were compared with those obtained from two marabou stork nestlings that were raised before, without being exposed to UVB. These two birds developed metabolic bone disease, while the UVB-exposed birds developed into healthy adult animals. Plasma chemistry data obtained in this study demonstrate that nestling marabou storks produce vitamin D3under the influence of UVB radiation. The absence of clinical metabolic bone disease in the nestlings that received UVB compared to the nestlings that were raised with the same diet without UVB radiation and that developed MBD demonstrates the importance of UVB radiation for normal development in this species.

Effects of age and reproductive experience on the distribution of prolactin and growth hormone secreting cells in the anterior pituitary of a passerine.

Plasma prolactin (PRL) is released from lactotrophs in the anterior pituitary. As plasma PRL levels rise during incubation in domestic fowl, the number of lactotrophs (PRL-immunoreactive, PRL-IR cells) increases while the number of growth hormone secreting cells, somatotrophs (GH-IR cells), declines. We measured plasma PRL levels using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and examined the distribution of lactotrophs and somatotrophs in the anterior pituitary of breeding and nonbreeding zebra finches of known ages with and without prior breeding experience using fluorescent immunohistochemistry (IHC). Plasma PRL levels were higher in breeding than in nonbreeding birds, regardless of age, sex, or previous breeding history. PRL-IR cells were localized primarily, but not exclusively, to the cephalic aspect of the anterior pituitary (AP) and along the ventral margin. Birds with prior reproductive experience had more PRL-IR cells than birds with no prior reproductive experience and breeders had slightly higher PRL-IR cell counts than did nonbreeders, but there was no correlation between the number of PRL-IR cells and plasma PRL levels. GH-IR cells were concentrated in the caudal aspect of the AP with some cells in the cephalic lobe, but numbers did not differ between any of the groups studied. An increase in PRL-IR cells corresponded with an increase in GH-IR cells. An increase in lactotroph number with reproductive experience in zebra finches may facilitate future reproductive events by allowing for more robust PRL secretion and increased reproductive success.

Improving reptile ecological risk assessment: oral and dermal toxicity of pesticides to a common lizard species (Sceloporus occidentalis).

Reptiles have been understudied in ecotoxicology, which limits consideration in ecological risk assessments. The goals of the present study were 3-fold: to improve oral and dermal dosing methodologies for reptiles, to generate reptile toxicity data for pesticides, and to correlate reptile and avian toxicity. The authors first assessed the toxicity of different dosing vehicles: 100 µL of water, propylene glycol, and acetone were not toxic. The authors then assessed the oral and dermal toxicity of 4 pesticides following the up-and-down procedure. Neither brodifacoum nor chlorothalonil caused mortality at doses ≤ 1750 µg/g. Under the "neat pesticide" oral exposure, endosulfan (median lethal dose [LD50] = 9.8 µg/g) was more toxic than λ-cyhalothrin (LD50 = 916.5 µg/g). Neither chemical was toxic via dermal exposure. An acetone dosing vehicle increased λ-cyhalothrin toxicity (oral LD50 = 9.8 µg/g; dermal LD50 = 17.5 µg/g), but not endosulfan. Finally, changes in dosing method and husbandry significantly increased dermal λ-cyhalothrin LD50s, which highlights the importance of standardized methods. The authors combined data from the present study with other reptile LD50s to correlate with available avian data. When only definitive LD50s were used in the analysis, a strong correlation was found between avian and reptile toxicity. The results suggest it is possible to build predictive relationships between avian and reptile LD50s. More research is needed, however, to understand trends associated with chemical classes and modes of action.

Comunidade de aves urbanas do município de Verê-Paraná / Urban bird community in the city of Verê-Paraná / Comunidad de aves urbanas de la ciudad de Verê-Paraná

O presente trabalho trata da caracterização da avifauna na área urbana do município de Verê, Paraná, onde foram realizadas saídas a campo para registro de espécimes entre maio de 2013 e maio de 2014, em sua maioria no período matutino e, esporadicamente, ao anoitecer. Essas aves foram identificadas e catalogadas conforme sua ordem, família, gênero e espécie, além de serem agrupadas de acordo com seu principal hábito alimentar. Também foram analisadas de acordo com seu comportamento, identificando quais eram residentes e quais eram migratórias. Como resultados desta pesquisa, foram encontradas 31 espécies de aves pertencentes a nove ordens e 20 famílias, sendo a ordem Passeriforme a mais representativa. Em relação aos hábitos alimentares, foram registrados espécimes com seis dietas alimentares diferentes, sendo estas classificadas em insetívoras, onívoras, frugívoras, granívoras, necrófagas e carnívoras. Entre as espécies registradas, houve uma maior aparição de espécimes residentes em relação às migratórias. Este estudo é de fundamental importância, pois representa a primeira descrição da avifauna urbana do município de Verê, contribuindo para um maior número de registros e conhecimento sobre este grupo animal na região sudoeste do Paraná.

The present work deals with the characterization of the bird fauna in the urban area of the city of Verê in the state of Paraná, where field trips were held for recording specimens between May 2013 and May 2014, mostly in the morning and sporadically at dusk. These birds have been identified and catalogued according to their order, family, genus and species, and were grouped according to their primary feeding habit. The birds were also analyzed according to their behavior, identifying which ones were residents and which ones were migratory. As a result, 31 species of birds were found, belonging to nine orders and 20 families, being the passerine order the most representative one. Regarding eating habits, specimens with six different diets were recorded, divided into insectivorous, omnivorous, frugivorous, granivorous, scavengers and carnivorous. Among the species recorded, there was a greater spotting of resident specimens in relation to migration. This study is of primary importance because it represents the first description of urban bird fauna of the city of Verê, contributing to a larger number of records and knowledge about this animal group in the southwestern region of Paraná.

Este estudio presenta la caracterización de la avifauna en la zona urbana del municipio de Verê, Paraná, formada a partir de observaciones de campo, realizadas entre mayo de 2013 a mayo de 2014, en su mayoría por la mañana, y esporádicamente al anochecer. Esas aves han sido identificadas y catalogadas según su orden, familia, género y especie. También fueron analizadas de acuerdo con su comportamiento, identificando cuáles eran residentes y cuáles eran migratorias. Como resultado de esa investigación, se registró 31 especies de aves pertenecientes a nueve órdenes y 20 familias, siendo el Orden Paseriformes lo más representativo. Con respecto a los hábitos alimenticios, se ha registrado seis dietas alimentares diferentes, siendo estas clasificadas en insectívoras, omnívoros, frugívoras, granívoras, necrófagas y carnívoras. Entre las especies registradas, hubo mayor aparición de especímenes residentes en relación a las migratorias. Este estudio es muy importante, pues representa la primera descripción de la avifauna urbana del municipio de Verê, contribuyendo para un mayor número de registros y conocimiento sobre este grupo animal en la región Suroeste del Paraná.

Ovarian follicle selection and granulosa cell differentiation.

The reproductive strategy for avian species that produce a sequence (or clutch) of eggs is dependent upon the maintenance of a small cohort of viable, undifferentiated (prehierarchal) follicles. It is from this cohort that a single follicle is selected on an approximate daily basis to initiate rapid growth and final differentiation before ovulation. This review describes a working model in which follicles within this prehierarchal cohort are maintained in an undifferentiated state by inhibitory cell signaling until the time of selection. Ultimately, follicle selection represents a process in which a single undifferentiated follicle per day is predicted to escape such inhibitory mechanisms to begin rapid growth and final maturation before ovulation. Several processes initiated within the granulosa cell layer at selection are dependent upon G protein-coupled receptors signaling via cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), and several critical processes are described herein. Finally, reference is made to several practical outcomes that can result from understanding the process of selection, including applications within the poultry industry. Proximal factors and processes that mediate follicle selection can either extend or decrease the length of the laying sequence, and thus directly influence overall egg production. In particular, any aberration that results in the selection of more than one follicle per day will result in decreased egg production. More generally, in wild birds these processes are modified by prevailing environmental conditions and by social interactions to influence clutch size. The elucidation of cellular processes that regulate follicle selection can assist in the development of assisted reproductive technologies for application in threatened and endangered avian species.

Contamination of organochlorine pesticides in water and sediments from a waterbird-inhabited lake, East Central China.

Seventeen organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) were investigated in the water and sediments from a waterbird-inhabited lake (Yangchaihu Lake) to evaluate their current pollution levels and potential risks. The concentrations of total OCPs in water and sediments were 10.12-59.75 ng/l and 4.25-27.35 ng/g dry weight, respectively. Hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were the most abundant OCPs, while HCB and cyclodiene pesticides were detected with low levels. Levels of ∑OCPs (sum of 17 OCPs) at sites highly influenced by waterbirds were significantly higher than the sites with no significant waterbird populations (one-way ANOVA, P<0.05), suggesting that bird activities were one reason for concentration distribution of these pollutants. Compositional and source analyses of OCPs in water and sediments indicated that there might be fresh introduction of lindane and heptachlor. The partitions of most OCPs were not in equilibrium between water and sediments. The results of an ecological risk assessment showed that residue levels of DDTs in the studied area might pose adverse effects on ecosystems.

Morfologia e biometria do timo em araras dos gêneros Ara e Anodorhynchus / Morphology and biometry of the thymus gland in macaw of Ara and Anodorhynchus genera

Foram utilizados 12 exemplares de Ara ararauna - seis fêmeas e seis machos -, cinco exemplares de Ara chloropterus (uma fêmea e quatro machos) e dois exemplares de Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus - uma fêmea e um macho -, todos adultos, doados por criadouro particular, após óbito natural. Os lobos foram dissecados e medidos com paquímetro - comprimento x largura x espessura - e analisados quanto ao peso, à topografia e à morfologia individual. Independentemente do gênero, foram identificados, em 17 casos (89,5%), lobos tímicos nos antímeros cervicais esquerdo e direito, e em oito casos (42,1%), lobos na cavidade celomática. Os lobos apresentaram formatos alongados - 52,6% -, arredondados - 21,1% - ou ovalados - 15,8% -, posicionados preferencialmente ventromedialmente ao longo do plexo vasculoneural do pescoço, com número médio de cinco lobos por antímero, tamanho médio de 0,49cm de comprimento, 0,12cm de largura e 0,05cm de espessura e peso médio de 0,076g.

Twelve samples of Ara ararauna - six females and six males -, five samples of Ara chloropterus (one female and four males) and two samples of Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (one female and one male), all adults from a Breeding Park, were used after natural death. The lobes were dissected and measured with electronic calliper (length x width x thickness) and analyzed taking their weight, topography and individual morphology into account. Regardless of gender, 89.5% of the cases presented timic lobes in the left and right cervical antimere, and 42.1% of the cases presented lobes in the celomatic cavity. The lobes were shown in shapes - long (52.6%), round (21.1%) or oval (15.8%), positioned mostly ventromedially, along the neurovascular plexus of the neck, with an average of five lobes per antimere, and an average size of 0.49cm length, 0.12cm width, and 0.05cm thick and average weight of 0.076g.

Patrones de crecimiento postnatal en ocho especies de garzas (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae)

Postnatal growth patterns in eight species of herons and egrets (Ciconiiformes: Ardeidae). Avian postnatal growth has received considerable attention and its ecological implications have been deeply analyzed. In this current paper, I describe the patterns of culmen and tarsus growth, as well as of weight gain patterns in eight species of herons and egrets (Aves: Ardeidae) found in the Birama Swamp in Eastern Cuba. Between 1998 and 2006, 714 nestlings of the following species were measured every two days: Butorides virescens, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta thula, E. tricolor, E. caerulea, E. rufescens, Ardea alba and Nycticorax nycticorax. Logistic and Gompertz equations were adjusted to data using non-lineal regression models with adult values as the asymptote. For each species, the following were determined and recorded: growth rate, age at inflexion, instantaneous growth rates at each age interval, and time taken to reach 90% of adult size. Reported hatchling sizes were similar in other localities, with a variation coefficient ranging between 10-19%. At hatch, each species exhibited differing sizes relative to adult values. In all cases, Gompertz equations were best fitted to explain more variance and lesser residuals. Rates of weight change and tarsus growth were alometrically related to the log of adult weight. Two main growth processes were identified: a physical extension in dimensions of each measure ment reflecting inter-specific morphometric differences, and a lineal increase of the growth period from Green Heron to Great Egret. The Black-crowned Night Heron, Cattle Egret and Reddish Egret exhibited some unique measurement characteristics in comparison to the remaining members of the family. All results support the hypothesis that hypermorphosis, as the main evolutionary process in the microevolution of Ardeidae, is caused by a delayed final moment of growth. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (2): 771-787. Epub 2011 June 01.

El crecimiento en aves forma parte de las estrategias reproductivas y su implicación ecológica ha sido profundamente debatida. En este trabajo se describe el crecimiento del pico, peso y tarso de ocho garzas (Aves: Ardeidae) en la ciénaga de Birama, Cuba. Para ello, entre 1998-2006, se midieron en días alternos un total de 714 pichones de Butorides virescens, Bubulcus ibis, Egretta thula, E. tricolor, E. caerulea, E. rufescens, Ardea alba y Nycticorax nycticorax, durante sus dos primeras semanas de vida. Se hicieron ajustes a las curvas Logística y de Gompertz y se usó regresiones no lineales y valores adultos como asíntotas, además se determinaron las variables que describenel crecimiento. El tamaño de los pichones al eclosionar fue similar al encontrado en otras localidades, con CV entre 10-19% y diferencias relativas al tamaño adulto. Las ecuaciones de Gompertz tuvieron menos residuos en todos los casos. Entonces, se identificaron dos procesos fundamentales de extensión en el crecimiento de cada estructura: uno físico y otro de duración, entre B. virescens y E. alba. Nycticorax, B. ibis y E. rufescens mostraron variaciones que los diferenciaron del resto. Los resultados apoyan la hipótesis de la microevolución de Ardeidae por hipermorfosis, por un retardo en el momento final del crecimiento.

An overview of dioxin-like compounds, PCB, and pesticide exposures associated with sexual differentiation of neuroendocrine systems, fluctuating asymmetry, and behavioral effects in birds.

Dioxin, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and pesticides impact neural systems in birds due to interference with sexual differentiation. Early endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) effects may delay maturation and have long-term effects on lifetime reproduction, especially in precocial birds that complete sexual differentiation prior to hatch. Semi-altricial and altricial species appear more resilient to EDC effects and show a gradient in sensitivity, especially in the neuroplastic song system. Embryonic steroid exposure occurs via maternally deposited steroids followed by embryo produced hormones; EDCs potentially affect these developing systems. As such, EDCs can impact lifelong fitness by acting on neural systems that regulate reproduction, metabolism, and behavior.