Biochemical and molecular biomarkers and their association with anthropogenic chemicals in wintering Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus).

Anthropogenic pollution poses a threat to marine conservation by causing chronic toxic effects. Seabirds have contact throughout their lives with pollutants like plastic, metals, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and organochlorine pesticides such as hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). We assessed 155 Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus) stranded along the Brazilian coast, analyzing associations between organic pollutants, plastic ingestion, biomarkers (transcript levels of aryl hydrocarbon receptor, cytochrome P450-1A-5 [CYP1A5], UDP-glucuronosyl-transferase [UGT1], estrogen receptor alpha-1 [ESR1], and heat shock protein-70 genes) and enzymes activity (ethoxy-resorufin O-deethylase and glutathione S-transferase [GST]). Plastic debris was found in 29 % of the birds. The transcription of UGT1 and CYP1A5 was significantly associated with hexachlorobenzene (HCB) and PCBs levels. ESR1 was associated with HCB and Mirex, and GST was associated with Drins and Mirex. While organic pollutants affected shearwaters more than plastic ingestion, reducing plastic availability remains relevant as xenobiotics are also potentially adsorbed onto plastics.

Temporal changes in metal and arsenic concentrations in blood and feathers of tropical seabirds after one of the largest environmental disasters associated with mining.

Monitoring of contaminant levels in wildlife over time is a tool for assessing the presence and persistence of environmental impacts at ecosystem, community and population levels. Tropical seabirds breeding in the Abrolhos Archipelago, 70 km off the Brazilian coast, forage in areas under the influence of the Doce River discharge. In 2015, the Fundão Dam collapsed and released ca 60 million tons of iron ore tailings into the ocean. In the present study, red-billed tropicbirds Phaethon aethereus and brown boobies Sula leucogaster breeding in Abrolhos were monitored over four years (2019-2022) for metal (Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Hg, Pb, Cd) and metalloid (As) concentrations in blood and feathers. Over six sampling events, metal (loid) concentrations showed strong temporal variation in both tissues. Overall, feathers showed greater element concentrations than blood, with stronger correlations between elements, especially Mn and the nonessential As, Cd, Hg and Pb. Mn is one of the major chemical markers of the Fundão Dam tailings. Metal (loid) concentrations in the tropical seabirds evaluated were above suggested threshold levels for most nonessential elements (As, Cd and Pb), especially in February 2021, when metal (loid) concentrations peaked in feathers. In this case, values were orders of magnitude higher than those observed in other sampling events. This occurred one year after a major rainy season in the Doce River basin, which increased river discharge of contaminated mud into the ocean, where contaminants are further remobilized by winds and currents, resulting in transference through the marine food web. This finding is consistent to what has been observed for other ecosystem compartments monitored in the region under the influence of the Doce River. Our findings highlight the utility of using tropical seabirds as sentinels of marine pollution, revealing strong temporal patterns in metal (loid) concentrations associated to bottom-up climatic processes.

Colonial waterbirds provide persistent subsidies to swamp forests along an estuarine island food chain.

Birds are excellent vectors of allochthonous matter and energy due to their high mobility, with more intense flow when waterbirds congregate in breeding colonies, feeding in surrounding aquatic and terrestrial areas, and promoting nutritional pulses to nutrient-poor environments. In southern Brazil, a swamp forest on an estuarine island is used by waterbirds for breeding, providing an opportunity to investigate the potential effects of transport of matter between nutrient-rich environments. Soil, plants, invertebrates, and blood from terrestrial birds were collected and stable isotopes compared to similar organisms in a control site without heronries. Values of δ15N and δ13C from waterbirds were higher in the colony in comparison to the control site (spatial effect). The enrichment of 15N and 13C provided during the active colony period persisted after the breeding period, especially for δ15N, which was higher in all compartments (temporal effect). Moreover, the enrichment of 15N occurred along the entire trophic chain (vertical effect) in the colony environment, including different guilds of invertebrates and land birds. The enrichment in 13C seems to lose strength and was mostly explained by factors such as trophic guild rather than site, especially in birds. Bayesian mixture models with terrestrial vs. estuarine endpoints demonstrated that all organisms from both colony and control environments had assimilated estuarine matter. Finally, detritivorous invertebrates showed greater assimilation when compared to other guilds. This study demonstrates that adjacent nutrient-rich environments, such as palustrine forests and estuaries, are nutritionally enriched in several dimensions from nearby autochthonous subsidies that are maintained throughout the year.

Plastics and waterbirds in Brazil: A review of ingestion, nest materials and entanglement reveals substantial knowledge gaps and opportunities for research.

Plastic pollution is an increasing global problem, especially in aquatic environments. From invertebrates to vertebrates, many aquatic species have been affected by plastic pollution worldwide. Waterbirds also interact with plastics, mainly by ingesting them or using them as nest material. Brazil has one of the largest aquatic environment areas, including the most extensive wetland (the Pantanal) and biggest river (the Amazon), and a ∼7500 km long coastline, which hosts a remarkable waterbird diversity with more than 200 species from 28 bird families. Here, we synthesise published and grey literature to assess where, how, and which waterbirds (marine and continental) interact with plastics in Brazil. We found 96 documents reporting interaction between waterbirds and plastics. Only 32% of the occurring species in the country had at least one individual analysed. Plastic ingestion was reported in 67% of the studies, and seabirds were the study subject in 79% of them. We found no reports in continental aquatic environments, unveiling entire regions without any information regarding interactions. Consequently, this geographic bias drew a considerable taxonomic bias, with whole families and orders without information. Additionally, most studies did not aim to search for plastic interactions, which had a twofold effect. First, studies did not report their findings using the proposed standard metrics, hampering thus advances in understanding trends or defining robust baselines. Second, as it was not their main objective, plastics were not mentioned in titles, abstracts, and keywords, making it difficult to find these studies. We propose means for achieving a better understanding of waterbird-plastic interactions in space and time, and recommend searching for sentinel species and for allocating research grants.

Seabirds subsidize terrestrial food webs and coral reefs in a tropical rat-invaded archipelago.

Allochthonous resource fluxes mediated by organisms crossing ecosystem boundaries may be essential for supporting the structure and function of resource-limited environments, such as tropical islands and surrounding coral reefs. However, invasive species, such as black rats, thrive on tropical islands and disrupt the natural pathways of nutrient subsidies by reducing seabird colonies. Here, we used stable isotopes of nitrogen and carbon to examine the role of seabirds in subsidizing the terrestrial food webs and adjacent coral reefs in the Abrolhos Archipelago, Southwest Atlantic Ocean. By sampling invasive rats and multiple ecosystem compartments (soil, plants, grasshoppers, tarantulas, and lizards) within and outside seabird colonies, we showed that seabird subsidies led to an overall enrichment in 15 N across the food web on islands. However, contrary to other studies, δ15 N values were consistently lower within the seabird colonies, suggesting that a higher seabird presence might produce a localized depletion in 15 N in small islands influenced by seabirds. In contrast, the nitrogen content (%N) in plants and soils was higher inside the colonies, corresponding to a higher effect of seabirds at the base of the trophic web. Among consumers, lizards and invasive rats seemed to obtain allochthonous resources from subsidized terrestrial organisms outside the colony. Inside the colony, however, they showed a more direct consumption of marine matter, suggesting that subsidies benefit these native and invasive animals both directly and indirectly. Nonetheless, in coral reefs, scleractinian corals assimilated seabird-derived nitrogen only around the two smaller and lower-elevation islands, as demonstrated by the substantially higher δ15 N values in relation to the reference areas. This provides evidence that island morphology may influence the incorporation of seabird nutrients in coral reefs around rat-invaded islands, likely because guano lixiviation toward seawater is facilitated in small and low-elevation terrains. Overall, these results showed that seabirds affected small islands across all trophic levels within and outside colonies and that these effects spread outward to coral reefs, evidencing resiliency of seabird subsidies even within a rat-invaded archipelago. Because rats are consumers of seabird chicks and eggs, however, rat eradication could potentially benefit the terrestrial and nearshore ecosystems through increased subsides carried by seabirds.

Ecological trap for seabirds due to the contamination caused by the Fundão dam collapse, Brazil.

Human-induced rapid environmental changes can disrupt habitat quality in the short term. A decrease in quality of habitats associated with preference for these over other available higher quality is referred as ecological trap. In 2015, the Fundão dam containing iron mining tailings, eastern Brazil, collapsed and released about 50 million cubic meters of metal-rich mud composed by Fe, As, Cd, Hg, Pb in three rivers and the adjacent continental shelf. The area is a foraging site for dozens of seabird and shorebird species. In this study, we used a dataset from before and after Fundão dam collapse containing information on at-sea distribution during foraging activities (biologging), dietary aspects (stable isotopes), and trace elements concentration in feathers and blood from three seabird species known to use the area as foraging site: Phaethon aethereus, Sula leucogaster, and Pterodroma arminjoniana. In general, a substantial change in foraging strategies was not detected, as seabirds remain using areas and food resources similar to those used before the dam collapse. However, concentration of non-essential elements increased (e.g., Cd and As) while essential elements decreased (e.g., Mn and Zn), suggesting that the prey are contaminated by trace elements from tailings. This scenario represents evidence of an ecological trap as seabirds did not change habitat use, even though it had its quality reduced by contamination. The sinking-resuspension dynamics of tailings deposited on the continental shelf can temporally increase seabird exposure to contaminants, which can promote deleterious effects on populations using the region as foraging sites in medium and long terms.

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.

Seabirds fighting for land: phenotypic consequences of breeding area constraints at a small remote archipelago.

Identifying associations between phenotypes and environmental parameters is crucial for understanding how natural selection acts at the individual level. In this context, genetically isolated populations can be useful models for identifying the forces selecting fitness-related traits. Here, we use a comprehensive dataset on a genetically and ecologically isolated population of the strictly marine bird, the brown booby Sula leucogaster, at the tropical and remote Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, mid-Atlantic Ocean, in order to detect phenotypic adjustments from interindividual differences in diet, foraging behaviour, and nest quality. For this, we took biometrics of all individuals of the colony breeding in 2014 and 2015 and tested their associations with nest quality, diet parameters, and foraging behaviour. While body size was not related to the foraging parameters, the body size of the females (responsible for nest acquisition and defence) was significantly associated with the nest quality, as larger females occupied high-quality nests. Our findings suggest that the small breeding area, rather than prey availability, is a limiting factor, emphasizing the role of on-land features in shaping phenotypic characteristics and fitness in land-dependent marine vertebrates.

Four decades after Belton: a review of records and evidences on the avifauna of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Quatro décadas após Belton: uma revisão de registros e evidências sobre a avifauna do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

We present a new update of the list of birds of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on a thorough review of new records and evidences accumulated from February 2011 to July 2017. This is the fifth update since the first compilation based on a reasonably complete geographic coverage of the state, published by William Belton in 1978, and the second produced by a regional (informal) committee. It is also the first to widely use citizen science contributions available on shared portals and digital databases on the internet. Forty-three taxa were added, resulting in a final list with 704 species, 6.5% more than in the previous assessment in 2010. Two species were replaced due to taxonomic changes. Documentation for inclusions based on unpublished records is indicated or published here. We also updated the documentation of another 20 species previously included in the list. Inclusions represent mainly migrants recorded in the state as vagrants or irregular visitors (22), but also cases of recent range expansion (especially from the north) and previously overlooked resident or migratory taxa. The average rate of additions (over six species per year) was 30% higher than in the previous period and is expected to accelerate. The percentage of accepted species without documented records in the state decreased from 1.8% in 2010 to 0.7% in the current list. We attribute these results to a better spatial and temporal coverage of the state in recent years, mainly due to the increasing contribution of amateurs, who accounted for 60% of the new occurrences. In contrast, the percentage of species documented by museum specimens has decreased steadily over time (currently at 84%). Investment in scientific research and collection of voucher specimens in the state should keep pace with the growing interest birds arouse in society, due to the importance and usefulness of museum specimens.(AU)

Apresentamos uma nova atualização da lista das aves do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, a partir da revisão de novos registros e evidências acumuladas no período de fevereiro/2011 a julho/2017. Esta é a quinta atualização desde a primeira compilação baseada em uma cobertura geográfica razoavelmente completa do estado, publicada por William Belton em 1978, e a segunda produzida por um comitê regional (informal). Também é a primeira a usar amplamente contribuições da ciência cidadã disponíveis em portais de compartilhamento e bases de dados digitais na internet. Foram adicionados 43 táxons, resultando em uma lista final com 704 espécies, 6,5% a mais do que na versão anterior (de 2010). Duas espécies foram substituídas devido a alterações taxonômicas. A documentação para as inclusões baseadas em registros não publicados é indicada ou apresentada aqui. Também atualizamos a documentação de outras 20 espécies previamente incluídas na lista. As inclusões representam principalmente migrantes registrados no estado como vagantes ou visitantes irregulares (22), mas também casos de expansões recentes de distribuição (especialmente a partir do norte) e táxons residentes ou migratórios previamente subamostrados. A taxa média de incremento da lista (mais de seis espécies novas por ano no período da presente revisão) foi 30% maior do que no período anterior e deverá continuar crescendo a um ritmo acelerado. A porcentagem de espécies sem documentação no estado caiu de 1,8% em 2010 para 0,7% na lista atual. Atribuímos estes resultados a uma melhor cobertura espacial e temporal do território estadual na atualidade, principalmente pelo aumento da contribuição de observadores amadores, responsáveis por 60% dos novos registros. Em contraste, o percentual de espécies documentadas por espécimes de museu vem diminuindo de forma constante ao longo do tempo, estando atualmente em 84%...(AU)

Four decades after Belton: a review of records and evidences on the avifauna of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Quatro décadas após Belton: uma revisão de registros e evidências sobre a avifauna do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

We present a new update of the list of birds of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on a thorough review of new records and evidences accumulated from February 2011 to July 2017. This is the fifth update since the first compilation based on a reasonably complete geographic coverage of the state, published by William Belton in 1978, and the second produced by a regional (informal) committee. It is also the first to widely use citizen science contributions available on shared portals and digital databases on the internet. Forty-three taxa were added, resulting in a final list with 704 species, 6.5% more than in the previous assessment in 2010. Two species were replaced due to taxonomic changes. Documentation for inclusions based on unpublished records is indicated or published here. We also updated the documentation of another 20 species previously included in the list. Inclusions represent mainly migrants recorded in the state as vagrants or irregular visitors (22), but also cases of recent range expansion (especially from the north) and previously overlooked resident or migratory taxa. The average rate of additions (over six species per year) was 30% higher than in the previous period and is expected to accelerate. The percentage of accepted species without documented records in the state decreased from 1.8% in 2010 to 0.7% in the current list. We attribute these results to a better spatial and temporal coverage of the state in recent years, mainly due to the increasing contribution of amateurs, who accounted for 60% of the new occurrences. In contrast, the percentage of species documented by museum specimens has decreased steadily over time (currently at 84%). Investment in scientific research and collection of voucher specimens in the state should keep pace with the growing interest birds arouse in society, due to the importance and usefulness of museum specimens.

Apresentamos uma nova atualização da lista das aves do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, a partir da revisão de novos registros e evidências acumuladas no período de fevereiro/2011 a julho/2017. Esta é a quinta atualização desde a primeira compilação baseada em uma cobertura geográfica razoavelmente completa do estado, publicada por William Belton em 1978, e a segunda produzida por um comitê regional (informal). Também é a primeira a usar amplamente contribuições da ciência cidadã disponíveis em portais de compartilhamento e bases de dados digitais na internet. Foram adicionados 43 táxons, resultando em uma lista final com 704 espécies, 6,5% a mais do que na versão anterior (de 2010). Duas espécies foram substituídas devido a alterações taxonômicas. A documentação para as inclusões baseadas em registros não publicados é indicada ou apresentada aqui. Também atualizamos a documentação de outras 20 espécies previamente incluídas na lista. As inclusões representam principalmente migrantes registrados no estado como vagantes ou visitantes irregulares (22), mas também casos de expansões recentes de distribuição (especialmente a partir do norte) e táxons residentes ou migratórios previamente subamostrados. A taxa média de incremento da lista (mais de seis espécies novas por ano no período da presente revisão) foi 30% maior do que no período anterior e deverá continuar crescendo a um ritmo acelerado. A porcentagem de espécies sem documentação no estado caiu de 1,8% em 2010 para 0,7% na lista atual. Atribuímos estes resultados a uma melhor cobertura espacial e temporal do território estadual na atualidade, principalmente pelo aumento da contribuição de observadores amadores, responsáveis por 60% dos novos registros. Em contraste, o percentual de espécies documentadas por espécimes de museu vem diminuindo de forma constante ao longo do tempo, estando atualmente em 84%...

Four decades after Belton: a review of records and evidences on the avifauna of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil

ABSTRACT We present a new update of the list of birds of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, based on a thorough review of new records and evidences accumulated from February 2011 to July 2017. This is the fifth update since the first compilation based on a reasonably complete geographic coverage of the state, published by William Belton in 1978, and the second produced by a regional (informal) committee. It is also the first to widely use citizen science contributions available on shared portals and digital databases on the internet. Forty-three taxa were added, resulting in a final list with 704 species, 6.5% more than in the previous assessment in 2010. Two species were replaced due to taxonomic changes. Documentation for inclusions based on unpublished records is indicated or published here. We also updated the documentation of another 20 species previously included in the list. Inclusions represent mainly migrants recorded in the state as vagrants or irregular visitors (22), but also cases of recent range expansion (especially from the north) and previously overlooked resident or migratory taxa. The average rate of additions (over six species per year) was 30% higher than in the previous period and is expected to accelerate. The percentage of accepted species without documented records in the state decreased from 1.8% in 2010 to 0.7% in the current list. We attribute these results to a better spatial and temporal coverage of the state in recent years, mainly due to the increasing contribution of amateurs, who accounted for 60% of the new occurrences. In contrast, the percentage of species documented by museum specimens has decreased steadily over time (currently at 84%). Investment in scientific research and collection of voucher specimens in the state should keep pace with the growing interest birds arouse in society, due to the importance and usefulness of museum specimens.

RESUMO Apresentamos uma nova atualização da lista das aves do estado do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil, a partir da revisão de novos registros e evidências acumuladas no período de fevereiro/2011 a julho/2017. Esta é a quinta atualização desde a primeira compilação baseada em uma cobertura geográfica razoavelmente completa do estado, publicada por William Belton em 1978, e a segunda produzida por um comitê regional (informal). Também é a primeira a usar amplamente contribuições da ciência cidadã disponíveis em portais de compartilhamento e bases de dados digitais na internet. Foram adicionados 43 táxons, resultando em uma lista final com 704 espécies, 6,5% a mais do que na versão anterior (de 2010). Duas espécies foram substituídas devido a alterações taxonômicas. A documentação para as inclusões baseadas em registros não publicados é indicada ou apresentada aqui. Também atualizamos a documentação de outras 20 espécies previamente incluídas na lista. As inclusões representam principalmente migrantes registrados no estado como vagantes ou visitantes irregulares (22), mas também casos de expansões recentes de distribuição (especialmente a partir do norte) e táxons residentes ou migratórios previamente subamostrados. A taxa média de incremento da lista (mais de seis espécies novas por ano no período da presente revisão) foi 30% maior do que no período anterior e deverá continuar crescendo a um ritmo acelerado. A porcentagem de espécies sem documentação no estado caiu de 1,8% em 2010 para 0,7% na lista atual. Atribuímos estes resultados a uma melhor cobertura espacial e temporal do território estadual na atualidade, principalmente pelo aumento da contribuição de observadores amadores, responsáveis por 60% dos novos registros. Em contraste, o percentual de espécies documentadas por espécimes de museu vem diminuindo de forma constante ao longo do tempo, estando atualmente em 84%. Alertamos para o fato de que o investimento em pesquisa científica e na coleta de exemplares-testemunho no estado deve acompanhar o crescente interesse que as aves despertam na sociedade, devido à importância e utilidade dos espécimes de museu.

Distribution pattern of anthropogenic marine debris along the gastrointestinal tract of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) as implications for rehabilitation.

Pollution from anthropogenic marine debris (AMD) is currently the most widely distributed and lasting anthropic impact in the marine environment, affecting hundreds of species, including all sea turtles. In this study, the patterns of AMD distribution along the gastrointestinal tract (GT) and their relationship with obstructions and faecalomas in 62 green turtles (Chelonia mydas) that died during rehabilitation in southern Brazil were determined. The GT was split in seven sections, corresponding to the natural organs and intestinal areas morphologically and physiologically distinct. Mean mass (4.24g) and area (146.74cm2) of AMD in the stomach were higher than in other sections. The anterior portion of the rectum had the highest number of obstructions, followed by the stomach. AMD was associated with the obstructions, with positive correlation between faecalomas and AMD masses. Organs and subdivisions showed marked differences in susceptibility to obstructions caused by AMD, which deserves attention in clinical interventions.

Blood parasites in noddies and boobies from Brazilian offshore islands - differences between species and influence of nesting habitat.

Seabirds are often free from blood parasites, and a recent review suggested that phylogenetic, ecological and life-history parameters can determine the prevalence of blood parasites in seabirds. However, there is a lack of data available from many seabird groups, and a larger database is needed to understand prevalence patterns of blood parasites. We used a molecular screening approach to detect parasites of the genera Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Babesia in five species of two genera of seabirds that breed on Atlantic Ocean islands off Brazil. The observed patterns differed between the two bird genera. Like other Laridae, brown noddy, Anous stolidus adults were infected with Haemoproteus with low prevalence. Masked boobies, Sula dactylatra and brown boobies, Sula leucogaster were infected with Babesia. Of the latter, mainly juveniles were infected. In all species, intensity of infection (i.e. number of infected erythrocytes) was so low that parasites remained undetected in blood smears. This may explain the absence of major effects on the body condition of birds, although infected juvenile masked boobies were lighter than juveniles that were not infected with Babesia. Two tree-nesting species; black noddy, Anous minutus and red-footed booby, Sula sula did not have blood parasites, suggesting that tree-nesting may reduce the exposure to arthropod vectors compared with ground nesting in these species.

Review of the breeding status of birds in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Revisão do status reprodutivo de aves no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Information on the breeding biology of birds is essential for improving avian life-history theory and implementing sound management and conservation actions for these organisms. Comprehensive reviews of this kind of information are lacking for most Neotropical regions, including Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian state. Aiming to update the knowledge on the reproductive status of birds in Rio Grande do Sul, we reviewed breeding records of all potential breeding species recorded in the state using a set of predefined, restrictive criteria for accepting breeding evidences as effective. Data satisfying our criteria were available for 165 species in the literature. We also collected novel breeding information obtained in the state for an additional 126 species, including observations for several species whose reproductive biology is poorly known. Among these are birds previously unknown to breed in Brazil. This new data and the critical review of the previous information resulted in a total of 291 species for which breeding evidences are accepted as effective. This corresponds to 54.7% of the 532 species considered either confirmed or potential breeders in the state. In addition to providing information on nesting dates, clutch size, nest architecture and breeding behavior of south Brazilian birds, our review serves as a benchmark for the adequate assessment of avian breeding records elsewhere. We hope to stimulate observers to rigorously document breeding events, especially for taxa for which basic information is lacking.(AU)

Informações sobre a biologia reprodutiva das aves são essenciais para aprimorar estudos teóricos sobre a história natural do grupo e implementar ações de manejo e conservação efetivas para esses organismos. Não existem revisões abrangentes sobre o tema para a maioria das regiões neotropicais, incluindo o Rio Grande do Sul, o estado mais meridional do Brasil. Com o objetivo de atualizar o conhecimento sobre o status reprodutivo das aves no Rio Grande do Sul, analisamos os registros reprodutivos de todas as espécies de aves que potencialmente se reproduzem no estado utilizando um conjunto de critérios pré-definidos e restritivos para avaliar a efetividade das evidências reprodutivas. Dados que satisfazem nossos critérios foram encontrados para 165 espécies na literatura. Também compilamos registros de reprodução inéditos obtidos no estado para outras 126 espécies, incluindo observações sobre diversas espécies cuja biologia reprodutiva é pouco conhecida. Entre elas estão espécies cuja reprodução no Brasil era até então desconhecida. Esses novos dados, em conjunto com a revisão crítica dos registros prévios, resultaram em um total de 291 espécies para as quais existem evidências de reprodução efetivas, o que corresponde a 54,7% das 532 espécies que efetiva ou potencialmente se reproduzem no estado. Além de fornecer informações sobre datas de nidificação, tamanho de postura ou prole, arquitetura de ninhos e comportamento reprodutivo das aves do sul do Brasil, nossa análise serve como referência para a avaliação adequada de registros de reprodução de aves em outras regiões. Esperamos estimular observadores a documentar rigorosamente eventos reprodutivos, especialmente para táxons que carecem de informações básicas.(AU)

Review of the breeding status of birds in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Revisão do status reprodutivo de aves no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

Information on the breeding biology of birds is essential for improving avian life-history theory and implementing sound management and conservation actions for these organisms. Comprehensive reviews of this kind of information are lacking for most Neotropical regions, including Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost Brazilian state. Aiming to update the knowledge on the reproductive status of birds in Rio Grande do Sul, we reviewed breeding records of all potential breeding species recorded in the state using a set of predefined, restrictive criteria for accepting breeding evidences as effective. Data satisfying our criteria were available for 165 species in the literature. We also collected novel breeding information obtained in the state for an additional 126 species, including observations for several species whose reproductive biology is poorly known. Among these are birds previously unknown to breed in Brazil. This new data and the critical review of the previous information resulted in a total of 291 species for which breeding evidences are accepted as effective. This corresponds to 54.7% of the 532 species considered either confirmed or potential breeders in the state. In addition to providing information on nesting dates, clutch size, nest architecture and breeding behavior of south Brazilian birds, our review serves as a benchmark for the adequate assessment of avian breeding records elsewhere. We hope to stimulate observers to rigorously document breeding events, especially for taxa for which basic information is lacking.

Informações sobre a biologia reprodutiva das aves são essenciais para aprimorar estudos teóricos sobre a história natural do grupo e implementar ações de manejo e conservação efetivas para esses organismos. Não existem revisões abrangentes sobre o tema para a maioria das regiões neotropicais, incluindo o Rio Grande do Sul, o estado mais meridional do Brasil. Com o objetivo de atualizar o conhecimento sobre o status reprodutivo das aves no Rio Grande do Sul, analisamos os registros reprodutivos de todas as espécies de aves que potencialmente se reproduzem no estado utilizando um conjunto de critérios pré-definidos e restritivos para avaliar a efetividade das evidências reprodutivas. Dados que satisfazem nossos critérios foram encontrados para 165 espécies na literatura. Também compilamos registros de reprodução inéditos obtidos no estado para outras 126 espécies, incluindo observações sobre diversas espécies cuja biologia reprodutiva é pouco conhecida. Entre elas estão espécies cuja reprodução no Brasil era até então desconhecida. Esses novos dados, em conjunto com a revisão crítica dos registros prévios, resultaram em um total de 291 espécies para as quais existem evidências de reprodução efetivas, o que corresponde a 54,7% das 532 espécies que efetiva ou potencialmente se reproduzem no estado. Além de fornecer informações sobre datas de nidificação, tamanho de postura ou prole, arquitetura de ninhos e comportamento reprodutivo das aves do sul do Brasil, nossa análise serve como referência para a avaliação adequada de registros de reprodução de aves em outras regiões. Esperamos estimular observadores a documentar rigorosamente eventos reprodutivos, especialmente para táxons que carecem de informações básicas.

Metal and selenium concentrations in blood and feathers of petrels of the genus Procellaria.

Concentrations of copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), mercury (Hg), and selenium (Se) were determined in blood and feathers of spectacled (Procellaria conspicillata) and white-chinned (Procellaria aequinoctialis) petrels, species that are phylogenetically related, but with distinct ecological niches. In winter, they feed on similar foods, indicated by an overlapping range of whole-blood stable isotopes values (δ(15) N; δ(13) C). No relation was found between blood metal concentration and stable isotope values. In spectacled petrels, metal concentrations appeared lower in blood (Cu = 0.79-20.77 µg/g; Zn = 10.95-28.02 µg/g; Cd = 1.73-10.11 µg/g; Pb = 5.02-26.03 µg/g; Hg = 0.84-9.86 µg/g) than in feathers (Cu = 1.05-21.57 µg/g; Zn = 45.30-81.49 µg/g; Cd = 3.76-10.44 µg/g; Pb = 16.53-59.00 µg/g; Hg = 4.24-24.03 µg/g). In white-chinned petrels, metal concentrations also appeared lower in blood (Cu = 0.62-10.4 µg/g; Zn = 10.73-24.69 µg/g; Cd = 2.00-6.31 µg/g; Pb = 5.72-24.03 µg/g) than in feathers (Cu = 2.68-23.92 µg/g; Zn = 48.96-93.54 µg/g; Cd = 5.72-24.03 µg/g; Pb = 18.62-55.51 µg/g), except for Hg (blood = 0.20-15.82 µg/g; feathers = 0.19-8.91 µg/g). Selenium (0.24-14.18 µg/g) and Hg (0.22-1.44 µg/g) concentrations showed a positive correlation in growing feathers of spectacled petrels. Blood and feather Hg levels were higher in spectacled petrels while feathers Cu and Zn concentrations were greater in white-chinned petrels. Juvenile white-chinned petrels exhibited greater blood Hg concentrations than adults. In the south Atlantic Ocean, discards from commercial fishing operations consumed by spectacled petrels year-round and by white-chinned petrels during the wintering period have elevated Hg concentrations. Because Hg toxicity is associated with behavioral and reproductive changes in birds, it could potentially have impacts on breeding of these seabirds, as both species are listed as threatened by extinction.

Gillnet fisheries as a major mortality factor of Magellanic penguins in wintering areas.

The incidental capture in fisheries is probably the main conservation problem affecting seabirds. While the capture of albatrosses and petrels on longline hooks is well-known worldwide, the bycatch of diving seabirds in gillnets is an overlooked conservation problem. During a winter coastal fishing trip, the capture of Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus) was recorded in driftnet and bottom setnet fisheries for the first time in southern Brazil. The highest captures rates were found in driftnets, from 146.5 to 545.5 penguins/km² of net and a total of 56 dead penguins were recorded. In the bottom gillnet, a total of 12 birds were killed and the capture rates varied from 41.7 to 125.0 penguins/km² of net. Although preliminary, the results presented in this paper were consistent between sets. If we consider the magnitude of driftnet and setnet fishing fleets, and that most dead penguins were adults, the impact upon Magellanic penguin populations is probably significant.

The role of avian frugivores on germination and potential seed dispersal of the Brazilian Pepper Schinus terebinthifolius / O papel de aves frugívoras na germinação e potencial dispersão de sementes da Aroeira-vermelha Schinus terebinthifolius

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.

New records, distribution and status of six seabird species in Brazil

Distribution records of poorly-known species are currently the most explored theme in the Brazilian seabird literature. If properly evaluated, this kind of information can improve our knowledge on distribution, migration and status of occurrence of these species. In this note we present new records for six species of poorly-known seabirds in the Brazilian coast, reviewing distribution records and defining their status of occurrence in the country. We consider Chionis albus (Gmelin, 1789) a pseudo-vagrant in Brazil and define its status as a scarce seasonal visitor from southern South America. We present the first records of Leucophaeus atricilla (Linnaeus, 1758) for Trindade Island, and of Leucophaeus pipixcan (Wagler, 1831) for the state of Rio Grande do Sul, and determined that the former is a vagrant in eastern Brazil and the latter a vagrant across the country. Anous stolidus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a vagrant in southernmost Brazil. We were unable to determine if records of Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus, 1758) for Brazil and southern South America refer to vagrancy or pseudo-vagrancy. Additionally, we verified the occurrence of breeding individuals of Anous minutus Boie, 1844 on Martin Vaz Island and confirmed that there is no evidence of breeding on neighboring Trindade Island.

Registros de ocorrência de espécies pouco conhecidas têm sido o tema mais explorado na literatura sobre aves marinhas no Brasil. Se avaliado de forma adequada, esse tipo de informação pode contribuir para a compreensão de padrões de distribuição geográfica, migrações e definição do status de ocorrência dessas espécies. Neste estudo, apresentamos novos registros para seis espécies de aves marinhas pouco conhecidas no litoral brasileiro, revisando sua distribuição e definindo seu status de ocorrência no país. Consideramos Chionis albus (Gmelin, 1789) um pseudo-vagante no Brasil e definimos seu status como visitante sazonal escasso, oriundo do sul da América do Sul. Apresentamos os primeiros registros de Leucophaeus atricilla (Linnaeus, 1758) para a Ilha da Trindade e de Leucophaeus pipixcan (Wagler, 1831) para o estado do Rio Grande do Sul, e definimos que a primeira é vagante no Brasil oriental e a última vagante em todo o território nacional. Anous stolidus (Linnaeus, 1758) é vagante no extremo sul do país. Não foi possível determinar se os registros de Chlidonias niger (Linnaeus, 1758) para o Brasil e sul da América do Sul referem-se a vagância ou pseudo-vagância. Adicionalmente, verificamos a reprodução de Anous minutus Boie, 1844 na Ilha de Martin Vaz e confirmamos a inexistência de evidências de nidificação para a vizinha Ilha da Trindade.

Revisão e atualização da lista das aves do Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

The list of birds of the state of Rio Grande do Sul (281,749 sq. km), southern Brazil, is revised and updated. Species were included in the list according to two main criteria: (i) occurrence in the state documented with tangible evidence - study skin or complete specimen, photograph, video or vocal recording - published in the literature or available for independent verification in scientific collections or archives of public access, or (ii) at least one state record supported by non-material evidence allowing an unequivocal diagnosis of the taxon, such as a circumstantiated report, published or provided to the authors, containing a detailed description of or reference to the diagnostic features observed. Species mentioned for the state that do not conform to these criteria were not included in the main list and were regarded as probable or hypothetical, according to the evidence available and the distributional coherence of the existing records. The final list comprises 661 species, of which 649 are documented by physical evidence. Another 10 and 16 species are listed as probable and hypothetical, respectively. Compared with the previous list, 44 species were added and seven were excluded or substituted, resulting in a net increase of 37 species. Fregetta grallaria (Vieillot, 1818), Polytmus guainumbi (Pallas, 1764), Nonnula rubecula (Spix, 1824), Stymphalornis acutirostris Bornschein, Reinert & Teixeira, 1995, Fluvicola albiventer (Spix, 1825), and Xenopsaris albinucha (Burmeister, 1869) are mentioned for the state for the first time. The number of species added since the last review corresponds to an average increase of slightly more than four species per year. By examining the recent additions in retrospect, it is clear that the number of bird species known to occur in Rio Grande do Sul should continue to grow at a similar rate over the next decade or so. In view of this, some guidelines for improving future revisions of the state checklist are proposed. In order to better understand new occurrences of birds over time, the use of adequate criteria to distinguish range extensions from range expansions, and instances of vagrancy from pseudo-vagrancy, is recommended.

Neste artigo, a lista das aves do estado do Rio Grande do Sul (281.749 km²) é revisada e atualizada. A inclusão de espécies na lista seguiu dois critérios principais: (i) ocorrência no estado documentada por evidência tangível - pele ou espécime completo, foto, vídeo ou gravação de áudio - publicada na literatura ou disponível para verificação independente em coleções ou arquivos científicos de acesso público, ou (ii) pelo menos um registro no estado acompanhado de evidência não-material que permita a identificação segura do táxon, tal como um relato circunstanciado, publicado ou fornecido aos autores, contendo descrição detalhada ou referência às características diagnósticas observadas. Espécies com registros específicos para o estado que não estão em conformidade com esses critérios não foram incluídas na lista principal e foram consideradas "prováveis" ou "hipotéticas", de acordo com as evidências disponíveis e a coerência distribucional dos registros existentes. A lista resultante contém 661 espécies, das quais 649 estão documentadas por evidências físicas. Outras 10 e 16 espécies são consideradas de ocorrência provável e hipotética, respectivamente. Em comparação com a lista anterior, 44 espécies foram adicionadas e sete táxons foram excluídos ou substituídos, resultando em um incremento de 37 espécies. Fregetta grallaria (Vieillot, 1818), Polytmus guainumbi (Pallas, 1764), Nonnula rubecula (Spix, 1824), Stymphalornis acutirostris Bornschein, Reinert & Teixeira, 1995, Fluvicola albiventer (Spix, 1825) e Xenopsaris albinucha (Burmeister, 1869) são aqui mencionadas para o estado pela primeira vez. O número de espécies adicionadas desde a última revisão da lista corresponde a um aumento médio de pouco mais de quatro espécies por ano. A análise retrospectiva das adições recentes indica que o número de espécies de aves com ocorrência assumida no Rio Grande do Sul deverá continuar crescendo a uma taxa similar ao longo da próxima década. Em vista disso, são propostas ações práticas para aperfeiçoar o processo de revisão da lista estadual no futuro. Também é recomendada a aplicação de critérios adequados para distinguir entre extensões e expansões de distribuição, e entre casos de vagância e pseudo-vagância, para que as novas ocorrências de aves registradas no estado ao longo do tempo possam ser mais bem interpretadas.