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opencc-by-4.0Sep 2016View details →

Fig. 1 in Breeding Potential Of Adventitious Species Of Carassius Auratus And Carassius Gibelio (Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae) In Water Bodies Of Ukraine

Fig. 1. Individual fecundity of C. auratus and C. gibelio females in age groups.

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Microsatellite genotypes for temporal monitoring of the Floreana Island Galapagos Giant Tortoise captive breeding program

Captive breeding programs benefit from genetic analyses that identify relatedness between individuals, assign parentage to offspring, and track levels of genetic diversity. Monitoring these parameters across breeding cycles is critical to the success of a captive breeding program as it allows conservation managers to iteratively evaluate and adjust program structure. However, in practice, genetic tracking of breeding outcomes is rarely conducted. Here, we examined the first three offspring cohorts (2017 – 2020) of the genetically-informed captive breeding program for the Floreana Island Galapagos giant tortoise, Chelonoidis niger. This captive breeding program is unique as the Floreana tortoise has been extinct since the 1800s, but its genome persists, in part, in the form of living hybrids with the extant Volcano Wolf tortoise, Chelonoidis becki. Breeding over the study period took place at the Galapagos National Park Directorate breeding facility in four corrals, each containing three females and two males. Using 17 microsatellite markers, we were able to assign parentage to 94 of the 98 offspring produced over the study period. We observe that despite the addition of more founders since the pilot breeding program, the effective population size remains low, and changes to the arrangements of breeding corrals may be necessary to encourage more equal reproductive output from the males. This study demonstrates the value of hybrids for species restoration and the importance of continually reassessing the outcomes of captive breeding.

opencc-zeroAug 2022View details →

Estimation of breeding population size using DNA-based pedigree reconstruction in brown bears

Robust estimates of demographic parameters are critical for effective wildlife conservation and management, but are difficult to obtain for elusive species. We estimated the breeding and adult population sizes, as well as the minimum population size, in a high-density brown bear population on the Shiretoko Peninsula, in Hokkaido, Japan, using DNA-based pedigree reconstruction. A total of 1,288 individuals, collected in and around the Shiretoko Peninsula between 1998 and 2020, were genotyped at 21 microsatellite loci. Among them, 499 individuals were identified by intensive genetic sampling conducted in two consecutive years (2019 and 2020) mainly by noninvasive methods (e.g., hair and fecal DNA). Among them, both parents were assigned for 330 bears, and either maternity or paternity was assigned to 47 and 76 individuals, respectively. The subsequent pedigree reconstruction indicated a range of breeding and adult (≥4 years old) population sizes: 128–173 for female breeders and 66–91 male breeders, and 155–200 for female adults and 84–109 male adults. The minimum population size was estimated to be 449 (252 females and 197 males) in 2019. Long-term continuous genetic sampling prior to a short-term intensive survey would enable parentage to be identified in a population with a high probability, thus enabling reliable estimates of breeding population size for elusive species. --

opencc-zeroSep 2022View details →

Grassland bird population declines at three Breeding Bird Survey spatial scales in contrast to a large native prairie

Grassland biomes in North America are threatened by agricultural intensification with implications for grassland associated bird populations via habitat loss, alteration, pesticide use and declining landscape heterogeneity. Despite decades of conservation concern, steep declines of North American grassland bird populations continue. Key to optimizing conservation effort is understanding how land-use practices, such as agriculture, across the annual cycle affects population status. Determining the relative influence of impacts on grassland bird declines is difficult given that the most robust estimates of population trends, the North American Breeding Bird Survey (BBS), are from surveys throughout agriculturally dominated regions. Our goal was to explore whether agriculture during the breeding season is a major driver of grassland bird declines. We derived trends for 16 grassland bird species spanning 23 years (1994-2016) at a large (459 km2), native prairie site, Suffield National Wildlife Area (SNWA) in Alberta, Canada. We compared those trends to the BBS across three spatial scales, a regional monitoring scheme with higher than average native grass cover (GBM), BCR 11 - Canada (Canada) and all of BCR 11 (BCR 11). Trends measured as annual percent change and credible interval varied greatly among species and survey strata. Across all species, declines were greatest for Canada (-1.3%, CI: -2.8, 0.0) and BCR 11 (-1.9%, CI: -3.2, -0.6). This contrasts with positive mean trends for GBM routes (1.0%, CI: -0.4, 2.3) and the SNWA data (1.7%, CI: 0.3, 3.3). Six of 16 species at SNWA were increasing with one decreasing. Five species increased at GBM and four declined. Canada had 10 species declines and three increases and BCR 11 had 10 declines and no increases. None of six grassland obligate species declined at SNWA, two declined at GBM, and all six declined over the two larger BBS strata. Our results showing fewer negative population trends at a large native grassland site compared to BBS at three spatial scales across the North American prairies support the prediction that agricultural intensification on breeding grounds is a major driver of declining populations and protection of remaining native grasslands should remain a key component of grassland bird conservation efforts.

opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Data from: Extra-pair paternity correlates with genetic diversity, but not breeding density, in a Neotropical passerine, the Black Catbird

The frequency of extra-pair paternity (EPP) varies widely across socially monogamous birds, but the proximate mechanisms driving this variation remain unclear. In this study, we tested two major factors hypothesized to influence extra-pair mating—breeding density and genetic diversity—by comparing genetic mating patterns in two populations of black catbirds Melanoptila glabrirostris. This Neotropical songbird is endemic to the Yucatán Peninsula, including eastern Mexico, and its offshore islands. We sampled one mainland (Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve) and one island (Isla Cozumel) population and used single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) to quantify heterozygosity and genetic parentage over two breeding seasons. Moderate levels of EPP occurred in both populations (9.5 – 35% of offspring and 17 – 45% of nests). Contrary to predictions, breeding density did not affect EPP: although breeding densities were much higher on the mainland than on the island, EPP rates did not differ between populations, and local breeding density was not correlated with EPP at individual nests. In contrast, partial support emerged for the hypothesis that genetic diversity influences EPP: extra-pair offspring were more heterozygous than within-pair offspring. However, the two populations did not differ in genetic diversity, and neither the heterozygosity of social fathers nor within-pair relatedness predicted EPP. These results are consistent with recent comparative studies suggesting that breeding density is not a critical driver of EPP rates, and that not all tropical songbirds exhibit low rates of EPP.

opencc-zeroOct 2022View details →

Evidence that catecholaminergic systems mediate dynamic colour change during explosive breeding events in toads

Many animals communicate by rapidly (within minutes or seconds) changing their body coloration. We know, however, little about the physiology of this behaviour. Here we study how catecholaminergic hormones regulate rapid colour change in explosive breeding toads (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), where large groups of males gather and quickly change their colour from brown to bright yellow during reproduction. We find that both epinephrine (EP) and/or norepinephrine (NE) cause the toads' skin to become yellow in minutes, even in the absence of social and environmental cues associated with explosive breeding. We hypothesize that natural selection drives the evolution of rapid colour change by co-opting the functional effects of catecholaminergic action. If so, then hormones involved in "fight or flight" responsivity may mechanistically facilitate the emergence of dynamic visual signals that mediate communication in a sexual context.

Figure 5 in Breeding biology review of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

Figure 5. Footprints records of possible predators and cattle trampling near nests of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park. (A) Footprints of domestic dogs and trampling of cattle in the Visgueiro lagoon (2018). (B) crab-eating fox (Cerdocyon thous) footprints, and (C) crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) footprints in adjacent area (2020). Photos: Lucas R.M. Porto.

Figure 4 in Breeding biology review of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

Figure 4. Predated/degraded eggs of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park in October 2018. A, B and C: Colony 1 (Visgueiro), D: Colony 2 (Maria Menina). Photos: Lucas R.M. Porto.

Figure 3 in Breeding biology review of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

Figure 3. Frequency of occurrence of the materials used to build the nests of the White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and adjacent area.

Figure 2 in Breeding biology review of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

Figure 2. Nests of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus monitored in Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and adjacent area. A = Nest built with saltmarsh plant Sesuvium portulacastrum L. and suspended over cattle feces; B = Nest with dry saltmarsh plant and mud fragments; C = Nest with shells, saltmarsh plant and mud; D = Nest with mud and dry saltmarsh plant fragments. Photos: Lucas R.M. Porto.

Figure 6 in Breeding biology review of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

Figure 6. Successful nesting records of the White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and adjacent area. (A) White-backed Stilt chicks found in Visgueiro lagoon (September 2018); (B) Hatchling and eggs in the Maria Menina Lagoon (October 2018); (C and D) Chicks in the nests in Ubatuba lagoon (September 2019). Photos: Lucas R.M. Porto.

Figure 1 in Breeding biology review of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil and a case study in the largest restinga protected area (Aves, Charadriiformes, Recurvirostridae)

Figure 1. Breeding records of White-backed Stilt Himantopus melanurus in Brazil (WikiAves – blue, eBird – orange and literature – yellow, Table 2) and this study area (red) with colonies identified in the Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park and adjacent area, in 2018, 2019 and 2020, in the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro state. *Colonies: 1 = Visgueiro/2018; 2 = Maria Menina/2018; 3 = Robalo/2018; 4 = Ubatuba/2019; 5 = Visgueiro/2020; 6 = Adjacent Area/2020.

Figure 9 in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 9. Number of Cinclodes pabsti nests in laying, incubation, and nestling phenophases, and the total number of active nests out of 52 nesting cavities monitored in the 2010-2011 breeding season in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil.

Figure 7A-7D in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 7A-7D. Nestlings of Cinclodes pabsti recorded in the breeding season of 2010-2011 in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil. (7A and 7B) istribution of brown, natal, down feathers (neossoptiles) in the semi-covered body, with closed eyes and opened ears in the new hatchling; (7C and 7D) body covered by feathers, except for the neossoptiles in the feather cannons of the wings and tail at 11 days of age.

Figure 6A-6B in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 6A-6B. Nest of Cinclodes pabsti from Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil, collected in the breeding season of 2009-2010. (6A) top view; and (6B) side view of Cinclodes pabsti nest showing the shape and materials used in the construction. (Table 3), which were used to form a moderately deep clutch, with the nestlings hatching not more than 4 h apart. cup. In addition to these materials, the pair would deposit The nestling bodies were half-covered with brown, natal chaff and wing and tail feathers of non-Passerine species down feathers (neossoptiles) distributed over the head, along the entrance tunnel over the excreta of the nest- wings, back, sides, thighs, and belly (Figs. 7A and 7B). The lings during the nestling phase, possibly to avoid contact body mass of the nestlings at hatching (n = 18) ranged with it as they entered and exited the nest to attend the from 4.0 to 7.0 g (6.0 ± 1.0 g). The eyes opened partially at nestlings. Owl pellets, fresh sheep droppings, pieces of 4 days of age, and pin feather sheaths developed on the mammal skin with fur, and pellets of wool from sheep wings, tail, and some regions of the back, chest, and belly and wild mammals around the nest were often recorded at 6 days of age. The nestlings were covered by feathers in the nesting chamber of C. pabsti (Table 3). Oviposition at 11 days of age, except for the neossoptiles beside the occurred at 24 h intervals, and incubation began only af- feather sheath in the wings and tail (Figs. 7C and 7D). The ter laying was complete (maximum clutch size of three). nestlings reached their maximum body mass at 16 days The nests remained vacant until laying was complete. of age, ranging from 56 to 63 g (59.6 ± 2.4 g). Nestlings A total of 748 eggs produced in 295 nesting events weighed on average 58.0 ± 4.6 g at the final weigh-in a day in 136 monitored nesting cavities were recorded before leaving the nest, exceeding the average body mass during the three reproduction seasons (Table 4). Most of adults in the breeding season, where the body mass nesting cavities were home to only a single breed- of males was 52.0 ± 2.4 g (n = 6) and that of females was ing event (n = 113 nests), while 55 were home to two 54.4 ± 3.4 g (n = 17) (Table 7). The parental pair removed (n = 110 nests), and 11 were home to three complete and fecal sacs from the nest in the days following the hatching consecutive reproductive events (n = 33 nests), high- of chicks and covered feces along the tunnel floor with lighting the reutilization of cavities within and across several materials as the nestlings grew and the defecation breeding seasons. It was seen that certain cavities were rate increased. The time spent in the cavity by the parents used throughout the year, whereas others were used decreased as the days passed. The parents remained near only during the reproductive season. As a rule, cavities the nesting cavity on the day that the nestlings left the that were used repeatedly during the breeding season nest but were not seen feeding the nestlings. No differwere also used in the non-breeding season. The clutch ences were found in the average morphometric measuresize ranged from 1 to 3 eggs. Three eggs were recorded in ments between the sexes in adults of C. pabsti (Table 7). most of the nests (81%) (Table 5), two eggs in 4.8% of the Figure 8 shows the 148-day breeding chronology nests (n = 14 nests), and only one egg in 1% of the nests of C. pabsti in the 2010-2011 breeding season. It began (n = 3 nests). No egg-laying was observed in 15 finished with the first egg laid on August 15, 2010, and ended nests, while 24 nest cavities were inaccessible (Table 5). with fledgling by the last nestling on January 9, 2011. The eggs of C. pabsti (n = 155) obtained from 57 nests The duration of the reproductive phases of C. pabsti during the three breeding seasons were elliptical in (incubation, nestling, and interval between two reshape, with a pure, translucent white coloration (Table 6). productive events) did not seem to vary a lot between The length ranged from 22.2 to 29.6 mm (27.2 ± 1.3 mm), pairs and breeding events. The incubation phase in the breadth from 17.4 to 22.4 mm (20.9 ± 0.8 mm), and the first reproductive event (n = 25 nests) ranged from the mass from 3.0 to 8.0 g (6.1 ± 0.7 g) (Table 6). 17 to 19 days (17.2 ± 0.5 days) and the nestling phase The nestlings hatched with their ears open and eyes (n = 23 nests) from 17 to 22 days (18.4 ± 1.8 days), while sealed. Hatching was highly synchronous within each the interval between the first and second reproductive

Figure 5A-5F in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 5A-5F. Physical characteristics of cavities used by Cinclodes pabsti as nesting cavities between 2008 and 2011 in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil. (5A) number of nesting cavities by soil/substrate types; (5B) number of cavities by distance class interval of cavity entrance from the top of road cuts; (5C) number of cavities by height class interval of cavity entrance from ground; (5D) number of cavities by depth class intervals; (5E) number of cavities by height class interval of cavity entrance; and (5F) number of cavities by width class interval of cavity entrance.

Figure 4 in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 4. Venn diagram showing the reuse of cavities by Cinclodes pabsti between the breeding seasons of 2008-2009, 2009-2010, and 2010-2011 in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil.

Figure 2A-2B in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 2A-2B. Hand-held net used to capture adult birds of Cinclodes pabsti in their nests in the breeding seasons of 2008-2011 in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil.

Figure 3A-3D in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 3A-3D. Road cuts with the presence of holes used by Cinclodes pabsti as nesting cavities in the breeding seasons of 2008-2011 in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil. (3A) road cut with the presence of one nesting cavity in the B horizon of Inceptisol; (3B) researcher taking the measurements of the hole; (3C) road cut with the presence of several cavities side by side in the thin organic soil layer; (3D) detail of cavity proximity from the top of the road cut.

Figure 8 in Breeding biology of Long-tailed Cinclodes Cinclodes pabsti Sick, 1969 (Passeriformes: Furnariidae)

Figure 8. Breeding chronology of Cinclodes pabsti during the breeding season of 2010-2011 based on the monitoring of eight nests in three nesting cavities in Campos de Cima da Serra, southern Brazil. Scheme of phenophases based on Faria et al. (2008), evidencing: 08/15/2011 – Beginning of the 2010-2011 breeding season with the laying of the first egg in the nest of nesting cavity NC09 [Nesting Cavity 09]; 08/18/2010 – Beginning of the incubation phase of three eggs in the nest of the nesting cavity NC09 [Nesting Cavity 09]; and 01/09/2011 – End of the 2010-2011 breeding season with the nestlings fledgling from the nesting cavity NC10 [Nesting Cavity 10].