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A 5-month-old gold and blue Macaw showed different clinical symptoms and poor growth compared to the other chicks of the same clutch, born after artificial incubation and all kept under the same conditions. Clinical symptoms were: intermittent regurgitation, diarrhea, dehydration and an obvious state of poor nutrition. Other detectable clinical signs were crusty-type lesions of the skin at the paws (flat portions), stress-lines and slow growth of the plumage. The breeder suspected dwarfism or other defects of hereditary origin. By sampling of the crop, many colonies of Escherichia coli and Shigella sp. were isolated, suggesting an infection, which was also complicated by the presence of Candida albicans. The antifungal and antibiotic treatments rapidly resolved the clinical symptomatology, but did not solve the persistent growth problem, compatible with a case of stunted chick syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We develop a phase field model of char oxidation during atmospheric entry in the ablation zone of the Phenolic Impregnated Carbon Ablator (PICA). The phase field model is coupled to a model of heat transport, to capture the interaction between the oxidation and temperature, and it is based on our previous model of carbon fiber oxidation. We explore the char oxidation behavior using three 2D examples. First, we simulate oxidation with an imposed temperature gradient for char structures with increasing amounts of initial porosity. The oxidation time decreases with increasing porosity and the oxidation rate fluctuates as pores are opened to oxygen transport. Next, we predict the decrease in temperature due to the endothermic oxidation reactions in thermally-insulated systems with and without transport of oxygen through the top boundary. In both cases, the temperature decreases until oxidation stops; it stops due to the decrease in temperature in the case open to oxygen transport and due to lack of oxygen in the case closed to oxygen. Finally, we explore the oxidation behavior under different heat fluxes. The oxidation reactions compensate for the heat flux until the char is fully consumed and then the temperature increases. Our results demonstrate the importance of considering the interactions between the oxidation reactions and the temperature when modeling char oxidation. [Display omitted] • We present a novel model to simulate char oxidation in the ablation zone of PICA. • We use a phase-field model of the char oxidation coupled with heat transport. • Transport of oxygen through the char is necessary to sustain the oxidation. • In thermally-insulated systems, the material cools due to oxidation. • With an applied heat flux, the temperature increases once the char is consumed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Two juvenile macaws presented independently with clinical signs associated with respiratory signs that included coughing, wheezing, and increased respiratory effort and rate. Whole body radiographis were obtained from one patient, and were considered normal. Computed tomography identified unilateral complete primary bronchial obstruction in both cases. Tracheoscopy was performed in both cases and identified a partial obstruction of the syrinx in one case. Biopsy samples collected during tracheoscopy were submitted for microbial culture. Aspergillus spp. was isolated and treatment was unsuccessful for this macaw. The second case was euthanized upon diagnosis. In both cases, a complete necropsy confirmed the primary bronchial obstruction and fungal organisms were identified, consistent with Aspergillus spp. As demonstrated by these two cases, radiography and tracheoscopy do not allow for the diagnosis of primary bronchial obstruction in birds. Therefore, a computed tomography scan is recommended to accurately diagnose this condition in avian patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present study was performed to identify the species of ascarids from macaw parrot, Ara chloroptera , in China. Total 6 ascarids (3 males and 3 females) were collected in the feces of 3 macaws at Guangzhou Zoo in Guangdong Province, China. Their morphological characteristics with dimensions were observed under a light microscope, and their genetic characters were analyzed with the partial 18S rDNA, ITS rDNA and nad 4 gene sequences, respectively. Results showed that all worms have no interlabia but male worms have two alate spicules, well-developed precloacal sucker and a tail with ventrolateral caudal alae and 11 pairs of papillae. The partial 18S rDNA, ITS rDNA and nad 4 sequences were 831 bp, 1015 bp and 394 bp in length, respectively. They showed the highest similarity of 99.8% (18S rDNA) with Ascaridia nymphii , 93.8% identities (ITS rDNA) with A. columbae and 98.5% to 99.5% identities ( nad 4) with Ascaridia sp. from infected parrot. All Ascaridia nematodes from the macaws were clustered into one clade and formed monophyletic group of Ascaridia with A. columbae and A. galli in two phylogenetic trees. It is observed that the combining morphological and sequencing data from three loci, the present Ascaridia species was identified as Ascaridia nymphii , which is the first record of A. nymphii from macaw parrot in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psittaciformes (parrots, cockatoos) are among the most endangered birds, with 31% of Neotropical species under threat. The drivers of this situation appear to be manifold and mainly of anthropogenic origin. However, this assessment is based on the last extensive consultation about the conservation situation of parrots carried out in the 1990s. Given the rapid development of anthropogenic threats, updated data are needed to strategize conservation actions. Using a population approach, we addressed this need through a wide-ranging consultation involving biologists, wildlife managers, government agencies and non-governmental conservation organizations. We gathered up-to-date information on threats affecting 192 populations of 96 Neotropical parrot species across 21 countries. Moreover, we investigated associations among current threats and population trends. Many populations were affected by multiple threats. Agriculture, Capture for the Pet Trade, Logging, each of them affected > 55% of the populations, suggesting a higher degree of risk than previously thought. In contrast to previous studies at the species level, our study showed that the threat most closely associated with decreasing population trends is now Capture for the local Pet Trade. Other threats associated with decreasing populations include Small-holder Farming, Rural Population Pressure, Nest Destruction by Poachers, Agro-industry Grazing, Small-holder Grazing, and Capture for the international Pet Trade. Conservation actions have been implemented on < 20% of populations. Our results highlight the importance of a population-level approach in revealing the extent of threats to wild populations. It is critical to increase the scope of conservation actions to reduce the capture of wild parrots for pets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three adult birds of the species Ara chloropterus and five of the species Ara ararauna from a conservation breeding facility suffered a massive attack by honeybees. The A. chloropterus birds presented swollen puncture lesions with stingers (mainly in the facial regions without feathers), swelling of the eyelids and subcutaneous tissue, and respiratory distress, and they were treated with intramuscular injections of 1.67 mg/kg of promethazine and 10 mg/kg of hydrocortisone followed by removal of the stingers. Complete remission of the clinical signs occurred 48 hours after start of treatment. The five A. ararauna birds died before they arrived at the veterinary hospital, and the necropsies found stingers in the areas of the face without feathers and the subcutaneous tissue, which were associated with erythema, bruising, and swelling. Food content from the crop was found in the oral cavity and the tracheal lumen, and marked congestion was observed in the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, brain, and cerebellum. Among the histopathological findings, significant swelling of the myocytes in the endocardium and vascular dilation with erythroid repletion were observed, and there were multifocal areas of centrilobular necrosis associated with severe congestion and hemorrhaging in the hepatic tissue. Severe acute tubular necrosis and hydropic-vacuolar degeneration were observed in the kidneys. The clinical signs and pathological findings suggest envenomation due to a massive bee attack, the first such report for Psittacidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The gastrointestinal microbiota plays a fundamental role in health and disease. Only limited data are available about the composition of the intestinal microbiota of captive animals compared to those of wild animals. The aim of the present study was to characterize the cloacal microbiota of apparently healthy wild and captive parrots. A total of 16 parrots, 8 wild and 8 captive, belonging to 3 different species, were used in this study. Cloacal material was collected via cloacal swabbing. DNA was extracted and 16S rRNA genes were amplified using universal bacterial primers. Constructed 16S rRNA gene clone libraries were compared between groups. A total of 518 clones were analyzed, and 49 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were identified. The OTUs were classified in 4 bacterial phyla: Firmicutes (72.9%), Proteobacteria (14.9%), Actinobateria (12%), and Bacteroidetes (0.2%). Bacterial diversity was significantly lower in wild birds than in captive birds. Principal component analysis based on the Unifrac distance metric indicated that the cloacal microbiota differed between wild and captive parrots. Staphylococcus saprophyticus was significantly more abundant in wild birds, while Escherichia coli was significantly more abundant in captive birds. In conclusion, wild and captive parrots appear to have differences in the composition of their cloacal bacterial microbiota. The clinical significance of these differences remains to be determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Single blood samples from 8 clinically normal adult Indian runner ducks (Anas platyrhynchos), 8 clinically normal American flamingos (Phoenicopterus ruber), and 3 blood samples from each of 4 clinically normal hyacinth macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) were collected to compare the biochemical values of paired plasma samples from heparinized blood with those of serum samples from clotted blood. Small but significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between paired serum and plasma samples for some biochemistries. In flamingos, potassium (P = 0.001), albumin (P = 0.03), and alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.02) were significantly higher in serum compared with plasma, whereas total protein (P = 0.04) and globulin (P = 0.01) were significantly lower in serum compared with plasma. In Indian runner ducks, potassium (P = 0.0002), chloride (P = 0.02), and alanine aminotransferase (P = 0.0005) were significantly higher in serum compared with plasma, whereas total CO2 (P = 0.02) and globulin (P = 0.007) were significantly lower in serum compared with plasma. Serum total protein was lower than plasma levels, but it was not significant (P = 0.05). In hyacinth macaws, total protein (P = 0.02) and the albumin:globulin ratio (P = 0.02) were significantly lower in serum compared with plasma. Although statistically significant, these differences were small and appear unlikely to be of any clinical relevance. There is minimal loss of plasma volume from heparinized blood samples compared with serum volume from clotted blood samples. This allows collection of smaller blood volumes from small or sick birds in a single lithium heparin anticoagulant tube to perform a hemogram on whole blood and a biochemical profile on the separated plasma that provides values similar to those of serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we developed a multiphysics mesoscale model of carbon fiber oxidation in the upper most layer of a phenolic impregnated carbon ablator thermal protection system. The presented model uses the phase-field method to capture the reduction of carbon fibers due to an oxidation reaction between carbon and oxygen to form carbon monoxide. The model is fully coupled with heat transport in the system, including the heat absorbed by the endothermic oxidation reaction. We implemented the model in the new Macaw application, created using the Multiphysics Object-Oriented Simulation Environment (MOOSE). The model was verified against an analytical solution of surface reactions. A sensitivity analysis revealed that the parameters that most impact the oxidation time are those related to the reaction rate. The model was demonstrated using 2D and 3D simulations of the oxidation of multiple fibers, illustrating the impact of fiber diameter, temperature, and gas flow on the fiber oxidation. [Display omitted] • Development of a novel phase-field oxidation model fully coupled with heat conduction. • Development of an analytical model to predict surface reaction evolution on phase-field diffuse interfaces. • Demonstrated 2D and 3D temperature-dependent carbon fiber oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports on three scarlet macaw (Ara macao) reintroduction projects using hand-raised birds in Peru and Costa Rica. The habitats at the release sites ranged from pristine tropical forest to forest fragments in an agricultural matrix. The combined first-year survival was 74% and the annual post first-year survival was 96%. Survival rates were very high despite a wide range in predator communities. Number of birds released explained 70% of the variation in survival with birds from larger releases having higher survival rates. Behavioral evidence suggests that birds established at the site facilitated survival of later releases. Breeding attempts were recorded at all three sites and hand-raised birds with wild mates successfully fledged young in Peru. Supplemental feeding post-release played an important role in keeping the birds near the release site and facilitating social interactions. This work shows that properly socialized hand-raised macaws can survive and breed in the wild but that ex-pets are not good release candidates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Carotenoid pigments are commonly used as colorants of feathers and bare parts by birds. However, parrots (Aves: Psittaciformes) use a novel class of plumage pigments (called psittacofulvins) that, like carotenoids, are lipid-soluble and red, orange, or yellow in color. To begin to understand how and why parrots use these pigments and not carotenoids in their feathers, we must first describe the distribution of these two types of pigments in the diet, tissues, and fluids of these birds. Here, we studied the carotenoid content of blood in five species of parrots with red in their plumage to see if they show the physiological ability to accumulate carotenoids in the body. Although Scarlet (Ara macao) and Greenwing Macaws (Ara chloroptera) and Eclectus (Eclectus roratus), African Gray (Psittacus erithacus) and Blue-fronted Amazon (Amazona aestiva) Parrots all use psittacofulvins to color their feathers red, we found that they also circulated high concentrations of both dietary (lutein, zeaxanthin, β-cryptoxanthin) and metabolically derived (anhydrolutein, dehydrolutein) carotenoids through blood at the time of feather growth, at levels comparable to those found in many other carotenoid-colored birds. These results suggest that parrots have the potential to use carotenoids for plumage pigmentation, but preferentially avoid depositing them in feathers, which is likely under the control of the maturing feather follicle. As there is no evidence of psittacofulvins in parrot blood at the tune of feather growth, we presume that these pigments are locally synthesized by growing feathers within the follicular tissue. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]