Search

The Vaal River catchment drains the largest and most populated industrial and mining region in Southern Africa. Heron, ibis, cormorant, egrets, and darter eggs, representing three habitats and four feeding guilds, were collected at four locations in 2009/10 to identify hotspots and hazards associated with persistent organic pollutants (POPs). The POPs included 21 organochlorine pesticides, five polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) classes, 18 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs including six non-dioxin-like PCBs; NDL-PCB), and 12 dioxin-like PCBs (DL-PCBs), 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzo-p-furans (PCDD/Fs), and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS). Aquatic predators had higher PFOS and PCDD/F concentrations, while PCBs dominated in terrestrial eggs. Organochlorine pesticides, PBDEs, and PCBs were strongly associated with eggs from the industrial regions, while PCDD/F concentrations were evenly distributed. PCDD/F and PCB toxic equivalency quotient concentrations were low with no adverse effects expected. PFOS peaked at Bloemhof Dam with a maximum of 2300 ng/g wm in an African Darter egg, indicating an unexpected PFOS hotspot, the source of which is unknown. Despite order of differences in compound class concentrations, there was no association with egg size. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only study that analysed all 2010 POPs in bird eggs on a large geographic scale. This study highlighted the importance of multi-species studies sampling from multiple locations to assess the risk that POPs pose to avian populations as hotspots and species at risk may be missed by studies looking at one or few species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

From a few strongholds in the 19th century, herons and egrets spread across the Algerian coastal strip of North Africa and colonised the Algerian Hauts Plateaux in the second half of the 20th century. Here we report the first breeding of Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides and Black-crowned Night-Heron Nycticorax nycticorax in a mixed colony at Kef Doukhane, an artificial wetland near Ghardaïa in the northern Sahara. We recorded nine Squacco Heron nests with 37 eggs, with clutch sizes ranging from 1 to 5 eggs (mean = 4.1 + 1.3; N = 9), and three Black-crowned Night-Heron clutches with 3 eggs each. After the first three Squacco Heron clutches hatched, all other nests were wantonly plundered by children in search of eggs and the entire colony was abandoned. The expansion of artificial wetlands in the Sahara and possibly climate change have facilitated the successful colonisation of the Sahara Desert by herons and egrets, but human disturbance and vandalism due to economic hardship and lack of environmental education are currently the major obstacles to range expansion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herons typically reproduce colonially, either monospecific or mixed, over waterbodies, high in trees or shrubs, mangroves, and islands. Information from neotropical mangroves is lacking concerning heron breeding areas, reproductive biology, and functional relationships with mangroves. Here we compared the reproductive biology of Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), and Snowy Egret (E. thula), with emphasis on breeding season, nesting materials, nest height, clutch size, breeding success, and nest failure in a mangrove ecosystem in ​​Sepetiba Bay, southeastern Brazil. The breeding season lasted from November to mid-February (195 nests). Nests were built mostly with twigs, but also with grasses (17 nests, 9%) and nylon lines and ropes (Cattle Egrets: 16 nests, 28%; Snowy Egrets: 4 nests, 14%). Little Blue Herons nested higher (2.25 ± 0.1 m) than Cattle Egrets (1.97 ± 0.06 m) and Snowy Egrets (1.80 ± 0.1 m). The modal clutch size differed among species, with two eggs in Cattle Egrets (1–7 range) and Little Blue Herons (1–4 range) and three eggs in Snowy Egrets (2–4 range). Breeding success was high both in Cattle Egrets (90%) and Snowy Egrets (89%) but was low in Little Blue Herons (41%). Higher nest failure in Little Blue Herons occurred due to localized predation events in all clumped nests built isolated at the colony edge. Therefore, these predation events suggest that interspecific nest aggregation was important to diminish nest failure. The remaining nests were quite successful, even though brood reduction (common in herons) occurred in most nests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptor (TLR) genes have recently been used to assess the adaptive genetic diversity under natural selection. Here, we newly developed a set of primer pairs for amplifying TLR genes (TLR1LB, TLR2A, TLR3, TLR4, TLR5, TLR7 and TLR15) in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Egretta eulophotes). The PCR products, ranged between 407 and 988 bp (an average of 762 bp), were successfully amplified by using this primer set. Sequence analyses of all these TLR genes indicated that there were 22–75 variable sites and 20–77 single nucleotide polymorphisms. This primer set was also confirmed useful for nine other ardeid species, including four members in ardeinae and five in botaurinae. The versatility of this primer set will provide a useful groundwork for the further studies on the TLR conservation genetics of this vulnerable egret and other ardeid birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the ability of birds to travel long distances in the air, the potential feeding area of each individual is much larger than that of typical terrestrial animals. This makes birds a convenient indicator of environmental lead (Pb) pollution over large areas, in particular areas of inland and coastal waters. The aim of this study was to assess the concentrations of Pb in various organs of water birds from a variety of locations. The focus was on ducks, geese and swans (Anatidae); herons and egrets (Ardeidae); terns (Sternidae); and gulls (Laridae). This article describes the level of lead in the most commonly studied tissue types: feathers, bones and the liver. The study also presents data concerning the concentration of lead in the eggs of water birds. The highest levels of lead pollution can be observed in China and Korea, related to their high level of industrialization. In Iran too, environmental lead pollution is high, likely due to the developed petrochemical industry. Lead pollution in Japan, as well as in Western European countries (Spain, France, Italy), seems to be much lower than in China, India or Iran. Nevertheless, the level of pollution in Europe is higher than satisfactory, despite the introduction of a number of bans related to, for example, the use of leaded petrol or lead-containing paints. Finally, the USA and Canada appear to be the areas with the lowest lead pollution, possibly due to their low population densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vivid plumage colors are some of the best examples of elaborate trait evolution resulting from sexual selection. Bird feathers often contain high concentrations of pigment or intricate microstructures for reflecting light at distal feather tips, in order to maximize color presentation to intended viewers (e.g., prospective mates, rivals). However, here we describe a rare form of “hidden” plumage coloration, whereby several species of heron (Pelecaniformes: Ardeidae) have powder down tracts liberally coated in yellow pigments that are hidden from view underneath contour feathers. We show using Raman spectroscopy and high-performance liquid chromatography that the yellow coloration is due to carotenoid pigmentation. We also show that fatty acids and carotenoids co-occur in samples and discuss the possible evidence and implications for the presence of esterified carotenoids in powder down. Our study of hidden feather coloration is in apparent contrast with the traditional view of carotenoid pigmentation in plumage, which holds that carotenoids are costly pigments that are displayed to advertise individual quality. We hypothesize that carotenoid pigments are transferred onto powder down as a consequence of the chemical affinity that these pigments have to lipoid secretions associated with subcutaneous fat. Further investigation may identify functions for carotenoid pigmentation in powder down (e.g., signaling, microbiological protection), but we cannot rule out the possibility that the powder down of herons may provide the first evidence for carotenoid coloration in feathers being a non-adaptive by-product of other processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the actual 16 identified and thought to be valid avian piroplasm species, certain parasites are only known from their original description with no subsequent report. Babesia ardeae Toumanoff, 1940 is one of them. It was described from a single sacrificed gray heron ( Ardea cinerea) from Vietnam and had never been reported since this date despite inhabiting a very common avian host. The present study reports the accidental rediscovery of B. ardeae from an injured wild gray heron rescued in Singapore. This report confirms the existence of this parasite species in the gray heron from Southeast Asia, highlights the similarities with the original description, provides additional morphologic and morphometric data, and designates neotype material for B. ardeae. Additionally, the report also furnishes the first molecular data about B. ardeae with the amplification and sequencing of the near-full-length 18S rRNA gene sequence and its comparison with the other available sequences of avian piroplasms. Phylogenetic analysis based on this gene was performed to study the relationship of B. ardeae with the other piroplasms from mammals and birds and indicated that B. ardeae appears as a brother group of a clade formed by several avian piroplasm species isolated from seabirds, altogether clustering in a well-supported clade related to the ' Babesia duncani group' and protothelerids. Scarcity of this parasite is discussed as well as its taxonomy in relation to the conundrum about the systematics of piroplasms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genes of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) are valuable makers of adaptive genetic variation in evolutionary ecology research, yet the non-classical MHC genes remain largely unstudied in wild vertebrates. In this study, we have characterized the non-classical MHC class II gene, Egeu-DAB4, in the vulnerable Chinese egret (Ciconiiformes, Ardeidae, Egretta eulophotes). Gene expression analyses showed that Egeu-DAB4 gene had a restricted tissue expression pattern, being expressed in seven examined tissues including the liver, heart, kidney, esophagus, stomach, gallbladder, and intestine, but not in muscle. With respect to polymorphism, only one allele of exon 2 was obtained from Egeu-DAB4 using asymmetric PCR, indicating that Egeu-DAB4 is genetically monomorphic in exon 2. Comparative analyses showed that Egeu-DAB4 had an unusual sequence, with amino acid differences suggesting that its function may differ from those of classical MHC genes. Egeu-DAB4 gene was only found in 30.56-36.56 % of examined Chinese egret individuals. Phylogenetic analysis showed a closer relationship between Egeu-DAB4 and the DAB2 genes in nine other ardeid species. These new findings provide a foundation for further studies to clarify the immunogenetics of non-classical MHC class II gene in the vulnerable Chinese egret and other ciconiiform birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twelve models addressing the current and delayed effects of seasonal rainfall and rainfall volatility (a measure of storm intensity) were used to evaluate changes in nest abundances of herons and egrets in the San Francisco Bay area, from 1991 to 2010. Wetter- or drier-than-average conditions, two winters before nesting, were associated with reduced growth rates of Great Egret ( Ardea alba) nest abundance. Similarly, growth rates of Great Blue Heron ( Ardea herodias) nest abundance were maximized near average levels of rainfall volatility two winters prior nesting. Annual growth rates of Snowy Egret ( Egretta thula) and Black-crowned Night-Heron ( Nycticorax nycticorax) abundances declined with heavier-than-usual winter rainfall volatility immediately prior to nesting and with increases in spring rainfall volatility 2 years prior to nesting. The dynamics of heron and egret nest abundances were not associated with annual production of fledglings within the region, The results suggest the possibility of regional declines in the growth or resilience of heron and egret abundances with increasingly rainy or stormy seasonal conditions in northwestern California. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herons (Aves: Ardeidae) are rare in the fossil record globally. Fossil taxa referred to Ardeinae and Nycticoracini are known from as early as the early Oligocene and ardeids undetermined to subfamily include some as old as the early Eocene. In Australasia, the pre-Pliocene record is restricted to one species from the early Miocene of New Zealand. On the basis of a tarsometatarsus and a coracoid we describe a new species of bittern (Ardeidae: Botaurinae) from the St Bathans Fauna, of early Miocene age, from Otago, New Zealand. This is only the third and the oldest pre-Quaternary record for Botaurinae globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urban marine habitats are often utilized by wildlife for foraging and other activities despite surrounding anthropogenic impact or disturbance. However little is known of the ecological factors that determine habitat value of these and other remnant natural habitats. We examined the preferential use of urban marine habitats in a northeast US estuary to try to elucidate the factors driving enhanced foraging activity at these sites. Using a bioenergetic model, we compared energy intake to energy expenditure and examined differences in behavior and foraging success of great egrets Ardea alba at three urban and three rural salt marshes in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA. Mean per site available nekton energy averaged 4.44 ± 0.97 GJ site and was significantly higher at urban than at rural sites. While energy expenditure by birds was similar across all sites, mean strike and prey capture rate were significantly greater at urban sites, and 70.1 ± 12.2 % of strikes by egrets at urban sites were successful. Egrets foraging at urban sites consumed significantly more energy (23.2 ± 6.62 W bird) than those at rural sites. Model results indicated a net energy gain by egrets foraging at urban sites, versus a net energy loss at rural sites. Our results may help explain previously observed increases in the numbers of egrets foraging at urban marine habitats, and help provide input into decisions about the extent to which these areas should be considered for restoration or protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herons (Ardeidae) frequently breed in inland forests and provide organic material in the form of carcasses of prey (that they drop) and chicks (that die) to the forest floor. Such allochthonous inputs of organic materials are known to increase arthropod populations in forests. However, the exact species that show numerical responses to allochthonous inputs in heron breeding colonies remains unclear. Very few studies have clarified which factors determine numerical responses in individual species. We used pitfall and baited traps to compare the densities of arthropods between forest patches in heron breeding colonies (five sites) and areas outside of colonies (five sites) in central Japan. The density of all arthropods was not significantly different between colonies and non-colony areas. However, significant differences between colonies and non-colony areas were found in four arthropod groups. Earwigs (Dermaptera: Anisolabididae), hister beetles (Coleoptera: Histeridae), and carrion beetles (Coleoptera: Silphidae) were more abundant in colonies, while ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were less abundant in colonies. We detected numerical responses to heron breeding in two earwig, one histerid, five silphid, and one ant species. Chick and prey carcasses from herons may have directly led to increases in consumer populations such as earwigs, histerids, and silphids in colonies, while microenvironmental changes caused by heron breeding may have reduced ant abundance. In the Silphidae, five species showed numerical responses to allochthonous inputs, and the other two species did not. Numerical responses in individual species may have been determined by life history traits such as reproductive behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Eurasian Bittern Botaurus stellaris has a polygynous mating system where the nests of solitary and clumped females are located within a male territory. However, the factors that may favour the formation of nest clusters remain unknown. The focus was on the clustering effect in the Eurasian Bittern population on fishpond complexes in eastern Poland in order to test whether clumped nesting is dependent on habitat quality. Breeding parameters were also assessed in order to investigate the advantages accruing to females of nesting close together in clusters. During the breeding periods between 2003 and 2009, we found 144 active nests of the Eurasian Bittern: most of them (55.5 %) were in clusters of two to four nests. The mean distance between adjacent nests in a cluster was 23.5 m. The proportion of open water to emergent vegetation and the category of fish stock have significant effects on cluster nesting in the Eurasian Bittern. There were differences between single and clumped nests with respect to the first-egg laying date and male presence. The environmental and ecological factors that may determine the Eurasian Bittern female's nest-site choice are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ixobrychus cinnamomeus is a member of the large wading bird family, known as Ardeidae. In the present study, we determined the complete mitochondrial genome of I. cinnamomeus for use in future phylogenetic analysis. This circular mitochondrial genome is 17,180 bp in length and composed of 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes, two rRNA genes and one putative control region. Three conserved domains and a minisatellite of 17 nucleotides with 22 tandem repeats were detected at the end of the control region. Phylogenetic relationships were reconstructed using the nucleotide and corresponding amino acid datasets of 12 concatenated protein-coding genes from the mitochondrial genome. Using maximum likelihood, maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference methods, the monophyly of Ciconiidae, Ardeidae and Threskiornithidae were confirmed; however, the monophyly of traditional Ciconiiformes and Pelecaniformes failed to be recovered. Although further studies are recommended to clarify relationships among and within the orders of Ciconiiformes, Pelecaniformes, Suliformes and Phaethontiformes, our results provide preliminary exploratory results that can be useful in the current understanding of avian phylogenetics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new heron species, Ardea sytchevskayae sp. nov., from the Middle Miocene Sharga locality is described. The new species is represented by an almost complete coracoid and a few partial coracoids, partial scapula, and caprometacarpus. A. sytchevskayae was a relatively large heron, of the same size as A. alba, and intermediate in morphology between A. alba and other species traditionally included in this genus. In addition, the Sharga locality has yielded a large bittern and a medium-sized heron of uncertain taxonomic position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a multi-gene family that is very suitable to investigate a wide range of open questions in evolutionary ecology. In this study, we characterized two expressed MHC class II B genes (DAB1 and DAB2) in the Grey Heron (Aves: Ardea cinerea). We further developed the primer pairs to amplify and sequence two MHC class II B loci in ten ardeid birds. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that different parts of the genes showed different evolutionary patterns. The exon 2 sequences tended to cluster two gene-specific lineages. In each lineage, exon 2 sequences from several species showed closer relationships than sequences within species, and two shared identical alleles were found between species ( Egretta sacra and Nycticorax nycticorax; Egretta garzetta and Bubulcus ibis), supporting the hypothesis of trans-species polymorphism. In contrast, the species-specific intron 2 plus partial exon 3 tree suggested that DAB1 and DAB2 were subject to concerted evolution. GENECONV analyses showed the gene exchange played an important role in the ardeid MHC evolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eighteen polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated from the vulnerable Chinese egret Egretta eulophotes using the magnetic bead-based enrichment method, and were tested in a sample of 20 individuals from a Chinese egret population distributed in Fujian province of China. The number of alleles range from 2 to 9 per locus with the observed and expected heterozygosity ranging from 0.20 to 0.85 and 0.18 to 0.82, respectively. One locus deviated significantly from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium and no pairs showed evidence of linkage disequilibrium after sequential bonferroni correction. These loci were also confirmed useful for the cross-amplifications in other five ardeid species. These new microsatellite markers will be useful for the further studies on the genetic structure, molecular evolution and conservation management of this vulnerable species and the other ardeid species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We tested a previously described model to assess the wildlife habitat value of New England salt marshes by comparing modeled habitat values and scores with bird abundance and species richness at sixteen salt marshes in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA. As a group, wildlife habitat value assessment scores for the marshes ranged from 307–509, or 31–67% of the maximum attainable score. We recorded 6 species of wading birds (Ardeidae; herons, egrets, and bitterns) at the sites during biweekly survey. Species richness ( r2=0.24, F=4.53, p=0.05) and abundance ( r2=0.26, F=5.00, p=0.04) of wading birds significantly increased with increasing assessment score. We optimized our assessment model for wading birds by using Akaike information criteria (AIC) to compare a series of models comprised of specific components and categories of our model that best reflect their habitat use. The model incorporating pre-classification, wading bird habitat categories, and natural land surrounding the sites was substantially supported by AIC analysis as the best model. The abundance of wading birds significantly increased with increasing assessment scores generated with the optimized model ( r2=0.48, F=12.5, p=0.003), demonstrating that optimizing models can be helpful in improving the accuracy of the assessment for a given species or species assemblage. In addition to validating the assessment model, our results show that in spite of their urban setting our study marshes provide substantial wildlife habitat value. This suggests that even small wetlands in highly urbanized coastal settings can provide important wildlife habitat value if key habitat attributes (e.g., natural buffers, habitat heterogeneity) are present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We evaluated landscape associations related to heron and egret colony site selection and the productivity of successful great blue heron (Ardea herodias) and great egret (Ardea alba) nests. The study was based on annual observations (1991-2005) at 45 colony sites known to be active within 10 km Of historic tidal marshes of northern San Francisco Bay. The analyses focused on a priori models analyzed within 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 km of colony sites, using the areal extents of several NOAA land cover types (Landsat images, 2000-2002), number of wetland patches, and total wetland edge as predictor variables. A comparison of landscape characteristics surrounding colony sites with those surrounding randomly selected, unoccupied sites revealed the primary importance of estuarine emergent wetland and open water within 1 km of colony sites. Increased productivity in successful great blue heron nests was associated with more estuarine emergent wetland, open water, and low-intensity development, and less grassland, but was not differentially related to the extent of habitat available within any particular distance from colony sites. The productivity in successful great egret nests was associated with variation in habitat extent at larger spatial scales, especially within 10 km of heronies, with nests producing more young at sites surrounded by more estuarine emergent wetland and low-intensity development, less open water and palustrine emergent wetland, and more patches of wetland habitat. To estimate landscape foraging patterns, we used aircraft to track the flights of great egrets departing from heronries and used the observed flight distances, colony sizes, and the regional distribution of wetland habitat to model regional foraging densities. Results suggested that increasing the extent of wetland feeding areas for herons and egrets might improve reproductive performance in colony sites up to 10 km away, increase foraging by herons and egrets in created or restored wetlands within 3-10 km of sites, and enhance nest abundance at colony sites within 1 km of restoration sites. Regional maps based on the distribution of colony-sites and predictions of landscape influences on colony site selection, nest productivity, and foraging dispersion, suggested areas potentially suitable for colonization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined head stabilization in relation to body mass and length of legs in four heron species (little egrets, Egretta garzetta; night herons, Nycticorax nycticorax; squacco herons, Ardeola ralloides; and cattle egrets, Bubulcus ibis: Aves: Ardeidae). Head stabilization, under controlled, sinusoidal, perch perturbations was mostly elicited at frequencies lower than 1 Hz. Maximal perturbation amplitudes sustained were positively correlated with leg length and maximal perturbation frequencies sustained were negatively correlated with body mass and with leg length. The species differed significantly in average maximal perturbation amplitudes sustained. Combinations of amplitude and frequency for which stabilization was achieved were bounded by a decreasing concave "envelope" curve in the frequency-amplitude plane, with inter specific differences in "envelope". As physical constraints, we tested maximal vertical acceleration, which translates into a line defined by the product of frequency2×amplitude, and maximal vertical velocity, which translates into a line defined by the product of frequency×amplitude. Both relations were in good agreement with the experimental results for all but squacco herons. The results support predictions based on mechanical considerations and may explain the predominance of motor patterns employed by herons while foraging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. A series of experiments using flocks of model birds on natural foraging grounds in Panama was designed to test whether each species participating in mixed heron flocks was drawn to the flock by resources alone, by the presence of members of its own species, by the presence of other species, or by the white color of flock participants. 2. The presence of Snowy Egrets was determined to be the attractive force. Field observations revealed that herons of all participating species increased their foraging success by proximity to Snowy Egrets (Fig. 1). Stomach-content analysis and direct observations revealed complete dietary overlap among all participating species. There was no significant difference in mean foraging rates of any species, except for adult Little Blue Herons, which caught fewer fish than even immature members of their own species. Adult but not immature Little Blue Herons were selectively attacked by other species, and foraged farther from Snowy Egrets in the flocks. 3. Benefits of mixed flocking accrue to Great Egrets, Little Blue and Tricolored Herons by increased foraging success when foraging close to Snowy Egrets ; Snowy Egrets benefit by using subordinate species as easily supplanted indices of temporally varying food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naturally molted feathers provide a valuable tissue resource for avian research. Here we present a convenient and accurate species identification method for the naturally molted white feathers of six co-occurring Ardeid species, Egretta eulophotes, E. garzetta, Ardea alba, Bubulcus ibis, Mesophoyx intermedia and Ardeola bacchus, based on the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the partial mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene. The resulting species-specific restriction patterns are easily distinguished by agarose gel electrophoresis. In this study, 81 of 88 naturally molted feathers noninvasively collected from heronries and 139 plucked feathers were all successfully distinguished, while the 7 feathers that could not be successfully distinguished by this method did not provide enough amplified products. This newly developed method for species identification of molted feathers will be useful for further studies on the vulnerable Chinese Egret and the other five co-occurring Ardeid species in East Asia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A species-specific primer set has been developed and used with a preamplification and multiplex PCR method for molecular sexing from the faeces of the vulnerable Chinese egret ( Egretta eulophotes). This new assay produced one common fragment in both females and males (approximately 230 bp) and one specific fragment in females (about 136 bp). A highly efficient sex identification result (97.7%, 171/175 faeces samples) and great versatility on seven other ardeid species suggests that this improved molecular approach is a sensitive sexing tool for the Chinese egret and other ardeid species. It will facilitate further studies on their population sex structure using non-invasive genetic samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study reports isolation and characterization of 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers for Nycticorax nycticorax. A total of 82 alleles were detected with an average of 7.5 alleles per locus. The observed heterozygosity (HO) ranged from 0.25 to 1.00, and the expected heterozygosity (HE) ranged from 0.51 to 0.88. Analyses revealed no evidence for Linkage disequilibrium between any two loci, and only one locus was significantly deviated from HWE with the estimation of exact P values by the Markov chain method (P<0.001). The 11 loci were successfully amplified in 11 other Ardeidae species. These results demonstrate these markers can be used for the study of intra- and inter-specific genetic diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]