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In this paper, we reported the complete mitogenome of Agapornis lilianae. A. lilianae mitogenome is 16,720bp base pairs long. The overall base compositions of complete mitogenomes of A. lilianae is 29.66% A, 21.5% T, 34.59% C, 14.25% G. All genes exhibit the typical mitochondrial gene arrangement and transcribing directions. The phylogenetic analysis based on 21 mitochondrial sequence data suggested that A. lilianae are closely related to the same genus specie Agapornis roseicollis. The results obtained here would be useful for the conservation and phylogeny of A. lilianae.

Lilian's Lovebird Agapornis lilianae is a small, near-threatened parrot resident in mopane Colophospermum mopane woodlands. We investigated its diet and foraging behaviour in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. We expected that Lilian's Lovebirds would show little specialisation for a particular food source but generally feed on available seeds, fruits, flowers and other items as observed in other lovebirds. Lilian's Lovebirds fed on 30 different plant species. Lilian's Lovebirds were observed feeding in six habitat types in Liwonde National Park and adjacent areas during the wet season, and four in the dry season. In the wet season lovebirds (23% of observations) foraged in grassy wetland (dambo) areas the most, whilst in the dry season they foraged in grasslands with tree cover (18%) the most. In mopane woodland, foraging flock sizes differed significantly between the wet (mean = 19.8 ± 1.0 lovebirds) and dry season (mean = 33.6 ± 2.3 lovebirds). Grass seeds were lovebirds’ main food source from December to June. The nutritional analysis of preferred foods showed that grass seeds have a relatively high protein and energy content. Grass seed availability is reduced with savanna burning and so early season burning (before May-June) in areas in and outside the park is not recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Use of poison to kill wildlife is a threat to biodiversity. Lilian's lovebirds Agapornis lilianae are among the fatalities at poisoned waterholes in Liwonde National Park, Malawi. Their population in Liwonde National Park ( LNP) represents about 20% of the global population. We investigated the drinking habits of Lilian's lovebird, availability of natural waterholes and occurrence of poisoning incidents in LNP. Results showed Lilian's lovebirds congregate at waterholes in the dry season with flocks ranging from 1 to 100 individuals. Significantly larger flocks were seen in the dry than the wet season. Poisoning incidents/year ranged from 1 to 8 and were highest in the dry season. Lilian's lovebirds were killed at a mean of four poisoning incidents each year between 2000 and 2012. Number of lovebirds found dead at a poisoned pool ranged from 5 to 50 individuals. Currently about 32% of the Lilian's lovebird population is threatened by poisoning. Other species were also noted. There is a need for increased efforts in preventing this lethal activity in LNP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lilian's LovebirdAgapornis lilianaeis regarded as a mopaneColophospermum mopanewoodland specialist. Its global population is sparse and is spread along the Zambezi valley with little known about its current distribution and status. We explored the current distribution of Lilian's Lovebird in Malawi, and in particular focused on the distribution and habitat associations of the largest resident population in Liwonde National Park (LNP). Local birders and tourist guides provided distribution information from across Malawi. Transect walks were conducted to collect data in LNP. Five new atlas records are reported; three were within 40–56 km of the LNP population and two were over 150 km south and north of LNP, respectively. One of the sites is about 66 km from the Lilian's Lovebird population in Luangwa Valley, Zambia. New national records were evidence of the importance of seasonal movements to the species. Lilian's Lovebirds occurred throughout LNP with the highest abundance in the central section. Seasonal movements to areas outside the park were also recorded. A variety of vegetation types were used by the lovebirds, but the strongest habitat associations were with seasonally wet grasslands and not mopane woodlands as would be expected. Thus, conservation efforts should also include these other habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we reported the complete mitogenome of Agapornis lilianae. A. lilianae mitogenome is 16,720bp base pairs long. The overall base compositions of complete mitogenomes of A. lilianae is 29.66% A, 21.5% T, 34.59% C, 14.25% G. All genes exhibit the typical mitochondrial gene arrangement and transcribing directions. The phylogenetic analysis based on 21 mitochondrial sequence data suggested that A. lilianae are closely related to the same genus specie Agapornis roseicollis. The results obtained here would be useful for the conservation and phylogeny of A. lilianae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we reported the complete mitogenome of Agapornis lilianae . A. lilianae mitogenome is 16,720bp base pairs long. The overall base compositions of complete mitogenomes of A. lilianae is 29.66% A, 21.5% T, 34.59% C, 14.25% G. All genes exhibit the typical mitochondrial gene arrangement and transcribing directions. The phylogenetic analysis based on 21 mitochondrial sequence data suggested that A. lilianae are closely related to the same genus specie Agapornis roseicollis . The results obtained here would be useful for the conservation and phylogeny of A. lilianae ., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)