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The variable response of wild mice to Yersinia pestis infection, the causative agent of plague, has generated much speculation concerning their role in the ecology of this potentially lethal disease. Researchers have questioned the means by which Y. pestis is maintained in nature and also sought methods for managing the disease. Here we assessed the efficacy of a new tool, the sylvatic plague vaccine (SPV), in wild-caught northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster) and commercially acquired Sonoran deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus sonoriensis). More than 40% of the animals survived a subcutaneous Y. pestis challenge of 175,000 colony forming units (over 30,000 times the white mouse 50% lethal dose) in both vaccine-treated and control groups. Our results indicate that SPV distribution is unlikely to protect adult mice from plague infection in field settings and corroborate the heterogeneous response to Y. pestis infection in mice reported by others.

La variación de las condiciones fisicoquímicas del mar puede influir en la distribución y la abundancia de las aves marinas al afectar la estructura trófica del ambiente pelágico. Por ello se pretendió evaluar la asociación entre la abundancia de tres estados de desarrollo (pollos, juveniles y adultos) del Piquero Café (Sula leucogaster etesiaca) y la variación de la temperatura superficial del mar (TSM) y su anomalía térmica (ANOM) en isla Gorgona, Pacífico colombiano. Estas tendencias fueron evaluadas por medio de correlaciones cruzadas y modelos lineales generalizados. En cada estado de desarrollo la abundancia presentó una tendencia diferente ante la variación de la TSM o ANOM. Se sugiere que dichas tendencias se deben a que el incremento de la temperatura del mar podría estar asociado con una menor abundancia y disponibilidad de recursos presa. Bajo estas condiciones, los adultos tienden a disminuir el esfuerzo invertido en el cuidado parental e, incluso, reducen el suministro de alimento a juveniles dependientes y pollos para aumentar su propia supervivencia. Es posible que estas tendencias hayan estado asociadas con un régimen reproductivo que les permita a los volantones alcanzar la independencia de los padres durante el periodo con mayor disponibilidad de alimento.

Photoperiodism has been shown to be an important synchronizer of seasonal reproduction in many rodent species in the wild; it is a reliable cue as in the southern hemisphere it coincides with the onset of rainfall and hence the availability of food resources for maximal reproductive success. The photoperiodic effect on the reproductive status of the Namibian gerbil, Gerbilliscus cf. leucogaster from central Namibia was investigated. Twenty adult males were exposed to a long-day length (16L:8D), while further 20 adult males were subjected to a short-day length (SD:8L:16D); all for a period of 3 months. Testicular mass per gram body mass, testicular volume and seminiferous tubule diameters were used to assess the effect of photoperiod on gonadal development. Body mass did not significantly differ between the two photoperiodic regimes. The testicular mass per gram of body mass was significantly heavier for the males maintained on a long photoperiod compared to those on a short photoperiod. Similarly, testicular volume and seminiferous tubule diameter were greater in males maintained on a long-day cycle compared to those on the short-day cycle. These findings suggest that G. cf. leucogaster is photoresponsive to day length changes. Photoperiodic changes in the semi-arid habitats can be used to herald the onset of reproduction as it often acts in concert with other proximate cues in desert rodents, but is a constant environmental cue that does not change from year to year, unlike rainfall patterns.

Purpose Previous studies have assessed the diversity of gastrointestinal bacteria in bats and reported that some of the strains are pathogenic to humans; therefore, bats are considered to be potential reservoirs of zoonotic pathogens. However, the bacterial diversity and types of pathogenic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of Rhinolophus luctus and Murina leucogaster have not yet been determined. Humans frequently come into contact with these species; therefore, assessments of their gut microbiota, especially potential pathogens, are essential for public health. In the present study, MiSeq high-throughput sequencing was used to address this research gap, and the results were compared with those reported previously. Methods The V3–V4 regions of the 16S rRNA gene were sequenced using the MiSeq high-throughput sequencing platform to determine the bacterial community of the stomach and the intestines of R. luctus and M. leucogaster. Results The bacteria in the gastrointestinal tracts of R. luctus and M. leucogaster were classified into three and four main bacterial phyla, respectively. In both R. luctus and M. leucogaster, the dominant phylum was Proteobacteria (stomach 86.07% and 95.79%, intestines 91.87% and 88.78%, respectively), followed by Firmicutes (stomach 13.84% and 4.19%, intestines 8.11% and 11.20%, respectively). In total, 18 and 20 bacterial genera occurred in a relative abundance of 0.01% or more in the gastrointestinal tracts of R. luctus and M. leucogaster, respectively. In R. luctus, the dominant genera were Lactococcus (10.11%) and Paeniclostridium (3.41%) in the stomach, and Undibacterium (28.56%) and Paeniclostridium (4.69%) in the intestines. In M. leucogaster, the dominant genera were Undibacterium (54.41%) and Burkholderia (5.28%) in the stomach, and Undibacterium (29.67%) and Enterococcus (7.19%) in the intestines. Among the detected gastrointestinal tract flora of R. luctus and M. leucogaster, 12 bacterial genera were pathogenic or opportunistic pathogens. Conclusion A high number of human pathogens were detected in the gastrointestinal tracts of R. luctus and M. leucogaster, which demonstrates the urgency for increased efforts in the prevention and management of bat-to-human disease transmission from these species.

Behavioral events of two raptor species, the White-bellied Sea Eagle, Haliaeetus leucogaster Gmelin, 1788 and Brahminy Kite, Haliastur indus Boddaert, 1783 were studied once every two weeks in two locations in northwestern Malaysia, namely Balik Pulau and Kuala Sepetang, from September 2012 to September 2013. The average total number of behavioral events per hour was 45.9 (±40.3 SD), 117.0 (±131.7 SD), and 285.8 (±185.0 SD) for H. leucogaster at Balik Pulau, and H. indus at Balik Pulau and Kuala Sepetang, respectively. The total number of individuals of each species observed was significantly influenced by the time of day and weather (p

Acoustic communication is a fundamental component of mate and competitor recognition in a variety of taxa and requires animals to detect and differentiate among acoustic stimuli (Bradbury and Vehrencamp in Principles of animal communication, 2nd edn., Sinauer Associates, Sunderland, 2011). The matched filter hypothesis predicts a correspondence between peripheral auditory tuning of receivers and properties of species-specific acoustic signals, but few studies have assessed this relationship in rodents. We recorded vocalizations and measured auditory brainstem responses (ABRs) in northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster), a species that produces long-distance calls to advertise their presence to rivals and potential mates. ABR data indicate the highest sensitivity (28.33 ± 9.07 dB SPL re: 20 μPa) at 10 kHz, roughly corresponding to the fundamental frequency (11.6 ± 0.63 kHz) of long-distance calls produced by conspecifics. However, the frequency range of peripheral auditory sensitivity was broad (8-24 kHz), indicating the potential to detect both the harmonics of conspecific calls and vocalizations of sympatric heterospecifics. Our findings provide support for the matched filter hypothesis extended to include other ecologically relevant stimuli. Our study contributes important baseline information about the sensory ecology of a unique rodent to the study of sound perception.

Objectives Little studies had been done on chewing lice of marine birds in the Middle East. Through this work, parasitic chewing lice of Brown Booby Sula leucogaster (Boddaert) in the Red Sea were recorded for the first time from Egypt. Methods One brown booby was examined for chewing lice in Giftun Island, Hurghada. A total of 27 specimens of lice were collected from this bird and phylogenetic analysis of species of genus Pectinopygus associated boobies has been done based on NCBI data. Results and conclusions Two species of marine chewing lice were identified: Eidmanniella albescens (Piaget, 1880) and Pectinopygus sulae (Rudow, 1869) ; diagnostic remarks for the two identified species, measurements, and material examined were provided through the manuscript. The final phylogenetic tree indicates the monophyletic origin of Pectinopygus spp. associated with boobies and their paraphyletic relation to other species of Pectinopygus that associated with other Suliformes. Also, independence of boobies’ speciation from chewing louse of genus Pectinopygus speciation. The present work forms a small step in a long way of studying marine chewing lice of Egypt and a better understanding of marine birds/chewing lice interaction.

A case report of six brown booby (Sula leucogaster) envenomation following the ingestion of toadfish (Porichthys porosissimus) specimens in Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil is discussed herein. Several macro- and microscopic pathological alterations were observed in the examined brown booby specimens, and rapid envenomation (

Leucogaster solidus L. Fan & T. Li sp. nov.(Fig. 2) MycoBank:��� MB 839331 Diagnosis:���Basidiome brown to reddish brown, verrucose, gleba non-gelatinous, peridium (90���)110���250 ��m thick, trama 20���42.5 ��m thick, basidiospores large, globose to subglobose with alveolate ornamentation. Etymology:��� solidus, refers to the solid and non-gelatinous gleba when fresh. Holotype:��� CHINA. Yunnan Province, Kunming City, in soil under mixed woodlands, dominated by Pinus armandii, 28 December 2012, collected by L. Fan and J. Z. Cao (BJTC FAN733, ITS = MW 938546). Description:��� Basidiome hypogeous, subglobose to globose, 0.7���0.9 cm diam, brown to reddish brown when fresh, dark blackish brown to fuscous red when dry, surface verrucose, with a shallow depression at the base. Peridium (90���)110���250 ��m thick, reddish brown, composed of interwoven hyphae, hyphae hyaline, 1���1.5 ��m broad, not inflated, turning pink in 3% KOH, tissue near surface obscured by red pigment that forms red to dark red ���pigment balls��� in Melzer���s reagent. Gleba solid, whitish when fresh, light yellow-brown when dry, loculate, locules vary in size, fine alveolate-reticulate, non-gelatinous when fresh, not exuding sticky latex when damaged. Trama thin, 20���42.5 ��m thick, composed of hyphae of 2.5���3.5 ��m broad, hyphae hyaline, thin-walled, septa. Hymenium absent. Basidia not seen. Basidiospores globose to subglobose, colorless, [30/1/1] 12���14(���16) �� 11���14 ��m, Q(L/I) = 1.01���1.18, Q m = 1.07 �� 0.05, including ornamentation of less than 0.5 ��m high, consisting of an irregular alveolate reticulum formed by anastomosed ridges, gelatinous perisporium absent, hilar appendix or sterigmal scars not found. Habit, habitat and distribution:���hypogeous, in the soil under mixed forest, dominated by Pinus armandii Franch., Yunnan Province, China., Published as part of Li, Ting, Fu, Hao-Yu & Fan, Li, 2021, Leucogaster solidus sp. nov. (Albatrellaceae, Russulales) from China, pp. 85-92 in Phytotaxa 508 (1) on pages 89-90, DOI: 10.11646/phytotaxa.508.1.8, http://zenodo.org/record/5425813

Leucogaster solidus sp. nov. from southern China is described and illustrated. This species is characterized by the brown to reddish brown and verrucose basidiome, non-gelatinous gleba, thin peridium and trama, and large, globose to subglobose basidiospores with alveolate ornamentation. Phylogenetic analysis supports its taxonomic position in the genus Leucogaster.

The endangered Kashmir musk deer (Moschus cupreus) is native to the high altitudinal region of the Himalayas. In this study, we sequenced, annotated and characterized the complete mitogenome of M. cupreus to gain insight into the molecular phylogeny and evolution of musk deer. The mitogenome of M. cupreus, which is 16,354 bp long comprised 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA genes (tRNAs), two ribosomal RNA genes (rRNAs) and non-coding control region. The M. cupreus mitogenome composition was highly A+T biased 68.42%, and exhibited a positive AT skew (0.082) and negative GC skew (0.307). The phylogenetic analysis suggested that KMD is the most primitive extant species in the genus Moschus whereas Alpine musk deer (M. chrysogaster) and Himalayan musk deer (M. leucogaster) are closely related. This result confirmed the placement of M. cupreus within the monotypic family Moschidae of musk deer. This study provides a better understanding of lineage identification and musk deer evolution for further research.

Kashmir musk deer, KMD (Moschus cupreus) is one the most threatened species reported from the Himalayan region of Kashmir, Pakistan and Afghanistan. A comprehensive and reliable distribution range of musk deer is still lacking. Recently, a molecular study confirmed the presence of KMD in Mustang in Nepal, west of Annapurna Himalayas. Here, we investigated the phylogenetic relationship of musk deer from Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS), and Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), Uttarakhand region, India based on mitochondrial control region. The Bayesian phylogenetic analysis indicated a close genetic relationship between samples from J&K, KWLS and NDBR with identified lineages of KMD from Nepal with high posterior probabilities (PP∼100). It confirmed that the musk deer lineage from the Uttarakhand region of KWLS (1025-3662 m) and NDBR (1800-7817 m) to be of KMD (M. cupreus) and hence a distinct Evolutionary Significant Unit (ESU). Besides, as per the IUCN database, the Western Himalayan region also holds the population of M. leucogaster and M. chrysogaster. Hence, we suggest extensive sampling for proper identification and validation of the geographic limits of musk deer species. We report for the first time the existence of KMD from the Uttarakhand region that we recommend to be updated in the IUCN database. It will assist in the effective conservation and management of this enigmatic endangered species.

In the northwestern Himalayan mountains of India, the hypogeous sequestrate fungus Trappeindia himalayensis is harvested from forests dominated by the ectomycorrhizal tree Cedrus deodara (Himalayan cedar). This truffle has basidiospores that are ornamented with raised reticulation. The original description of Trappeindia himalayensis suggested that the gleba of this species is similar to young specimens of Scleroderma (Boletales), whereas its basidiospores are ornamented with raised reticulation, suggesting a morphological affinity to Leucogaster (Russulales) or Strobilomyces (Boletales). Given this systematic ambiguity, we have generated DNA sequence data from type material and other herbarium specimens and present the first molecular phylogenetic analysis of this unusual Cedrus-associated truffle. Despite the irregular ornamented basidiospore morphology, T. himalayensis is resolved within the genus Rhizopogon (Suillineae, Boletales) and represents a unique lineage that has not been previously detected. All known Rhizopogon species possess an ectomycorrhizal trophic mode, and because of its placement in this lineage, it is likely that Trappeindia himalayensis is an ectomycorrhizal partner of Cedrus deodara. This study highlights the importance of generating sequence data from herbarium specimens in order to identify fungal biodiversity and clarify the systematic relationships of poorly documented fungi.

El conocimiento de la avifauna en México, es el resultado de muchos años de exploraciones en áreas es-pecíficas, sin embargo a pesar del esfuerzo realizado, en algunas regiones de México aún se desconoce su composición y distribución; tal es el caso de los humedales continentales, los cuales representan sitios de invernada y de paso migratorio para una gran variedad de aves acuáticas y terrestres del Neártico, así como sitios de reproducción para especies residentes. Se destacan observaciones realizadas en el Sitio Ramsar Laguna de Sayula, resultado de un estudio avifaunístico a largo plazo con muestreos mensuales durante cinco periodos de migración. Se reportan seis nuevos registros para el humedal y algunos para el interior del estado (Dendrocygna autumnalis, Branta canadensis, Sula leucogaster, Pelecanus occidentalis, Pluvia-lis squatarola y Charadrius semipalmatus) y se informa la presencia de Anser albifrons y Anser rossii con pocos registros publicados para la zona

Very little is known about the reproductive biology of the Gerbilliscus cf. leucogaster (Peters, 1852) despite its wide distribution throughout the southern African subregion. Body mass, reproductive tract morphometrics, and gonadal histology were studied over 12 months in wild caught Gerbilliscus cf. leucogaster from the central part of Namibia to gain insights into the reproductive pattern of this species. The number of Graafian follicles and corpora lutea in 93 females increased at the end of the dry period (September) and throughout the wet months of the year (October–May) relative to that of the dry season (June–August). Pregnant and lactating females were recorded during the wet months of the year, with a peak observed during February. Testicular mass relative to body mass, testicular volume, and seminiferous tubule diameter in 64% of males increased significantly during the rainfall period (October–June). In addition, 8% of males exhibited little spermatogenesis and 28% showed no spermatogenesis or presence of sperm in the epididymis during the dry period (June–August). These findings suggest that the Gerbilliscus cf. leucogaster breeds predominantly during the rainfall period in Namibia when the food resources are more abundant.

Marine debris is pervasive worldwide, and affects biota negatively. We compared the characteristics of debris incorporated within brown booby (Sula leucogaster) nests throughout their pantropical distribution by assessing the type, colour and mass of debris items within nests and in beach transects at 18 sites, to determine if nests are indicators of the amount of debris in local marine environments. Debris was present in 14.4% of nests surveyed, with the proportion of nests with debris varying among sites (range: 0-100%). There was minimal overlap between the type or colour of debris found in nests and on adjacent beaches at individual sites. This suggests that brown boobies do not select debris uniformly across their distribution. We propose that the nests of brown boobies can be used as a sentinel of marine debris pollution of their local environment.

Individual capacity to invest in a reproductive attempt may change over the breeding season, and such changes may be evaluated by potential partners through signaling mechanisms. Coloration of bare parts, such as exposed skin on the throat (gular skin) or feet, is common among avian species and has the potential to be a dynamic, honest signal of current condition, especially when such coloration is carotenoid-dependent. However, few studies have evaluated the repeatability of dynamic coloration of bare parts in the wild. We determined the presence of carotenoid pigments (lutein, zeaxanthin, 13-cis-beta-carotene, and trans-gamma-carotene) in gular skin samples of male and female Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). We then studied color and perceived color variation in the gular skin of both sexes over the reproductive season, from courtship through parental care. We estimated color using Endler's segment method and perceived color using a tetrahedr...

Although the ingestion of plastics and other anthropogenic debris by seabirds is a global problem, few studies have employed standardized protocols to quantify and classify the debris ingested by seabirds in the Southwest Atlantic. We evaluated the ingestion of marine debris (items0.1 mm) by 126 coastal and pelagic birds (19 species) along the coast of Espírito Santo, Eastern Brazil. Debris were found in 30% of birds examined (11 species). Particles1 mm accounted for 35% of all debris items. Most ingested debris were plastics (97%). Ingestion of0.1 g of plastic debris was recorded in five species: Atlantic yellow-nosed albatrosses (Thalassarche chlororhynchos), Cory's shearwaters (Calonectris borealis), Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), and Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus). Our findings suggest that the ingestion of marine debris, especially plastics, is a common problem for coastal and pelagic birds in tropical Southwest Atlantic waters.

Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster) is a species of genus Moschus of the family Moschidae. The species is listed as an Endangered (EN) species by the IUCN red list of threatened animals. And it also has been listed as EN by the red list of China’s vertebrates. We provide a complete mitogenome of M. leucogaster and examine its phylogenetic position with other seven Artiodactyla species. The complete mitogenome is a circular molecule of 16,431 bp in length, containing 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosome RNA genes, 22 transfer RNA genes and one non-coding regions. Using Bayesian phylogenetic methods, we constructed a phylogenetic tree and demonstrated M. leucogaster was a sister relationship to M. chrysogaster. This report provides basic data to conservation genetics and evolution for this EN species.

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.

We studied the breeding phenology of the Brown Booby Sula leucogaster on Nakanokamishima, southern Ryukyu Islands, Japan. During the breeding season (April–November) of 1989 we observed the presence and absence of 18 chicks and measured their growth on a total of 17 days. Egg hatching was observed during April and May. The estimated minimum pre-fledging period ranged from 60 to 100 days and the maximum pre-fledging period ranged from 86 to 122 days, whereas the minimum post-fledging dependence period ranged from 24 to 105 days and the maximum post-fledging dependence lasted from 74 to 124 days. All of the monitored fledglings left the colony by early-November, and the total period over which parents cared for their chicks was 119–197 days (minimum) and 146–208 days (maximum). Body weight and culmen length attained 95% of asymptotic values in 65 and 69 days of age and wing length in 91 days. Six out of 18 fledglings were seen again in the colony, three to seven years after initial independence.

Sexual segregation in the behaviour, morphology or physiology of breeding seabirds can be related to divergent parental roles, foraging niche partitioning or sex-specific nutritional requirements. Here, we combine GPS tracking, dietary and nutritional analysis to investigate sex-specific foraging of Brown Boobies breeding on Raine Island, Great Barrier Reef, Australia. We observed sex-specific segregation in: (1) foraging location: females undertook longer trips, foraging at more distant locations than males; (2) foraging time: male activity and foraging occurred throughout the day, while female activity and foraging increased from midday to an afternoon peak; and (3) prey type, females mostly consumed flying fish, whereas males consumed equal proportions of flying fish and squid. Brown Booby diets contained five tropical prey species that significantly differed in their nutritional composition (Protein, Lipid and Water, wet mass). Despite this variation we found no differences in the overall nutritional content of prey caught by each sex. The observed sex-specific differences in prey type, location and time of capture are likely driven by a combination of a division of labour, risk partitioning and competition. However, Brown Boobies breeding on Raine Island, and other populations, might flexibly partition foraging niches by sex in response to varying competitive and environmental pressures. In light of such potential foraging dynamism, our inconclusive exploration of nutritional segregation between sexes warrants further investigation in the species.

The Western Whipbird (Psophodes nigrogularis) has a highly disjunct west–east distribution across southern Australia. Earlier morphological analyses recognised four subspecies in one species: P. n. nigrogularis and P. n. oberon in south-west Western Australia, and P. n. leucogaster of the Eyre and Yorke Peninsulas and the Murray Mallee, and P. n. lashmari, restricted to Kangaroo Island, both in eastern Australia. Later morphological analyses elevated P. n. nigrogularis to monotypic species rank, and placed the remaining western and two eastern taxa as three subspecies of a second species P. leucogaster. Initial mtDNA analysis questioned both arrangements but could not include all taxa. We used mtDNA sequence data from all available specimens of the entire group (DNA extracted from cryo-preserved tissues, toe-pads and feathers; holotypes excepted) to derive a more stable view of species limits. The samples fell into two strongly divergent but geographically structured groups, completely reflecting ...

Anthropogenic debris has been affecting fauna in different ways. We investigate the frequency of anthropogenic material in nests of a brown booby (Sula leucogaster) colony in the Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago (SPSPA), Rio Grande do Norte, Brazil in February 2015 and November 2016. The items were classified according to type (threadlike plastic, sheet plastics, hard fragments, foamed synthetics and miscellaneous) and color. In 2015, a total of 30 anthropogenic items were found in 20.4% of the nests. In nests containing debris, miscellaneous items were found in 73.6% of nests. White/clear was the most common color, 52.6% of nests containing debris had items of this color. In 2016, 45 anthropogenic items were observed in 13.3% of the nests. Threadlike plastic was found in 59.2% of nests. Blue/purple was the most common color (55.5%). Even far from the Brazilian coast, the S. leucogaster colony has been affected by marine pollution.

Two new monotypic genera and two new species of the mite family Neopygmephoridae (Acari: Pygmephoroidea) associated with small mammals are described from USA: Crossdania gen. nov. with the type species Crossdania tubulosa sp. nov. associated with Northern grasshopper mouse, Onychomys leucogaster (Rodentia: Cricetidae) and Great Basin pocket mouse, Perognathus parvus (Rodentia: Heteromyidae), and Theriodania gen. nov. with the type species Theriodania venusta sp. nov. associated with Merriam's kangaroo rat, Dipodomys merriami (Rodentia: Heteromyidae)., Acarologia, 59, 308-322

Several house bat specimens superficially resembling the white-bellied house bat Scotophilus leucogaster (Cretzschmar, 1830), were recently captured in southwestern Ethiopia and southern South Sudan. These S . cf. leucogaster differed from typical S. leucogaster by their slightly smaller size and ventral coloration, conforming instead with the original description of S . altilis Allen, 1914. Scotophilus altilis is an overlooked taxon known from the Blue Nile region in Sudan that is currently considered a junior synonym of S . leucogaster . Phylogenetic analysis of mitochondrial cytochrome b gene ( cytb ) sequences revealed S . cf. leucogaster as a sister clade to S . leucogaster with a genetic distance of ca. 10%. Comparative specimens of questionable S . nigritellus de Winton, 1899 from northwestern Ethiopia and a wing biopsy sample of another S . cf. leucogaster from western Kenya also fell within this clade. Sequence data from two nuclear markers ( zfy and fgb7 ) corroborated the distinction of S . cf. leucogaster from S . leucogaster . Likewise, morphometric analysis of cranial data largely supported this distinction, as well as taxonomic affiliation with S . altilis based on comparison with the only available paratype specimen. The position of this paratype specimen within the new Scotophilus clade, inferred from analysis of a short fragment of cytb , confirmed its taxonomic identity. Based on the presented evidence, the overlooked East African taxon S. altilis should be resurrected as a full species within the genus Scotophilus .

Seabirds collect debris primarily nearby breeding sites, and thus they may be used to monitor these pollutants in the ocean. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of marine debris used as nesting materials by the brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and to test the species selectivity to debris type and color in two coastal islands of Brazil. We found marine debris in 61% of the brown booby nests on both islands. Fishing gear and hard plastic were the most frequent types of debris. Higher prevalence of fishing gear was found on the island with greater fishery activity. Similarly, hard plastic was the most frequent type of debris in nests and adjacent beach environment. The frequency of debris in brown booby nests can be a potential indicator of the abundance of specific items in surrounding marine waters. Monitoring debris in brown booby nests in a long-term may provide a better understanding of the species⿿ selectivity for specific debris. Furthermore, the impacts of debris in seabird nests at population level remain an overlooked threat that may reduce the quality of nesting habitats. We showed that brown booby nests are widely impacted by marine debris and that these organisms are exposed to this form of pollution from the beginning of their life.

The Brown Booby Sula leucogaster is a seabird with a pantropical distribution across a wide variety of oceanic environments. Sexual size dimorphism in Brown Boobies has been proposed as an explanation for intersexual differences in foraging, but results have been inconsistent. We investigated whether there is context-dependent foraging behaviour driven by local environmental conditions. In this study, we evaluated (1) inter-sex differences in foraging behaviour (by capillary tubes, temperature and depth recorders, and diet) at two colonies in the Gulf of California: Isla San Jorge (ISJ) and Farallon de San Ignacio (FSI) and, (2) intercolonial and interannual differences in foraging behaviour, and (at ISJ) their relationship with local-scale environmental variation, using 5-day composite images of sea surface temperature (SST) and primary productivity (PP) as proxies. Inter-sex differences were few and inconsistent between years, and smaller than overall differences between years and localities. At ISJ, Br...

In this study, chromosome numbers and karyotypes of 11 bat species were analyzed. The animals were captured alive by using nets and handpicking and then chromosome preparations were made from bone marrow cells with colchicines method. Bats were collected from nine localities in Ethiopia, namely: Arbaminch, Batu/Ziway, Waliso, Fiche, Bishoftu/Debre-Zeit, Sof-Umar, Koka, Merehabete and Adaba. The species name and the chromosome number (2n) with their corresponding autosomal fundamental number (FN) obtained are: Hipposideros caffer (2n = 32, FN = 60/62) and Triaenops persicus (2n = 36, FN = 60) are belong to family Hipposideridae; Chaerephon pumilus (2n = 48 and FN = 54/56) with metacentric, acrocentric and acrocentric chromosomes, Chaerephon leucogaster (2n = 48, FN = 54), and Mops condylura (2n = 48, FN = 54) are members of the family Molossidae; Pipistrellus pipistrellus (2n = 36, FN = 52) with metacentric and acrocentric chromosomes, Neoromicia nanus (2n = 36, FN = 48), Miniopterus africanus (2n = 46, FN = 54) and Scotophilus dingani (S. viridis) 2n = 36, FN = 54) with metacentric and acrocentric chromosomes are members of the family Vespertilionidae; Micropteropus pusillus (2n = 35/36, FN = 68) with all the chromosomes being biarmed belongs to family Pteropidae; Nycteris thebaica (2n = 42, FN = 78/80) with 40 biarmed and two acrocentric chromosomes is member of family Nycteridae. Totally, 15 different types of chromosome number, fundamental number and morphology were identified. C. leucogaster has not been recorded in the Ethiopian bats list before. All of these species are karyologically described for the first time from Ethiopia. Some of the karyotypic findings in the present study are in agreement with previous reports from other countries, except for the lack of report on one species (C. leucogaster). In our study, the encountered problems include: lack of karyotypic literatures on Ethiopian bats and taxonomic identification. It is recommended that more karyotypic study of bat species in the country should be done using additional techniques and due attentions should be given to the conservations of this threatened groups of animals because they are declining in diversity as well as in density.

This research was conducted on the island of Marsegu because this area is included in the area of the natural marine tourism park which should be the concern of the government and the community around the island. The study aimed to determine the species of shorebirds found in the Marsegu island region in the western part Seram. The study was conducted in the morning and evening for 2 days at the location which is a gathering place for shorebirds. In the study location, 8 species of shorebirds were found and then inventoried and identified. The number of shorebirds species found in the Marsegu island area was 8 species, among others; Coral egrets (Egratta sacra), Big Egrets (Egretta alba), Trinil Beach (Actitis hypoleucos), Little sea worms (Sterna albifrons), Black wing sea worms (Sterna fuscata), Big (Fregata minor), Sea-eagle belly white (Haliaetus leucogaster), Bondol Hawk (Indus Haliastur), with the dominant species being the Big Cingkalang (Fregata minor). The most common species are large Cikalang (minor Fregata), small sea virgin (Sterna albifrons), and large egret (Egretta alba). Factors that cause the survival of shorebirds on the Marsegu island region because they store a lot of food supplies. In addition, food availability is affected by a lack of human activity in this region and the establishment of this area as a Marine Nature Tourism Park.

Fatal infection by Cyathostoma (Cyathostoma) phenisci (Nematoda: Syngamidae), was identified in 2 of 52 brown boobies (Sula leucogaster) collected on beaches in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and admitted to the veterinary clinic for rehabilitation. Both infected birds were in poor physical condition, with atrophied pectoral muscles, and died soon after starting treatment. The parasitological and pathological examination of the carcasses revealed the presence of C. (C.) phenisci in the trachea, resulting in tracheitis, as well as severe parasitic granulomatous bronchopneumonia caused by eggs deposited in the lungs. In our opinion, these serious pathological changes were the primary cause of chronic respiratory illness. This is the first description of fatal cyathostomiasis in a fish-eating avian host caused by infection by a member of the subgenus Cyathostoma (Cyathostoma). Therefore, it is reasonable to consider C. (C.) phenisci to be a real threat to a wide range of their definitive hosts, and cyathostomiasis should be considered in the differential diagnosis for fish-eating marine birds, even in cases without respiratory signs. This is also the first record of the genus Cyathostoma in Brazil.

A two-year intensive study was carried in and around Chilika lagoon during Irrawaddy dolphin research project in the year 2001 to 2003. Special attention was given on large preying birds including the biggest white-bellied sea eagle with naked eye areal observations. The white-bellied sea eagle is a large diurnal bird of prey in the family Accipitridae. Originally described by Johann Friedrich Gmelin in 1788, it is closely related to Sanford's sea eagle of the Solomon Islands, and the two are considered as superspecies. The other English common names are White-bellied Fish-Eagle or White-bellied Sea-eagle. The taxonomy is monotypic. (http://www.iucnredlist.org/ details/22695097/0). The species is considered as Least Concern (LC) and Lower risk under IUCN Red list. (http://www.iucnredlist.org/). It is categorized as Schedule –I species and protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972.

This study used feathers of brown booby (Sula leucogaster) and magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) from Cagarras Archipelago, an area under strong anthropogenic influence, for evaluating the exposure of these seabirds to Cd, Sn, Mn, Cu and Se. Average concentrations (µg.Kg-1, dry weight) in feathers of brown booby were Cd 28.1, Sn 210.6, Cu 8233.4, Se 2343 and Mn 1635.7 and for frigatebird were Cd 82.9, Sn 319.6, Cu 8008.6, Se 3026 and Mn 5143. Regarding brown boobies, no significant difference was found between sexes or age (adults vs. juveniles) considering all measured elements. In addition, no significant correlation was observed between Sn, Cd and Cu concentrations and the following biometric parameters (BPs): body weight (BW) and tarsus (TrL), wing (WL), tail (TiL) and beak length (BL), for both species. However, significant negative correlations were observed between Se concentrations and TrL for magnificent frigatebird and brown booby. Concerning possible interspecific dissimilarities for juveniles, there was no significant difference for Sn, Se and Cd concentrations; however, significantly higher Cu and Mn concentrations were found in brown boobies. When adults were compared, significantly higher Cd and Mn concentrations were found in magnificent frigatebirds. These interspecific differences may occur due to dissimilarities in diet; however, the feeding habits of these seabirds around the study area are unknown. Additional studies on the diet of these species are necessary to shed further light on the interspecific differences verified. The concentrations found in the feathers of the seabirds in question do not denote a risk for the survival of the seabirds of the Cagarras Archipelago. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17807/orbital.v10i2.1050

The Principe Autonomous Region is recognised as a marine biodiversity hotspot, although little is known about the status of its marine fauna. It holds most breeding seabirds of the tropical eastern Atlantic Ocean. Based on anecdotal accounts of increased fishing and seabird harvesting, regular monitoring of seabird populations is considered a priority. Therefore, a survey of Principe’s seabird colonies was conducted in 2017. The results revealed that the more accessible seabird colonies have disappeared. Around Principe, Bone de Joquei is the present main stronghold for Brown Boobies Sula leucogaster and White-tailed Tropicbirds Phaethon lepturus. The Tinhosas islands hold an estimated 300 000 seabirds, predominantly Sooty Terns Onychoprion fuscatus , but also Brown Boobies, Black Noddies Anous minutus and Brown Noddies Anous stolidus . Long-term multi-annual monitoring is needed to understand the breeding phenology of each species and to better assess population trends. Ensuring a protective status for both Tinhosas and the seabirds under national legislation is a key priority for future conservation policy in Sao Tome and Principe.

In the present study, I monitored nests of the White-bellied Sea Eagle Hialiaeetus leucogaster from September 2012 to September 2013 every two weeks. Maximum 40 adults and 4 juveniles were counted during this study. The 75 nests present here are categorized in five groups: Not occupied (63 %), occupied with low potentiality (12 %), with medium potentiality (20 %), reserved (4 %), and active nest (1 %). Successful breeding was observed only in one nest that raised the problem of nest occupancy and this problem is discussed in this article.

Leg-loop harnesses for the attachment of telemetry devices have been used for over two decades in terrestrial bird research. Recently, the technique has been extended to waterbird applications. An equation exists for predicting the dimensions of correctly fitting leg-loop harnesses in terrestrial bird research. This equation appears robust to the varied life histories of terrestrial birds. Yet, the applicability of this equation for waterbird research has not been tested. Here, we present the dimensions of leg-loop harnesses fitted to Lesser Frigatebirds (Fregata ariel), a sexually dimorphic seabird species. For both sexes, measured harness spans were shorter than those predicted by the terrestrial bird equation. Additionally, leg-loop harnesses trialed on Brown (Sula leucogaster) and Masked (S. dactylatra) boobies were unsuitable and hence unsuccessful. Morphological and behavioral features of species suited to leg-loop harness attachment are identified.

The Great Barrier Reef supports significant breeding populations of tropical seabirds; however, recent evidence has indicated declines in seabird populations across some of the most important breeding sites. Evidence for the cause of these significant declines is lacking but is generally thought to result from inadequate food supplies caused by warmer sea surface temperatures associated with climate change. This paper provides the first detailed investigation into the foraging behaviour of Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster), a species considered to be more susceptible to climate change impacts due to reduced foraging ranges. Fifteen complete foraging trips were recorded from five individuals (three males, two females). Adults typically foraged in shallow inshore reef waters and the mean foraging trip duration was 6.8 ± 2.8 h with a mean foraging range of 14.5 ± 10.1 km and the total distance travelled being 49.5 ± 30.3 km per trip. While most foraging trips occurred during daylight hours, five (33%) trips recorded periods spent at sea at night. The preliminary results presented here suggest that further research across widely dispersed breeding sites and different species investigating the potential drivers of seabird declines in the Great Barrier Reef is warranted.

Cannibalism is the total or partial consumption of a conspecific’s body or eggs, and it has been reported for many bird taxa, particularly carnivorous, colonial species, and those species that ingest fragmented prey. Here we report cannibalism by Brown Booby ( Sula leucogaster ) at Saint Peter and Saint Paul Archipelago, offshore Brazil. We discussed possible causes for this behavior such as opportunistic feeding, colony sanitation and space competition for nesting places.

Twelve bat species of the genus Murina (Vespertilionidae: Murininae) were recorded in Vietnam: Murina annamitica, M. beelzebub, M. chrysochaetes, M. feae, M. cyclotis, M. eleryi, M. fionae, M. harpioloides, M. huttoni, M. leucogaster, M. tiensa, and M. walstoni. The skull measurements of 11 out of the 12 species were osteometrically examined using principal component analyses (PCA) based on 33 craniodental measurements from 150 specimens. Our analyses indicated that according to the overall skull size, the studied species could be divided as follows: large species (M. tiensa and M. fionae), medium-sized species (M. huttoni, M. cyclotis, M. annamitica, M. beelzebub, M. walstoni, and M. feae), and small species (M. eleryi, M. chrysochaetes, and M. harpioloides). The three size clusters did not overlap with each other in terms of total length of the skull (STOTL), mandible length (ML) and log-transformed raw data PC1 scores. Within a cluster, several species pairs overlapped in overall skull size d...

The ecological adaptations of parasitoids associated with bark- and wood-boring insects, i.e. saproxylic insects, are presented principally from examples of Ichneumonoidea but also other families of saproxylic parasitoids typically associated with insects inhabiting dead wood. Morphological adaptations to hosts living in wood, behaviours related to parasitism of the host and life strategies of saproxylic idiobionts and koinobionts are characterised. From the example of Doryctes leucogaster (Nees) (Doryctinae, Braconidae), details of searching behaviour and the oviposition process are described. Brief summaries of the main “saproxylic” subfamilies of Ichneumonidae and Braconidae followed by Stephanidae, Aulacidae, Ibaliidae and Orussidae are included. Habitat requirements of saproxylic ichneumonoid parasitoids in boreal and temperate forests are presented in relation to forest successional stage and the type and position of woody substrates. The potential role of saproxylic parasitoids as indicators of saproxylic habitat quality is discussed, and the lack of ecological knowledge for most saproxylic parasitoid taxa, especially from tropical zones, is indicated.

Despite many biotic, physical, and political challenges for place-based conservation in open ocean environments, conservation of discrete oceanic regions by designating pelagic marine protected areas (PMPAs) has gained considerable traction. In the oligotrophic central Pacific, a patchy and dynamic ecosystem, a robust network of PMPAs has recently been established. However, evaluations of PMPA efficacy in providing appropriate habitat coverage for pelagic species are lacking, particularly in the tropics. Here, we used high resolution GPS tracking and home range analyses of tropical boobies to determine the distribution and foraging habitat use of three sympatric species (Sula sula, Sula dactylatra, and Sula leucogaster) in two PMPAs that varied substantially in size and shape. At each site we characterized the extent and use of foraging habitat inside and outside the PMPA that surrounded each breeding colony. We found profound variation within and among species in foraging behavior and habitat use across the two sites; this was partially explained by variation in bathymetry. Yet, despite variation both in PMPA size and shape, and in foraging behavior of the birds, we determined that the PMPAs each encapsulated more than 85% (n = 216 trips) of foraging habitat for each species, indicating that these PMPAs provided important habitat coverage for highly mobile tropical species. While this study highlights the challenges in effectively designing PMPAs even for relatively well-studied, central place foragers, given strong variation in foraging ecologies across sites, it also suggests that PMPAs do provide meaningful habitat coverage for at least some pelagic species.

Levels of trace elements were investigated in feathers of 51 adults and 47 eggshells of brown boobies Sula leucogaster from one bird colony in the Marine National Park of Currais Islands, Brazil, between December 2013 and October 2014. Average concentrations (μg g−1, dry weight) in feathers and eggshells, respectively, were Al 50.62–9.58, As 0.35–2.37, Cd 0.05–0.03, Co 0.38–2.1, Cu 15.12–0.99, Fe 47.47–22.92, Mg 815.71–1116.92, Ni 0.29–11.85, and Zn 94.16–1.98. In both arrays, the average concentration of Mg was the highest among all the elements analyzed, while the lowest was recorded for Cd. As and Ni presented levels at which biological impacts might occur. Zn concentrations were higher than those considered normal in other organs. Levels of Al, Fe, Cu, Zn, and Cd were higher in feathers, whereas higher contents of Mg, Co, Ni, and As occurred in eggshells. The comparison between the elements in eggshells collected at different seasons showed no significant difference (p > 0.05) due, probably, to the lack of temporal variation on foraging behavior and/or on bioavailability of trace elements. Metals and arsenic in feathers and eggshells were mostly not correlated. Future studies on Parana coast should focus on the speciation of the elements, especially As, Ni, and Zn, which proved to be a possible problem for the environment and biota. It is necessary to investigate both matrices, shell and internal contents of the eggs, in order to verify if the differences previously reported in other studies also occur in eggs of brown boobies in the Marine National Park of Currais Islands.

Diving abilities of fledging Brown Boobies (Sula leucogaster) were characterized during the transition to independence period, and potential inter-sex differences (females are larger than males) were evaluated. Mean and maximum diving depths and mean dive duration increased gradually following the fledglings' first flights. The diving rate and the proportion of active dives (U type) increased notably between days 21 and 25 after first flight. However, maximum dive duration was not influenced by time since first flight, and none of the dive variables evaluated was influenced by sex. In Brown Boobies, acquisition of diving abilities by juveniles is a gradual process, and this can be an important driver of their extended post-fledging parental care.

The current study describes the chewing lice community associated with seabird populations resident at the Sao Pedro and Sao Paulo Archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Adults of three species of seabirds were captured using hand-nets for the collection of biometric data and specimens of ectoparasites. In total, 320 birds were examined (120 Sula leucogaster (Boddaert), Brown Booby; 120 Anous stolidus (L.), --Brown Noddy; and 80 Anous minutus Boie, Black Noddy) of which 95% were infested with 8,625 chewing lice, representing eight species of the genera Actornithophilus, Austromenopon, Eidmanniella, Pectinopygus, Quadraceps, and Saemundssonia. On S. leucogaster, Pectinopygus garbei (Pessoa & Guimaraes) was more prevalent and had a mean and median intensity of infestation significantly greater than those recorded for Eidmanniella albescens (Piaget). On the two Noddies, the species of Actornithophilus and Quadraceps were significantly more prevalent and abundant than Austromenopon atrofulvum (Piaget) and Saemundssonia remota Timmermann Most of the louse species had a highly aggregated distribution, with k exponent of the negative binomial distribution ranging from 0.04 to 3.06. A weak but significant correlation was found between the abundance of chewing lice and morphometric variables (body weight, wing, beak, tail, and tarsus lengths). It is possible that high rates of infestation have a negative effect on the morphological characteristics of the hosts, including the health of the plumage. All the lice species collected--except for P. garbei (ex S. leucogaster)--were reported for the first time from Brazilian populations of these seabird species.

Indexación: Web of Science; Scielo. We present a review of the current state of knowledge of the Pantropical Boobies, namely: the Red-footed Booby (Sula sula), the Brown Booby (S. leucogaster) and the Masked Booby (S. dactylatra) throughout the Chilean oceanic islands. The lack of information on this group means that it is not possible to accurately determine the current status of these species in Chilean waters. It is thus imperative to increase monitoring effort and develop research projects in order to fill the knowledge gaps for these species in particular and insular avifauna in general. Finally, the first documented record of Brown Booby in Chile is reported. De acuerdo con Ainley (1980), 9 de las 156 familias de aves del mundo están especializadas como aves marinas. Dentro de éstas, se encuentra la familia Sulidae, que comprende los géneros Sula (piqueros) y Morus (alcatraces), pertenecientes a un orden ancestral que probablemente se originó hace más de 60 millones de años. En el género Sula, se encuentra un grupo de piqueros denominados piqueros pantropicales, que incluyen al piquero café (Sula leucogaster), al piquero blanco (S. dactylatra) y al piquero de patas rojas (S. sula) (Carboneras 1992). Estas especies, de amplia distribución en zonas tropicales y correlacionadas con la distribución de presas como peces voladores (Murphy 1936), se han adaptado a vivir en ambientes similares y poseen distribuciones e historias de vida paralelas (Carboneras 1992). El estado del conocimiento de la ornitofauna de las islas oceánicas chilenas es escaso, aun cuando las especies que habitan estas islas son relativamente conocidas a nivel mundial, se mantiene lo indicado por Schlatter (1984) hace casi 3 décadas: se conoce muy poco a nivel local sobre su abundancia relativa, biología y estado actual, especialmente en aquellas islas de más difícil acceso. Schlatter (1987) hizo un diagnóstico de esta problemática indicando que el estado ecológico de las islas es desalentador. Por lo anterior, el objetivo del presente trabajo fue determinar el estado de conocimiento de los piqueros pantropicales que habitan en las islas oceánicas de Chile. http://ref.scielo.org/nqrvnt

Northern grasshopper mice (Onychomys leucogaster) have been implicated as a potential reservoir for plague, which causes local extinction of black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) colonies. To identify mechanisms by which grasshopper mice could facilitate plague spread, we measured burrow use, movements, and flea burdens of mice in colonies in northern Colorado. At the microhabitat scale, powder-tracked mice (n = 41) used both prairie dog mounds and burrows extensively, entering an average of 5.3 burrows per 100 m traveled. Burrow use did not differ between active and inactive mounds, or vary with mouse age, sex, or reproductive status. Radiotracking revealed that mice occupied larger ranges (X = 3.84 ha) than reported off colonies, which we estimated would overlap 12–23 prairie dog coterie territories. Mice also harbored high flea burdens (8.1 fleas/mouse), including fleas associated with prairie dogs, which we attributed to their frequent use of burrows. Our results support the conten...

The Moleques do Sul Archipelago has great importance for seabirds on the Brazilian coast as it houses breeding populations of various species. This archipelago represents the southern limit for the breeding colonies of the brown boobies ( Sula leucogaster ). In order to verify the influence of environmental factors on the abundance of adults and nestling of a Sula leucogaster population, we collected population data of this species in the archipelago between 2002 and 2007 for comparison to climatological data of the region. We generated seven multiple regression models to confront sex, age, number of nests and specimens, as well as adult and offspring mortality, to temperature, relative humidity, precipitation, atmospheric pressure on sea level and wind speed. Results showed that adults were positively related to average wind speed and negatively related to atmospheric pressure. Pressure also negatively influenced offspring, whereas number of nests was negatively affected by average wind speed. Adult and offspring mortality could not be explained by the variables. The correlations found in this study corroborate literature information for other researches on seabird in islands. Keywords: brown booby, climate, islands.

In his five publications Nees (1811–1834) described 263 braconid species originating mainly from Germany and, less in number, from a further seven countries in Europe. The braconid species were assigned to 19 genera: twelve have been created by him and the rest (seven genera) by three other authors. The majority of the species (218) remained valid, the rest of the names (45) were placed in synonymy (by other authors). By his descriptions the species and genera are more or less recognizable, nevertheless their redescriptions are promoting their unambiguous recognition. In the first checklist provided, the genera and species are presented following Nees’s original denominations and the current valid generic and species names are listed (denoted by an equals (=) sign). In the second checklist, the current valid generic and species names are compared with the original generic and species names. In the third checklist, the braconid species of 16 other authors included in Nees five publications are listed. New author’s names for three species are provided: Doryctes leucogaster Ziegler, 1834 ( Bacon ), Microgaster nigricans Gyllenhal, 1834 and Microplitis sordipes (Ziegler, 1834) ( Microgaster ); the author of these three species was Nees. The Nees Collection (braconid and other material) was destroyed at the end of the Second World War.