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Funder: American Ornithological Society; Id: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/100012457, The hyper-diverse clade Passeriformes (crown group passerines) comprises over half of extant bird diversity, yet disproportionately few studies have targeted passerine comparative anatomy on a broad phylogenetic scale. This general lack of research attention hinders efforts to interpret the passerine fossil record and obscures patterns of morphological evolution across one of the most diverse clades of extant vertebrates. Numerous potentially important crown passeriform fossils have proven challenging to place phylogenetically, due in part to a paucity of phylogenetically informative characters from across the passerine skeleton. Here, we present a detailed analysis of the morphology of extant passerine carpometacarpi, which are relatively abundant components of the passerine fossil record. We sampled >70% of extant family-level passerine clades (132 extant species) as well as several fossils from the Oligocene of Europe and scored them for 54 phylogenetically informative carpometacarpus characters optimised on a recently published phylogenomic scaffold. We document a considerable amount of previously undescribed morphological variation among passerine carpometacarpi, and, despite high levels of homoplasy, our results support the presence of representatives of both crown Passeri and crown Tyranni in Europe during the Oligocene.

In passerines, high species richness is driven mainly by dense occupation of the trait space rather than by an increased volume of the trait space. This niche packing mechanism would be allowed by increased specialization. Here we studied the Tyranni to investigate how species from the parvorders Tyrannida and Furnariida share the trait space. Because Furnariida include more specialized species in diet and foraging, we expected niche packing to be a predominant mechanism driving species richness in this group and tested (1) whether differences exist in local functional structure and the spatial regularity of occupied functional space between the groups and, if so, (2) whether the differences in local functional structure are explained by species trait combinations, species abundances, or both. We calculated indexes of functional diversity (alpha diversity), variation in trait composition (beta diversity), and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs). We recorded 32 and 30 species in each passerine group using point counts for 4 years in an undisturbed continuous forest of southern Brazil. Although both groups presented similar overall richness, our models indicated that Furnariida had more species per transect and higher diversity values than those of Tyrannida but lower dissimilarity and turnover of traits. Furthermore, linear models of species richness and functional richness had higher slopes for Tyrannida than for Furnariida. Our study suggests two different strategies in Tyranni: while species richness in Tyrannida is reached by higher dissimilarity among local assemblages, in Furnariida species packing is the dominant mechanism.

The gnateaters Conopophaga spp. are insectivorous passerines commonly observed in high and humid forests, where they remain lodged in thin branches and, sometimes, they fly to the ground to catch insects. The insectivorous feeding habit is related to low prevalence and density of coccidians in passerines; however, several coccidian species are recorded for families of insectivorous passerines. This study aimed to examine the feces from gnateaters Conopophaga spp. captured in the municipality of Barra Mansa and in the Itatiaia National Park, State of Rio de Janeiro, Southeastern Brazil, to determine what coccidian parasites were present. Nine gnateaters were captured with mist nets. Coccidian oocysts were recovered from the fecal samples by flotation in Sheather’s saturated solution. Morphological observations, line drawings, photomicrographs and measurements were made in optical microscopy and digitally edited. The molecular analysis included the study of the sequence of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene, with phylogenetic reconstructions based on the neighbor-joining and maximum likelihood analysis. Four Conopophaga spp. were positive for oocysts. An Isospora sp. considered as new to science is described and identified from Conopophaga melanops (Vieillot, 1818) and Conopophaga lineata (Wied, 1831). Isospora borbai n. sp. has oocysts that are subspheroidal, 17–22 × 15–22 (20.2 × 19.1) µm, with rough, bilayered wall, c.1.7 μm thick. Micropyle present, but without micropyle cap. Oocyst residuum absent, but one or two polar granules are present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12–15 × 8–11 (14.1 × 9.1) µm. The Stieda body is knob-like to half-moon-shaped and sub-Stieda body is rounded. Sporocyst residuum is present, composed of scattered spherules of different sizes. Sporozoites are vermiform with refractile body and nucleus. Molecular analysis at the cox1 gene exhibited similarity greater than 99% with Isospora spp. isolates from other Neotropical passerine birds. Based on the morphological and molecular features, I. borbai is considered as new to science and the first coccidian species recorded from Conopophagidae.

The subject of this paper is the political structure of Sicilian and South-Italian (Magna Graecia) poleis from 466 to 406 BCE. In 1968 Moses I. Finley launched the hypothesis of a «democratic interlude» in Sicily. This hypothesis and the associated claim that different poleis in Sicily and South-Italy became democratic after a tyrannical era has been heavily debated by historians, particularly the political structure in Syracuse from 466 to 406 BCE and Akragas from 472 to 406 BCE. Various interpretations of the source material exist, and two main perspectives can be identified. One school of thought agrees with Finley by regarding multiple poleis as democratic. The other takes a more sceptical approach and includes those who argue that a democratic form of government is difficult to verify through the source material. However, some historians within the second school of thought agree that Syracuse was an exception, and that this polis can be described as democratic during the period spanning 412 to 406 BCE, despite the source material being limited. I argue that Thucydides, Aristotle and Diodorus Siculus gave too narrow an account of the underlining political structure in different Sicilian and South-Italian poleis. Using the comparative method and constructed different multivariable tables I demonstrate how the three authors used demokratia and oligarkhia to categorise different poleis in Greece around the Aegean Sea, as well as various poleis in Sicily and South-Italy. The general investigation of how the authors classified different poleis in Greece and around the Aegean Sea as well as my investigation of how they used demokratia generally in their work has helped interpret their use of this term regarding different Sicilian and South-Italian poleis. My findings demonstrate that the source materials regarding Syracuse, Akragas (the two poleis on Sicily that we today have the most knowledge of), Gela, Himera, Kamarina, Katane, Leontinoi, Messana/Zankle, Naxos, Selinous, Kroton, Lokroi, Metapontion, Rhegion, Taras and Thourioi are too limited to classify them as democratic. The source material demonstrated that Syracuse, Akragas, and the other poleis in Sicily and South-Italy may have had a form of majority rule where decisions were made by a popular assembly (ekklesiasterion). The sources maintained a direct link between popular assemblies and democracies, but this is not necessarily enough to demonstrate that these city-states actually were democratic. «The people» who could attend the popular assembly were not made evident in the sources and they fail to illustrate how both the «poor» and the «rich» had direct control over the political institutions. An additional point is that the absence of tyranny, a point Diodorus seemed to focus on, is not the same as the presence of democracy. The claim made by Finley and his hypothesis regarding the «democratic interlude» is problematic and has rightly been contested by several historians. However, in my opinion the republican form of government is a more fitting classification of the societies in Sicily and South-Italy. The term opens for the possibility that these societies could have had different democratic and oligarchic practices within their political systems, without defining them as either democratic or oligarchic. Thucydides, Aristotle and Diodorus provide some of the most thorough descriptions of the political structure in different Sicilian and South-Italian societies. There are however some issues regarding these sources. Thucydides and Aristotle never visited Sicily nor South-Italy. Their historical accuracy may therefore be questioned. Moreover, Thucydides` characterisations and his use of speeches to describe the political landscape in Syracuse and other Sicilian poleis are problematic. We can not definitively prove that his narrative is not the product of his own imagination or misinformation, or at the very least influenced by it. Another issue is the meaning behind his comparison of unspecified societies in Sicily (with the exclusion of Syracuse) with Athens` political and military structure. Similar challenges can be found in Aristotle`s categorisations. He defined Syracuse`s governmental form twice, both as a «democracy» and «politeia» from 466 to 415 BCE. Politeia is a term Aristoteles used to classify societies that had a mixture of democratic and oligarchic practices. He later stated that Syracuse, after their victory over Athens in 413 BCE, changed its existing constitutional government politeia into a democracy. These discrepancies, in terms of governmental forms and what politeia indicates have led to different interpretations within the historical community. Diodorus` descriptions are also flawed. He wrote during the Hellenistic era and this could have affected his narrative and his political characterisations. My inquiry into how the authors used the term demokratia and how the Classical and Hellenistic authors may have differed, occupies a large portion of my thesis. By using the comparative method, I have discovered that Diodorus shared many similarities with Thucydides and Aristotle, but that he differed on two essential points. On the one hand he used demokratia to categorise non-Greek societies, whilst on the other hand he used demokratia to pigeonhole societies that revolted against existing tyrannies in a greater degree than Thucydides and Aristotle did. In his evaluation of Sicilian societies, he focused on the fact that these poleis became democratic after their revolt against oppressive tyrannies and this form of characterisation is problematic. Historie mastergradsoppgave HIS350 MAHF-LÆHR MAHF-HIS

Passeriformes is the most diverse bird order. Nevertheless, passerines have a remarkably poor early fossil record. In addition, high osteological homoplasy across passerines makes partial specimens difficult to systematically assign precisely. Here we describe one of the few earliest fossil passerines, from the early Oligocene (ca 30 Ma) of southern France, and one of the best preserved and most complete. This fossil can be conservatively assigned to Tyrannida, a subclade of the New World Tyranni (Suboscines), i.e. of the Tyrannides. A most probably stem-representative of Tyrannida, the new fossil bears strong resemblance with some manakins (Pipridae), possibly due to plesiomorphy. Furthermore, it yields a new point of calibration for molecular phylogenies, already consistent with the age of the fossil. Tyrannida, and the more inclusive Tyrannides, are today confined to the New World. Therefore, the new fossil calls for scenarios of transatlantic crossing during or near the Oligocene. Later, the European part of the distribution of the Tyrannida disappeared, leading to a relictual modern New World distribution of this clade, a pattern known in other avian clades. The history of Tyrannida somehow mirrors that of the enigmatic Sapayoa aenigma, sole New World representative of the Eurylaimides (Old World Tyranni), with transatlantic crossing probably caused by similar events.

Passeriformes is the largest and most diverse avian order in the world and comprises the Passeri and Tyranni suborders. These suborders constitute a monophyletic group, but differ in their ecology and history of occupation of South America. We investigated the influence of biogeographic history on functional and phylogenetic diversities of Passeri and Tyranni in forest and savanna habitats in the Brazilian Amazon. We compiled species composition data for 34 Passeriformes assemblages, 12 in savannas and 22 in forests. We calculated the functional (Rao's quadratic entropy, FDQ) and phylogenetic diversities (mean pairwise distance, MPD, and mean nearest taxon distance, MNTD), and the functional beta diversity to investigate the potential role of biogeographic history in shaping ecological traits and species lineages of both suborders. The functional diversity of Passeri was higher than for Tyranni in both habitats. The MPD for Tyranni was higher than for Passeri in forests; however, there was no difference between the suborders in savannas. In savannas, Passeri presented higher MNTD than Tyranni, while in forest areas, Tyranni assemblages showed higher MNTD than Passeri. We found a high functional turnover (~75%) between Passeri and Tyranni in both habitats. The high functional diversity of Passeri in both habitats is due to the high diversity of ecological traits exhibited by species of this group, which enables the exploitation of a wide variety of resources and foraging strategies. The higher Tyranni MPD and MNTD in forests is likely due to Tyranni being older settlers in this habitat, resulting in the emergence and persistence of more lineages. The higher Passeri MNTD in savannas can be explained by the existence of a larger number of different Passeri lineages adapted to this severe habitat. The high functional turnover between the suborders in both habitats suggests an ecological strategy to avoid niche overlap.

Background Passeriformes (“perching birds” or passerines) make up more than half of all extant bird species. The genome of the zebra finch, a passerine model organism for vocal learning, was noted previously to contain thousands of short interspersed elements (SINEs), a group of retroposons that is abundant in mammalian genomes but considered largely inactive in avian genomes. Results Here we resolve the deep phylogenetic relationships of passerines using presence/absence patterns of SINEs. The resultant retroposon-based phylogeny provides a powerful and independent corroboration of previous sequence-based analyses. Notably, SINE activity began in the common ancestor of Eupasseres (passerines excluding the New Zealand wrens Acanthisittidae) and ceased before the rapid diversification of oscine passerines (suborder Passeri – songbirds). Furthermore, we find evidence for very recent SINE activity within suboscine passerines (suborder Tyranni), following the emergence of a SINE via acquisition of a different tRNA head as we suggest through template switching. Conclusions We propose that the early evolution of passerines was unusual among birds in that it was accompanied by de-novo emergence and activity of SINEs. Their genomic and transcriptomic impact warrants further study in the light of the massive diversification of passerines. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13100-017-0104-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Current generation high-throughput sequencing technology has facilitated the generation of more genomic-scale data than ever before, thus greatly improving our understanding of avian biology across a range of disciplines. Recent developments in linked-read sequencing (Chromium 10&times, ) and reference-based whole-genome assembly offer an exciting prospect of more accessible chromosome-level genome sequencing in the near future. We sequenced and assembled a genome of the Hairy-crested Antbird (Rhegmatorhina melanosticta), which represents the first publicly available genome for any antbird (Thamnophilidae). Our objectives were to (1) assemble scaffolds to chromosome level based on multiple reference genomes, and report on differences relative to other genomes, (2) assess genome completeness and compare content to other related genomes, and (3) assess the suitability of linked-read sequencing technology for future studies in comparative phylogenomics and population genomics studies. Our R. melanosticta assembly was both highly contiguous (de novo scaffold N50 = 3.3 Mb, reference based N50 = 53.3 Mb) and relatively complete (contained close to 90% of evolutionarily conserved single-copy avian genes and known tetrapod ultraconserved elements). The high contiguity and completeness of this assembly enabled the genome to be successfully mapped to the chromosome level, which uncovered a consistent structural difference between R. melanosticta and other avian genomes. Our results are consistent with the observation that avian genomes are structurally conserved. Additionally, our results demonstrate the utility of linked-read sequencing for non-model genomics. Finally, we demonstrate the value of our R. melanosticta genome for future researchers by mapping reduced representation sequencing data, and by accurately reconstructing the phylogenetic relationships among a sample of thamnophilid species.

AIM: Many hypotheses exist to explain the astonishing variation in geographical range size across species, but these have rarely been tested under a unifying framework that simultaneously considers direct and indirect effects of ecological niche processes and evolutionary dynamics. Here, we jointly evaluate ecological and evolutionary hypotheses that might account for global interspecific patterns of range size in the most species‐rich avian order: Passeriformes (perching birds). LOCATION: Global. TIME PERIOD: Current. MAJOR TAXA STUDIED: Order Passeriformes. METHODS: We used phylogenetic path analysis to test for the relationship between eight variables and range size. Our list of predictors included a set of niche‐related variables (both Grinellian and Eltonian), species‐specific morphological and life‐history traits (body size, dispersal ability and fertility), extrinsic (human footprint) and evolutionary factors (time since divergence from the closest extant relative). RESULTS: We found that Grinellian (climatic) and Eltonian (trophic) niche breadth are crucial to account for the observed patterns, followed by reproductive effort (as measured by clutch size). We also found a negative relationship between native range size and human footprint. The significant and positive relationship between niche breadth, either Grinnellian or Eltonian, and range size was consistent across all species, irrespective of their migratory/resident status or taxonomic grouping (Passeri versus Tyranni). MAIN CONCLUSIONS: Globally, the range sizes of passerine species are associated with the Grinellian niche, meaning that species with broader environmental tolerances exhibit larger geographical ranges. These findings give further empirical support to the positive niche breadth–range size relationship as a general pattern in ecology.

Extra-pair paternity (EPP) appears to be widespread in passerine birds, but few studies have focused on suboscine species, and therefore it is unclear if this generalization can be extended to this group. In this study, we document high rates of EPP in a socially monogamous, suboscine passerine, the Scissor-tailed Flycatcher (Tyrannus forficatus) in southwest Oklahoma in the summers of 2009–2011. Averaged across years, EPP occurred in 66% of nests in our study population and accounted for 49% of all nestlings. EPP rates were variable (50–88%), but did not differ significantly among years or between two study sites. Our review of the literature yielded EPP data for only 11 other species of suboscines (0.7% of total), which we compared to EPP rates for the 83 oscine species (1.9% of total) reported in Spottiswoode and Moller (2004). EPP was as common and variable in suboscines (21.7% of young) as oscines (17.5% of young). Our study adds to our knowledge of mating systems in the understudied subosci...

Made available in DSpace on 2018-11-26T16:48:18Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2016-01-01 General Biology Department of the Russian Academy of Science Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) German Academic Exchange Service - DAAD Two new quill mite species collected from passerine birds in Brazil are described: Torotrogla synallaxis sp. nov. from Synallaxis spixi Sclater (Funariidae) and Syringophilopsis bonariensis sp. nov. from Molothrus bonariensis (Gmelin) (Icteridae). Additionally, three syringophilid species were recorded from new host species captured in Minas Gerais, Brazil: Syringophilopsis tyranni Bochkov and Galloway, 2004 from Satrapa icterophrys (Vieillot) (Tyrannidae); Syringophiloidus stawarczyki Skoracki, 2004 from Dacnis cayana (Linnaeus) (Thraupidae) and Syringophiloidus parapresentalis Skoracki, 2011 from Turdus rufiventris Vieillot (Turdidae). The syringophilid fauna presently recorded from Brazil is summarized. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:XXXX Adam Mickiewicz Univ, Dept Anim Morphol, Fac Biol, Poznan, Poland Russian Acad Sci, Zool Inst, St Petersburg, Russia Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool, Rio Claro, Brazil Univ Sao Paulo, Museu Zool, Ipiranga, Brazil Univ Estadual Paulista, Dept Zool, Rio Claro, Brazil General Biology Department of the Russian Academy of Science: 01201351187 FAPESP: 2011/50145-0 FAPESP: 2011/11420-5 FAPESP: 2012/06951-4 German Academic Exchange Service - DAAD: A/12/05065

A species of Isospora Schneider, 1881 (Protozoa: Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) considered as new to science is described and characterised molecularly from the eastern white-throated spadebill Platyrinchus mystaceus Vieillot in the Parque Nacional do Itatiaia, southeastern Brazil. Isospora lopesi n. sp. has oocysts that are subspheroidal to ovoidal, 18–24 × 18–22 (20.6 × 19.7) µm, with smooth, bilayered wall, c.1.5 μm thick. Micropyle and oocyst residuum are absent, but one polar granule is present. Sporocysts are ellipsoidal, 12–16 × 8–11 (14.4 × 8.6) µm. The Stieda body is flattened to half-moon-shaped and sub-Stieda body is rounded. Sporocyst residuum is present, consisting of numerous spherules of different sizes. Sporozoites are vermiform with anterior and posterior refractile bodies and nucleus. Molecular analysis was conducted at the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (cox1) gene. This new isolate exhibited similarity greater than 98% with Isospora spp. isolates from spectacled warblers Sylvia conspicillata Temminck, 1820. This is the fourth isosporoid coccidian described from New World tyrannid birds, but is the first to have a complementary molecular characterisation.

The memorization and production of song in songbirds share important parallels with the process of speech acquisition in humans. In songbirds, these processes are dependent on a group of specialized telencephalic nuclei known as the song system: HVC (used as a proper name), RA (robust nucleus of arcopallium), LMAN (lateral magnocellular nucleus of the nidopallium) and striatal Area X. A recent study suggested that the arcopallium of the Sayornis phoebe, a non vocal learner suboscine species, contains a nucleus with some properties similar to those of songbird RA, suggesting that the song system may have been present in the last common ancestor of these groups. Here we report morphological and gene expression evidence that a region with some properties similar to RA is present in another suboscine, the Amazonian endemic Willisornis poecilinotus. Specifically, a discrete domain with a distinct Nissl staining pattern and that expresses the RA marker RGS4 was found in the arcopallium where the oscine RA is localized. Our findings, combined with the previous report on the S. phoebe, suggest that an arcopallial region with some RA-like properties was present in the ancestor of both Suboscines infraorders Tyranni and Furnarii, and is possibly an ancestral feature of Passeriformes.

We describe Scytalopus perijanus (Perija Tapaculo), a new species in the family Rhinocryptidae (suborder Tyranni) found in humid montane and elfin forests (1,600–3,225 m elevation) in the Serrania de Perija of Colombia and Venezuela. Although specimens of this taxon have been available in museums since 1941, they were not carefully studied and were ascribed to different taxa of the latebricola and atratus groups. We obtained a modern series of specimens that, coupled with analysis of vocal and genetic data, clarified this taxonomic puzzle. The new Scytalopus exhibits distinctive morphological and vocal traits with respect to all other known species and represents a differentiated evolutionary lineage within a clade of northern species, including S. meridanus, S. caracae, and S. latebricola. The new species has not been recorded in sympatry with any other Scytalopus, but it may overlap at lower elevations with S. atratus nigricans, although each uses different microhabitats. Ecological niche model...

Unlike in temperate forests, bird communities in neo-tropical forests are largely composed of species of Tyranni, or suboscines, a suborder of passeriform birds that do not learn their songs. Thus, songs of suboscines are typically acoustically simple compared to the complex songs of Passeri, the oscine passeriforms. While a great deal is known about oscine song, few descriptions of the repertoires of tropical suboscines have been published, and relatively little is known about the use and function of song in suboscines. Additionally, whether suboscines can recognize individuals by voice alone has received little attention. One representative of these tropical suboscines is the buff-throated woodcreeper (Xiphorhynchus guttatus, Dendrocolaptinae), a bird commonly found in the forests of the tropical Americas. To investigate the possibility for individual variation in songs of this species, we recorded buff-throated woodcreepers at dawn and dusk in Amazonian Peru. From these recordings, we document two long-range song types, describe their acoustic parameters, and examine their occurrence at different times of day and across two seasons. Quantitative analysis of frequency, timing, and pattern of songs revealed that woodcreeper vocalizations varied significantly among individuals. A discriminant function analysis of song parameters successfully assigned a majority of songs to the correct individual. Despite their relatively simple structure, the vocalizations of buff-throated woodcreepers vary consistently among individuals but apparently not so distinctly as those of many oscines. Questions remain regarding whether the buffthroated woodcreeper can use these differences for individual recognition and how the two song types function in communication.

While the monophyly of the largest avian order Passeriformes as well as its suborders suboscines (Tyranni) and oscines (Passeri) is well established, lower phylogenetic relationships of this fast radiated taxon have been a continuous matter of debate, especially within the suborder oscines. Many studies analyzing phylogenetic relationships of the Passeriformes using molecular markers have been published, which led to a better resolved phylogeny. Conflicting hypotheses and still remaining uncertainties, especially within the Passerida, have repeatedly stimulated further research with additional new markers. In the present study we used a combination of established molecular markers (RAG-1, RAG-2, c-myc) and the recently introduced ZENK. We accomplished phylogenetic analyses using maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference, both separately for all genes and simultaneously. To assess the phylogenetic utility of the different genes in avian systematics we analyzed the influence of each data partition on the phylogenetic tree yielded by the combined approach using partitioned Bremer support. Compared with the other single gene analyses, the ZENK trees exhibited by far the best resolution and showed the lowest amount of homoplasy. Our data indicate that this gene is—at least in passerines—suitable for inference of even old taxonomic splits. Our combined analysis yields well-supported phylogenetic hypotheses for passerine phylogeny and apart from corroborating recently proposed hypotheses on phylogenetic relationships in the Passeriformes we provide evidence for some new hypotheses. The subdivision of the Passerida into three superfamilies, Sylvioidea, Passeroidea and Muscicapoidea, the first as sister to the two latter groups is strongly supported. We found evidence for a split between Paridae and the remaining Sylvioidea. © The Willi Hennig Society 2007.

SUMMARY On the basis of supposed differences in the shape of the spina externa of the sternum, the number of cervical vertebrae, the deep plantar tendons, the quadrato-jugal articulation, and the size of the hallux, the Eurylaimidae were put in a separate suborder, the Eurylaimi. All of these characters are now shown to be variable within the family or shared with other suboscine families. It is recommended that the subordinal designation “Eurylaimi” be abandoned and that the family be included in the suborder Tyranni. A number of characters point to the Cotingidae as the nearest possible extant relatives of the Eurylaimidae. The Eurylaimidae consist of a number of unrelated genera with several relict species, and probably represent the remains of an ancient, once more widespread group that became isolated and gave rise to the suboscine fauna in South America while being largely replaced by oscines in the Old World. Recognition of subfamilies within the Eurylaimidae is discouraged. Smitkornis should be considered the most advanced of the eurylaimids. The sequence of suboscine families is discussed and a rearrangement is suggested.

While the monophyly of the order Passeriformes as well as its suborders suboscines (Tyranni) and oscines (Passeri) is well established, both on morphological and molecular grounds, lower phylogenetic relationships have been a continuous matter of debate, especially within oscines. This is particularly true for the rockfowls (genus Picathartes), which phylogenetic classification has been an ongoing puzzle. Sequence-based molecular studies failed in deriving unambiguously resolved and supported hypotheses. We present here a novel approach: use of retrotransposon insertions as phylogenetic markers in passerine birds. Chicken repeat 1 (CR1) is the most important non-LTR retrotransposon in birds. We present two truncated CR1 loci in passerine birds, not only found in representatives of Corvinae (jays, crows and allies), but also in the West-African Picathartes species which provide new evidence for a closer relationship of these species to Corvidae than has previously been thought. Additionally, we show that not only the absence/presence pattern of a CR1 insertion, but also the CR1 sequences themselves contain phylogenetic information.

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior The main goal of this research is to test the Bergmann Rule in its levels - order, suborder and parvordem - in contrast with the leading families (Furnariidae, Thamnophilidae, Tyrannidae e Thraupidae) passerines of the Atlantic Forest. I intended to identify whether the pattern of body size distribution in these groups follow this rule. To reach the goal, the Atlantic Forest was divided into 123 squares (110km x110km). So, I calculated the average body size and the passerines richness in each square. Environmental variables employed as predictors were temperature, precipitation and space. The analysis of Linear Regression and, MantelCorrelationwere used. I observed that passerines are positively correlated to temperature and precipitation. On the other hand, latitude is not correlated to Passeri nor to Tyrannidae. I concluded that, in general, all Atlantic Forest passerines follow the Bergmann Rule are in consonance with the Bergmann Rule. In general, researches test/employ the Bergman Rule in more global patterns for passerines. So, we found no previous researches focusing specifically on the Atlantic Forest. In this light, this research is meaningful to this geographic scale, especially because of the uniqueness of this South America ancient ecosystem, the Atlantic Forest. O objetivo deste estudo foi testar a Regra de Bergmann a nível de ordem, subordem, e principais famílias (Furnariidae, Thamnophilidae, Tyrannidae e Thraupidae) de Passeriformes florestais da Mata Atlântica a fim de identificar se os padrões de distribuição do tamanho corporal nesses grupos seguem essa regra. A Mata Atlântica foi dividida em 123 quadrículas (110km x 110km) e foi calculado o tamanho corporal médio e a riqueza dos Passeriformes em cada quadrícula. As variáveis ambientais utilizadas como preditoras foram a temperatura, a precipitação e o espaço geográfico. Utilizamos as análises de Regressão linear e correlação de Mantel. Desta forma encontramos que os Passeriformes são correlacionados positivamente com a temperatura e a precipitação. A latitude não se correlacionou com Passeri e Tyrannidae.Ao final concluímos que em geral todos os Passeriformes florestais da Mata Atlântica seguem a Regra de Bergmann. Em geral as pesquisas voltadas para a Regra de Bergmann tratam de padrões mais globais para aves. E, maisregionalmente, como na Mata Atlântica, nada foi testado quanto a isto e, assim, este estudo se torna relevante para essa escala geográfica. Ainda mais devido a singularidade da Mata Atlântica, que é um ecossistema antigo na América do Sul.

The ability of territorial males to discriminate between songs of their neighbors and songs of strangers has been demonstrated in 27 species of songbirds. Such experiments test only the ability of a subject to discriminate between two classes of stimuli, familiar (neighbors) and unfamiliar (strangers) songs. Individual recognition of neighbors is a finer, more complex type of discrimination. The ability of territorial males to recognize individual neighbors by song has been documented in 12 species of oscine passerines (Passeriformes, Passeri), but has never been demonstrated in suboscine passerines (Tyranni). We investigated recognition of songs of individual neighbors in a suboscine, the alder flycatcher (Empidonax alnorum). We performed a series of song playback experiments and recorded responses of territorial males to songs of neighbors and songs of strangers broadcast from two locations, the neighbor boundary and an opposite boundary. Subjects responded more aggressively to songs of a neighbor when played from the opposite boundary than when played from the neighbor boundary. They responded with equal aggression to songs of strangers regardless of location of playback. The difference in response to neighbor songs between speaker locations and the lack of a difference in response to stranger songs indicate that territorial males associate a particular song with a particular location (territory), and thus recognize individual neighbors.

A few years ago, I had my first opportunity to visit the Amazonian Basin in eastern Ecuador. Several days of mist-netting and birding within an intact forest and in surrounding disturbed habitats turned out to be a pivotal experience, finally crystallizing in my mind a pattern that every Neotropical ornithologist knows but whose significance has largely escaped us. I am referring to the fact that most of the birds of the forest understory belong to the large South American endemic radiation of songbirds, the suboscines, called the infraorder Tyrannides (suborder Tyranni) by Sibley and Ahlquist (1990). This clade includes the ovenbirds, woodcreepers, antbirds, manakins, cotingas, and flycatchers, among others. Birds more familiar to North Americans, the oscine passerines (suborder Passeri), including the New World orioles, tanagers, and emberizine finches, dominate the forest canopy and habitats outside the forest, along with a few species-rich clades of tyrannine flycatchers (family Tyrannidae, subfamily Tyranninae). South America was an isolated island continent

Noisy Pittas and Green Catbirds showed a marked increase in calling associated with the breeding season and then declined to much lower levels in winter. Eastern Whipbirds had a peak of calling at the start of the breeding season but then maintained a relatively high level throughout the year. All three species had a peak of calling around sunrise which then declined during the day with a slight increase around noon and a greater increase at sunset. In Noisy Pittas, the secondary peaks at noon and sunset were much larger than in the other two species. Noisy Pittas, a suboscine in the suborder Tyranni, had a similar temporal pattern of calling to that found in oscines.

Least flycatchers (Empidonax minimus) and American redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla) overlap in the use of food resources on their breeding grounds, promoting high levels of interspecific aggression by the socially dominant flycatcher. We examined the role of song in this interspecific aggression by using repeated-measures-designed playback experiments and observational data on induced aggressive interactions. Flycatchers were more likely to approach the speaker during presentation of redstart song than during intervals of no song or presentation of control song. Approach was close enough to enable visual contact with a singing redstart. In contrast, redstarts made significantly fewer flights following presentation of flycatcher song, when risk of flycatcher attack may be greatest. Reducing the number of flights likely reduces the risk of flycatcher attack on the redstart, as flycatchers do not attack stationary redstart models and are apparently dependent on cues from redstart flight for visual heterospecific recognition. Flycatcher-specific responses of redstarts and marked differences in song morphology rule out misdirected intraspecific aggression as a proximate or ultimate cause of interspecific response to song. Results indicate that song is an important component in aggressive interactions between these two species, and reflect the dominant role of the flycatcher in such interactions. Our results also illustrate the capacity for interspecific interference competition to influence behavior and heterospecific song recognition in two distant avian taxa.

A new quill mite species Syringophilopsis davidi sp. nov. (Prostigmata, Syringophilidae) parasitizing Greater Short-toed Lark Calandrella brachydactyla (Leisler) (Passeriformes, Alaudidae) in Egypt is described. This new species is distinguishable from S. tyranni Bochkov and Galloway by 10–13 chambers of the peritremal lateral branches, setae se located slightly anterior to c1, and by setae ag2 about twice longer than the genital setae. This is the first record of this genus from the hosts of the family Alaudidae and in the Arab Republic of Egypt.

Syringophilopsis tyranni Bochkov et Galloway, 2004 Until now this species has been known only from the type host, Tyrannus tyrannus (Linnaeus) (Passerifor- mes: Tyrannidae) from Canada (Bochkov and Galloway 2004) and there were no other data since its description. Below, we give the records of three new hosts for S. tyranni. M a t e r i a l e x a m i n e d: Two females from secondary quill (Ls2) of Myiarchus crinitus (Linnaeus) (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae); USA, Texas, Hood Co., Jones Ranch, 20 April 2005; G. Spicer coll. (GSS# 1672). All material deposited at NMNH. Four females from primary and secondary quills (Rp1, Ls1) of Myiarchus cinerascens (Lawrence) (Tyrannidae); USA, Texas, Jeff Davis Co., Fort Davis, 13 April 2005, G. Spicer coll. (GSS#1342). All material deposited at NMNH, except 1 female at AMU. One female and 4 nymphs from secondary quill (Rs5) of Tyrannus verticalis Say, 1823 (Tyrannidae); USA, California, Lake Co., N. Lake Pillsbury, 11 June 2003, G. Spicer coll. (GSS#1583). Two females from secondary quill (Rs7) of the same host species, locality, date and collector, (GSS#1582). All material from this host species deposited at NMNH, except 1 female at AMU., Published as part of Maciej Skoracki, Maureen E. Flannery & Greg S. Spicer, 2008, Quill mites of the genus Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970 (Acari: Syringophilidae) from North American birds, pp. 291-300 in Folia Parasitologica 55 on page 298, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.321913, {"references":["BOCHKOV A. V., GALLOWAY T. D. 2004: New species and records of cheyletoid mites (Acari: Cheyletoidea) from birds in Canada. J. Kansas Entomol. Soc. 77: 26 - 44."]}

Neotropical region are known for its huge avian diversity and for the dominance of Sub-oscine or Tyranni passerines species. These species diversity are reflected in vocal communication and we will present here two examples of Brazilian Amazon forest of Tyranni species. Although the Tyranni are known for presenting a stereotyped song compared to Oscine passerines, we have found a species with a complex calls repertoire and other with a distinguished individual variation. The study area is the Ecological Park of Gunma, Santa Barbara, Para, Brazil, 50 km north of Belem. We performed playback experiments to define the vocalizations of Rusty-margined flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis, species that presents a complex repertoire of 15 different vocalizations, including a complex duet song. We also studied Lipaugus vociferans, a lekking bird, in which males perform conspicuous vocalizations in aggregations. We have analyzed songs of 19 individuals from six leks, considering the physical parameters (frequency bandwidth and temporal parameters) of the species-specific song. The results showed that it is possible to differentiate the individuals by song. These differences can represent an important function in individual recognition inside or between leks. These results show the necessity to investigate the high diversity of behavior in tropical habitats.

The question of why birds migrate is still poorly understood despite decades of debate. Previous studies have suggested that use of edge habitats and a frugivorous diet are precursors to the evolution of migration in Neotropical birds. However, these studies did not explore other ecological correlates of migration and did not control for phylogeny at the species level. We tested the evolutionary precursor hypothesis by examining the extent to which habitat and diet are associated with migratory behavior, using a species-level comparative analysis of the Tyranni. We used both migratory distance and sedentary versus migratory behavior as response variables. We also examined the influences of foraging group size, membership in mixed-species flocks, elevational range, and body mass on migratory behavior. Raw species analyses corroborated some results from studies that put forth the evolutionary precursor hypothesis, but phylogenetically independent contrast analyses highlighted an important interaction between habitat and diet and their roles as precursors to migration. Foraging group size was consistently associated with migratory behavior in both raw species and independent contrast analyses. Our results lead to a resource variability hypothesis that refines the evolutionary precursor hypothesis and reconciles the results of several studies examining precursors to migration in birds.

Two new quill mite species (Cheyletoidea: Syringophilidae) are described from tyrannid birds (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae) in Peru: Picobia sayornis sp. nov. from the black phoebe Sayornis nigricans (Swainson) (first record of Picobia Haller species on tyrannid host) and Syringophilopsis szeffleri sp. nov. from the scale-crested pygmy-tyrant Lophotriccus pileatus (Tschudi). The Pacific elaenia Myiopagis subplacens (Sclater) is recorded as a new host for Syringophilopsis tyranni Bochkov and Galloway.

The haemoproteids of the Tyrannidae are reviewed and three new species, Haemoproteus circumnuclearis, H. souzalopesi, and H. tyranni are described.

Twenty-eight species of Menacanthus are recognized, discussed, and keyed. These include 7 new species with the following type-hosts: M. sturnellae from Sturnella magna, M. quiscali from Quiscalus quiscula, M. tyranni from Tyrannus verticalis, M. obsoleti from Salpincles obsoletus, M. aedonis from Troglodytes aedon, M. dendroicae from Dendroica discolor , and M. geothlypis from Geothlypis trichas . There are 23 new synonymies and 6 names listed as nomina dubia. Neotypes are erected for Pediculus curuccae Schrank and Menopon pusillum Nitzsch; lectotypes are designated for Colpocephalum chrysophaeum Kellogg and Menopon distinctum Kellogg & Chapman.

Evidence provided in this monograph supports the conclusion that the genera Atrichornis and Menura are sufficiently distinct for each to be placed in a monotypic family, viz. the Atrichornithidae and the Menuridae. The suborder Menurae, in which these two families are usually placed, should be merged with the suborder Oscines of the Passeriformes as the differences between them are not sufficiently large to justify continued recognition of these two suborders. The Atrichornithidae and the Menuridae are each other's closest relatives, but the evidence available in this monograph does not suggest an especially close relationship to the Ptilonorhynchidae. It is recommended that the Atrichornithidae and the Menuridae be placed in a superfamily, the Menuroidea, of unknown affinities within the Oscines. The Menuroidea do not appear to be primitive within the Oscines. They are not closely related phylogenetically to the Rhinocryptidae of the Tyranni. Reduction in flying ability of the Menuroidea is presumably advanced in the Oscines and is reflected in a number of morphological features of the skeletomuscular system. The extreme terrestrial habits of the species of the Menuroidea, together with the long incubation and fledgling periods of the single annual chick (two in A. ru/escens), may be contributing to their decline. Moreover, the scrub-birds and lyrebirds may be relict remnants of an earlier larger radiation, and are unable to compete successfully with other avian species and/or to cope with recent changes in the environment, such as the introduction of foxes and feral cats. Conservation efforts for the scrub-birds and lyrebirds should consider the morphological and systematic findings presented in this monograph in addition to ecological data, with the suggestion that the undertakings for the Two Peoples Bay population of Atrichornis clamosus serve as a model for future actions. BOCK, W ALTER J. & MARY HEIMERDINGER CLENCH, 1985. Morphology of the Noisy Scrub-bird, Atrichornis clamosus (Passeriformes: Atrichornithidae): systematic relationships and summary. Records of the Australian Museum 37(4): 243-254.

Intrasphenoid and intrasellar segments of the cerebral carotid arteries were dissected in 82 specimens of birds, representing 21 avian orders. The configuration and branching of these carotid segments and the intercarotid anastomosis were observed. A well develop intercarotid anastomosis unites the two carotids directly caudal to the hypophysis in all birds examined except for five specimens of passeriform birds of the Suborder Tyranni. Three principal patterns occur: an H-type having a lengthy transverse anastomosis connecting the carotids; an X-type with the carotids anastomosing side-to-side; and an I-type with the carotids merged into a single longitudinal vessel. Patterns for each species are illustrated. Since ordinarily birds lack a cerebral arterial circle comparable to that of mammals. the intercarotid anastomosis obviously serves as its substitute. Evidence of correlation between asymmetry of caudal rami of the cerebral carotids and form of the intercarotid anastomosis is presented. A communication between cerebral carotids caudal to the hypophysis seems to be a deep-rooted vertebrate characteristic. An intercarotid anastomosis, apparently homologous to that of birds, occurs in a number of cartilaginous fishes, reptiles, and mammals. In mammals the intercarotid anastomosis is a communication between right and left posterior hypophyseal arteries.