Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bas van Balen ◽  
David Christie
Keyword(s):  
Zosterops Lateralis

Aspects of the Water, Electrolyte and Carbohydrate Physiology of the Silvereye, Zosterops Lateralis (Aves).

1983 ◽  
Vol 31 (5) ◽  
pp. 695 ◽  
Author(s):  
IJ Rooke ◽  
SD Bradshaw ◽  
RA Langworthy
Keyword(s):  
Natural Habitat ◽  
Tritiated Water ◽  
Free Water ◽  
Laboratory Studies ◽  
Turnover Rates ◽  
Natural Habitats ◽  
Water Influx ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Total Body ◽  
Free Ranging

Total body water content (TBW) and TBW turnover were measured by means of tritiated water (HTO) in free-ranging populations of silvereyes, Zosterops lateralis, near Margaret River, W.A. Birds were studied in their natural habitats during spring and summer, and compared with a vineyard population in summer. In the natural habitat TBW content was found to be 77.6% in spring, which was not significantly different from that measured in summer (78.3%). Birds in vineyards in summer, however, were dehydrated, with a TBW content of 69.4%. Calculated rates of water influx for spring, summer and summer vineyards birds were 1.44,2.20 and 0.65 ml g.day-' respectively. These water turnover rates are much higher than those of any other bird yet studied. Dehydration was marked in the vineyard birds, with a significantly lower TBW content and an average net water loss of 0.63 ml day-'. Laboratory studies showed that silvereyes have a low tolerance to sodium loading. Their tolerance is, however, quite adequate for them to drink the most concentrated free water available to them in the field. Ingestion of concentrated sugar solutions of up to 25% did not provoke an osmotic diuresis and thus cannot account for the dehydration and negative water balance of vineyard birds.

Lateralisation of magnetic compass orientation in silvereyes, Zosterops lateralis

2003 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 597 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wolfgang Wiltschko ◽  
Ursula Munro ◽  
Hugh Ford ◽  
Roswitha Wiltschko
Keyword(s):  
Geomagnetic Field ◽  
Magnetic Compass ◽  
Compass Orientation ◽  
Directional Information ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Magnetic Compass Orientation ◽  
Directional Preference ◽  
The Right ◽  
The Brain ◽  
The Magnetic Field

The ability of migratory silvereyes to orient was tested in the geomagnetic field with one eye covered. Silvereyes using only their right eye were able to orient in migratory direction just as well as birds using both eyes. Using only their left eye, however, the birds did not show a significant directional preference. These data indicate that directional information from the magnetic field is mediated almost exclusively by the right eye and processed by the left hemisphere of the brain. Together with corresponding findings from European robins and indications for a similar phenomenon in homing pigeons, they suggest that a strong lateralisation of the magnetic compass is widespread among birds.

scholarly journals Mosquito Communities and Avian Malaria Prevalence in Silvereyes (Zosterops lateralis) Within Forest Edge and Interior Habitats in a New Zealand Regional Park

EcoHealth ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 432-440 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Gudex-Cross ◽  
Rosemary K. Barraclough ◽  
Dianne H. Brunton ◽  
José G. B. Derraik
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Avian Malaria ◽  
Forest Edge ◽  
Malaria Prevalence ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Mosquito Communities

Recent evolution of Zosterops lateralis on Norfolk Island, Australia

1978 ◽  
Vol 56 (7) ◽  
pp. 1624-1626 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. R. Grant
Keyword(s):  
Evolutionary Change ◽  
Small Extent ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Norfolk Island

Zosterops lateralis invaded Norfolk Island in 1904. In the next 9 years it hybridized with Zosterops tenuirostris to a small extent. Evolutionary change in lateralis is indicated by a comparison of bill measurements in samples collected in different years. Specimens collected in 1926 had narrower bills than did those collected in 1912–1913 and in 1968–1969. These changes were not produced by hybridization. They may have been caused by selection whose direction was reversed after 1926, but the reasons are obscure.

scholarly journals Attractiveness of possum apple baits to native birds and honey bees

2003 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 86-89
Author(s):  
M.D. Thomas ◽  
F.W. Maddigan ◽  
L.A. Sessions
Keyword(s):  
Honey Bees ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Feeding Time ◽  
Aerial Application ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Nontarget Species ◽  
Species Trials ◽  
Potential Risks ◽  
Native Birds ◽  
Bait Stations

This study investigated the potential risks of using 1080 apple bait for possum control on nontarget species Trials were conducted using captive native birds at Orana Park and honeybees (Apis mellifera) at Halswell to determine whether these species would feed on nonpoisonous apple baits Bird species were kaka (Nestor meridionalis) kea (Nestor notabilis) kakariki (Cyanoramphus sp) silvereye (Zosterops lateralis) weka (Gallirallus australis) and kereru (Hemiphaga novaeseelandiae) Kaka kea kakariki and silvereye preferred to feed on apple bait over carrot bait spending 74100 of their feeding time on the apple bait Honeybees were not attracted to the apple bait It is concluded that there could be a greater risk to native birds when apple baits are used for possum control compared to the risk associated with using carrot bait Consequently it is recommended that aerial application of apple should not be undertaken and that apple baits should be used in bait stations only

scholarly journals Does Seed Packaging Influence Fruit Consumption and Seed Passage in an Avian Frugivore?

The Condor ◽  
2002 ◽  
Vol 104 (1) ◽  
pp. 136-145
Author(s):  
Margaret C. Stanley ◽  
Alan Lill
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Characters ◽  
Passage Rate ◽  
Fruit Consumption ◽  
Zosterops Lateralis ◽  
Transit Times ◽  
Morphological Adaptations ◽  
Artificial Fruit ◽  
Fruit Processing ◽  
Consumption Rates ◽  
Avian Frugivore

AbstractSeed packaging is one fruit characteristic that may influence post-ingestional fruit processing in avian frugivores. We tested the response of a facultative frugivore, the Silvereye (Zosterops lateralis), to fruit containing different forms of seed packaging. Wild-caught, captive Silvereyes were presented with artificial fruit containing either one large seed or three small seeds of equivalent total volume, and their consumption rates were recorded over 90 min. In a second experiment, the seed transit times (ingestion to excretion) for similar large-seeded and small-seeded fruit consumed by Silvereyes were recorded. Silvereyes consumed significantly more large-seeded fruit than small-seeded fruit. The transit time of seeds was also significantly shorter for large-seeded (mean = 22 min) than for small-seeded fruit (mean = 29 min). Thus seed packaging had a significant influence on the rate at which fruit were processed. Silvereyes were able to consume more large-seeded than small-seeded fruit because the seeds in large-seeded fruit were defecated faster than those in small-seeded fruit. It is likely that Silvereyes can compensate for the costs of seed ingestion through having a rapid gut passage rate and hence an increased fruit consumption rate. The gut of Silvereyes showed morphological characters intermediate between insectivores and specialist frugivores. The dimensions of the intestine and gizzard were like those of insectivores and the gizzard was substantially larger than those of specialist frugivores. Facultative frugivores appear to have few morphological adaptations to frugivory and we argue that this facilitates plasticity in the diet and the processing of insects when fruit is not available.¿Influencia el Empaquetamiento de Semillas el Consumo de Frutos y el Tiempo de Tránsito en Aves Frugívoras?Resumen. El empaquetamiento de semillas es una característica que puede influenciar el procesamiento de frutos post ingestión en aves frugivoras. Pusimos a prueba la respuesta de un frugívoro facultativo (Zosterops lateralis) a frutos con distintas formas de empaquetamiento de semillas. Individuos de Z. lateralis silvestres fueron capturados y expuestos a frutos artificiales de volumen equivalente con una semilla grande o con tres semillas pequeñas y su tasa de consumo fue registrada durante 90 minutos. En un segundo experimento, se registró el tiempo de tránsito (de ingesta a defecación) de frutos similares con semillas grandes y pequeñas. Z. lateralis consumió una significativamente mayor cantidad de frutos con semillas grandes que de frutos con semillas pequeñas. El tiempo de tránsito de semillas grandes fué significativamente menor (promedio = 22 min) que el de semillas pequeñas (promedio = 29 min). Por lo tanto, el empaquetamiento de semillas tuvo una influencia significativa sobre la tasa a la que los frutos fueron procesados. Z. lateralis fue capaz de consumir más frutos con semillas grandes ya que sus semillas fueron defecadas más rápidamente que las de frutos con semillas pequeñas. Es probable que Z. lateralis pueda compensar el costo de la ingesta de semillas con un paso rápido a través del tracto digestivo lo que se traduce en un aumento en la tasa de consumo de frutos. El tracto digestivo de Z. lateralis muestra caracteres morfológicos intermedios entre los de insectívoros y frugívoros especialistas. Las dimensiones de los intestinos y la molleja son similares a las de insectívoros y la molleja es sustancialmente más grande que la de los frugívoros especialistas. Los frugívoros facultativos parecieran tener pocas adaptaciones morfológicas a la frugivoría. Sugerimos que esto facilita una mayor plasticidad en la dieta y en el procesamiento de insectos cuando existe poca disponibilidad de frutos.

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