scholarly journals The Ecology of the Zebra Finch Makes It a Great Laboratory Model but an Outlier amongst Passerine Birds

Birds ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-76
Author(s):  
Simon C. Griffith ◽  
Riccardo Ton ◽  
Laura L. Hurley ◽  
Callum S. McDiarmid ◽  
Hector Pacheco-Fuentes
Keyword(s):  
Zebra Finch ◽  
Agricultural Production ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Model Species ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Avian Biology ◽  
Future Work

Zebra Finches have become the most widely researched bird species outside of those used in agricultural production. Their adoption as the avian model of choice is largely down to a number of characteristics that make them easy to obtain and use in captivity. The main point of our paper is that the very characteristics that make the Zebra Finch a highly amenable laboratory model species mean that it is by definition different from many other passerine birds, and therefore not a good general model for many research areas. The Zebra Finch is likely to be particularly resilient to the effects of stress early in life, and is likely to show great flexibility in dealing with a wide variety of conditions later in life. Whilst it is tempting for researchers to turn to species such as the Zebra Finch, that can be the focus of manipulative work in the laboratory, we caution that the findings of such studies may confound our understanding of general avian biology. The Zebra Finch will remain an excellent species for laboratory work, and our paper should help to direct and interpret future work in the laboratory and the field.

scholarly journals Blood parasites in passerine birds from the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

2012 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-15 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabiane Sebaio ◽  
Érika Martins Braga ◽  
Felipe Branquinho ◽  
Alan Fecchio ◽  
Miguel Ângelo Marini
Keyword(s):  
Atlantic Forest ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parasite Prevalence ◽  
Neotropical Region ◽  
Blood Parasite ◽  
Blood Parasites ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Blood Smears ◽  
Temporal And Spatial ◽  
Low Prevalence

Parasites may lead bird species to extinction, affect host temporal and spatial population dynamics, alter community structure and alter individuals’ social status. We evaluated blood parasite prevalence and intensity according to bird families and species, among 925 birds that were caught in 2000 and 2001, in the Atlantic Forest in the State of Minas Gerais, Brazil. We applied Giemsa staining to thin blood smears, to detect blood parasites. The birds (n = 15.8%) in 11 families, were infected by at least one parasite genus, especially Muscicapidae (28.3%) and Conopophagidae (25%). Among the 146 infected birds, Plasmodium was detected in all bird families and had the highest prevalence (54.8%). Trypanosoma, Haemoproteus and microfilaria had lower prevalence rates (23.3, 23.3 and 2.1%, respectively). Birds caught during the rainy season were more infected than birds caught during the dry season. The overall low prevalence of blood parasites in birds is similar to the patterns found elsewhere in the Neotropical region.

scholarly journals DISTRIBUTION AND SURVIVAL OF MEGAPODIUS REINWARDT FOR ECOTOURISM CONTRIBUTING ON MOYO ISLAND

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Yamin ◽  
Khaeruddin Khaeruddin
Keyword(s):  
Population Distribution ◽  
Economic Value ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Primary Forest ◽  
Ecological Role ◽  
Active Nest ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Distribution Mapping

Abstract: Megapodius reinwardt is one of the protected bird species in Indonesia. The protection toward megapodius reinwardt because of limited distribution, high economic value, has an important ecological role, has a unique, difficult breeding in captivity, the population is drastically shrinking and getting scarce.Based on this condition, the purpose of this research is to know population distribution mapping, active nest study, disturber population in order to support the atraction tourism and conservation of Megapodius reinwardt at Moyo island. Survey and observation are used to collect research data. The distributionofMegapodius reinwardt is spread around Moyo Island. The nest is located in the forest and it build by heap of soil with high 150 centimeters until 175 centimeters and diameters up to 825 cm. The location of Megapodius reinwardtnests are mostly in secundary forest than primary forest and savana at 25 m above sea level. The r-product moment correlation coefficient (r = 0,484) conclude that, Varanus sp, Sus barbatus, Prinodon linsang, Haliastur indus, Microhierax fringillarius, and human as predators are not significant to influence the nests and population of Megapodius reinwardtdecrease. So the existence of Megapodius reinwardtmanagement is needed according to in-situ cencervation on Moyo Island forEcotourism Contributing Keywords:   Ecotourism, distribution, Megapodius, survival.

scholarly journals De-novo emergence and template switching of SINE retroposons during the early evolution of passerine birds

2016 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Suh ◽  
Sandra Bachg ◽  
Stephen Donnellan ◽  
Leo Joseph ◽  
Jürgen Brosius ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
De Novo ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Early Evolution ◽  
Template Switching ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Short Interspersed Elements ◽  
Mammalian Genomes ◽  
Rapid Diversification ◽  
The Common ◽  
Avian Genomes

AbstractPasseriformes (“perching birds” or passerines) make up more than half of all extant bird species. Here, we resolve their deep phylogenetic relationships using presence/absence patterns of short interspersed elements (SINEs), a group of retroposons which is abundant in mammalian genomes but considered largely inactive in avian genomes. The resultant retroposon-based phylogeny provides a powerful and independent corroboration of previous indications derived from sequence-based analyses. Notably, SINE activity began in the common ancestor of Eupasseres (passerines excl. the New Zealand wrens Acanthisittidae) and ceased before the rapid diversification of oscine passerines (songbirds). Furthermore, we find evidence for very recent SINE activity within suboscine passerines, following the emergence of a SINE via acquisition of a different tRNA head as we suggest through template switching. We propose that the early evolution of passerines was unusual among birds in that it was accompanied by activity of SINEs. Their genomic and transcriptomic impact warrants further study in the light of the massive diversification of passerines.

scholarly journals Haemosporidioses in wild Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (T. philomelos): an in situ hybridization study with emphasis on exo-erythrocytic parasite burden

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Himmel ◽  
Josef Harl ◽  
Simone Pfanner ◽  
Nora Nedorost ◽  
Norbert Nowotny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasite ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Turdus Merula

Abstract Background Passerine birds are frequently infected with diverse haemosporidian parasites. While infections are traditionally considered benign in wild birds, recent studies demonstrated mortalities of passerine species due to exo-erythrocytic development of the parasites, which can damage organs in affected hosts. However, exo-erythrocytic development remains insufficiently investigated for most haemosporidian species and thus little is known about the virulence of tissue stages in wild passerine birds. The aim of the present study was to investigate natural haemosporidian infections in deceased Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (T. philomelos) and to determine parasite burden and associated histological effects.Methods For molecular analysis, blood and tissue samples from 306 thrushes were screened for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites by nested PCR. For the detection of parasite stages in organ samples, tissue sections were subjected to chromogenic in situ hybridization using genus- and species-specific probes targeting the rRNAs of parasites. Exo-erythrocytic parasite load was semi-quantitatively assessed and histological lesions were evaluated in haematoxylin-eosin-stained sections.Results 179 of 277 Eurasian blackbirds and 15 of 29 song thrushes were positive for haemosporidians. Parasites of all three genera were detected, with Plasmodium matutinum LINN1 and P. vaughani SYAT05 showing the highest prevalences. CISH revealed significant differences in exo-erythrocytic parasite burden between lineages in Eurasian blackbirds, with P. matutinum LINN1 frequently causing high parasite loads in various organs that were associated with histological alterations. Song thrushes infected with P. matutinum LINN1 and birds infected with other haemosporidian lineages showed mostly low parasite burdens. Two Eurasian blackbirds infected with Leucocytozoon sp. TUMER01 showed megalomeronts in various organs that were associated with inflammatory reactions and necroses.Conclusion This study suggests that P. matutinum LINN1, a common lineage among native thrushes, regularly causes high exo-erythrocytic parasite burdens in Eurasian blackbirds, which may result in disease and mortalities, indicating its high pathogenic potential. The findings further illustrate that the same parasite lineage may show different levels of virulence in related bird species which should be considered when assessing the pathogenicity of haemosporidian parasite species. Finally, the study provides evidence of virulent Leucocytozoon sp. TUMER01 infections in two Eurasian blackbirds caused by megalomeront formation.

Haemosporidioses in wild Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (T. philomelos): an in situ hybridization study with emphasis on exo-erythrocytic parasite burden

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tanja Himmel ◽  
Josef Harl ◽  
Simone Pfanner ◽  
Nora Nedorost ◽  
Norbert Nowotny ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Situ Hybridization ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Parasite Burden ◽  
Passerine Birds ◽  
Haemosporidian Parasite ◽  
Pathogenic Potential ◽  
Tissue Samples ◽  
Inflammatory Reactions ◽  
Turdus Merula

Abstract Background Passerine birds are frequently infected with diverse haemosporidian parasites. While infections are traditionally considered benign in wild birds, recent studies demonstrated mortalities of passerine species due to exo-erythrocytic development of the parasites, which can damage organs in affected hosts. However, exo-erythrocytic development remains insufficiently investigated for most haemosporidian species and thus little is known about the virulence of tissue stages in wild passerine birds. The aim of the present study was to investigate natural haemosporidian infections in deceased Eurasian blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) and to determine parasite burden and associated histological effects. Methods For molecular analysis, blood and tissue samples from 306 thrushes were screened for Plasmodium, Haemoproteus and Leucocytozoon parasites by nested PCR. For the detection of parasite stages in organ samples, tissue sections were subjected to chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) using genus- and species-specific probes targeting the rRNAs of parasites. Exo-erythrocytic parasite load was semi-quantitatively assessed and histological lesions were evaluated in haematoxylin-eosin-stained sections. Results By PCR, 179 of 277 Eurasian blackbirds and 15 of 29 song thrushes were positive for haemosporidians. Parasites of all three genera were detected, with Plasmodium matutinum LINN1 and Plasmodium vaughani SYAT05 showing the highest prevalence. CISH revealed significant differences in exo-erythrocytic parasite burden between lineages in Eurasian blackbirds, with P. matutinum LINN1 frequently causing high exo-erythrocytic parasite burdens in various organs that were associated with histological alterations. Song thrushes infected with P. matutinum LINN1 and birds infected with other haemosporidian lineages showed mostly low exo-erythrocytic parasite burdens. Two Eurasian blackbirds infected with Leucocytozoon sp. TUMER01 showed megalomeronts in various organs that were associated with inflammatory reactions and necroses. Conclusion This study suggests that P. matutinum LINN1, a common lineage among native thrushes, regularly causes high exo-erythrocytic parasite burdens in Eurasian blackbirds, which may result in disease and mortalities, indicating its high pathogenic potential. The findings further illustrate that the same parasite lineage may show different levels of virulence in related bird species which should be considered when assessing the pathogenicity of haemosporidian parasite species. Finally, the study provides evidence of virulent Leucocytozoon sp. TUMER01 infections in two Eurasian blackbirds caused by megalomeront formation.

scholarly journals Practical steps to digital organism models, from laboratory model species to ‘Crops in silico

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (9) ◽  
pp. 2403-2418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J Millar ◽  
Uriel Urquiza ◽  
Peter L Freeman ◽  
Alastair Hume ◽  
Gordon D Plotkin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
In Silico ◽  
Laboratory Model ◽  
Model Species

Growth Rates of Cranes Reared in Captivity

The Auk ◽  
1986 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. 125-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Ricklefs ◽  
Donald F. Bruning ◽  
George W. Archibald
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Incubation Period ◽  
Rate Constant ◽  
Bird Species ◽  
Growth Rate Constant ◽  
Egg Mass ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Altricial Birds ◽  
Adult Mass ◽  
Rates Of Growth

Abstract We measured eggs, incubation periods, growth of chicks, and masses of adults of 10 species of cranes at the Bronx Zoo and the International Crane Foundation. Growth rate constants of Gompertz equations fitted to the data varied between 0.034 and 0.057/day. These values were 50-90% of those for altricial birds of comparable adult mass, and were considerably greater than those of other precocial species, such as galliforms. Rates of growth intermediate between altricial and precocial species are consistent with the fact that crane chicks, although precocial, are brooded and fed by their parents during much of the early development period. Within species, asymptote (A) and growth-rate constant (K) of the Gompertz equations were negatively correlated, owing to their inherent relationship in the curve-fitting process. Masses of chicks during the first month after hatch were unrelated to the mass asymptote, but correlated strongly with the estimated growth-rate constant. The mass of the neonate was about 60% of the fresh mass of the egg. Egg mass was unrelated to subsequent chick mass during the first month, but correlated with the mass asymptote in two species when the relationship between A and K was accounted for statistically. Egg mass also was correlated with incubation period, fledging period, and the growthrate constant in isolated instances. Growth rate and asymptote among species were inversely related, as found among large samples of diverse bird species. The size of the egg relative to the mass of the adult was related inversely to adult mass, again consistent with patterns in other groups of birds. Fledging period was related strongly to the length of the incubation period and weakly to the asymptote to the growth curve, and it was unrelated to growth-rate constant of the Gompertz equation.

scholarly journals Not so soft? Delayed release reduces long-term survival in a passerine reintroduction

Oryx ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 49 (3) ◽  
pp. 535-541 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kate Richardson ◽  
Isabel C. Castro ◽  
Dianne H. Brunton ◽  
Doug P. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
Bird Species ◽  
Release Site ◽  
Immediate Release ◽  
Term Survival ◽  
Long Term Survival ◽  
Delayed Release ◽  
In Captivity ◽  
Negative Effect ◽  
Radio Transmitters

AbstractReintroduction success depends in part on the release strategy used. Benefits are attributed to particular release strategies but few studies have tested these assumptions. We examined the effect of delayed release (a form of so-called soft release) on the survival of a threatened passerine, the New Zealand hihi Notiomystis cincta, for up to 7 months after translocation. Birds were captured at the source site and then held in captivity for disease screening. They were then taken to the release site, where 30 were released immediately and 28 were held for a further 2–4 days in an on-site aviary. Twenty-four birds were fitted with radio-transmitters. A 1,300 ha area around the release site was searched fortnightly, and survival was analysed using a multi-state model that accounted for the effect of transmitters on detection probability. Our results indicated that delayed release had a negative effect on long-term survival, but no effect was apparent in the first 6 weeks. Survival probability from 6 weeks to 7 months post-release was 0.77 ± SE 0.20 for immediate-release birds and 0.04 ± SE 0.06 for delayed-release birds. Our results suggest that there is a misconception about the benefits of delayed-release strategies during translocation of wild animals. Studies that have demonstrated a benefit of delayed release in other bird species used captive-bred individuals, and we suggest that wild individuals perceive captivity differently. We recommend that biological context is considered before delayed release is used in translocations.

scholarly journals Assimilation and Accommodation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Hanfstingl ◽  
Ana Arzenšek ◽  
Jan Apschner ◽  
Katharina Ingrid Gölly
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Psychological Research ◽  
Adaptation Process ◽  
Scientific Impact ◽  
Research Areas ◽  
White Spots ◽  
Adaptation Processes ◽  
Development Trajectories ◽  
Future Work ◽  
Common Understanding

Abstract. This research provides a systematic overview of psychological areas using assimilation and accommodation to explain development and adaptation processes from 1998 to 2018. We primarily aimed to identify the main psychological research areas connected to assimilation and accommodation. We used assimilation and accommodation as keywords to extract data from SpringerLink, PsycINFO, and PsycARTICLES. Of 500 articles, 473 were included in the analysis. Ten categories were identified to allow systematization along with different research areas and development trajectories. The meanings of these terms were analyzed in terms of scientific impact, their connection to Piaget and Baldwin, application, and research methods. Our analysis has distilled the most driving and scientifically relevant approaches to assimilation and accommodation within psychological research, with the work of Baldwin and Piaget influencing practically all views. Thus, we have identified a common understanding of assimilation and accommodation, although the direction of the adaptation process should be made explicit in the future. Based on our analyses, we were able to identify white spots on the research map that should be focused on in future work: the need to better understand the interdependence and synchronicity of both processes, the connection to affects and emotions, and the potential co-research with artificial intelligence.

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