scholarly journals From the cage to the wild: introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5669 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Falcón ◽  
Raymond L. Tremblay

Introduced psittacine birds can become highly invasive. In this study, we assessed invasions of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico. We reviewed the literature, public databases, citizen science records, and performed in situ population surveys across the island to determine the historical and current status and distribution of psittacine species. We used count data from Ebird to determine population trends. For species whose populations were increasing, we modelled their potential distribution using niche modeling techniques. We found 46 Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico, of which 26% are only present as pets, at least 29 species have been reported in the wild, and of those, there is evidence that at least 12 species are breeding. Our results indicate that most introduced species which have been detected as established still persist, although mostly in localized areas and small populations. Clear evidence of invasiveness was found for Brotogeris versicolurus and Myiopsitta monachus, which have greatly expanded their range in recent years. Psittacara erythrogenys and Eupsittacula canicularis also showed population increases, although to a lesser degree. The niche models predicted suitable areas for the four species, and also indicate the potential for range expansion. We discuss the factors leading to invasion success, assess the potential impacts, and we discuss possible management strategies and research prospects.

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Falcón ◽  
Raymond L. Tremblay

AbstractIntroduced psittacine birds can become highly invasive. In this study, we assessed invasions of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico. We reviewed the literature, public databases, citizen science records, and performed in situ population surveys across the island to determine the historical and current status and distribution of psittacine species. We used count data from Ebird to determine population trends. For species whose populations were increasing, we modelled their potential distribution using niche modeling techniques. We found 46 Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico, of which 26% are only present as pets, at least 29 species have been reported in the wild, and of those, there is evidence that at least 12 species are breeding. Our results indicate that most introduced species which have been detected as established still persist, although mostly in localized areas and small populations. Clear evidence of invasiveness was found for Brotogeris versicolurus and Myiopsitta monachus, which have greatly expanded their range in recent years. Psittacara erythrogenys and Eupsittacula canicularis also showed population increases, although to a lesser degree. The niche models predicted suitable areas for the four species, and also indicate the potential for range expansion. We discuss the factors leading to invasion success, assess the potential impacts, and we discuss possible management strategies and research prospects.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wilfredo Falcón L. ◽  
Raymond L. Tremblay

AbstractIn this study, we assessed invasions of Psittaciformes in Puerto Rico. We reviewed the literature, public databases, citizen science records, and performed in situ population surveys across the island to determine the historical and current status and distribution of psittacine species. We used count data from Ebird to determine population trends. For species whose populations were increasing, we modelled their potential distribution using niche modeling techniques. Focusing on the white-winged parakeet (Brotogeris versicolurus), which was considered the most successful psittacine species by the year 2000, we evaluated the population size, calculated growth rates and estimated the breeding proportion in two populations by performing roost counts for four consecutive years. We found a total of 46 Psittaciformes present in Puerto Rico, of which 26% are only present as pets, at least 29 species have been reported in the wild, and of those, there is evidence that at least 12 species are breeding. Our results indicate that most introduced species which have been detected as established still persist, although mostly in localized areas and small populations. Clear evidence of invasiveness was found for B. versicolurus and Myiopsitta monachus, which have greatly expanded their range. Moreover, Psittacara erythrogenys and Eupsittacula canicularis also showed population increase. The niche models predicted suitable areas for the four species, and also indicate the potential for range expansion. Population estimates of the white-winged parakeet during the study period showed a steady increase, and exhibited exponential growth, with geometric mean population growth rates of 1.25 per year. Currently growth rate of the white-winged parakeet does not appear to be limited by any predator, resources or nest availability, and we expect them to continue increasing and expanding their range. We discuss the factors leading to invasion success, assess the potential impacts, and we discuss possible management strategies and research prospects.


Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (8) ◽  
pp. 1504
Author(s):  
Donatella Cogoni ◽  
Giuseppe Fenu ◽  
Carlo Dessì ◽  
Angela Deidda ◽  
Cesario Giotta ◽  
...  

The distribution of the threatened fern Ophioglossum vulgatum L., a plant with extremely small populations (PSESPs) in Sardinia, is characterized by small disjunct populations with only a few individuals, and little is known about its status in the wild. To provide information for the conservation of O. vulgatum and with the aim to develop an in situ conservation strategy, we investigated its distribution, population size, and habitat. Field surveys confirmed that the species grows in only five localities. Two representative populations were selected for this study (Funtanamela and Gedili), and in each population, all plants were mapped and monitored monthly from April to August over an 8-year period. During the study, the populations had a very low number of reproductive plants and the populations appeared to be in decline, with the total number of plants per population slightly decreased in Gedili while a sharp reduction was recorded in Funtanamela due to wild boar threat. A fence was built in order to protect the site from further damage, but no noticeable signals of recovery were observed. The most urgent conservation requirement for this species is to preserve the threatened habitat of the remnant populations. Further field surveys and research are also required for an improved understanding of the species’ status.


2019 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 1543-1550
Author(s):  
Francesca S. E. Dawson Pell ◽  
Ben J. Hatchwell ◽  
Alba Ortega-Segalerva ◽  
Deborah A. Dawson ◽  
Gavin J. Horsburgh ◽  
...  

AbstractInvasive species can have wide-ranging negative impacts, and an understanding of the process and success of invasions can be vital to determine management strategies, mitigate impacts and predict range expansions of such species. Monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) and ring-necked parakeets (Psittacula krameri) are both widespread invasive species, but there has been little research into the genetic and social structure of these two species despite the potential links with invasion success. The aim of this study was to isolate novel microsatellite loci from the monk parakeet and characterise them in both monk and ring-necked parakeets in order to facilitate future investigations into their behaviour and population ecology. Sex-typing markers were also tested in both species. Of the 20 microsatellite loci assessed in 24 unrelated monk parakeets, 16 successfully amplified and were polymorphic displaying between 2 and 14 alleles (mean = 8.06). Expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.43 to 0.93 and observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.23 to 0.96. Nine of the 20 loci also successfully amplified and were polymorphic in the ring-necked parakeet, displaying between 2 and 10 alleles. Suitable markers to sex both species and a Z-linked microsatellite locus were identified. A multiplex marker set was validated for monk parakeets. These novel microsatellite loci will facilitate fine and broad-scale population genetic analyses of these two widespread invasive species.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Elly Lestari Rustiati ◽  
Priyambodo Priyambodo ◽  
Yanti Yulianti ◽  
Eko Agus Srihanto ◽  
Dian Neli Pratiwi ◽  
...  

Way Kambas National Park (WKNP) is home of five protected big mammals including sumatran elephants.  It shares its border with 22 of 37 villages surrounding the national park.  Understanding their existence in the wild is a priority, and  wildlife genetics is a crucially needed. Besides poaching and habitat fragmentation, wildlife-human conflict is one big issue.  Elephant Training Center (ETC) in WKNP is built for semi in-situ conservation effort on captive sumatran elephants that mainly have conflict histories with local people.  Participative observation and bio-molecular analysis were conducted to learn the importance of captive Sumatran elephant for conservation effort.  Through captive sumatran elephants, database and applicable methods are expected to be developed supporting the conservation of their population in the wild.  Participative observation and molecular identification was carried on captive sumatran elephants in ETC, WKNP under multiple year Terapan grant of Ministry of Research and Technology Higher Education, Indonesia. Gene sequence and cytological analyses showed that the captive sumatran elephants are closely related and tend to be domesticated.  Translocation among ETC to avoid inbreeding, and maintaining the captive sumatran elephant as natural as possible are highly recommended. Developing genetic database can be a reference for both captive and wild sumatran elephants.


Mousaion ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ncamsile Nombulelo Dlamini ◽  
Maritha Snyman

The purpose of this paper is to assess the current status of institutional repositories (IRs) in Swaziland’s academic institutions. The factors under discussion are the number of IRs in Swaziland, their usage, the level of awareness of these IRs, and the challenges that prevent the implementation of IRs in Swaziland’s academic institutions. A webometric approach, interviews and semi-structured questionnaires completed by IR managers or librarians working for the Swaziland’s academic institutions were used to collect data for this study. Responses were received from 11 respondents. The findings indicated that there is one IR in Swaziland that is accessible to the institution’s community via the intranet. This IR was, at the time when this study took place, not registered in any of the international registries of repositories, such as the Registry of Open Access Repositories (ROAR) and the Directory of Open Access Repositories (OpenDOAR). Currently, this IR faces problems of insufficient content, a low level of IR awareness, limited knowledge of effective and appropriate IR advocacy strategies and limited knowledge of effective IR implementation and management strategies. Based on the findings and information gained from a literature review of IRs, the paper recommends strategies to academic institutions in Swaziland that may enable them to increase their number of IRs, the awareness level of IRs and consequently the use of IRs. The findings and recommendations may also benefit other African countries in similar situations.  


Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 320
Author(s):  
Alexander Nilon ◽  
Karl Robinson ◽  
Hanu R. Pappu ◽  
Neena Mitter

Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) is the type member of the genus Orthotospovirus in the family Tospoviridae and order Bunyavirales. TSWV, transmitted by several species of thrips, causes significant disease losses to agronomic and horticultural crops worldwide, impacting both the yield and quality of the produce. Management strategies include growing virus-resistant cultivars, cultural practices, and managing thrips vectors through pesticide application. However, numerous studies have reported that TSWV isolates can overcome host-plant resistance, while thrips are developing resistance to pesticides that were once effective. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a means of host defence by using double-stranded (ds) RNA to initiate gene silencing against invading viruses. However, adoption of this approach requires production and use of transgenic plants and thus limits the practical application of RNAi against TSWV and other viruses. To fully utilize the potential of RNAi for virus management at the field level, new and novel approaches are needed. In this review, we summarize RNAi and highlight the potential of topical or exogenous application of RNAi triggers for managing TSWV and thrips vectors.


Author(s):  
Anja Bluth ◽  
Axel Schindelhauer ◽  
Katharina Nitzsche ◽  
Pauline Wimberger ◽  
Cahit Birdir

Abstract Purpose Placenta accreta spectrum (PAS) disorders can cause major intrapartum haemorrhage. The optimal management approach is not yet defined. We analysed available cases from a tertiary perinatal centre to compare the outcome of different individual management strategies. Methods A monocentric retrospective analysis was performed in patients with clinically confirmed diagnosis of PAS between 07/2012 and 12/2019. Electronic patient and ultrasound databases were examined for perinatal findings, peripartum morbidity including blood loss and management approaches such as (1) vaginal delivery and curettage, (2) caesarean section with placental removal versus left in situ and (3) planned, immediate or delayed hysterectomy. Results 46 cases were identified with an incidence of 2.49 per 1000 births. Median diagnosis of placenta accreta (56%), increta (39%) or percreta (4%) was made in 35 weeks of gestation. Prenatal detection rate was 33% for all cases and 78% for placenta increta. 33% showed an association with placenta praevia, 41% with previous caesarean section and 52% with previous curettage. Caesarean section rate was 65% and hysterectomy rate 39%. In 9% of the cases, the placenta primarily remained in situ. 54% of patients required blood transfusion. Blood loss did not differ between cases with versus without prenatal diagnosis (p = 0.327). In known cases, an attempt to remove the placenta did not show impact on blood loss (p = 0.417). Conclusion PAS should be managed in an optimal setting and with a well-coordinated team. Experience with different approaches should be proven in prospective multicentre studies to prepare recommendations for expected and unexpected need for management.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-285 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. van Zyl ◽  
P. Addison ◽  
R. Veldtman

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