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Joseph M. Wunderle, Jr. "Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 35 (May 18, 2022): 47–49. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2022.35.47-49.
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BIRDS OF PUERTO RICO AND THE VIRGIN ISLANDS. Herbert A. Raffaele, Clive Petrovic, Sergio A Colón López, Lisa Yntema, and José A. Salguero Faria. 2021. Princeton University Press, Princeton, New Jersey. 224 pp. ISBN: 9780691211671. $24.95.
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Lloyd, John, and Christopher Rimmer. "Surveys of Forest Birds on Puerto Rico, 2015." Biodiversity Data Journal 5 (November 22, 2017): e20745. http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/bdj.5.e20745.
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Wunderle, Review by: Joseph M. "Birds of Vieques Island, Puerto Rico: Status, Abundance, and Conservation, by Daphne Gemmill, 2015." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 29 (April 28, 2016): 13–15. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2016.29.13-15.
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Review of: BIRDS OF VIEQUES ISLAND, PUERTO RICO: STATUS, ABUNDANCE, AND CONSERVATION. 2015. Daphne Gemmill. Special Issue of the Journal of Caribbean Ornithology, BirdsCaribbean; Scholarly & Specialized Publishing, Charlottesville, Virginia. 252 pp. ISBN: 978-0-9821057-1-9.
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Wiley, James W., Sylke Frahnert, Rafaela Aguilera Román, and Pascal Eckhoff. "Juan Cristóbal Gundlach's contributions to the knowledge of Puerto Rican birds and his influence on the development of natural history in Puerto Rico." Archives of Natural History 41, no. 2 (October 2014): 251–69. http://dx.doi.org/10.3366/anh.2014.0246.
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The German naturalist, Juan Cristóbal Gundlach (1810–1896), resided in Cuba for the last 57 years of his life, except for two expeditions to Puerto Rico in 1873 and 1875–1876, when he explored the southwestern, western, and northeastern regions. Gundlach made representative collections of the island's fauna, which formed the nucleus of the first natural history museum in Puerto Rico. He substantially increased the number of species known from the island, and was the first naturalist to make meticulous observations and produce detailed reports of the island's natural history. Gundlach greatly influenced other naturalists in the island, so that a period of concerted advancement in knowledge of natural history occurred in the 1870s. That development coincided with the establishment of the first higher education institutions in the island, including the first natural history museum. The natural history museums eventually closed, and only a few of their specimens were passed to other institutions, including foreign museums. None of Gundlach's and few of his contemporaries’ specimens have survived in Puerto Rico.
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Tossas, Adrianne G., Osvaldo Rullán, Robert J. Mayer, and Jean P. González. "Checklist of the birds of Finca Nolla, a recently protected area in northern Puerto Rico." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 33 (July 3, 2020): 58–66. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2020.33.58-66.
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Abstract We present the first bird inventory conducted in Finca Nolla, a 42.8 ha wetland in northwestern Puerto Rico that was severely disturbed by agricultural and industrial activities throughout the 20th century. This wetland is mostly covered by mangrove forest and other habitat types (e.g., coastal forest, grassland, seashore), and sustains a diverse ecosystem, despite being isolated from other natural areas by urban development. Restoration activities have tried to improve the habitat’s quality since the site was designated a protected area in 2011, particularly by stabilizing sand dunes and removing the exotic Australian pine (Casuarina equisetifolia). We found 73 bird species belonging to 32 families in Finca Nolla during 14 montly surveys conducted from March 2014 to April 2015. Of these species, 61 were breeding residents of Puerto Rico. More than half of the 73 species found (n = 39) were terrestrial, including 8 of the island’s endemic species. Terrestrial birds were primarily found in the site’s limited coastal forest habitat, which covers only 8% of the total study area. Aquatic species (n = 34) were mostly represented by terns, shorebirds, and heron species found in the mangrove swamp and seashore habitat. Among the latter group was the Piping Plover (Charadrius melodus), which is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN and for which we are reporting a new wintering site record. We intend this inventory to be used as a baseline for future avian assessments and to support a proposed upgrade of the conservation status of Finca Nolla from protected area to nature reserve.
Keywords abundance, coastal habitat, distribution, inventory, Puerto Rico, species richness
Resumen Lista de aves de Finca Nolla, un área recientemente protegida en el norte de Puerto Rico—Presentamos el primer inventario de aves llevado a cabo en Finca Nolla, un humedal de 42,8 ha en el noroeste de Puerto Rico que fue alterado severamente por actividades agrícolas e industriales a lo largo del siglo XX. Este humedal está cubierto en su mayor parte por manglares y otros tipos de hábitats (e.g., bosque costero, pastizales, zonas costeras) y sustenta un ecositema diverso, a pesar de estar aislado de otras áreas naturales por el desarrollo urbano. Las actividades de restauración han intentado mejorar la calidad del hábitat desde que el lugar fue designado nueva área protegida en 2011; en particular, mediante la estabilización de las dunas de arena y la eliminación del exótico pino australiano (Casuarina equisetifolia). En Finca Nolla, encontramos 73 especies de aves pertenecientes a 32 familias durante 14 muestreos mensuales realizados entre marzo de 2014 y abril de 2015. De estas especies, 61 son residentes que se reproducen en Puerto Rico. Más de la mitad de las 73 encontradas (n = 39) fueron especies terrestres, incluyendo ocho de las endémicas de la isla. Las aves terrestres mostraron una preferencia por el bosque costero limítrofe del sitio, que cubre solo el 8% del área total. Las especies acuáticas (n = 34) estuvieron representadas principalmente por garzas, charranes (Sterninae) y playeros encontrados en los manglares y zonas costeras. En este último grupo estaba el Charadrius melodus, especie clasificada como Casi Amenazada por la UICN, y para la cual reportamos un nuevo registro de sitio de invernada. Nuestra intención es que este inventario se utilice como línea base para futuras evaluaciones de aves y para apoyar la propuesta de cambio del estado de conservación de Finca Nolla, que pasaría de ser un área protegida a una reserva natural.
Palabras clave abundancia, distribución, hábitat costero, inventario, Puerto Rico, riqueza de especies
Résumé Liste des oiseaux de Finca Nolla, une aire récemment protégée dans le nord de Porto Rico — Nous présentons le premier inventaire des oiseaux de Finca Nolla, une zone humide de 42,8 ha située dans le nord-ouest de Porto Rico et qui a été gravement perturbée par les activités agricoles et industrielles tout au long du XXe siècle. Cette zone humide est principalement constituée de mangroves et de quelques autres types de milieux naturels (forêts côtières, prairies, littoral). Elle abrite un écosystème diversifié, bien qu’elle soit isolée des autres zones naturelles par le développement urbain. Des actions de restauration ont été entreprises pour améliorer la qualité des habitats depuis le classement du site en aire protégée en 2011, notamment en stabilisant les dunes et en éliminant une espèce exotique, le filao (Casuarina equisetifolia). Lors de 14 relevés mensuels effectués à Finca Nolla de mars 2014 à avril 2015, nous avons trouvé 73 espèces d’oiseaux appartenant à 32 familles. Parmi elles, 61 étaient des espèces nicheuses sédentaires à Porto Rico. Plus de la moitié des 73 espèces rencontrées (n = 39) étaient terrestres, dont 8 endémiques de l’île. Les oiseaux terrestres étaient surtout présents dans l’habitat forestier côtier du site qui ne couvre que 8 % de l’ensemble de la zone étudiée. Les oiseaux des milieux humides (n = 34) étaient principalement représentés par des sternes, des limicoles et des hérons observés dans les mangroves et sur le littoral. Parmi eux se trouvait le Pluvier siffleur (Charadrius melodus), une espèce classée Quasi menacée par l’UICN, et dont nous signalons un nouveau site d’hivernage. Cet inventaire devrait servir de référence pour les futures évaluations ornithologiques du site et soutenir une proposition de renforcement du statut de protection de l’aire protégée Finca Nolla en réserve naturelle.
Mots clés abondance, habitats côtiers, inventaire, Porto Rico, répartition, richesse spécifique
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Rice, Susan M., Jaime A. Collazo, Mathew W. Alldredge, Brian A. Harrington, and Allen R. Lewis. "Local Annual Survival and Seasonal Residency Rates of Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris Pusilla) in Puerto Rico." Auk 124, no. 4 (October 1, 2007): 1397–406. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/auk/124.4.1397.
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Abstract We report seasonal residency and local annual survival rates of migratory Semipalmated Sandpipers (Calidris pusilla) at the Cabo Rojo salt flats, Puerto Rico. Residency rate (daily probability of remaining on the flats) was 0.991 ± 0.001 (x̄ ± SE), yielding a mean length of stay of 110 days. This finding supports the inclusion of the Caribbean as part of the species' winter range. Average estimated percentage of fat was low but increased throughout the season, which suggests that birds replenish some spent fat reserves and strive for energetic maintenance. Local annual survival rate was 0.62 ± 0.04, within the range of values reported for breeding populations at Manitoba and Alaska (0.53–0.76). The similarity was not unexpected because estimates were obtained annually but at opposite sites of their annual migratory movements. Birds captured at the salt flats appeared to be a mix of birds from various parts of the breeding range, judging from morphology (culmen's coefficient of variation = 9.1, n = 106). This suggested that origin (breeding area) of birds and their proportion in the data should be ascertained and accounted for in analyses to glean the full conservation implications of winter-based annual survival estimates. Those data are needed to unravel the possibility that individuals of distinct populations are affected by differential mortality factors across different migratory routes. Mean length of stay strongly suggested that habitat quality at the salt flats was high. Rainfall and tidal flow combine to increase food availability during fall. The salt flats dry up gradually toward late January, at the onset of the dry season. Semipalmated Sandpipers may move west to other Greater Antilles or south to sites such as coastal Surinam until the onset of spring migration. They are not an oversummering species at the salt flats. Conservation efforts in the Caribbean region require understanding the dynamics of this species throughout winter to protect essential habitat. Tasas de Supervivencia Anual Local y de Residencia Estacional de Calidris pusilla en Puerto Rico
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Perez-Rivera, Raul A. "USE OF MILLIPEDES AS FOOD AND FOR SELF-ANOINTING BY THE PUERTO RICAN GRACKLE (QUISCALUS NIGER BRACHYPTERUS)." Ornitología Neotropical 30 (May 16, 2019): 69–71. http://dx.doi.org/10.58843/ornneo.v30i0.441.
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Abstract · Although rarely observed in nature, anting is widespread and has been reported in more than 200 species of birds. The concept was used to describe birds allowing ants to climb on their body or the behavior of capturing and rubbing the ants against the plumage. However, the nomenclature of this behavior has been broadened and now is called self-anointing, and includes the use of other animals, such as millipedes (Diplopoda), and even liquids. Here, I describe the Antillean Grackle (Quiscalus niger brachypterus) using millipedes (Trigoniulus coralinus and Anadenobolus monilicornis) for self-anointing and as food. The genus Anadenobolus is reported for self-anointing for the first time. I also observed five grackles, feeding upon the millipede Asiomorpha coarctata, after washing it in water. Possibly, grackles rub the millipedes on their plumage because their secretions may work as ectoparasite repellent or may decrease irritation during molting. The birds ingest these myriapods when food is scarce or because these may help against intestinal parasites.Resumen · Uso de milpiés como alimento y para “auto-unción” por el Mozambique de Puerto Rico (Quiscalus niger brachypterus) Aunque raras veces observado, el “hormigarse” ha sido reportado para más de 200 especies de aves. El concepto fue utilizado para explicar la conducta de aves que dejan que hormigas se suban sobre estas o las capturan, para restregárselas en su plumaje. Sin embargo, la nomenclatura de esta conducta se ha ampliado y actualmente se le llama “auto-unción” e incluye el uso de untarse líquidos y otros animales como milpiés (Diplopoda). En este trabajo describo el uso de milpiés (Trigoniulus coralinus y Anadenobolus monilicornis), por parte del Mozambique de Puerto Rico (Quiscalus niger brachipterus), para untárselos en su plumaje y luego ingerirlos. El género Anadenobolus es informado, por primera vez, para este tipo de uso. Además, observé cinco individuos del Mozambique de Puerto Rico ingerir individuos del milpiés Asiomorpha coarctata, luego de lavarlos en agua. Probablemente, el Mozambique frota los milpiés en su plumaje como repelente de ectoparásitos o para aliviar la irritación que produce la muda. El ave ingiere a estos miriápodos como fuente de alimento, cuando este escasea, y posiblemente, para combatir parásitos intestinales.
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Lloyd, John D., Christopher C. Rimmer, and José A. Salguero-Faría. "Short-term effects of hurricanes Maria and Irma on forest birds of Puerto Rico." PLOS ONE 14, no. 6 (June 11, 2019): e0214432. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0214432.
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Hunter, William C., P. R. Ehrlich, D. S. Dobkin, and D. Wheye. "Birds in Jeopardy: The Imperiled and Extinct Birds of the United States and Canada, Including Hawaii and Puerto Rico." Journal of Wildlife Management 57, no. 4 (October 1993): 938. http://dx.doi.org/10.2307/3809104.
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Falcón, Wilfredo, and Raymond L. Tremblay. "From the cage to the wild: introductions of Psittaciformes to Puerto Rico." PeerJ 6 (October 30, 2018): e5669. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.5669.
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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.
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Ferguson, Donna M., Ginamary Negrón Talavera, Luis A. Ríos Hernández, Stephen B. Weisberg, Richard F. Ambrose, and Jennifer A. Jay. "Virulence Genes amongEnterococcus faecalisandEnterococcus faeciumIsolated from Coastal Beaches and Human and Nonhuman Sources in Southern California and Puerto Rico." Journal of Pathogens 2016 (2016): 1–7. http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2016/3437214.
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MostEnterococcus faecalisandE. faeciumare harmless to humans; however, strains harboring virulence genes, includingesp, gelE, cylA, asa1, andhyl, have been associated with human infections.E. faecalisandE. faeciumare present in beach waters worldwide, yet little is known about their virulence potential. Here, multiplex PCR was used to compare the distribution of virulence genes amongE. faecalisandE. faeciumisolated from beaches in Southern California and Puerto Rico to isolates from potential sources including humans, animals, birds, and plants. All five virulence genes were found inE. faecalisandE. faeciumfrom beach water, mostly amongE. faecalis.gelEwas the most common among isolates from all source types. There was a lower incidence ofasa1,esp,cylA, andhylgenes among isolates from beach water, sewage, septage, urban runoff, sea wrack, and eelgrass as compared to human isolates, indicating that virulent strains ofE. faecalisandE. faeciummay not be widely disseminated at beaches. A higher frequency ofasa1andespamongE. faecalisfrom dogs and ofasa1among birds (mostly seagull) suggests that further studies on the distribution and virulence potential of strains carrying these genes may be warranted.
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GUILLÉN-HERNÁNDEZ, SERGIO, MARTÍN GARCÍA-VARELA, and GERARDO PÉREZ-PONCE DE LEÓN. "First record of Hexaglandula corynosoma (Travassos, 1915) Petrochenko, 1958 (Acanthocephala: Polymorphidae) in intermediate and definitive hosts in Mexico." Zootaxa 1873, no. 1 (September 10, 2008): 61. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1873.1.6.
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Members of Polymorphidae, including Hexaglandula corynosoma, are acanthocephalans commonly found as intestinal parasites in marine mammals, fish-eating birds and waterfowl. Hexaglandula corynosoma is distributed throughout the Southeastern U. S. and southwards to Puerto Rico and Brazil. An acanthocephalan (and its larvae) resembling H. corynosoma were found parasitizing intermediate (decapod crustaceans, Uca spinicarpa) and definitive hosts (yellow-crowned night herons, Nyctanacea violacea) from various localities in Mexico. A morphological and genetic study, in combination with previous studies, confirmed that the larvae and adults were conspecific and corresponded to H. corynosoma. This is the first record of H. corynosoma in Mexico parasitizing intermediate and definitive hosts.
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McNicholl, Martin K. "A Guide to the Birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands , by Herbert A. Raffaele [Review]." Canadian field-naturalist 105, no. 1 (1991): 142. http://dx.doi.org/10.5962/p.357983.
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Levy, Catherine. "Records of the Shiny Cowbird (<em>Molothrus bonariensis</em>) in Jamaica." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 32 (November 25, 2019): 86–90. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2019.32.86-90.
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Abstract: The Shiny Cowbird (Molothrus bonariensis) is a brood parasite native to South America that has spread across the Caribbean archipelago and North America. The species likely reached Puerto Rico before 1955, the Dominican Republic in 1972, Cuba in 1982, the Bahamas in 1984, and the Florida Keys in 1985. There are conflicting reports about the date of arrival in Jamai- ca, but the species was not definitively recorded there until 1989. In this paper, I describe observations of the species in Jamaica and document its spread across the island.
Keywords: invasive birds, Jamaica, Molothrus bonariensis, Shiny Cowbird
Resumen: Registros de Molothrus bonariensis en Jamaica—Molothrus bonariensis es un para?sito de cri?a nativo de Ame?rica del Sur que se ha extendido por todo el archipie?lago del Caribe y Ame?rica del Norte. La especie probablemente llego? a Puerto Rico antes de 1955, la Repu?blica Dominicana en 1972, Cuba en 1982, Las Bahamas en 1984 y los cayos de la Florida en 1985. Hay in- formes contradictorios sobre la fecha de llegada a Jamaica, aunque la especie no fue registrada definitivamente hasta 1989. En este documento, describo las observaciones de la especie en Jamaica y documento su proliferacio?n en toda la isla.
Palabras clave: aves invasoras, Jamaica, Molothrus bonariensis
Résumé: Mentions de Vacher luisant (Molothrus bonariensis) en Jamai?que—Le Vacher luisant (Molothrus bonariensis) est une espe?ce parasite des couve?es originaire d’Ame?rique du Sud qui s’est re?pandue dans la Carai?be et en Ame?rique du Nord. L’espe?ce a probablement atteint Porto Rico avant 1955, la Re?publique dominicaine en 1972, Cuba en 1982, les Bahamas en 1984 et les Keys de Floride en 1985. Il existe des donne?es contradictoires sur la date d’arrive?e en Jamai?que, mais l’espe?ce n’a e?te? formelle- ment enregistre?e dans ce pays qu’en 1989. Le pre?sent article de?crit les observations de l’espe?ce en Jamai?que et documente sa dispersion a? travers l'i?le.
Mots clés: Jamai?que, Molothrus bonariensis, oiseaux envahissants, Vacher luisant
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Ribeiro, José W., Kristopher Harmon, Gabriel Augusto Leite, Tomaz Nascimento de Melo, Jack LeBien, and Marconi Campos-Cerqueira. "Passive Acoustic Monitoring as a Tool to Investigate the Spatial Distribution of Invasive Alien Species." Remote Sensing 14, no. 18 (September 13, 2022): 4565. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/rs14184565.
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Invasive alien species (IAS) are a threat to biodiversity and ecosystem function worldwide. Unfortunately, researchers, agencies, and other management groups face the unresolved challenge of effectively detecting and monitoring IAS at large spatial and temporal scales. To improve the detection of soniferous IAS, we introduced a pipeline for large-scale passive acoustic monitoring (PAM). Our main goal was to illustrate how PAM can be used to rapidly provide baseline information on soniferous IAS. To that aim, we collected acoustic data across Puerto Rico from March to June 2021 and used single-species occupancy models to investigate species distribution of species in the archipelago and to assess the peak of vocal activity. Overall, we detected 16 IAS (10 birds, 3 mammals, and 3 frogs) and 79 native species in an extensive data set with 1,773,287 1-min recordings. Avian activity peaked early in the morning (between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m.), while amphibians peaked between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. Occupancy probability for IAS in Puerto Rico ranged from 0.002 to 0.67. In general, elevation and forest cover older than 54 years were negatively associated with IAS occupancy, corroborating our expectation that IAS occurrence is related to high levels of human disturbance and present higher occupancy probabilities in places characterized by more intense human activities. The work presented here demonstrates that PAM is a workable solution for monitoring vocally active IAS over a large area and provides a reproducible workflow that can be extended to allow for continued monitoring over longer timeframes.
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Mostello, Carolyn, Ian Nisbet, Stephen Oswald, and James Fox. "Non-breeding season movements of six North American Roseate Terns Sterna dougallii tracked with geolocators." Seabird Journal, no. 27 (2014): 1–20. http://dx.doi.org/10.61350/sbj.27.1.
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Little is known of the endangered and declining western North Atlantic population of the Roseate Tern Sterna dougallii outside the breeding season, when most mortality probably occurs. We used geolocators to track Roseate Terns in 2007 and 2009 and retrieved six units with useful data. In the post-breeding period in July-August, all six birds staged around Cape Cod, close to the breeding site. They started southward migration from 28 August to 14 September and flew directly across the western North Atlantic Ocean to staging areas around Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. We identified five major areas and four minor areas in the West Indies and along the north and east coasts of South America where birds stopped over for 2-24 d during southward and northward migrations. Birds arrived at (Northern Hemisphere) wintering areas from Guyana/Suriname on the north coast of South America to eastern Brazil between 3 October and 2 November. They left wintering areas from 7-23 April and arrived back at the breeding area from 5-30 May. Although this study is based on data for only six birds, it identifies several stopover and wintering areas that should receive priority for future studies and potential conservation measures. Geolocators did not impair Roseate Terns' ability to raise young in the year the devices were attached, but lower than expected rates of return suggest that the geolocators reduced survival, and most of the birds that returned had lost body-mass and did not breed in the year of return.
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Herrera‐Montes, Maria Isabel, and Mitchell Aide. "The effect of anthropogenic noise on the calling behavior of amphibians and birds in urban areas of Puerto Rico." Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 127, no. 3 (March 2010): 1840. http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/1.3384308.
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Dugger, Katie M., John Faaborg, Wayne J. Arendt, and Keith A. Hobson. "Understanding Survival and Abundance of Overwintering Warblers: Does Rainfall Matter?" Condor 106, no. 4 (November 1, 2004): 744–60. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/106.4.744.
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Abstract We investigated relationships between warbler abundance and survival rates measured on a Puerto Rican wintering site and rainfall patterns measured on the wintering site and in regions where these warblers breed, as estimated using stable-isotope analysis (δD) of feathers collected from wintering birds. We banded birds using constant-effort mist netting from January 1989–2003 in the Gu´nica Forest of southwestern Puerto Rico. Black-and-white Warblers (Mniotilta varia), American Redstarts (Setophaga ruticilla), and Ovenbirds (Seiurus aurocapilla) dominated the Neotropical migrant capture totals each winter, with resulting sample sizes large enough to estimate survival rates. Estimates of capture probability from survival modeling allowed us to estimate abundance from mist-netting capture totals for Black-and-white Warblers and Ovenbirds. Stable-hydrogen isotopes showed that the three focal species came mostly from the eastern United States. Black-and-white Warbler abundance was related to rainfall total deviations from normal in Guánica Forest, and Ovenbird abundance was related to total annual rainfall in the United States. Survival models with rainfall covariates were weakly supported overall, but apparent survival of Black-and-white Warblers and American Redstarts was negatively related to rain during the first 6 months of the year at Guánica, and Ovenbird survival was related to rainfall during the spring in the southeastern U.S. Abundance and apparent survival exhibited similar, species-specific patterns of association with rainfall for Black-and-white Warblers and Ovenbirds. Winter rainfall was important to demographic parameters of Black-and-white Warblers, and breeding-season rain was important to Ovenbirds. Entendiendo los Patrones de Supervivencia y Abundancia de Parúlidos Residentes de Invierno: ¿Es Importante la Precipitación? Resumen. Investigamos las relaciones entre la abundancia y las tasas de supervivencia de parúlidos residentes de invierno en Puerto Rico y los patrones de precipitación de los sitios invernales y de las áreas de anidación, éstas últimas deducidas a partir del análisis de isótopos estables (δD) en plumas colectadas de las aves migratorias. Las aves fueron capturadas y anilladas utilizando redes de niebla en el Bosque de Guánica en el suroeste de Puerto Rico durante el mes de enero, desde 1989 hasta el 2003. Las especies de aves neotropicales con mayor número de capturas totales durante cada invierno fueron Mniotilta varia, Setophaga ruticilla y Seiurus aurocapilla, con un tamaño de muestra lo suficientemente grande como para estimar sus tasas de supervivencia. La estimación de las probabilidades de captura a partir de los modelos de supervivencia nos permitieron evaluar la abundancia utilizando datos de capturas totales para Mniotilta varia y Seiurus aurocapilla. Los isótopos de hidrógeno estable mostraron que las tres especies de aves focales provinieron principalmente de la región Este de Estados Unidos. La abundancia de Mniotilta varia estuvo relacionada a las variaciones totales de precipitación en el Bosque de Guánica y la abundancia de Seiurus aurocapilla estuvo relacionada a la precipitación anual total en los Estados Unidos. Los modelos de supervivencia con covariables de precipitación tuvieron muy poco respaldo. Sin embargo, la supervivencia aparente de Mniotilta varia y Setophaga ruticilla estuvo relacionada negativamente a la precipitación durante los primeros seis meses del año en Guánica y la supervivencia de Seiurus aurocapilla estuvo relacionada a la precipitación durante la estación de primavera en el sureste de Estados Unidos. La abundancia y la supervivencia aparente mostraron patrones de asociación similares y específicos para cada especie con la precipitación para Mniotilta varia y Seiurus aurocapilla. La precipitación de invierno fue un factor importante para determinar los patrones demográficos de Mniotilta varia y la precipitación durante la temporada de anidación también fue un factor significativo para Seiurus aurocapilla.
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Campos-Cerqueira, Marconi. "Combining passive acoustic monitoring and species distribution models to monitor species responses to climate change." Journal of the Acoustical Society of America 153, no. 3_supplement (March 1, 2023): A25. http://dx.doi.org/10.1121/10.0018025.
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Climate change is altering the spatial distribution of many species worldwide, even in pristine and protected areas. Therefore, we need to identify and protect suitable areas for a large proportion of the fauna so that they persist through time. Here, we combined passive acoustic monitoring, semi-automatic species identification models, and species distribution models to document shifts in bird and frog distributions along an elevational gradient. In addition, we used acoustic data from 674 sites from Puerto Rico's main island to create species distribution models based on past (1980–1989), present (2005–2014), and future (2040–2060) climate scenarios to determine how species distributions relate to the current distribution of protected areas. Our results suggest that species are shifting toward high-elevation areas. We also showed that Puerto Rico is projected to become dryer by 2040–2060, and precipitation in the warmest quarter was among the most important variables affecting bird distribution across the entire island. In addition, a large portion of always-suitable areas for birds is outside of protected areas (>75%), indicating that present protected areas will not suffice to safeguard bird species under climate change. We must be creative and proactive in protecting species in climate change scenarios.
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Hopken, Matthew W., Limarie J. Reyes-Torres, Nicole Scavo, Antoinette J. Piaggio, Zaid Abdo, Daniel Taylor, James Pierce, and Donald A. Yee. "Temporal and Spatial Blood Feeding Patterns of Urban Mosquitoes in the San Juan Metropolitan Area, Puerto Rico." Insects 12, no. 2 (February 2, 2021): 129. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/insects12020129.
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Urban ecosystems are a patchwork of habitats that host a broad diversity of animal species. Insects comprise a large portion of urban biodiversity which includes many pest species, including those that transmit pathogens. Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) inhabit urban environments and rely on sympatric vertebrate species to complete their life cycles, and in this process transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Given that mosquitoes feed upon vertebrates, they can also act as efficient samplers that facilitate detection of vertebrate species that utilize urban ecosystems. In this study, we analyzed DNA extracted from mosquito blood meals collected temporally in multiple neighborhoods of the San Juan Metropolitan Area, Puerto Rico to evaluate the presence of vertebrate fauna. DNA was collected from 604 individual mosquitoes that represented two common urban species, Culex quinquefasciatus (n = 586) and Aedes aegypti (n = 18). Culex quinquefasciatus fed on 17 avian taxa (81.2% of blood meals), seven mammalian taxa (17.9%), and one reptilian taxon (0.85%). Domestic chickens dominated these blood meals both temporally and spatially, and no statistically significant shift from birds to mammals was detected. Aedes aegypti blood meals were from a less diverse group, with two avian taxa (11.1%) and three mammalian taxa (88.9%) identified. The blood meals we identified provided a snapshot of the vertebrate community in the San Juan Metropolitan Area and have potential implications for vector-borne pathogen transmission.
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Veit, Richard R., Lucinda C. Zawadzki, Lisa L. Manne, Pearl Cales, Danielle Fibikar, Shannon Curley, Elizabeth Dluhos, and Robert L. Norton. "Vagrancy and colonization of St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, by Adelaide’s Warblers (<em>Setophaga adelaidae</em>)." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 29 (December 19, 2016): 47–50. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2016.29.47-50.
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Abstract: We identified and photographed five Adelaide’s Warblers (Setophaga adelaidae) in the Lameshur Bay area on the southeastern corner of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, during January 2015, and found eight birds in the same area during January 2016. Adelaide’s Warblers, endemic to Puerto Rico and Vieques Island, the latter 67 km to the southwest of St. John, were first recorded in the U.S. Virgin Islands in 2012–2013 on both St. Thomas and St. John. We suggest that vagrancy of Adelaide’s Warblers to the U.S. Virgin Islands, against prevailing easterly trade winds, may represent in real time the island colonization process of some passerine birds in the West Indies.
Keywords: Adelaide’s Warbler, colonization, island biogeography, St. John, St. Thomas, Setophaga adelaidae, U.S. Virgin Islands, vagrancy, West Indies
Resumen: En enero de 2015, identificamos y fotografiamos a cinco individuos de Reinita Mariposera (Setophaga adelaidae) en el área de la Bahía Lameshur, en el extremo sudeste de San Juan, Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses. También encontramos ocho individuos en la misma zona en enero de 2016. Reinita Mariposera, endémica de las islas de Puerto Rico y Vieques y cuyo punto más cercano a San Juan dista 67 km, fue registrada por primera vez en las Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses en 2012–2013 en ambas islas: Santo Tomás y San Juan. Sugerimos que la divagancia de Reinita Mariposera en las Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses en contra de los vientos alisios predominantes del este pueden representar, en tiempo real, el proceso de colonización de una isla por parte de especies paseriformes en el Caribe Insular.
Palabras clave: biogeografía insular, Caribe Insular, colonización, divagancia, Islas Vírgenes estadounidenses, Reinita Mariposera, San Juan, Santo Tomás, Setophaga adelaidae
Résumé: Nous avons identifié et photographié cinq Parulines d’Adélaïde (Setophaga adelaidae) dans la région de Lameshur Bay au sud-est de St-John (Îles Vierges américaines), en janvier 2015, et nous avons trouvé huit individus dans la même région en janvier 2016. La Paruline d’Adélaïde, espèce endémique des îles de Porto Rico et de Vieques - cette dernière étant située à 67 km au sud-ouest de St-John - a été mentionnée à St-Thomas et St-John (Îles Vierges américaines) pour la première fois en 2012–2013. Nous estimons que l’erratisme de la Paruline d’Adélaïde aux Îles Vierges américaines, contre les alizés dominants de secteur est, pourrait illustrer en temps réel le processus de colonisation des Antilles par les passereaux.
Mots clés: Antilles, biogéographie insulaire, colonisation, erratisme, Îles Vierges américaines, Paruline d’Adélaïde, St-John, St-Thomas, Setophaga adelaidae
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Ramos-Güivas, Brian, Jodie M. Jawor, and Timothy F. Wright. "Seasonal Variation in Fecal Glucocorticoid Levels and Their Relationship to Reproductive Success in Captive Populations of an Endangered Parrot." Diversity 13, no. 12 (November 25, 2021): 617. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/d13120617.
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Many species are threatened with extinction, and captive breeding programs are becoming more common to avoid this outcome. These programs serve to prevent extinction and produce individuals for eventual reintroduction to natural populations in historical habitat. Captive animals experience different energetic demands than those in the wild, however, and as a result may have different levels of glucocorticoid hormones. Glucocorticoids help with responses to energetically expensive and potentially stressful situations. Elevated glucocorticoid levels can also potentially alter reproduction and other key behaviors, thus complicating successful captive breeding. The Puerto Rican parrot (Amazona vittata) is a critically endangered parrot that currently exists in only two wild and two captive populations. Its recovery program provides a good platform to better understand how glucocorticoid levels may relate to reproductive success under captive conditions. We validated a corticosterone assay in this species and used non-invasive techniques of measuring fecal glucocorticoid metabolites of males and females from two captive populations (Rio Abajo and El Yunque) of Puerto Rican parrots over two consecutive breeding seasons, 2017 and 2018, and the pre-breeding season of 2018, which occurred just after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. Our results show that levels of fecal glucocorticoid metabolites of males measured during the breeding season of 2018 negatively correlated to the number of total eggs and fertile eggs laid by pairs. In contrast, there was a positive relationship of female fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels during the pre-breeding season of 2018 with total eggs laid. In males from the Rio Abajo population, we found seasonal differences in fecal glucocorticoid metabolite levels, with higher levels during the pre-breeding season of 2018 compared to both 2017 and 2018 breeding seasons. There was no difference in the mean value of male fecal glucocorticoid metabolites between the 2017 breeding season and 2018 breeding season which started four months after Hurricane Maria struck Puerto Rico. We did find sex differences during the pre-breeding season of 2018 in birds from the Rio Abajo population. Adjustments in the care routine of both populations that could reduce circulating baseline glucocorticoids and avoid frequent, sudden elevations of glucocorticoids should be considered. These results provide a baseline for future comparison with reintroduced populations of this endangered species and other species with captive breeding programs.
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Cielo E. Figuerola-Hernández, Rickard S. Toomey III, Patricia Kambesis, José L. Herrera-Giraldo, and Nick D. Holmes. "Persistence of Audubon’s Shearwater (<em>Puffinus lherminieri</em>) and Bridled Tern (<em>Onychoprion anaethetus</em>) in cave breeding refugia on Mona Island, Puerto Rico." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 34 (September 16, 2021): 81–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2021.34.81-84.
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Abstract Seabirds are one of the most threatened bird groups, with the abundance and conservation status of Caribbean populations in decline. Mona Island, off the west coast of Puerto Rico, is a protected area and conservation priority in the Caribbean, with ongoing threats of non-native predation and habitat modification by invasive mammals. More than 80 yr since the last observation, we report the persistence of two breeding seabirds—the Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri) and the Bridled Tern (Onychoprion anaethetus)—in the northern caves of Mona Island. These remnant populations could play a critical role in seabird recovery on Mona following an effort to eradicate invasive mammals and could contribute to the conservation status of these birds in the Caribbean.
Keywords Audubon’s Shearwater, breeding, Bridled Tern, Mona Island, Onychoprion anaethetus, Puffinus lherminieri, seabird
Resumen Persistencia de Puffinus lherminieri y Onychoprion anaethetus en refugios de cría en cuevas en la isla de Mona, Puerto Rico • Las aves marinas son uno de los grupos de aves más amenazados, con la abundancia y el estado de conservación de las poblaciones del Caribe en declive. La isla de Mona, frente a la costa occidental de Puerto Rico, es un área protegida y una prioridad de conservación en el Caribe, con amenazas constantes de depredación por especies no nativas y modificación del hábitat por mamíferos invasores. Más de 80 años después del último avistamiento, reportamos la permanencia de dos aves marinas reproductoras—Puffinus lherminieri y Onychoprion anaethetus—en las cuevas del norte de la isla de Mona. Estas poblaciones remanentes podrían desempeñar un papel fundamental en la recuperación de las aves marinas en Mona tras un esfuerzo por erradicar los mamíferos invasores y podrían contribuir al estado de conservación de estas aves en el Caribe.
Palabras clave aves marinas, cría, isla de Mona, Onychoprion anaethetus, Puffinus lherminieri
Résumé Persistance de la nidification du Puffin d’Audubon (Puffinus lherminieri) et de la Sterne bridée (Onychoprion anaethetus) dans des grottes refuges sur l’île Mona, à Porto Rico • Les oiseaux marins sont l’un des groupes d’oiseaux les plus menacés, l’abondance et l’état de conservation des populations caribéennes étant en déclin. Au large de la côte ouest de Porto Rico, l’île Mona est une zone protégée et de conservation prioritaire dans la Caraïbe, avec des menaces permanentes de prédation par des espèces non indigènes et de modification des habitats par des mammifères envahissants. Plus de 80 ans après la dernière observation, nous signalons la persistance de la nidification de deux oiseaux marins — le Puffin d’Audubon (Puffinus lherminieri) et la Sterne bridée (Onychoprion anaethetus) — dans des grottes du nord de l’île Mona. Ces populations résiduelles pourraient jouer un rôle essentiel dans le rétablissement des oiseaux marins sur Mona après un effort d’éradication des mammifères envahissants, et pourraient contribuer à améliorer l’état de conservation de ces oiseaux dans la Caraïbe.
Mots clés île Mona, oiseau marin, Onychoprion anaethetus, Puffin d’Audubon, Puffinus lherminieri, reproduction, Sterne bridée
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Alldredge, Mathew W., Kenneth H. Pollock, Theodore R. Simons, Jaime A. Collazo, and Susan A. Shriner. "Time-of-Detection Method for Estimating Abundance From Point-Count Surveys." Auk 124, no. 2 (April 1, 2007): 653–64. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/auk/124.2.653.
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Abstract Point-count surveys are often used to collect data on the abundance and distribution of birds, generally as an index of relative abundance. Valid comparison of these indices assumes that the detection process is comparable over space and time. These restrictive assumptions can be eliminated by estimating detection probabilities directly. We generalize a recently proposed removal model for estimating detection probabilities using a time-of-detection approach, which can account for more sources of variation in point-count data. This method is specifically designed to account for variation in detection probabilities associated with singing rates of birds. Our model accounts for both availability bias and detection bias by modeling the combined probability that a bird sings during the count, and the probability that it is detected given that it sings. The model requires dividing the count into several intervals and recording detections of individual birds in each interval. We develop maximum-likelihood estimators for this approach and provide a full suite of models based on capture-recapture models, including covariate models. We present two examples of this method: one for four species of songbirds surveyed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park using three unequal intervals, and one for the Pearly-eyed Thrasher (Margarops fuscatus) surveyed in Puerto Rico using four equal intervals. Models incorporating individual heterogeneity were selected for all data sets using information-theoretic model-selection techniques. Detection probabilities varied among count-time intervals, which suggests that birds may be responding to observers. We recommend applying this method to surveys with four or more equal intervals to reduce assumptions and to take full advantage of standard capture-recapture software. The time-of-detection approach provides a better understanding of the detection process, especially when singing rates of individual birds affect detection probabilities. Estimación de la Abundancia en Puntos de Conteo Mediante el Método del Tiempo de Detección
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Zhao, Xuejin, Lianzhong Zhao, Ya Zhao, Kun Huang, Wenxiao Gong, Ying Yang, Li Zhao, et al. "3-Indoleacetonitrile Is Highly Effective in Treating Influenza A Virus Infection In Vitro and In Vivo." Viruses 13, no. 8 (July 23, 2021): 1433. http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/v13081433.
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Influenza A viruses are serious zoonotic pathogens that continuously cause pandemics in several animal hosts, including birds, pigs, and humans. Indole derivatives containing an indole core framework have been extensively studied and developed to prevent and/or treat viral infection. This study evaluated the anti-influenza activity of several indole derivatives, including 3-indoleacetonitrile, indole-3-carboxaldehyde, 3-carboxyindole, and gramine, in A549 and MDCK cells. Among these compounds, 3-indoleacetonitrile exerts profound antiviral activity against a broad spectrum of influenza A viruses, as tested in A549 cells. Importantly, in a mouse model, 3-indoleacetonitrile with a non-toxic concentration of 20 mg/kg effectively reduced the mortality and weight loss, diminished lung virus titers, and alleviated lung lesions of mice lethally challenged with A/duck/Hubei/WH18/2015 H5N6 and A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1 influenza A viruses. The antiviral properties enable the potential use of 3-indoleacetonitrile for the treatment of IAV infection.
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Beehler, Bruce M. "Birds in Jeopardy: The Imperiled and Extinct Birds of the United States and Canada, Including Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Paul R. Ehrlich , David S. Dobkin , Darryl Wheye." Quarterly Review of Biology 68, no. 2 (June 1993): 285–86. http://dx.doi.org/10.1086/418109.
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Kartashova, N. P., I. A. Leneva, I. N. Falynskova, and A. V. Poddubikov. "Examining effects of NS1 specific antibodies on sublethal influenza infection and secondary bacterial pneumonia in mice." Russian Journal of Immunology 23, no. 4 (October 15, 2020): 383–88. http://dx.doi.org/10.46235/1028-7221-438-eeo.
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Influenza is a highly contagious respiratory disease widespread throughout the world that causes disease in humans, birds and many mammalian species. Annually, around 20% of the global human gets sick with influenza so that more than 500,000 people die its various complications. Secondary bacterial pneumonia poses the peak threat during influenza infection, being most frequently caused by S. pneumoniae. Multiple studies in humans confirm the negative impact of influenza virus infection on subsequent outcome of bacterial pneumonia and provides insight into increased morbidity and mortality due to complicated influenza infection. In particular, the last 2009 influenza pandemic caused by H1N1 virus revealed that 25-56% cases of severe disease forms were associated with secondary pneumonia, among which 14-46% of them were fatal. Based on the aforementioned, it is of high priority to investigate a role of influenza virus proteins in developing of pathogen synergism in viral-bacterial pneumonia, particularly influenza virus non-structural protein NS1. The study objective was to examine effects of NS1-specific antibodies on course of influenza infection and secondary bacterial pneumonia in mice. For this, we used an experimental model of sublethal influenza infection followed by secondary Streptococcus pneumoniae bacterial pneumonia. Influenza A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (H1N1) virus and S. pneumoniae No. 3405 strain were used to simulate influenza infection. Rabbit serum containing antibodies against recombinant NS1 protein from A/Puerto Rico/8/34 virus and native rabbit serum (contain no specific antibodies) were used for vaccination. The study was carried out with female BALB/c mice, weighing 20-22 g. Protective activity of animal serum was assessed by using the three criteria: infection-related mortality, life expectancy and body weight change. The data obtained showed that passive transfer of antibodies specific to influenza virus NS1 protein did not lowered viral replication in sublethal murine model of influenza infection. Subsequent secondary bacterial pneumonia induced by S. pneumoniae revealed no protective effect of anti-NS1 protein antibodies assessed by measuring survival rate, lung viral and bacterial titers in treated vs. control mice.
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Gutiérrez-Ramos, Nicole A., and Miguel A. Acevedo. "Higher body condition with infection by Haemoproteus parasites in Bananaquits (Coereba flaveola)." PeerJ 12 (March 29, 2024): e16361. http://dx.doi.org/10.7717/peerj.16361.
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Parasite transmission is a heterogenous process in host-parasite interactions. This heterogeneity is particularly apparent in vector-borne parasite transmission where the vector adds an additional level of complexity. Haemosporidian parasites, a widespread protist, cause a malaria-like disease in birds globally, but we still have much to learn about the consequences of infection to hosts’ health. In the Caribbean, where malarial parasites are endemic, studying host-parasites interactions may give us important insights about energetic trade-offs involved in malarial parasites infections in birds. In this study, we tested the consequences of Haemoproteus infection on the Bananaquit, a resident species of Puerto Rico. We also tested for potential sources of individual heterogeneity in the consequences of infection such as host age and sex. To quantify the consequences of infection to hosts’ health we compared three complementary body condition indices between infected and uninfected individuals. Our results showed that Bananaquits infected by Haemoproteus had higher body condition than uninfected individuals. This result was consistent among the three body condition indices. Still, we found no clear evidence that this effect was mediated by host age or sex. We discuss a set of non-mutually exclusive hypotheses that may explain this pattern including metabolic syndrome, immunological responses leading to host tolerance or resistance to infection, and potential changes in consumption rates. Overall, our results suggest that other mechanisms, may drive the consequences of avian malarial infection.
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DRONEN, NORMAN O., CHARLES K. BLEND, SCOTT L. GARDNER, and F. AGUSTÍN JIMÉNEZ. "Stictodora cablei n. sp. (Digenea: Heterophyidae) from the royal tern, Sterna maxima (Laridae: Sterninae) from Puerto Rico and the Brazos County area of the Texas Gulf coast, U.S.A., with a list of other endohelminths recovered in Texas." Zootaxa 1432, no. 1 (March 26, 2007): 35–56. http://dx.doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.1432.1.3.
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During a study of the endohelminths of wading birds from the Texas Gulf coast, 3 immature specimens of Stictodora (Heterophyidae) representing the same species that had previously been identified as Stictodora acanthotrema from the royal tern, Sterna maxima, in Puerto Rico by Raymond M. Cable, Robert S. Connor, and Jan W. Balling in 1960 were recovered from a royal tern, collected from the Bryan Utility Lake, Bryan, Texas. An additional 17 slides (14 whole mounts and 3 slides of sections) of this species that had been collected from this same bird host in Puerto Rico by Dr. Raymond M. Cable were examined from the holdings of the Harold W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Nebraska. This species of Stictodora has the characteristic of the subgenus Galactosomoides and does not conform to the original description of Stictodora (=Acanthotrema) acanthotrema from the royal tern in Brazil, and it is therefore described as Stictodora cablei n. sp. The new species can be distinguished from all the other species in the genus by its unique acetabulogenital complex in which the acetabulum is highly modified with a small pad-like structure at its base surrounded by 3 papilliform arms extending sinistrally from it, whose outer edges fuse with the wall of the acetabulogenital sac, supporting the walls of the sac and the genital opening, and where the acetabulogenital sac contains a second, larger pad-like structure (the gonotyl described by Raymond M. Cable, Robert S. Conner, and Jan W. Balling in 1960) that extends from the left wall of the sac. Eleven other endohelminths were found in royal terns from Texas, U.S.A.: 3 cestodes, Angularella sp. (Dilepididae), an unknown genus and species of Dilepididae, and an unidentified immature cestode; 1 nematode, Contracaecum sp. (Anisakidae); and 7 trematodes, Cardiocephaloides brandesii (Strigeidae), Cercarioides cochleariformis (Heterophyidae), Mesostephanus fajardensis (Cyathocotylidae), Natterophthalmus andersoni (Philophthalmidae), Parorchis acanthus (Philophthalmidae), Stephanoprora conciliata (Echinostomatidae), and Stephanoprora denticulata (Echinostomatidae). Angularella sp., Contracaecum sp., M. fajardensis, S. conciliata, C. cochleariformis, and P. acanthus represent new host records. A checklist of parasites previously reported from the royal tern is also provided.
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Beltrán, William, and Joseph M. Wunderle. "Determinants of tree species preference for foraging by insectivorous birds in a novel Prosopis–Leucaena woodland in Puerto Rico: the role of foliage palatability." Biodiversity and Conservation 22, no. 9 (July 20, 2013): 2071–89. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-013-0529-x.
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González, Ana M. Martín, Bo Dalsgaard, Jeff Ollerton, Allan Timmermann, Jens M. Olesen, Laila Andersen, and Adrianne G. Tossas. "Effects of climate on pollination networks in the West Indies." Journal of Tropical Ecology 25, no. 5 (September 2009): 493–506. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s0266467409990034.
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Abstract:We studied the effect of climate on the plant-pollinator communities in the West Indies. We constructed plots of 200 m × 5 m in two distinct habitats on the islands of Dominica, Grenada and Puerto Rico (total of six plots) and recorded visitors to all plant species in flower. In total we recorded 447 interactions among 144 plants and 226 pollinator species. Specifically we describe how rainfall and temperature affect proportional richness and importance of the different pollinator functional groups. We used three measures of pollinator importance: number of interactions, number of plant species visited and betweenness centrality. Overall rainfall explained most of the variation in pollinator richness and relative importance. Bird pollination tended to increase with rainfall, although not significantly, whereas insects were significantly negatively affected by rainfall. However, the response among insect groups was more complex; bees were strongly negatively affected by rainfall, whereas dipterans showed similar trends to birds. Bird, bee and dipteran variation along the climate gradient can be largely explained by their physiological capabilities to respond to rainfall and temperature, but the effect of climate on other insect pollinator groups was more obscure. This study contributes to the understanding of how climate may affect neotropical plant-pollinator communities.
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White, Thomas H., Jaime A. Collazo, and Francisco J. Vilella. "Survival of Captive-Reared Puerto Rican Parrots Released in the Caribbean National Forest." Condor 107, no. 2 (May 1, 2005): 424–32. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/condor/107.2.424.
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Abstract We report first-year survival for 34 captive-reared Puerto Rican Parrots (Amazona vittata) released in the Caribbean National Forest, Puerto Rico between 2000 and 2002. The purpose of the releases were to increase population size and the potential number of breeding individuals of the sole extant wild population, and to refine release protocols for eventual reintroduction of a second wild population elsewhere on the island. After extensive prerelease training, we released 10 parrots in 2000, 16 parrots in 2001, and eight parrots in 2002 ranging in age from 1–4 years old. All birds were equipped with radio-transmitters to monitor survival. The overall first-year survival estimate for the 34 parrots was 41% (CI = 22%–61%). Only one parrot died within the first week postrelease, with most (94%) surviving for at least eight weeks after release. Most (54%) documented mortalities were due to raptor predation, which claimed 21% of all released parrots. A captive-reared bird (male, age one), released in 2001, paired with a wild female and fledged two young in 2004. We also calculated survival based on 0% and 50% of observed predation losses and found hypothetical survival rates of 72% and 54%, respectively. Rigorous prerelease training and acclimation was believed to have improved initial postrelease parrot survival, and releasing mixed age-class groups suggests the potential for shortening the time to recruitment. Supervivencia de Individuos de Amazona vittata Criados en Cautiverio y Liberados en el Bosque Nacional del Caribe Resumen. Determinamos la supervivencia de 34 individuos de cotorras Amazona vittata criados en cautiverio y liberados en el Bosque Nacional del Caribe, Puerto Rico entre el 2000 y el 2002. El propósito de las liberaciones era aumentar el tamaño de la población y el número potencial de individuos reproductores en la única población silvestre remanente, y refinar los protocolos de liberación para eventualmente establecer una segunda población silvestre en la isla. Después de un adiestramiento extensivo, liberamos 10 cotorras en el 2000, 16 cotorras en el 2001, y ocho cotorras en el 2002 fluctuando en edades entre uno y cuatro años. Cada individuo se liberó con un radio transmisor para determinar su supervivencia. La tasa general de supervivencia para 34 cotorras después de un año fue de 41% (IC = 22–61%). Sólo una cotorra murió durante la primera semana post-liberación, con la mayoría (94%) sobreviviendo por lo menos ocho semanas después de liberadas. La mayoría (54%) de la mortandad se debió a la depredación por aves rapaces, la que reclamó 21% de todas las cotorras liberadas. Una cotorra criada en cautiverio (macho, un año de edad), y liberada en el 2001, se apareó con una hembra silvestre y produjeron dos volantones en el 2004. Reduciendo la mortandad por aves rapaces informada en este estudio en un 100%, o en un 50%, resultó en tasas hipotéticas de supervivencia del 72% y 54%, respectivamente. Creemos que el adiestramiento y la aclimatación rigurosa pre-liberación mejoraron la supervivencia inicial post-liberación, y que la liberación de grupos de cotorras de edades mixtas sugiere el potencial de acortar el tiempo de reclutamiento.
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KOENIG, SUSAN E., JOSEPH M. WUNDERLE, JR, and ERNESTO C. ENKERLIN-HOEFLICH. "Vines and canopy contact: a route for snake predation on parrot nests." Bird Conservation International 17, no. 1 (March 2007): 79–91. http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/s095927090600061x.
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Ornithologists have hypothesized that some tropical forest birds avoid snake predation by nesting in isolated trees that do not have vines and canopy contact with neighbouring trees. Here we review two complementary studies that support this hypothesis by demonstrating (1) that an abundance of vines and an interlocking canopy characterized Jamaican Black-billed Parrot Amazona agilis nest-trees that failed due to chick loss, presumably to snakes, and (2) that such trees were used preferentially by an arboreal snake congeneric to the snake implicated in the parrot losses. Evidence strongly suggested that losses of nestling Black-billed Parrots were due in substantial part to predation by the Jamaican (yellow) Boa Epicrates subflavus (Boidae). Studies of the closely related Epicrates inornatus on Puerto Rico revealed that trees used by boas had more vine cover and more crown or canopy contact with neighbouring trees than did randomly selected trees. Moreover, the boas had relatively large home ranges and were most active during March to July, which corresponds with the breeding season of parrots as well as other bird species. We suggest that nest failure due to snakes may be reduced in endangered bird species through isolating the nest-tree by eliminating vines and canopy contact with neighbouring trees and shrubs and by placing barriers on the nest-tree trunk.
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Graves, Gary. "Facial caruncles in Jamaican Turkey Vultures (<em>Cathartes aura</em>)." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 32 (July 1, 2019): 49–52. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2019.32.49-52.
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Abstract: The resident Turkey Vultures of Jamaica and the Greater Antilles have long been assigned to the nominate subspecies (Cathartes aura aura) based on wing and tail length of museum specimens. Epidermal characters of living birds provide an unappreciated additional source of information on the zoogeographic affinities of Antillean populations. In this paper, I offer photographic documentation of preorbital facial caruncles in the Jamaican population and call attention to their presence in archived eBird photographs of vultures from Cuba, Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the Bahamas. Caruncle morphology of Antillean populations resembles that of breeding populations from both the eastern United States (C. a. septentrionalis) and Middle America (C. a. aura). The South American subspecies (C. a. ruficollis, C. a. jota, and C. a. falklandicus) lack preorbital facial caruncles.
Keywords: Cathartes aura, facial caruncles, Greater Antilles, Jamaica, Turkey Vulture
Resumen: Carúnculas faciales en individuos de Cathartes aura en Jamaica—Los catártidos residentes en Jamaica y las Antillas Mayores han sido asignados durante mucho tiempo a la subespecie denominada Cathartes aura aura basado en las longitudes de las alas y la cola de especímenes de museo. Los caracteres epidérmicos de individuos vivos proporcionan una fuente adicional de información poco valorada sobre las afinidades zoogeográficas de las poblaciones antillanas. En este artículo, ofrezco documentación fotográfica de carúnculas faciales preorbitales en la población jamaicana y llamo la atención sobre su presencia en fotografías archivadas en eBird de individuos de Cuba, La Española, Puerto Rico y las Bahamas. La morfología de las carúnculas de las poblaciones antillanas se asemeja a la de las poblaciones reproductoras tanto del este de los Estados Unidos (C. a. septentrionalis) como de América central (C. a. aura). Las subespecies sudamericanas (C. a. ruficollis, C. a. jota y C. a. falklandicus) carecen de carúnculas faciales preorbitales.
Palabras clave: Antillas Mayores, carúnculas faciales, Cathartes aura, Jamaica
Résumé: Caroncules faciales chez l’Urubu à tête rouge (Cathartes aura) en Jamaïque—L’Urubu à tête rouge sédentaire en Jamaïque et dans les Grandes Antilles est depuis longtemps rattaché à la sous-espèce nominale (Cathartes aura aura) compte tenu de la longueur des ailes et de la queue des spécimens de musée. Les caractères épidermiques des oiseaux vivants constituent une source supplémentaire et encore non évaluée d’informations sur les affinités zoogéographiques des populations antillaises. Le présent article comporte une documentation photographique sur les caroncules faciales préorbitales de la population jamaïcaine et signale leur présence sur des photographies archivées d’Urubus de Cuba, d’Hispaniola, de Porto Rico et des Bahamas. La morphologie des caroncules des populations antillaises ressemble à celle des populations reproductrices de l’est des États-Unis (C. a. septentrionalis) et d’Amérique centrale (C. a. aura). Les sous-espèces sud-américaines (C. a. ruficollis, C. a. jota, et C. a. falklandicus) ne présentent pas de caroncules faciales préorbitales.
Mots clés: caroncules faciales, Cathartes aura, Grandes Antilles, Jamaïque, Urubu à tête rouge
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Ozaki, Hiroichi, Elena A. Govorkova, Chenghong Li, Xiaoping Xiong, Robert G. Webster, and Richard J. Webby. "Generation of High-Yielding Influenza A Viruses in African Green Monkey Kidney (Vero) Cells by Reverse Genetics." Journal of Virology 78, no. 4 (February 15, 2004): 1851–57. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.78.4.1851-1857.2004.
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ABSTRACT Influenza A viruses are the cause of annual epidemics of human disease with occasional outbreaks of pandemic proportions. The zoonotic nature of the disease and the vast viral reservoirs in the aquatic birds of the world mean that influenza will not easily be eradicated and that vaccines will continue to be needed. Recent technological advances in reverse genetics methods and limitations of the conventional production of vaccines by using eggs have led to a push to develop cell-based strategies to produce influenza vaccine. Although cell-based systems are being developed, barriers remain that need to be overcome if the potential of these systems is to be fully realized. These barriers include, but are not limited to, potentially poor reproducibility of viral rescue with reverse genetics systems and poor growth kinetics and yields. In this study we present a modified A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) influenza virus master strain that has improved viral rescue and growth properties in the African green monkey kidney cell line, Vero. The improved properties were mediated by the substitution of the PR8 NS gene for that of a Vero-adapted reassortant virus. The Vero growth kinetics of viruses with H1N1, H3N2, H6N1, and H9N2 hemagglutinin and neuraminidase combinations rescued on the new master strain were significantly enhanced in comparison to those of viruses with the same combinations rescued on the standard PR8 master strain. These improvements pave the way for the reproducible generation of high-yielding human and animal influenza vaccines by reverse genetics methods. Such a means of production has particular relevance to epidemic and pandemic use.
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Campbell, Susanna K., Alcides L. Morales-Perez, John F. Malloy, Oliver C. Muellerklein, Jin A. Kim, Karan J. Odom, and Kevin E. Omland. "Documentation of female song in a newly recognized species, the Puerto Rican Oriole (<em>Icterus portoricensis</em>)." Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 29 (October 24, 2016): 28–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.55431/jco.2016.29.28-36.
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Abstract: Evolutionary biologists often assume that male competition for females is the root of the evolution of elaborate coloration and song. However, recent findings show that in the ancestral history of songbirds, it is likely that song occurred in both males and females. Surprisingly, no data exist on female song for many species of birds. We investigated whether the Puerto Rican Oriole (Icterus portoricensis), a tropical songbird, exhibits both male and female song. For this project we marked individuals with sex-specific color bands and confirmed sex using genetic sexing. We repeatedly recorded both male and female orioles singing. Furthermore, female Puerto Rican Oriole song appears to be similar to male song, with no obvious differences in structure. Our study provides further evidence of the ubiquity of female song in tropical songbirds. Finally, our findings provide support that female song is ancestral in the Caribbean oriole clade, and that song dimorphism in temperate breeding species is a result of a loss of female song.
Keywords: female song, female vocalizations, Icterus portoricensis, Puerto Rican Oriole, tropical songbirds
Resumen: Biólogos evolutivos a menudo asumen que la competencia masculina para las mujeres es la raíz de la evolución de la coloración y canción. Sin embargo, recientes hallazgos muestran que los machos y las hembras ancestrales de todos los pájaros cantores probablemente cantaban; pero existen pocos datos sobre el canto de las hembras de muchas especies de aves. Nosotros investigamos el actuada canta de los hembras y los machos el pájaro, la Calandria Puertorriqueña (Icterus portoricensis). Para este proyecto, marcamos individuos de diferentes sexos con bandas de color específicas y confirmamos el sexo usando métodos genéticos. Adicionalmente; grabamos las canciones de ambos sexos de las Calandrias Puertorriqueñas. Somos los primeros en documentar canción de ambos sexos en esta especie. Por otra parte, la canción de la Calandria Puertorriqueña aparece ser similar a la canción de los machos, sin diferencias evidentes en la estructura de la canción. Nuestro estudio ofrece evidencia adicional de la omnipresencia de la canción femenina en las aves canoras tropicales. Por último, nuestros resultados respaldan la idea de que la canción femenina es ancestral en la clade de las calandrias caribes, y que el dimorfismo en la canción de especies de aves templadas es un resultado de la pérdida de la canción femenina.
Palabras clave: aves canoras tropicales, Calandria Puertorriqueña, canto de hembras, Icterus portoricensis, vocalizaciones de hembras
Résumé: Les biologistes évolutionnistes supposent souvent que la compétition entre mâles pour les femelles est à l’origine de l'évolution vers une coloration et un chant élaborés. Toutefois, des résultats récents montrent que, dans l'histoire ancestrale des oiseaux chanteurs, il est probable que le chant ait été présent à la fois par chez les mâles et chez les femelles. Étonnamment, aucune donnée n'existe sur le chant des femelles pour de nombreuses espèces d'oiseaux. Nous avons étudié si l'Oriole de Porto Rico (Icterus portoricensis), un oiseau chanteur tropical, présentait à la fois un chant mâle et un chant femelle. Pour ce projet, nous avons marqué les individus avec des bagues de couleurs différentes selon le sexe et confirmé le sexe par des analyses génétiques. Nous avons enregistré à plusieurs reprises des mâles et des femelles en train de chanter. En outre, le chant des femelles d't semble être similaire à celui des mâles, sans différence évidente dans la structure. Notre étude fournit une preuve supplémentaire de l'omniprésence du chant des femelles chez les oiseaux chanteurs tropicaux. Enfin, nos résultats soutiennent l'hypothèse affirmant que le chant des femelles est ancestral dans le clade des orioles des Caraïbes, et que le dimorphisme du chant chez les espèces nichant dans les régions tempérées est le résultat d'une disparition de chant chez les femelles.
Mots clés: chant des femelles, Icterus portoricensis, oiseaux chanteurs tropicaux, Oriole de Porto Rico, vocalisation des femelles
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Turnbull, Matthew L., Helen M. Wise, Marlynne Q. Nicol, Nikki Smith, Rebecca L. Dunfee, Philippa M. Beard, Brett W. Jagger, et al. "Role of the B Allele of Influenza A Virus Segment 8 in Setting Mammalian Host Range and Pathogenicity." Journal of Virology 90, no. 20 (August 3, 2016): 9263–84. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.01205-16.
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ABSTRACTTwo alleles of segment 8 (NS) circulate in nonchiropteran influenza A viruses. The A allele is found in avian and mammalian viruses, but the B allele is viewed as being almost exclusively found in avian viruses. This might reflect the fact that one or both of its encoded proteins (NS1 and NEP) are maladapted for replication in mammalian hosts. To test this, a number of clade A and B avian virus-derived NS segments were introduced into human H1N1 and H3N2 viruses. In no case was the peak virus titer substantially reduced following infection of various mammalian cell types. Exemplar reassortant viruses also replicated to similar titers in mice, although mice infected with viruses with the avian virus-derived segment 8s had reduced weight loss compared to that achieved in mice infected with the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) parent.In vitro, the viruses coped similarly with type I interferons. Temporal proteomics analysis of cellular responses to infection showed that the avian virus-derived NS segments provoked lower levels of expression of interferon-stimulated genes in cells than wild type-derived NS segments. Thus, neither the A nor the B allele of avian virus-derived NS segments necessarily attenuates virus replication in a mammalian host, although the alleles can attenuate disease. Phylogenetic analyses identified 32 independent incursions of an avian virus-derived A allele into mammals, whereas 6 introductions of a B allele were identified. However, A-allele isolates from birds outnumbered B-allele isolates, and the relative rates ofAves-to-Mammaliatransmission were not significantly different. We conclude that while the introduction of an avian virus segment 8 into mammals is a relatively rare event, the dogma of the B allele being especially restricted is misleading, with implications in the assessment of the pandemic potential of avian influenza viruses.IMPORTANCEInfluenza A virus (IAV) can adapt to poultry and mammalian species, inflicting a great socioeconomic burden on farming and health care sectors. Host adaptation likely involves multiple viral factors. Here, we investigated the role of IAV segment 8. Segment 8 has evolved into two distinct clades: the A and B alleles. The B-allele genes have previously been suggested to be restricted to avian virus species. We introduced a selection of avian virus A- and B-allele segment 8s into human H1N1 and H3N2 virus backgrounds and found that these reassortant viruses were fully competent in mammalian host systems. We also analyzed the currently available public data on the segment 8 gene distribution and found surprisingly little evidence for specific avian host restriction of the B-clade segment. We conclude that B-allele segment 8 genes are, in fact, capable of supporting infection in mammals and that they should be considered during the assessment of the pandemic risk of zoonotic influenza A viruses.
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Yao, Yao, Rameshwar U. Kadam, Chang-Chun David Lee, Jordan L. Woehl, Nicholas C. Wu, Xueyong Zhu, Seiya Kitamura, Ian A. Wilson, and Dennis W. Wolan. "An influenza A hemagglutinin small-molecule fusion inhibitor identified by a new high-throughput fluorescence polarization screen." Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 117, no. 31 (July 20, 2020): 18431–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2006893117.
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Influenza hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein is the primary surface antigen targeted by the host immune response and a focus for development of novel vaccines, broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs), and therapeutics. HA enables viral entry into host cells via receptor binding and membrane fusion and is a validated target for drug discovery. However, to date, only a very few bona fide small molecules have been reported against the HA. To identity new antiviral lead candidates against the highly conserved fusion machinery in the HA stem, we synthesized a fluorescence-polarization probe based on a recently described neutralizing cyclic peptide P7 derived from the complementarity-determining region loops of human bnAbs FI6v3 and CR9114 against the HA stem. We then designed a robust binding assay compatible with high-throughput screening to identify molecules with low micromolar to nanomolar affinity to influenza A group 1 HAs. Our simple, low-cost, and efficient in vitro assay was used to screen H1/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1/PR8) HA trimer against ∼72,000 compounds. The crystal structure of H1/PR8 HA in complex with our best hit compound F0045(S) confirmed that it binds to pockets in the HA stem similar to bnAbs FI6v3 and CR9114, cyclic peptide P7, and small-molecule inhibitor JNJ4796. F0045 is enantioselective against a panel of group 1 HAs and F0045(S) exhibits in vitro neutralization activity against multiple H1N1 and H5N1 strains. Our assay, compound characterization, and small-molecule candidate should further stimulate the discovery and development of new compounds with unique chemical scaffolds and enhanced influenza antiviral capabilities.
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Jakka, Siva R. K., Liang Gong, James Hasler, Rahul Banerjee, Joel J. Sheets, Kenneth Narva, Carlos A. Blanco, and Juan L. Jurat-Fuentes. "Field-Evolved Mode 1 Resistance of the Fall Armyworm to Transgenic Cry1Fa-Expressing Corn Associated with Reduced Cry1Fa Toxin Binding and Midgut Alkaline Phosphatase Expression." Applied and Environmental Microbiology 82, no. 4 (December 4, 2015): 1023–34. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/aem.02871-15.
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ABSTRACTInsecticidal protein genes from the bacteriumBacillus thuringiensis(Bt) are expressed by transgenic Bt crops (Bt crops) for effective and environmentally safe pest control. The development of resistance to these insecticidal proteins is considered the most serious threat to the sustainability of Bt crops. Resistance in fall armyworm (Spodoptera frugiperda) populations from Puerto Rico to transgenic corn producing the Cry1Fa insecticidal protein resulted, for the first time in the United States, in practical resistance, and Bt corn was withdrawn from the local market. In this study, we used a field-collected Cry1Fa corn-resistant strain (456) ofS. frugiperdato identify the mechanism responsible for field-evolved resistance. Binding assays detected reduced Cry1Fa, Cry1Ab, and Cry1Ac but not Cry1Ca toxin binding to midgut brush border membrane vesicles (BBMV) from the larvae of strain 456 compared to that from the larvae of a susceptible (Ben) strain. This binding phenotype is descriptive of the mode 1 type of resistance to Bt toxins. A comparison of the transcript levels for putative Cry1 toxin receptor genes identified a significant downregulation (>90%) of a membrane-bound alkaline phosphatase (ALP), which translated to reduced ALP protein levels and a 75% reduction in ALP activity in BBMV from 456 compared to that of Ben larvae. We cloned and heterologously expressed this ALP from susceptibleS. frugiperdalarvae and demonstrated that it specifically binds with Cry1Fa toxin. This study provides a thorough mechanistic description of field-evolved resistance to a transgenic Bt crop and supports an association between resistance and reduced Cry1Fa toxin binding and levels of a putative Cry1Fa toxin receptor, ALP, in the midguts ofS. frugiperdalarvae.
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Withers, Kim. "Shorebird Use of Coastal Wetland and Barrier Island Habitat in the Gulf of Mexico." Scientific World JOURNAL 2 (2002): 514–36. http://dx.doi.org/10.1100/tsw.2002.112.
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The Gulf Coast contains some of the most important shorebird habitats in North America. This area encompasses a diverse mixture of estuarine and barrier island habitats with varying amounts of freshwater swamps and marshes, bottomland hardwood forests, and coastal prairie that has been largely altered for rice and crawfish production, temporary ponds, and river floodplain habitat. For the purposes of this review, discussion is confined to general patterns of shorebird abundance, distribution, and macro- and microhabitat use in natural coastal, estuarine, and barrier island habitats on the Gulf of Mexico Coast. The following geographic regions are considered: Northwestern Gulf (Rio Grande to Louisiana-Mississippi border), Northeastern Gulf (Mississippi to Florida Keys), and Mexico (Rio Grande to Cabo Catoche [Yucatan Strait]).Wintering and migrating shorebirds are most abundant along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Tamaulipas, particularly the Laguna Madre ecosystem. Other important areas are the Southwest Coast region of Florida and the area between Laguna Terminos and Puerto Progresso in Mexico. In general, relative abundances of shorebirds increase from north to south, and decrease south of the Tropic of Cancer (23° 27’ N). Based on bimonthly maximum counts within 5° latitudinal bands, the region between 25–30° N is used most heavily by wintering and spring migrating birds.Non-vegetated coastal wetland habitats associated with bays, inlets and lagoons, particularly tidal flats, and sandy beaches are the habitats that appear to be favored by wintering and migrating shorebirds. In general, these habitats tend to occur as habitat complexes that allow for movement between them in relation to tidal flooding of bay-shore habitats. This relationship is particularly important to Piping Plover and may be important to others.Although vegetated habitats are used by some species, they do not appear to attract large numbers of birds. This habitat is most widespread between the Texas-Louisiana border and the Florida Panhandle region, but it has not been studied extensively. Shorebird abundance and habitat use in this area need to be addressed.
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Waqas, Fakhar H., Mahmoud Shehata, Walid A. M. Elgaher, Antoine Lacour, Naziia Kurmasheva, Fabio Begnini, Anders E. Kiib, et al. "NRF2 activators inhibit influenza A virus replication by interfering with nucleo-cytoplasmic export of viral RNPs in an NRF2-independent manner." PLOS Pathogens 19, no. 7 (July 17, 2023): e1011506. http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.ppat.1011506.
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In addition to antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, activators of the cytoprotective nuclear factor erythroid-2-like-2 (NRF2) signaling pathway have antiviral effects, but the underlying antiviral mechanisms are incompletely understood. We evaluated the ability of the NRF2 activators 4-octyl itaconate (4OI), bardoxolone methyl (BARD), sulforaphane (SFN), and the inhibitor of exportin-1 (XPO1)-mediated nuclear export selinexor (SEL) to interfere with influenza virus A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (H1N1) infection of human cells. All compounds reduced viral titers in supernatants from A549 cells and vascular endothelial cells in the order of efficacy SEL>4OI>BARD = SFN, which correlated with their ability to prevent nucleo-cytoplasmic export of viral nucleoprotein and the host cell protein p53. In contrast, intracellular levels of viral HA mRNA and nucleocapsid protein (NP) were unaffected. Knocking down mRNA encoding KEAP1 (the main inhibitor of NRF2) or inactivating the NFE2L2 gene (which encodes NRF2) revealed that physiologic NRF2 signaling restricts IAV replication. However, the antiviral effect of all compounds was NRF2-independent. Instead, XPO1 knock-down greatly reduced viral titers, and incubation of Calu3 cells with an alkynated 4OI probe demonstrated formation of a covalent complex with XPO1. Ligand–target modelling predicted covalent binding of all three NRF2 activators and SEL to the active site of XPO1 involving the critical Cys528. SEL and 4OI manifested the highest binding energies, whereby the 4-octyl tail of 4OI interacted extensively with the hydrophobic groove of XPO1, which binds nuclear export sequences on cargo proteins. Conversely, SEL as well as the three NRF2 activators were predicted to covalently bind the functionally critical Cys151 in KEAP1. Blocking XPO1-mediated nuclear export may, thus, constitute a “noncanonical” mechanism of anti-influenza activity of electrophilic NRF2 activators that can interact with similar cysteine environments at the active sites of XPO1 and KEAP1. Considering the importance of XPO1 function to a variety of pathogenic viruses, compounds that are optimized to inhibit both targets may constitute an important class of broadly active host-directed treatments that embody anti-inflammatory, cytoprotective, and antiviral properties.
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Kuo, Rei-Lin, Li-Hsin Li, Sue-Jane Lin, Zong-Hua Li, Guang-Wu Chen, Cheng-Kai Chang, Yi-Ren Wang, et al. "Role of N Terminus-Truncated NS1 Proteins of Influenza A Virus in Inhibiting IRF3 Activation." Journal of Virology 90, no. 9 (February 24, 2016): 4696–705. http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.02843-15.
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ABSTRACTThe NS1 protein encoded by influenza A virus antagonizes the interferon response through various mechanisms, including blocking cellular mRNA maturation by binding the cellular CPSF30 3′ end processing factor and/or suppressing the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3). In the present study, we identified two truncated NS1 proteins that are translated from internal AUGs at positions 235 and 241 of the NS1 open reading frame. We analyzed the cellular localization and function of the N-truncated NS1 proteins encoded by two influenza A virus strains, Udorn/72/H3N2 (Ud) and Puerto Rico/8/34/H1N1 (PR8). The NS1 protein of PR8, but not Ud, inhibits the activation of IRF3, whereas the NS1 protein of Ud, but not PR8, binds CPSF30. The truncated PR8 NS1 proteins are localized in the cytoplasm, whereas the full-length PR8 NS1 protein is localized in the nucleus. The infection of cells with a PR8 virus expressing an NS1 protein containing mutations of the two in-frame AUGs results in both the absence of truncated NS1 proteins and the reduced inhibition of activation of IRF3 and beta interferon (IFN-β) transcription. The expression of the truncated PR8 NS1 protein by itself enhances the inhibition of the activation of IRF3 and IFN-β transcription in Ud virus-infected cells. These results demonstrate that truncated PR8 NS1 proteins contribute to the inhibition of activation of this innate immune response. In contrast, the N-truncated NS1 proteins of the Ud strain, like the full-length NS1 protein, are localized in the nucleus, and mutation of the two in-frame AUGs has no effect on the activation of IRF3 and IFN-β transcription.IMPORTANCEInfluenza A virus causes pandemics and annual epidemics in the human population. The viral NS1 protein plays a critical role in suppressing type I interferon expression. In the present study, we identified two novel truncated NS1 proteins that are translated from the second and third in-frame AUG codons in the NS1 open reading frame. The N-terminally truncated NS1 encoded by the H1N1 PR8 strain of influenza virus that suppresses IRF3 activation is localized primarily in the cytoplasm. We demonstrate that this truncated NS1 protein by itself enhances this suppression, demonstrating that some strains of influenza A virus express truncated forms of the NS1 protein that function in the inhibition of cytoplasmic antiviral events.
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Linck, Ethan, Heidi Huber, Harold Greeney, and Kimberly Sheldon. "NESTING BIOLOGY OF THE BLUE-AND-WHITE SWALLOW (PYGOCHELIDON CYANOLEUCA) IN NORTHEASTERN ECUADOR." Ornitología Neotropical 30 (February 3, 2019): 5–10. http://dx.doi.org/10.58843/ornneo.v30i0.402.
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Abstract · The Blue-and-white Swallow (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) is found in open country from Costa Rica to Patagonia. With a broad geographic range and both migratory and resident subspecies, P. cyanoleuca likely exhibits substantial variation in life history and breeding biology. Here, we present data on its nesting in northeastern Ecuador. From the years 2003–2009 we made general observations of breeding biology and detailed observations at 16 nests. We measured dimensions of four nests, took a time series of size and mass measurements on 12 eggs and five nestlings, and videotaped 110.5 hours of behavior at one nest. We found that nesting activity occurred from June to January, with no records in July. Mean measurements (cm ± SD) of four nests were: outer diameter, 11.3 ± 1.0; outer height, 3.5 ± 0.7; inner diameter, 5.3 ± 0.5; inner depth, 2.6 ± 0.3. Clutch size was always three eggs that were a plain white color or had very small, light brown speckles. Twenty-seven eggs of unknown age had mean measurements of 17.4 ± 0.6 mm long, 12.7 ± 0.3 mm wide. A subset of 12 eggs with accurate mass data weighed 1.4 ± 0.1 g. Based on observations of two color-banded birds at a nest, both adults provisioned young. We recorded a feeding rate at the nest of 6.1 feeds per nestling-hour. These data are largely consistent with previous studies of P. cyanoleuca and Hirundinidae more broadly.Resumen · Biología de nidificación de la Golondrina Azul y Blanco (Pygochelidon cyanoleuca) en el noreste de Ecuador La Golondrina Azul y Blanco se distribuye en campo abierto desde Costa Rica hasta la Patagonia. Debido a este amplio rango geográfico y a que existen tanto subespecies migratorias como residentes, es probable que P. cyanoleuca muestre una variación sustancial en su biología básica e historia de vida. En el presente estudio presentamos datos de la biología reproductiva de esta especie en el noreste de Ecuador. Durante los años 2003–2009 hicimos observaciones generales sobre la biología reproductiva de 16 nidos. Tomamos mediciones de las dimensiones de cuatros nidos, mediciones de series cronológicas de doce huevos y cinco pichones, y grabamos en video comportamiento en un nido por 110,5 horas. Encontramos actividad reproductiva entre Junio y Enero, sin registros en Julio. Las dimensiones (media ± DE, cm) para los cuatros nidos fueron 11,3 ± 1,0 en el diámetro exterior, 3,5 ± 0,7 en altura, 5,3 ± 0,5 en el diámetro interior, y 2,6 ± 0,3 en profundidad. El tamaño de puesta fue tres huevos en todos los nidos, y los huevos fueron completamente blancos o presentaron pequeños puntos café claro. Las dimensiones de 27 huevos sin fechas fueron 17,4 ± 0,6 mm en el largo, 12,7 ± 0,3 mm en ancho. Para una submuestra de huevos con datos de peso precisos la media fue 1,4 ± 0,1 g. En base a dos adultos anillados, observamos que los dos sexos proveyeron alimento al nido. Los pichones fueron alimentados a razón de 6,1 visitas por hora. Estos datos son consistentes en gran parte con investigaciones anteriores de P. cyanoleuca y la familia Hirundinidae en general.
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"Birds in jeopardy: the imperiled and extinct birds of the United States and Canada, including Hawaii and Puerto Rico." Choice Reviews Online 30, no. 01 (September 1, 1992): 30–0296. http://dx.doi.org/10.5860/choice.30-0296.
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Bernstein, Justin Matthew, Camilo Andrés Calderón‐Acevedo, Pedro Ivo Mônico, Lázaro Willian Viñola‐Lopez, and J. Angel Soto‐Centeno. "A rapid inventory of amphibians, squamates, and bats of Mata de Plátano Field Station and Nature Reserve, Arecibo, Puerto Rico." Ecology and Evolution 14, no. 7 (July 2024). http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/ece3.11648.
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AbstractPuerto Rico harbors a diverse vertebrate fauna with high levels of endemism. However, while several books for vertebrate diversity and local checklists for birds have been published, checklists of amphibians, reptiles, and bats are lacking or nonexistent at both local and regional scales. In this study, we documented the amphibian, reptile, and bat faunas at Mata de Plátano Field Station and Nature Reserve, in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. We document four species of amphibians, seven lizards, three snakes, and nine bats. Despite prior works using samples from this nature reserve, this represents the first vertebrate checklist for the Mata de Plátano Field Station and Nature Reserve. We provide additional natural history observations based on our survey results and highlight the importance of including local and regional checklists of species for downstream research and conservation.
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Campos-Cerqueira, Marconi, Adam J. Terando, Brent A. Murray, Jaime A. Collazo, and T. Mitchell Aide. "Climate change is creating a mismatch between protected areas and suitable habitats for frogs and birds in Puerto Rico." Biodiversity and Conservation, July 27, 2021. http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10531-021-02258-9.
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AbstractClimate change is altering the spatial distribution of many species around the world. In response, we need to identify and protect suitable areas for a large proportion of the fauna so that they persist through time. This exercise must also evaluate the ability of existing protected areas to provide safe havens for species in the context of climate change. Here, we combined passive acoustic monitoring, semi-automatic species identification models, and species distribution models of 21 bird and frog species based on past (1980–1989), present (2005–2014), and future (2040–2060) climate scenarios to determine how species distributions relate to the current distribution of protected areas in Puerto Rico. Species detection/non-detection data were acquired across ~ 700 sampling sites. We developed always-suitable maps that characterized suitable habitats in all three time periods for each species and overlaid these maps to identify regions with high species co-occurrence. These distributions were then compared with the distribution of existing protected areas. We show that Puerto Rico is projected to become dryer by 2040–2060, and precipitation in the warmest quarter was among the most important variables affecting bird and frog distributions. A large portion of always-suitable areas (ASA) is outside of protected areas (> 80%), and the percent of protected areas that overlaps with always-suitable areas is larger for bird (75%) than frog (39%) species. Our results indicate that present protected areas will not suffice to safeguard bird and frog species under climate change; however, the establishment of larger protected areas, buffer zones, and connectivity between protected areas may allow species to find suitable niches to withstand environmental changes.
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Grieves, Leanne A., Gregory B. Gloor, and James S. Quinn. "Symbiotic microbiota vary with breeding group membership in a highly social joint-nesting bird." Behavioral Ecology, April 27, 2023. http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/beheco/arad034.
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Abstract Symbiotic microbes affect the health, fitness, and behavior of their animal hosts, and can even affect the behavior of non-hosts. Living in groups presents numerous benefits and challenges to social animals, including exposure to symbiotic microbes, which can mediate both cooperation and competition. In social mammals, individuals from the same social group tend to share more similar microbes and this social microbiome, the microbial community of all hosts in the same social group, can shape the benefits and costs of group living. In contrast, little is known about the social microbiome of group living birds. We tested the predictions that communally breeding smooth-billed anis (Crotophaga ani) belonging to the same breeding group share more similar microbes and that microbial community composition differs between body regions. To test this, we used 16S rRNA gene sequencing to characterize the preen gland and body feather microbiota of adult birds from 16 breeding groups at a long-term study site in southwestern Puerto Rico. As predicted, individuals from the same breeding group shared more similar microbiota than non-group members and preen gland and body feathers harbored distinct microbial communities. Future research will evaluate whether this social microbiome affects the behavior of group living birds.
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Ivinson, Karen, Georgia Deliyannis, Leanne McNabb, Lara Grollo, Brad Gilbertson, David Jackson, and Lorena E. Brown. "Salivary Blockade Protects the Lower Respiratory Tract of Mice from Lethal Influenza Virus Infection." Journal of Virology 91, no. 14 (April 26, 2017). http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00624-17.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACT It is possible to model the progression of influenza virus from the upper respiratory tract to the lower respiratory tract in the mouse using viral inoculum delivered in a restricted manner to the nose. In this model, infection with the A/Udorn/307/72 (Udorn) strain of virus results ultimately in high viral titers in both the trachea and lungs. In contrast, the A/Puerto Rico/8/34 (PR8) strain causes an infection that is almost entirely limited to the nasal passages. The factors that govern the progression of virus down the respiratory tract are not well understood. Here, we show that, while PR8 virus grows to high titers in the nose, an inhibitor present in the saliva blocks further progression of infection to the trachea and lungs and renders an otherwise lethal dose of virus completely asymptomatic. In vitro, the salivary inhibitor was capable of potent neutralization of PR8 virus and an additional 20 strains of type A virus and two type B strains that were tested. The exceptions were Udorn virus and the closely related H3N2 strains A/Port Chalmers/1/73 and A/Victoria/3/75. Characterization of the salivary inhibitor showed it to be independent of sialic acid and other carbohydrates for its function. This and other biochemical properties, together with its virus strain specificity and in vivo function, indicate that the mouse salivary inhibitor is a previously undescribed innate inhibitory molecule that may have evolved to provide pulmonary protection of the species from fatal influenza virus infection. IMPORTANCE Influenza A virus occasionally jumps from aquatic birds, its natural host, into mammals to cause outbreaks of varying severity, including pandemics in humans. Despite the laboratory mouse being used as a model to study influenza virus pathogenesis, natural outbreaks of influenza have not been reported in the species. Here, we shed light on one mechanism that might allow mice to be protected from influenza in the wild. We show that virus deposited in the mouse upper respiratory tract will not progress to the lower respiratory tract due to the presence of a potent inhibitor of the virus in saliva. Containing inhibitor-sensitive virus to the upper respiratory tract renders an otherwise lethal infection subclinical. This knowledge sheds light on how natural inhibitors may have evolved to improve survival in this species.
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Monteagudo, Paula L., Raquel Muñoz-Moreno, Miguel Fribourg, Uma Potla, Ignacio Mena, Nada Marjanovic, Boris M. Hartmann, et al. "Differential Modulation of Innate Immune Responses in Human Primary Cells by Influenza A Viruses Carrying Human or Avian Nonstructural Protein 1." Journal of Virology 94, no. 1 (October 9, 2019). http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/jvi.00999-19.
Full textAbstract:
ABSTRACT The influenza A virus (IAV) nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) contributes to disease pathogenesis through the inhibition of host innate immune responses. Dendritic cells (DCs) release interferons (IFNs) and proinflammatory cytokines and promote adaptive immunity upon viral infection. In order to characterize the strain-specific effects of IAV NS1 on human DC activation, we infected human DCs with a panel of recombinant viruses with the same backbone (A/Puerto Rico/08/1934) expressing different NS1 proteins from human and avian origin. We found that these viruses induced a clearly distinct phenotype in DCs. Specifically, viruses expressing NS1 from human IAV (either H1N1 or H3N2) induced higher levels of expression of type I (IFN-α and IFN-β) and type III (IFN-λ1 to IFNλ3) IFNs than viruses expressing avian IAV NS1 proteins (H5N1, H7N9, and H7N2), but the differences observed in the expression levels of proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) were not significant. In addition, using imaging flow cytometry, we found that human and avian NS1 proteins segregate based on their subcellular trafficking dynamics, which might be associated with the different innate immune profile induced in DCs by viruses expressing those NS1 proteins. Innate immune responses induced by our panel of IAV recombinant viruses were also characterized in normal human bronchial epithelial cells, and the results were consistent with those in DCs. Altogether, our results reveal an increased ability of NS1 from avian viruses to antagonize innate immune responses in human primary cells compared to the ability of NS1 from human viruses, which could contribute to the severe disease induced by avian IAV in humans. IMPORTANCE Influenza A viruses (IAVs) cause seasonal epidemics which result in an important health and economic burden. Wild aquatic birds are the natural host of IAV. However, IAV can infect diverse hosts, including humans, domestic poultry, pigs, and others. IAVs circulating in animals occasionally cross the species barrier, infecting humans, which results in mild to very severe disease. In some cases, these viruses can acquire the ability to be transmitted among humans and initiate a pandemic. The nonstructural 1 (NS1) protein of IAV is an important antagonist of the innate immune response. In this study, using recombinant viruses and primary human cells, we show that NS1 proteins from human and avian hosts show intrinsic differences in the modulation of the innate immunity in human dendritic cells and epithelial cells, as well as different cellular localization dynamics in infected cells.