Karyotype description of two Neotropical Psittacidae species: the endangered Hyacinth Macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, and the Hawk-headed Parrot, Deroptyus accipitrinus (Psittaciformes: Aves), and its significance for conservation plans

Mercival Roberto Francisco,Pedro Manoel Galetti Junior,Vitor De Oliveira Lunardi,Guaracy Tadeu Rocha,Beatriz Goldschmidt

doi:10.1590/s1415-47572003000300011

Abstract

Neotropical parrots are among the most threatened groups of birds in the world, and many species are facing extinction in a near future. At the same time, the taxonomic position of many species remains unclear. Karyotype analysis has been used to elucidate the phylogenetic status of many bird groups, also providing important information for both in situ and ex situ conservation plans. The objective of the present study was to describe for the first time the karyotypes of the endangered Hyacinth Macaw, Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus, and of the Hawk-headed Parrot, Deroptyus accipitrinus. A diploid number of 2n = 70 and a karyotype similar to the main pattern previously found for the genera Ara, Cyanopsitta, Aratinga, Propyrrhura, Pionites, Pionopsitta, Nandayus, and Guaruba were found for both species. These karyotype descriptions can be a starting point for the genetic monitoring of these two declining species.

Highlights

Neotropical parrots comprise one of the most endangered groups of birds in the world
17 out of the 72 living species are cited in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), and one of them, Anodorhynchus glaucus, is already extinct (Sick, 1997)
If conservation actions are not implemented, many other species can disappear in a near future, just like A. glaucus

Summary

Introduction

Neotropical parrots comprise one of the most endangered groups of birds in the world. It is estimated that about 30% of the 140 living species are facing some risk of extinction, and most of the non-endangered species are experiencing population decline (Collar and Juniper, 1992). 17 out of the 72 living species are cited in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources), and one of them, Anodorhynchus glaucus, is already extinct (Sick, 1997). Large species need large areas to mantain viable demographic population (Galetti et al, 2002), and are among the most threatened (Sick, 1997). If conservation actions are not implemented, many other species can disappear in a near future, just like A. glaucus

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Conclusion