Amazona Research Articles

Histochemical Characterisation of the Turquoise-Fronted Parrot (Amazona aestiva) Digestive Tract.

Amazona aestiva, a member of the Psittacidae family, belongs to the genus Amazona. These animals are endowed with adaptations in their digestive systems that allow a natural diet composed of seeds and fruits, with anatomical characteristics that facilitate the acquisition and use of nutrients from these food groups. Although it is an important species, no previous information is available regarding the histology and histochemistry of its digestive tract. This study aimed to describe the morphological and histochemical characteristics of the digestive tract of this species. Fragments of the tongue, oesophagus, crop, proventriculus, ventriculus, small intestine, large intestine, liver and pancreas were collected from seven specimens without any clinical alterations in the digestive tract. A. aestiva's digestive tract observed the presence of an extremely developed tongue, a proventriculus with more delicate walls and a ventricle with less-developed musculature. Here, we present a detailed morphological and histochemical description of the Turquoise-fronted Parrot's digestive tract.

Ambassador Animals Do Not Have a Clear Effect on Visitor Conservation Knowledge and Attitudes Toward Exotic Pets at a Zoo Exhibit.

There is relatively little work examining visitor outcomes of ambassador animal programs, such as whether these programs are educationally effective or unintentionally promote exotic pet ownership. We designed a two-way factorial experiment to test whether ambassador animals enhanced or detracted from the educational outcomes of a zoo exhibit. We surveyed 312 visitors at the Oakland Zoo at a static exhibit focused on the illegal wildlife trade. Participants were surveyed either before or after visiting the exhibit, with or without a trainer presenting either an ambassador ball python (Python regius) or yellow-naped Amazon parrot (Amazona auropalliata). The survey assessed attitudes toward conservation, knowledge of conservation behavior, and the suitability of various species, including the ambassador species, as pets. We used an ANOVA to examine 299 complete surveys for differences between experimental groups' mean responses. There were no significant differences in conservation attitudes. Subjects demonstrated more knowledge of conservation behavior after leaving the exhibit, regardless of whether or not an animal was present. While the exhibit reduced favorable attitudes toward parrots as pets, ambassador animal presence neither positively nor negatively impacted on this effect. Participants who viewed a python were more likely to indicate that they viewed a python as a good pet. However, the sample expressed overall negative attitudes toward exotic pet ownership. This study suggests that ambassadors neither enhanced learning nor unintentionally promoted exotic pets. Further research is needed to understand the role of interpretive messaging when using ambassadors in an educational context.

Low-cost environmental enrichment reduces stereotypical behaviors in the blue-fronted parrot Amazona aestiva and the yellow-faced amazon Alipiopsitta xanthops

Low-cost environmental enrichment reduces stereotypical behaviors in the blue-fronted parrot Amazona aestiva and the yellow-faced amazon Alipiopsitta xanthops

Hypothermia and rewarming times during general anesthesia in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis): A comparative study between isoflurane, sevoflurane and desflurane

ObjectiveTo evaluate induced hypothermia and rewarming times in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (HAP; Amazona ventralis) anesthetized using isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane, and to describe selected cardiovascular and respiratory effects. Study designRandomized, balanced, crossover experimental study. AnimalsA group of 12 adult HAP. MethodsParrots were premedicated with intramuscular butorphanol (0.5 mg kg–1) and anesthetized with the three inhalants with a 7 day washout period between events. Anesthesia was induced using isoflurane at 4 vol%, sevoflurane at 6 vol% or desflurane 12 vol% carried in oxygen, delivered via face mask. After orotracheal intubation, anesthesia maintenance was with end-tidal concentrations of 1.4–2% (Fe′Iso), 2.4–3% (Fe′Sevo) and 8.5–9.2% (Fe′Des). Hypothermia was defined as an esophageal temperature (BT) below 37.8 °C. External heat support was provided when BT dropped to 37.5 °C. Time for temperature decrease from 38.9 °C to 37.5 °C (T1), time to first increase in BT above 37.5 °C (T2) and time from external heat support to achieving 38.9 °C (T3) were recorded and compared via Friedman tests with post hoc Dunn’s test. Heart rate, respiratory rate and end-tidal carbon dioxide, amongst other variables, were evaluated. ResultsAll inhalants caused hypothermia (T1): isoflurane, 12 (2–37) minutes [median (range)]; sevoflurane, 12 (4–18) minutes; desflurane, 11.5 (6–24) minutes, with no significant differences between treatments (p > 0.05). T2 was significantly (p = 0.042) longer for sevoflurane than for desflurane but not isoflurane. Transient apnea was observed with all inhalants, including 25% of birds anesthetized with sevoflurane. Second-degree atrioventricular block and ventricular escape beats occurred with all inhalants with hypothermia potentially exacerbating cardiac arrhythmias. Conclusions and clinical relevanceHypothermia rapidly developed in butorphanol-sedated HAP anesthetized using isoflurane, sevoflurane or desflurane. Sevoflurane prolonged warming time. Hypothermia may be associated with an increased likelihood of bradyarrhythmia in parrots anesthetized with inhalants.

Widespread cultural change in declining populations of Amazon parrots.

Species worldwide are experiencing anthropogenic environmental change, and the long-term impacts on animal cultural traditions such as vocal dialects are often unknown. Our prior studies of the yellow-naped amazon (Amazona auropalliata) revealed stable vocal dialects over an 11-year period (1994-2005), with modest shifts in geographic boundaries and acoustic structure of contact calls. Here, we examined whether yellow-naped amazons maintained stable dialects over the subsequent 11-year time span from 2005 to 2016, culminating in 22 years of study. Over this same period, this species suffered a dramatic decrease in population size that prompted two successive uplists in IUCN status, from vulnerable to critically endangered. In this most recent 11-year time span, we found evidence of geographic shifts in call types, manifesting in more bilingual sites and introgression across the formerly distinct North-South acoustic boundary. We also found greater evidence of acoustic drift, in the form of new emerging call types and greater acoustic variation overall. These results suggest cultural traditions such as dialects may change in response to demographic and environmental conditions, with broad implications for threatened species.

Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma in a blue‐fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva)

AbstractA 14‐year‐old, female, blue‐fronted Amazon parrot was referred for episodes of regurgitation. The differential diagnosis mainly included bornavirus infection, infectious or traumatic ingluvitis, gastro‐oesophageal reflux, gastritis/enteritis, heavy metal poisoning, metabolic disease (severe hepatic or renal disease), coelomitis, digestive neoplasia, extra‐digestive masses, organomegaly or foreign body. No improvement was noted with symptomatic treatment. Radiographs, avian bornavirus polymerase chain reaction and serology, biochemistry, haematology, crop cytology and ultrasonography failed to provide a definitive diagnosis. Lethargy, weight loss and crop stasis after 1 month motivated computed tomography, which revealed focal thickening of the oesophageal wall. Fine‐needle aspiration under computed tomography guidance of the mass was non‐diagnostic, and the bird died during recovery from anaesthesia. Oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed by histopathology. This case illustrates the benefit of advanced diagnostic imaging to investigate chronic refractory regurgitations and describes the use of computed tomography‐guided fine‐needle aspiration in an avian patient.

Reference Interval Creation for Symmetric Dimethylarginine (SDMA) in Healthy Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots (Amazona ventralis) and Quaker Parrots (Myiopsitta monachus).

Renal disease is often identified as a cause of morbidity and mortality in avian patients. However, currently, early antemortem detection of renal disease in avian patients is difficult. Anatomical and physiological differences between mammals and birds mean the use of commonly employed diagnostic testing (ie, measurement of blood urea nitrogen [BUN] and serum creatinine, urinalysis, and ultrasonography) are either nondiagnostic or difficult to achieve. Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is considered a more sensitive marker for renal disease in humans, dogs, and cats. However, SDMA has not yet been assessed for diagnostic use in any psittacine species. In this study, we establish reference ranges for SDMA in both Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis, HAP) and Quaker parrots (Myiopsitta monachus, QP). Blood was collected from 23 Amazon parrots and 32 Quaker parrots maintained in research facilities. Measurement of SDMA through a commercially available immunoassay (IA-SDMA) as well as creatinine, BUN, uric acid, phosphorus, calcium, sodium, potassium, and chloride were determined through IDEXX Laboratories. Plasma SDMA concentrations ranged from 6 to 15 µg/dL and 3 to 15 µg/dL for the HAP and QP, respectively. Sex was a confounding factor for the QP population, but sex did not have a significant effect on SDMA for the HAP population. No significant correlations were identified between SDMA concentrations and other parameters in either psittacine species. Our results show proof of concept for the IA-SDMA and provide reference intervals for SDMA in HAP and QP. Further investigation is required to determine the validity of this assay and the predictive power of SDMA in the detection of renal impairment for parrots and other common companion birds.

Pharmacokinetics of Trazodone in Hispaniolan Parrots (Amazona ventralis).

The objective of this study was to establish the pharmacokinetics of a single oral dose of trazodone in the Hispaniolan Amazon parrot (Amazona ventralis). Trazodone is a selective serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor used commonly in both human and veterinary medicine as an antidepressant behavioral modification medicine. A single oral dose of compounded trazodone hydrochloride solution (20 mg/mL) at 50 mg/kg was administered to a total of 7 healthy adult Hispaniolan Amazon parrots. The 7 healthy adult parrots ranged in age from 10 to 15 years and weighed 228 to 323g. Blood was collected at baseline (2 weeks before study) and at 1, 2, 4, 6, 10, and 14 hours post-drug administration. Plasma concentrations of both trazodone and its active metabolite m-chlorophenylpiperazine (mCPP) were measured via liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Noncompartmental pharmacokinetic analysis was completed. The half-life (t1/2) ± SD of trazodone for the Hispaniolan parrots was 1.89 ± 0.49 hours, and the t1/2 ± SD of mCPP metabolite was 1.9 ± 0.55 hours. Maximum serum drug concentrations, or Cmax (ng/mL), were 738.3 ± 285.3 for trazodone. Times to achieve Cmax (hours) for trazadone and the mCPP metabolite were 1 hour and 2 hours postdosing, respectively. While this study did not establish the behavioral effects of trazodone, no adverse side effects were observed throughout the 48-hour period following drug administration and blood collection. Our results indicate that the oral administration of a 50-mg/kg single dose of trazodone to Hispaniolan parrots may be considered a safe dose. Plasma concentrations are comparable to previously published values in humans, dogs, horses, and pigeons (Columba livia domestica) for up to 14 hours following dosing. This study indicates that further studies are needed to establish the pharmacodynamics and the efficacy of trazodone in the medical management of behavioral problems in psittacine species.

Point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitor parameters in Amazon parrots (Amazona spp.).

To evaluate the feasibility of the point-of-care viscoelastic coagulation monitor (VCM) in Amazon parrots (Amazona spp.) and describe the parameters with fresh whole-blood samples in healthy Amazon parrots. A total of 18 Amazon parrots were enrolled. Physical examinations, a CBC, and a biochemistry profile, including bile acids, were performed on all parrots. VCM tracings were obtained at the time of venipuncture for baseline laboratory work. The median clot time was 2102seconds (range: 38.6-3599s), median clot formation time was 929seconds (range: 21.4-1711s), median alpha angle was 20 (range: 6-67), and the median maximum clot formation was 8.5 (range: 0-36). The median lysis index at 30minutes (LI30) was 100 (range: 98-100), and the median lysis index at 45minutes (LI45) was 100 (range: 90-100). Of 18 samples, alpha angles were not reported in 7 samples, LI30 was not reported in 10 samples, and LI45 was not reported in 12 samples. Of the qualitative curves, 6 reflected normal mammalian curves, and the remainder were consistent with a hypocoaguable state. The results were markedly variable, with the majority of VCM tracings being hypocoagulable in comparison with reference intervals established for dogs and cats. Using these protocols, the VCM is not reliable in Amazon parrots. Future areas of investigation include altering the temperature during sample analysis, the use of activators, or an exchange of clotting reagents for an extrinsic pathway activator, which may contribute to the success of this device in avian species.

Convergent niche shifts of endangered parrots (genus Amazona) during successful establishment in urban southern California

AbstractAimIntroduced species offer insight on whether and how organisms can shift their ecological niches during translocation. The genus Amazona offers a clear test case, where sister species Red‐crowned (A. viridigenalis) and Lilac‐crowned Parrots (A. finschi) have established breeding populations in southern California following introduction via the pet trade from Mexico where they do not coexist. After establishment in the 1980s, introduced population sizes have increased, with mixed species flocks found throughout urban Los Angeles. Here, we investigate the differences between the environmental conditions of the native and introduced ranges of these now co‐occurring species.LocationSouthern California and Mexico.MethodsUsing environmental data on climate and habitat from their native and introduced ranges, we tested whether Red‐crowned and Lilac‐crowned Parrots have divergent realized niches between their native ranges, and whether each species has significantly shifted its realized niche to inhabit urban southern California. We also analysed data from Texas and Florida introductions of Red‐crowned Parrots for comparative analysis.ResultsThere are significant differences in the native‐range niches of both parrot species, but a convergence into a novel, shared environmental niche into urban southern California, characterized by colder temperatures, less tree cover and lower rainfall. Texas and Florida Red‐crowned Parrots also show evidence for niche shifts with varying levels of niche conservatism through the establishment of somewhat different realized niches.Main ConclusionsDespite significant niche shifts, introduced parrots are thriving, suggesting a broad fundamental niche and an ability to exploit urban resources. Unique niche shifts in different U.S. introductions indicate that Amazona parrots can adapt to diverse environmental conditions, with cities offering a resource niche and the timing of introduction playing a crucial role. Cities can potentially serve as refugia for threatened parrot species, but the risk of hybridization between species emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring and genetic investigations.

Measuring the Level of Agreement for Lactate Measurements in Hispaniolan Amazon Parrots (Amazona ventralis) Among 2 Point-of-Care Analyzers and a Benchtop Analyzer.

Lactate is an important biochemistry analyte used in human and veterinary medicine to assess tissue perfusion and can be used as a prognostic indicator for certain disease conditions. Whereas lactate is commonly measured using "patient-side" handheld meters, these meters have not been validated for companion avian species. The purpose of this study was to measure the level of agreement between 2 commercially available point-of-care lactate meters and a laboratory benchtop blood analyzer in Hispaniolan Amazon parrots (Amazona ventralis). Blood samples were collected from 20 adult parrots at Louisiana State University by drawing 1.5 mL of blood from the right jugular vein. One drop of whole blood was used for the Lactate Plus analyzer and the remainder of the sample transferred into a lithium heparin microtainer. From the blood in the microtainer, 0.2 mL whole blood was analyzed using the epoc Blood Analysis System, and the remaining sample was centrifuged to obtain plasma that was immediately frozen at -80°C (-112°F) and submitted to the Texas A&M University Clinical Pathology Laboratory for analysis on the VITROS 4500 benchtop analyzer. Bland-Altman agreement plots and Passing-Bablok regression were used to measure the level of agreement between the methods. There was poor agreement between all 3 methods with mean percentage differences in lactate concentrations ≥22% (epoc and Lactate Plus: 33.6% [95% CI: 27-40]; epoc and VITROS 4500: 55% [95% CI:52-58]; VITROS 4500 and Lactate Plus: 22% [95% CI:16-28]). Based on these results, the point-of-care meters tested in this study are not interchangeable, and separate reference intervals were calculated for each method. Blood lactate concentrations may have more utility in tracing lactate trends over time in an individual rather than being able to utilize this information at 1 time point for disease diagnosis and prognosis.

Behavioral responses of Vinaceous-breasted Amazon parrots to anti-predator training

Conservation translocations have a low success rate mainly due the lack of skills of introduced animals to survive in the new environment, such as naivety facing a potential predator. Pre-release training based on classical conditioning may allow those animals to identify threats. Here we evaluated the behavioral responses to anti-predator training by an endangered tropical species, the Vinaceous-breasted Amazon parrot (Amazona vinacea). We investigated the hypothesis that anti-predator training of captive parrots can stimulate aversive behavior towards predators, also investigating whether animals habituated to the training. Eleven parrots were submitted to anti-predator training using four different predator models (jaguar, bird of prey, dog, and human) and a chair as control. During training, the predator models were associated with an aversive stimulus, represented by a disguised person chasing the animals. All training sessions were video recorded and parrots’ behaviors were collected through footage analysis. Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs) were adjusted to evaluate the animals’ behaviors during training and to evaluate changes in behavior according to the predator model. We also carried out a Time Series Analysis (TSA) through a Temporal Autocorrelation to identify signs of habituation. Parrots escaped more in training with all predators than in training with the chair. Parrots also walked in the presence of the dog, the human, and the bird of prey, which is a mild response than escaping but also suggests a risk perception. The behaviors eating and preening were most observed in training with the chair. The parrots showed behavioral changes throughout the training sessions, with a decrease in the frequency of the behavior walking and an increase in the behavior alert, which is an indication that parrots did not habituate to stimuli used during training. The results obtained by TSA also corroborated this finding. Overall, our results demonstrated that anti-predator training can elicit proper behaviors in captive animals, which, after release, may contribute to the animals survival in the wild. Thus, anti-predator training should be applied as a pre-release technique in parrot conservation programs.

Pathological aspects of a septicemic salmonellosis outbreak caused by Salmonella serotype Typhimurium in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva)

Pathological aspects of a septicemic salmonellosis outbreak caused by Salmonella serotype Typhimurium in captive blue-fronted Amazon parrots (Amazona aestiva)

Pharmacokinetics of single-dose oral atorvastatin and its metabolites support therapeutic use in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica).

To evaluate the plasma concentrations and determine pharmacokinetic parameters of atorvastatin and its primary active metabolites (para- and ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin) after administration of a single oral dose in orange-winged Amazon parrots (Amazona amazonica). 8 adult orange-winged Amazon parrots (4 male, 4 female) of varying ages. A compounded oral suspension of atorvastatin 10 mg/mL was administered via oral gavage at 20 mg/kg to each bird. Blood samples were collected at 10 different time points from 0 to 30 hours postadministration to evaluate plasma levels of atorvastatin, para-hydroxyatorvastatin, and ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin. Pharmacokinetic analysis was performed using noncompartmental analysis and commercially available software. Mean ± SD atorvastatin half-life, tmax, and Cmax were 5.96 ± 11.50 hours, 1.60 ± 0.80 hours, and 82.60 ± 58.30 ng/mL, respectively. For para-hydroxyatorvastatin, the half-life, tmax, and Cmax were 6.46 ± 54.20 hours, 5.00 ± 2.51 hours, and 34.10 ± 16.00 ng/mL, respectively, and 5.58 ± 9.92 hours, 3.38 ± 2.10 hours, and 7.35 ± 3.96 ng/mL for ortho-hydroxyatorvastatin. The plasma concentrations and pharmacokinetic profile shown support the therapeutic use of atorvastatin at the dose evaluated in this species based on human pharmacokinetic data. While 20 mg/kg PO q24 hours could be used as a starting dosage until further studies evaluating multiple dose administration and efficacy in this species become available, the high interindividual variability results warrant monitoring of the treatment response to make dosing adjustments if needed.

A molecular phylogeny of the early-branching Genistoid lineages of papilionoid legumes reveals a new Amazonian genus segregated from Clathrotropis

Abstract Molecular phylogenetic studies focused on the early-branching papilionoid legumes have revealed many new clades and supported several generic realignments, yet the monophyly of some of the constituent genera has remained unassessed. This is the case for the Amazonian genus Clathrotropis of the tribe Ormosieae. The genus, as traditionally circumscribed, comprises seven species of trees, including some of the most ecologically hyper dominant taxa across the Amazonian terra firme and seasonally flooded forests. Here we employed a Bayesian analysis of densely sampled nuclear ribosomal ITS/5.8S and plastid matK and trnL intron DNA sequences to evaluate the monophyly of Clathrotropis. All individual and concatenated analyses concurred in showing the non-monophyletic nature of Clathrotropis, whose species fall into three distantly related lineages: one, comprised of C. brachypetala, C. brunnea, C. glaucophylla and the ecologically dominant C. macrocarpa, is circumscribed here as the new genus Cabari; the two others, comprising C. paradoxa and the widespread C. nitida, are more closely related to Spirotropis of the tribe Ormosieae. Such phylogeny-based dismemberment of Clathrotropis is further supported by vegetative, floral, fruit, and seed characters. Although the genes analysed in this study have provided phylogenetically informative data supporting the need for a new circumscription of Clathrotropis, we suggest that future phylogenomic studies should seek to better resolve the relationships of the newly described genus Cabari across the phylogenetically recalcitrant early-branching nodes of the Genistoid clade.

Personality Characteristics Predictive of Social Pairing Outcome in Orange-Winged Amazon Parrots (Amazona amazonica)

ABSTRACT Most wild parrot species live in flocks, enriched by the environment and conspecific interactions. Captive parrots often live individually and are prone to behavioral maladaptation. If captive parrots and their behavior become intolerable, they are commonly relinquished to rescue organizations. This study aims to create parrot personality assessments for use by rescuers adding newly acquired parrots to shared environments. The study involved 20 orange-winged Amazon parrots (10 M, 10 F). Observers familiar with each bird scored its personality and analyses determined three sets of personalities: Social, Guarded, and Nervous Each parrot was paired with its 10 heterosexual counterparts and its interactions monitored remotely and captured on video. Pairing trials occurred over 72 hours in a specially designed pairing structure. Parrot personality could predict pairing success. Social-Guarded and Social-Nervous were more successfully paired, with individuals maintaining a close distance to one another and displaying increased rest-stretch behavior. Time of day influenced success with Social-Nervous pairs successful at all times of day, Social-Social pairs in the AM, and Guarded-Guarded pairs in the PM period. The study results suggest that rescues can use personality assessment and specific behaviors during cohabitation to predict OWA novel pairing outcomes.

Hepatic T‐cell lymphoma in a blue‐fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) and subcutaneous T‐cell lymphoma in a grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus)

AbstractT‐cell lymphoma was diagnosed in a mature blue‐fronted Amazon parrot (Amazona aestiva) and a mature grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus). The Amazon parrot was diagnosed with soft tissue sarcoma in the neck and T‐cell hepatic lymphoma. The sarcoma was surgically removed, but chemotherapy for the lymphoma was declined by the owner. This parrot survived 24 months without treatment until it was euthanased for dyspnoea, the cause of which was not investigated. The grey parrot was diagnosed with subcutaneous T‐cell lymphoma on the left side of the neck that likely originated from the thymus. The mass was surgically excised without complications. The bird remained healthy 24 months after diagnosis, at which point follow‐up was lost. This case series documents the clinical presentation and diagnostic workup of T‐cell lymphoma in two Psittacidae patients. In both cases, T‐cell lymphomas were confirmed by histological examination and CD3 immunohistochemistry.

Palliative Radiation Therapy for Treatment of Cutaneous T-cell Lymphoma in a Double Yellow-headed Amazon Parrot (Amazona oratrix).

A 17-year-old captive female double yellow-headed Amazon parrot (Amazona oratrix) was presented to the Kansas State University Zoological Medicine Service (Manhattan, KS, USA) for a 2-month history of a left sided facial swelling. On examination, a red, raised mass was noted on the left side of the face. A whole-body computed tomography scan of the bird was performed to assess the extent of the mass and evaluate the patient for obvious evidence of disseminated disease. No systemic involvement was detected, and the swelling was localized to the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues overlying the left rhamphotheca. Two punch biopsies were collected, and histopathology was consistent with cutaneous lymphoma, with strong positive CD3 staining congruous with a T-cell origin. Because of a lack of evidence for disseminated disease, the authors elected to pursue localized radiation therapy, and a single fraction of 8 Gray was administered. The swelling had resolved by the time of the recheck examination 4 weeks post-radiation therapy, and the patient remained clinically normal 52 weeks after radiation therapy.

Unraveling the Enigma of Androcalymma (Fabaceae: Dialioideae): The Rediscovery of a Critically Endangered Legume Genus in the Heart of the Amazon

Androcalymma Dwyer, a monospecific and morphologically unique genus on the legume subfamily Dialioideae, stands out as one of the less known genera of Fabaceae, not being molecularly sampled in phylogenetic studies of the family until now, which led to an uncertain position among other taxa in its clade. Androcalymma glabrifolium, endemic to a small and hardly accessible area in the Brazilian Amazon rainforest, was collected once in 1936 and never seen after that, even being conjectured as possibly extinct. Here we describe a recent expedition searching for this enigmatic and rare tree that brought to light an extant population of the species in an indigenous area where it still thrives. The fruits of Androcalymma are here described and illustrated for the first time, as also its flowers’ colors and several other new characters. Here we present its first photographic register, and its DNA is compared to other Dialioideae bringing a solid relationship with the also Amazonian genus Dicorynia, a grouping sustained here by many known and newly discovered morphological characteristics. SEM analyses of flowers and fruits, conservation assessments indicating the critically endangered situation of the genus, taxonomic descriptions, and geographic, systematic, and ecological comments are made.

Determining the Prevalence of Avian Chlamydiosis in Wild Amazona Species From Brazil Using Molecular Testing and Clinical Signs.

Avian chlamydiosis is a disease that occurs in birds, especially parrots, and is caused by the Gram-negative bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. Wild Animal Screening Centers in Brazil receive, maintain, treat, and place (preferably to nature) wild animals recovered from illegal trafficking. We performed molecular testing for avian chlamydiosis in parrots from the genus Amazona that were presented to these centers. Cloacal swab samples were collected from 59 parrots (Amazona species) and transported in aqueous or culture medium. The samples were subsequently submitted for DNA extraction by the boiling method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification using CPF/CPR primers, and agarose gel electrophoresis. Conjunctivitis, nasal discharge, and poor body condition were the clinical signs associated with a differential disease diagnosis of avian chlamydiosis. Transport medium did not have an effect on the test results. The prevalence of C psittaci in the samples was 37% (22/59, 95% confidence interval: 25-49). There was a significant (P = 0.009) association between the PCR test results and clinical signs. Follow-up testing was conducted on a subgroup of 14 individuals that initially tested negative on PCR; 50% (7/14) of these birds were found to be positive within 24 days of the first test. The results of this study confirm the feasibility of using the CPF/CFP primer-based PCR to detect C psittaci in Amazona species, describe a less costly method of transporting biological material for DNA extraction, and evaluate the temporal aspect for obtaining positive results through molecular testing for C psittaci in Amazona species.