Charadriiform Birds Research Articles

Satellitome Analysis in the Southern Lapwing (Vanellus chilensis) Genome: Implications for SatDNA Evolution in Charadriiform Birds.

Vanellus (Charadriidae; Charadriiformes) comprises around 20 species commonly referred to as lapwings. In this study, by integrating cytogenetic and genomic approaches, we assessed the satellite DNA (satDNA) composition of one typical species, Vanellus chilensis, with a highly conserved karyotype. We additionally underlined its role in the evolution, structure, and differentiation process of the present ZW sex chromosome system. Seven distinct satellite DNA families were identified within its genome, accumulating on the centromeres, microchromosomes, and the W chromosome. However, these identified satellite DNA families were not found in two other Charadriiformes members, namely Jacana jacana and Calidris canutus. The hybridization of microsatellite sequences revealed the presence of a few repetitive sequences in V. chilensis, with only two out of sixteen displaying positive hybridization signals. Overall, our results contribute to understanding the genomic organization and satDNA evolution in Charadriiform birds.

Female and male body condition in the Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida, a species with female offspring desertion: a test of the differential parental capacity hypothesis

AbstractOffspring desertion by a single parent, mainly the female, occurs in many charadriiform birds. According to the differential parental capacity hypothesis (DPCH), females are more likely to desert, since they may be in poorer body condition than males as a consequence of egg-laying costs. This study investigated the body condition of 122 male and 118 female Whiskered Terns. In this species half of females desert during the chick-rearing period, the remainder during the post-fledging period. Body condition was investigated during the late incubation and early chick-rearing phases during the biparental care period in: (1) females that deserted during the chick-rearing period, (2) females that did not desert during this time, (3) males deserted by females, and (4) males not deserted by females. Among females that stayed, body condition during the pre-hatching period did not vary with relative catching date (clutch/brood age), whereas females that later deserted showed a very poor body condition when caught around seven days prior to hatching. After hatching, body condition was lower in both deserting and non-deserting females caught later. Among males whose females stayed, body condition remained nearly stable, whereas the body condition of males whose females deserted was lower the later they were caught. These results tally only partially with the DPCH: the pattern of parental body condition changes during breeding is apparently more complex than assumed by the DPCH and the cost of egg laying may be lower than suggested. Desertion by Whiskered Tern females is better explained by the sex role differences in parental care. The male’s ability to compensate for the missing female may be playing a role in the evolution of desertion.

Early Eocene fossils elucidate the evolutionary history of the Charadriiformes (shorebirds and allies)

AbstractWe report charadriiform and charadriiform-like birds from the early Eocene London Clay of Walton-on-the-Naze (Essex, UK). A partial skeleton of a small modern-type charadriiform is described as a new species, Charadriisimilis essexensis n. gen. n. sp., and most closely resembles taxa of the Charadrii (plovers, stilts, oystercatchers, and other “wader-like” shorebirds). Affinities to this clade were also supported by phylogenetic analyses, which placed the fossil as the sister taxon of either the Burhinidae or all crown group Charadrii. In addition, we identify specimens of the charadriiform-like taxon Scandiavis, which was before known only from the early Eocene Fur Formation in Denmark. Associated limb elements of two individuals are classified as Scandiavis cf. mikkelseni Bertelli et al., 2013, and remains of two further individuals are tentatively assigned to Scandiavis. The presence of a processus supracondylaris dorsalis on the previously unknown humerus corroborates charadriiform affinities of Scandiavis, whereas a plesiomorphic hypotarsus morphology indicates a position outside crown group Charadriiformes. Charadriisimilis essexensis is one of the earliest modern-type charadriiforms, and the holotype of the species is the most substantial early Paleogene fossil record of a charadriiform bird. Together with Scandiavis, as the best-represented taxon to be considered as a stem group charadriiform, it provides the basis for an improved understanding of the evolutionary history of charadriiform birds.UUID: http://zoobank.org/ca15ee81-09e8-4577-8beb-a362debf6636

Diversity of Charadriiform Birds from a Tropical Wetland

Diversity of Charadriiform Birds from a Tropical Wetland

First report of cestode infection in the crustacean Artemia persimilis from Southern Chilean Patagonia and its relation with the Neotropical aquatic birds.

The brine shrimp genus Artemia Leach (Crustacea, Branchiopoda), a keystone group in hipersaline wetlands all over the world, offers an excellent model to study species interactions (parasitism) and to explore “hidden fauna” (avian endoparasites). The present study is the first report on the parasite infection of the South American species Artemia persimilis from the Southern Chilean Patagonia (50°S–53°S). Samples were collected in Los Cisnes and Amarga lagoons, the two most austral populations of this crustacean described to date, during two seasons (spring and autumn). A total of 98 larvae of cestodes of the family Hymenolepididae (Cestoda, Cyclophyllidea) were found and identified as belonging to the following taxa: Confluaria podicipina (adult parasitic in grebes), Flamingolepis sp. (a cestode parasite of flamingos), Fimbriarioides (?) sp. (adults of the species of this genus infect waterfowl and shorebirds) and Wardium sp. (definitive host unknown, most probably charadriiform birds). This is a new geographical record of C. podicipina and the genus Fimbriarioides for the Neotropical Region, the latter being the most widely distributed species at both localities and seasons surveyed, and the only species recorded in autumn (April). Cestode community composition in Los Cisnes population was characterised by dominance of Flamingolepis sp., representing more than 65% of the total cestode species recorded, whereas in the Amarga population the most abundant parasite (>83%) was Fimbriarioides (?) sp. Significant seasonal variations were detected in Los Cisnes lagoon for Flamingolepis sp. and C. podicipina, with exclusive presence of them in spring (November). Besides providing novel information on cestodes infection in A. persimilis, this study provides new data on the life cycle of cestodes of Neotropical aquatic birds such as South American flamingos and grebes. Our finding expands the knowledge on the biodiversity and population dynamics of extreme and unique environments from high latitudes (Patagonia) and makes evident the need of further taxonomical and ecological studies for better understanding the life cycles of avian helminth parasites in the Neotropics and the role of aquatic invertebrates in them.

A new species of the late Miocene charadriiform bird (Aves: Charadriiformes), with a summary of all Paleogene and Miocene Charadrii remains.

A new species, Cherevychnavis umanskae sp. nov., (Aves: Charadriiformes) from the late Miocene of Ukraine is described, and all known fossils of the suborder Charadrii from the Paleogene and Miocene are summarized. The combination of preserved characters allows us to assign the new species to the suborder Charadrii but its more exact systematic position remains uncertain. Morphologically, the new species is most similar to the extant Haematopus and Recurvirostra, and in terms of size to Haematopus, but it clearly differs from all extant genera of Charadrii. The current remains fill the temporal and spatial gaps in the fossil record of charadriiform birds; they constitute the first record of the Charadrii in eastern-most Europe, and add to our still insufficient knowledge of the late Miocene birds.

Becassius charadriioides, an early Miocene pratincole-like bird from France: with comments on the early evolutionary history of the Glareolidae (Aves, Charadriiformes)

The early Miocene charadriiform bird Becassius charadriioides De Pietri and Mayr, 2012, from the Saint-Gerand-le-Puy area in France, was originally described as a member of uncertain affinities within the shorebird clade Scolopaci (jacanas, seedsnipe, painted-snipe, sandpipers, and allies). Following a re-assessment of the material attributed to this taxon and in the context of a larger comparative sample of extinct and extant charadriiform birds, we conclude that it is a member of the Glareolidae (pratincoles and coursers). We also demonstrate that certain elements, such as the coracoid, which were only tentatively referred to B. charadriioides, are very likely to belong to this taxon. We describe for the first time a tarsometatarsus that we tentatively attribute to this species. Based on the morphology of the humerus and other elements, it is not possible to associate Becassius charadriioides with any extant lineage within Glareolidae; it displays a combination of morphological features that can be presumed to be ancestral to Glareolidae based on outgroup comparisons and on the distinctiveness of B. charadriioides among other glareolids. The referral of Becassius charadriioides to Glareolidae bridges a gap in the evolutionary history of the clade, attesting to the presence of members of this clade in Europe during the earliest Miocene. Additionally, we provide a review of the fossil record of Glareolidae and re-assess some of the oldest fossils to have been attributed to this group.

Threats and the active protection of birds in a riverbed: postulates for the strategy of the preservation of the middle Vistula River avifauna

Over the past 34 years, threats to Charadriiform birds inhabiting islands in the Vistula riverbed, mainly gulls, terns and plovers, have changed considerably. While in 1985-1994 the main risks for their breeding were found to be flood waters, predation by the hooded crow Corvus corone cornix and the Eurasian magpie Pica pica, as well as, locally, uncontrolled livestock grazing, in 2005-2014 they were primarily predation pressure from the American mink Neovision vision and the red fox Vulpes vulpes and massive outbreaks of black flies Simuliidae. These threats led to a reproductive outcome of nearly zero and increased the mortality of adults in their breeding areas. As a result, there was a sharp decline in numbers of the majority of gull, tern and plover species nesting there. In 2015-2018, apart from mammalian predation, key threats included the pressure of feral cats and dogs and the growing presence of people on the islands. In a situation that may lead to the extinction of first the mew gull, Larus canus, and later other species of birds, in 2005-2006, we began the active protection of endangered species on the middle Vistula River islands. This effort included (a) reducing the number of American minks and red foxes, (b) neutralising the presence of predators and livestock at the nesting sites with electric fences and the use of incubators and dummy eggs and (c) restoration of the nesting habitat, as well as, in the case of mew gulls, (d) increasing the genetic diversity within colonies. The most important demand is the conducting of the active protective measures in a comprehensive way and continuously for at least five years (until 2023), optimally throughout the decade (2019--2028). In addition, it will be also necessary to carry out wildlife monitoring in this area. The other important task for the coming years will be to oppose plans for extensive engineering in the middle section of the river, which will irreversibly destroy this unique ecosystem.

Migration and parasitism: habitat use, not migration distance, influences helminth species richness in Charadriiform birds

AbstractAimHabitat use and migration strategies of animals are often associated with spatial variation in parasite pressure, but how they relate to one another is not well understood. Here, we use a large dataset on helminth species richness of Charadriiform birds to test whether higher habitat diversity and seasonal migration increase parasite richness in avian hosts.LocationGlobal.MethodsWe compiled a global dataset on helminth species richness, habitat use strategies (marine/freshwater/mixed wintering and osmotic generalist/specialist) and various ecological/life‐history traits (migration distance, geographical range size, diet, body mass, sampling latitude) of Charadriiform birds. To test if hosts with different habitat use strategies encounter different parasite pressures, we used comparative methods that correct for shared ancestry and phylogenetic uncertainty.ResultsHabitat generalists (mixed wintering habitats and osmotic generalists) harboured more parasite species than habitat specialists; marine‐ and freshwater‐restricted hosts had similar helminth species richness. Contrary to previous results, we found no association between parasite species richness and migration distance. Overall helminth species richness also increased with diet diversity, with no effects of other ecological/life‐history traits.Main conclusionsWe suggest that birds exploiting diverse habitats and diets are exposed to a more diverse parasite fauna and conclude that distribution patterns and habitat use, rather than migration distance, shape parasite diversity within host populations. Overall, these results demonstrate the significant role of habitat use in explaining how migration may indirectly affect parasite richness in host populations.

A small, “wader-like” bird from the Early Eocene of Messel (Germany)

A small bird with a shorebird-like beak and a very long hind toe is described from the Early Eocene of Messel in Germany. Vanolimicola longihallucis, gen. et sp. nov. is one of the few candidate species for a “wading bird” from Messel, that is, a bird that may have foraged along the shoreline of the ancient lake. A few features indicate a relationship to charadriiform birds and Jacanidae (jacanas) in particular, but charadriiform affinities are only weakly supported. In the preserved skeletal elements, V. longihallucis also resembles the taxon Songzia from the Early Eocene of China, which is considered to be a representative of the Ralloidea (rails and allies). A potential biogeographic significance of the new Messel fossil is strengthened by similar fossils from the North American Green River Formation.

Coastal meadow management for threatened waders has a strong supporting impact on meadow plants and amphibians

Wet grasslands provide unique habitats for several taxa and offer multiple ecosystem services. Their degradation is therefore of increasing concern in many parts of the world. Baltic coastal meadows, which host diverse plant and bird communities and provide an essential breeding ground for amphibians, belong to the most threatened habitat types in Europe. In spite of the EU agri-environmental schemes, the threatened wader and toad populations, characteristic to these meadows, have not recovered, suggesting that the management efforts are failing to provide sufficiently high habitat quality for these species. In this paper we report the results of a large-scale survey determining the factors that influence the patterns of breeding habitat selection of four Charadriiform bird species on 24 coastal meadows in Estonia. We also examined whether the habitat conditions required by the threatened waders would benefit breeding amphibians and meadow plants and whether the threatened waders might act as focal species for managing coastal meadow biodiversity. In total, we analysed 23 landscape-variables, applying co-inertia analysis to discover common multivariate patterns in coastal meadow characteristics, breeding waders, plants and amphibians. We demonstrated that large (≥100ha) and wide (mean width ≥200m) meadows with extensive grazing, high water-table and no woody vegetation provide favourable breeding conditions for waders of conservation concern, but at the same time also support other Charadriiform birds, larger amphibian populations, and more diverse plant communities. Meadow management should therefore be targeted at threatened waders, especially Baltic dunlin, which could be considered as a focal species, and focus on the establishment of large and wide meadow areas with extensive grazing.

The world’s smallest owl, the earliest unambiguous charadriiform bird, and other avian remains from the early Eocene Nanjemoy Formation of Virginia (USA)

New avian remains from the early Eocene Nanjemoy Formation in Virginia (USA) are described. The material stems from the Fisher/Sullivan site and consists of isolated bones. These belong to at least 13 species, most of which have not yet been reported from the Nanjemoy Formation. The fossil material includes the oldest unambiguous record of a charadriiform bird and a new species of protostrigid owl, which represents the smallest known owl species. Other specimens are tentatively assigned to the Procellariiformes, the suliform Fregatidae, the gruiform Messelornithidae, and the apodiform Eocypselidae. A complete and well-preserved tarsometatarsus of the psittacopasserine Halcyornithidae provides new data on the osteology of these enigmatic birds, and a distal tibiotarsus is tentatively assigned to the Trogoniformes. The identification of a number of fossils is uncertain, with the bones showing similarities to Threskiornithidae and extinct taxa from the early Eocene of Europe (Microena, Morsoravis). All bird fossils from the Nanjemoy Formation are three-dimensionally preserved and, therefore, allow a detailed assessment of osteological features, which complements studies of compression fossils from lagerstatten-type fossil sites.

Morphology and motion: hindlimb proportions and swing phase kinematics in terrestrially locomoting charadriiform birds.

Differing limb proportions in terms of length and mass, as well as differences in mass being concentrated proximally or distally, influence the limb's moment of inertia (MOI), which represents its resistance to being swung. Limb morphology - including limb segment proportions - thus probably has direct relevance for the metabolic cost of swinging the limb during locomotion. However, it remains largely unexplored how differences in limb proportions influence limb kinematics during swing phase. To test whether differences in limb proportions are associated with differences in swing phase kinematics, we collected hindlimb kinematic data from three species of charadriiform birds differing widely in their hindlimb proportions: lapwings, oystercatchers and avocets. Using these three species, we tested for differences in maximum joint flexion, maximum joint extension and range of motion (RoM), in addition to differences in maximum segment angular velocity and excursion. We found that the taxa with greater limb MOI - oystercatchers and avocets - flex their limbs more than lapwings. However, we found no consistent differences in joint extension and RoM among species. Likewise, we found no consistent differences in limb segment angular velocity and excursion, indicating that differences in limb inertia in these three avian species do not necessarily underlie the rate or extent of limb segment movements. The observed increased limb flexion among these taxa with distally heavy limbs resulted in reduced MOI of the limb when compared with a neutral pose. A trade-off between exerting force to actively flex the limb and potential savings by a reduction of MOI is skewed towards reducing the limb's MOI as a result of MOI being in part a function of the radius of gyration squared. Increased limb flexion is a likely means to lower the cost of swinging the limbs.

Helminth parasites of Artemia franciscana (Crustacea: Branchiopoda) in the Great Salt Lake, Utah: first data from the native range of this invader of European wetlands.

The present study is the first survey on the role of Artemia franciscana Kellogg as intermediate host of helminth parasites in its native geographical range in North America (previous studies have recorded nine cestode and one nematode species from this host in its invasive habitats in the Western Mediterranean). Samples of Artemia franciscana were collected from four sites in the Great Salt Lake (GSL), Utah, across several months (June-September 2009). A. franciscana serves as intermediate host of five helminth species in this lake. Four of them are cestodes: three hymenolepidids, i.e. Confluaria podicipina (Szymanski, 1905) (adults parasitic in grebes), Hymenolepis (sensu lato) californicus Young, 1950 (adults parasitic in gulls), Wardium sp. (definitive host unknown, probably charadriiform birds), and one dilepidid, Fuhrmannolepis averini Spassky et Yurpalova, 1967 (adults parasitic in phalaropes). In addition, an unidentified nematode of the family Acuariidae was recorded. Confluaria podicipina is the most prevalent and abundant parasite at all sampling sites, followed by H. (s. l.) californicus. The species composition of the parasites and the spatial variations in their prevalence and abundance reflect the abundance and distribution of aquatic birds serving as their definitive hosts. The temporal dynamics of the overall helminth infections exhibits the highest prevalence in the last month of study at each site (August or September). This native population of A. franciscana from GSL is characterised with higher prevalence, intensity and abundance of the overall cestode infection compared to the introduced populations of this species in the Palaearctic Region. The values of the infection descriptors in the native population of A. franciscana are slightly lower or in some cases similar to those of the Palaearctic species Artemia parthenogenetica Barigozzi (diploid populations) and Artemia salina (Linnaeus) in their native habitats.

Minimizing the cost of locomotion with inclined trunk predicts crouched leg kinematics of small birds at realistic levels of elastic recoil.

Small birds move with pronograde trunk orientation and crouched legs. Although the pronograde trunk has been suggested to be beneficial for grounded running, the cause(s) of the specific leg kinematics are unknown. Here we show that three charadriiform bird species (northern lapwing, oystercatcher, and avocet; great examples of closely related species that differ remarkably in their hind limb design) move their leg segments during stance in a way that minimizes the cost of locomotion. We imposed measured trunk motions and ground reaction forces on a kinematic model of the birds. The model was used to search for leg configurations that minimize leg work that accounts for two factors: elastic recoil in the intertarsal joint, and cheaper negative muscle work relative to positive muscle work. A physiological level of elasticity (∼ 0.6) yielded segment motions that match the experimental data best, with a root mean square of angular deviations of ∼ 2.1 deg. This finding suggests that the exploitation of elastic recoil shapes the crouched leg kinematics of small birds under the constraint of pronograde trunk motion. Considering that an upright trunk and more extended legs likely decrease the cost of locomotion, our results imply that the cost of locomotion is a secondary movement criterion for small birds. Scaling arguments suggest that our approach may be utilized to provide new insights into the motion of extinct species such as dinosaurs.

Another charadriiform-like bird from the lower Eocene of Denmark

We describe an exceptionally well-preserved partial skeleton of a new bird from the early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Like other fossils from these marine deposits, the partial skeleton is three-dimensionally preserved and articulated. This new Danish specimen consists of a skull, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, and hindlimbs. Concerning characters of the pelvis, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus, the new fossil bears morphological affinities to charadriiform birds (shorebirds and relatives). A phylogenetic analysis of higher neomithine (modern birds) taxa also supports a close relationship between the new specimen and modern Charadriiformes. The morphologies of the skull and vertebrae, however, distinguish the new fossil from all recent charadriiform families.

The phylogeny of charadriiform birds (shorebirds and allies) - reassessing the conflict between morphology and molecules

Multiple molecular analyses provide a congruent and well-supported phylogeny of the charadriiform family-level taxa, which conflicts with previous hypotheses based on osteological data. In order to revise the latter and to identify new characters of phylogenetic significance, skeletons of most charadriiform family-level taxa were examined and 49 characters analysed. Tree topology was sensitive to outgroup choice, but the result of the analysis rooted with Columbidae (doves and pigeons) recovered a monophyletic Scolopaci, Charadrii, and nonturnicid Lari. With regard to the inclusion of Alcidae and Glareolidae in the Lari, the results of the present study are also in better concordance with the new molecular phylogenies than previous analyses of morphological data. Furthermore, for the first time an apomorphy of a clade including Thinocoridae, Pedionomidae, Rostratulidae, and Jacanidae was identified. Inclusion of Turnicidae in the Lari could not be supported, but there is no strong morphological evidence for an alternative placement. Pluvianus shares derived osteological features with the Burhinidae, and its position in the molecular analyses likewise cannot be corroborated with morphological data. Based on the topology of the molecular consensus tree, the ancestral state of selected characters is reconstructed. It is finally noted that recent calibrations of molecular analyses, which indicate an origin of extant charadriiform lineages in the Cretaceous, are based on incorrectly identified fossils.

Vertebrate Footprints from the Miocene Upper Red Formation, Shokorchi Area, Zanjan Province, NW Iran

Bird, carnivore, and artiodactyl mammal footprints were found in the Miocene Upper Red Formation in the Shokorchi area, west Zanjan, NW Iran. The Upper Red Formation section (about 50 m thick) to the east of Shokorchi village is mainly composed of marls and hard, thin- to thick-bedded sandstone layers. Sinuous ripple marks, mud cracks, and raindrop prints are common on the bedding planes, and flute casts and ripple marks show north-northwest to south-southeast paleocurrent directions. The bird tracks include digitigrade tridactyl footprints without hallux or metatarsus imprints and are assigned to Iranipeda, Antarctichnus and Avipeda isp. These bird tracks were made mainly by charadriiform birds such as sandpipers or snipes and large birds such as cranes. Mammal tracks include carnivore footprints with manus and pes imprints. The manus imprints are better preserved than the pes imprints and are semiplantigrade with five short digits. Digit V is clearly distinct from digits I-IV. The tips of manus digit traces are rounded without claw marks. The pes imprints are poorly preserved as a rounded or oval shape with no digit imprints and only one or two depressions in the mid to front parts of pes imprints. It seems that these footprints belonged to a carnivore in which the forefeet supported most of the animal's weight. These imprints determined as Platykopus ilycalcator and were made by large ursid. Artiodactyl footprints vary from wedge to rounded rectangular or heart shaped. Digits III and IV imprints are distinct with interungual ridges in the median or posterior region. The artiodactyl footprints are Pecoripeda (Gazellipeda) gazella, and because of the high density of tracks, distinguishing pes and manus imprints are impossible. These may have been made by a herd of artiodactyls that traversed a broad area.

A well-preserved ‘charadriiform-like’ fossil bird from the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark

Abstract: We describe a new, exceptionally well-preserved fossil bird recovered from marine deposits of the Early Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark. Morsoravis sedilis gen. et sp. nov. is known by a single specimen that consists of a three-dimensional skull, vertebral column, ribs, pelvis, and left hindlimb and associated parts of the right hindlimb. Comparisons based on overall morphology and particularly characters of the skull, vertebrae and pelvis indicate that the new specimen is morphologically similar to charadriiform birds (the shorebirds and relatives). This similarity is also expressed by a phylogenetic analysis of higher neornithine (modern birds) taxa, which supports a close relationship between the new fossil and modern charadriiforms. The morphology of the hindlimbs, in particular, shows that the new fossil corresponds to a new taxon that is distinguishable from modern charadriiform clades. One interesting aspect of its morphology is the presence of hindlimb specializations that are most commonly found among perching birds – these suggest that ecologically the new Danish fossil bird may have differed from the wading habits typical of most charadriiforms.

Echinoparyphium limosorum n. sp. (Trematoda: Echinostomatidae) from Black-tailed Godwit, Limosa limosa (Aves, Charadriiformes) in Slovakia

Abstract Echinostomatid trematode Echinoparyphium limosorum n. sp. from the charadriiform bird Limosa limosa is described on basis of morphometrical study of museum material. The new species is characterized by medium-sized body up to 4.9 mm long, reniform head collar up to 511 wide, armed with 48–51 collar spines up to 91 µm, arranged in double row. The new species is largely similar to Echinoparyphium recurvatum, however, the most remarkable difference lays in the higher number of collar spines which are 48–51 in E. limosorum n. sp. but 45 in E. recurvatum. The authors discuss relative impact of numerical generic characters and propose an amending of the diagnosis of The genus Echinoparyphium given by Kostadinova (2005) as follows: Collar spines up to 51, sharply pointed, all in double row.