Bambusicola Thoracica Research Articles

Epizoochorous seed dispersal by two Phasianidae birds: Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) and Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus)

AbstractWhile diverse animal species have been implicated in epizoochorous seed dispersal, studies specifically focused on bird‐mediated seed dispersal are scarce. We evaluated the potential contribution of two terrestrial birds, green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) and Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus), to epizoochorous seed dispersal using a dummy‐based method. Furthermore, we compared the number of seeds attached to birds and mammals using data from a previous study conducted using the same method, site, and season. The results revealed 435 seeds of four herbaceous species (Achyranthes bidentata, Hylodesmum podocarpum, Oplismenus undulatifolius, and Persicaria filiformis) attached to two bird dummies. All seeds found on birds possessed adhesive appendages such as hooks, bristles, or viscous substances. In addition, the number of attached seeds does not exhibit significant differences between birds and mammals, irrespective of the season or plant species. Our findings provide the first documented evidence of epizoochorous seed dispersal by Phasianidae birds, highlighting the potential redundancy and complementarity between birds and mammals in mediating epizoochory.

Effects of environmental changes on interspecific interactions of three sympatric pheasants – A study based on long-term monitoring data

• Interactions of 3 pheasants were studied using a new model based on long-term data. • And considered habitat filtering and indirect species interactions together. • Both positive and negative interactions existed among 3 pheasants. • Species interactions varied with habitat heterogeneity and stress levels in 11 years. As the lack of a general understanding of how interspecific interactions change along varying environmental gradients exists, predicting the response of ecological communities to habitat and climate change becomes an arduous task. Researchers generally assess interspecific interactions by investigating species co-occurrence patterns. However, habitat filtering and indirect interspecific interactions can interfere with interspecific interaction signals in co-occurrence data, and these two factors have rarely been considered jointly in previous studies. By using the Markov random fields model which can control the indirect interaction, based on the 11-year co-occurrence data, we analyzed the effects of environmental factors on the interaction of three sympatric pheasant species (Chinese Bamboo Partridge Bambusicola thoracicus , Sichuan Hill Partridge Arborophila rufipectu , Temminck's Tragopan Tragopan temminckii ) in Laojunshan National Nature Reserve, China. To eliminate the interference of habitat filtering, we took the environmental change during the 11-year period as the environmental variable instead of the environmental spatial gradient commonly used in previous studies. We found that the positive interaction increased with the increase of temperature, and decreased with the increase of precipitation, and with the increase of EVI heterogeneity, the positive interaction increased and the negative interaction decreased. The results are consistent with the predictions of habitat heterogeneity hypothesis and stress gradient hypothesis. Our study provides an idea for the follow-up studies of how to eliminate the interference of habitat filtering and indirect interaction in interspecific interaction analysis.

Bambusicola thoracica

This datasheet on Bambusicola thoracica covers Identity, Distribution.

Interactions among dwarf bamboo, litter and consumption by small vertebrates place multiple constraints on the establishment of native tree seedlings in a Japanese agricultural landscape

Faunal assemblage alterations due to anthropogenic impacts have changed herbivore–vegetation relationships in various ecosystems, but the influences of small vertebrates on revegetation processes remain unclear. In a peri-urban agricultural landscape in eastern Japan that lacks large ungulates but supports small generalist herbivores, fewer native seedlings have become established in thickets dominated by native dwarf bamboo, Pleioblastus chino (Franch. et Sav.) Makino. The mechanisms limiting tree seedling establishment are unknown. Our aim here was to evaluate the influence of interactions among the dwarf bamboo, its litter cover and small vertebrate herbivores on the microsite conditions governing the establishment of native tree seedlings from different successional stages in an old field in temperate Japan. First, seedling emergence and survival of seeded Pinus densiflora Siebold et Zucc., Celtis sinensis Pers., Aphananthe aspera (Thunb.) Planch., Quercus serrata Murray, Quercus myrsinifolia Blume and Castanopsis sieboldii (Makino) Hatus. ex T. Yamaz. et Mashiba were observed in a factorial design that accounted for the presence or absence of dwarf bamboo and its litter cover, as well as the exclusion or access of small vertebrate fauna, in 2009 and 2010. To identify small vertebrate herbivores that reduced the emergence or survival of tree seedlings in the first experiment, reseeding experiments using P. densiflora, C. sinensis, A. aspera and Q. myrsinifolia were conducted by video trapping in 2011 and video and still-camera trapping in 2012. The abiotic conditions under the dwarf bamboo were lethal to early- to mid-successional P. densiflora, C. sinensis, A. aspera and Q. serrata but led to better survival—although spindly growth—of late-successional Q. myrsinifolia and C. sieboldii. The main consumers and the plants they found palatable differed between the bamboo thickets and the intervening gaps. Predation by mice appeared to have severely limited the emergence of all species, particularly in the bamboo thickets but occasionally in the gaps, whereas litter cover slightly mitigated this limitation. However, bamboo litter cover reduced the emergence of P. densiflora in the gaps. Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracicus Temminck), an introduced game bird, selectively and severely fed on the cotyledons—and probably seeds—of A. aspera and moderately preyed upon those of P. densiflora in the gaps. Apparent consumption of seedlings in the gaps by the Japanese hare (Lepus brachyurus Temminck) suppressed the growth of all species but apparently did not severely affect emergence and survival. Thus, the net balance of positive and negative interactions at the bamboo thicket scale (i.e. the presence of dominant dwarf bamboo cover or intervening gaps and the herbivore behaviours in these two environments) and at the microsite level (i.e. litter cover) shapes the early establishment patterns of native tree seedlings, and this balance differs among tree seedling species.

Comparison of the Chinese bamboo partridge and red Junglefowl genome sequences highlights the importance of demography in genome evolution

BackgroundRecent large-scale whole genome sequencing efforts in birds have elucidated broad patterns of avian phylogeny and genome evolution. However, despite the great interest in economically important phasianids like Gallus gallus (Red Junglefowl, the progenitor of the chicken), we know little about the genomes of closely related species. Gallus gallus is highly sexually dichromatic and polygynous, but its sister genus, Bambusicola, is smaller, sexually monomorphic, and monogamous with biparental care. We sequenced the genome of Bambusicola thoracicus (Chinese Bamboo Partridge) using a single insert library to test hypotheses about genome evolution in galliforms. Selection acting at the phenotypic level could result in more evidence of positive selection in the Gallus genome than in Bambusicola. However, the historical range size of Bambusicola was likely smaller than Gallus, and demographic effects could lead to higher rates of nonsynonymous substitution in Bambusicola than in Gallus.ResultsWe generated a genome assembly suitable for evolutionary analyses. We examined the impact of selection on coding regions by examining shifts in the average nonsynonymous to synonymous rate ratio (dN/dS) and the proportion of sites subject to episodic positive selection. We observed elevated dN/dS in Bambusicola relative to Gallus, which is consistent with our hypothesis that demographic effects may be important drivers of genome evolution in Bambusicola. We also demonstrated that alignment error can greatly inflate estimates of the number of genes that experienced episodic positive selection and heterogeneity in dN/dS. However, overall patterns of molecular evolution were robust to alignment uncertainty. Bambusicola thoracicus has higher estimates of heterozygosity than Gallus gallus, possibly due to migration events over the past 100,000 years.ConclusionsOur results emphasized the importance of demographic processes in generating the patterns of variation between Bambusicola and Gallus. We also demonstrated that genome assemblies generated using a single library can provide valuable insights into avian evolutionary history and found that it is important to account for alignment uncertainty in evolutionary inferences from draft genomes.

Species delimitation in the Chinese bamboo partridge Bambusicola thoracica (Phasianidae; Aves)

Although tropical and subtropical Asia harbour a high level of species diversity, their species richness can be underestimated because species which are in fact distinct have not been separately identified. In this study, we delimit Bambusicola thoracica into two full species, the Chinese bamboo partridge (B. thoracica) in continental Asia and the Taiwanese bamboo partridge (B. sonorivox) on the island of Taiwan, using coalescent‐based multilocus division and diagnosable vocalization patterns. Isolation‐with‐migration analysis indicated that the two bamboo partridges diverged approximately 1.8 million years ago, with gene flow present most probably during the early stages of their divergence. This conclusion supports the hypothesis that diverging lowland lineages spread across the Asian mainland, and continental islands have more opportunities for secondary contact than highland ones when the sea level was low. Our results imply that conservation of biodiversity in tropical and subtropical Asia could be hindered by overlooking numerous ‘hidden’ species and highlight the importance of re‐examining the taxonomic statuses of species in this region traditionally defined as polytypic.

Effects of environmental factors on the population genetic diversity of Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracica)

Knowledge of factors that affect population demographic and genetic diversity is of importance to understand the evolutionary ecology. The environment plays an important role in the evolutionary process. This study used mtDNA control region sequences and nuclear microsatellites to infer the relationship between population genetic diversity and environmental factors of Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracica). A total of 1140 nucleotides of mitochondrial DNA control region were sequenced from 180 bamboo partridge sampled from thirteen populations in southeast China. Thirteen-nine polymorphic positions defined 50 haplotypes. The ten microsatellite loci were polymorphic in all populations of Chinese bamboo partridge. Bamboo partridge population genetic diversity (π-, h-, K-, HE- and HO- values) decreased with decreasing variation coefficients of temperature and rainfall. The more stable the climate, the higher the genetic diversity observed. Key words: Bambusicola thoracica, mitochondrial DNA, microsatellite, genetic diversity, environmental factors.

CR1 retroposons provide a new insight into the phylogeny of Phasianidae species (Aves: Galliformes)

Chicken repeat 1 (CR1) elements, a class of retroposons belonging to non-long-terminal repeats, have been recognized as powerful tools for phylogenetic studies. Here we examine the phylogenetic relationships of 11 Phasianidae species based on CR1 retroposons. Together with 19 loci reported previously, a total of 99 CR1 loci were identified from chicken genome and turkey BAC clone sequences. 75 insertion events were used to address the branching order of 11 species in Phasianidae. The topology of our tree suggests that: 1) Gallus gallus possessed a basal phylogenetic position within Phasianidae and was related to Bambusicola thoracica (BSP=100%); 2) After the split of G. gallus and B. thoracica, Arborophila rufipectus diverged from Phasianidae (BSP=100%). Nine unambiguous insertion events supported a phylogenetic position of A. rufipectus different to previous mitochondrial data suggesting a hybrid origin or an ancient introgression of A. rufipectus; and 3) 22 CR1 insertion events strongly supported the eight phasianids under investigation sharing a common ancestor. Our study has revisited the phylogenetic position of G. gallus and A. rufipectus and provided a new insight into the phylogeny of Phasianidae birds. It showed that a CR1-based methodology has a great potential to be informative within Phasianidae in resolving relationships of closely related species whose radiation and speciation have occurred very recently.

Ecological distribution and spatial niche of pheasants in the Karst mountains of southwest Guangxi Province, China

The Karst mountain area along the Sino-Vietnam border of southwest Guangxi has been designated a "Global Biodiversity Hotspot" since 2003. We conducted a survey of pheasant species in this area, with seven species recorded, namely Chinese Francolin (Francolinus pintadeanus), Bar-backed Partridge (Arborophila brunneopectus), Mountain Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola fytchii), Chinese Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoracica), Red Junglefowl (Gallus gallus), Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera) and Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus). Analysis and comparison of the distribution and spatial niche of these seven pheasant species revealed that Red Junglefowl had the widest spatial niche, while Chinese Francolin had the narrowest. The spatial niche overlap index was high between Chinese Francolin and the Common Pheasant, Chinese Bamboo Partridge, and Red Junglefowl. With narrow distribution range, small population, and lower ecological adaptability, it is likely that the Bar-backed Partridge is the most vulnerable pheasant species in this area. The results suggest more research and conservation measures are required for pheasant habitat protection in the Karst areas of southwest Guangxi.

Cross-species amplification and characterization of microsatellite DNA loci from Gallus gallus in Bambusicola thoracica

The Chinese Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoracica) is a gamebird endemic to China. Ten polymorphic microsatellite (simple sequence repeat) markers were obtained through cross-species amplification for this partridge from its relative species Gallus gallus. The number of alleles per locus varied from 4 to 13. The observed heterozygosity ranged from 0.1220 to 1.0000 and the expected heterozygosity from 0.1183 to 0.8898. Four microsatellite loci showed significant differences from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. These polymorphic loci provide a valuable tool for the investigation of the phylogeography and conservation genetics of this partridge.

Phylogeography of Chinese bamboo partridge, Bambusicola thoracica thoracica (Aves: Galliformes) in south China: Inference from mitochondrial DNA control-region sequences

Chinese bamboo partridge (Bambusicola thoracica thoracica), an endemic subspecies of south China, distributes in mountainous areas that were affected by climate changes throughout the Pleistocene. We investigated the potential impact of cyclical Pleistocene climate changes on phylogeographic patterns using 1140 nucleotides of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) control-region from 180 individuals sampled from 13 populations of the partridge. We found 50 haplotypes defined by 39 polymorphic positions. Phylogenetic analyses revealed two robustly supported clades. There was a significant genetic differentiation among the populations with little gene flow. Refugia were identified in the southwestern mountains and Luoxiao Mountains in China, implying that topographic complexity played a substantial role in providing suitable habitats for the partridge during cold periods. Results from the mismatch distribution and neutrality test analysis suggested a range expansion of the two clades. The mtDNA marker suggested the existence of a geographical structure among Chinese bamboo partridge populations, resulting from the synergistic affect of Pleistocene climatic variations.

Complete Nucleotide Sequence of Mitochondrial Genome in Silkie Fowl (Gallus gallus var. domesticus)

Whole mitochondrial DNA of the Silkie fowl (Gallus gallus var. domesticus) was sequenced in order to elucidate the genetic position of the Silkie fowl in its related species based on mitochondrial DNA sequence. The length of Silkie mitochondrial DNA was found to be 16,784 base pairs. The similarity between Silkie and White Leghorn was found to be 99.77% (39 nucleotide differences in 16,784 base pairs). Since the sequences of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes have been reported in six species [Japanese quail : Coturnix japonica, Ring-neck pheasant : Phasianus colchicus, Grey partridge : Perdix perdix, Chinese bamboo partridge : Bambusicola thoracia, Chicken (White Leghorn) : Gallus gallus var. domesticus, and Redhead : Aythya americana], nucleotide sequences of these two genes were used for a phylogenetic analysis of Silkie against these six species using neighbor joining and maximum likelihood methods. The Silkie and White Leghorn are in the same phylogenetic cluster with a bootstrap value of 1000/1000.

Complete Nucleotide Sequence of the Coturnix chinensis (Blue-Breasted Quail) Mitochondorial Genome and a Phylogenetic Analysis With Related Species

Coturnix chinensis (blue-breasted quail) has been classically grouped in Galliformes Phasianidae Coturnix, based on morphologic features and biochemical evidence. Since the blue-breasted quail has the smallest body size among the species of Galliformes, in addition to a short generation time and an excellent reproductive performance, it is a possible model fowl for breeding and physiological studies of the Coturnix japonica (Japanese quail) and Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken), which are classified in the same family as blue-breasted quail. However, since its phylogenetic position in the family Phasianidae has not been determined conclusively, the sequence of the entire blue-breasted quail mitochondria (mt) genome was obtained to provide genetic information for phylogenetic analysis in the present study. The blue-breasted quail mtDNA was found to be a circular DNA of 16,687 base pairs (bp) with the same genomic structure as the mtDNAs of Japanese quail and chicken, though it is smaller than Japanese quail and chicken mtDNAs by 10 bp and 88 bp, respectively. The sequence identity of all mitochondrial genes, including those for 12S and 16S ribosomal RNAs, between blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail ranged from 84.5% to 93.5%; between blue-breasted quail and chicken, sequence identity ranged from 78.0% to 89.6%. In order to obtain information on the phylogenetic position of blue-breasted quail in Galliformes Phasianidae, the 2,184 bp sequence comprising NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes available for eight species in Galliformes [Japanese quail, chicken, Gallus varius (green junglefowl), Bambusicola thoracica (Chinese bamboo partridge), Pavo cristatus (Indian peafowl), Perdix perdix (gray partridge), Phasianus colchicus (ring-neck pheasant), and Tympanchus phasianellus (sharp-tailed grouse)] together with that of Aythya americana (redhead) were examined using a maximum likelihood (ML) method. The ML analyses on the first/second codon positions, the third codon positions, and amino acid sequence consistently demonstrated that blue-breasted quail and Japanese quail are in the same phylogenetic cluster.

Complete sequence of the Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) mitochondrial genome and its genetic relationship with related species.

The Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica; JQ) is one of the domesticated fowl species of Japan. To provide DNA sequence information for examination of its phylogenetic position in the order Galliformes, the complete sequence of the JQ mitochondria was determined. Sequence analysis revealed that the JQ mitochondrial genome is a circular DNA of 16 697 basepairs (bp), which is smaller than the chicken mitochondrial DNA of 16 775 bp, but the genomic structure of JQ mitochondria was the same as that of the chicken. The sequence homologies of all mitochondrial genes including those for 12S and 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), between Japanese quail and chicken ranged from 78.0 to 89.9%. Because the sequences of NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and cytochrome b genes had been reported in five species [Phasianus colchicus (ring-neck pheasant: RP), Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken: CH), Perdix perdix (grey partridge: GP), Bambusicola thoracia (Chinese bamboo partridge: CP), and Aythya americana (redhead: RH)], the concatenated nucleotide sequences (2184 bp) and amino acid sequences of these two genes were used in a phylogenetic analysis of JQ against these five species using a maximum likelihood (ML) method. Using the first and second bases of the codons, and the third base of the codons indicated a phylogenic tree of [RH, (RP, GP), (JQ, (CH, CP))]. A phylogenic tree of [RH, JQ, (RP, GP), (CH, CP)] was determined using amino acid sequences. Because the local bootstrap values for the JQ branch in these trees are not high, additional sequence is necessary for construction of a reliable tree.

Naturalisation of Exotic Birds in Japan

The reasons for the success of certain, alien avian introductions into Japan, and the possible impact of the presence of exotic bird species on Japan's native birds are discussed, with reference to historical reviews of introductions to the New Zealand, Hawaiian, and the Mascarene islands. Among the major taxa commonly introduced are the Galliformes as game, and the Psittacif ormes and Passerif ormes (particularly Estrildidae and Ploceidae) for aesthetic purposes.The majority of exotic species occurring in natural habitats in Japan have either escaped accidentally from captivity, or they are pets that have been intentionally released.The exceptions are Phasianus colchicus karpowi and Bambusicola thoracica that were intentionally and systematically released as game for shooting. P.c.karpowi, B.thoracica, Columba livia, Psittacula krameri manillensis, Garrulax perspicillatus, G.canorus, Leiothrix lutea, Amandava amandava, Acridotheres tristis, and Pica pica have all established long-term self-sustaining populations.The majority of successful introduced species are generalists in terms of their food requirements and they prefer open habitats, although L. lutea and G.canorus are notable exceptions that have increased rapidly in native broad-leaved forests in recent years.So far, there appears not have been any serious declines in the populations of native birds as a result of the presence of these exotic species, however, some native species remain at risk from hybridisation, from competition for food or nest sites, and from the transfer of epidemic diseases, as a result of the introduction of exotic species.Information on the importation, the ecology, and the population dynamics of exotic species is badly needed.

Differences in Bird Communities on the Forest Edge and in the Forest Interior. Are There Forest-interior Specialists in Japan?

Most North American bird species that are less successful in small forests than in large forests, are forest-interior specialists that winter in the tropics. These species have declined in small forests because of high rates of nest predation and brood parasitism near the forest edge. To determine whether migratory forest-interior specialists are also important components of bird communities in Japan, we surveyed bird populations on plots at the edge and in the interior of deciduous forests in Hokkaido and Kyoto. Surveys were conducted during the breeding season in forest fragments using the point count method. We calculated edge indices for the most abundant species in Hokkaido and Kyoto (38 and 18 species, respectively). Among the nine species that were more abundant in interior than in edge plots in Hokkaido were the following tropical migrants: Turdus cardis, Phylloscopus coronatus, and Cuculus saturatus. In Kyoto, the abundance of particular species of tropical migrants was too low to permit statistical analysis. We therefore analyzed the rare species as a group and this group was more abundant in the forest interior than on the forest edge. Three resident species, Garrulus glandrius, Picus awokera, and Bambusicola thoracica, were also more abundant in the forest interior. The most frequent potential nest predator, Corvus macrorhynchos, was more abundant at the edge than in the interior in Hokkaido, but showed the reverse pattern in Kyoto. The abundance of the most frequent brood parasite in Hokkaido, Cuculus saturatus, had a weak positive relation with the abundance of its host species, but was not significantly related to the distance from the forest edge. Therefore, the major negative edge effects in Japan may be due to nest predation by corvids. The impact of negative edge effects, as well as the effect of forest structure, on forest-interior birds in Japan should be the focus of future research.

Dermacentor (Indocentor) taiwanensis (Acari: Ixodoidea: Ixodidae): hosts and distribution in Taiwan and southern Japan.

The literature contains no field information for Dermacentor (Indocentor) taiwanensis in Taiwan except that a adults (number unstated) were taken from the Wild Pig, Sus scrofa taivanus, in 3 localities. We present data for 195 adults from 18 S. s. taivanus in 7 localities, as well as for 167 immatures (25 reared to adults) from 1 Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoracica), 34 murine rodents (Bandicota, Rattus, Mus), 1 tree squirrel (Callosciurus), 2 hares (Lepus), and 8 mustelid and viverrid carnivores (Mustela, Melogale, Paguma) in 6 localities between 5 and 695 m altitude in Taipei, Taitung, and Hsinchu counties of Taiwan. We also summarize published data from the Ryukyu Islands to southern Honshu in Japan, where Sus scrofa riukiuanus is the chief host of adults and where 3 adults were taken from a Japanese Black Bear (Ursus). A few immatures have been reported from Japanese murid rodents (Rattus, Tokudaia) and the Black Rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi). Dermacentor (I.) taiwanensis occurs in various wooded biotopes, up to at least 695 m altitude, where Sus scrofa sspp. survive from southern Taiwan to southern Honshu. The role of this tick in maintaining zoonotic infections, some of which may be transmitted to man by other tick species, has not been investigated.

Isolation of Newcastle disease virus from phasianidae birds in Hong Kong

Highly velogenic strains of Newcastle disease virus were isolated in Hong Kong from Chinese francolins ( Francolinus pintadeanus) and bamboo chickens ( Bambusicola thoracica) imported from the People's Republic of China.

Blood parasites of Taiwan birds.

Blood films were examined from 1477 birds of Taiwan (193 species, 49 families). Haemoproteus Kruse was by far the commonest parasite, with Leucocytozoon Danilewski a not very close second. it is probable that some of the Haemoproteus infections represented new species, and 1 occurring in the Bamboo Partridge (Bambusicola thoracica sonorivox Gould) seemed characteristic enough to justify recognition as such; the name Haemoproteus bambusicolae sp. n. is proposed for this organism. Malaria was found in 77 birds, the greatest number of infections occurring in the Bamboo Partridge. Most of them were caused by Plasmodium juxtanucleare Versiani & Gomes, a pathogen of chickens, but a number were due to an undetermined species of Plasmodium. The Bamboo Partridge may be a reservoir host of the former. A few other identified species (P. rouxi Sergent & Sergent, P. hexamerium Huff, P. tenue Laveran & Mesnil) were seen, as well as some unidentified ones. Plasmodium tenue was seen in Garrulax canorus taewanus Swinhoe, a babbler: until now it was known only from the Pekin Robin (Leiothrix luteus Scopoli), also a babbler, in which we have found it extremely common. Sixty-four microfilarial infections were identified; they were especially frequent in the Button Quail (Turnix suscitator rostrata Swinhoe).

Nematode parasites of Oceanica. 13. Subuluridae, Thelaziidae and Ascaridiidae of birds.

Some species in Subuluridae, Thelaziidae and Ascaridiidae are discussed. Subulara helicospicula sp.nov. from malcohas and a bulbul from Borneo is described. It differs from other species in having long, unequal spicules which are helical throughout their distal half. Allodapa suctoria (Molin, 1860) Seurat, 1914, is reported from several species of birds from Taiwan, Borneo and Palawan. A. turnicis (Maplestone, 1931) Inglis, 1958, was found in the button quail, Turnix sustator on Palawan.Thelazia digiticauda Schuurmans-Steckhoven, 1937, is redescribed from specimens recovered from the eyes of a ruddy kingfisher, Halcyon coromanda from Taiwan. Ceratospira inglisi sp.nov. from a cockatoo in Palawan and a pigeon in Borneo differs in spicule size from the three species so far described. Oxyspirura {Y.) mansoni (Cobbold, 1879) Skrjabin, 1931, was recovered from bamboo partridges, Bambusicola thoracica, from Taiwan, and Oxyspirura (0.) popawi Skrjabin, 1929, was found in the eyes of a swallow, Hirundo daurica in Taiwan.Ascaridia columbae (Gmelin, 1790) Travassos, 1913, was common in a variety of pigeons in Borneo and Palawan, and A. subaequalis (Wehr, 1930) was found in the lesser coucal, Centropus bengalensis in Taiwan and in a common coucal, C. sinensis in Palawan.