Dollarbird Research Articles

Patterns of phylogenetic diversification in the Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) and Azure Roller (Eurystomus azureus) complex

Genetic isolation and morphological differentiation are two important factors in the speciation process that not always act in concert. A rapid morphological change in a lineage can hide its close relationship to another lineage, while slight morphological differentiation between two taxa can give the appearance of a closer relationship than is actually the case. The Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) and the Azure Roller (Eurystomus azureus) is such an example. Today the Dollarbird and the Azure Roller are unanimously considered to constitute two distinct species, but in a recent genetic study it has been shown that the latter taxon, despite being larger and having a distinctly different coloration, is phylogenetically nested within the former. Its precise placement within this complex has not been determined, however.In this study, we investigate the phylogenetic relationships within the Dollarbird/Azure Roller complex. We estimate divergence times and infer phylogenetic relationships using sequence data from 6,475 genome-wide intronic regions, as well as complete mitochondrial genomes, using both concatenation and multispecies coalescence approaches.We find that within the Dollarbird/Azure Roller complex there are several examples of discrepancies between genetic and morphological differentiation. The Dollarbird is currently divided into between nine to twelve subspecies. Some of these subspecies are poorly differentiated, whereas others are morphologically more clearly discernable. Our data suggest that the complex consist of at least seven distinct genetic lineages that do not entirely match the morphological variation within the group.For instance, our results show that the subspecies solomonensis from the Solomon Islands, despite being morphologically very similar to its geographically closest neighbors, in fact is a highly distinct lineage that became isolated more than 700,000 years ago. In contrast, the morphologically distinct Azure Roller, which is currently treated as a distinct species, is nested within the Dollarbird and forms a slightly younger lineage than solomonensis and is the sister group to a clade with Australian and New Guinean Dollarbirds. Our results also show a deep genetic split within the Dollarbirds on the Asian mainland. This stands in contrast to the apparent clinal morphological variation reported for the birds on the Asian mainland.We also find support for the presence of a genetically distinct clade in the Wallacea region. The birds from the Wallacea region has previously been recognized as a distinct subspecies, connectens, but is currently placed in synonymy of other subspecies.Our results are thus at odds with the current division of the Dollarbird/Azure Roller complex into two species. Given that the species status of azureus is undisputed, the apparent genetic isolation of solomonensis and its clear separation from the other lineages suggests that this taxon also warrants species status. Based on the genetic and morphological variation observed within the Dollarbird/Azure Roller complex there is little doubt that even more taxa should regarded as species, but this require further examination.

長野県中信地区におけるブッポウソウEurystomus orientalisの記録 長野県松本市における観察記録と市立大町山岳博物館収蔵の大町市及び小谷村の標本記録

長野県中信地区におけるブッポウソウEurystomus orientalisの記録 長野県松本市における観察記録と市立大町山岳博物館収蔵の大町市及び小谷村の標本記録

Quill mites of the family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) parasitizing coraciiform birds (Aves: Coraciiformes).

Three new species of the family Syringophilidae associated with birds of the pantropically distributed order Coraciiformes are described: two new species of the subfamily Picobiinae-Rafapicobia momoti sp. nov. ex the Rufous-capped Motmot Baryphthengus ruficapillus (Vieillot) (Momotidae) from Brazil, Rafapicobia brachypteraci sp. nov. ex the Rufous-headed Ground-Roller Atelornis crossleyi Sharpe (Brachypteraciidae) from Madagascar, and one new species of the subfamily Syringophilinae-Peristerophila coraciidus sp. nov. ex the Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis (Linnaeus) (Coraciidae) from Papua New Guinea. Additionally, the Collared Kingfisher, Todiramphus chloris (Boddaert) (Alcedinidae), is recorded as a new host for Peristerophila meropis Skoracki et al., 2017. In all these host families, syringophilids are recorded for the first time. Moreover, our findings represent the first records of picobiines from coraciiform birds. Currently, the fauna of quill mites associated with coraciiforms includes six species grouped in the three genera: Rafapicobia Skoracki, 2011, Peristerophila Kethley, 1970, and Syringophilopsis Kethley, 1970. All these genera seem to be typically telluravian and have been also recorded from passeriform birds.

Distribution, behaviour, and provenance of Oriental Dollarbirds Eurystomus orientalis in Micronesia, including the first two records from the Mariana Islands

We document the status of Oriental Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis in Micronesia, a region extralimital to the generally accepted geographic range of the species. Our review yielded 34 Micronesian records between 1938 and 2019, with 27 at Palau, four at Yap, and one at Pohnpei in the Caroline Islands, as well as one each at Guam and Saipan, which are the first for the Mariana Islands. Expanded observer effort since 2000 has produced an increase in regional sightings, with birds detected in ten of the 18 years from 2002 to 2019. Examination of museum specimens (n = 3) and photographs of wild dollarbirds (n = 10) confirmed all but one individual as belonging to the migratory Australasian subspecies E. o. pacificus. Timing of records, with nearly all between mid April and mid October, largely matches the known migration and overwintering periods for E. o. pacificus, further indicating that most records involved this taxon.

Genetic identification for prey birds of the Endangered peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

To reveal the dietary ecology of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), we conducted a molecular analysis for mitochondrial genes (COI and CYTB) to identify the prey species collected from a feeding place found on Sasu Island, South Korea. The results from noninvasive genetic analysis showed that the sequences obtained came from nine species of birds (Cuculus canorus, Eurystomus orientalis, Limosa limosa, Microscelis amaurotis, Oriolus chinensis, Phasianus colchicus, Sterna hirundo, Streptopelia orientalis, and Turdus pallidus). Five of the species (C. canorus, M. amaurotis, S. hirundo, S. orientalis, and T. pallidus) had previously been observed on this island, but the other four species (E. orientalis, L. limosa, O. chinensis, and P. colchicus) were newly identified as present. No mtDNA sequences of land animals such as amphibians, reptiles, and mammals were found in the dietary remains, suggesting that the peregrine falcon preys mostly on other birds rather than on other animals inhabiting Sasu Island. This island has rich avian diversity and abundant animal populations and therefore supplies sufficient dietary resources for the peregrine falcon. Our findings suggested that a DNA-based molecular method may be useful to identify the prey species of these birds and may be valuable in future studies of the Endangered peregrine falcon.

Effect of Nestbox Provisioning on Breeding Density of Dollarbirds (Eurystomus orientalis)

The Dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) is a secondary cavity-nesting bird that is distributed quite locally in Japan. We carried out extensive surveys across Okayama Prefecture to estimate the number of pairs and found that the major breeding site was holes excavated by woodpeckers in wooden electricity and telegraph poles. Wooden poles were abundant until the 1970s, but most were replaced by concrete poles in the 1980s. Removal of wooden poles containing cavities seriously threatened the breeding population over the first half of the 1990s. In an effort to preserve the Dollarbird population in Japan, beginning in 1991 we provided nestboxes in the village of Kibi (Okayama Prefecture). This resulted in only a small increase in population size over the following 5 yr, but between 1996 and 2001 there was a large annual increase in the breeding population. Increase then leveled off after 2002. Population increase showed a time lag following increase in number of available boxes. Finding new nestboxes may take some time, initially resulting in a low occupation rate for some years after start of box provisioning. Finding of nestboxes by pairs that had bred near Kibi and their subsequent reproduction may have led to a sharp population increase between 1995 and 2002. On the other hand, leveling off of increase in Dollarbird breeding pairs after 2003 may have been directly derived from leveling off of increase in available nestboxes. This suggests a maximum nestbox occupancy rate of 70%–80% in Kibi.

First record of the dollarbird (Eurystomus orientalis) from Colombo District, Sri Lanka

The Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis is one of the rarest and endangered bird in Sri Lanka. During a pilgrimage to Ambulgala Rajamaha Viharaya on 6 July 2009, one individual of dollarbird was sighted at Ambulgala (6° 54’ 20.98” N, 80° 03’ 03.01” E) between Hanwella and Ranala around 17:20 h. The dollarbird perched on a branch of a Jack tree (Artocarpus heterophyllus) around 10 m from ground level. During 40 minutes the bird flew away two times and came back and perched on the same tree. The villagers reported that the bird has been roosting on the same tree for past two months. Dollarbirds have been previously reported from many locations, but this is the first record from Colombo District, which is 40 km away from the nearest previous record from Kalutara District, Sri Lanka.

Patterns of Molecular and Morphological Variation in Some Solomon Island Land Birds

AbstractThe Solomon Archipelago is the largest and most biologically complex archipelago in northern Melanesia. We collected tissues and voucher specimens from codistributed bird species found on five island groups that provided the first opportunity to apply molecular methods to this avifauna. Using the mitochondrial marker ND2, we constructed a series of intraspecific phylogenies for 23 ecologically and taxonomically diverse species (13 families from 5 orders). Intraspecific comparisons across islands revealed a broad range of genetic differentiation, from 0% in widespread dispersive species such as Eurystomus orientalis and Nectarinia jugularis, to as high as 4–8% in species such as Ceyx lepidus and Dicaeum aeneum. Fifteen of the 23 species had well-supported phylogeographic structure, and for many of these, endemic and otherwise, molecular phylogenetic relationships closely matched those delineated by morphology. However, degrees of genetic differentiation appeared to be inconsistent across taxonomic designations, and the monophyly of some endemic taxa was not well supported. The data reveal the limits of morphology in tracking complex evolutionary histories and suggest that taxonomic revision of some Solomon Islands birds is warranted. As the first molecular analyses of this avifauna, results presented here create a platform for further biogeographic and evolutionary studies of bird diversity in this influential region.Patrons de variation moléculaire et morphologique chez quelques oiseaux terrestres des îles Salomon

PATTERNS OF MOLECULAR AND MORPHOLOGICAL VARIATION IN SOME SOLOMON ISLAND LAND BIRDS

Abstract The Solomon Archipelago is the largest and most biologically complex archipelago in northern Melanesia. We collected tissues and voucher specimens from codistributed bird species found on five island groups that provided the first opportunity to apply molecular methods to this avifauna. Using the mitochondrial marker ND2, we constructed a series of intraspecific phylogenies for 23 ecologically and taxonomically diverse species (13 families from 5 orders). Intraspecific comparisons across islands revealed a broad range of genetic differentiation, from 0% in widespread dispersive species such as Eurystomus orientalis and Nectarinia jugularis, to as high as 4–8% in species such as Ceyx lepidus and Dicaeum aeneum. Fifteen of the 23 species had well-supported phylogeographic structure, and for many of these, endemic and otherwise, molecular phylogenetic relationships closely matched those delineated by morphology. However, degrees of genetic differentiation appeared to be inconsistent across taxonomic...

Suitability of Chinese wheat cultivars for production of northern style Chinese steamed bread

Fifty-six bread wheat cultivars and advanced lines from major Chinese wheat growing regions and 10 Australian cultivars were grown in Anyang located in Yellow and Huai Valleys and Chengdu located in Yangtze region. The genotypes were examined for their suitability to produce northern style Chinese steamed bread (CSB) and used to investigate the association between wheat quality traits and performance of northern style CSB under manual and mechanized processing conditions. Anyang-sown wheat samples showed better grain quality characteristics and CSB quality than the Chengdu-sown materials. These differences were largely due to adverse climatic conditions prevailing in Chengdu that resulted in the deterioration of flour whiteness, Farinograph stability, and starch quality. Therefore, Chengdu was generally unfavorable for producing good quality wheat. However, significant variability among cultivars was observed in Chengdu, and Batavia, Dollar bird, and Tasman from Australia and Jing 411, Xiaoyan6, and Shaan 229 from China showed very good CSB quality under manual conditions, and Hartog, Batavia, Tasman, and Vulcan from Australia, and Jing 411 and Dongfeng 1from China were identified to confer good CSB quality under mechanized conditions. The wide range of CSB quality variations indicates that genetic improvement of CSB quality is possible in both environments. Protein content, gluten strength, and extensibility were positively associated with loaf volume and steamed bread elasticity. The relationship between gluten strength, extensibility, and appearance and stickiness were highly dependent on processing methods, i.e., negatively using a manual method and positively or slightly negatively using a mechanized process. Therefore, wheat quality requirement for CSB depends on CSB processing conditions. Medium protein content and medium-to-strong gluten strength with good extensibility is desirable for mechanized methods, but weak-to-medium gluten type for manual methods. High flour whiteness and RVA peak viscosity was found desirable for CSB quality regardless of the processing method used. Flour whiteness, falling number, and peak viscosity appeared to be more crucial in determining CSB quality in Chengdu, although protein content and Farinograph stability also contributed to appearance, elasticity, and stickiness.

Large-scale bird-movement patterns evident in eastern Australian atlas data

Ad hoc studies of the compositions of bird communities at dispersed sites and bird-banding data have failed to reveal the timing, destinations and movement patterns of most Australian migratory bird species. The analysis of national atlas and count data, on the other hand, has the potential to provide information on the species undertaking migratory movements, the timing of these movements, and their sources and destinations. This study examines atlas data of 407 species for evidence of movements by these species in eastern Australia.Atlas and bird-count data were brought together to form the most extensive collection of bird observations in Australia. Mathematical, statistical and graphical tools were used to examine these data for evidence of temporal changes in the spatial distributions of each species. Examples are provided of the application of these tools to four speices (Dollarbird, Eurystomus orientalis, Noisy Miner, Manorina melanocephala, Grey Fantail, Rhipidura fuliginosa and the Budgerigar, Melopsittacus undulatus) that exhibit varying movement patterns.A standardised analysis applying these indicators across 407 species found strong evidence of migratory movements for 101 of these species and suggestive evidence for a further 45 species. These results indicated 19 distinctive patterns of migration among the birds of eastern Australia.

The recent distribution of endemic, disjunct and globally uncommon birds in the forests of Kerala State, south-west India

SummarySurveyed the avifaunas of 24 forest areas in Kerala State, south-western India, over the period 1973–1997, recording 309 species. We give details here of distributions and status for all species endemic to South Asia and all those having isolated populations, disjunct from conspecifics in northern India (disjunct species). Most bird species found in Kerala that are endemic to southern India, or form disjunct populations, occur in forest habitats. Those species endemic to the Western Ghats (passerines), or constituting disjunct populations (raptors) tend to have more restricted occurrence than other forest birds. For the passerines this is because they are mainly confined to high elevation forests and grasslands: rather restricted habitats in Kerala. The raptors may be more dependent than other species on large areas of forest and hence may have suffered from recent reductions in forest cover. Current trends in forest clearance for agriculture and plantations and encroachment by settlers, threaten especially the birds of low and middle altitude forests. The present status of such birds as Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus, Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis, Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis and White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Cyornis pallipes seems to be markedly worse than that described by Ali (1969) for the 1930s. These species, as well as Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis and Black-crested Baza Aviceda leuphotes, are patchily distributed at low densities and may be vulnerable to extirpation from local areas. Higher altitude habitats, where many endemics occur, cover smaller areas, but are less threatened. However, some species occurring at low densities (Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii, White-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx major, Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa, Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyura) may be vulnerable to extirpation or extinction in the long term. Kerala has a large network of protected areas (National Parks, Sanctuaries). Effective protection of those areas should be sufficient to maintain most species, although the coverage of low altitude forest is poor and remaining fragments should be carefully protected. There is continuous pressure on all habitats and bird populations will need to be carefully monitored in future if Kerala's endemic and disjunct populations are to be maintained.

Food of the Nestling Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus orientalis

1) Food of the nestling Broad-billed Rollers Eurystomus orientalis was studied during the breeding seasons at Sakaemura, Nagano Prefecture, central Japan, in 1985 and 1986.2) Ninety-six samples of food items were collected by the collar method. Almost all of them (99.0%) were insects.3) Coleoptera were the most important insects (45.3%) and the second were Hemiptera (32.6%).4) There were closely related diurnal changes between the food items and the activity of insects.5) It is discussed that the behaviour using shells, porcelain, etc., as millstones for grinding hard chitinous bodies of insects is closely related to their feeding habits.

Why does the Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus orientalis bring Strange Objects to the Nest?

Why does the Broad-billed Roller Eurystomus orientalis bring Strange Objects to the Nest?

A Southern Record of the Dollar-bird

A Southern Record of the Dollar-bird

The Avifauna of Teuri and Yagishiri Islands, Hokkaido

The author investigated the birds of Teuri and Yagishiri Islands Hokkaido, in the middle of June, 1951, and aquired a knowledge of the avifauna of that region during the breeding season.1. Twenty-eight species were recorded on Teuri, and Thirtythree species recorded from Yagishiri.2. The avifauna of both islands is concentrated, and many birds adapt their habits to the environment.3. More protection must be afforded to the sea birds on Teuri since they are decreasing.4. An interesting addition to the zoogeography is the occurrence of Alauda arvensis lonnbergi and AL a. japonica in the same territory on Yagishiri.5. Larvivora sibilans and Eurystomus orientalis abundus have been collected on Yagishiri.6. Falco peregrinus leucogenys may be breeding on Yagishiri.7. Many migratory birds make use of both islands as resting places, so both islands are important locations for the protection of migratory birds.8. The birds of Anatidae and Ardeidae are few, indicating that the main migratory route does not pass over the islands.

On a new breeding ground of Eurystomus orientalis abundus

A new breeding ground of Eurystomus orientalis abundus was discovered by us in Tottori Prefecture during the summer 1949.Having intended to make clear of the breeding habits of this bird we explored the ground during the breeding season of 1950 and found that about 25 pairs were present.During this investigation many points concerning to its nidification were made clear for the first time in Japan:1) Nestling: down absent; mouth, inside light pink but black around the tongue; external flanges light yellow; tongue, light pink tinged with grey at the base.2) Both parents incubate and feed young.3) Their voice is something like gyo, gyo; gyo; gyo gyo gyo.…

ON THE BIRDS COLLECTED BY PIERRE POIVRE IN CANTON, MANILA, INDIA AND hlADAGASCAR (1751–1756).

Summary.Perusal of Brisson's ‘Ornithologie’, Pierre Poivre's autobiography and this traveller's publications induced the writer to concern himself with the type localities of Brisson's new Oriental birds. Those accepted by previous authors proved to be wrong in a number of cases. On the strength of the actual type localities the current names of some well‐known birds will have to be changed. The following names are affected: — Eurystomus orientalis (L.), Eclectus pectoralis (St. Müller), Saxicola borbonensis W. Sclater, Lalage nigra (Forster), Ducula aenea (L.), Cinnyris asiatica (Latham), Pelargopsis capemis (L.) and Psittacula krameri echo (Newton).