Lophura Leucomelanos Research Articles

The distinct determinants of distribution of kalij pheasant Lophura leucomelanos and common hill partridge Arborophila torqueola: vegetative and anthropogenic variables

The distinct determinants of distribution of kalij pheasant Lophura leucomelanos and common hill partridge Arborophila torqueola: vegetative and anthropogenic variables

Population status and habitat use of White-crested Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos hamiltoni (J.E. Gray, 1829) in the Limber Wildlife Sanctuary, Jammu & Kashmir, India

Understanding the population status and habitat use of a species is fundamental for initiating conservation action. The present study was conducted from March 2021 to February 2022 to assess the population status and habitat use of White-crested Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelanos hamiltoni in the Limber Wildlife Sanctuary. Line transects/trails (n = 7) were established across all the habitat types. A total of 45 direct sightings of the bird were recorded in the study area. The highest abundance was recorded in autumn (2.25 ± 0.53 birds/km) and the lowest in spring (0.22 ± 0.53 birds/km). Flock size ranged from one individual to nine individuals. Of the different habitat types identified, most sightings occurred in coniferous forests with high understory (n = 16). The agricultural terracings (n = 6) and grassy slopes (n = 2) exhibited the fewest sightings. Recognizing and mapping these habitats are fundamental initial measures for conserving the species within the landscape.

Slope Direction, Elevation and Clutch Size Influences Breeding Success of White-Crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Slope Direction, Elevation and Clutch Size Influences Breeding Success of White-Crested Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Margalla Hills National Park, Pakistan

Traditional Uses of Animals in the Himalayan Region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir.

Background: The use of animals and animal-derived products in ethnopharmacological applications is an ancient human practice that continues in many regions today. The local people of the Himalayan region harbor rich traditional knowledge used to treat a variety of human ailments. The present study was intended with the aim of examining animal-based traditional medicine utilized by the population of the Himalayan region of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Methods: Data were collected from 2017 to 2019 through individual and group interviews. Data on traditional uses of animal products were analyzed, utilizing following indices such as the frequency of citation, use value, relative importance, similarity index, principal component analysis, and cluster analysis to find the highly preferred species in the area. Results: Ethnomedicinal uses of 62 species of vertebrates and invertebrates were documented. Flesh, fat, bone, whole body, milk, skin, egg, head, feathers, bile, blood, and honey were all used in these applications. The uses of 25 animals are reported here for the first time from the study area (mainly insects and birds, including iconic species like the kalij pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos; Himalayan monal, L. impejanus; and western tragopon, Tragopan melanocephalus). The diversity and range of animal-based medicines utilized in these communities are indications of their strong connections with local ecosystems. Conclusion: Our results provide baseline data valuable for the conservation of vertebrate and invertebrate diversity in the region of Himalayan of Azad Jammu and Kashmir. It is possible that screening this fauna for medicinally active chemicals could contribute to the development of new animal-based drugs.

Introduced galliforms as seed predators and dispersers in Hawaiian forests

In altered communities, novel species’ interactions may critically impact ecosystem functioning. One key ecosystem process, seed dispersal, often requires mutualistic interactions between frugivores and fruiting plants, and functional traits, such as seed width, may affect interaction outcomes. Forests of the Hawaiian Islands have experienced high species turnover, and introduced galliforms, the largest of the extant avian frugivores, consume fruit from both native and non-native plants. We investigated the roles of two galliform species as seed dispersers and seed predators in Hawaiian forests. Using captive Kalij Pheasants (Lophura leucomelanos) and Erckel’s Francolins (Pternistis erckelii), we measured the probability of seed survival during gut passage and seed germination following gut passage. We also examined which seeds are being dispersed in forests on the islands of O’ahu and Hawai’i. We found that galliforms are major seed predators for both native and non-native plants, with less than 5% of seeds surviving gut passage for all plants tested and in both bird species. Gut passage by Kalij Pheasants significantly reduced the probability of seeds germinating, especially for the native plants. Further, larger-seeded plants were both less likely to survive gut passage and to germinate. In the wild, galliforms dispersed native and non-native seeds at similar rates. Overall, our results suggest the introduced galliforms are a double-edged sword in conservation efforts; they may help reduce the spread of non-native plants, but they also destroy the seeds of some native plants. Broadly, we show mutualism breakdown may occur following high species turnover, and that functional traits can be useful for predicting outcomes from novel species’ interactions.

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF WILD BOAR IN SUB- TROPICAL CHIR PINE FOREST IN SIRAN FOREST DIVISION, TANGLAI RESERVE FOREST, DISTRICT MANSEHRA, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The current study was conducted in May & June 2021 in Tanglai State Forest which is a Sub-Tropical Chir Pine Forest Type, the key species are: Common Leopard (Pathera Pardus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Jackals (Canis aureus), Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta), Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos), Flying Squirrels (Pteromyini). In KPK, Wild Boar is found mostly in the west of Indus around Peshawar, Mardan Bannu, D.I Khan etc. In this paper; it is recommended that the presence of Wild Boar and the way they may affect their habitat should be monitored because its population multiplies so fastly having high reproduction potential i.e. reaching sexual maturity as early as six (06) months of age, therefore, it is required to be managed in the habitats, the aim of such control should be to bring Wild Boar population into balance on particularly sensitive sites or in response to disease control. Moreover, this work is also aimed to suggest wild boar management to the authorized department, these approaches of management will be profitable to mitigate its adverse damages to the agricultural crops, forest crops, human beings, livestock i.e. wildlife conflicts.

MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS OF WILD BOAR IN SUB-TROPICAL CHIR PINE FOREST IN SIRAN FOREST DIVISION, TANGLAI RESERVE FOREST, DISTRICT MANSEHRA, KHYBER PAKHTUNKHWA

The current study was conducted in May & June 2021 in Tanglai State Forest which is a Sub-Tropical Chir Pine Forest Type, the key species are: Common Leopard (Pathera pardus), Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Jackals (Canis aureus), Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta), Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos), Flying Squirrels (Pteromyini). In KPK, Wild Boar is found mostly in the west of Indus around Peshawar, Mardan Bannu, D.I Khan etc. In this paper it is recommended that the presence of Wild Boar and the way they may affect their habitat should be monitored because its population multiplies so fastly having high reproduction potential i.e. reaching sexual maturity as early as six (06) months of age, therefore, it is required to be managed in the habitats, the aim of such control should be to bring Wild Boar population into balance on particularly sensitive sites or in response to disease control. Moreover, this work is also aimed to suggest wild boar management to the authorized department, these approaches of management will be profitable to mitigate its adverse damages to the agricultural crops, forest crops, human beings, livestock i.e. wildlife conflicts.

Primordial germ cells isolated from individual embryos of red junglefowl and indigenous pheasants of Thailand

Interspecific germline chimerism mediated by transplantation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) of wild species to domestic hosts promises the conservation of wild birds. Cryopreservation of avian eggs and embryos is impracticable, and currently only frozen PGCs enable conservation of both the male and female descendants. Purebred offspring have been obtained from germline chimeras of wild avian species, proving the feasibility of such technology. In vitro propagation has been optimized for avian PGCs of domestic species; however, evidence is rather limited for successful isolation as well as long-term culture from a single embryo of wild species. With accelerating biodiversity loss, we have committed to preserving current genetic resources by freezing PGCs isolated from individual embryos in addition to their genetic material. We have devised a reliable protocol for the isolation and proliferation of PGCs from wild fowls in the family Phasianidae that are conserved in captive breeding (red junglefowl, bar-tailed pheasant, kalij pheasant, Siamese fireback pheasant, and silver pheasant). We obtained individual isolates of cultured circulating PGCs (49.7%, 79/155) as well as tissue PGCs (92.9%, 144/155). The specific co-culture conditions of autologous embryonic cells, without additional growth factors, facilitated the proliferation of so-called tissue PGCs (the remaining PGCs in embryonic tissue following blood aspiration). Only circulating PGCs left in blood vessels and of PGCs migrating to developing gonads have been previously reported. However, the present study is the first to report on the harvest of ectopic PGCs. The defined conditions sustained continuous proliferation of tissue PGCs for at least six months and maintained PGC identity following cryopreservation. Cultured tissue PGCs of these wild species were extensively characterized for their expression of the germ cell-specific proteins, chicken vasa homolog (CVH) and deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL), as well as the ability to colonize chicken embryonic gonads. The novel protocol is practical for generating enough PGCs for cryopreservation, transplantation, and additionally, it enables isolation of PGCs from both blood circulation and embryonic tissue simultaneously. For conservation purposes, this approach is potentially applicable more widely to other non-domestic birds than those in the family Phasianidae that were investigated in the present study.

Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats.

Rapid advances in genomic tools for use in ecological contexts and non‐model systems allow unprecedented insight into interactions that occur beyond direct observation. We developed an approach that couples microbial forensics with molecular dietary analysis to identify species interactions and scavenging by invasive rats on native and introduced birds in Hawaii. First, we characterized bacterial signatures of bird carcass decay by conducting 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing on chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) tissues collected over an 11‐day decomposition study in natural Hawaiian habitats. Second, we determined if field‐collected invasive black rats (Rattus rattus; n = 51, stomach and fecal samples) had consumed birds using molecular diet analysis with two independent PCR assays (mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase I and Cytochrome b genes) and Sanger sequencing. Third, we characterized the gut microbiome of the same rats using 16S rRNA high‐throughput sequencing and identified 15 bacterial taxa that were (a) detected only in rats that consumed birds (n = 20/51) and (b) were indicative of decaying tissue in the chicken decomposition experiment. We found that 18% of rats (n = 9/51) likely consumed birds as carrion by the presence of bacterial biomarkers of decayed tissue in their gut microbiome. One species of native bird (Myadestes obscurus) and three introduced bird species (Lophura leucomelanos, Meleagris gallopavo, Zosterops japonicus) were detected in the rats’ diets, with individuals from these species (except L. nycthemera) likely consumed through scavenging. Bacterial biomarkers of bird carcass decay can persist through rat digestion and may serve as biomarkers of scavenging. Our approach can be used to reveal trophic interactions that are challenging to measure through direct observation.

Analyzing morphological variation and genetic diversity aiming to improve productive performance of kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) through better plan of nutrition

Analyzing morphological variation and genetic diversity aiming to improve productive performance of kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) through better plan of nutrition

Microstructural Characterization and Elemental Profiling Of Shed Feathers of Cheer Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, and Himalayan Monal

Microstructural Characterization and Elemental Profiling Of Shed Feathers of Cheer Pheasant, Kalij Pheasant, and Himalayan Monal

Social behavior and cooperative breeding in a precocial species: The Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) in Hawaii

We examined social behavior and documented cooperative breeding in Kalij Pheasants (Lophura leucomelanos) in an introduced population in Hawaii, only the third reported instance of cooperative breeding in Phasianidae. Birds in 31 distinct social groups occupied overlapping home ranges, and group composition remained relatively constant over the 3-yr study period. Each social group contained 1 breeding female and 1 to 6 males. One male was socially dominant in each multiple-male group. Age was the only factor found to determine within-group dominance, suggesting that subordinate males may gain dominance and breeding status by staying in the group. All adults exhibited cooperative behavior, including caring for chicks, agonistic behaviors against conspecific intruders, and vigilance against predators. Average population density was high (3.21 residents per ha), which may lead to habitat saturation in this population. The adult sex ratio was male-biased, with an average M:F ratio of 2.1:1.0. Genetic sex identification of egg samples revealed unbiased primary and secondary sex ratios, which suggests that the bias in adult sex ratio may be caused by differential survival and/or dispersal. Paternity analysis of 13 broods revealed that ~68% of offspring were fathered by the dominant male of the social group, while ~17% were fathered by subordinate males in the group, suggesting that helpers gained some direct benefit by sharing reproduction. We suggest that cooperative breeding may be more common in precocial species than conventionally recognized.

Sarus Crane (Grus antigone) egg is hatched by a domestic hen

Nehru Zoological Park, Hyderabad, Telangana, India, has been involved in captive breeding programmes, including eggs of silver pheasant (Lophura nycthemera), red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus), kalij pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) and golden pheasant (Chrysolophus pictus) incubated by domestic hen (Gallus gallus domesticus). It proved successful in almost all cases. Here, we attempted to do the same for the sarus crane (Grus antigone), which is listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, vulnerable species on IUCN Red List 2012, Appendix II of CITES, and Appendix II of the Convention on Migratory Species. It is the largest bird in India and the tallest flying bird in the world.

Phylogeography of Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera L.) across China: aggregate effects of refugia, introgression and riverine barriers

The role of Pleistocene glacial cycles in forming the contemporary genetic structure of organisms has been well studied in China with a particular focus on the Tibetan Plateau. However, China has a complex topography and diversity of local climates, and how glacial cycles may have shaped the subtropical and tropical biota of the region remains mostly unaddressed. To investigate the factors that affected the phylogeography and population history of a widely distributed and nondeciduous forest species, we analysed morphological characters, mitochondrial DNA sequences and nuclear microsatellite loci in the Silver Pheasant (Lophura nycthemera). In a pattern generally consistent with phenotypic clusters, but not nominal subspecies, deeply divergent mitochondrial lineages restricted to different geographic regions were detected. Coalescent simulations indicated that the time of main divergence events corresponded to major glacial periods in the Pleistocene and gene flow was only partially lowered by drainage barriers between some populations. Intraspecific cytonuclear discordance was revealed in mitochondrial lineages from Hainan Island and the Sichuan Basin with evidence of nuclear gene flow from neighbouring populations into the latter. Unexpectedly, hybridization was revealed in Yingjiang between the Silver Pheasant and Kalij Pheasant (Lophura leucomelanos) with wide genetic introgression at both the mtDNA and nuclear levels. Our results highlight a novel phylogeographic pattern in a subtropical area generated from the combined effects of climate oscillation, partial drainage barriers and interspecific hybridization. Cytonuclear discordance combined with morphological differentiation implies that complex historical factors shaped the divergence process in this biodiversity hot spot area of southern China.

Bird community structure in natural and urbanized habitats along an altitudinal gradient in Pauri district (Garhwal Himalaya) of Uttarakhand state, India

In the Indian subcontinent there is hardly any study that compares the bird community structure of urban/suburban areas with those of forest habitat. The present survey identified diverse assemblages of birds in the Pauri district at different elevations. A total of 125 bird species belonging to 40 families including two least count species (Lophura leucomelanos and Pucrasia marcolopha) were recorded during this survey in the forest and urbanized habitats of Pauri District (Garhwal Hiamalaya) of Uttarakhand state, India. The high elevation (Pauri 1600–2100 m a.s.l.), mid elevation (Srikot-Khanda 900–1300 m a.s.l.) and low elevation (Srinagar 500–900 m a.s.l.) contributed 88.8%, 63.2% and 58.4% of the total species respectively. Rarefaction analysis and Shannon diversity index showed that the high elevation forest habitat had highest bird species richness (BSR) and bird species diversity (BSD) followed by the mid and then the low elevation forests. BSR and BSD fluctuated across seasons at all elevations but not across habitat types. Present study provides a base line data about avian community composition in urbanized and natural habitats along altitudinal gradient in the study area. This information may be useful to the conservation biologists for the better management and conservation of the avifauna in the Western Himalaya, a part of one of the hot biodiversity spots of the world.

A panel of polymorphic microsatellite markers in Himalayan monal Lophophorus impejanus developed by cross-species amplification and their applicability in other Galliformes

Isolation and development of new microsatellite markers for any species is still labour-intensive and requires substantial inputs of time, money and expertise. Therefore, cross-species microsatellite amplification can be an effec- tive way in obtaining microsatellite loci for closely related taxa in bird species. We have reported microsatellite loci for Himalayan monal for the first time. Fifteen microsatellite markers developed for chicken were cross-amplified in Himalayan monal. All the tested 15 microsatellite markers were polymorphic, with mean (± s.e.) allelic number of 4± 1.51, ranging 2-7 per locus. The observed heterozygosity in the population ranged between 0.285 and 0.714, with mean (± s.e.) of 0.499±0.125, indicating considerable genetic variation in this population. While 12 loci conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P >0.05), 3l oci, i.e. MCW0295, MCW0081, MCW0330 deviated from it (P< 0.05). No evidence for linkage disequilibrium was observed among pair of loci. Our study show that these 15 micro- satellites loci could be employed in population genetic studies for Himalayan monal and their applicability in Jungle Bush Quail, Grey francolin and Kalij pheasant.

Crop diversifi cation leads to diverse bird problems in Hawaiian agriculture

Over the last 20 years, Hawaii’s agriculture has shifted from a focus on sugar cane (Saccharum offi cinarum) and pineapples (Ananas comosus) produced on large farms to a diverse array of products produced on a multitude of smaller farms. This dramatic shift in production, in addition to the introduction of many new avian species, has resulted in a concomitant change in the problems faced by agriculture. We surveyed farmers to determine the extent of bird damage to crops, the species responsible, the crops most vulnerable, and control methods employed. Bird problems varied by island, but cardinals (Cardinalis cardinalis, Paroaria coronata, and P. capitata) and pheasants (Phasianus colchicus and Lophura leucomelanos) were signifi cant problems on all islands. Seed corn (Zea mays), fruit, vegetables, rice (Oryza sativa), and orchids (Orchidaceae) all sustained notable damage to their crops by birds, and growers expressed much interest in gaining information on control measures. Most farmers incurred little damage, while a few reported losing 80 to 100% of their crops at certain times of the year. We recommend a multidimensional approach to control invasive bird species, including habitat alterations, scare tactics, cessation of game bird releases, prevention of the spread of known pests among islands, and the development of chemical repellents for use when other methods are not suffi cient.

A new genus and four new species of quill mites (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) from phasianid birds (Galliformes: Phasianidae)

A new genus and four new species of the quill mites are described. Galliphilopsis gen. n. (G. francolinus sp. n., type species) differs from the closely related Dissonus Skoracki, 1999 by loss of leg setae dGII, the slightly divergent tips of epimeres I and the stylophore constricted posteriorly. Three new species of the genus Galliphilopsis gen. n. and one new species of the genus Mironovia Chirov and Kravtsova, 1995 are described from galliform birds (Phasianidae) collected at the Museum of Natural History, Wroclaw University (Poland): G. lophurus sp. n. from Lophura leucomelanos, G. bochkovi sp. n. from Tragopan sp. and Alectoris barbara, G. francolinus sp. n. from Francolinus levalliantoides, and Mironovia rouloul sp. n. from Rollulus rouloul.

Evidence of change in a low-elevation forest bird community of Hawai'i since 1979

We evaluated the abundance and distribution of low-elevation forest birds on windward Hawai'i Island during August 1993-February 1994, and present evidence of changes in the species composition of the forest bird community since 1979. Endemic Hawaiian birds occurred in native-dominated forests as low as 120 m elevation. Non-native species were detected at all survey locations. We observed non-native Saffron Finch Sicalis flaveola, previously unrecorded in Puna. Variable circular plot surveys of Kahauale'a Natural Area Reserve indicated the disappearance of two native species ('I'iwi Vestiaria coccinea and 'O'u Psittitostra psittacea), and two non-native additions (Red-billed Leiothrix Leiothrix lutea and Kalij Pheasant Lophura leucomelana) to the study area since the Hawai'i Forest Bird Survey conducted in 1979. We present evidence that native 'Elepaio Chasiempsis sandwichensis has experienced a decrease in population density and an elevational range contraction since 1979. Surveys indicate Puna's forest bird community has had increasing aliens and declining native species since 1979. The persistence of some native bird species within the range of avian disease vectors such as Culex quinquefasciatus in forests below 1,000 m elevation presents an important enigma that requires additional study.

Las aves exóticas introducidas y naturalizadas en la Argentina

It is a very common characteristic of man to modify and disturb the natural environment in which he lives. This has been conducted in many disorderly and lawless ways from early times, with the notion of improving conditions for man’s own commodity. The cruel extermination of many species of plants and animals or their uncontrolled introduction to exotic geographical areas, provokes important and severe changes in the universal distribution of certain species. This introduction by man can have dangerous consequences because posterior acclimatization and dispersal mostly leads to negative effects on both the native flora and fauna and the health and economy of mankind. The present paper is a compilation of all information published on the growing problem of the introduction and acclimatization of exotic birds in Argentina. Much new information on the subject is incorporated with contributions by the author and several ornithologists and birdwatchers. The first part of the work gives an outline of some ecological concepts on naturalization of zoological species. Each introduced species has a brief history of its installation in the country, notes on its field identification and its present status. A discussion on the damage and negative consequences on the environment and mankind is given. In Argentina, thirteen species of exotic birds have been introduced and naturalized with different levels of success, namely: Rock Dove, Columba livia; House Sparrow, Passer domesticus; Mallard, Anas platyrhynchos; Greylag Goose, Anser anser; Golden Pheasant, Chrysolophus pictus; Lady Amherst´s Pheasant, Chrysolophus amherstiae; Kalij Pheasant, Lophura leucomelanos; Silver Pheasant, Lophura nycthemera; California Quail, Callipepla californica; Western Greenfinch, Carduelis chloris; Eurasian Goldfinch, Carduelis carduelis; Common Starling, Sturnus vulgaris; and Crested Myna, Acridotheres cristatellus