Nettapus Research Articles

A new record of cotton pygmy goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) in Bhutan

A new record of cotton pygmy goose (Nettapus coromandelianus) in Bhutan

Population genomics and phylogeography of four Australasian waterfowl

ABSTRACT Biogeographic barriers can restrict gene flow, but variation in ecological drivers of dispersal influences the effectiveness of these barriers among different species. Detailed information about the genetic connectivity and movement of waterfowl across biogeographic barriers in northern Australia and Papua New Guinea is limited. We compared genetic connectivity for four species of Australasian waterfowl that vary in their capacity and predisposition for dispersal: Radjah Shelduck (Radjah radjah), Wandering Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna arcuata), Green Pygmy Goose (Nettapus pulchellus), and Pacific Black Duck (Anas superciliosa). We obtained >3,700 loci from double-digest restriction-associated DNA sequencing for 15 to 40 individuals per species and found idiosyncratic patterns of population structure among the four species. The mostly sedentary Radjah Shelduck exhibited clear genetic differences between New Guinea and Australia as well as among locations within Australia. Although the population structure was consistent with isolation by distance, the Torres Strait and Carpentaria Barrier contributed more to genetic differences than geographic distance alone. In contrast, the presumed sedentary Green Pygmy Goose did not show obvious structure. Likewise, populations of the more dispersive Wandering Whistling Duck and Pacific Black Duck were unstructured and genetically indistinguishable between southern New Guinea and northern Australia. Our data suggest that some Australo-Papuan biogeographical barriers are insufficient to impede gene flow in waterfowl species capable of dispersing great distances. In sedentary species like the Radjah Shelduck, these barriers, perhaps coupled with its ecology and natural history, restrict gene flow. Our findings bring new insight into the population ecology of Australo-Papuan waterfowl.

Spatial prioritization of selected mining pitlakes from Eastern Coalfields region, India: A species distribution modelling approach

AbstractPitlake conservation is still a naive idea in a developing country. Species distribution modelling approaches can prove to be a useful tool in protecting biodiversity. The current study considers the ecological health of pitlakes through models of three winter migratory waterfowl species, namely Anser indicus (bar‐headed goose), Nettapus coromandelianus (cotton pygmy goose) and Netta rufina (red‐crested pochard), providing practical information for conservation setups in and around selected pitlakes in Eastern India. The AUC ± SD (Standard deviation) values of MaxEnt models of target species, viz. A. indicus, N. coromandelianus, and N. rufina are 0.729 ± 0.026, 0.772 ± 0.012, and 0.732 ± 0.024, respectively. Thus through the evaluation of the respective models and ground truth verification criteria, three pitlakes have proven to hold excellent conditions for the survival of these winter migratory birds as compared to the 20 studied ones. Three zones were created in these three lakes based on their characteristics to support these species and their associates. A large chunk of the region falls under the proposed zone of conservation priority sites from each of the three pitlakes. The need of the hour is to fulfill the voids between researchers, policymakers, and Eastern Coalfield's administration and work towards implementing the proposed idea.

Survey of Ghodaghodi Lake Complex for Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus and Marsh Mugger Crocodylus palustris

Ghodaghodi lake complex is a Ramsar Site and also an important bird area. It forms an important wildlife corridor between terai and Siwaliks and between the two protected areas of the western lowland Nepal, Bardia National Park and Sukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve. A variety of wildlife has been recorded in the area including 140 species of birds, 34 species of mammals, 9 species of herpetofauna, 29 species of fish and several varieties of plant species. Past data shows that the site had 1% south Asian population of Cotton Pygmy Goose Nettapus coromandelianus and presence of Marsh Mugger Crocodylus palustris. Current survey targeted to these two indicator species has shown that Cotton Pygmy Goose has declined by 70% and Marsh Muggers with no clear trend of decline or increase. Hunting and disturbance, encroachment, habitat alteration are identified as major threats to the area. Recommendations are made for habitat management, education and awareness, scientific and participatory monitoring of lake biodiversity with birds and crocodiles as the indicator species, strengthening and capacity building of local CBOs, formation of district level coordination body and to provide a special category status for the GLA.

沖縄県多良間島におけるナンキンオシNettapus coromandelianusの観察記録

沖縄県多良間島におけるナンキンオシNettapus coromandelianusの観察記録

Breeding the African pygmy goose Nettapus auritus in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Breeding the African pygmy goose <i>Nettapus auritus</i> in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Breeding the African pygmy goose Nettapus auritus in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Breeding the African pygmy goose Nettapus auritus in the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens

Wax esters secreted by the uropygial glands of some Australian waterfowl, including the magpie goose

1. 1. Wax esters of Australian Anserinae and Anatinae contained the following series of multiple-branched fatty acids: dimethyl-hexanoic (A) and -heptanoic (B); trimethyl-octanoic (C) and -nonanoic (D); tetramethyl-decanoic (E) and -undecanoic (F); pentamethyl-dodecanoic (G) and -tridecanoic (H). The methyl groups have been assigned tentatively to positions 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10. In each species the major alcohol was octadecanol. 2. 2. In the Anserinae, the black swan produces A, B and C, the Cape Barren goose C and D, and the freckled duck B to F. 3. 3. The mountain duck, like two other Tadornini, produces mainly C and D. The wood duck and green pygmy goose (Cairinini) produce A and B, although the latter species also has 30 per cent n- acids , mainly C 10. The musk duck has mainly E and F, with smaller amounts of G and H. 4. 4. The magpie goose lipids consisted of squalene (87 per cent) and wax esters (23 per cent) composed mainly of n- C 10 fatty acid and n- C 10 , C 11 and C 12 alcohols.

Second record of the Green Pygmy Goose in New South Wales

Second record of the Green Pygmy Goose in New South Wales

Second record of the Green Pygmy Goose in New South Wales

Second record of the Green Pygmy Goose in New South Wales

White Quilled Pygmy-Goose

White Quilled Pygmy-Goose

Another Record of the White Quilled Pygmy-Goose

Another Record of the White Quilled Pygmy-Goose

White-quilled Pygmy-Goose

White-quilled Pygmy-Goose