Northern Subspecies Research Articles

The reproductive ecology of the Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris campestroides

ABSTRACT The Campo Flicker Colaptes campestris is a Neotropical woodpecker. Reports indicate breeding behaviour may vary regionally, as the northern subspecies (C. c. campestris) is a facultative cooperative breeder, but this is not reported for the southern C. c. campestroides. Also, this flicker can excavate or reuse cavities but whether cavity type impacts breeding success has not been assessed. The objectives of this study are to: (1) report breeding parameters of a southern flicker population in a natural woodland of central Argentina, (2) discuss differences from northern populations, (3) report cooperative breeding in the austral subspecies and (4) assess whether breeding success (e.g. number of fledglings, predation rates) and cavity features are related to cavity type (new vs. reused). We followed 55 nests (24 and 31 in new and reused cavities, respectively) over three breeding seasons (2015–2016, 2016–2017, 2017–2018). Neither reproductive parameters nor cavity measurements differed between cavity types. Ten breeding pairs (18%) had a third individual (i.e. formed a cooperative group) that collaborated with cavity excavation and incubation. Our results enlighten regional differences between populations of the Campo Flicker. We improve the knowledge on the link between new cavities and breeding success, providing a full description of the Campo Flicker nesting ecology, including the first evidence of cooperative breeding in this subspecies.

Three-way crossed scallops between Argopecten irradians irradians, A. i. concentricus and A. purpuratus exhibit strong heterosis in growth, survival and temperature tolerance

Three-way crossed scallops between Argopecten irradians irradians, A. i. concentricus and A. purpuratus exhibit strong heterosis in growth, survival and temperature tolerance

Comparative skeletal anatomy of salt marsh and western harvest mice in relation to locomotor ecology.

The salt marsh harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys raviventris) is an endangered species, endemic to the San Francisco Bay Estuary, that co-occurs with the more broadly distributed species, the western harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys megalotis). Despite their considerable external morphological similarities, the northern subspecies of salt marsh harvest mice have relatively longer and thicker tails than do western harvest mice, which may be related to their abilities to climb emergent marsh vegetation to avoid tidal inundation. We used micro-CT to compare post-cranial skeletal anatomy between the salt marsh and western harvest mouse, to examine whether the salt marsh harvest mouse's restriction to brackish marshes is associated with skeletal adaptations for scansorial locomotion. We found that salt marsh harvest mice exhibited a deeper 3rd caudal vertebra, a more caudally located longest tail vertebra, craniocaudally longer tail vertebrae, and a longer digit III proximal phalanx than western harvest mice. These phalangeal and vertebral characteristics are known to decrease body rotations during climbing, increase contact with substrates, and decrease fall susceptibility in arboreal mammals, suggesting that the salt marsh harvest mouse may be morphologically specialized for scansorial locomotion, adaptive for its dynamic wetland environment.

Ecological niche differentiation among three subspecies of the vulnerable Russian tortoise Testudo horsfieldii through its distribution range

Hosseinian Yousefkhani S. S. 2023. Ecological niche differentiation among three subspecies of the vulnerable Russian tortoise Testudo horsfieldii through its distribution range 2023. Folia Biologica (Kraków) 71: 171-180. T. h. horsfieldii, T. h. rustamovi and T. h. kazakhstanica – are all allopatric. In the present study, the ecological niche divergences among three subspecies were evaluated using a bioclimatic dataset. Suitable habitat predictions and niche similarity tests indicated that the three subspecies have significantly different ecological niches. Temperature is an important factor for the presence of a subspecies, but the threshold is different for each subspecies. Temperature appears to limit the range for the northern subspecies T. h. kazakhstanica, but not for the two southern subspecies T. h. rustamovi and T. h. horsfieldii, which have relatively wide ranges in Central and Southwest Asia. Local adaptations to distinct climates and the microevolution process may have played important roles in this differentiation. It is recommended to evaluate these subspecies using molecular markers, in order to estimate the demographic relationships amongst them and to make taxonomic decisions.

Ancient DNA reveals genetic admixture in China during tiger evolution.

The tiger (Panthera tigris) is a charismatic megafauna species that originated and diversified in Asia and probably experienced population contraction and expansion during the Pleistocene, resulting in low genetic diversity of modern tigers. However, little is known about patterns of genomic diversity in ancient populations. Here we generated whole-genome sequences from ancient or historical (100-10,000 yr old) specimens collected across mainland Asia, including a 10,600-yr-old Russian Far East specimen (RUSA21, 8× coverage) plus six ancient mitogenomes, 14 South China tigers (0.1-12×) and three Caspian tigers (4-8×). Admixture analysis showed that RUSA21 clustered within modern Northeast Asian phylogroups and partially derived from an extinct Late Pleistocene lineage. While some of the 8,000-10,000-yr-old Russian Far East mitogenomes are basal to all tigers, one 2,000-yr-old specimen resembles present Amur tigers. Phylogenomic analyses suggested that the Caspian tiger probably dispersed from an ancestral Northeast Asian population and experienced gene flow from southern Bengal tigers. Lastly, genome-wide monophyly supported the South China tiger as a distinct subspecies, albeit with mitochondrial paraphyly, hence resolving its longstanding taxonomic controversy. The distribution of mitochondrial haplogroups corroborated by biogeographical modelling suggested that Southwest China was a Late Pleistocene refugium for a relic basal lineage. As suitable habitat returned, admixture between divergent lineages of South China tigers took place in Eastern China, promoting the evolution of other northern subspecies. Altogether, our analysis of ancient genomes sheds light on the evolutionary history of tigers and supports the existence of nine modern subspecies.

Genetic diversity and sperm characteristics are not associated in two bluethroat (Luscinia svecica) populations

Individual heterozygosity may influence the expression of fitness‐related traits, via genome‐wide or local genetic effects. Earlier studies have shown negative relationships between heterozygosity and sperm variation, predominantly in captive, highly inbred populations. Little is known about the possible influence of variation in heterozygosity on sperm traits in wild, outbred populations. We studied two populations of the bluethroat, one from the widely distributed northern subspecies Luscinia. s. svecica and the other from the smaller, more patchily distributed subspecies breeding along the French coast of Brittany L. s. namnetum. The two subspecies differed significantly in body size, plumage colour, sperm traits and the degree of genetic diversity. However, there was no evidence that sperm traits (total length and motility) were influenced by the degree of heterozygosity at the individual level. In contrast, we found that male body size was positively related to heterozygosity across both populations, indicating a possible relationship between overall genetic diversity and general vigour or ability to obtain food. We conclude that sperm traits are unrelated to levels of heterozygosity in the studied outbred and weakly genetically depauperate bluethroat populations.

Status of Swamp Deer Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii (G. Cuvier, 1823) in grassland-wetland habitats in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, India

Swamp Deer is an endemic species of the Indian subcontinent, mainly inhabiting tall grasslands in river floodplains. Populations of the northern subspecies (Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii), restricted to the Terai regions of northern India and western Nepal, have undergone dramatic declines over the past two─three decades. In this communication, we present results from systematic population counts conducted in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve between 2021─2022. These counts were conducted at 11 sites, each with two─three independent observers. The exercises covered summer, monsoon, post-monsoon, and winter seasons. We found the largest congregations of Swamp Deer in June during the summer and February in winter. In the monsoon months of July─September the Swamp Deer tend to use Sal woodlands along with farmlands adjoining the reserve edge. This is part of an ongoing research project on long-term monitoring and conservation of the threatened alluvial grasslands of the central Terai in Uttar Pradesh, India. Institutionalizing these monitoring practices for frontline forest staff is essential for understanding long-term population dynamics of the threatened Swamp Deer to develop conservation protocols for grasslands and their fauna.

Breeding Biology of the White-Throated Cacholote Pseudoseisura gutturalis ochroleuca, an Endemic Bird of the Monte Desert

The White-throated Cacholote Pseudoseisura gutturalis is a little studied, socially monogamous furnariid, endemic to arid Argentina. Here we provide novel information to characterize the breeding biology of the northern subspecies ochroleuca in the Monte Desert, Argentina, and discuss the similarities and differences with other Pseudoseisura species. Nests were bulky enclosed structures constructed with thorny sticks and twigs of native plant species (n = 15) and 47% of them had objects used as external decorations. Nests had an entrance tube oriented preferentially towards the northeast, probably to avoid the prevailing south-southeast winds at the study site, and were placed at a mean height of 2.1 m above the ground (n = 13). Most of the active nests (93%) were built in columnar cacti Trichocereus atacamensis that were healthier and with fewer branches than nearby available conspecifics. Mean clutch size was 3.2 white eggs (n = 9) and the incubation period was c. 18–20 days. Brood size ranged from one to three hatchlings (n = 12) and nestlings remained in the nest for 24–26 days until fledgling. Nests with complete clutches were found between 29 October and 1 February and nestlings were found between 1 November and 5 February. Nestlings were attended by both parents and were fed with arthropods (n = 63) and vertebrates (n = 7). Nest visitation rate per nestling was similar among nests with three and two nestlings and lower than for a nest with one nestling. The breeding success was high during the incubation (73%) and nestling rearing (82%) stages. Our data show that Pseudoseisura species are similar in some aspects of their breeding biology (e.g. nest dimensions, nest decorations, mating system, clutch size), whereas other aspects, such as nest-site selection, nestling period and nest attendance rate, are more variable among species.

Genetic diversity, viability and conservation value of the global captive population of the Moroccan Royal lions

This study evaluates the diversity of the so-called ‘Moroccan Royal lions’ using genealogical information. Lions are no longer extant in North Africa, but the previous wild population was an important element of the now-recognised northern subspecies (Panthera leo leo) that ranged across West Africa, North Africa and the Middle East into India. The remaining captive population of ‘Moroccan Royal lions’ seems to be significantly endangered by the loss of diversity due to the effective population size decrease. The pedigree file of this captive lion population consisted of 454 individuals, while the reference population included 98 animals (47 males and 51 females). The completeness of the pedigree data significantly decreased with an increasing number of generations. The highest percentage of pedigree completeness (over 70%) was achieved in the first generation of the reference population. Pedigree-based parameters derived from the common ancestor and gene origin were used to estimate the state of diversity. In the reference population, the average inbreeding coefficient was 2.14%, while the individual increase in inbreeding over generations was 2.31%. Overall, the reference population showed lower average inbreeding and average relatedness compared with the pedigree file. The number of founders (47), the effective number of founders (24) and the effective number of ancestors (22) were estimated in the reference population. The effective population size of 14.02 individuals confirms the critically endangered status of the population and rapid loss of diversity in the future. Thus, continuous monitoring of the genetic diversity of the ‘Moroccan Royal lion’ group is required, especially for long-term conservation management purposes, as it would be an important captive group should further DNA studies establish an affinity to P. leo leo.

Phylogeographic study using nuclear genome sequences of <i>Asip</i> to infer the origins of ventral fur color variation in the house mouse <i>Mus musculus</i>

While the house mouse (Mus musculus), widely distributed in Eurasia, is known to have substantial coat color variation between and within local populations, in both primary and secondary distribution areas, including the Japanese archipelago, the evolutionary history of the color variation is poorly understood. To address the ventral fur color variation, we quantified the lightness of museum skin specimens, and found that the southern subspecies, M. m. castaneus (CAS), has high and low lightness in dry and rainy geographic regions, respectively. The northern subspecies, M. m. musculus (MUS), has low and high levels of lightness in the high and middle latitudes of northern Eurasia, respectively. We examined sequence variation of the agouti signaling protein gene (Asip), which is known to be responsible for the ventral fur color. We performed phylogenetic analyses with 196 haplotype sequences of Asip (~180 kb) generated by phasing the whole-genome data of 98 wild mice reported previously. Network and phylogenetic tree construction revealed clustering of haplotypes representing the two subspecies, MUS and CAS. A number of subclusters with geographic affinities appeared within the subspecies clusters, in which the essential results were consistent with those reconstructed with whole mitochondrial genome data, indicating that the phased haplotype genome sequences of the nuclear genome can be a useful tool for tracing the dispersal of geographical lineages. The results of phylogeographic analysis showed that CAS mice with darker ventral fur possessed similar Asip haplotypes across the geographic distribution, suggesting that these haplotypes are major causes of the historical introduction of Asip haplotypes for darker ventral fur in mice from northern India to the peripheral areas, including the Japanese archipelago. Similarly, MUS in East Asia, which has a white abdomen, formed an Asip haplogroup with that from northern Iran, also with a white abdomen.

Taxonomic revision of south-eastern Australian giant burrowing frogs (Anura: Limnodynastidae: Heleioporus Gray).

The rarely encountered giant burrowing frog, Heleioporus australiacus, is distributed widely in a variety of sclerophyll forest habitats east of the Great Dividing Range in south-eastern Australia. Analyses of variation in nucleotide sequences of the mitochondrial ND4 gene and thousands of nuclear gene SNPs revealed the presence of two deeply divergent lineages. Multivariate morphological comparisons show the two lineages differ in body proportions with > 91% of individuals being correctly classified in DFA. The two lineages differ in the number and size of spots on the lateral surfaces and the degree by which the cloaca is surrounded by colour patches. The mating calls are significantly different in number of pulses in the note. The presence of a F2 hybrid in the area where the distribution of the two taxa come into closest proximity leads us to assign subspecies status to the lineages, as we have not been able to assess the extent of potential genetic introgression. In our sampling, the F2 hybrid sample sits within an otherwise unsampled gap of ~90km between the distributions of the two lineages. The nominate northern sub-species is restricted to the Sydney Basin bioregion, while the newly recognised southern subspecies occurs from south of the Kangaroo Valley in the mid-southern coast of New South Wales to near Walhalla in central Gippsland in Victoria. The habitat of the two subspecies is remarkably similar. Adults spend large portions of their lives on the forest floor where they forage and burrow in a variety of vegetation communities. The southern subspecies occurs most commonly in dry sclerophyll forests with an open understory in the south and in open forest and heath communities with a dense understory in the north of its distribution. The northern subspecies is also found in dry open forests and heaths in association with eroded sandstone landscapes in the Sydney Basin bioregion. Males of both taxa call from both constructed burrows and open positions on small streams, differing from the five Western Australian species of Heleioporus where males call only from constructed burrows. Using the IUCN Red List process, we found that the extent of occupancy and area of occupancy along with evidence of decline for both subspecies are consistent with the criteria for Endangered (A2(c)B2(a)(b)).

Autumn migratory orientation and route choice in early and late dunlins Calidris alpina captured at a stopover site in Alaska.

ABSTRACTWe investigated the migratory orientation of early and late captured dunlins, Calidris alpina, by recording their migratory activity in circular orientation cages during autumn at a staging site in southwest Alaska and performed route simulations to the wintering areas. Two races of dunlins breeding in Alaska have different wintering grounds in North America (Pacific Northwest), and East Asia. Dunlins caught early in autumn (presumably Calidris alpina pacifica) oriented towards their wintering areas (east-southeast; ESE) supporting the idea that they migrate nonstop over the Gulf of Alaska to the Pacific Northwest. We found no difference in orientation between adult and juveniles, nor between fat and lean birds or under clear and overcast skies demonstrating that age, energetic status and cloud cover did not affect the dunlins’ migratory orientation. Later in autumn, we recorded orientation responses towards south-southwest suggesting arrival of the northern subspecies Calidris alpina arcticola at our site. Route simulations revealed multiple compass mechanisms were compatible with the initial direction of early dunlins wintering in the Pacific Northwest, and for late dunlins migrating to East Asia. Future high-resolution tracking would reveal routes, stopover use including local movements and possible course shifts during migration from Alaska to wintering sites on both sides of the north Pacific Ocean.

Genetic data and niche differences suggest that disjunct populations of Diglossa brunneiventris are not sister lineages

Abstract Disjunct distributions within a species are of great interest in systematics and biogeography. This separation can function as a barrier to gene flow when the distance among populations exceeds the dispersal capacity of individuals, and depending on the duration of the barrier, it may eventually lead to speciation. Here, we describe patterns of geographic differentiation of 2 disjunct populations of Diglossa brunneiventris separated by ~1,000 km along the Andes. Diglossa brunneiventris vuilleumieri is isolated in northern Colombia, while Diglossa brunneiventris brunneiventris has a seemingly continuous distribution across Peru, Bolivia, and Chile. We sequenced mitochondrial and nuclear DNA of the 2 D. brunneiventris subspecies to evaluate whether they form a monophyletic clade, while including the other 3 species within the carbonaria complex (D. gloriosa, D. humeralis, and D. carbonaria). We also constructed ecological niche models for each D. brunneiventris subspecies to compare their climatic niches. We found that when using all available molecular data, the 2 D. brunneiventris subspecies are not sister lineages. In fact, each subspecies is more closely related to other species in the carbonaria complex. Our niche modeling analyses showed that the subspecies are occupying almost entirely different climatic niches. An additional and not expected result was that the carbonaria complex might encompass more cryptic species than previously considered. We suggest reevaluating the taxonomic status of these brunneiventris populations, especially the northern subspecies, given its highly restricted range and potential threatened status.

Potential distribution of Schistocerca gregaria gregaria in southwestern Asia

The northern subspecies of desert locust Schistocerca gregaria gregaria has recently expanded into western Asia. It poses a serious threat to food security in areas that are already socially and politically unstable. Its further expansion into other parts of southwestern Asia is an issue of great concern (e.g., China). We assembled S. g. gregaria occurrence records that were accumulated by the Food and Agriculture Organization and environmental variables that summarized aspects of climate, soil condition and vegetation. We predicted the potential distribution of S. g. gregaria via the fine‐tuned Maxent model and ensemble ecological niche model approaches. The models predicted that India and other southwestern Asian countries face high risk of S. g. gregaria invasion because of the presence of suitable habitats and the absence of natural barriers that would prevent S. g. gregaria dispersal into these areas. By contrast, the risk of S. g. gregaria invasion in China is low because the suitability values were very low. Moreover, the Tianshan Mountains, the Kunlun Mountains and the Himalaya Mountains may act as natural barriers against S. g. gregaria dispersal. Responses of S. g. gregaria to these environmental variables were modelled using fine‐tuned Maxent models.

Activity patterns and detection rates of red-legged pademelons (

Red-legged pademelons (Thylogale stigmatica) occur as several subspecies in eastern Australia. The northern subspecies (T. stigmatica stigmatica) in north Queensland is considered common; the southern subspecies (T. stigmatica wilcoxi) in north-eastern New South Wales is, by comparison, rare and is listed as threatened. Activity patterns should also vary between these subspecies because T. s. stigmatica emerges from the forest at night to graze, whereas T. s. wilcoxi remains in the forest throughout the 24-h cycle. Using camera traps, we detected pademelons at a greater rate at a Queensland site occupied by T. s. stigmatica than at a New South Wales site inhabited by T. s. wilcoxi; this result is consistent with their conservation status. However, pademelons at these sites displayed remarkably similar activity patterns within rainforest over the 24-h period, a result that was unexpected based on what is known of their diel behaviour.

Morphology, life cycle and management of two invasive subspecies of Papilio demoleus (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae): A review

Abstract Papilio demoleus L., also known as the citrus butterfly or chequered swallowtail, is a common species in the Asia‐Pacific region, with two of its subspecies (P. d. demoleus and P. d. malayanus) posing significant threats to the citrus industry in Asia and other regions of the world. Its predominant natural host plants are the Rutaceae for the invasive northern subspecies and Fabaceae for the southern subspecies. The morphology and development of this species are reasonably well studied, although further information is required on its natural mortality rates and environmental tolerance in order to accurately predict its future potential spread throughout the Middle East and Central Americas. Synthetic pyrethroids such as deltamethrin are highly effective for the control of P. demoleus larvae. However, better control is likely to be found using an integrated approach to pest management, incorporating techniques such as biocontrol agents, microbial pesticides and phytopesticides, in conjunction with synthetic pesticides where required.

Interbreeding among South American camelids threatens species integrity

Interbreeding among South American camelids threatens species integrity

A review of the taxonomic status of the New Caledonia Wattled Bat Chalinolobus neocaledonicus Revilliod, 1914 (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) and Chalinolobus gouldii venatoris Thomas, 1908 from northern Australia.

The taxonomic status of the New Caledonia Wattled Bat Chalinolobus neocaledonicus Revilliod, 1914 has remained uncertain since its synonymy with mainland Australian Gould's Wattled Bat C. gouldii (Gray, 1841) in 1971. Although Chalinolobus neocaledonicus is now widely accepted as a valid species, this was based on a tentative taxonomic opinion published in 1995. We examined most of the original material used to justify synonymy with C. gouldii, which included the type series of C. gouldii venatoris, a small northern Australian form that superficially resembles C. neocaledonicus but is currently not generally recognised as a valid subspecies. We found consistent differences in key diagnostic external and cranial criteria that support species status for C. neocaledonicus. We also review the taxonomic status of venatoris. Contrary to previous assessments, our re-interpretation of the taxonomic literature supports subspecific recognition of venatoris. Nevertheless, we are unable to conclusively resolve the status of venatoris because a more complex pattern of variation than a simple latitudinal size cline is apparent in C. gouldii. We argue that recognition of venatoris as the northern subspecies of C. gouldii has merit, pending a comprehensive analysis of variation in mainland C. gouldii to test for the presence of cryptic taxa.

Distribution, systematics and nomenclature of the three taxa of Common Stonechats (Aves, Passeriformes, Muscicapidae, Saxicola) that breed in the Caucasian region

Geographic distribution and habitat preferences of Saxicola rubicola rubicola (Linnaeus, 1766), S. maurus variegatus (S.G. Gmelin, 1774), and S. m. armenicus (Stegman, 1935) inhabiting the Caucasian Isthmus and adjacent areas are described in detail. We examined the individual, sexual, age, seasonal and geographical variations of seven main diagnostic features of both plumage and morphometrics (exactly, the length of wing and tail) using 381 skin specimens. Substantially improved diagnoses of S. m. variegatus and S. m. armenicus are provided. After a thorough examination of the materials and history of the expedition of Samuel Gmelin in 1768–1774, and his description of Parus variegatus, it was concluded that the type locality of this taxon was the vicinity of Shamakhi in Azerbaijan not Enzeli in North-Western Turkey. It is also shown the fallacy of the recently proposed attribution of the holotype of the northern subspecies S. m. variegatus to the southern taxon S. m. armenicus and synonymisation of these names, as well as the replacement of the name S. m. variegatus by its junior synonym S. m. hemrichii Ehrenberg, 1833 for the northern subspecies.

Rapid molecular assays for species and sex identification of swamp deer and other coexisting cervids in human-dominated landscapes of the Terai region and upper Gangetic plains, northern India: implications in understanding species distribution and population parameters

Burgeoning pressures of habitat loss is a major cause of herbivore decline across India, forcing them to coexist with humans in non-protected areas. Their conservation in such landscapes is challenging due to paucity of ecological and demographic information. The northern subspecies of swamp deer, Rucervus duvaucelii duvaucelii, is one such herbivore that lives across human dominated landscapes in Terai region and upper Gangetic plains of north India. Here, we describe species-specific molecular markers and a cervid-specific molecular sexing assay for swamp deer and four other coexisting cervids sambar, chital, barking deer and hog deer. Our markers show species-specific band patterns and a high success rate of 88.21% in large number of field collected referencesamples for all species. Faecal pellets from pilot swamp deer survey samples from upper Ganges basin show 93.81% success rate, and only 5.5% misidentification based on morphological characteristics. Our cervid-specific molecular sexing multiplex assay accurately ascertained 81.15% samples to respective sexes. These molecular approaches provide an easy, quick and cheap option to generate critical information on herbivore population parameters and aid their conservation in this mosaic of protected and non-protected grassland habitats.