Aratinga Canicularis Research Articles

Nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes of parrots (Aratinga canicularis) related to genotoxic damage

Nuclear abnormalities in erythrocytes, as micronuclei and nuclear buds (BE), are considered potential biomarkers of genotoxic exposure. We described previously the frequency of spontaneous micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) in the species Aratinga canicularis. Here, we have used this species to evaluate the induction of MNE and BE by mitomycin-C. Animals were given a single intracoelomic injection of 0, 2, 3 or 4 mg/kg mitomycin-C on two consecutive days. A drop of blood was obtained after 0, 24, 48 and 72 h, and stained smears were used to count micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCE) and polychromatic erythrocytes with buds (BPCE)/1000 polychromatic erythrocytes. The number of MNE and BE in 10 000 total erythrocytes was also counted. MNPCE and BPCE frequencies were elevated at 24, 48, and 72 h after the administration of the lower dose (P<0.03). At a 3 mg/kg dose, the frequency of MNPCE increased at 48 and 72 h (P<0.04) whereas the number of BPCE increased, but not significantly. Administration of 4 mg/kg mitomycin-C increased the number of MNE observed at 72 h (P<0.03), the number of MNPCE at 48 h (P<0.01) and 72 h (P<0.006), the BE frequency at 72 h (P<0.05), and the frequency of BPCE at 48 and 72 h (P<0.001). While mitomycin-C appears to produce a parallel increase in MNPCE and BPCE frequencies, the MNE seemed to be a more sensitive indicator of genotoxicity than the BE. This suggests that evaluating BE and MNE in routine haematological analysis should be considered to evaluate environmental genotoxic exposure.

Contact call diversity in wild orange-fronted parakeet pairs, Aratinga canicularis

Contact calls are used to maintain cohesion and coordinate movements in social animals. The amount and type of identity information provided by contact calls are linked to social organization. Socially stable species often converge on shared group-specific contact calls. In socially fluid species, contact calls tend to be individually distinctive; evidence indicates that such calls are important for mediating individual-specific interactions. Dolphins, for example, will mimic the individually distinctive contact calls of other individuals while socializing. We examined contact calls in another fission–fusion species, the orange-fronted parakeet. Free-living and temporarily captive nonbreeding pairs as well as free-living breeding pairs were recorded. In all contexts, pairs produced multiple (up to nine) discrete contact call types, but like dolphins, typically favoured one to two individually specific variants per bird. The number of dominant variants produced and their evenness of use varied with context. Captive pairs produced the fewest dominants, using them with high evenness. Free-living nonbreeding pairs produced more dominants, and showed similarly high evenness. Breeding pairs varied widely in the number of dominants produced and their evenness of use, showing both the highest and lowest values of each. Latent acoustic measures revealed greater structural variation within and among dominants for free-living compared to captive pairs, presumably reflecting the increased opportunity for social interaction available in the wild. Across contexts, calls could be accurately assigned to pair using acoustic measures; however, within-pair call clustering was not greater than that between pairs. Pairs' calls were distinctive, but in a way that preserved individual variation.

Hearing and vocalizations in the orange-fronted conure (Aratinga canicularis).

The auditory sensitivities of the orange-fronted conure (Aratinga canicularis) were examined in relation to the spectral characteristics of its vocalizations. Absolute thresholds, masked thresholds, frequency difference limens, and intensity difference limens for pure tones were obtained using psychoacoustic techniques. In general, hearing abilities are similar to those found in many avian auditory generalists. One exception is the unusually low critical ratio (masked threshold) between 2.0 and 4.0 kHz, similar to that previously found in the budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus). These auditory sensitivities were compared with average spectra for (a) contact calls and (b) a general sample of vocalizations recorded from wild birds. The spectral regions of both greatest vocal energy and best auditory sensitivity were between 2.0 and 5.0 kHz.

Responses to Playback of Local vs. Distant Contact Calls in the Orange‐Fronted Conure, Aratinga canicularis

AbstractWe conducted interactive playback experiments on foraging flocks of orange‐fronted conures, Aratinga canicularis, using loud contact calls that had been recorded at sites ranging from 0 to 30 km from the playback site. Responses were scored on the basis of the proximity of approach to the speaker, the number of different vocalizations produced by the responding flock, and the duration of respondent vocal interactions with the playbacks. Overall response strength decreased significantly as distance between playback and recording sites was increased up to 9 km, and remained at a steady low level for greater distances. As 9 km is the upper limit of conure home ranges measured in this study site, this nonlinear effect of response with distance suggests that response strength is partly determined by familiarity with calls of local birds. An additional and independent amount of the variation in response strength was explained by the structural similarity between respondent and stimulus calls. This correlation could be caused by a preference to interact with known stimulus birds whose calls have converged during prior associations. However, our data suggest that responding birds subtly changed their call structure during longer trials to more closely match the stimulus call. If subsequently verified as a common phenomenon, this finding could provide an important explanation for the remarkable imitative abilities of parrots.

Geographical Variation in the Contact Calls of Orange-Fronted Parakeets

We examined patterns of geographic variation in contact calls of Orange-fronted Parakeets (Aratinga canicularis) during the nonbreeding season. Calls were recorded throughout the range of that species in Costa Rica. Recordings of wild-caught birds held for one to two weeks indicated that each individual favors one dominant call type and different birds use different favored calls. We used that fact to cull replicate calls from the same individual in field recordings of flocks observed at various locations throughout the sample area. Remaining recordings from a given year were submitted to spectrographic cross-correlation and principal coordinates analysis as described by Cortopassi and Bradbury (2000). Principal coordinates were then correlated with site location using MANOVA. Call durations were also examined for geographical patterns. Like sympatric Yellow-naped Parrots (Amazona auropalliata) studied over the same region by Wright (1996), Orange-fronted Parakeets exhibited significant geographic variation but, unlike the larger species, showed no discrete dialect patterns. Call duration varied clinally but with different patterns for the Nicoya Peninsula and the Guanacaste mainland. Two principal coordinates also showed clinal variation even after removing any correlated duration effects. Scale over which local calls were statistically homogeneous was 7–10 km. We compared that figure to home ranges of 18 birds radio-tracked concurrently with call sampling. Both range areas and range lengths were asymptotic after a week of tracking. Asymptotic range lengths were 2–9 km. Scale of movements of birds, at least during that period, was thus similar to distance within which calls tended to be statistically homogeneous. This study and that by Wright show that several well-known patterns of geographical variation seen with passerine song are replicated quite closely in contact calls of parrots, despite the fact that the functions of vocal signals are quite different in the two taxa.

Geographical Variation in the Contact Calls of Orange-Fronted Parakeets

Abstract We examined patterns of geographic variation in contact calls of Orange-fronted Parakeets (Aratinga canicularis) during the nonbreeding season. Calls were recorded throughout the range of that species in Costa Rica. Recordings of wild-caught birds held for one to two weeks indicated that each individual favors one dominant call type and different birds use different favored calls. We used that fact to cull replicate calls from the same individual in field recordings of flocks observed at various locations throughout the sample area. Remaining recordings from a given year were submitted to spectrographic cross-correlation and principal coordinates analysis as described by Cortopassi and Bradbury (2000). Principal coordinates were then correlated with site location using MANOVA. Call durations were also examined for geographical patterns. Like sympatric Yellow-naped Parrots (Amazona auropalliata) studied over the same region by Wright (1996), Orange-fronted Parakeets exhibited significant geographic variation but, unlike the larger species, showed no discrete dialect patterns. Call duration varied clinally but with different patterns for the Nicoya Peninsula and the Guanacaste mainland. Two principal coordinates also showed clinal variation even after removing any correlated duration effects. Scale over which local calls were statistically homogeneous was 7–10 km. We compared that figure to home ranges of 18 birds radio-tracked concurrently with call sampling. Both range areas and range lengths were asymptotic after a week of tracking. Asymptotic range lengths were 2–9 km. Scale of movements of birds, at least during that period, was thus similar to distance within which calls tended to be statistically homogeneous. This study and that by Wright show that several well-known patterns of geographical variation seen with passerine song are replicated quite closely in contact calls of parrots, despite the fact that the functions of vocal signals are quite different in the two taxa.

Distinguishing between sexes and species: bill size in Orange-fronted and Yellow-crowned Parakeets, Cyanoramphus auriceps

Controversy surrounds the taxonomic status of the Orange-fronted Parakeet (previously known as Cyanoramphus malherbi), officially a colour morph of the more common Yellow-crowned Parakeet C. auriceps. We analyse bill length and bill width measurements from 60 museum specimens of Orange-fronted Parakeet and 44 museum specimens of Yellow-crowned Parakeet. Male Orange-fronted Parakeets have shorter bills than male Yellow-crowned Parakeets—the difference between sample means is 0.7–0.8 mm. Power calculations show that others have most likely not seen the difference as significant because of small sample sizes. Our analysis illustrates a useful statistical technique for identifying morphological differences between two species where both species are sexually dimorphic but the sex of each individual is uncertain.

GEOGRAPHICAL VARIATION IN THE CONTACT CALLS OF ORANGE-FRONTED PARAKEETS

Abstract We examined patterns of geographic variation in contact calls of Orange-fronted Parakeets (Aratinga canicularis) during the nonbreeding season. Calls were recorded throughout the range of that species in Costa Rica. Recordings of wild-caught birds held for one to two weeks indicated that each individual favors one dominant call type and different birds use different favored calls. We used that fact to cull replicate calls from the same individual in field recordings of flocks observed at various locations throughout the sample area. Remaining recordings from a given year were submitted to spectrographic cross-correlation and principal coordinates analysis as described by Cortopassi and Bradbury (2000). Principal coordinates were then correlated with site location using MANOVA. Call durations were also examined for geographical patterns. Like sympatric Yellow-naped Parrots (Amazona auropalliata) studied over the same region by Wright (1996), Orange-fronted Parakeets exhibited significant geographi...

Molecular systematics of New Zealand Cyanoramphus parakeets: conservation of Orange-fronted and Forbes' Parakeets

The controversy that presently surrounds the taxonomy of the Orange-fronted Cyanoramphus malherbi and Forbes' C. forbesi Parakeets has important implications for the conservation of both birds. Both taxa are critically endangered, but consensus regarding their specific status has not yet been achieved. We present mitochondrial DNA sequences for the cytochrome b gene and the control region from 17 Cyanoramphus parakeets representing nine populations and six taxa together with field observations of courtship and breeding behaviour in a sympatric population of Orange-fronted and Yellow-crowned Parakeets C. auriceps. Field data support species status of the Orange-fronted Parakeet under the Biological Species Concept. Phylogenetic analyses of our DNA sequence data support earlier hypotheses based on allozyme data that both Orange-fronted and Forbes' Parakeets represent distinct species under four species concepts and indicate that high conservation priority is warranted for both taxa.

Hearing and vocalizations in the orange-fronted conure (Aratinga canicularis), a small parrot

The orange-fronted conure (Aratinga canicularis) is a small Neotropical parrot that is the subject of an ongoing study of vocal communication and social organization. Three captive-bred orange-fronted conures were trained to detect pure tones using operant conditioning with a food reward and tested using the method of constant stimuli. These birds were tested at seven frequencies ranging from 0.5 to 8 kHz. The greatest sensitivity was found between 1 and 4 kHz and lower sensitivity outside this region. The shape of the audiogram for this species was similar to those previously found for three other species of small parrots, but the absolute sensitivity for orange-fronted conures was generally lower than these other parrot species at most frequencies. The range of greatest sensitivity in the orange-fronted conures corresponded fairly well with the spectral characteristics of their contact calls. In a sample of 288 contact calls recorded from eight wild birds in Costa Rica, the mean peak frequency of the calls was 3371 Hz with a SD of 341 Hz, and the bulk of spectral energy fell between 2295 and 5231 Hz. [Work supported by NIH Grant No. R01 DC00198 (RJD), NRSA Fellowship Nos. DC00046 and MH12111 (TFW), and a NSF grant (JB and KAP).]

Spontaneous micronuclei in peripheral blood erythrocytes from 54 animal species (mammals, reptiles and birds): Part two

The normal numbers of micronucleated erythrocytes (MNE) observed in peripheral blood samples differ among species. This depends on the effectiveness of the spleen (or the rest of the reticuloendothelial system) to withdraw them from circulation. In our previous report, we assessed the number of MNE in the peripheral blood of 35 mammalian species. Here we show the results observed in 54 species including mammals, reptiles and birds. We obtained 212 peripheral blood samples from different species. In 14 species, only one individual was studied. Slides were stained with acridine orange. The total number of MNE (normo and polychromatic) in 10,000 erythrocytes per animal are shown. The species that display the higher MNE were: ocelote, lynx, owl, gray squirrel, hedgehog, lion, orange fronted parakeet and common barn owl. For this reason, these species could be tested as monitors for genotoxic events. Another interesting observation was that in the gray squirrel, we found the highest values of MNE in the smaller (younger) animals when compared with the larger (older) of the same species.

THE COMPARISON OF HARMONICALLY RICH SOUNDS USING SPECTROGRAPHIC CROSS-CORRELATION AND PRINCIPAL COORDINATES ANALYSIS

ABSTRACT We explore the effectiveness of spectrographs cross-correlation (SPCC) combined with principal coordinates (PCO) analysis as a method for sound comparison. We do this using synthetic sounds modeled after the individually-distinctive, harmonically-rich contact calls of wild orange-fronted conures Aratinga canicularis. Calls with acoustic properties similar to Aratinga contact calls are common in other taxa including non-oscine birds, primates and cetaceans. We generated signals with known variations in time-frequency pattern, duration, noise level, harmonic content and harmonic weighting, and applied SPCC-PCO analysis to obtain an ordering of sounds in n-dimensional space. We find that shared time-frequency patterns dominate the positioning of sounds in PCO space. This was true despite high variability in signal-to-noise ratio (from −60 to +40 dB) and duration (150–275 ms). Furthermore, inclusion of naturally-weighted harmonics (versus fundamentals only) enhances, rather than obscures, the separation of call types. We conclude that SPCC-PCO is an effective method for sorting sounds based on overall time-frequency pattern. In addition, the resulting PCO measures can be used in statistical tests of association with extrinsic variables. The method is thus an effective starting point for examining most bioacoustic hypotheses.

Conservation and genetics of New Zealand parakeets

SummaryRecent genetic analysis of New ZealandCyanoramphusparakeets has direct implications for conservation management. A subspecies of Yellow-crowned Parakeet, Forbes's Parakeet C.auriceps forbesi, is genetically distinct from mainland Yellow-crowned Parakeets C.a. auricepsand should be elevated to species status. Even amongst mainland populations of Yellow-crowned Parakeets there was extensive genetic diversity. Interspecific hybridization is a major concern ofCyanoramphusconservation. The near-extinction of Forbes's Parakeets by genetic swamping through hybridization with Chatham Islands Red-crowned Parakeets C.novaezelandiae chathamensishas been averted by active management, involving culling of hybrid and Red-crowned Parakeets and habitat enhancement. Despite two decades of hybridization between these species a distinct Forbes genetic type still exists, probably due to a tendency for hybrids to backcross with Red-crowned Parakeets. Hybridization betweenCyanoramphusspecies may also be a problem in other highly modified habitats, such as parts of the Auckland Islands. More information is needed to determine the extent of this problem. Captive populations include a significant proportion of interspecific hybrids and therefore should not be used as founder stock for releases into the wild, as has been done in the past. The Orange-fronted Parakeet should be reinstated as a separate species,Cyanoramphus malherbi, rather than a colour morph of Yellow-crowned Parakeet, at least until conclusive evidence is available to resolve the question of its taxonomic status. The conservation of this very rare species (and indeed all species ofCyanoramphus)- has been severely handicapped by lack of scientific information on which to base management decisions.

Herpes-Like Virus Associated with a Cloacal Papilloma in an Orange-Fronted Conure (Aratinga canicularis)

Herpes-Like Virus Associated with a Cloacal Papilloma in an Orange-Fronted Conure (Aratinga canicularis)

Sleep patterns in the bird Aratinga canicularis

Behavioral and electrophysiological features of sleep and wakefulness were studied in chronically implanted adult parakeets, Aratinga canicularis. Four states of vigilance were observed; (1) Wakefulness. It is divided into active and passive. During this state there are generalized motor manifestations which are more frequent and intense in active wakefulness. Cerebral activity is fast and of low amplitude. (2) Drowsiness. Motor activity is notably lower. Blinkings become progressively less frequent. Electroencephalographic patterns are constituted by waves of variable amplitude and frequency. It constitutes 40.7% of the nychthemeral cycle. (3) Slow Wave Sleep (SWS). Animals remain immobile with eyes closed and eye movements are at their lowest frequency. Cerebral activity is slow and of high amplitude. It constitutes 14.7% of the nychthemeral cycle. No sleep spindles are present. (4) Paradoxical sleep (PS). The bird's head tends to drop due to additional muscular relaxation; its eyes remain closed but there are bursts of ocular movements. The EEG is similar to that of wakefulness. This state lasts 7.14 sec on average and occupies 1.98% of the nychthemeral cycle. It is always preceded by SWS. The absence of sleep spindles could be due to the differences in cerebral development compared with mammals.

RHYTIDELASMA BICOSTATA, A NEW FEATHER MITE (ACARINA, PTEROLICHIDAE) FROM TWO SPECIES OF CONURES (AVES, PSITTACIDAE)1

Rhytidelasma bicostata, n. sp. (Pterolichoidea, Pterolichidae) is the only species of Rhytidelasma known from two allopatric species of conures, Aratinga canicularis (L.) and A. nana (Vigors) in Mexico and Central America. A related conure, A. holochlora (Sclater), is sympatric with the named host species in parts of its range; this parrot has three species of Rhytidelasma representing three morphotypes, one of which is the same as R. bicostata. The distributions of the hosts and Rhytidelasma are compared.

Feather Mites, Feather Lice, and Thanatochresis

Unrelated taxa of feather mites use exuviae of their own, or closely related, species for molting within quills or on feather surfaces of diverse groups of birds. On the Orange-fronted Conure (Aratinga canicularis (L.)) and other parrot species, feather mites and mallophagan eggs coinhabit the same feather area, mites molt within the exuviae of other mites within the mallophagan egg shells. Molting within exuviae and within egg shells are examples of thanatochresis (the use of dead parts of one animal by living individuals of a second species, but not for food); this phenomenon may be common among feather mites and other Astigmata. Thanatochresis (from the Greek thanatos, death; and chresis, use) is the utilization of ca- davers, secretions, skeletal pieces, excrements and other products of one species by living individ- uals of a second species, but not for food (Mar- galef, 1977). A familiar example would be the use of shells of univalve mollusks by hermit crabs (Paguridae). Under special circumstances, the definition should be modified to include utili- zation of cadavers by living individuals of the same or different species, but not for food. Quill inhabiting feather mites (Syringobiidae: Syringobiinae) molt within exuviae of their own species as do species of Pyroglyphidae. A few feather mites living outside the quills also molt within the exuviae of their own species, an event often taking place within egg shells of feather lice (Mallophaga). Egg shells and/or exuviae are ap- parently not necessary in the life cycles of the mites; thus, the mites are opportunistic and the phenomenon might be termed facultative than- atochresis. When feather mites molt, the ecdysial line is Y-shaped with the stem of the Y beginning near the prodorsal shield and the arms of the Y di-

Homosexual Behavior in Wild Orange-Fronted Parakeets

Journal Article Homosexual Behavior in Wild Orange-fronted Parakeets Get access O. Marcus Buchanan O. Marcus Buchanan UCLA-Dickey Collections, Department of Zoology, University of California, Los Angeles, California Search for other works by this author on: Oxford Academic Google Scholar The Condor, Volume 68, Issue 4, 1 July 1966, Pages 399–400, https://doi.org/10.2307/1365459 Published: 01 July 1966

Physical and Behavioral Factors in Sociality and Evolution of Certain Parrots (Aratinga)

THE concepts of species-specific characteristics and social releasers as developed by ethologists (see Tinbergen, 1951; 1959: 318-330) have intrigued animal behaviorists as much as any concept in the science of ethology. Utilizing these concepts, I have been engaged since 1959 in studies of the behavior of parakeets of the genus Aratinga, primarily A. c. canicularis, the Orange-fronted Parakeet, and also recently other forms. The acquisition, in 1960, of captive birds of A. c. eburnirostrum and, in 1962, of 12 Aratinga astec, the Aztec Parakeet, made possible experiments and observations on the function of morphological and behavioral characteristics which are involved in sociality. The results of these studies have bearing upon our understanding of psittacid evolution. Elsewhere (1963) I have described the epigamic and reproductive biology and (1965) the flock social behavior of A. canicularis. This parakeet is highly social in the wild except during the nesting season, when pairs disperse to nest. Flocks of 5 to 50 birds are otherwise common throughout the species' range, and groups of up to 12 or 15 birds typically wander about between scattered feeding areas and resting sites. The range of the species extends from northern Sinaloa, Mexico, south into the Central American lowlands and the foothills of the Pacific coast in tropical deciduous forest. Three well-marked populations occupy this range. These are designated subspecifically as clarae in the north, eburnirostrum from Michoacan to Oaxaca, and canicularis in the south (Friedmann, et al., 1950: 126). The last two races mentioned are to be considered here. They are easily separable, the former having less orange on the forehead and a blackish splotch on the lower mandible, while the latter has a large patch of orange on the forehead and only the faintest wash of gray on the lower mandible (see extreme left and right subjects in Step 7, Figure 1). Aratinga astec may be considered the ecological counterpart of A. canicularis in similar (but more mesic) habitat on the Atlantic slopes of Mexico and Central America. A. astec averages slightly smaller and is generally similar to A. canicularis in plumage, but lacks markings of orange, blue, and black on the head. In Aratinga astec, only a tuft of orange feathering is found above the cere. In captivity, the two species as observed by me were much alike in habits, including feeding, degree of sociality, agonism, epigamy, and voice. Although little published information is available concerning Aratinga astec, its biology in the wild state probably is closely similar to that of A. canicularis. All evidence in-

Flock Social Behavior of the Orange-Fronted Parakeet

Flock Social Behavior of the Orange-Fronted Parakeet