Charadriiformes Research Articles

The presence and microstructure of down compartments of feathers in representatives of nineteen orders of birds (Aves)

An inventory and description of the occurrence of the first studied down structures of feathers: combined barbs with typical down barbules and combined barbs with modified down barbules are carried out. The occurrence and distribution of these structures, as well as additional feather and umbilical barbs in different plumage pterylia of 441 birds of 129 species belonging to 19 orders were noted; 3330 feathers have been studied. Downy structures in the orders Charadriiformes and Passeriformes have been studied in most details. In the order Charadriiformes the families and their constituent species differ in the presence or absence of modified barbules. In the feathers of representatives of the order Passeriformes an additional feather/umbilical barbs and modified barbules do not occur in one of the same feathers. In the plumage of representatives of all studied taxa combined barbs with typical down barbules were found, which are present to a greater extent in the cover feathers, and to a lesser extent, on the flight and tail feathers. Combined barbs with modified down barbules are not so widespread in the plumage of the studied taxa and they are present only on the cover feathers. Among the studied orders the additional feather and umbilical barbs are absent in the plumage of Coraciiformes and Upupiformes. The adaptive and diagnostic significance of the studied downy structures is noted. The main function of all downy structures is thermal insulation, while maintaining the rigidity of plumage, preventing its sticking and sealing can be called secondary. The presence in some groups of birds on one and the same feather of an additional feather/umbilical barbs and modified barbules, as well as their various combinations, can be used as a taxonomic sign in combination with other ptylological characters. The presence of downy formations, their shape, structure, size and other features may indicate pterylia within some taxonomic groups of feathers. Along with visual inspection of feathers, light and electron microscopy was also used.

Corvisyringophilus, a New Genus in the Family Syringophilidae (Acariformes: Prostigmata) and Its Phylogenetic Position among Primitive Genera.

Syringophilidae is one of the most species-rich families in the superfamily Cheyletoidea, comprising approximately 420 species across 62 genera and two subfamilies. In this paper, we propose a new genus, Corvisyringophilus, and a new species, C. krummi gen. n. et sp. n., found in the wing covert quills of the Common Raven, Corvus corax Linnaeus, in Iceland. Corvisyringophilus is placed among the primitive genera of syringophilid mites, which possess the full complement of idiosomal and leg setae. Phylogenetic analysis based on morphological characters suggests that this genus forms a sister clade to Blaszakia Skoracki & Sikora, 2008, and Charadriphilus Bochkov & Mironov, 1998, which inhabit birds of the orders Musophagiformes and Charadriiformes, respectively. The study proposes that the current distribution patterns of quill mites, based on their morphological characteristics, may result from multiple host switching followed by co-speciation events, highlighting the complex evolutionary dynamics within this family.

Long-term changes in qualitative composition of the Buzuluk Pine Forest avifauna (Orenburg Province area) based on retrospective and present-time observations

We conducted a comparative analysis of qualitative composition of the Buzuluk Pine Forest avifauna, mainly based on data collected by ornithologist E.P. Knorre for the period 1928–1941, and modern observations done between 2000 and the present. Retrospective data were obtained from the now-defunct Buzuluk Bor Reserve with an area of 10 503 hectares (now Borovoye-Opytnoe Forestry in the Orenburg Province). Present-time personal avifaunistic observations (using standard methods with referring to literature sources) were carried out on an area of 49 000 hectares, both in Borovoye-Opytnoe and in several adjacent forestries that were part of the Buzuluk Bor National Park within the Orenburg Province. Comparing the historical and current bird lists, we used a relative assessment of changes in the composition of various bird groups based on the observed and expected frequencies according to the χ2 test. Long-term data on average annual temperatures and precipitation from a nearby state weather station were also used. As a result, it is shown that by now the list of birds of E.P. Knorre decreased from 153 to 109 species (28.8%). When comparing by orders, the water birds were found to be the most affected group. The number of species in orders Podicipediformes, Ciconiiformes, Gruiformes decreased by 80–100%, and it dropped by more than 50% in orders Anseriformes and Charadriiformes. There was also a slightly smaller decrease in the number of species in orders Falconiformes and Strigiformes – by about 40%. An assessment of the relative changes in various bird groups from Knorre’s list based on expected and observed frequencies showed significant differences in the portion of avifauna associated with water. It decreased between 23.5% and 9% in the group ‘Limnophiles’ (χ2 = 11.7, df = 1, p = 0.0006) and between 24.8% and 9% in the group of orders represented by waterfowl and waterbird species (χ2 = 13.4, df = 1, p = 0.0002). The change in the portion of birds of prey was statistically non-significant. The same portion assessment method did not statistically confirm the decrease in the rest ecological and order groups. Comparison of groups by occurrence status found no significant changes in the portions of all groups of birds in the past and present, but the largest reduction was recorded in the group of migrating species. The portion of migrants decreased from 8.7% to 3.0% (χ2 = 3.2, df = 1, p = 0.07, Yates corrected χ2 = 2.2, p = 0.1). A dramatic decline in group of bird species associated with wetlands was suggested to be due, among other factors, to the progressive desiccation of the Buzuluk Pine Forest, as E. Knorre himself wrote in his report. The ongoing aridization of the climate, as shown by the graph of average annual air temperatures, has been taking place since at least the 20s of the twentieth century and led to the drying-up of wetlands, and also to migration of groundwater to deeper horizons. The emerging trend towards a reduction in the portion of migrants could be explained by the fact that a number of migratory bird species, mainly ducks and waders, disappeared in the study area, and several other migrants began breeding species. In addition, large-scale fires and logging led to formation of burned wasteland areas inside the forest at the beginning of the twentieth century and also probably contributed to fragmentation and desiccation of this biome.

Running the gauntlet; flyway-wide patterns of pollutant exposure in blood of migratory shorebirds

Shorebirds (order Charadriiformes) are among the world's most threatened avian taxa. Within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), a major threat to shorebirds' survival may be the gauntlet of pollution along the flyway. Metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) persist in the environment to the detriment of wildlife. In this study, we analysed element and PFAS concentrations in blood from 142 individuals across six species of Arctic-breeding migratory shorebirds with contrasting population trends, to discern species- and site-specific pollution differences, and determine how pollution correlated with population trends of EAAF shorebirds. Potential within-year pollution variations were investigated by blood-sampling birds at two sites, representing different points in the birds' annual migrations: staging in Taiwan on southward migrations and at non-breeding grounds in Western Australia (WA). Species' pollutant concentrations were compared to established population trends. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements were low in most individuals regardless of species. PFASs (range: <0.001–141 ng/g), Hg (<0.001–9910 ng/g) and Pb (<0.01–1210 ng/g) were higher in Taiwan than in WA (PFAS Taiwan median: 14.5 ng/g, WA median: 3.45 ng/g; Hg Taiwan: 338 ng/g, WA: 23.4 ng/g; Pb Taiwan: 36.8 ng/g, WA: 2.26 ng/g). Meanwhile As (range <0.001–8840 ng/g) and Se (290–47600 ng/g) were higher in WA than Taiwan (As Taiwan median: 500 ng/g, WA median: 1660 ng/g; Se Taiwan: 5490 ng/g, Se WA: 23700 ng/g). Nevertheless, pollutant concentrations in a subset of individuals may exceed sublethal effect thresholds (As, Se and PFASs). Finally, we found no consistent differences in pollution among species and demonstrated no correlation between pollution and population trends, suggesting pollution is likely not a major driver for population declines of EAAF shorebirds. However, ongoing and locally heavy environmental degradation and exposure to other contaminants not investigated here, such as POPs, warrants continued consideration when managing EAAF shorebird populations.

Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in tropical seabirds from the Rocas Atoll Biological Reserve, Brazil.

Toxoplasma gondii is a coccidian that infects almost all warm-blooded animals, including birds. Rocas Atoll Biological Reserve, located in the northeast of Brazil, is the only atoll in the South Atlantic, and home to the largest population of seabirds in the western Atlantic. In this study the occurrence of T. gondii antibodies in seabirds from Rocas Atoll were determined. Birds were manually captured, blood samples were taken, and antibodies detected by the modified agglutination test (>5). In total, 267 birds of seven species belonging to three families (Sternidae, Fregatidae and Sulidae) and two orders (Charadriiformes and Suliformes) were sampled. Out of the 267 samples, 20 (7.3%) were seropositive: nine out of 48 brown noddies (Anous stolidus), one out of 26 black noddies (Anous minutus), three out of 20 magnificent frigatebirds (Fregata magnificens), five out of 95 sooty terns (Onychoprion fuscatus) and two out of 20 red-footed boobies (Sula sula). None of the 33 masked boobies (Sula dactylatra) and the 25 brown boobies (Sula leucogaster) were seropositive. The antibody titers were 5 (n=6), 10 (n=4), 20 (n=3), 40 (n=6) and 160 (n=1). Due to the uniqueness of this environment, monitoring the seabirds is suggested to maintaining this Conservation Unit.

Resolution of the Tetrabothrius jagerskioeldi Cryptic Species Complex among Holarctic Alcidae (Charadriiformes): Cestodes among Fraterculinae—Exploring Marine Diversity, Host Range, and Dynamic Oceanography in the Greater North Pacific

In the biosphere, limits for diversity among species, communities, and biomes are revealed through intensive and extensive field-based inventory and assembly of voucher specimens and associated informatics examined in a phylogenetic, historical, ecological, and biogeographic arena. Archival resources for specimens and information contribute to a cumulative view of faunal structure and assembly under a comparative umbrella. Ultimately, species definitions, and inclusive partitions among populations and lineages, are fundamental in articulating hypotheses that examine interactions about evolution, the nature of organisms, and the condition of environments across space and time. We conclude our proposals establishing species limits for tapeworms of the cryptic complex historically accommodated in Tetrabothrius jagerskioeldi Nybelin, 1916 among Alcidae seabirds (Charadriiformes). Explorations of this facet of marine diversity summarize inventory data for species of Tetrabothrius Rudolphi, 1819 from field collections among 1,976 seabirds of 41 species representing 3 avian orders (Charadriiformes, Suliformes, Procellariiformes) examined across 58 oceanic/geographic localities from the greater North Pacific basin between 1949 and 2019, or over the past 70 years. Cestodes of the complex including T. jagerskioeldi sensu stricto, T. alcae Hoberg and Soudachanh, 2021, and T. sinistralis Hoberg and Soudachanh, 2021, along with 2 previously unrecognized taxa, are documented, occurring in 128 of 1976 seabirds examined (6%) and 17 of 41 marine avian species from 23 insular, coastal, and pelagic sites spanning the North Pacific. In completing an evaluation of this assemblage, we focus on those cestodes among 8 species of medium- to small-bodied alcids, subfamily Fraterculinae. Specimens designated as Tetrabothrius fraterculus n. sp. were observed among puffins (2 species of Fraterculus and Cerorhinca), whereas Tetrabothrius aithuia n. sp. is proposed for tapeworms in auklets (4 species of Aethia and Ptychoramphus) and a puffin (Cerorhinca); both cestodes are currently unknown among the Alcinae species of Cepphus, Uria, Brachyramphus, and Synthliboramphus based on the North Pacific inventory collections. These large-bodied cestodes, typical of the 5 species in the complex, are characterized among 46 currently valid species of Tetrabothrius in avian hosts, based on unique configurations of the genital atrium; male and female genital papillae; terminal genital ducts; numbers of testes; and the structure, position, and dimensions of the vaginal and atrial seminal receptacles. Ancillary characters contributing to differentiation include attributes of the scolex, structure, dimensions, and position of the vitelline gland and relative position of the dorsal and ventral osmoregulatory canals. A suite of complex attributes unequivocally separates 5 respective species that had historically been relegated to a single geographically widespread and morphologically variable taxon under T. jagerskioeldi sensu lato. Host range for respective cryptic species of the T. jagerskioeldi–complex reveal an intricate view of ecological isolation and connectivity across the greater North Pacific basin. Seabirds, marine mammals, and parasites are indicators of changing conditions over space and time. Oceanic regime shifts, prey cascades, and diversity for birds and parasites serve as proxies for revealing accelerating perturbation in marine foodwebs under climate forcing.

Unexpected Find of a Buttonquail (Aves: Charadriiformes: Turnicidae) in the Lower Pleistocene of Crimea.

Buttonquails (family Turnicidae of the order Charadriiformes) are a morphologically specialized group of small, predominantly tropical birds of open landscapes, which is extremely poorly represented in the fossil record. The article describes a fragmentary humerus of a buttonquail from the Lower Pleistocene of the Taurida Cave in central Crimea. This is the first find of the family Turnicidae in Eurasia in a chronological interval from the Pliocene through the Middle Pleistocene. The find highlights the limited nature of available information on the taxonomic composition of Early Quaternary Eurasian avifaunas, even at the family level, and sheds light on the Late Cenozoic evolutionary history of Turnicidae.

Primary moult in the annual cycle of adult African Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini

African Oystercatchers Haematopus moquini are sedentary, intertidal foraging birds, range-restricted to Namibia and South Africa. Their annual cycle has two components: breeding and moult. The Underhill–Zucchini model estimated a primary moult duration of 154 days, and mean start and completion dates of 1 April and 2 September. Most eggs (90%) are laid between mid-November and mid-February; thus, on average, oystercatchers have 2–3 months between moult completion and egg laying. The completion date confirms an overlap between moult and the period of post-fledging dependence of juveniles on their parents. The 154-day primary moult duration spreads the energetic demands of feather production to cope with this overlap and with the fact that primary moult extends through winter when storms make intertidal areas inaccessible for days. There are approximately 50 quantitative studies of primary moult for migrant waders (suborder Charadrii); this is the third for a resident species. The other two species of resident waders studied are in south-eastern Australia: the Hooded Dotterel Thinornis cucullatus and Sooty Oystercatcher Haematopus fuliginosus. The Hooded Dotterel has one of the longest estimated moult durations (203 days) and its moult and breeding overlap. The annual schedules for the Sooty Oystercatcher and African Oystercatcher are similar, as is the estimated moult duration: 149 and 154 days, respectively. Preliminary studies of the primary moult of the Eurasian Oystercatcher H. ostralegus indicate the duration to be 100 days, which is two-thirds that of the two sedentary oystercatchers. This is likely a consequence of Eurasian Oystercatchers having migration and harsh winter conditions as additional components of their annual cycle, and thus a limited period for primary moult. This study was based largely on photographic records of African Oystercatchers in flight, with contributions by citizen scientists. We make two key conclusions: the need for more studies of the moult strategies of the Haematopidae and resident waders; and digital photography of free-ranging birds can be used to study primary moult.

Биологическое разнообразие бухты Круглой и перспективы создания орнитологического заказника (юго-западный Крым, Чёрное море)

This work aimed to analyze the diversity of hydrophilic avifauna and natural complexes to substantiate the creation of an ornithological reserve in the Kruglaya Bay (Crimea, Black Sea). The diversity of biotopes, marine and coastal flora, and fauna characterized on the basis of long-term research data. The avifauna includes 74 species from 43 genera, 14 families, and 9 orders. The orders Charadriiformes, Anseriformes and Ciconiiformes unite 57 species (77% of the total number of species). The number of birds in winter reaches 0.99–1.38 thousand individuals. There are 11 protected species in the avifauna, including 10 species listed in the Red Data Book of the Russian Federation. The natural complexes of the bay are most attractive for wintering hydrophilic birds, and to a lesser extent – for transit migrating, nomadic and nesting species. The flora of marine macrophytes and coastal vascular plants comprises 141 species, including 17 protected ones. The ichthyofauna and benthic invertebrates contain 60 and 124 species, respectively, including 9 protected ones. The high environmental value of the bay is associated with the formation of large seasonal clusters of hydrophilic birds, a high degree of biota diversity, the presence of many protected species and biotopes. We are recommended to create an ornithological reserve with a temporary regime (in winter) in the Kruglaya Bay. The new reserve will be the first ornithological object of this category in the nature-protected network of Sevastopol and Crimea. Its formation will allow to preserve biotopes and nesting places of birds, rare flora and fauna, and introduce some restrictions on environmental management and extraction of bioresources.

Status and Diversity of Ornithofauna in Joggers Park, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

The present study was done to account for the status and diversity of ornithofauna of Joggers Park, Lucknow, U.P., India. The field explorations were carried out from September 2021 to August 2022. During the period of study, a total of 62 species of ornithofauna were identified which belonged to 13 orders and 32 families. The order Passeriformes had a maximum number of bird count (34 species) belonging to 16 families. The least number of bird species was recorded in orders Strigiformes, Charadriiformes, Apodiformes, and Galliformes each containing 1 species. All the 62 avian species reported in Joggers Park come under the least concerned category of IUCN. Out of the total species, 49 species were resident and 13 Residents were Migratory (RM).

Spatial and temporal variations in the environmental and biological characteristics of the Turyanchay River basin, Azerbaijan

This is the first comprehensive examination of the Turyanchay River in Azerbaijan, focusing on water quality (WQ), contamination, and biodiversity at four different locations: Gabala, Agdash, Udjar and Zardab. The study analysed nutrient (nitrate, ammonium, phosphate) and metal/metalloid (Pb, Cu, Ni, Zn, Mn, Cr, Cd, Fe and Al) contamination levels, as well as the diversity of macrozoobenthos in the river, birds and vegetation. The chemical and biological oxygen demands (COD and BOD), including WQ index (WQI) were also determined for the river. The results showed no significant difference in the levels of nutrients, metal/metalloid, COD, BOD, WQI and macrozoobenthos diversity across different locations (p > .05). However, they revealed temporal fluctuations, with their highest levels being recorded during the warmer months (July and August) and the lowest during the colder months (March and November). The estimated WQI, ranging from 19.6 to 43.6, indicated that the water in the Turyanchay River is safe for household and consumption purposes. Up to 83 species of macrozoobenthos were identified, with Hydropsychidae and Chironomidae showing the highest species richness, followed by Coenagrionidae, Psychomyiidae, Ceratopogonidae, Baetidae, Naididae and Gammaridae. Eighteen bird species, consisting of 11 terrestrial and 7 aquatic birds, were recorded, with eight of these species belonging to the Order Charadriiformes. A total of 42 different plant species belonging to 17 families were identified in the Turyanchay River basin, with Fabaceae being the most widely distributed, followed by Asteraceae and Typhaceae. This study provides important baseline data for the Turyanchay River, offering insights into its freshwater environment and biodiversity, and should support future monitoring efforts.

Scavengers as Prospective Sentinels of Viral Diversity: the Snowy Sheathbill Virome as a Potential Tool for Monitoring Virus Circulation, Lessons from Two Antarctic Expeditions.

Antarctica is a unique environment due to its extreme meteorological and geological conditions. In addition to this, its relative isolation from human influences has kept it undisturbed. This renders our limited understanding of its fauna and its associated microbial and viral communities a relevant knowledge gap to fill. This includes members of the order Charadriiformes such as snowy sheathbills. They are opportunistic predator/scavenger birds distributed on Antarctic and sub-Antarctic islands that are in frequent contact with other bird and mammal species. This makes them an interesting species for surveillance studies due to their high potential for the acquisition and transport of viruses. In this study, we performed whole-virome and targeted viral surveillance for coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and influenza viruses in snowy sheathbills from two locations, the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland. Our results suggest the potential role of this species as a sentinel for this region. We highlight the discovery of two human viruses, a member of the genus Sapovirus GII and a gammaherpesvirus, and a virus previously described in marine mammals. Here, we provide insight into a complex ecological picture. These data highlight the surveillance opportunities provided by Antarctic scavenger birds. IMPORTANCE This article describes whole-virome and targeted viral surveillance for coronaviruses, paramyxoviruses, and influenza viruses in snowy sheathbills from the Antarctic Peninsula and South Shetland. Our results suggest an important role of this species as a sentinel for this region. This species' RNA virome showcased a diversity of viruses likely tied to its interactions with assorted Antarctic fauna. We highlight the discovery of two viruses of likely human origin, one with an intestinal impact and another with oncogenic potential. Analysis of this data set detected a variety of viruses tied to various sources (from crustaceans to nonhuman mammals), depicting a complex viral landscape for this scavenger species.

An unexpected finding of a new species of the genus Charadriineopicobia (Acariformes, Syringophilidae) parasitizing Hydrobates tethys (Aves, Procellariiformes) from the Galápagos Islands

A new quill mite species of the family Syringophilidae and subfamily Picobiinae, Charadriineopicobia janegoodallae sp. nov., is described. It was collected from Wedge-rumped Storm-Petrel Hydrobates tethys (Bonaparte), a representative of the order Procellariiformes and family Hydrobatidae. Our finding is the first record of the subfamily Picobiinae on procellariform hosts and the first record of quill mites of the family Syringophilidae collected from birds inhabiting the Galápagos Islands. Additionally, an identification key to females of all known species of Charadriineopicobia is presented. Because all other species of the genus Charadriineopicobia were found on phylogenetically distant avian hosts of the order Charadriiformes and families Charadriidae, Scolopacidae, and Laridae, we hypothesize that presence of this new mite species parasitizing H. tethys is a result of the mite switching from charadriiform hosts inhabiting the same ecological niche.

An annotated checklist of the avifauna of Karangadu mangrove forest, Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, with notes on the site’s importance for waterbird conservation

Avifaunal inventories are crucial to the formulation of conservation and management strategies for habitats and species. An annotated checklist of the birds of the Karangadu eco-tourism area located in the Palk Bay in Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu, was prepared. We listed a total of 107 species belonging to 18 orders and 40 families. Orders Charadriiformes, Suliformes, and Pelecaniformes dominated the habitat. Among the families, Scolopacidae (10 species) was dominant, followed by Ardeidae (9), and Laridae (8). In addition, the study also documented three globally ‘Near Threatened’ species: Painted Stork Mycteria leucocephala, Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa, and Black-headed Ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus. The observed frequency of the species was: 57% (61 spp.) common, 32.7% (35 spp.) uncommon, and 10.3% (11 spp.) rare. Categorization based on the residential status of birds revealed that 31% (33 spp.) were winter visitors, and one was a passage migrant (Rosy Starling Pastor roseus). These baseline data highlight the importance of Karangadu as an important site on the southeastern coast of India for migratory shorebird conservation priorities.

Haemoproteus jenniae (Haemoproteidae, Haemosporida) infects gulls (Larus spp.) in South Africa, with redescription of Haemoproteus skuae.

Haemoproteus spp. are dipteran-borne protozoa that infect erythrocytes and reticulo-endothelial cells of birds. These parasites are not usually transmitted between birds belonging to different orders. The suborder Lari (order Charadriiformes) comprises ~170 avian species, the majority of which are aquatic, including gulls, terns, auklets, murres and skuas, among others. In spite of the diversity of this avian group, there is limited known diversity of haemosporidian parasites, with only 4 recorded Haemoproteus morphospecies thus far. We examined the blood smears of 21 kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus) captured at a breeding colony in South Africa, as well as Haemoproteus-positive archival blood smears of 15 kelp gulls and 1 Hartlaub's gull (Larus hartlaubii) sampled while under care at seabird rehabilitation facilities in South Africa. Haemoproteus sp. infection was detected in 19% of wild-caught kelp gulls. All parasites from the gulls were morphologically identified as Haemoproteus jenniae, a species previously recorded in Lari birds at the Galapagos Islands (Ecuador), Rocas Atoll (Brazil) and Poland. Gene sequencing uncovered a new cytochrome b lineage, LARDOM01, which was closely related to the previously reported H. jenniae lineage CREFUR01. Additionally, we evaluated a hapantotype blood smear of Haemoproteus skuae, which had been described infecting a brown skua (Catharacta antarctica) in South Africa. We provide a redescription of H. skuae and discuss the morphological characters distinguishing it from H. jenniae. Further research is necessary to improve our knowledge about the host and geographic distribution, health effects and phylogeny of H. jenniae and H. skuae.

Descriptive Epidemiology of and Response to the High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (H5N8) Epidemic in South African Coastal Seabirds, 2018

High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) clade 2.3.4.4b H5N8 virus was detected in coastal seabirds in late 2017 in South Africa, following a devastating epidemic in the commercial poultry and ostrich industries. By May 2018, the infection had been confirmed in fifteen seabird species at 31 sites along the southern coast, with the highest mortality recorded in terns (Family Laridae, Order Charadriiformes). Over 7,500 positive or suspected cases in seabirds were reported. Among those infected were three endangered species: African penguins (Spheniscus demersus Linnaeus, 1758), Cape cormorants (Phalacrocorax capensis Wahlberg, 1855), and Cape gannets (Morus capensis Lichtenstein, 1823). The scale and impact of this outbreak were unprecedented in southern African coastal seabirds and raised logistical challenges in resource allocation, risk mitigation, and outbreak response. It required the collaboration of multiple stakeholder groups, including a variety of government departments and nongovernmental organizations. With another HPAI outbreak in South African seabirds in 2021 and major incursions in seabird species in the northern hemisphere in 2022, it is vital to share and consolidate knowledge on the subject. We describe the epidemic, the lessons learned, and recommendations for developing contingency plans.

Diversity, Composition, and Abundance of Avian Species in and around SemienMecha District Wetlands North Western, Ethiopia

The objective of the present study was assessing the species composition, relative abundance and species diversity of avifauna found in wetlands of Semin Mecha District. The diversity, relative abundance and distribution of the avian species were investigated from January 2019 to August 2019 both wet and dry seasons. Both point count and line transect methods were employed to identify birds from the three wetlands. A total of 39 species, 28 genera 14 families and 8 orders were identified. The order Charadriiformes dominated the list (4 families with 14 species) followed by Pelecaniformes (2 families with 9 species), Gruiformes (2 families with 4 species), suliformes 2 families with 3 species), psseriformes (1 family with 6 species), the rest Accipitriformes, phoenicopteriformes and podicipediformes(1 family with 1 species) each. Out of total 39 species, one species (Black billed gull) was endangered, two species (wattled crane and Black crowned crane were vulnerable, one specie (Rouget's rail) was near threatened, and thirty five bird species recorded were under the Least Concern category. Species abundance and diversity varied between the three habitats. Weinner Simpson index showed significant diversity of birds in Koga reservoir had higher species diversity (H’=5.9) followed by kurt Bahir dembar(H’=4.15) and lower species diversity Kurt Bahir (H’=2.53).The study shows that habitat destruction due to anthropogenic activities:- over-grazing, sedimentation, poor management of catchment, recession farming, over-utilization of resources, lack of awareness , Lack of sense of ownership, giving less attention to conservation were the main threats to the survival of wetland birds in the study area. The current management of wetlands is poor because of misuse of wetlands as the result birds are endangered. Thus urgent conservation measures are recommended to conserve the bird species.

Schistosomatidae from the trematode fauna of aquatic and semi-aquatic birds in Uzbekistan

The article discusses the infection of wetland birds in Uzbekistan with the trematodes Schistosomatidae Stiles et Hassall, 1898. The research covered 282 individuals from the main groups of birds represented by the orders Pelecaniformes, Ciconiformes, Anseriformes, Gruiformes, Podicipediformes and Charadriiformes. The Schistosomatidae fauna of Uzbekistan includes 13 species: Bilharziella polonica (Kowalewsky, 1895), Trichobilharzia ocellata (La Valette, 1854), T. filiformis (Szidat, 1938), T. kowalewskii (Ejsmont, 1929), T. tatianae (Spasskaja, 1953), Macrobilharzia macrobilharzia Trawassos, 1923, Ornithobilharzia canaliculata (Rudolphi, 1819), O. baeri Fain, 1955, Dendritobilharzia pulverulenta (Braun, 1901), D. loossi Skrjabin, 1924, D. anatinarum Cheatum, 1941, Gigantobilharzia acotylea Odhner, 1910 and Gigantobilharziella monocotylea (Szidat, 1930). Predominant are representatives of the genera Trichobilharzia and Dendritobilharzia. The species composition of Schistosomatidae is most diverse in birds from the lower reaches of the Amu Darya, where a high rate of infection with larvae of some of these trematodes was also recorded in aquatic molluscs. 11 species of molluscs were registered in the studied regions: Galba truncatula (Muller, 1774), Stagnicola corvus (Gmelin, 1791), Radix auricularia (Linnaeus, 1758), Lymnaea stagnalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Physa fontinalis (Linnaeus, 1758), Physella acuta (Draparnaud, 1805), Planorbis planorbis (Linnaeus, 1758), P. tangitarensis Germain, 1918, Anisus spirorbis (Linnaeus, 1758), Gyraulus albus (Muller, 1774), Melanoides kainarensis Starobogatov et Izzatullaev, 1980, from the families Lymnaeidae (4 species), Planorbidae (4 species), Physidae (2 species) and Thiaridae (1 species). They are identified as intermediate hosts of Schistosomatidae and were infected with 7 species of flukes. The total rate of infection with larval stages of Schistosomatidae in molluscs was about 2.0%. The highest infection rate was observed in Melanoides kainarensis – 5.3%. Morpho-biological indicators for mature forms of B. polonica from different bird species (Anas platyrhynchos and Oxyura leucocephala) were confirmed by molecular genetic studies. The study identified foci of birds’ infection with Schistosomatidae and the occurrence of human cercarial dermatitis.

A conserved karyotype? Chromosomal rearrangements in Charadrius collaris detected by BAC-FISH.

Charadriidae comprise 142 valid species and the most recent checklist for the occurrence of this family in Brazil describes 11 species. There are few chromosomal studies in Charadriidae, most of them using a conventional approach. In Charadrius, only five species had their karyotypes described by classical cytogenetics, of which four have 2n = 76 (C. hiaticula, C. dubius, C. vociferou and C. collaris) and one 2n = 78 (C. alexandrinus alexandrinus). Among these species, only Charadrius collaris had the karyotype studied by chromosome painting, which allowed the identification of chromosomal homeologies with the karyotypes of Gallus gallus (GGA) and Burhinus oedicnemus (BOE). According to the literature, studies performed with BAC-FISH using probes from Gallus gallus and Taeniopygia guttata (TGU) libraries have shown interactions between macro and microchromosomes and micro inversions in chromosomes previously considered conserved. Other studies have shown the fusion of several microchromosomes, forming new macrochromosomes, leading to a decrease in the 2n of some species. The present study aims to deepen the chromosomal information in Charadrius collaris through the application of BAC-FISH with probes from the GGA and TGU libraries, in order to investigate possible rearrangements within the apparently conserved karyotype of this species, and thus better clarify the evolutionary history of the species. Charadrius collaris presented 2n = 76 and fundamental number (FN) equal to 94. Comparative mapping of BAC probes from GGA and TGU in Charadrius collaris revealed hybridization signals from 26 macrochromosome probes. Probes from microchromosomes 9 to 28 of GGA were also used and revealed 31 hybridization signals. The karyotype is well conserved, but it contains a paracentric and a pericentric inversion on the CCO1 chromosome, a paracentric and a pericentric inversion on the CCO4 and the separation of GGA4 into CCO4 and CCO8, demonstrating that the BAC-FISH approach allows for greater data resolution. More studies are needed to improve the understanding of chromosomal evolution within the order Charadriiformes and thus clarify whether these characteristics demonstrated here are specific traits for Charadrius collaris or if other species share these characteristics.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of coronaviruses, astroviruses and paramyxoviruses in wild birds in southeastern Kazakhstan

Wild birds are natural reservoirs of many emerging viruses, including some zoonoses. Considering that the territory of Kazakhstan is crossed by several bird migration routes, it is important to know pathogenic viruses circulating in migratory birds in this region. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify the host range, diversity and spatial distribution of avian paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, and astroviruses in free-ranging wild birds in the southeastern region of Kazakhstan. For this purpose, we collected tracheal and cloacal swabs from 242 wild birds belonging to 51 species and screened them using conventional PCR assays. Overall, 4.1% (10/242) and 2.9% (7/242) of all examined birds tested positive for coronaviruses and astroviruses, respectively. Coronaviruses were found in the orders Pelecaniformes (30%; 3/10), Charadriiformes (30%; 3/10), Columbiformes (20%; 2/10), Anseriformes (10%; 1/10), and Passeriformes (10%; 1/10). All detected strains belonged to the genus Gammacoronavirus. Astroviruses were detected in birds representing the orders Passeriformes (57%; 4/7), Coraciiformes (14%; 1/7), Charadriiformes (14%; 1/7), and Columbiformes (14%; 1/7). Paramyxoviruses were observed in only two birds (0.8%; 2/242). Both strains were closely related to the species APMV-22, which had not been previously detected in Kazakhstan. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial RdRp gene sequences of the virus strains revealed three different clades of astroviruses, two clades of coronaviruses, and one clade of paramyxoviruses. The results of this study provide valuable information on the diversity and spatial distribution of paramyxoviruses, coronaviruses, and astroviruses in wild birds in southeastern Kazakhstan and highlight the importance of further thorough monitoring of wild birds in this region.