Pavo Muticus Research Articles

Living with human encroachment: Status and distribution of Green Peafowl in northern stronghold of Thailand

Green Peafowl have declined significantly across much of their historical range mostly due to habitat loss and degradation following intensive agricultural expansion, logging and infrastructure development. In Thailand, two strongholds remain, in the west and the north. While the western stronghold has been extensively investigated and is well protected, the status of the species in the northern stronghold remain unknown. This stronghold is distributed over at least four contiguous protected areas surrounded by agricultural landscapes, where conflict with farmers has recently been reported. The aims of this work are to 1) investigate the species’ status in this northern stronghold, 2) define the species’ habitat use within and outside protected areas, and 3) to provide management suggestions for the species’ long-term survival. Our results showed a high probability of species occurrence (>0.5) in the stronghold within the four protected areas. Using Distance sampling over 54 transects, 2 km long, located in the interior, edge and agriculture landscape, we estimated a density of 15.82 calling males/km2 over the whole stronghold with densities ranging from 13.55 to 19.89 calling males/km2 in the four protected areas separately. A general linear models showed that species distribution was affected positively by dry dipterocarp forest, the main species’ habitat over its range, and negatively by human settlements. A higher number of the species was predicted within the protected areas than outside, highlighting the significance of the protected contiguous forest patches in the stronghold for the long-term conservation of the species combined with the supporting agro-ecotourism through the species existence in the surrounding agricultural landscapes. Beside protected areas management, cooperation by local communities has to be included in any conservation program to avert human-wildlife conflict.

Conservation planning on China's borders with Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam.

Transboundary conservation is playing an increasingly important role in maintaining ecosystem integrity and halting biodiversity loss caused by anthropogenic activities. However, lack of information on species distributions in transboundary regions and understanding of the threats in these areas impairs conservation. We developed a spatial conservation plan for the transboundary areas between Yunnan province, southwestern China, and neighboring Myanmar, Laos, and Vietnam in the Indo‐Burma biodiversity hotspot. To identify priority areas for conservation and restoration, we determined species distribution patterns and recent land‐use changes and examined the spatiotemporal dynamics of the connected natural forest, which supports most species. We assessed connectivity with equivalent connected area (ECA), which is the amount of reachable habitat for a species. An ECA incorporates the presence of habitat in a patch and the amount of habitat in other patches within dispersal distance. We analyzed 197,845 locality records from specimen collections and monographs for 21,004 plant and vertebrate species. The region of Yunnan immediately adjacent to the international borders had the highest species richness, with 61% of recorded species and 56% of threatened vertebrates, which suggests high conservation value. Satellite imagery showed the area of natural forest in the border zone declined by 5.2% (13,255 km2) from 1995 to 2018 and monoculture plantations increased 92.4%, shrubland 10.1%, and other cropland 6.2%. The resulting decline in connected natural forest reduced the amount of habitat, especially for forest specialists with limited dispersal abilities. The most severe decline in connectivity was along the Sino‐Vietnamese border. Many priority areas straddle international boundaries, indicating demand and potential for establishing transboundary protected areas. Our results illustrate the importance of bi‐ and multilateral cooperation to protect biodiversity in this region and provide guidance for future conservation planning and practice.

Population genomic, climatic and anthropogenic evidence suggest the role of human forces in endangerment of green peafowl (Pavo muticus).

Both anthropogenic impacts and historical climate change could contribute to population decline and species extinction, but their relative importance is still unclear. Emerging approaches based on genomic, climatic and anthropogenic data provide a promising analytical framework to address this question. This study applied such an integrative approach to examine potential drivers for the endangerment of the green peafowl (Pavo muticus). Several demographic reconstructions based on population genomes congruently retrieved a drastic population declination since the mid-Holocene. Furthermore, a comparison between historical and modern genomes suggested genetic diversity decrease during the last 50 years. However, climate-based ecological niche models predicted stationary general range during these periods and imply the little impact of climate change. Further analyses suggested that human disturbance intensities were negatively correlated with the green peafowl's effective population sizes and significantly associated with its survival status (extirpation or persistence). Archaeological and historical records corroborate the critical role of humans, leaving the footprint of low genomic diversity and high inbreeding in the survival populations. This study sheds light on the potential deep-time effects of human disturbance on species endangerment and offers a multi-evidential approach in examining underlying forces for population declines.

A review on the ecology and conservation biology of green peafowl (<i>Pavo muticus</i>)

A review on the ecology and conservation biology of green peafowl (<i>Pavo muticus</i>)

Molecular characterization, receptor binding property and replication in chickens and mice of H9N2 avian influenza viruses isolated from chickens, peafowls and wild birds in eastern China

H9N2 avian influenza viruses are widely prevalent in birds and pose an increasing threat to humans because of their enhanced virulence and transmissibility in mammals. Active surveillance on the prevalence and evolution of H9N2 viruses in different avian hosts will help develop eradication measures. We isolated 16 H9N2 viruses from chickens, green peafowls, and wild birds in eastern China from 2017 to 2019 and characterized their comparative genetic evolution, receptor-binding specificity, antigenic diversity, replication, and transmission in chickens and mice. The phylogenetic analysis indicated that the green peafowl viruses and swan reassortant shared the same ancestor with the poultry H9N2 viruses prevalent in eastern China, while the seven wild bird viruses belonged to wild bird lineage. The chicken, peafowl, and swan H9N2 viruses that belonged to the poultry lineage preferentially recognized α-2, 6-linked sialic acids (human-like receptor), but the wild bird lineage viruses can bind both α-2, 3 (avian-like receptor) and human-like receptor similarly. Interestingly, the H9N2 viruses of poultry lineage replicated well and transmitted efficiently, but the viruses of wild bird lineage replicated and transmitted with low efficiency. Importantly, the H9N2 viruses of poultry lineage replicated in higher titer in mammal cells and mice than the viruses of wild birds lineage. Altogether, our study indicates that co-circulation of the H9N2 viruses in poultry, wild birds, and ornamental birds increased their cross-transmission risk in different birds because of their widespread dissemination.

Identification of hybrid green peafowl using mitochondrial and nuclear markers

Green peafowl (Pavo muticus), a representative of the Southeast Asia Phasianidae, is assessed as globally endangered with populations that are declining. It is highly sensitive to human disturbance and habitat change, two threats that are unlikely to be removed soon in present range countries, and that increase the need for long-term continuous effort for in situ conservation. Captive breeding for reintroduction is potentially an important measure for localized population restoration. But green peafowl can hybridize with blue peafowl (P. cristatus) and produce fertile offspring that can backcross with ancestral species. Hybrids backcrossed to green peafowl for a few generations are indistinguishable from pure green peafowl in appearance. Such hybrids must be excluded from captive breeding programs to avoid anthropogenic genetic contamination. In this study, we developed technology to identify hybrids using mitochondrial Cyt b and COI gene sequences, and 16 microsatellites. We studied maternal species assignment for excluding individuals of the blue peafowl maternal line and genetic clustering analysis to exclude individuals containing blue peafowl nuclear genes. Maternal species assignment was accomplished using K2P pairwise genetic distance computed using transition nucleotide substitution. Nuclear genetic clustering analysis was performed using STRUCTURE (assuming K = 2) and NewHybrids. The method was validated using reference pure green (n = 18) and blue (n = 21) peafowl and known hybrids (n = 12). Two criteria were set up to discriminate hybrids based on the probability that an individual is either pure green or pure blue peafowl at 95% confidence. This method was applied to identification of 59 peafowl of ambiguous genetic composition. Our study provides an example for establishing a purity test workflow for other species that can hybridize and has potential for use in reintroduction of genetically pure green peafowl.

Peafowl Production

Peafowl is a common name of three species of the Phasianidae family. It is known as a sacred bird in many Asian countries and India that is the homeland of the peafowl. They live in groups and prefer cultivated areas and forests where they can find more food in nature. They feed on cereal grains, insects, fruits, leaves, seeds. It has a strong structure and adapts very well to different climates. Because of this feature can be produced anywhere in the world. There are commonly known three different types of peafowl. Blue (Indian) Peafowl (Pavo cristatus), Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus) and Congo Peafowl (Afropavo congoensis). The most recognizable species of them is the Indian Peafowl. Peafowl has always been the center of attention with its striking, bright and eye-catching colors on its body and long tail, and it is natural wonders. Therefore, they are especially indispensable members of zoos and ornamental gardens. Although peafowl are usually produced for their beautiful appearance, their meat is also very tasty and beneficial. This article is prepared to give brief information about peafowl.

Importance of isolated forest fragments and low intensity agriculture for the long-term conservation of the green peafowl Pavo muticus

AbstractLow intensity subsistence agriculture is generally believed to be less damaging to wildlife than intensive farming. As Myanmar is undergoing rapid modernization, subsistence farming may shift to intensive agriculture, resulting in increased threats to species of conservation concern such as the green peafowl Pavo muticus. Here we investigate habitat use of the green peafowl in a low intensity agricultural landscape surrounding a small forest fragment in southern Shan State, Myanmar. The forest belongs to Nan Kone Buddha Monastery and the green peafowl is protected from hunting in the area on the basis of religious beliefs. We established three survey transects with a total length of 3,414 m. During February 2016–January 2017 we conducted surveys twice daily for 4 consecutive days every month, walking all transects in both directions in the mornings and afternoons and recording visual and auditory peafowl encounters. We estimated peafowl density to be 2.63 animals/km2 in the less disturbed western part of the study area and 1.13 animals/km2 in the eastern part, which had higher levels of human disturbance. The peafowl's habitat use was significantly non-random, with forest patches being the most utilized habitat, followed by croplands. Within a 300 m buffer zone around the forest patch, the order of habitat preference was crop > scrub > fallow, with crop significantly preferred over the other two habitats. We conclude that preserved isolated forest blocks adjacent to community-managed agricultural areas are important for green peafowl conservation, and discuss the implications for long-term conservation management of the species.

Understanding the Characteristic of Roosting Sites of Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus Linnaeus, 1766) in Baluran National Park

National park is a means of establishing natural resource conservation efforts, as well as the protection of ecological elements and the buffer system of life developed as a research activity and nature tourism.Characterized with the savanna, Baluran National Park hold the suitable habitat for many species including green peafowl whose global population is decreasing. This research aims to characterize the types and map the distribution of trees that become the roosting sites of green peafowl and initiated by a habitat survey which is continued by mapping the trees with the signs of green peafowl occupation such as droppings or molted feathers and characterizing the roosting sites by measuring as well as identifying the trees. The results showed that the green peafowls form association with Cervus timorensis Blainville according to the traces found on the indicated roosting sites and that there are as many as 33 trees of different species namely Acacia leucophloea Willd, Azadirachta indica A Juss, Tamarindus indica L, and Ziziphus mauritiana Lam that are preferred by green peafowl to be their roosting sites. The diameter of the trees is in average is 2 m, with the height of 14 m, the average number of strata 4, as well as the canopy area of 221, 81 m2.

Lower levels of human disturbance correspond with longer-term persistence of Endangered Green Peafowl Pavo muticus populations

SummaryGalliformes are one of the most threatened groups of birds in South-East Asia, with 27% of the species threatened with extinction. Long term population viability and extinction probability studies, at different levels of threat and management, are lacking due to weak life history data. This study aimed to define the long-term viability and extinction risk of two populations of the endangered Green Peafowl Pavo muticus, facing different threat and protection levels, using Bayesian Population Viability Analysis (BPVA), which requires less data than traditional methods. The results showed an increasing trend in the Green Peafowl population in HuaiKhaKhaeng Wildlife Sanctuary (western Thailand), with a high protection level and low disturbance and high probability of assuring persistence for the next 100 years. By contrast, the population in YokDon National Park (south-central Vietnam), with a high habitat disturbance level and significant hunting pressure, is predicted to decline and has a high probability (99%) of extinction by 2097. Also, the BPVA showed minimum viable population (MVP) estimates of 250 and 450 calling males for the HuaiKhaKhaeng and YokDon populations respectively, assuring high probabilities of long-term persistence if the minimum numbers of males are available. The population size of 219 calling males at YokDon during the 2013 survey is lower than the MVP threshold of 450 calling males, which suggests the species has a low probability of long-term persistence in the area. Despite limited life history and population data, BPVA predicted the future of this population under site-specific conditions, and the results could be used to promote better management and population restoration.

Modelling occurrence probability of the Endangered green peafowl Pavo muticus in mainland South-east Asia: applications for landscape conservation and management

AbstractThe green peafowl Pavo muticus is a highly threatened galliform species that was historically distributed widely across South-east Asia. Evidence shows a recent population decline and range contraction for this species, linked with habitat degradation and over-exploitation. This study aimed to determine the current known distribution across mainland South-east Asia and investigate potential habitat that could host remaining viable populations and contribute to the long-term survival of the species. We used locations from historical and recent records and habitat variables from a geographical information system database to model the probability of occurrence and classify key localities according to their relative importance for the species. Our results showed that the green peafowl probably occurs in less than 16% of its historical range across mainland South-east Asia and that remaining locations are fragmented. Four confirmed and two potential stronghold populations were identified for the species, based on the localities with high capacity to contribute to its long-term survival in large contiguous patches. These were in central Myanmar, western and northern Thailand, eastern Cambodia/south-central Viet Nam and northern Cambodia/southern Lao. Threats vary amongst countries, with continued habitat loss and degradation in many areas and hunting particularly acute in Viet Nam, Cambodia and Lao. Most of the remaining populations are in protected areas but the protection level varies widely. We propose conservation actions for each stronghold population, in accordance with the nature of the threats and protection level in each area, to prevent the local extinction of this species.

First report of Blastocystis in giant pandas, red pandas, and various bird species in Sichuan province, southwestern China.

Blastocystis is a common enteric protist that colonizes humans and a wide range of animals. Although some studies have reported incidences of Blastocystis in humans and animals in China, there is no information available on the prevalence of Blastocystis in giant pandas, red pandas, or bird species. The aims of the present study were to determine the prevalence, subtype distribution, and genetic characterizations of Blastocystis in these animals in a captive situation in southwestern China, as well as assess the zoonotic potential of Blastocystis isolates. A total of 168 fecal specimens, including 81 from giant pandas, 23 from red pandas, 38 from black swans, 11 from ruddy shelducks, and 15 from green peafowl were collected at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in Sichuan province. The overall minimum prevalence of Blastocystis was 11.3% (19/168) based on PCR amplification of the barcode region of the SSU rRNA gene. The highest prevalence of Blastocystis was observed in ruddy shelduck (18.2%) and the lowest was found in green peafowl (6.7%). The prevalence of Blastocystis in giant pandas >5.5 years of age was higher than that in younger giant pandas. Two potentially zoonotic subtypes (ST1 and ST8) were identified, and ST1 (n = 12) was found to be more prevalent than ST8 (n = 7). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of the prevalence and subtypes of Blastocystis in giant pandas, red pandas, and bird species in China. The findings of this study will improve our understanding of the genetic diversity and public health potential of Blastocystis.

Perceived entertainment and recreational value motivate illegal hunting in Southwest China

Globally, the overexploitation of wildlife presents one of the greatest challenges for biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural livelihoods. Research on the human dimensions of hunting is critical for identifying potential levers for behavioral change interventions. This is especially true in China where hunting threatens to extirpate avian species such as the green peafowl (Pavo muticus) and great hornbill (Buceros bicornis). Nevertheless, regulations restricting gun ownership and hunting have made interviews on this topic highly sensitive. Direct questions about conservation non-compliance are often affected by response bias such as refusals to answer or self-protective denials.We used the randomized response technique (RRT) to estimate the prevalence and drivers of illegal hunting targeting four focal bird taxa (barbets, bulbuls, partridges, and pheasants). Furthermore, we used statistical models that have recently been introduced to the conservation science literature to perform multivariate analyses for RRT data. We measured economic, demographic, and attitudinal covariates that could be associated with hunting. We found high awareness of laws banning hunting in Southwest China, but we also observed that 29.2% of the adult male population may have hunted birds in the past year.Contrary to previous findings highlighting subsistence and finance as major factors driving hunting, the most important predictors of hunting activity in this landscape were related to attitudes regarding the enjoyment of hunting. Extra-economic motivations, such as the entertainment value of hunting, may be underappreciated drivers of hunting behavior. Behavioral change interventions such as pride campaigns may be a promising approach to regulate bird hunting in Xishuangbanna in collaboration with local communities.

Ex-Situ Wildlife Conservation in Taman Satwa Lembah Hijau Bandar Lampung

Ex-situ conservation carried out by Taman Satwa Lembah Hijau Bandar Lampung (TSLHBL) is an effort made to protect species of plants and animals outside the original habitat. This study aims to determine the suitability of ex-situ wildlife conservation efforts in TSLHBL using observation and interview methods. Data was processed by evaluative comparison methods with conformity indicators for wildlife welfare of the Indonesian Zoo Association (PKBSI) and the Indonesian Society for Animal Welfare (ISAW). The results of the study of the suitability of cages and animal playgrounds from twenty-five cages found 44% of cages that were not according to PKBSI and ISAW namely: Owa Jawa (Hylobates moloch), Owa Sumatera (Hylobates agilis), Merak Hijau (Pavo muticus), Rusa Timor (Cervus timorensis), Elang Hitam (Ictinaetus malayensis), Elang Brontok (Nisaetus cirrhatus), Elang Bondol (Haliastur indus), Beo (Gracula religiosa), Bangau Tong-tong (Leptoptilos javanicus), Binturung (Arctictis binturong), Buaya Muara (Crocodylus porosus), and Buaya Irian (Crocodylus novaeguineae). Of the twenty-six species of animals, only species of Merak Hijau (Pavo muticus) whose amount of feed does not match the amount of feed that should be given. Animals that produce offspring are only one deer in 2016, while other animals have no offspring. The utilization of wildlife in TSLHBL is for research, photo taking, visuals and animal attractions. Keywords: ex-situ conservation, wildlife conservation, wildlife parks lembah hijau

Giardia spp., ten years of parasitological data in the biggest zoo of Latin America

Giardia spp. (Diplomonadida: Hexamitidae) is an important and widely studied protozoan parasite with worldwide distribution. Nowadays have six described species, and the most important probably is Giardia duodenalis due to the zoonotical potential that some assemblages have. Many studies analysing samples from wild animals have detected Giardia in captive environment, including the zoonotic type. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of Giardia sp. in wild captive animals at São Paulo Zoo, using conventional parasitological techniques (direct smear, passive flotation with saturated sodium chloride solution and simple gravity sedimentation), from 2006 to 2016. In total, 7066 coprological exams were performed during this period with samples from mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians. The prevalence of Giardia infections was of 1.5% (103/7066). Mammals had the higher prevalence of infections with 2% (77/3872), followed by birds with 1.1% (25/2186) and reptiles with only one positive sample (1/894). All samples from amphibians were negative. Representatives of thirteen families presented positive results for this parasite: Dromaidae, Phasianidae, Ramphastidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae, Canidae, Felidae, Herpestidae, Myrmecophagidae, Callithrichidae, Cebidae, Hylobatidae and Dipsadidae. This study presents the first report of Giardia sp. in Pavo muticus and Brachyteles arachnoides. Infections were prevalent in Cebidae and Ramphastidae species. The findings of this study highlight the importance of identifying which Giardia assemblage are involved in the infections and if they may have a zoonotic potential.

Utilization of waterholes by globally threatened species in deciduous dipterocarp forest of the Eastern Plains Landscape of Cambodia

AbstractDeciduous dipterocarp forests throughout Asia provide crucial habitat for several globally threatened species. During the dry season water availability in these forests is primarily limited to perennial rivers and waterholes. Such water sources form an essential part of these dry forests and are used by multiple species, including large mammals and birds, but little is known regarding how waterhole characteristics affect wildlife use. We investigated waterhole utilization by six globally threatened dry forest specialists: banteng Bos javanicus, Eld's deer Rucervus eldii, giant ibis Thaumatibis gigantea, green peafowl Pavo muticus, lesser adjutant Leptoptilos javanicus and Asian woolly-necked stork Ciconia episcopus. We camera-trapped 54 waterholes in Srepok Wildlife Sanctuary, eastern Cambodia, during the dry season of December 2015–June 2016. We measured nine waterhole and landscape characteristics, including indicators of human disturbance. Waterhole depth (measured every 2 weeks) and the area of water at the start of the dry season were the main environmental factors influencing waterhole use. Additionally, waterholes further from villages were more frequently used than those nearer. Our study reaffirmed the importance of waterholes in supporting globally threatened species, especially large grazers, which are critical for maintaining these dry forest ecosystems. The results also suggested that artificially enlarging and deepening selected waterholes, particularly those further from human disturbance, could enhance available habitat for a range of species, including grazers. However, this would need to be conducted in coordination with patrolling activities to ensure waterholes are not targets for illegal hunting, which is a problem throughout South-east Asian protected areas.

Breeding performance and disease profile of six peafowl species in captivity at Jallo breeding center, Lahore

Abstract Captive breeding is a process of raring the endangered species in man controlled environment like wild life parks, breeding centers and zoos. The present study was carried out to determine the reproductive and breeding performance of peafowls in captivity at Jallo Breeding Center, Lahore. Moreover, the study will also include the mortality causes of these birds. The data was collected from record registers and staff of captive breeding center of Jallo Park Lahore from (2009-2012) of 6 species of peafowls. Our findings revealed that average hatchability in six species was 33.5% in 2009, 61.5% in 2010, 54%in 2011 and 47.8% in 2012. The survival percentage in peafowls was 37.1% in 2009, 94.3% in 2010, 89.1% in 2011 and 81.6% in 2012. Our findings indicated that most of the deaths in Peafowls were not investigated either due to putrefied bodies or missing reports (In Pavo cristatus 47%, in Pavo cristatus mut.nigripennis 75%, in Pavo cristus mut.alba 74%, in Pavo muticus muticus 48% , in Pavo muticus 63% and in Pavo cristatus mut.pied, 79% deaths were not documented). The average deaths recorded by the breeding center (32.67%) were mainly caused by new castle disease virus (NDV), Enteritis, Hemorrhagic Enteritis, Hepatitis + NDV, Traumatic Gizzard, respiratory and heart failure. Taken together, the unhatchability of peafowl eggs and survival of chicks were quite low in captivity. Most of the deaths were not reported either due to putrefied bodies or missing reports. Keywords: Captive breeding; Jallo breeding center; Peafowls; Reproductive performance; Mortality http://dx.doi.org/10.19045/bspab.2018.700190

Analysis of The Javan Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus muticus Linnaeus 1758) Habitat in Baluran and Alas Purwo National Park, East Java

Information of javan green peafowl habitat is commontly informate as general and only discribing typical habitat used. Details information and data of the componen habitat, availability and function such as (food resources, shelter, cover, drinking site, nesting site, etc), and characteristic function of habitat componen at every habitat type are very important to be known how habitat component support to the javan green peafowl live Baluran and Alas Purwo national park is one of distribution javan green peafowl and it was choosen to study on the habitat analysis. The research was aimed to is to analysis and synthesis of availability, fucntion and characteristic habitat of javan green peafowl and to descripbe of ideal habitat for javan green peafowl. Vegetation analysis was used as method approach to obtain composition, structure of vegetation and potential food, shelter, cover and nesting site. Base on activities of the bird and combaining with use of habitat component, analysis of habitat used was done. The result showed that javan green peafowl get food at open area and feed much on grasses and shrubs.Drinking site is areal where water available contiously. The characteristic of feeding site is open area which is growth by grasses and shrubs. The shelter sites were used by the birds such as trees or ground bellow trees where are closed to feeding site. Characteristic roosting site is tall trees (emergent trees), the leaves are not dense, rather open, the branches of the trees form a relatively upright angle to the stem, and not far from the trees present the open area. The green peafowl select nest places at open area which is grow by shrubs and put the eggs at the ground. The ideally habitat of the javan green peafowl composed by open area which is growing by grasses and shrubs as feeding site, places where water resources available as drinking site, tree or shaded places as sheltering and resting site, tree, forest or dense shrubs for covering/refuge site, dust places for dusting activities, open area for dancing and open area which is growing by shrubs for nested places were compound closed each other.

The grouping system and local distribution pattern analysis of Javan green peafowl (Pavo muticus muticus, Linnaeus 1758) population in Baluran and Alas Purwo National Parks, East Java, Indonesia

Hernowo JB, Alikodra HS. 2018. The grouping system and local distribution pattern analysis of Javan green peafowl (Pavo muticus muticus, Linnaeus 1758) population in Baluran and Alas Purwo National Parks, East Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 19: 1690-1695. The Javan green peafowl population lives in a group system. The population applies a small size group system. The distribution of the birds in Java Island is randomly fragmented and isolated in several types of habitat and each has a small number of individuals in every group. Baluran and Alas Purwo National Parks, East Java, Indonesia as part of Javan green peafowl (Pavo muticus muticus, Linnaeus 1758) distributions have been selected for the study on the grouping system and the analysis of local distribution. The research was aimed at obtaining data and information on the grouping system and local distribution of Javan green peafowl population in Baluran and Alas Purwo National Park. The number of individuals and groups was counted by applying a transect method and a concentration method on every type of habitat where peafowls are present. The distribution pattern data were analyzed by using a formula (Ludwig and Reynolds 1988). The results indicate that Javan green peafowl population is living in small groups (2-4 birds). There are 5 types of Javan green peafowl groups in Baluran National Park (BNP) and Alas Purwo National Park (APNP). The dominant group is adult female group consisting 3 individual members. The leader of the group is a female bird. Adult males live in solitary. The group system among Javan green peafowl populations is a strategy of the birds. Local distribution of Javan green peafowl populations in Baluran and Alas Purwo National Parks is mostly in the form of clumped dispersion.

"Marekʼs Disease in A Peafowl (PavoMuticus); Pathological, Immunohistochemical and Molecular Studies"

Marekʼs disease, a Herpesvirus-induced lymphoproliferative disease, is known to affect chickens and other domesticated and wild birds.One of the five green peafowls (Pavomuticus) in the owner’s collection had already died. The affected bird showed non-specific clinical signs such as depression, weight loss and anorexia. At necropsy, the liver and spleen were observed diffuse enlargement accompanied by several times the normal size with white to gray in color and firm, and the cut surface was smooth. Grossly, the other visceral organs were normal. Histopathological and immunohistochemical examination were done for the affected tissues. Diffuse infiltration of the liver and spleen caused loss of normal architecture.