Scarlet Ibis Research Articles

The Effects of Enrichment on Zoo-Housed Scarlet Ibis Behavior.

Good zoo animal welfare is commonly promoted with environmental enrichment; however, some species are less likely to be offered enrichment than others. This study tested the effect of enrichment on a group of scarlet ibises from Zoomarine Algarve, Portugal. The study consisted of a first baseline condition, followed by four types of enrichment displays with individual presentations, a post-enrichment condition, and a post-enrichment with all enrichment types presented simultaneously. The enrichment types chosen were physical, with a tidal simulation in the lakes of the enclosure; nutritional, presenting mussels in a plastic mesh tube; sensory, by playing scarlet ibises calls; and tactile, with brushes through the habitat. The data collection was performed for 21 days between January and March 2021, 3 times a day, using scan sampling and instantaneous time sampling every 2 min. The comparison between conditions revealed that most behaviors showed similarity between the baseline and post-enrichment conditions, suggesting that after removing the enrichment, the behaviors returned to their initial baseline. It was also found that each enrichment influenced different types of behaviors and these behaviors also changed depending on the time of day. Exploratory behavior was only associated with the presence of enrichment, and vocalizations were only heard after the sensory enrichment was performed. This study demonstrates that the use of physical and tactile enrichments increased activity and decreased stationary behaviors in this group of ibises and may be used to improve their lives in zoological contexts if included in the housing and husbandry protocols.

Comparative chromosome painting in three Pelecaniformes species (Aves): Exploring the role of macro and microchromosome fusions in karyotypic evolution.

Pelecaniformes is an order of waterbirds that exhibit diverse and distinct morphologies. Ibis, heron, pelican, hammerkop, and shoebill are included within the order. Despite their fascinating features, the phylogenetic relationships among the families within Pelecaniformes remain uncertain and pose challenges due to their complex evolutionary history. Their karyotypic evolution is another little-known aspect. Therefore, to shed light on the chromosomal rearrangements that have occurred during the evolution of Pelecaniformes, we have used whole macrochromosome probes from Gallus gallus (GGA) to show homologies on three species with different diploid numbers, namely Cochlearius cochlearius (2n = 74), Eudocimus ruber (2n = 66), and Syrigma sibilatrix (2n = 62). A fusion between GGA6 and GGA7 was found in C. cochlearius and S. sibilatrix. In S. sibilatrix the GGA8, GGA9 and GGA10 hybridized to the long arms of biarmed macrochromosomes, indicating fusions with microchromosomes. In E. ruber the GGA7 and GGA8 hybridized to the same chromosome pair. After comparing our painting results with previously published data, we show that distinct chromosomal rearrangements have occurred in different Pelecaniformes lineages. Our study provides new insight into the evolutionary history of Pelecaniformes and the chromosomal changes involving their macrochromosomes and microchromosomes that have taken place in different species within this order.

A single Haemoproteus plataleae haplotype is widespread in white ibis (Eudocimus albus) from urban and rural sites in southern Florida.

The American white ibis (Eudocimus albus), a common bird species in Florida, has become increasingly urban, with many populations relying heavily on urban and suburban habitats, which may alter parasite transmission. Parasites of ibis, especially haemosporidians, are understudied. Avian haemosporidia can have a wide range of impacts on birds, including decreased reproductive success or increased mortality. Because southern Florida is subtropical and has a high diversity of potential vectors for haemosporidia, we hypothesized that there will be a high prevalence and genetic diversity of haemosporidia in white ibis. A total of 636 ibis from South Florida were sampled from 2010 to 2022, and blood samples were tested for haemosporidia by examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears and/or nested PCRs targeting the cytochrome b gene. A total of 400 (62.9%, 95% CI 59-66.7%) ibis were positive for parasites that were morphologically identified as Haemoproteus plataleae. Sequences of 302 positives revealed a single haplotype of Haemoproteus (EUDRUB01), which was previously reported from white ibis in South Florida and captive scarlet ibis (E. ruber) in Brazil. No Plasmodium or Leucocytozoon infections were detected. Parasitemias of the 400 positive birds were very low (average 0.084%, range 0.001%-2.16% [although only 2 birds had parasitemias >1%]). Prevalence and parasitemias were similar for males and females (68% vs. 61.6% and 0.081% vs. 0.071%, respectively). Prevalence in juveniles was lower compared with adults (52% vs. 67.4%) but parasitemias were higher in juveniles (0.117% vs. 0.065%). This data shows that H. plataleae is common in ibis in South Florida. Although parasitemias were generally low, additional research is needed to determine if this parasite has subclinical effects on ibis, if additional haplotypes or parasite species infect ibis in other regions of their range, or if H. plataleae is pathogenic for other sympatric avian species.

A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF THE MORBIDITY AND MORTALITY OF CAPTIVE NORTHERN BALD IBIS (GERONTICUS EREMITA), AFRICAN SACRED IBIS (THRESKIORNIS AETHIOPICUS), AND SCARLET IBIS (EUDOCIMUS RUBER) HOUSED AT THE LONDON ZOO FROM 2000 TO 2020.

Necropsy (n = 144) and medical (n = 121) records of captive northern bald ibis (NBI; Geronticus eremita), African sacred ibis (ASI; Threskiornis aethiopicus), and scarlet ibis (SCI; Eudocimus ruber) housed at the Zoological Society of London's London Zoo (LZ) from 2000 to 2020 were reviewed. Pododermatitis was a common cause of morbidity in all species (79 cases in 247 examinations). Trauma (58 of 144), the majority being caused by suspected collisions with stationary objects in the zoo's habitats, infectious diseases (32 of 144), predominantly valvular endocarditis (10 of 32), and aspergillosis (9 of 32) were major causes of mortality. The odds of a morbidity being related to toxicosis were 4.4 times greater in NBI than for ASI (95% CI, 1.5-13.3; P < 0.05); all cases in the NBI were plumbism. Overall, females of all species had 3.4 times greater odds of undetermined morbidity than males (95% CI, 1.5-7.9; P < 0.05), and the majority (16 of 25) were birds that were thin without an apparent cause. Nestlings had 11.3 times greater odds of nutritional morbidity than adults (95% CI, 1.7-73.0) and 5.5 times greater than juveniles (95% CI, 0.7-41.0; P < 0.05). These data have identified areas that require further study in the population of NBI, ASI, and SCI held at LZ.

Inimitable Rarities?: Feather Costumes, Indigenous Artistic Labour and Early Modern English Theatre History

ABSTRACT In the seventeenth century, English audiences were dazzled by the display of indigenous artwork in London’s theatres. Red and white feather costumes, constructed by indigenous craftsmen out of scarlet ibis feathers, shone on white actors playing ‘Indian’ priests; audiences marvelled at the novel display of an indigenous-made hammock displayed onstage; and actors playing conquistadors lazed in a grotto littered with other ‘Indian rarities’. This essay attends to one subset of these objects: feather costumes directly made by indigenous artisans or inspired by indigenous designs.

Laser ablation treatment of soiled featherworks: The first validation study

• Laser cleaning is effective and controllable to remove soiling from featherworks. • Feathers tested herein showed an unexpected high stability under laser irradiation. • In the optimal fluence range no relevant modifications were detected. • Longer pulses by Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser provide a more gradual action than shorter ones. • With one laser treatment simultaneous cleaning on both sides of a feather is achieved. While laser treatments gradually spread in conservation, there is a growing interest on their application to the removal of soiling from fragile artefacts made of organic fibrous materials since direct and/or long term undesired effects have been observed when using traditional cleaning techniques. In this work, fiber-coupled Q-Switched (QS) and Long-Q-Switched (LQS) Nd:YAG (1064 nm) lasers were comparatively tested in order to define the restoration procedure of a heavily soiled 17th Brazil Tupinambà feathered cloak mostly made of scarlet ibis feathers. As assessed using fluorescence and Vis-NIR micro-spectroscopy, safe single-pulse removal thresholds were about 0.12 J/cm 2 for QS and 0.4 J/cm 2 for LQS, while microstructural damage was observed at 1 J/cm 2 and 5 J/cm 2 , respectively, thus evidencing a significant selectivity potential. Undesired effects were thoroughly investigated also considering the dependence on the pulse repetition frequency and number of pulses, in order to determine the optimum irradiation parameters in view of the extensive laser treatment of the present artefacts. Furthermore, analytical characterizations using SEM and contact-angle measurements allowed demonstrating that no any microstructural change occurred below the alteration fluences measured. According to these results, an overall laser-based dry cleaning methodology including laser ablation, paper sheets to collect removed soiling particles, and continuous particle suction by low pressure table and hoods was defined and successfully carried out. The laser-based restoration and associated systematic analytical characterizations of the present Brazil Tupinambà cloak represents the first validation study on laser ablation treatments in conservation of featherworks, which offered the opportunity to approach related general methodological aspects concerning the characterization of laser-induced effects, threshold definitions, and operative fluences.

Successful Treatment of Acute Craniodorsal Coxofemoral Luxation in a Scarlet Ibis (Eudocimus ruber) Using Closed Reduction and a Modified Ehmer Sling.

Whereas craniodorsal displacement of the coxofemoral joint is the most common luxation reported in small and large mammals, it occurs less often in avian species. Closed reduction and external coaptation with a modified Ehmer sling is the initial treatment, in most cases, for small animals (eg, dogs, cats) that present with a coxofemoral luxation. However, the Ehmer sling is reported to have a low success rate in treating coxofemoral luxations in these animals. Intractable coxofemoral luxations require an open surgical reduction. A few successful closed reductions of coxofemoral luxations have been reported in avian patients, as well as open reduction surgical techniques to repair avian coxofemoral luxations. The successful treatment of an acute craniodorsal coxofemoral luxation in a scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) with a closed reduction and a modified Ehmer sling is described in this clinical report. The specific characteristics of both the patient and the injury are thought to have contributed to the success in this case.

Diet supplementation with fish broth in early life improves bone development and growth of scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber)

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different dietary supplementations (fish or shrimp) on the growth, bone development and beak pigment disappearance in scarlet ibis kept in captivity. One-day-old scarlet ibis ( n = 20) were assigned to one of two diets, where 10 birds were fed a diluted commercial diet supplemented with shrimp broth, and 10 were fed a diluted commercial diet supplemented with fish broth. The feeding trial started at day one until day 35. The diluted commercial diet consisted of a flamingo diet diluted in water (puree). Chicks growth, bone development (radius, tarsus and tibia), and disappearance of beak pigmentation were recorded. No mortality was observed in the groups of the chicks fed supplemented commercial diets. Chicks fed diets supplemented with shrimp or fish broth gained weight from the first to the 35th day of life. However, from day 14 to the end of the trial growth was significantly higher in birds fed fish broth than shrimp broth. Again, the fish broth diet increased ( p &lt; 0.001) the length of radius and tibia in comparison with shrimp one from day 14 and thereafter, while this similar difference in the tarsus was observed starting from day 28. The disappearance of the pigmented portion of the beak was not specifically affected by the diet, and it decreased over time. In conclusion, young scarlet ibis grow better in captivity when fed diets supplemented with fish broth than with shrimp broth.

ECOLOGIA DE Eudocimus ruber (PELECANIFORMES, THRESKIORNITHIDAE) NO LITORAL DO ESTADO DO PARANÁ, BRASIL

The Scarlet Ibis occurred in large numbers at the coast of Paraná until the nineteenth century, but a drastic decrease in its population ended with regional disappearance. The return of the species to São Paulo coast since the 1980s has been projecting its gradual reestablishment towards the southern Brazil. Here we studied the Scarlet Ibis in a mangrove ecosystem in the Paranaguá Estuarine Complex. Eighteen campaigns were conducted from October 2012 to September 2013, in an area between the bays of Laranjeiras and Pinheiros, totaling 1559 counts. Adult specimens accounted for 91.73 %. The largest group was observed in January and comprised 225 individuals, although groups were more consistently large between April and August (which corresponds to the least rainy season). This study suggests that Scarlet Ibis are recolonizing Paraná and that mangrove ecosystem preservation is extremely important to sustain the increase of Scarlet Ibis population.

Breeding Biology and Brood Reduction of Herons and Ibis in a Northern Brazilian Mangrove Swamp: Eggs Do Not Starve

Few studies on pelecaniform breeding have been conducted in tropical regions. Most species in the Order Pelecaniformes (Family Ardeidae and Threskiornithidae) are facultative brood reduction strategists, laying extra-eggs that might not fledge. In obligate brood reduction in birds, extra-eggs are insurance-eggs, but in facultative brood reduction birds, extra-eggs have historically been interpreted as additional offspring in unpredictable environments. However, this study on six species in Brazil suggests that the insurance-value might be a major factor selecting for extra-egg laying, even in facultative strategists. While Egretta thula, E. caerulea, E. tricolor, Nycticorax nycticorax, and Nyctanassa violacea showed facultative brood reduction strategies, Eudocimus ruber showed a brood survival strategy and was used to compare brood reduction parameters between strategies. Mean brood size in different species ranged from 1.94-2.52 eggs, 1.88-2.25 hatchlings, and 1.65-2.05 fledglings. Clutch sizes were between two and three in brood reduction species, and almost always two in E. ruber, which either raised the entire brood or totally failed. Individual mortality events in non-failed nests were lower in E. ruber. This difference occurred only during the egg stage, when starvation does not occur, so differences between strategies resulted from an insurance-value of extra-eggs. Nest failures were higher in E. ruber. Insurance could be the main force driving evolution of extra-egg laying in facultative species, with survival of additional offspring a collateral benefit.

THE ROLE OF CHILDREN LITERATURE TO EXPOSE STUDENTS TOWARDS LEADERSHIP AND BROTHERHOOD VALUE

folktales and short stories will encourage children to love language, grow their interest in culture as well as strengthen their character building. In the other side, teachers often find it difficult to find ways to teach children about all those three matters. This paper will present how children literature play its significant role in exposing children towards character building, especially on leadership and brotherhood value. It will discuss a well known children short story tittled “The Scarlet Ibis” by James Hurst. A story, full packed by the expression of love from an older brother to his younger brother, and his way of leading his younger brother as well. It is proven from the analysis that the story can be designed as teaching material for children so that they are exposed towards leadership and brother value. On the expectation that they will grow to be a wise and thoughtful person with a decent personality and intelegence. Key words : children literature, leadership, brotherhood

INVESTIGATION INTO CARDIOVASCULAR ASSESSMENT OF CAPTIVE ADULT SCARLET IBIS (EUDOCIMUS RUBER).

Cardiovascular lesions are commonly diagnosed postmortem in scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber), but antemortem diagnosis is rare. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cardiovascular health of a zoo population (n = 44) of apparently healthy, adult, scarlet ibis. A cross-sectional study design was employed whereby each animal was manually restrained for physical examination, phlebotomy, and echocardiographic examination performed with a 12-MHz transducer and a ventromedial approach, and observed intervals were calculated for 12 parameters. Seven individuals from the study population had high left-sided mid-ventricular velocities (2.59-5.89 m/sec) compared with values in other species. Follow-up examination suggested that these mid-ventricular obstructive lesions were dynamic and transient in nature rather than caused by fixed lesions within the outflow tract and may therefore be associated with stress. Conscious echocardiography proved to be feasible, although, unsurprisingly, the stress response in nonhabituated birds appeared to increase blood flow velocities. Handling protocols likely have a significant effect on echocardiographic parameters and should be taken into consideration when interpreting findings. Serum cholesterol concentrations were generally high (7.4-13.0 mmol/L), and further work is required to investigate the relationship between circulating cholesterol and the development of atherosclerosis in scarlet ibis. Serum cardiac troponin I concentrations were measured, and four animals were identified with suspected elevated levels, likely indicative of myocardial damage.

History of the Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber in south and south-east Brazil

In Brazil Scarlet Ibis Eudocimus ruber occurs mainly in the north, southeast and south. During the 1900s, there was a significant reduction in the number of records in the latter two regions of the country, but this began to change in the early 1980s, when numbers of Scarlet Ibis gradually started to increase over the years. We contextualise the history of the species in south and south-east Brazil, and discuss the causes for its apparent disappearance and reappearance in these regions. We believe that anthropogenic factors, coupled with the species' ecology, were responsible for the reduction and subsequent resurgence of Scarlet Ibis.

BACTERIA PRESENT IN SCARLET IBIS (Eudocimus ruber) CHICKS, BABITONGA BAY, SANTA CATARINA STATE, BRAZIL

Abstract Wild birds are important for public health because of their potential to transmit pathogenic microorganisms to humans. The waterbird scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) forages and breeds near urban areas and if they settle near polluted waters, the viability of adults and their young can be negatively affected. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cloacal aerobic bacteria profile of nestling scarlet ibis in a mixed colony in Jarivatuba Island, in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Cloacal swab samples were collected from clinically normal scarlet ibis nestlings during the breeding season of 2015/2016 (n=16) and 2016/2017 (n=34), and plated onto blood, MacConkey, and Salmonella-Shigella agar plates. Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus spp., Klebsiella sp., Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were isolated and may be representative of the normal microbiota of E. ruber, although the normal profile is unknown for the species. However, the location of this colony in an area without adequate sewage treatment, which receives domestic effluents, may indicate a modified bacterial profile. Further studies are needed, to better understand the host's natural microbiome, as well as on the bacterial isolates, in order to characterize any association with the contaminated water. These results lay the foundation for successful species conservation projects in the area by providing insights that will help improve the viability of nestlings in each reproductive season.

BACTÉRIAS PRESENTES EM FILHOTES DE GUARÁ (Eudocimus ruber), BAÍA BABITONGA, ESTADO DE SANTA CATARINA, BRASIL

Wild birds are important for public health because of their potential to transmit pathogenic microorganisms to humans. The waterbird scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) forages and breeds near urban areas and if they settle near polluted waters, the viability of adults and their young can be negatively affected. Hence, the aim of this study was to evaluate the cloacal aerobic bacteria profile of nestling scarlet ibis in a mixed colony in Jarivatuba Island, in Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Cloacal swab samples were collected from clinically normal scarlet ibis nestlings during the breeding season of 2015/2016 (n=16) and 2016/2017 (n=34), and plated onto blood, MacConkey, and Salmonella-Shigella agar plates. Escherichia coli, Proteus vulgaris, Proteus spp., Klebsiella sp., Enterococcus spp. and Staphylococcus spp. were isolated and may be representative of the normal microbiota of E. ruber, although the normal profile is unknown for the species. However, the location of this colony in an area without adequate sewage treatment, which receives domestic effluents, may indicate a modified bacterial profile. Further studies are needed, to better understand the host's natural microbiome, as well as on the bacterial isolates, in order to characterize any association with the contaminated water. These results lay the foundation for successful species conservation projects in the area by providing insights that will help improve the viability of nestlings in each reproductive season. Keywords: Pelecaniformes, scarlet ibis, nestlings, bacteria.

Yeasts from Scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber): A focus on monitoring the antifungal susceptibility of Candida famata and closely related species.

This study aimed to identify yeasts from the gastrointestinal tract of scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber) and from plant material collected from the environment where they live. Then, the isolates phenotypically identified as Candida famata were submitted to molecular identification of their closely related species and evaluated for their antifungal susceptibility and possible resistance mechanisms to antifungal drugs. Cloacal swabs from 20 scarlet ibises kept in captivity at Mangal das Garças Park (Brazil), pooled stool samples (n = 20) and samples of trunks and hollow of trees (n = 20) obtained from their enclosures were collected. The samples were seeded on Sabouraud agar supplemented with chloramphenicol. The 48 recovered isolates were phenotypically identified as 15 Candida famata, 13 Candida catenulata, 2 Candida intermedia, 1 Candida lusitaniae, 2 Candida guilliermondii, 1 Candida kefyr, 1 Candida amapae, 1 Candida krusei, 8 Trichosporon spp., and 4 Rhodotorula spp. The C. famata isolates were further identified as 3 C. famata, 8 Debaryomyces nepalensis, and 4 C. palmioleophila. All C. famata and C. palmioleophila were susceptible to caspofungin and itraconazole, while one D. nepalensis was resistant to fluconazole and voriconazole. This same isolate and another D. nepalensis had lower amphotericin B susceptibility. The azole resistant strain had an increased efflux of rhodamine 6G and an alteration in the membrane sterol content, demonstrating multifactorial resistance mechanism. Finally, this research shows that scarlet ibises and their environment harbor C. famata and closely related species, including antifungal resistant isolates, emphasizing the need of monitoring the antifungal susceptibility of these yeast species.

Aeromonas and Plesiomonas species from scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) and their environment: monitoring antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence.

The present study aimed at evaluating the role of captive scarlet ibises (Eudocimus ruber) and their environment as reservoirs of Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas spp., and analyzing the in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility and virulence of the recovered bacterial isolates. Thus, non-lactose and weak-lactose fermenting, oxidase positive Gram-negative bacilli were recovered from cloacal samples (n=30) of scarlet ibises kept in a conservational facility and from water samples (n=30) from their environment. Then, the antimicrobial susceptibility, hemolytic activity and biofilm production of the recovered Aeromonas spp. and Plesiomonas shigelloides strains were assessed. In addition, the virulence-associated genes of Aeromonas spp. were detected. Ten Aeromonas veronii bv. sobria, 2 Aeromonas hydrophila complex and 10 P. shigelloides were recovered. Intermediate susceptibility to piperacillin-tazobactam and cefepime was observed in 2 Aeromonas spp. and 1 P. shigelloides, respectively, and resistance to gentamicin was observed in 4 P. shigelloides. The automated susceptibility analysis revealed resistance to piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem among Aeromonas spp. and intermediate susceptibility to gentamicin among P. shigelloides. All Aeromonas isolates presented hemolytic activity, while 3 P. shigelloides were non-hemolytic. All Aeromonas spp. and 3/10 P. shigelloides were biofilm-producers, at 28°C, while 10 Aeromonas spp. and 6/10 P. shigelloides produced biofilms, at 37°C. The most prevalent virulence genes of Aeromonas spp. were asa1 and ascV. Scarlet ibises and their environment harbour potentially pathogenic bacteria, thus requiring monitoring and measures to prevent contamination of humans and other animals.

The return of the Scarlet Ibis: first breeding event in southern Brazil after local extinction

Here we describe the first breeding event of the Scarlet Ibis ( Eudocimus ruber ) in southern Brazil after a long period of local extinction. The species reproduced in a mixed colony on Jarivatuba Island, a mangrove area in Babitonga Bay, northern Santa Catarina. During the breeding season, between August 2011 and March 2012, regular surveys were carried out in the area with a powerboat to collect basic information on the species breeding. The first adult was recorded in November 2011, along with a group of White-faced ibises ( Plegadis chihi ) that was nesting at the same site. In January 2012, the local Scarlet ibises displayed reproductive behavior, with adults in incubation position in the nests. The first chicks were recorded on January 20, 2012. In March 2012, there were few adults in the colony, and juveniles were recorded in flight groups, including some outside the colony. Although there is no on-site housing, the region is very disturbed, with industries and marinas nearby, and it suffers from the discharge of domestic and industrial effluents. The creation of a local protected area would be an adquate long-term strategy for the conservation of the Scarlet Ibis and this ecosystem.

Thromboelastography in Selected Avian Species.

Currently available assay methods and reagents are not optimized for evaluating avian hemostasis; therefore, assessing avian coagulopathies is challenging. Recently, thromboelastography (TEG), which measures the viscoelastic properties of blood, has been used clinically in mammalian species to diagnose and characterize hemostatic disorders. To evaluate TEG in healthy individuals of 6 avian species, we modified existing mammalian TEG protocols to allow analysis of citrated, avian whole-blood samples collected from scarlet ibis (Eudocimus ruber) (n = 13), American flamingos ( Phoenicopterus ruber ) (n = 13), helmeted Guinea fowl ( Numida meleagris ) (n = 12), Amazon parrots (Amazona species) (n = 9), Humboldt penguins ( Spheniscus humboldti ) (n = 6), and domestic chickens (n = 16). Activated partial thromboplastin time, prothrombin time, and fibrinogen were measured as a means of comparison. Regardless of the mode of activation, clot formation in the species studied was markedly delayed compared with mammals. Because of prolonged reaction time (14.7-52.7 minutes) with kaolin and diluted tissue factor, undiluted human tissue factor was used in all avian samples because it provided the shortest reaction time. Species differed significantly in reaction time (P = .007), clotting rate (P < .001), rate of clot formation (α angle; P < .001), and maximum amplitude (P < .001) values, indicating that species-specific reference intervals are necessary. Based on these results, TEG with specific reference intervals could prove useful in evaluating avian hemostatic disorders.

The complete mitochondrial genome sequence of Eudocimus ruber (Pelecaniformes:Threskiornithidae)

The Eudocimus ruber (Scarlet ibis) belongs to the bird order Pelecaniformes. Here, we sequenced the mitochondrial genome of E. ruber. The complete mitochondrial genome of E. ruber is 16 697 bp in length and contains 22 tRNA genes, 2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes and a non-coding control region. Consistent with other sequenced birds, most genes are encoded on the heavy strand, except for ND6 and 8 tRNA genes. The overall base composition of the E. ruber is 30.8% A, 30.8% C, 13.8%G and 24.6% T. The molecular-based phylogenetic tree suggested that E. ruber has close affinities with birds from family Threskiornithidae as expected.