Species Of Columbidae Research Articles

Predation of two species of Columbidae by the burrowing owl Athene cunicularia (Strigiformes, Strigidae) in urban environment

Predation of two species of Columbidae by the burrowing owl Athene cunicularia (Strigiformes, Strigidae) in urban environment

Occurrence of astrovirus in young racing pigeons and genome characterization of 2 new astrovirus genomes representing 2 new species

Enteropathies are a serious concern in racing pigeons as they significantly impair performance in races and their training, and viruses are suspected to be one of the main factors. Astroviruses are well-known to be responsible for causing enteric disease in humans and various other animals including birds, although their prevalence and pathogenicity in pigeons is poorly understood. In this study, we investigated 2 groups of young racing pigeons (sick-study group and healthy-control group) to assess the correlation between the number of astrovirus genome copies in cloacal swabs and the occurrence of enteropathy. To determine this, we developed a novel TaqMan quantitative PCR (qPCR) and digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) methods for astrovirus detection and absolute quantitative analysis. We also performed high-throughput sequencing to obtain the complete genome sequences and establish the genetic similarity of the obtained strains to known astroviruses of poultry and other avian species. Two new complete genome sequences of pigeon astroviruses in the Avastrovirus genus were identified, representing 2 new species. These were found most closely related to astroviruses identified in Columbidae species and chickens. They share an average of 75.8% genome-wide pairwise identity and 57.6% and 64.6% capsid protein sequence identity with other unclassified columbid avastrovirus sequences in GenBank. Although the difference in prevalence of astrovirus in the study and control group was found statistically insignificant, there was a significant difference between the number of genome copies in positive samples from both groups. These unambiguous results leave the role of astroviruses as enteropathogenic factors in pigeons still undetermined.

New data on the nesting sites selection and breeding success of three bird species in the riparian vegetation of Northwest African rivers

Many avian species partition feeding and breeding resources to avoid competition for nesting and food elements. This competition frequently leads to the segregation of space and time use among cohabiting species. The breeding requirements of coexisting species and drivers of segregation are poorly understood in passerine birds. In this study, we monitored nesting habitats, nest placement, and breeding success among two passerine birds, Hippolais polyglotta and Turdus merula, and the Columbidae species Streptopelia turtur arenicola, in rivers of the upper Moulouya (Morocco) Mountains to examine the levels of habitat partitioning, success rates, and governing factors during the breeding season. We recorded the nests, nesting sites, nest placements, and success rates of the studied species along three rivers during 2017 and 2019. Our results revealed important breeding activity in the studied birds, with 420 nests of H. polyglotta and 88 nests of T. merula, compared to 99 nests of S. t. arenicola. Nest niches were segregated between passerines and Columbidae and within passerines. Nesting sites were segregated along sections of rivers except for nests of H. polyglotta, which were shared between upstream and intermediate zones. Nest substrates were partially segregated among the three species; nests of H. polyglotta and S. t. arenicola were commonly constructed on Crataegus monogyna and Rosa canina substrates, while nests of T. merula were on Salix sp. Similarly, vertical placements of nests were segregated among birds. Breeding success rates differed among birds (94.44% in T. merula, 87.88% in H. polyglotta, and 55.56% in S. t. arenicola) due to human and natural factors. Finally, this study confirmed the first breeding case of H. polyglotta on the southern slope of the Mediterranean and provided new insight into nest niches in cohabiting passerines and Columbidae species cobred in riparian vegetation in Morocco and the entire region of North Africa. However, future investigations are required to understand the main reasons behind the selection of nesting habitats for passerine species, particularly in farmlands.

Macro- and Microstructural Features from the Feathers of Four Columbidae Species

Macro- and Microstructural Features from the Feathers of Four Columbidae Species

Morphometric and Internal Measurement of African Mourning Doves at Elssuki Area, Sinnar State Sudan

The African Mourning Dove (Streptopelia decipiens decipiens) is the most widespread species of Columbidae in Africa. There is little research done on this species in Sudan. This study was conducted in 15/12/2016 to 29/3/2017, at Elssuki area, N 13 19 0 E 33 52 60, Sinnar state, Sudan. The aims of this study are to assess the morphometric (body weight, bill, tarsus, tail, wing, head and culmen length) and physiological variation of African mourning dove (Streptopelia decipiens decipiens). Twenty birds were captured by traditional traps from Alssuki city and around Hamadna allah village 11 km from Elssuki. Morphological measurement like body weight, the tall of the tail, bill, bill with ahead, wings and tarsus were measured using ruler and registered in a sheet. Internal parts were also measures, the tall of intestine and kidneys, the heart, liver and gizzard were weighed using sensitive balance. There is significant variation between the bird in body weight, the tall of morphological feature and external one. The sample from Hamadna allah reflect higher weigh and of tall of both internal or external parts. It was agreed with some studies in other parts of the world of morphometric variation but on other hands showed that there is a relationship between body weight and some internal parts like gizzard weight. The difference may be attributed to genetic characters, or type, or availability of food or food quality, and habitat differentiation.

Rhinonyssidae and Ereynetidae mites in Columba livia (Columbiformes: Columbidae) in southern Brazil

This study aims to record mites associated with the respiratory system of Columba livia Gmelin, 1789, including data of parasitological indices and of coinfections in southern Brazil. Two hundred and two specimens of C. livia were collected in the urban area in Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul (RS) state, Brazil. Fifty-six (27.7%) birds were parasitized by Rhinonyssidae and Ereynetidae mites. Tinaminyssus columbae (Crossley, 1950) and Tinaminyssus melloi (Castro, 1948) (Rhinonyssidae) were found in nasal cavities and tracheae of the birds. Trispeleognathus striatus (Crossley, 1952) (Ereynetidae) was found in hosts’ nasal cavities. The prevalence of Rhinonyssidae mites (25.2%) was significantly higher than obtained for Ereynetidae (5.9%). Coinfections only occurred in nasal cavities of 8 (3.96%) birds. This study records for the first time T. columbae and Trispeleognathus striatus parasitizing C. livia in Brazil. In addition, mite infection indices and coinfections of Rhinonyssidae and Ereynetidae mites in this Columbidae species are recorded.

Forest type, microhabitat conditions and human presence predict occurrence of two sympatric Columbidae species in the Mediterranean’s largest mixed forest: Implications for management and conservation

The presence of natural forests in association with the planted forests has become a common quite landscape in the Mediterranean basin and even elsewhere. Understanding how native game bird use the different types of forest habitats is a major issue aiming at an effective assessment of their management and conservation. In this study, we investigated this issue with regards to the common Woodpigeon (WD) (Columba palumbus) and the vulnerable European Turtle-Dove (TD) (Streptopelia turtur) in Mamora forest, the largest mixed Mediterranean forest. We used data from three sets of variables, namely forest type, microhabitat conditions and human disturbance, to determine the best predictors that cause variation in the WD and TD occurrence by means of generalized linear mixed models. Our results showed that pine and eucalypt plantations were the most attractive for TD and natural cork oak forests for WD. In pine plantations, TD occurrence was influenced positively by the extent of the herbaceous layer and negatively by the nearest distance to the shepherd’s house with enclosure, whereas in eucalyptus plantations, it was influenced positively by the cover of trees and shrubs. In natural cork oak forests, WD was exclusively affected by the tree cover. Variation partitioning analysis revealed that space was the most robust in explaining the TD occurrence in pine (adj. R2 = 0.20, p < 0.001) and eucalyptus (adj. R2 = 0.20, p < 0.001) plantations, whereas in cork oak natural forests, human presence (adj. R2 = 0.15, p = 0.002) was the most relevant in explaining WD occurrence. Specific management actions are suggested to improve the attractiveness of gamebirds at natural and artificial forests of the Mamora. It is imperative to test the geographical generality of our results in other mixed Mediterranean forests.

Spatial Distribution and Habitat Overlap of Five Columbidae Species in the Czech Republic.

Simple SummaryThe spatial distribution of species and their utilisation of resources are essential for better understanding species ecology. Using data gathered by ornithologists in Czech Republic, we studied land use type utilisation of five pigeons and doves. Our study aimed to understand which species and type of land use are positively associated and whether the species are positively associated with land use heterogeneity. Additionally, we quantified the amount of land use type utilisation by each species and their spatial overlap in these land use types. We hypothesised that the species would mostly overlap in farmlands and urban areas. We found an almost complete overlap between the domestic pigeon (Columba livia domestica) and the Eurasian collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto), as well as between the common wood pigeon (Columba palumbus) and the European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur). We confirmed our hypothesis that the species distribution not only overlapped in farmlands and urban areas, but also in forests. Our study provides insight into these common species distributions and habitat affinities.Habitat overlap occurs when two species co-exist in the same habitat and utilise the same resources. Using common bird monitoring data in Czech Republic from 2015 and 2016, we compared the affinities of five Columbidae species regarding land use types. Moreover, we analysed the effects of land use types and land use heterogeneity on five species distributions. The aim of the study was to quantify the habitat overlap of five Columbidae species regarding types of land use and land use heterogeneity. We predicted a high level of habitat overlap between most of the species and its occurrence in farmlands and urban areas. Our results confirmed the high habitat overlap of all five Columbidae species in farmlands. An almost complete overlap was recorded between Columba livia domestica and Streptopelia decaocto, as well as between Columba palumbus and Streptopelia turtur. Considering land use utilisation, C. livia and S. decaocto mainly utilised farmlands and urban areas. Furthermore, deciduous forests were utilised by Columba oenas and coniferous and mixed forests by C. palumbus. Finally, S. turtur mainly utilised grasslands and avoided urban areas. We conclude that Columbidae species overlap in spatial distributions, mostly in urban areas, forests, and farmlands. Our study provides a summary of these common species habitat affinities.

Comparative Study on Different Feather Microstructures of Four Columbidae Species from India

Comparative Study on Different Feather Microstructures of Four Columbidae Species from India

Study of NTF-3 (Neurotrophic Factor 3) Gene Information in Columbidae by In Silico

Neurotrophin Factor 3 (NTF3) is one of the genes that plays an important role in the regulation of the neural systems of vertebrate animals, this gene has a special function in explaining the survival factors of some vertebrate animals. Based on the information obtained from GenBank, the nucleotide sequence of the NTF-3 gene in several vertebrate animals has been known and some of the data obtained have not been studied further for research purposes in adding information related to the molecular character of the NTF-3 gene, such as the NTF-3 gene in Columbidae. Columbidae is a group of birds that have quite diverse species variations, the number of species in columbidae will be very helpful in obtaining data on comparisons of the genetic character of the NTF3 gene. The purpose of this study was to analyze and describe the information on the NTF-3 gene (Neurotrophic Factor 3) in Columbidae through the in silico approach with computational methods. The NTF3 gene nucleotide sequences in Columbidae showed a fairly high level of similarity to the base sequences. This illustrates the fairly close proximity between each species. Geotrygon Montana is a species of Columbidae which has variations of the Base sequence which is quite different from other species. Evaluation of the model structure shows good stability of each target protein, all evaluation results describe a good structure, meaning that the conformation of each target sequence is in accordance with the sequence, so that the structure that is built has high accuracy with the actual model. The results of this research study can be a special description in explaining the genetic characteristics of several Columbidae species for the purposes of conservation measures or efforts to preserve Columbidae species at the molecular and population genetic levels.

Landscape composition governs the abundance patterns of native and invasive Columbidae species along an urban–rural gradient and contribute to their partitioning

Landscape composition governs the abundance patterns of native and invasive Columbidae species along an urban–rural gradient and contribute to their partitioning

Population dynamics and habitat preference of two urbanized Columbidae species and their nest predator in two settlement types

Abstract Since urbanization is a worldwide phenomenon, numerous species have gained the advantage of urban ecosystems. The Eurasian Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto) has become widespread all across Europe along with human-altered habitats. In general, population levels are stable but numbers have locally decreased in the past few decades. In parallel, a new wave of urbanization came forward, so Wood Pigeons (Columba palumbus) entered urban ecosystems alongside with other Columbidae species. In this paper, our primary goal was to find any connection between habitat availability factors such as coniferous tree density and the population dynamics of two urbanized species. A locally emerging corvid species, the Hooded Crow (Corvus cornix) was also taken into consideration in influencing tree-nesting doves and pigeons as a primary nest predator. During the research period, we aimed to express the differences in habitat structure of two urban ecotypes by nesting tree availability and structure and to prove the power of predator presence in sampling sites. Our results showed that residential areas have a higher proportion of coniferous trees, as well as the high preference of residential areas by Wood Pigeons and Eurasian Collared Doves.

Nest Age as Predictor of Nest Survival in Three Sympatric Dove Species Breeding in a Mediterranean Arid Agroecosystem

Identifying the factors that influence nest survival insympatric species is important for the proper and effective management of their breeding populations. We used logistic-exposure models to estimate the daily survival rate and evaluate habitat traits, such as characteristics of trees supporting nests, position of nest in a tree, nesting micro- and macrohabitat, nest timing and weather, that may affect nest survival in Date Palm plantations in Biskra, Algeria. We monitored 68 Laughing Doves Spilopelia senegalensis, 65 Eurasian Collared Doves Streptopelia decaocto and 92 European Turtle Doves Streptopelia turtur nests during the 2019 breeding season. Our results showed that daily survival rate was positively associated with nest age for Laughing Dove and Eurasian Collared Dove, whereas a cubic trend was found for European Turtle Dove. Furthermore, daily survival rate of Laughing Doves was associated negatively with nest height and positively with distance to cereal crops. The beginning of the incubation phase is a critical period for nest survival in the three sympatric Columbidae species. However, in the European Turtle Dove, a second period of vulnerability was recorded between the end of the incubation phase and the beginning of the nestling phase, i.e. between day 11 and 18 of the 30-day nesting cycle. Overall, the highest daily survival rates were recorded for Laughing Doves (0.970 ± 0.006 SE) and European Turtle Doves (0.960 ± 0.005), whereas the lowest (0.937 ± 0.004) was found for Eurasian Collared Doves. Laughing doves and, to a lesser degree, European Turtle Doves are better adapted to conditions prevailing in North African Date Palm plantations. Nevertheless, to enhance dove reproduction, management focusing on ensuring the availability of food, water and suitable nesting trees should be undertaken.

Molecular Taxonomy and Phylogenetic Analysis of Dove and Pigeon Species (Aves: Columbidae) of Pakistan, Based on COI Region of Mitochondrial DNA

Doves and Pigeons are the members of living family Columbidae (Order: Columbiformes) having a wide range of taxonomic diversity and geographic distribution. Seven species with one sample each of family Columbidae were collected via random sampling from different districts of Pakistan to carry out this study. The targeted gene region was sequenced and identified by using BLAST tool at National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). CLUSTALW was used for sequence alignment and MEGA6 for reconstruction of phylogenetic trees to predict the effective ancestry of different Columbidae species. The following phylogenetic trees were obtained i.e. Maximum Likelihood tree, Neighborhood joining tree, Maximum parsimony tree and UPGMA tree. In the current study, COI gene barcoding and phylogenetic analysis of family Columbidae gave results of multiple alignment which showed that Columba livia livia and Columba eversmanni, closely resembled as well as Spilopelia senegalensis and Streptopelia decaocta. While Streptopelia tranquebarica and Spilopelia chinensis have great affinity due to small clade difference and Treron phoenicoptera was distinctly related to other species due to large clade difference.

A Comprehensive Cytogenetic Analysis of Several Members of the Family Columbidae (Aves, Columbiformes).

The Columbidae species (Aves, Columbiformes) show considerable variation in their diploid numbers (2n = 68–86), but there is limited understanding of the events that shaped the extant karyotypes. Hence, we performed whole chromosome painting (wcp) for paints GGA1-10 and bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) probes for chromosomes GGA11-28 for Columbina passerina, Columbina talpacoti, Patagioenas cayennensis, Geotrygon violacea and Geotrygon montana. Streptopelia decaocto was only investigated with paints because BACs for GGA10-28 had been previously analyzed. We also performed phylogenetic analyses in order to trace the evolutionary history of this family in light of chromosomal changes using our wcp data with chicken probes and from Zenaida auriculata, Columbina picui, Columba livia and Leptotila verreauxi, previously published. G-banding was performed on all these species. Comparative chromosome paint and G-banding results suggested that at least one interchromosomal and many intrachromosomal rearrangements had occurred in the diversification of Columbidae species. On the other hand, a high degree of conservation of microchromosome organization was observed in these species. Our cladistic analysis, considering all the chromosome rearrangements detected, provided strong support for L. verreauxi and P. cayennensis, G. montana and G. violacea, C. passerina and C. talpacoti having sister taxa relationships, as well as for all Columbidae species analyzed herein. Additionally, the chromosome characters were mapped in a consensus phylogenetic topology previously proposed, revealing a pericentric inversion in the chromosome homologous to GGA4 in a chromosomal signature unique to small New World ground doves.

Complete mitogenomic and phylogenetic characteristics of the speckled wood-pigeon (Columba hodgsonii).

The speckled wood-pigeon, Columba hodgsonii, is mainly distributed in Bhutan, China, India, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand. Although there are several studies on birds in the family Columbidae, no study has focused on C. hodgsonii, a member of this family. Therefore, this study aimed to clarify the phylogenetic status of C. hodgsonii. The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of C. hodgsonii was sequenced and characterized and compared with those of other Columba species. The C. hodgsonii mitogenome was found to be 17,477bp in size and contained 13 PCGs, two rRNAs, 22 tRNAs, and one CR. Of the 37 genes encoded by the C. hodgsonii mitogenome, 28 were on the heavy strand and nine were on the light strand. Twelve PCGs were initiated by ATN codons and one PCG harbored an incomplete termination codon (T-). The base composition of C. hodgsonii PCGs was A = 29.44%, T = 24.37%, G = 12.43%, and C = 33.76%. For the whole mitogenome, including PCGs, rRNAs, tRNAs, and the control region, the AT-skew was positive, and the GC-skew was negative. Phylogenetic analysis based on the base sequences of 13 PCGs from 28 Columbidae species and one outgroup using maximum likelihood and Bayesian inference indicated that C. hodgsonii belongs to the genus Columba and that the family Columbidae is monophyletic.

The complete mitochondrial genome of diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) and its phylogeny

The complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of diamond dove (Geopelia cuneata) was first determined in this study. The mitogenome is 17,880 bp in size and composed of 22 transfer RNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, two ribosomal RNA genes, and a control region. The overall nucleotide composition is 30.11% of A, 13.66% of G, 25.11% of T, and 31.13% of C. The mitochondrial structure and gene order were similar to other Columbidae species. Phylogenetic analysis suggested that G. cuneata was placed as sister to G. striata of the same genus. The data could provide valuable information for further studies on conservation genetics and evolution of G. cuneata.

Morphometric age and sex identification of Eurasian Collared Doves (Streptopelia decaocto friv.)

In this research, our main goal was to test, if there is an effective, yet economical way to perform native sexing on Columbidae species in field conditions. Since molecular sexing is not available among field conditions, a morphometric method was aimed to be used. After morphometric measurements, autopsy was performed to determine the sex of collected birds. The novelty of the method is that we added a new measure point to improve age and sex determination. The method was tested on Eurasian Collared Doves (n=18). Our result showed that the gap of pubic bones is highly correlated to age and most of the main morphometric data, despite the low sample number.

Repetitive DNAs and shrink genomes: A chromosomal analysis in nine Columbidae species (Aves, Columbiformes).

An extensive karyotype variation is found among species belonging to the Columbidae family of birds (Columbiformes), both in diploid number and chromosomal morphology. Although clusters of repetitive DNA sequences play an important role in chromosomal instability, and therefore in chromosomal rearrangements, little is known about their distribution and amount in avian genomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the distribution of 11 distinct microsatellite sequences, as well as clusters of 18S rDNA, in nine different Columbidae species, correlating their distribution with the occurrence of chromosomal rearrangements. We found 2n values ranging from 76 to 86 and nine out of 11 microsatellite sequences showed distinct hybridization signals among the analyzed species. The accumulation of microsatellite repeats was found preferentially in the centromeric region of macro and microchromosomes, and in the W chromosome. Additionally, pair 2 showed the accumulation of several microsatellites in different combinations and locations in the distinct species, suggesting the occurrence of intrachromosomal rearrangements, as well as a possible fission of this pair in Geotrygon species. Therefore, although birds have a smaller amount of repetitive sequences when compared to other Tetrapoda, these seem to play an important role in the karyotype evolution of these species.

Single nucleotide polymorphism barcoding of cytochrome c oxidase I sequences for discriminating 17 species of Columbidae by decision tree algorithm.

DNA barcodes are widely used in taxonomy, systematics, species identification, food safety, and forensic science. Most of the conventional DNA barcode sequences contain the whole information of a given barcoding gene. Most of the sequence information does not vary and is uninformative for a given group of taxa within a monophylum. We suggest here a method that reduces the amount of noninformative nucleotides in a given barcoding sequence of a major taxon, like the prokaryotes, or eukaryotic animals, plants, or fungi. The actual differences in genetic sequences, called single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotyping, provide a tool for developing a rapid, reliable, and high‐throughput assay for the discrimination between known species. Here, we investigated SNPs as robust markers of genetic variation for identifying different pigeon species based on available cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) data. We propose here a decision tree‐based SNP barcoding (DTSB) algorithm where SNP patterns are selected from the DNA barcoding sequence of several evolutionarily related species in order to identify a single species with pigeons as an example. This approach can make use of any established barcoding system. We here firstly used as an example the mitochondrial gene COI information of 17 pigeon species (Columbidae, Aves) using DTSB after sequence trimming and alignment. SNPs were chosen which followed the rule of decision tree and species‐specific SNP barcodes. The shortest barcode of about 11 bp was then generated for discriminating 17 pigeon species using the DTSB method. This method provides a sequence alignment and tree decision approach to parsimoniously assign a unique and shortest SNP barcode for any known species of a chosen monophyletic taxon where a barcoding sequence is available.