Composition and spatio-temporal dynamics of aquatic bird community in humid areas of Alto Parana Atlantic Forest

Abstract The northwestern portion of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ecoregion is one of the most disturbed and fragmented areas in the Atlantic Forest, and little is known about the local avifauna. In this study, we have described the composition and diversity of the aquatic avifauna of this region and analyzed the patterns of similarity with respect to the seasonal as well as spatial distribution. We used the line transect sampling technique in six distinct humid areas (including lentic and lotic water bodies) during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012 and 2013. A total of 52 species of waterfowl were recorded. The species richness of the studied areas was surprisingly distinct; only seven waterfowl species, namely Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), Tigrisoma lineatum (Boddaert, 1783), Rosthramus sociabilis (Vieillot, 1817), Aramus guarauna (Linnaeus, 1766), Vanellus chilensis (Molina, 1782), Jacana jacana (Linnaeus, 1766), and Arundinicola leucocephala (Linnaeus, 1764), were common to these six studied areas. This indicated that the other bird species that were observed might be habitat selective. Moreover, the analysis of the composition of birds in the two seasons (dry and rainy) combined with their spatial distributions showed significant dissimilarities between the areas with lotic (river and constructed wetland) and lentic (lagoons) characteristics. Nevertheless, despite the small extent and low total richness of the entire study area, it was found to be home to 1/3 of all freshwater aquatic birds documented in the state of São Paulo, with the record of 5 migratory species and 11 new species added to the northwest of the state. The heterogeneity of local aquatic environments, habitat selection combined with seasonality, and the absence of other humid locations in the surroundings can explain the diversity and distribution of these birds in the water bodies of this uninvestigated Atlantic Forest ecoregion.

Resumo A porção noroeste da ecorregião Floresta Atlântica do Alto Paraná é uma das mais alteradas e fragmentadas da Mata Atlântica, da qual pouco se sabe sobre a avifauna local. Nosso objetivo foi descrever a diversidade e composição da avifauna aquática, bem como analisar os padrões de similaridade quanto a distribuição temporal e espacial destas aves nesta ecorregião. Utilizamos a transecção linear para amostragem em seis áreas úmidas (corpos dágua lênticos e lóticos), nos períodos de seca e chuva entre 2012 e 2013. Registramos 52 espécies de aves aquáticas e as riquezas das áreas mostraram-se distintas, pois apenas Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), Tigrisoma lineatum (Boddaert, 1783), Rosthramus sociabilis (Vieillot, 1817), Aramus guarauna (Linnaeus, 1766), Vanellus chilensis (Molina, 1782), Jacana jacana (Linnaeus, 1766), and Arundinicola leucocephala (Linnaeus, 1764) foram comuns às seis áreas, o que indica seleção de habitat. Quando analisada a composição das aves nos dois períodos aliada à distribuição espacial, encontramos dissimilaridades temporais acentuadas entre os ambientes com características lóticas (rio e aterro) e lênticas (lagoas). Isto mostra que, além das diferentes épocas sazonais, é necessário analisar separadamente os diferentes tipos de áreas úmidas. Por fim, apesar da extensão pequena e baixa riqueza total, a área amostrada abrigou 1/3 das aves aquáticas de água doce para o estado de São Paulo, cinco espécies migratórias e 11 novas espécies para o noroeste do estado. A heterogeneidade de ambientes aquáticos locais, forte seleção de habitat aliada à sazonalidade e ausência de outros locais úmidos em seu entorno, explicam a diversidade e distribuição destas aves estreitamente relacionadas aos corpos dágua desta desconhecida ecorregião da Mata Atlântica.

Composition and spatio-temporal dynamics of aquatic bird community in humid areas of Alto Parana Atlantic Forest / Composição e dinâmica espaço-temporal da comunidade de aves aquáticas em áreas úmidas da Floresta Atlântica do Alto Paraná

Abstract The northwestern portion of the Upper Paraná Atlantic Forest ecoregion is one of the most disturbed and fragmented areas in the Atlantic Forest, and little is known about the local avifauna. In this study, we have described the composition and diversity of the aquatic avifauna of this region and analyzed the patterns of similarity with respect to the seasonal as well as spatial distribution. We used the line transect sampling technique in six distinct humid areas (including lentic and lotic water bodies) during the dry and rainy seasons of 2012 and 2013. A total of 52 species of waterfowl were recorded. The species richness of the studied areas was surprisingly distinct; only seven waterfowl species, namely Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), Tigrisoma lineatum (Boddaert, 1783), Rosthramus sociabilis (Vieillot, 1817), Aramus guarauna (Linnaeus, 1766), Vanellus chilensis (Molina, 1782), Jacana jacana (Linnaeus, 1766), and Arundinicola leucocephala (Linnaeus, 1764), were common to these six studied areas. This indicated that the other bird species that were observed might be habitat selective. Moreover, the analysis of the composition of birds in the two seasons (dry and rainy) combined with their spatial distributions showed significant dissimilarities between the areas with lotic (river and constructed wetland) and lentic (lagoons) characteristics. Nevertheless, despite the small extent and low total richness of the entire study area, it was found to be home to 1/3 of all freshwater aquatic birds documented in the state of São Paulo, with the record of 5 migratory species and 11 new species added to the northwest of the state. The heterogeneity of local aquatic environments, habitat selection combined with seasonality, and the absence of other humid locations in the surroundings can explain the diversity and distribution of these birds in the water bodies of this uninvestigated Atlantic Forest ecoregion.

Resumo A porção noroeste da ecorregião Floresta Atlântica do Alto Paraná é uma das mais alteradas e fragmentadas da Mata Atlântica, da qual pouco se sabe sobre a avifauna local. Nosso objetivo foi descrever a diversidade e composição da avifauna aquática, bem como analisar os padrões de similaridade quanto a distribuição temporal e espacial destas aves nesta ecorregião. Utilizamos a transecção linear para amostragem em seis áreas úmidas (corpos d'água lênticos e lóticos), nos períodos de seca e chuva entre 2012 e 2013. Registramos 52 espécies de aves aquáticas e as riquezas das áreas mostraram-se distintas, pois apenas Cairina moschata (Linnaeus, 1758), Tigrisoma lineatum (Boddaert, 1783), Rosthramus sociabilis (Vieillot, 1817), Aramus guarauna (Linnaeus, 1766), Vanellus chilensis (Molina, 1782), Jacana jacana (Linnaeus, 1766), and Arundinicola leucocephala (Linnaeus, 1764) foram comuns às seis áreas, o que indica seleção de habitat. Quando analisada a composição das aves nos dois períodos aliada à distribuição espacial, encontramos dissimilaridades temporais acentuadas entre os ambientes com características lóticas (rio e aterro) e lênticas (lagoas). Isto mostra que, além das diferentes épocas sazonais, é necessário analisar separadamente os diferentes tipos de áreas úmidas. Por fim, apesar da extensão pequena e baixa riqueza total, a área amostrada abrigou 1/3 das aves aquáticas de água doce para o estado de São Paulo, cinco espécies migratórias e 11 novas espécies para o noroeste do estado. A heterogeneidade de ambientes aquáticos locais, forte seleção de habitat aliada à sazonalidade e ausência de outros locais úmidos em seu entorno, explicam a diversidade e distribuição destas aves estreitamente relacionadas aos corpos d'água desta desconhecida ecorregião da Mata Atlântica.

Distribución geográfica y abundancia poblacional de Plegadis ridgwayi, el ibis de la Puna (Threskiornithidae) con énfasis en las poblaciones del Perú / Geographical distribution and population abundance of Plegadis ridgwayi, Puna ibis (Threskiornithidae) with emphasis on the populations of Peru

Resumen El ibis de la puna Plegadis ridgwayi, es una especie de Threskiornithidae que habita humedales andinos y realiza migraciones altitudinales hacia la costa. Datos propios, de GBIF, información bibliográfica y del Censo Neotropical de Aves Acuáticas (1992 a 2015) muestran que el ibis de la puna Plegadis ridgwayi se distribuye en Ecuador, Perú, Bolivia, Argentina y Chile, con las mayores densidades poblacionales en Perú y Bolivia en siete y tres localidades respectivamente, que acumulan más del 1% de la población biogeográfica. Se encuentran de 0 a 5000 m de altitud, con las mayores densidades entre 3000 a 4500 m y 0 a 500 m. La mayor incidencia de registros ocurre al sur y centro del Perú, así como costa del centro y norte del Perú. La ampliación de la distribución hacia el norte y costa peruana puede deberse a la disponibilidad ambiental y al deterioro de su hábitat andino. En cuatro humedales costeros del centro del Perú se registraron hasta 818 ibis en 2006, la gran mayoría en Pantanos de Villa y Paraíso. El número de migrantes costeros parece relacionado a la intensidad de sequías en la sierra del Perú central. La abundancia de ibis en el lago altoandino de Junín muestra una disminución histórica, con énfasis después de la sequía de 2004-2005. La expansión distribucional requiere investigar la posible hibridación con las otras especies del género antes alopátridas.

Abstract The Puna ibis Plegadis ridgwayi, is a species of Threskiornithidae that inhabits Andean wetlands and makes altitudinal migrations to the coast. Data from us, GBIF, bibliographic information and the Neotropical Waterbird Census (1992 to 2015) show that this species occurs in Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile, with a core area in Peru and Bolivia. It is most abundant in the latter two countries, with seven and three localities with more than 1% of the biogeographic population, respectively. They are found from 0 to 5000 m altitude (with peaks at 3000 to 4500 m and 0 to 500 m). The highest incidence of records is in southern and central Peru. There are high values of environmental availability in part of the high Andean zone from Ecuador to northern Chile and northwestern Argentina, as well as the coast of central and northern Peru. The expansion of the distribution towards the Peruvian north and coast may be due to environmental availability and the deterioration of its Andean habitat. In four coastal wetlands in central Peru, up to 818 ibises were recorded in 2006, the vast majority in Pantanos de Villa and Paraíso. The number of coastal migrants seems to be related to the intensity of droughts in the highlands of central Peru. The abundance of ibis in the high Andean Lake of Junín shows a historical decline, with emphasis after the 2004-2005 drought. This distributional expansion requires investigation of possible hybridisation with the other formerly allopatric species of the genus.

Potential dispersal of aquatic snails by waterbird endozoochory in neotropical wetlands / Dispersão potencial de caramujos por endozoocoria de aves aquáticas em áreas úmidas neotropicais

Abstract Waterbird-mediated zoochory is one of the main ecological mechanisms by which non-flying freshwater invertebrates can disperse between isolated wetlands. Passive dispersal through gut passage inside waterbirds (endozoochory) may explain how many organisms spread in the landscape. Here, we evaluate the potential for dispersal of aquatic snails by three waterbird species in neotropical wetlands. A total of 77 faecal samples from Coscoroba coscoroba (n = 28), Dendrocygna viduata (n = 36) and Anas flavirostris (n = 13) were collected in the field and taken to the laboratory. There, the samples were examined under a stereomicroscope to check for the presence of gastropod shells. We found 496 intact gastropod shells, and Heleobia piscium was the most abundant species (n= 485). We also found two shells of Drepanotrema sp. and nine others distributed between two different morphotypes of Planorbidae. Snails were present in 20.8 % of all samples, and were more frequent in faeces of coscoroba swan (50%) than the other two bird species. Our data suggest that aquatic snails may disperse by avian endozoochory between neotropical wetlands, with vectors including migratory bird species.

Resumo A zoocoria mediada por aves aquáticas é um dos principais processos ecológicos que explicam como invertebrados não-voadores habitantes de água doce se dispersam entre áreas úmidas isoladas. A dispersão passiva que ocorre através no interior dos intestinos de aves aquáticas (endozoocoria) pode explicar como estes invertebrados se distribuem na paisagem. Neste trabalho, avaliamos o potencial de dispersão de caramujos aquáticos por endozoocoria promovida por três espécies de aves aquáticas em áreas úmidas neotropicais. No total, 77 amostras fecais de capororoca (Coscoroba coscoroba, n = 28), irerê (Dendrocygna viduata, n = 36) e marreca-pardinha (Anas flavirostris, n = 13) foram coletadas em campo e levadas ao laboratório. As amostras foram examinadas em estereomicroscópio para verificar a presença de conchas de gastrópodes. Encontramos 496 conchas intactas, sendo Heleobia piscium a espécie mais abundante (n = 485). Também encontramos duas conchas de Drepanotrema sp. e nove de outros dois morfotipos de Planorbidae. Os caramujos estiveram presentes em 20,8% de todas as amostras, sendo mais frequentes nas fezes do capororoca (50%). Nossos dados sugerem que caramujos aquáticos podem se dispersar por endozoocoria de aves entre áreas úmidas neotropicais, com vetores incluindo espécies de aves migratórias e residentes.

Intercostal celiotomy for removal of proventriculus foreign body in muscovy duck (Cairina moschata): case report / Celiotomia intercostal para remoção de corpo estranho do proventrículo de pato-do-mato (Cairina Moschata): relato de caso]

Ducks, geese and swans are included in the Anatidae family, Anseriformes order. The leading injuries causes to waterfowl are tangling in fishing materials and foreign bodies ingestion. A muscovy duck (Cairina moschata) was referred for treatment at Veterinary Teaching Hospital and a radiographic examination showed the presence of a hook in the coelom. Surgical exposure and incision of the proventriculus was made through left intercostal access and the hook along with a fishing line were gently removed. The animal began to feed voluntarily at the fourth post-operative day and two weeks after the procedure the patient was clinically well and was released to wild. This surgical approach differs in some aspects from the listed techniques in the known literature. It proved to be a viable and appropriate alternative to treat this affection since it did not cause any trans- or post-operative complications and enabled rapid recovery and subsequent patient release.(AU)

Patos, gansos e cisnes estão incluídos na família Anatidae, ordem Anseriformes. Entre as principais causas de ferimentos em aves aquáticas, o embaraço com materiais de pesca e a ingestão de corpos estranhos são os mais citados. Um pato-do-mato (Cairina moschata) foi encaminhado para tratamento no Hospital Veterinário e, mediante exame radiográfico, verificou-se a presença de um anzol na cavidade celomática, provavelmente no proventrículo. Utilizando-se o acesso intercostal esquerdo, foi feita a exposição e a incisão do proventrículo. Por meio dessa incisão, o anzol com um segmento de linha de pesca foi delicadamente retirado. O animal começou a se alimentar voluntariamente no quarto dia pós-operatório e duas semanas após o procedimento o paciente se encontrava clinicamente bem e apto à soltura. Esta abordagem cirúrgica difere, em alguns aspectos, das técnicas listadas na literatura e provou ser uma alternativa viável e adequada ao caso, não causando complicações e permitindo recuperação rápida, com posterior soltura do animal.(AU)

Serosurvey of Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis sp. and Neospora caninum in geese (Anser sp.) from urban parks and captivity / Soroprevalência de Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis sp. e Neospora caninum em gansos (Anser sp.) de parques urbanos e cativeiro

Abstract Geese, ducks, mallards, and swans are birds of the order Anseriformes, which are found in the wild, in zoos and parks, and raised for meat consumption. Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis sp., and Neospora caninum are protozoans of several species of animals. Wild and domestic birds can serve as intermediate hosts, disseminators and potential sources of infection of these protozoa to humans through contaminated meat. The aims of this study were: (i) to perform a serological survey of T. gondii, Sarcocystis sp. and N. caninum in geese (Anser sp.) from public parks and from captivity and (ii) to compare seroprevalence between these two locations. Antibodies were detected by Immunofluorescence antibody test using the serum of 149 geese. Antibodies to Sarcocystis sp., T. gondii, and N. caninum were detected in 28.18%, 18% and 0.67% of geese, respectively; 57% of geese from urban parks and 26.53% of geese from captivity were seropositive for at least one protozoa. The results indicate environmental contamination, particularly for the occurrence of antibodies against T. gondii - a zoonosis that causes toxoplasmosis and is transmitted through oocyte ingestion. This is the first serological survey of T. gondii, Sarcocystis sp. and N. caninum in geese from urban parks in Curitiba, Brazil.

Resumo Gansos, patos, marrecos e cisnes são aves da ordem Anseriformes, encontrados em vida livre, zoológicos, parques e criados para consumo da carne. Toxoplasma gondii, Sarcocystis sp. e Neospora caninum são protozoários capazes de infectar diversas espécies animais. Aves domésticas e silvestres podem ser hospedeiras intermediárias e servir como disseminadoras e potenciais fontes de infecção para seres humanos por meio da carne. O objetivo do estudo foi 1) realizar a soroprevalência de T. gondii, Sarcocystis sp. e N. caninum em gansos (Anser sp.) provenientes de parques públicos e de um cativeiro e 2) comparar a soroprevalência entre os locais. Foi realizada sorologia de 149 Anser sp. pelo método da reação de imunofluorescência indireta. Anticorpos para Sarcocystis sp., T. gondii e N. caninum foram encontrados em 28,18%, 18%, e 0,67% dos animais, respectivamente; 57% dos gansos dos parques públicos e 26,53% dos animais cativos foram soropositivos para algum dos protozoários. A ocorrência de anticorpos para tais protozoários indica contaminação ambiental, ressaltando a alta prevalência de anticorpos para T. gondii, zoonose transmitida por ingestão dos oocistos. Sugere-se investigação da água e medidas ambientais para reduzir a contaminação dos animais e do ambiente. Este é o primeiro trabalho que avaliou sorologicamente gansos provenientes de parques urbanos de Curitiba, Paraná para T. gondii, Sarcocystis sp. e N. caninum.

Detection of avian metapneumovirus subtype A from wild birds in the State of São Paulo, Brazil / Detecção de metapneumovirus aviário subtipo A em aves silvestres no estado de São Paulo, Brasil

The present study investigated the circulation of avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) in wild birds in Brazil. To do so, 131 samples from 366 oropharyngeal or cloacal swabs collected from 18 species of birds were tested individually or in pools by RT-PCR. Samples detected by RT-PCR were selected for DNA sequencing. Thirteen (9.9%) samples were detected by the RT-PCR targeting the N gene and four out of 13 samples were sequenced. Sequencing results showed a high identity with the aMPV subtype A. Our results confirm the circulation of the aMPV subtype A in wild birds in Brazil even five years after its last detection.(AU)

O presente estudo investigou a circulação de metapneumovírus aviário em aves silvestres no Brasil. Para tanto, 131 amostras de 366 suabes orofaringeanos ou cloacais coletados de 18 espécies de aves foram testadas individualmente ou na forma de pools por RT-PCR. As amostras detectadas por RT-PCR foram selecionadas para sequenciamento. Treze (9,9%) das amostras foram detectadas por RT-PCR tendo o gene N como alvo; destas, quatro foram sequenciadas com sucesso. Resultados do sequenciamento mostraram alta identidade com o aMPV de subtipo A. Nossos resultados confirmam a circulação de aMPV subtipo A em aves silvestres no Brasil mesmo cinco anos após sua última detecção.(AU)

Exposure to avian influenza virus and the infection status of virus among people breeding or butchering ducks in the suburb of Beijing / 中华流行病学杂志

Objective To understand the exposure and the infection status of virus among people engaging in breeding or butchering ducks in the suburb of Beijing.Methods People from six districts (Daxing,Fangshan,Huairou,Miyun,Shunyi,Tongzhou) who engaged in breeding or butchering ducks were studied and the status of infecting avian influenza virus was obtained by testing antibody level in serum.Information on demographic characteristics,status of regular exposure and exposure to sick or dead poultry were collected through a self-designed questionnaire.Results 1741people were involved in this study in which 313 (18.0％ ) were workers in duck-breeding enterprise,562 (32.3％) were workers in duck slaughterhouse,261 (15.0％) farmers were in individualsmall-scale duck farms,605 (34.7％) were farmers raising duck in backyard.Among farmers raising duck in backyard,the percentage of people whose ducks ever contacted with wild birds was higher than the other three groups (66.8％)(P＜0.05).Among farmers who bred their ducks in the backyard (35.2％) and those abattoir workers (31.3％ ),the percentage of people who had contacted ducks but not been vaccinated with avian influenza vaccine was higher than the other two groups (P＜0.05).Regarding the status on cleaning and disinfection among the studied farmers who had bred their ducks in the backyard,the percentage of people who had closer contact with ducks would clean the settings more than 4 times per month (8.8％) and disinfected those places more than 12 times per year (27.3％) but still lower than the other three groups (P＜0.05).Among those farmers who bred ducks in the backyard,the percentage of people who had ever touched duck with their hands was high (34.4％) (P＜ 0.05).Regarding exposure to sick or dead poultry,higher proportion was found among those who had ever closely contacted sick or dead poultry commercial duck raisers (36.1％) and individuals who raise large amount of ducks (36.0％).70.8％ of the individual duck raisers had never taken any protective measures when closely contacting the sick or dead poultry.Among 1741 samples,0 were positive to avian influenza virus H5 and H7 subtypes.12 were positive to H9 subtype (positive rate was 0.7％ ),in which 10 were farmers raising ducks in backyard (the positive rate of 1.7％ ).Differences between H9 subtype antibody positive rates difference in 4 population groups were statistically significant (x2=13.699,P＜0.05).Conclusion Farmers who bred their ducks in the backyard had greater risk of contracting the avian influenza.Individual duckers who raise ducks in large scale and the farmers who bred their ducks in the backyard were in lack of protective measures when contacting the sick or dead poultry.Our findings suggested that some intervention measures should be taken to reduce the risk of avian influenza infection.

Botulismo tipo C em ganso ocorrido em Minas Gerais, Brasil / Type C botulism in a goose at Minas Gerais, Brazil

Botulismo é uma intoxicação causada pela ingestão das toxinas produzidas pelo Clostridium botulinum, que acomete mamíferos e aves, caracterizando-se por um quadro de paralisia flácida. Neste trabalho, é descrito um caso de botulismo em ganso, ocorrido no município de Santa Luzia, região metropolitana de Belo Horizonte, no Estado de Minas Gerais. Ao exame clínico, o animal apresentava-se com um quadro de paralisia flácida dos músculos do pescoço, das pernas e asas, além de apresentar ainda desprendimento de penas. A necropsia não revelou lesões significativas. Foi colhido o soro do animal e submetido ao teste de soroneutralização em camundongo, que identificou a toxina de C. botulinum tipo C.

Botulism is an intoxication caused by the ingestion of toxins produced by Clostridium botulinum, that affects mammals and birds, characterized by a flaceid paralysis. This report describes a case of botulism in a goose in Santa Luzia, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. Clinical examinations showed dropping feathers and flaccid paralysis involving the muscles of the wings, legs and neck. post-mortem examination showed no significant gross or macroscopic lesions C. botulinum type C toxin was demonstrated in the serum of the affected animal through serum neutralization test in mice.