Ecological Role and Ecosystem Services of Birds: A Review

Birds play many roles, including predators, pollinators, scavengers, seed dispersers, pests, predators, nutrient cycling, ecosystem engineers, and many other services. However, the global decline in bird populations means that the ecosystem services provided by these birds are also declining [1]. The services birds provide are ecologically and economically important, but are not adequately appreciated due to insufficient information. Therefore, this review article aims to elucidate the role of birds in the agro-ecosystem and their benefits to humans in order to promote their conservation. Healthy bird populations and their habitats would help protect various ecological services that would ultimately improve human well-being.

Identification and investigation of Calodium hepaticum in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in China

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Calodium hepaticum (C. hepaticum) in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in China, and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hepatic Calodium infection.Methods: Rodents and insectivores were captured from three selected Yangtze River beaches using mousetraps. The three survey sites were divided into six areas according to natural conditions, with 60 mousetraps placed in each area. The liver lesions in the captured rodents were observed by the naked eye and the eggs in the liver tissue were observed by microscopic examination. Results: A total of 1080 mousetraps were placed, and 1075 mousetraps were retrieved, with the retrieve rate as 99.5％. A total of 101 Apodemus agrarius, 12 Rattus norvegicus, and 9 Crocidura attenuata were caught. The average density of rodents and insectivores was 10.5％ and 0.8％, respectively. DNA of egg nodules from infected rodents showed 98％ similarity with that of C. hepaticum 18S rRNA (LC425008.1). One Rattus norvegicus was infected with C. hepaticum, with an infection rate of 3.23％ in the Erqi river beach; the other two beaches did not show the incidence of C. hepaticum. Conclusions: The monitoring of C. hepaticum in the Yangtze River beaches should be strengthened to reduce the risk of human C. hepaticum infection.

Identification and investigation of Calodium hepaticum in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the yangtze river in China

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of Calodium hepaticum (C. hepaticum) in rodents and insectivores from Wuhan section of the Yangtze River in China, and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of hepatic Calodium infection. Methods: Rodents and insectivores were captured from three selected Yangtze River beaches using mousetraps. The three survey sites were divided into six areas according to natural conditions, with 60 mousetraps placed in each area. The liver lesions in the captured rodents were observed by the naked eye and the eggs in the liver tissue were observed by microscopic examination. Results: A total of 1 080 mousetraps were placed, and 1 075 mousetraps were retrieved, with the retrieve rate as 99.5%. A total of 101 Apodemus agrarius, 12 Rattus norvegicus, and 9 Crocidura attenuata were caught. The average density of rodents and insectivores was 10.5% and 0.8%, respectively. DNA of egg nodules from infected rodents showed 98% similarity with that of C. hepaticum 18S rRNA (LC425008.1). One Rattus norvegicus was infected with C. hepaticum, with an infection rate of 3.23% in the Erqi river beach; the other two beaches did not show the incidence of C. hepaticum. Conclusions: The monitoring of C. hepaticum in the Yangtze River beaches should be strengthened to reduce the risk of human C. hepaticum infection. Zhou Shui-Mao 1 Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan 430015 Jin Xian-Ling 2 Wuhan Xinzhou Schistosomiasis Control Institute, Wuhan 430015 Wang Hao 3 Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan 430015 Luo Hua-Tang 4 Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan 430015 Jia Xi-Shuai 5 Wuhan Centers for Disease Prevention and Control, Wuhan 430015 Wang ZQ, Lin XM, Wang Y, Cui J. The emerging but neglected hepatic capillariasis in China. Asian Pac J Trop Biomed 2013; 3(2): 146-147. Shen LJ, Luo ZY, Li W, Li ZH, Gao C, Yang WB, et al. Investigation on rats infected with Capillaria hepatica in Da li. Chin J Parasit Dis Con 2003; 16(5): 296-298. Fischer K, Gankpala A, Gankpala L, Bolay FK, Curtis KC, Weil GJ, et al. Capillaria ova and diagnosis of Trichuris trichiura infection in humans by Kato-Katz smear, Liberia. Emerg Infect Dis 2018; 24(8): 1551-1554. Fuehrer HP. An overview of the host spectrum and distribution of Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica): Part 1-Muroidea. Parasitol Res 2014; 113(2): 619-640. Lin XM, Xu BL, ZHao XD, Li H, Huang Q, Deng Y, et al. Epidemiological investigation on Capillaria hepatica infection among little animal in Henan Province. J Pathogen Bio 2007; 2(1): 44-46. Ling HB, Pan CW, Yi WP, Huang HC, Liu QZ, Zheng XY, et al. Epidemiological and biological studies of Capillaria hepatica of rodents in Wenzhou district. J Wenzhou Med Col 2000; 30(1): 13-15. Fuehrer HP, Igel P, Auer H. Capillaria hepatica in man-an overview of hepatic capillariosis and spurious infections. Parasitol Res 2011; 109(4): 969-979. Simoes RO, Luque JL, Faro MJ, Motta E, Maldonado JR. Prevalence of Calodium hepaticum (syn. Capillaria hepatica) in Rattus norvegicus in the urban area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rev Inst Med Trop Sao Paulo 2014; 56(5): 455-457. Wang ZQ, Cui J, Wang Y. Persistent febrile hepatomegaly with eosinophilia due to hepatic capillariasis in Central China. Ann Trop Med Parasitol 2011; 105(6): 469-472. Klenzak J, Mattia A, Valenti A, Goldberg J. Hepatic capillariasis in Maine presenting as a hepatic mass. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2005; 72(5): 651-653.

Effect of a major highway on the spatial and temporal variation in the structure and diversity of the avifauna of a tropical premontane rain forest / Efecto de una carretera principal en la variación espacial y temporal en la estructura y la diversidad de la avifauna de un bosque lluvioso tropical premontano

Abstract:Roads immersed in conservation areas will increase in number, size, and traffic over the next decade, and thus, understanding their effects on forest-dependent wildlife is crucial for improving current management practices and reducing the negative impacts of roads on sensitive species. We examined the influence of route 32 (a.k.a. Guápiles Highway) on temporal and spatial changes in the structure of the avifauna of Braulio Carrillo National Park, Costa Rica, a site crossed by this road along 25 km. The highway connects the capital city of San José with the Harbor of Limón in the Caribbean Sea (142 km). Although the road is narrow (12 m in width and comprised by two lanes along most of the route) it services over 1.5 million motor vehicles per year, 12 % are heavy trucks and trailers. We expected the highway to divide the avifauna, and thus to observe significant differences in species structure on opposite sides of the road. We described changes in bird diversity between wet and dry seasons at Las Palmas and Ceibo trails located on opposite sides of the highway (14 point counts per trail), and evaluated how abundance and diversity varied with road distance. Censuses took place during wet and dry seasons from 2002 to 2005. We listed 245 species and 6 035 observations during the 4-yr survey. Rare species dominated the avifauna (65 % of species < 5 observations), and species overlap between trails was high (Sorensen= 71 %; Morisita= 0.96). Species accumulation curves varied little among trails, yielding 190 species. Resident species represented 70 % of observations, followed by elevational (15 %) and long-distance migrants (1-2 %). Understory species were the most abundant (60 %) followed by canopy birds (30 %). Species turnover rate was 55 % between seasons, but species composition between trails remained homogeneous. Overall, birds were avoiding the road (abundance increased away from the road) although other diversity parameters (richness, dominance, Shannon index, and equitability) were not influenced by road proximity. Although the avifauna remained homogeneous on both sides of the road, which did not support the fragmentation hypothesis, the highway reduced the abundance and diversity of specialized understory insectivores associated with primary forests near the road. This highway will expand outside the National Park (from 2 to 4 lanes along 107 km from Río Frío to Limón) in the next years, which will increase traffic volume and road impacts within the Park. Roads are increasing across highly diverse tropical areas justifying the need for management practices based on the identification of sensitive groups. Rev. Biol. Trop. 64 (4): 1383-1399. Epub 2016 December 01.

Resumen:Las carreteras inmersas en áreas de conservación van a aumentar en número, tamaño, y volumen de tráfico en la próxima década, por lo que comprender los efectos de las mismas sobre la fauna dependiente de bosque es crucial para mejorar las prácticas de manejo y reducir los impactos negativos de los caminos sobre las especies más frágiles. Examinamos la influencia de la ruta 32 (conocida como la carretera a Guápiles) sobre los cambios temporales y espaciales en la estructura de la avifauna del Parque Nacional Braulio Carrillo, Costa Rica, el cual es atravesado por esta carretera a lo largo de 25 km. La carretera conecta la ciudad capital de San José con el puerto de Limón en el Caribe (142 km). Aunque la calle es estrecha (12 m de ancho en dos carriles en la mayor parte de la ruta) da servicio a más de 1.5 millones de vehículos por año, 12 % de los cuales es transporte pesado. Esperábamos que la carretera fragmentara a la avifauna, y por lo tanto que hubieran diferencias significativas en la estructura de las especies en lados opuestos de la ruta. Describimos los cambios en la diversidad de aves entre las estaciones secas y húmedas en los senderos Las Palmas y Ceibo situados en lados opuestos de la carretera (14 puntos de conteo por sendero), y evaluamos cómo la abundancia y la diversidad variaron con la distancia hacia la carretera. Los censos se realizaron durante las estaciones húmedas y secas desde el 2002 al 2005. Encontramos 245 especies y 6 035 observaciones durante el período de 4 años. Las especies raras dominaron la avifauna (65 % de las especies < 5 observaciones), y mostraron un alto traslape entre senderos (Sorensen= 71 %; Morisita= 0.96). Las curvas de acumulación de especies variaron poco entre senderos, generando 190 especies. Las especies residentes representaron el 70 % de las observaciones, seguidas migrantes de elevación (15 %) y especies migratorias latitudinales (1-2 %). Las especies de sotobos que fueron las más abundantes (60 %), seguidas por las aves de dosel (30 %). La tasa de recambio de especies fue del 55 % entre estaciones, pero la composición de especies entre senderos permaneció homogénea. El patrón general consistió en que las aves evitaron la carretera (la abundancia aumentó lejos de la carretera), aunque otros parámetros de diversidad (riqueza, dominancia, el índice de Shannon y la equidad) no fueron influenciados por la proximidad de la calle. Si bien los resultados no apoyaron la hipótesis de la fragmentación, la carretera redujo la abundancia y diversidad de insectívoros especializados de sotobosque asociados a bosque primario. Esta carretera se expandirá fuera del Parque Nacional (de 2 a 4 carriles a lo largo de 107 km de Río Frío a Limón) en los próximos años, lo que aumentará el impacto del volumen de tráfico dentro del parque. Las carreteras cercanas a zonas protegidas están aumentando en los trópicos, por lo que es crucial desarrollar alternativas de manejo basadas en la respuesta de los grupos sensibles a estos impactos.

Feeding resource partitioning between two understorey insectivorous birds in a fragment of Neotropical cloud forest / Partição de recursos alimentares entre duas espécies de aves insetívoras de sub-bosque em um fragmento de floresta nebular Neotropical

Abstract The food habits and niche overlap based on diet composition and prey size of two species of understorey insectivorous birds were investigated in an area of montane rain forest in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. A total of 43 birds were captured: 33 individuals of Conopophaga lineata (Conopophagidae) with 13 recaptures, and 10 individuals of Myiothlypis leucoblephara (Parulidae) with 12 recaptures, from which were obtained respectively 33 and 10 fecal samples. Fragments of 16 groups of arthropods, plus insect eggs, were identified in these samples. Conopophaga lineata predominantly consumed Formicidae (32%) and Isoptera (23.6%). However, the index of alimentary importance (AI) of Isoptera (3.53) was lower than other groups such as Formicidae (AI = 61.88), Coleoptera (AI = 16.17), insect larvae (AI = 6.95) and Araneae (AI = 6.6). Myiothlypis leucoblephara predominantly consumed Formicidae (28.2%) and Coleoptera (24.4%), although Coleoptera and Hymenoptera non-Formicidae had the highest values of AI (38.71 and 22.98 respectively). Differences in the proportions of the types of arthropods consumed by birds were not enough to reveal their separation into feeding niches (overlap = 0.618, p observed ≤ expected = 0.934), whereas differences in the use of resources was mainly due to the size of the prey (p<0.001), where C lineata, the species with the highest body mass (p<0.001) consumed larger prey. It is plausible that prey size is an axis of niche dimension that allows the coexistence of these species.

Resumo Os hábitos alimentares e a sobreposição de nicho em termos de composição da dieta e tamanho de presas de duas espécies de aves insetívoras de sub-bosque foram investigados em uma área de floresta ombrófila altomontana no estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Foram capturados 33 indivíduos de Conopophaga lineata (Conopophagidae), com 13 recapturas, e 10 indivíduos de Myiothlypis leucoblephara (Parulidae), com 12 recapturas, dos quais foram obtidas, respectivamente, 33 e 10 amostras fecais, onde foram identificados fragmentos de 16 grupos de artrópodes, além de ovos de insetos. Conopophaga lineata consumiu predominantemente Formicidae (32%) e Isoptera (23,6%). Contudo, o índice de importância alimentar (IA) de Isoptera (3,53) esteve abaixo de outros grupos como Formicidae (IA = 61,88), Coleoptera (IA = 16,17), larva de inseto (IA = 6,95) e Araneae (IA = 6,6). Myiothlypis leucoblephara consumiu predominantemente Formicidae (28,2%) e Coleoptera (24,4%), embora em termos de IA o predomínio tenha sido de Coleoptera (IA = 38,71) e Hymenoptera não Formicidae (IA = 22,98). Diferenças nas proporções dos tipos de artrópodes consumidos pelas aves não foram suficientes para revelar separação em seus nichos alimentares (sobreposição = 0,618; p observado ≤ esperado = 0,934), ao passo que divergências no uso de recursos se deram principalmente em função dos tamanhos das presas (p<0,001), onde C. lineata, a espécie com maior massa corporal, (p<0,001) consumiu as maiores presas. É plausível que o tamanho das presas seja um eixo da dimensão do nicho que permite a coexistência dessas espécies.

Feeding resource partitioning between two understorey insectivorous birds in a fragment of Neotropical cloud forest

Abstract The food habits and niche overlap based on diet composition and prey size of two species of understorey insectivorous birds were investigated in an area of montane rain forest in the state of Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil. A total of 43 birds were captured: 33 individuals of Conopophaga lineata (Conopophagidae) with 13 recaptures, and 10 individuals of Myiothlypis leucoblephara (Parulidae) with 12 recaptures, from which were obtained respectively 33 and 10 fecal samples. Fragments of 16 groups of arthropods, plus insect eggs, were identified in these samples. Conopophaga lineata predominantly consumed Formicidae (32%) and Isoptera (23.6%). However, the index of alimentary importance (AI) of Isoptera (3.53) was lower than other groups such as Formicidae (AI = 61.88), Coleoptera (AI = 16.17), insect larvae (AI = 6.95) and Araneae (AI = 6.6). Myiothlypis leucoblephara predominantly consumed Formicidae (28.2%) and Coleoptera (24.4%), although Coleoptera and Hymenoptera non-Formicidae had the highest values of AI (38.71 and 22.98 respectively). Differences in the proportions of the types of arthropods consumed by birds were not enough to reveal their separation into feeding niches (overlap = 0.618, p observed expected = 0.934), whereas differences in the use of resources was mainly due to the size of the prey (p 0.001), where C lineata, the species with the highest body mass (p 0.001) consumed larger prey. It is plausible that prey size is an axis of niche dimension that allows the coexistence of these species.

Resumo Os hábitos alimentares e a sobreposição de nicho em termos de composição da dieta e tamanho de presas de duas espécies de aves insetívoras de sub-bosque foram investigados em uma área de floresta ombrófila altomontana no estado de Minas Gerais, sudeste do Brasil. Foram capturados 33 indivíduos de Conopophaga lineata (Conopophagidae), com 13 recapturas, e 10 indivíduos de Myiothlypis leucoblephara (Parulidae), com 12 recapturas, dos quais foram obtidas, respectivamente, 33 e 10 amostras fecais, onde foram identificados fragmentos de 16 grupos de artrópodes, além de ovos de insetos. Conopophaga lineata consumiu predominantemente Formicidae (32%) e Isoptera (23,6%). Contudo, o índice de importância alimentar (IA) de Isoptera (3,53) esteve abaixo de outros grupos como Formicidae (IA = 61,88), Coleoptera (IA = 16,17), larva de inseto (IA = 6,95) e Araneae (IA = 6,6). Myiothlypis leucoblephara consumiu predominantemente Formicidae (28,2%) e Coleoptera (24,4%), embora em termos de IA o predomínio tenha sido de Coleoptera (IA = 38,71) e Hymenoptera não Formicidae (IA = 22,98). Diferenças nas proporções dos tipos de artrópodes consumidos pelas aves não foram suficientes para revelar separação em seus nichos alimentares (sobreposição = 0,618; p observado esperado = 0,934), ao passo que divergências no uso de recursos se deram principalmente em função dos tamanhos das presas (p 0,001), onde C. lineata, a espécie com maior massa corporal, (p 0,001) consumiu as maiores presas. É plausível que o tamanho das presas seja um eixo da dimensão do nicho que permite a coexistência dessas espécies.

Second floor, please: the fish fauna of floating litter banks in Amazonian streams and rivers

Floating litter banks are an ephemeral habitat consisting of branches, twigs, flowers, seeds, and fruits that are trapped on the stream water surface by a variety of retention mechanisms. These heterogeneous materials form a deep layer of dead plant matter that is colonized by a variety of organisms, including fish that forage on the aquatic macroinvertebrates found in this unique habitat. In this study, we aimed to characterize which fish species occupy the floating litter banks and their trophic characteristics, as well as determine if fish assemblage composition and species richness can be predicted by the size of the floating litter banks. Fish sampling was conducted in five rivers located in the Amazon basin. Of the 31 floating litter banks sampled that contained fish, 455 individuals were recorded and were distributed within 40 species, 15 families and five orders. Siluriformes were the most representative order among the samples and contained the largest number of families and species. The fish fauna sampled was mainly composed of carnivorous species that are typically found in submerged litter banks of Amazonian streams. The fish assemblage composition in the kinon can be predicted by the volume of the floating litter banks using both presence/absence and abundance data, but not its species richness. In conclusion, kinon banks harbor a rich fish assemblage that utilizes this habitat for shelter and feeding, and may function as a refuge for the fishes during the peak of the flooding season.

Bancos de folhiço flutuantes são habitats efêmeros constituídos de troncos e galhos de árvores, flores, sementes e frutos retidos por uma variedade de mecanismos. Estes materiais formam uma camada espessa de matéria vegetal morta, que é colonizada por diferentes organismos, incluindo peixes que se alimentam de macroinvertebrados aquáticos presentes neste habitat. Nosso objetivo foi caracterizar as espécies e características tróficas dos peixes que ocupam esses bancos de folhiço flutuantes, bem como determinar se a composição da assembleia de peixes e a riqueza de espécies podem ser previstas pelo tamanho dos bancos. A amostragem dos peixes foi realizada em cinco rios da bacia amazônica. Dos 31 bancos de folhiço flutuantes amostrados que continham peixes, foram registrados 455 indivíduos distribuídos em 40 espécies, 15 famílias e cinco ordens. Siluriformes foi a ordem mais representativa, com o maior número de espécies e famílias. A fauna de peixes coletados foi composta principalmente por espécies carnívoras, que geralmente são encontrados em bancos de folhiço submersos de igarapés amazônicos. A composição das assembleias de peixes do 'kinon' pode ser prevista pelo volume desses bancos de liteira flutuante, tanto utilizando dados de presença/ausência quanto de abundância, mas não de riqueza de espécies. Em conclusão, os bancos de folhiço flutuante abrigam uma rica assembleia de peixes, que utilizam esse habitat como local de abrigo e de alimentação, e podem funcionar como refúgio para a ictiofauna dos bancos de folhiço submerso durante a estação chuvosa.

Impoundment effects in the population of Auchenipterus osteomystax (Siluriformes: Auchenipteridae): a Neotropical reservoir case

New impoundments provide opportunities to check whether species that present enough feeding flexibility in natural conditions may take advantage of this situation and, without reproductive restriction, can occupy the most conspicuous habitat in a large reservoir (open areas) and present higher success in the colonization of the new environment. We examined variations in the abundance and feeding of A. osteomystax in two environments, one natural (Sinha Mariana floodplain lake) and one dammed (Manso Reservoir), during two periods: the first year after the filling phase and three years later. Our goal was to evaluate the occupation of the new hábitat (Manso Reservoir), by this species, as well as to test the hypothesis that in the reservoir, unlike the natural environment, there are remarkable changes in diet between the periods. Fish were sampled monthly in the floodplain lake and in the reservoir during two annual periods using gillnets. To evaluate the differences in abundance of A. osteomystax we employed the Kruskal -Wallis test, and the diet analysis was carried out using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods. Temporal differences in the diet were tested by Kruskal-Wallis test using the scores from a detrended correspondence analysis. A. osteomystax was significantly more abundant in the floodplain lake, where the captures were higher than in the reservoir in almost all months analyzed, and significant variations in abundance between the two periods were not recorded in either the reservoir or the floodplain lake. The diet variation between the two periods, which had a time lag of three years between them, was much less pronounced in the natural environment, where the resource availability is essentially regulated by seasonality. Thus, our hypothesis was accepted; that is, the interannual variations in the diet of A. osteomystax are more relevant in an artificial environment than in a natural one. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (2): 699-708. Epub 2012 June 01.

Los embalses nuevos ofrecen la oportunidad de comprobar si especies que presentan suficiente flexibilidad en la alimentación en condiciones naturales pueden aprovechar esta situación y, sin restricciones de reproducción, ocupar la mayor parte del hábitat visible en un gran embalse (espacios abiertos), además, presentar un alto éxito en la colonización del nuevo entorno. Asimismo, examinamos variaciones en la abundancia y alimentación de A. osteomystax, en dos ambientes, uno natural (Sinha Mariana floodplain lake) y otro alterado (Embalse Manso), durante dos periodos: el primer ano después de la fase de llenado y tres años más tarde. Nuestro objetivo fue evaluar la ocupación del nuevo hábitat (Embalse Manso) por esta especie, así como probar la hipótesis de que en el embalse, a diferencia del ambiente natural, se producen cambios notables en la dieta entre los periodos. Los peces fueron muestreados mensualmente en el lago de la planicie de inundación y en el embalse durante dos periodos anuales con redes de enmalle. Para evaluar las diferencias en la abundancia de A. osteomystax empleamos la prueba de Kruskal-Wallis, y el análisis de la dieta se llevo a cabo con el uso de la frecuencia de ocurrencia y métodos volumétricos. Las diferencias temporales en la dieta fueron probadas con Kruskal-Wallis, se usaron los resultados a partir de un análisis de correspondencia sin tendencia. A. osteomystax fue significativamente más abundante en el lago de la llanura de inundación, donde las capturas fueron más altas, que en el embalse en casi todos los meses analizados, y no se registraron variaciones significativas en la abundancia entre los dos periodos tanto en el embalse como en el lago de inundación. La variación en la dieta entre los dos periodos, en los cuales habia un desfase de tres anos entre ellos, fue mucho menos pronunciada en el entorno natural, donde la disponibilidad de recursos es esencialmente regulada por la estacionalidad. Por lo tanto, nuestra hipótesis fue aceptada, es decir, las variaciones interanuales en la dieta de A. osteomystax son más relevantes en un ambiente artificial que en uno natural.

Diet and prey availability of terrestrial insectivorous birds prone to extinction in amazonian forest fragments

This study compared niche breath, prey size, and diet variability in two pairs of sympatric species of terrestrial insectivorous birds, each pair containing one species that can persist in small forest fragments and one that does not. The pairs were Myrmeciza ferruginea and Sclerurus rufigularis; and Formicarius colma and F. analis, respectively. The prey availability in forest fragments was also sampled and compared to the availability in continuous forests. Niche breath indices did not differ between pair members, but diet variability differed in the opposite direction from that hypothesized. Although the two bird species most vulnerable to fragmentation fed on larger prey than less vulnerable species, prey availability, including that based on prey size did not differ among fragmented versus continuous forest sites. Thus, diet per se appeared not to be an important cause of extinction-proneness in these species. The simplest explanation proposed, that vulnerability to fragmentation was directly related to territory size, requires testing. However, it was consistent with observations that the bird species feeding on larger prey also need larger territories.

Dieta e disponibilidade de presas de aves insetívoras terrestres em fragmentos florestais amazônicos. As aves insetívoras terrestres são um dos grupos mais vulneráveis à fragmentação de florestas tropicais; no entanto algumas espécies desta guilda ainda sobrevivem em fragmentos florestais e em florestas secundárias. Se a sensibilidade destas aves à fragmentação de florestas estivesse associada à dieta, então espécies com a dieta relativamente flexível teriam maior propensão em persistir nos fragmentos florestais. Este estudo comparou sobreposição trófica, amplitude de nicho, tamanho de presas e variabilidade de dieta de dois pares de espécies de aves insetívoras terrestres, onde cada par foi composto por uma espécie que persiste nos fragmentos e outra que não: Myrmeciza ferruginea e Sclerurus rufigularis; Formicarius colma e Formicarius analis, respectivamente. A disponibilidade de presas foi também amostrada e comparada entre os fragmentos florestais e a floresta contínua. Os índices de amplitude de nicho não foram significativamente diferentes entre membros dos pares, e a variabilidade de dieta diferiu no sentido oposto aquele previsto. Embora as espécies mais vulneráveis tenham consumido presas maiores que as espécies mais resistentes, a disponibilidade de presas não diferiu significativamente entre os fragmentos e a floresta contínua. Assim, pode ser concluído que dieta não é o principal determinante na extinção destas espécies nos pequenos fragmentos florestais. A mais simples explicação proposta, de que vulnerabilidade à fragmentação é diretamente relacionada ao tamanho do território, requer testes. No entanto, a probabilidade de que estas aves precisem de territórios maiores por que predam invertebrados maiores é consistente com observações não publicadas feitas nas áreas de estudo.