An annotated avian inventory of the Brazilian state of Alagoas, one of the world's most threatened avifauna

The northeast Brazilian state of Alagoas harbors a rather diverse, and one of the world's most threatened, avifauna. However, the knowledge about its avifauna is currently scattered on several publications and the state's birds have never been comprehensively assembled into a checklist. To fill this shortfall, we present here the first critical review of all available bird records for the state of Alagoas. We present a list of 520 bird species recorded in the state, of which 503 are supported by documentary evidence. We also comment on the distribution, migratory movements, taxonomy and conservation of the region's avifauna and correct previous misidentified or invalid records for the state.(AU)

Comparative phylogeographic and demographic analyses reveal a congruent pattern of sister relationships between bird populations of the northern and south-central Atlantic Forest.

The Pernambuco Center of Endemism (PCE) is the northernmost strip of the Atlantic Forest (AF). Biogeographic affinities among avifaunas in the PCE, the southern-central Atlantic Forest (SCAF), and Amazonia (AM) have not been studied comprehensively, and current patterns of genetic diversity in the PCE remain unclear. The interplay between species' ecological attributes and historical processes, such as Pleistocene climate fluctuations or the appearance of rivers, may have affected population genetic structures in the PCE. Moreover, the role of past connections between the PCE and AM and the elevational distribution of species in assembling the PCE avifauna remain untested. Here, we investigated the biogeographic history of seven taxa endemic to the PCE within a comparative phylogeographic framework based on a mean of 3,618 independent single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) extracted from flanking regions of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) and one mitochondrial gene. We found that PCE populations were more closely related to SCAF populations than they were to those in AM, regardless of their elevational range, with divergence times placed during the Mid-Pleistocene. These splits were consistent with a pattern of allopatric divergence with gene flow until the upper Pleistocene and no signal of rapid changes in population sizes. Our results support the existence of a Pleistocene refugium driving current genetic diversity in the PCE, thereby rejecting the role of the São Francisco River as a primary barrier for population divergence. Additionally, we found that connections with Amazonia also played a significant role in assembling the PCE avifauna through subsequent migration events.

Distribution and identification of the White-collared Kite Leptodon forbesi and the juvenile plumages of the Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis

The genus Leptodon encompasses two Neotropical raptor species. The more widely-distributed Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis) occurs in a vast area of Neotropical region, while the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is endemic of the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, but there are some questions about the extent of its geographic distribution and about its sympatry with its congener. Here we present a review of the geographic distribution and the diagnoses of L. forbesi, correcting recent records based on misidentifications. We also clarify the main features of juvenile and subadult plumage of Leptodon raptors and describe new phases of juvenile plumage.(AU)

Distribution and identification of the White-collared Kite Leptodon forbesi and the juvenile plumages of the Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis

The genus Leptodon encompasses two Neotropical raptor species. The more widely-distributed Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis) occurs in a vast area of Neotropical region, while the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is endemic of the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, but there are some questions about the extent of its geographic distribution and about its sympatry with its congener. Here we present a review of the geographic distribution and the diagnoses of L. forbesi, correcting recent records based on misidentifications. We also clarify the main features of juvenile and subadult plumage of Leptodon raptors and describe new phases of juvenile plumage.

Distribution and identification of the White-collared Kite Leptodon forbesi and the juvenile plumages of the Gray-headed Kite Leptodon cayanensis

Abstract The genus Leptodon encompasses two Neotropical raptor species. The more widely-distributed Gray-headed Kite (Leptodon cayanensis) occurs in a vast area of Neotropical region, while the White-collared Kite (Leptodon forbesi) is endemic of the Atlantic Forest of northeastern Brazil, but there are some questions about the extent of its geographic distribution and about its sympatry with its congener. Here we present a review of the geographic distribution and the diagnoses of L. forbesi, correcting recent records based on misidentifications. We also clarify the main features of juvenile and subadult plumage of Leptodon raptors and describe new phases of juvenile plumage.

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from a remnant of Atlantic Forest in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil / Morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) de um remanescente de Mata Atlântica em Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil

The RPPN Carnijó (08° 07’ 07” S, 35° 05’ 32” N) is a 25 hectare fragment of Atlantic Forest located in the municipality of Moreno, Pernambuco. Bats were sampled at this site during a total of 19 months between 2006 and 2008. Four mist-nets were set for six hours each night along trails, the forest edge, natural clearings, and over watercourses, while roosts were located during daytime searches. A total of 518 specimens were captured during 43 nights, representing 20 species in 16 genera. Total species richness was estimated to be 25.7 ± 2.0, and diversity was H’ = 2.07. The family Phyllostomidae predominated, with 98% (N = 509) of the specimens captured. The species recorded represent 28% of the known chiropteran fauna of the state of Pernambuco. The results indicate that the reserve may play a fundamentally important role in the maintenance of local biodiversity by acting as a “stepping stone” linking the larger fragments within the local landscape.

A RPPN Carnijó (08° 07’ 07” S, 35° 05’ 32” N) é um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de 25 hectares localizado no município de Moreno, Pernambuco. Os morcegos foram amostrados durante 19 meses, entre 2006 e 2008. Quatro redes de neblina foram armadas por seis horas em cada noite em trilhas no interior da área florestada, na borda, em clareiras naturais e próximas a córregos e alagados. Buscas por abrigos foram realizadas durante o dia. Um total de 518 espécimes foram capturados em 43 noites de amostragem, representando 20 espécies de 16 gêneros. A riqueza foi estimada em 25,7 ± 2,0 e a diversidade foi H’ = 2,07. A família Phyllostomidae predominou com 98% (N = 509) das espécies capturadas. As espécies registradas no presente estudo representam 28% da quiropterofauna conhecida para o estado de Pernambuco. Os resultados indicam que a RPPN Carnijó pode desempenhar um importante papel na manutenção da biodiversidade local atuando como “trampolim ecológico” na paisagem local.

Bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera) from a remnant of Atlantic Forest in Pernambuco, northeastern Brazil / Morcegos (Mammalia: Chiroptera) de um remanescente de Mata Atlântica em Pernambuco, Nordeste do Brasil

The RPPN Carnijó (08° 07 07” S, 35° 05 32” N) is a 25 hectare fragment of Atlantic Forest located in the municipality of Moreno, Pernambuco. Bats were sampled at this site during a total of 19 months between 2006 and 2008. Four mist-nets were set for six hours each night along trails, the forest edge, natural clearings, and over watercourses, while roosts were located during daytime searches. A total of 518 specimens were captured during 43 nights, representing 20 species in 16 genera. Total species richness was estimated to be 25.7 ± 2.0, and diversity was H = 2.07. The family Phyllostomidae predominated, with 98% (N = 509) of the specimens captured. The species recorded represent 28% of the known chiropteran fauna of the state of Pernambuco. The results indicate that the reserve may play a fundamentally important role in the maintenance of local biodiversity by acting as a “stepping stone” linking the larger fragments within the local landscape.(AU)

A RPPN Carnijó (08° 07 07” S, 35° 05 32” N) é um fragmento de Mata Atlântica de 25 hectares localizado no município de Moreno, Pernambuco. Os morcegos foram amostrados durante 19 meses, entre 2006 e 2008. Quatro redes de neblina foram armadas por seis horas em cada noite em trilhas no interior da área florestada, na borda, em clareiras naturais e próximas a córregos e alagados. Buscas por abrigos foram realizadas durante o dia. Um total de 518 espécimes foram capturados em 43 noites de amostragem, representando 20 espécies de 16 gêneros. A riqueza foi estimada em 25,7 ± 2,0 e a diversidade foi H = 2,07. A família Phyllostomidae predominou com 98% (N = 509) das espécies capturadas. As espécies registradas no presente estudo representam 28% da quiropterofauna conhecida para o estado de Pernambuco. Os resultados indicam que a RPPN Carnijó pode desempenhar um importante papel na manutenção da biodiversidade local atuando como “trampolim ecológico” na paisagem local.(AU)