Polymorphism at the nestling stage and host-specific mimicry in an Australasian cuckoo-host arms race.

Decades of research have shown that the coevolutionary arms race between avian brood parasites and their hosts can promote phenotypic diversification in hosts and brood parasites. However, relatively little is known about the role of brood parasitism in promoting phenotypic diversification of nestlings. We review field data collected over four decades in Australia, New Caledonia and New Zealand to assess potential for coevolutionary interactions between the shining bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus) and its hosts, and how diversification at the nestling stage may be generating different subspecies. The shining bronze-cuckoo is a specialist parasite of a few hosts in the family Acanthizidae. It has diversified into subspecies, of which the nestlings closely mimic the respective host nestlings in each region. Additionally, some cuckoo subspecies have polymorphic nestlings. The Acanthizidae hosts have similar breeding and nesting habits and only moderately effective frontline defences against parasitism at cuckoo egg laying or at the egg stages. However, some hosts have developed highly effective defences at the nestling stage by recognising and ejecting cuckoo nestlings from the nest. As with the cuckoo nestlings, some hosts have polymorphic nestlings. The coevolutionary interactions in each region suggest different evolutionary stages of the arms race in which either the parasite or the host is currently in the lead. The presence of moderately effective defences at the egg laying and egg stages might explain why some hosts do not have defences at the nestling stage. The south-Pacific cuckoo - host systems are excellent models to explore the evolutionary mechanisms driving the diversification at the nestling stage in the coevolutionary arms race between avian brood parasites and their hosts.

Discrimination and ejection of eggs and nestlings by the fan-tailed gerygone from New Caledonia.

Nestling rejection is a rare type of host defense against brood parasitism compared with egg rejection. Theoretically, host defenses at both egg and nestling stages could be based on similar underlying discrimination mechanisms but, due to the rarity of nestling rejector hosts, few studies have actually tested this hypothesis. We investigated egg and nestling discrimination by the fan-tailed gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis, a host that seemingly accepts nonmimetic eggs of its parasite, the shining bronze-cuckoo Chalcites lucidus, but ejects mimetic parasite nestlings. We introduced artificial eggs or nestlings and foreign gerygone nestlings in gerygone nests and compared begging calls of parasite and host nestlings. We found that the gerygone ejected artificial eggs only if their size was smaller than the parasite or host eggs. Ejection of artificial nestlings did not depend on whether their color matched that of the brood. The frequency of ejection increased during the course of the breeding season mirroring the increase in ejection frequency of parasite nestlings by the host. Cross-fostered gerygone nestlings were frequently ejected when lacking natal down and when introduced in the nest before hatching of the foster brood, but only occasionally when they did not match the color of the foster brood. Begging calls differed significantly between parasite and host nestlings throughout the nestling period. Our results suggest that the fan-tailed gerygone accepts eggs within the size range of gerygone and cuckoo eggs and that nestling discrimination is based on auditory and visual cues other than skin color. This highlights the importance of using a combined approach to study discrimination mechanisms of hosts.

Erratum to: Discrimination and ejection of eggs and nestlings by the fan-tailed gerygone from New Caledonia.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1093/cz/zoab066.].

Visual discrimination of polymorphic nestlings in a cuckoo-host system.

Mimicry by avian brood parasites favours uniformity over variation within a breeding attempt as host defence against parasitism. In a cuckoo-host system from New Caledonia, the arms race resulted in both host (Gerygone flavolateralis) and parasite (Chalcites lucidus) having nestlings of two discrete skin colour phenotypes, bright and dark. In our study sites, host nestlings occurred in monomorphic and polymorphic broods, whereas cuckoo nestlings only occurred in the bright morph. Irrespective of their brood colour, host parents recognised and ejected parasite nestlings but never ejected their own. We investigated whether host parents visually recognised their own nestlings by using colour, luminance and pattern of multiple body regions. We found that the parasite mimicked multiple visual features of both host morphs and that the visual difference between host morphs was larger than the difference between the parasite and the mimicked host morph. Visual discrimination alone may result in higher chances of recognition errors in polymorphic than in monomorphic host broods. Host parents may rely on additional sensorial cues, not only visual, to assess nestling identity. Nestling polymorphism may be a trace of evolutionary past and may only have a marginal role in true-recognition of nestlings in the arms race in New Caledonia.

Mating system and extra-pair paternity in the Fan-tailed Gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis in relation to parasitism by the Shining Bronze-cuckoo Chalcites lucidus.

Extra-pair copulation can increase genetic diversity and offspring fitness. However, it may also increase intra-nest variability in avian hosts of brood parasites, which can decrease the discrimination ability of host parents towards the parasite. In New Caledonia, the Fan-tailed Gerygone (Gerygone flavolateralis), which is parasitized by the Shining Bronze-cuckoo (Chalcites lucidus), has two nestling morphs, dark and bright, that can occur in monomorphic and polymorphic broods. Gerygone parents recognize and eject parasite nestlings from their nest, but the presence of polymorphic broods may increase the chances of recognition errors. Using 17 microsatellite markers, we investigated the mating system of the Fan-tailed Gerygone to understand the mechanisms underlying nestling polymorphism. We hypothesised that extra-pair copulations would lead to a higher proportion of polymorphic broods caused by higher genetic variability, thus creating a trade-off between genetic benefits and host defence reliability. Extra-pair paternity occurred in 6 of 36 broods, which resulted in 6 of 69 offspring sired by extra-pair males. Broods with and without mixed paternity were comparably often parasitized. Extra-pair paternity did not influence the proportions of bright, dark and polymorphic broods. Compared to bright siblings in polymorphic broods, dark nestlings tended to have lower heterozygosity, particularly in loci associated with skin coloration. The results also suggested that there is no obstacle for genetic exchange between individuals from forest and savannah, possibly due to dispersal of offspring. We conclude that the Fan-tailed Gerygone is a socially monogamous species with a low rate of extra-pair paternity compared to closely related species. Extra-pair paternity increased offspring genetic variability without measurable associated costs by brood parasitism. The results highlight the importance of studying host mating systems to assess the trade-offs between host defence and offspring fitness in co-evolutionary arms races.

Nestling polymorphism in a cuckoo-host system.

Virulence of avian brood parasites can trigger a coevolutionary arms race, which favours rejection of parasitic eggs or chicks by host parents, and in turn leads to mimicry in parasite eggs or chicks [1-7]. The appearance of host offspring is critical to enable host parents to detect parasites. Thus, increasing accuracy of parasites' mimicry can favour a newly emerged host morph to escape parasites' mimicry. If parasites catch up with the hosts with a newly acquired mimetic morph, host polymorphism should be maintained through apostatic (negative frequency-dependent) selection, which favours hosts rarer morphs [1-3,7]. Among population-wide polymorphism, uniformity of respective host morphs in single host nests stochastically prevents parasites from targeting any specific morph of hosts and thus helps parents detect parasitism. Polymorphism in such a state is well-known in egg appearances of hosts of brood parasitic birds [2,3,7], which might also occur in chick appearances when arms races escalate. Here, we present evidence of polymorphism in chick skin coloration in a cuckoo-host system: the fan-tailed gerygone Gerygone flavolateralis and its specialist brood parasite, the shining bronze-cuckoo Chalcites lucidus in New Caledonia (Figure 1A-C).

The first specific detection of a highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (H5N1) in Ivory Coast.

The Virology Laboratory of the Central Laboratory of Animal Diseases in Ivory Coast at Bingerville received samples of wild and domestic avian species between February and December 2006. An RT-PCR technique was used to test for avian influenza (AI) and highly pathogenic AI subtype viruses. Among 2125 samples, 16 were type A positive; of which, 12 were later confirmed to be H5N1. Fifteen of these 16 type A positive samples were inoculated into the chorioallantoic cavity of 11-day-old embryonated hens' eggs for virus isolation. Eight produced virus with hemagglutination titres from 1/64 to 1/512. The 4/16 M-RT-PCR positive samples, which were H5N1 negative, were shown to be H7 subtype negative. The diagnostic efficiency of the laboratory for the surveillance of H5N1 in Ivory Coast was demonstrated. The positive cases of H5N1 were from a sparrowhawk (Accipter nisus); live market poultry and in free-range poultry, where the mortality rate was approximately 20% (2/10) and 96.7% (29/30) respectively. Currently, investigations into intensive poultry farms have proved negative for H5N1. No human cases have been reported this time.

[Morbillivirus infections of ruminants: the nearly eradicated rinderpest and the "peste des petits ruminants", an expanding disease in the South and a threat for Europe]. / Infections à Morbillivirus chez les ruminants: la peste bovine en voie d'éradication et la peste des petits ruminants en extension vers le Nord.

Rinderpest (RP) and peste des petits ruminants (PPR) are contagious viral diseases of domestic and wild ruminants producing high mortality. They are caused by viruses belonging to the Morbillivirus genus, Paramyxoviridae family. Control tools (vaccines and specific diagnostic tests) exist for these two diseases. They have been successfully used during the global rinderpest eradication programme (GREP) and the disease is expected to be eradicated by 2010. In contrast, a similar programme does not exist for PPR, which is still spreading in Africa and Asia. The persistence of PPR in Turkey and its recent introduction in Morocco, make the disease a real threat for Europe. Improvement of control measures against PPR would benefit from the development of a marker vaccine and its companion serological test, thus allowing the differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals (DIVA vaccines and tests). The recent development of reverse genetics for morbilliviruses offers this new possibility.

[Knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of community health center staff on birth asphyxia in Kolokani (Mali)]. / Enquete cap du personnel des Centres de Sante Communautaire de Kolokani (Mali) sur l'asphyxie du nouveau ne.

Most newborn deaths are associated with birth asphyxia (40%), low birth weigt and prematurity (25%) and infections (20%). In Mali, in the Community Health Centers (CSCOM) exercises a staff composed of the nurse chief of health centers (ICPM) assuring the supervision of the matrons that is charged in pregnancy and the newborn. An investigation KAP (Knowledge, Attitudes and Practises) initiated in order to assess the knowledge and the practices of the community health centers agents on birth asphyxia. The survey was cross-sectional and that took place in September 2004. Have been included in the study the matrons, the nurse chief available at the time of the survey. The multiplicity of the names mentioned among which Ninakili dégou (27,3%) and Niominè (15,2%) are the most frequent and show the necessity of a qualitative investigation to find a name. Prolonged labor more than 12 hours (73,3%) and the stained amniotic liquid (63,3%) are the most recognized signs during labor making fear the birth asphyxia. In our survey the prolonged labor (63,7%), the infection/malaria of mother (60,7%) and the Dystocic delivery (45,5%) were the mostly reported causes of birth asphyxia. The pale or bluish coloration (69,7%), the irregular or lack of breath (69,7%), the lack of cry (63,6%) were known as the main signs of birth asphyxia. We noted some good practices as aspirating with a bulb (69,7%) and clearing upper ways with a finger covered with gauze (30,3% ); doing the mouth to mouth (51,5%); stimulating the newborn (66,7%). The improvement of the neontatal mortality requires the training of the staff and the equipment of the centers in small simple materials of resuscitation.

Horsfield's hawk-cuckoo nestlings simulate multiple gapes for begging.

Nestlings of some brood parasitic birds evict hosts' eggs and young soon after hatching, thereby avoiding discrimination by hosts while monopolizing parental care. Eviction carries a cost, however, because lone parasitic nestlings attract a reduced provisioning rate. Here we describe a form of visual signaling used by the evicting Horsfield's hawk-cuckoo (Cuculus fugax) to obtain sufficient food. The chick displays a gape-colored patch on the wing to the host parents as they deliver food, simulating the gaping display of more than one nestling.

Community-based survey on female genital excision in Faranah District, Guinea.

This paper reports on a community-based study in 1999 of the beliefs and practices of people in Faranah District, Guinea regarding female genital excision (FGE). Semi-structured individual interviews and focus group discussions were carried out with women of reproductive age, older women, married men, community and religious leaders, traditional practitioners and health workers. The study found that FGE was being carried out on girls aged 6-14, mostly using a traditional knife and involving total excision of the clitoris and partial removal of the external genitals, in conjunction with instruction on how young women should behave when they are married. The practice is illegal under national laws but few people were aware of this. There was a tendency towards taking girls for medical care to avoid complications, and some people suggested that FGE should be done by medical professionals, but this was a minority. More than 60 per cent of respondents thought FGE was harmful to health and supported its abolition. Many more men than women took this view; women felt under pressure to maintain the tradition. To stop FGE, local organisations need to support a process of change within the community, including awareness-raising about the law and the negative health effects of FGE, promoting alternative ceremonies, educating practitioners and supporting education and improvements in the status of women.

[Prevalence of Herpes simplex virus infection in pregnant women in Yopougon (Côte d'Ivoire)]. / Prévalence de l'infection par Herpes simplex virus chez la femme enceinte à Yopougon (Côte d'Ivoire).

A transversal survey on 150 pregnant women was carried out at the P.M.I. center in Yopougon, in order to determine the prevalence of genital herpes and to estimate the frequency of asymptomatic excreting of Herpes simplex virus (HSV) in pregnant women. The viral isolation and the direct immuno-fluorescence (IF) assay of the genital secretions were found to have a prevalence of 12.7% Among the women who tested positive (the majority of whom were from modest socio-economic origin and young), 10% had antecedents of genital herpes, 2.7% showed an asymptomatic excretion and 36.8% had an acute episode during their pregnancy including a primary infection in the 20th week. In these women an unexpected recurrence will constitute the major risk for maternal transmission and an emergence of neonatal herpes.

Aspects radiographiques de la tuberculose pulmonaire

162 patients (41 femmes; 121 hommes); hospitalisés pour toux ; et qui étaient tous bacillifères au moment de la réalisation de la radiographie thoracique d'admission; ont été inclus dans cette étude. Aucun de ces patients n'avait bénéficié de traitement antituberculeux avant hospitalisation. Le but de ce travail était de décrire les aspects radiologiques de la tuberculose pulmonaire. Seul le cliché thoracique d'admission à l'hôpital a été retenu pour l'étude qui a consisté à une relecture systématique des radiographies après avoir divise chaque poumon en deux champs séparés par une ligne imaginaire passant par les hiles sur le cliché thoracique de face. Les lésions siégeaient dans les champs supérieurs dans 89 cas (54;94 pour cent); inferieurs dans 21 cas (2;96 pour cent) et au moins deux champs dans 52 cas (32;10 pour cent) [P5 pour cent]. Les anomalies radiologiques étaient de type parenchymateux dans 138 cas (85;19 pour cent); et mixte (parenchymateux et extraparenchymenteux) dans 524 cas. Parmi les anomalies parenchymateuses; nous avons note des nodules dans 75 cas (54;35 pour cent); des foyers alvéolaires dans 13 cas (9;42 pour cent) des cavernes dans 17 cas (12;32 pour cent) et une association de lésions dans 33 cas (23;91 pour cent) [P 1 pour cent]. Les images nodulaires étaient des micros ou macronodules groupées en amas de petit nombre dans 64 cas (85;33 pour cent); et de type miliaire dans 11 cas (14;67 pour cent) [P 1 pour cent]. Les auteurs concluent que la mise en évidence; de lésions nodulaires; groupées en amas de petit nombre surtout dans le champ supérieur des poumons doit emmener les cliniciens à rechercher systématiquement le bacille de Koch dans les crachats; en une d'une prise en charge thérapeutique précoce

Determination of oxytetracycline in marine shellfish (Crassostrea gigas, Ruditapes philippinarum and Scrobicularia plana) by high-performance liquid chromatography using solid-phase extraction.

A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to detect oxytetracycline (OTC) in three species of marine shellfish (Crassostrea gigas, Ruditapes philippinarum and Scrobicularia plana). Shellfish tissues were analysed after solid-phase extraction by using a mobile phase containing acetonitrile and 0.02 M orthophosphoric acid solution. The linearity and precision of the method were checked over the concentration range 0.100-1.500 micrograms/g. The limits of detection and determination of OTC were 0.040 and 0.100 microgram/g, respectively. The recovery of OTC from spiked shellfish tissues was 79.8%. The OTC concentration in oyster (Crassostrea gigas) spiked at 0.500 microgram/g and stored at -20 degrees C was stable for 6 weeks. The method was applied to a 21-day experimental study performed with oysters.