Genome Assembly of Pyrocephalus nanus: A Step Toward the Genetic Conservation of the Endangered Little Vermilion Flycatcher of the Galapagos Islands.

Incredibly powerful whole genome studies of conservation genetics, evolution, and biogeography become possible for non-model organisms when reference genomes are available. Here, we report the sequence and assembly of the whole genome of the little vermilion flycatcher (Pyrocephalus nanus; family Tyrannidae), which is an endemic, endangered, and declining species of the Galapagos Islands. Using PacBio HiFi reads to assemble long contigs and Hi-C reads for scaffolding, we assembled a genome of 1.07 Gb comprising 267 contigs in 152 scaffolds, scaffold N50 74 M, contig N50 17.8 M, with 98.9% assigned to candidate chromosomal sequences and 99.72% of the BUSCO passeriformes 10,844 single-copy orthologs present. In addition, we used the novel HiFiMiTie pipeline to fully assemble and verify all portions of the mitochondrial genome from HiFi reads, obtaining a mitogenome of 17,151 bases, containing 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNAs, 2 rRNAs, two control regions, and a unique structure of control region duplication and repeats. These genomes will be a critical tool for much-needed studies of phylogenetics, population genetics, biogeography, and conservation genetics of Pyrocephalus and related genera. This genome and other studies that use it will be able to provide recommendations for conservation management, taxonomic improvement, and to understand the evolution and diversification of this genus within the Galapagos Islands.

Breeding biology and biometrics of Myiozetetes c. cayanensis (Aves: Tyrannidae) in southwest Brazilian Amazonia with breeding season in Brazil

Our study provides information on the breeding and biometrics of Rusty-Margined Flycatcher Myiozetetes cayanensis in southwest Brazilian Amazonia. M. cayanensis is distributed from Central America until north of South America. We made observations on reproduction and captures of this species in a terra firme forest fragment in the state of Acre, between 1999 and 2020 and we evaluated the breeding season in Brazil through citizen science data. We monitored nine nests between 2012 and 2020, built at a mean height of 1.8 m above ground. Clutch size was two, three or four eggs, incubated for 15 days. We monitored the development of six nestlings: minimum hatch weight was 2 g and young fledged with a mean mass of ca. 25.5 g. The constant growth rate (K) of nestlings was 0.18 with a growth asymptote of 22.8 g. Daily survival rate was 90% and 100% during the incubation and nestling periods, respectively. The Mayfield success in the incubation and nestling periods was 20 and 100%, respectively. Apparent nesting success in the incubation and nestling periods was 46 and 100%, respectively. We recorded a minimum longevity of 2 years, nine months and 26 days. The subspecies M. c. cayanensis start to nest mainly between the dry and rainy season in Brazil, overlapping with the molt period in southwest Amazonia.

Nuestro estudio proporciona información sobre la reproducción y la biometría del bienteveo alicastaño Myiozetetes cayanensis en el suroeste de la Amazonia brasileña. M. cayanensis se distribuye desde América Central hasta el norte de América del Sur. Realizamos observaciones sobre la reproducción y captura de esta especie en un fragmento de bosque de tierra firme en el estado de Acre, entre 1999 y 2020 y evaluamos la época de reproducción en Brasil mediante datos de ciencia ciudadana. Monitoreamos nueve nidos entre 2012 y 2020, construidos a una altura promedio de 1.8 m sobre el suelo. El tamaño de la puesta fue de dos, tres o cuatro huevos, incubados durante 15 días. Monitoreamos el desarrollo de seis polluelos: el peso mínimo al nacer fue de 2 g y los polluelos con una masa media de ca. 25.5 g. La tasa de crecimiento constante (K) de los polluelos fue de 0.18 con una asíntota de crecimiento de 22.8 g. La tasa de supervivencia diaria fue del 90% y 100% durante los períodos de incubación y cría, respectivamente. El éxito de Mayfield en los períodos de incubación y cría fue de 20 y 100%, respectivamente. El éxito aparente de anidación en los períodos de incubación y polluelo fue de 46 y 100%, respectivamente. Registramos una longevidad mínima de 2 años, nueve meses y 26 días. La subespecie M. c. cayanensis comienzan a anidar principalmente entre la estación seca y lluviosa en Brasil, superponiéndose con el período de muda en el suroeste de la Amazonia.

Interactions between the Avian Parasite, Philornis downsi (Diptera: Muscidae) and the Galapagos Flycatcher, Myiarchus magnirostris Gould (Passeriformes: Tyrannidae).

An incidental observation of the fly Philornis downsi parasitizing a Galapagos Flycatcher (Myiarchus magnirostris) nest has revealed new insights into the searching behavior and biology of this invasive fly parasite and its interactions with endemic landbirds in the Galapagos Islands. Observations suggest that P. downsi relies on olfactory cues, or olfactory cues combined with the activity of adult birds, to locate nests and that flies continue to visit nests when chicks are >3 d old. At least 200 eggs were laid by P. downsi in different parts of the nest and >40 early-instar larvae were found inside the head of one chick, with additional larvae found in the base of the nest. Parasitism was the likely cause of mortality of both chicks found in or near the nest. This description of P. downsi parasitizing chicks of M. magnirostris highlights the vulnerability of this endemic bird species to this invasive fly.

Diet of the Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus (Wied, 1831) Aves, Tyrannidae - in three habitats of the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil / Dieta de Cnemotriccus fuscatus (Wied, 1831) - Aves, Tyrannidae - em três habitats do Pantanal norte, Mato Grosso, Brasil

The Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) is a medium-sized Tyrannidae widespread in South America. Despite its large distribution, there have been very few studies on its diet, especially in different habitats. This study presents data on diet variation in three habitats in the Pantanal wetlands in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The specimens were captured through a mist-netting programme between February 2000 and May 2010, in the Retiro Novo Farm, in the Poconé municipality. Birds were captured in three vegetation types: Landizal, Cambarazal and Cordilheira. Tartar emetic was used to obtain the regurgitation samples identified at order level. We captured 61 individuals (21, 26 and 14 in the above described habitats, respectively). Diet of C. fuscatus differed between the three habitats. Ants and beetles were the most relevant prey items either in numerical frequency (NF) or in frequency of occurrence (OF), in terms of the overall diet (NF = 27.34% and 37.89%; OF = 36.06% and 75.4%, respectively). However, in Cordilheira, seeds and beetles dominated the NF (21.8% and 38.1%, respectively) and OF (28.5% and 85.7%, respectively). Cnemotriccus fuscatus was found to have an omnivorous diet, although in Cambarazal, individuals preyed exclusively on arthropods. The present study provides an important contribution to the knowledge of the diet of a poorly studied Neotropical bird.(AU)

O Guaracavuçu (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) é um tyranídeo de tamanho médio, bem distribuído na América do Sul. Apesar de sua ampla distribuição, existem poucos estudos sobre a sua dieta, especialmente em diferentes habitats. Este estudo apresenta dados sobre a variação da dieta de C. fuscatus, em três diferentes fitofisionomias do Pantanal norte, Mato Grosso, Brasil. As aves foram capturadas em redes de neblina entre fevereiro de 2000 e maio de 2010, na fazenda Retiro Novo no município de Poconé. Os espécimes foram amostradas em três diferentes tipos de vegetação: Cambarazal, Landizal e Cordilheira. O tartarato emético foi usado para obtenção das amostras de regurgito que foram identificadas ao menor nível taxonômico possível. Foram capturados 61 indivíduos (26, 21 e 14 indivíduos nos habitats descritos acima, respectivamente). A dieta de C. fuscatus foi diferente entre as três fitofisionomias. Em geral, Formicidae e Coleoptera foram os itens alimentares mais relevantes tanto nas frequências numérica (FN) (FN 27,34% e 37,89%, respectivamente) quanto na frequência de ocorrência (FO) (FO = 36,06% e 75,4%, respectivamente). Entretanto, na Cordilheira as sementes (ou frutos) e os Coleoptera dominaram a FN (21,8% e 38,1%, respectivamente) e a FO (28,5% e 85,7%, respectivamente). Cnemotriccus fuscatus apresentou uma dieta onívora, porém no Cambarazal a espécie consumiu apenas artrópodes. O presente estudo fornece uma importante contribuição para o conhecimento da dieta de uma ave Neotropical tão pouco estudada.(AU)

Diet of the Fuscous Flycatcher Cnemotriccus fuscatus (Wied, 1831) Aves, Tyrannidae - in three habitats of the northern Pantanal, Mato Grosso, Brazil / Dieta de Cnemotriccus fuscatus (Wied, 1831) - Aves, Tyrannidae - em três habitats do Pantanal norte, Mato Grosso, Brasil

The Fuscous Flycatcher (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) is a medium-sized Tyrannidae widespread in South America. Despite its large distribution, there have been very few studies on its diet, especially in different habitats. This study presents data on diet variation in three habitats in the Pantanal wetlands in the state of Mato Grosso, Brazil. The specimens were captured through a mist-netting programme between February 2000 and May 2010, in the Retiro Novo Farm, in the Poconé municipality. Birds were captured in three vegetation types: Landizal, Cambarazal and Cordilheira. Tartar emetic was used to obtain the regurgitation samples identified at order level. We captured 61 individuals (21, 26 and 14 in the above described habitats, respectively). Diet of C. fuscatus differed between the three habitats. Ants and beetles were the most relevant prey items either in numerical frequency (NF) or in frequency of occurrence (OF), in terms of the overall diet (NF = 27.34% and 37.89%; OF = 36.06% and 75.4%, respectively). However, in Cordilheira, seeds and beetles dominated the NF (21.8% and 38.1%, respectively) and OF (28.5% and 85.7%, respectively). Cnemotriccus fuscatus was found to have an omnivorous diet, although in Cambarazal, individuals preyed exclusively on arthropods. The present study provides an important contribution to the knowledge of the diet of a poorly studied Neotropical bird.

O Guaracavuçu (Cnemotriccus fuscatus) é um tyranídeo de tamanho médio, bem distribuído na América do Sul. Apesar de sua ampla distribuição, existem poucos estudos sobre a sua dieta, especialmente em diferentes habitats. Este estudo apresenta dados sobre a variação da dieta de C. fuscatus, em três diferentes fitofisionomias do Pantanal norte, Mato Grosso, Brasil. As aves foram capturadas em redes de neblina entre fevereiro de 2000 e maio de 2010, na fazenda Retiro Novo no município de Poconé. Os espécimes foram amostradas em três diferentes tipos de vegetação: Cambarazal, Landizal e Cordilheira. O tartarato emético foi usado para obtenção das amostras de regurgito que foram identificadas ao menor nível taxonômico possível. Foram capturados 61 indivíduos (26, 21 e 14 indivíduos nos habitats descritos acima, respectivamente). A dieta de C. fuscatus foi diferente entre as três fitofisionomias. Em geral, Formicidae e Coleoptera foram os itens alimentares mais relevantes tanto nas frequências numérica (FN) (FN 27,34% e 37,89%, respectivamente) quanto na frequência de ocorrência (FO) (FO = 36,06% e 75,4%, respectivamente). Entretanto, na Cordilheira as sementes (ou frutos) e os Coleoptera dominaram a FN (21,8% e 38,1%, respectivamente) e a FO (28,5% e 85,7%, respectivamente). Cnemotriccus fuscatus apresentou uma dieta onívora, porém no Cambarazal a espécie consumiu apenas artrópodes. O presente estudo fornece uma importante contribuição para o conhecimento da dieta de uma ave Neotropical tão pouco estudada.

Forrageamento de Pitangus sulphuratus e de Tyrannus melancholicus (Aves: Tyrannidae) em hábitats urbanos / Foraging behaviour of Pitangus sulphuratus and Tyrannus melancholicus (Aves: Tyrannidae) in urban habitats

Tiranídeos (Aves: Tyrannidae) são aves com ampla riqueza comportamental e que ocorrem em uma enorme variedade de ambientes, incluindo áreas urbanas. Este estudo objetivou verificar e comparar o comportamento de forrageio de Pitangus sulphuratus e de Tyrannus melancholicus no ambiente urbano. O trabalho foi realizado na cidade de Uberlândia, MG, de abril a dezembro de 2009, totalizando 280 horas de esforço amostral. Foram amostradas 72 parcelas, duas vezes por estação ­ seca e chuvosa. As observações foram realizadas no período da manhã, em sessões de 50 min. Foram registrados comportamentos de procura e de ataque, tipo e número de substratos de procura, tempo de procura e de ataque; direção, substrato e distância percorrida no ataque; altura do substrato; tamanho e tipo de item alimentar; manipulação; comportamento pós-ataque. A estratégia de procura "estático" e os substratos de procura "árvores" foram mais frequentes para as duas espécies. Predominaram as estratégias de ataque "investir-atingir" para T. melancholicus e "investir-pousar" para P. sulphuratus. A direção de ataque "diagonal abaixo" foi utilizada com maior frequência pelas duas espécies, mas T. melancholicus atacou presas principalmente no "ar" e P. sulphuratus na "grama". O principal item alimentar foi "artrópode". Para a maioria das variáveis, T. melancholicus apresentou valores médios maiores do que P. sulphuratus, exceto para tempo médio de procura em vôo e número de poleiros na procura. Embora T. melancholicus apresente comportamentos mais especializados no item alimentar e na forma de captura, as duas espécies pesquisadas mostraram ampla plasticidade comportamental com aspectos generalistas, o que favorece a sobrevivência das duas espécies em ambientes urbanos.

Flycatchers (Aves: Tyrannidae) are birds with vast behavioral repertorie and occur in many habitats, occurring frequently in the urban environment. This study aimed to determine and compare the foraging behavior of Pitangus sulphuratus and Tyrannus melancholicus, in an urban habitat. The study was conducted at Uberlândia/MG, Brazil, from April to December 2009, totaling 280 hours of sampling effort. We sampled 72 plots twice per season - dry and rainy. The observations were made in the morning, in 50 min bouts. We recorded: search and attack behaviors, search substrate, search time, direction, distance and substrate used in attack behavior, substrate height, size and type of food item; manipulation; behavior after attack. The "static" search strategy and "tree" search substrate were more frequent for both species. The "sally-strike" (T. melancholicus) and "sally-pounce" (P. sulphuratus) attack strategies were the most frequent. The "diagonal downward" attack direction was used more frequently by both species, but T. melancholicus attacked mainly in "air" and P. sulphuratus attacked in "grass." The main food item was "arthropod" for both species. For most variables examined, T. melancholicus had higher average values than P. sulphuratus, except for average flight time and number of perches search. Although T. melancholicus showed a more specialized behavior, the two species studied show a wide behavioral repertoire, with generalist aspects, especially P. sulphuratus.