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While most of the knowledge on invasive species focuses on their impacts, little is known about their potential positive effects on other species. Invasive ecosystem engineers can disrupt recipient environments; however, they may also facilitate access to novel resources for native species. The monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) is a worldwide invader and the only parrot that builds its own communal nests, which can be used by other species. However, the ecological effects of these interspecific interactions are barely known. We compared the role of the monk parakeet as a nest-site facilitator in different rural and urban areas, both invaded and native, across three continents and eight breeding seasons. A total of 2690 nests from 42 tenant species, mostly cavity-nesting birds, were recorded in 26% of 2595 monk parakeet nests. Rural and invaded areas showed the highest abundance and richness of tenant species. Multispecies communal nests triggered interspecific aggression between the monk parakeet host and its tenants, but also a cooperative defense against predators. Despite the positive effects for native species, monk parakeets also facilitate nesting opportunities to other non-native species and may also transmit diseases to tenants, highlighting the complexity of biotic interactions in biological invasions.
Dailos Hernández-Brito; Martina Carrete; Guillermo Blanco; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Juan Senar; Emiliano Mori; Thomas White; Álvaro Luna; José Tella. The Role of Monk Parakeets as Nest-Site Facilitators in Their Native and Invaded Areas. Biology 2021, 10, 683 .
AMA StyleDailos Hernández-Brito, Martina Carrete, Guillermo Blanco, Pedro Romero-Vidal, Juan Senar, Emiliano Mori, Thomas White, Álvaro Luna, José Tella. The Role of Monk Parakeets as Nest-Site Facilitators in Their Native and Invaded Areas. Biology. 2021; 10 (7):683.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDailos Hernández-Brito; Martina Carrete; Guillermo Blanco; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Juan Senar; Emiliano Mori; Thomas White; Álvaro Luna; José Tella. 2021. "The Role of Monk Parakeets as Nest-Site Facilitators in Their Native and Invaded Areas." Biology 10, no. 7: 683.
Parrots stand out among birds because of their poor conservation status and the lack of available information on their population sizes and trends. Estimating parrot abundance is complicated by the high mobility, gregariousness, patchy distributions, and rarity of many species. Roadside car surveys can be useful to cover large areas and increase the probability of detecting spatially aggregated species or those occurring at very low densities. However, such surveys may be biased due to their inability to handle differences in detectability among species and habitats. We conducted 98 roadside surveys, covering > 57,000 km across 20 countries and the main world biomes, recording ca. 120,000 parrots from 137 species. We found that larger and more gregarious species are more easily visually detected and at greater distances, with variations among biomes. However, raw estimates of relative parrot abundances (individuals/km) were strongly correlated (r = 0.86–0.93) with parrot densities (individuals/km2) estimated through distance sampling (DS) models, showing that variability in abundances among species (>40 orders of magnitude) overcomes any potential detectability bias. While both methods provide similar results, DS cannot be used to study parrot communities or monitor the population trends of all parrot species as it requires a minimum of encounters that are not reached for most species (64% in our case), mainly the rarest and more threatened. However, DS may be the most suitable choice for some species-specific studies of common species. We summarize the strengths and weaknesses of both methods to guide researchers in choosing the best–fitting option for their particular research hypotheses, characteristics of the species studied, and logistical constraints.
José Tella; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Francisco Dénes; Fernando Hiraldo; Bernardo Toledo; Federica Rossetto; Guillermo Blanco; Dailos Hernández-Brito; Erica Pacífico; José Díaz-Luque; Abraham Rojas; Alan Bermúdez-Cavero; Álvaro Luna; Jomar Barbosa; Martina Carrete. Roadside Car Surveys: Methodological Constraints and Solutions for Estimating Parrot Abundances across the World. Diversity 2021, 13, 300 .
AMA StyleJosé Tella, Pedro Romero-Vidal, Francisco Dénes, Fernando Hiraldo, Bernardo Toledo, Federica Rossetto, Guillermo Blanco, Dailos Hernández-Brito, Erica Pacífico, José Díaz-Luque, Abraham Rojas, Alan Bermúdez-Cavero, Álvaro Luna, Jomar Barbosa, Martina Carrete. Roadside Car Surveys: Methodological Constraints and Solutions for Estimating Parrot Abundances across the World. Diversity. 2021; 13 (7):300.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé Tella; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Francisco Dénes; Fernando Hiraldo; Bernardo Toledo; Federica Rossetto; Guillermo Blanco; Dailos Hernández-Brito; Erica Pacífico; José Díaz-Luque; Abraham Rojas; Alan Bermúdez-Cavero; Álvaro Luna; Jomar Barbosa; Martina Carrete. 2021. "Roadside Car Surveys: Methodological Constraints and Solutions for Estimating Parrot Abundances across the World." Diversity 13, no. 7: 300.
Understanding of ecosystem structure and functioning requires detailed knowledge about plant–animal interactions, especially when keystone species are involved. The recent consideration of parrots as legitimate seed dispersers has widened the range of mechanisms influencing the life cycle of many plant species. We examined the interactions between the burrowing parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus and two dominant algarrobo trees (Prosopis alba and Prosopis nigra) in the Monte Desert, Argentina. We recorded the abundance and foraging behaviour of parrots; quantified the handling, consumption, wasting, and dispersal of ripe and unripe pods; and tested the viability of soft and hard ripe seeds wasted and transported by parrots. We found a high abundance of burrowing parrots. They predated on soft seeds from unripe pods while exclusively feeding upon pulp wrapping hard seeds from ripe pods. Frequent pod wasting beneath the plant or transport at a distance invariably implied the dispersal of multiple seeds in each event. Moreover, soft seeds retained viability after desiccation outside the mother plant, suggesting effective seed dispersal after partial pod predation due to a predator satiation effect. In about half of the foraging flocks, at least one parrot departed in flight with pods in its beak, with 10–34% of the flock components moving pods at distances averaging 238 m (P. alba) and 418 m (P. nigra). A snapshot sampling of faeces from livestock and wild mammals suggested a low frequency of seed dispersal by endozoochory and secondary dispersal by ants and dung beetles. The nomadic movements and long flights of burrowing parrots between breeding and foraging sites can lead to the dispersal of huge amounts of seeds across large areas that are sequentially exploited. Further research should evaluate the role of the burrowing parrot as a functionally unique species in the structure of the Monte Desert woods and the genetic structure of algarrobo species.
Guillermo Blanco; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Martina Carrete; Daniel Chamorro; Carolina Bravo; Fernando Hiraldo; José Tella. Burrowing Parrots Cyanoliseus patagonus as Long-Distance Seed Dispersers of Keystone Algarrobos, Genus Prosopis, in the Monte Desert. Diversity 2021, 13, 204 .
AMA StyleGuillermo Blanco, Pedro Romero-Vidal, Martina Carrete, Daniel Chamorro, Carolina Bravo, Fernando Hiraldo, José Tella. Burrowing Parrots Cyanoliseus patagonus as Long-Distance Seed Dispersers of Keystone Algarrobos, Genus Prosopis, in the Monte Desert. Diversity. 2021; 13 (5):204.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuillermo Blanco; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Martina Carrete; Daniel Chamorro; Carolina Bravo; Fernando Hiraldo; José Tella. 2021. "Burrowing Parrots Cyanoliseus patagonus as Long-Distance Seed Dispersers of Keystone Algarrobos, Genus Prosopis, in the Monte Desert." Diversity 13, no. 5: 204.
Plant–animal interactions are key to sustaining whole communities and ecosystem function. However, their complexity may limit our understanding of the underlying mechanisms and the species involved. The ecological effects of epizoochory remain little known compared to other seed dispersal mechanisms given the few vectors identified. In addition, epizoochory is mostly considered non-mutualistic since dispersers do not obtain nutritional rewards. Here, we show a widespread but unknown mutualistic interaction between parrots and plants through epizoochory. Combining our observations with photos from web-sources, we recorded nearly 2000 epizoochory events in 48 countries across five continents, involving 116 parrot species and nearly 100 plant species from 35 families, including both native and non-native species. The viscid pulp of fleshy fruits and anemochorous structures facilitate the adherence of tiny seeds (mean 3.7 × 2.56 mm) on the surface of parrots while feeding, allowing the dispersion of these seeds over long distances (mean = 118.5 m). This parrot–plant mutualism could be important in ecosystem functioning across a wide diversity of environments, also facilitating the spread of exotic plants. Future studies should include parrots for a better understanding of plant dispersal processes and for developing effective conservation actions against habitat loss and biological invasions.
Dailos Hernández-Brito; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Fernando Hiraldo; Guillermo Blanco; José Díaz-Luque; Jomar Barbosa; Craig Symes; Thomas White; Erica Pacífico; Esther Sebastián-González; Martina Carrete; José Tella. Epizoochory in Parrots as an Overlooked Yet Widespread Plant–Animal Mutualism. Plants 2021, 10, 760 .
AMA StyleDailos Hernández-Brito, Pedro Romero-Vidal, Fernando Hiraldo, Guillermo Blanco, José Díaz-Luque, Jomar Barbosa, Craig Symes, Thomas White, Erica Pacífico, Esther Sebastián-González, Martina Carrete, José Tella. Epizoochory in Parrots as an Overlooked Yet Widespread Plant–Animal Mutualism. Plants. 2021; 10 (4):760.
Chicago/Turabian StyleDailos Hernández-Brito; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Fernando Hiraldo; Guillermo Blanco; José Díaz-Luque; Jomar Barbosa; Craig Symes; Thomas White; Erica Pacífico; Esther Sebastián-González; Martina Carrete; José Tella. 2021. "Epizoochory in Parrots as an Overlooked Yet Widespread Plant–Animal Mutualism." Plants 10, no. 4: 760.
The assessment of temporal variation in genetic features can be particularly informative on the factors behind demography and viability of wildlife populations and species. We used molecular methods to evaluate neutral genetic variation, relatedness, bottlenecks, and inbreeding in a declining population of Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus) in central Spain. The results show that the genetic diversity remained relatively stable over a period of twelve years despite the decline in census and effective population sizes in the last decades. A relatively high proportion of nestlings from different and distant territories showed high relatedness in each study year. We also found support for an increasing impact of severe recent (contemporary) rather than distant (historical) past demographic bottlenecks, and the first evidence of inbred mating between full siblings coinciding with lethal malformations in offspring. The inbred nestling with feather malformations was positive to beak and feather disease virus recorded for the first time in this species. These results alert on recent and novel threats potentially affecting health and reducing the adaptive potential of individuals in this threatened species.
Guillermo Blanco; Francisco Morinha. Genetic signatures of population bottlenecks, relatedness, and inbreeding highlight recent and novel conservation concerns in the Egyptian vulture. PeerJ 2021, 9, e11139 .
AMA StyleGuillermo Blanco, Francisco Morinha. Genetic signatures of population bottlenecks, relatedness, and inbreeding highlight recent and novel conservation concerns in the Egyptian vulture. PeerJ. 2021; 9 ():e11139.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuillermo Blanco; Francisco Morinha. 2021. "Genetic signatures of population bottlenecks, relatedness, and inbreeding highlight recent and novel conservation concerns in the Egyptian vulture." PeerJ 9, no. : e11139.
Avian haemosporidians are a common and widespread group of vector-borne parasites capable of infecting most bird species around the world. They can negatively affect host condition and fitness. Vultures are assumed to have a very low prevalence of these blood parasites, likely due to their strong immunity; however, factors contributing to variation in host exposure and susceptibility to haemosporidians are complex, and supporting evidence is still very limited. We analyzed blood samples collected from nestlings of three vulture species in Spain over 18 years, and used updated nested-PCR protocols capable of detecting all haesmosporidian cytochrome b lineages typical for diurnal birds of prey (Accipitriformes). Similarly to previous studies, we found low haemosporidian prevalence in cliff-breeding species, with Leucocytozoon as the only represented blood parasite genus: 3.1% in griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) (n = 128) and 5.3% in Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) (n = 114). In contrast, the tree-breeding cinereous vulture (Aegypius monachus) had a substantially higher prevalence: 10.3% (n = 146). By far the most common lineage in Spanish scavenging raptors was the Leucocytozoon lineage CIAE02. No effects of nestling age and sex, or temporal trends in prevalence were found, but an effect of nest habitat (tree-nest vs. cliff-nest) was found in the griffon vulture. These patterns may be explained by a preference of vectors to forage in and around trees rather than on cliffs and wide open spaces. We found an apparent detrimental effect of haemosporidians on body mass of nestling cinereous vultures. Further research is needed to evaluate the pathogenicity of each haemosporidian lineage and their interaction with the immune system of nestlings, especially if compromised due to pollution with pharmaceuticals and infection by bacterial and mycotic pathogens.
Nayden Chakarov; Guillermo Blanco. Blood Parasites in Sympatric Vultures: Role of Nesting Habits and Effects on Body Condition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2021, 18, 2431 .
AMA StyleNayden Chakarov, Guillermo Blanco. Blood Parasites in Sympatric Vultures: Role of Nesting Habits and Effects on Body Condition. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2021; 18 (5):2431.
Chicago/Turabian StyleNayden Chakarov; Guillermo Blanco. 2021. "Blood Parasites in Sympatric Vultures: Role of Nesting Habits and Effects on Body Condition." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18, no. 5: 2431.
The common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, is one of the most common, widespread, and well-studied passerines in Europe, with a broad distribution encompassing Western Europe and parts of Asia, North Africa, and the Macaronesian archipelagos. We present a high-quality genome assembly of the common chaffinch generated using Illumina shotgun sequencing in combination with Chicago and Hi-C libraries. The final genome is a 994.87-Mb chromosome-level assembly, with 98% of the sequence data located in chromosome scaffolds and a N50 statistic of 69.73 Mb. Our genome assembly shows high completeness, with a complete BUSCO score of 93.9% using the avian data set. Around 7.8% of the genome contains interspersed repetitive elements. The structural annotation yielded 17,703 genes, 86.5% of which have a functional annotation, including 7,827 complete universal single-copy orthologs out of 8,338 genes represented in the BUSCO avian data set. This new annotated genome assembly will be a valuable resource as a reference for comparative and population genomic analyses of passerine, avian, and vertebrate evolution.
María Recuerda; Joel Vizueta; Cristian Cuevas-Caballé; Guillermo Blanco; Julio Rozas; Borja Milá. Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Common Chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): A Valuable Resource for Evolutionary Biology. Genome Biology and Evolution 2021, 13, 1 .
AMA StyleMaría Recuerda, Joel Vizueta, Cristian Cuevas-Caballé, Guillermo Blanco, Julio Rozas, Borja Milá. Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Common Chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): A Valuable Resource for Evolutionary Biology. Genome Biology and Evolution. 2021; 13 (4):1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Recuerda; Joel Vizueta; Cristian Cuevas-Caballé; Guillermo Blanco; Julio Rozas; Borja Milá. 2021. "Chromosome-Level Genome Assembly of the Common Chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): A Valuable Resource for Evolutionary Biology." Genome Biology and Evolution 13, no. 4: 1.
Summary Due to their limited ranges and inherent isolation, island species have long been recognized as crucial systems for tackling a range of evolutionary questions, including in the early study of speciation.1 , 2 Such species have been less studied in the understanding of the evolutionary forces driving DNA sequence evolution. Island species usually have lower census population sizes (N) than continental species and, supposedly, lower effective population sizes (Ne). Given that both the rates of change caused by genetic drift and by selection are dependent upon Ne, island species are theoretically expected to exhibit (1) lower genetic diversity, (2) less effective natural selection against slightly deleterious mutations,3 , 4 and (3) a lower rate of adaptive evolution.5–8 Here, we have used a large set of newly sequenced and published whole-genome sequences of Passerida species (14 insular and 11 continental) to test these predictions. We confirm that island species exhibit lower census size and Ne, supporting the hypothesis that the smaller area available on islands constrains the upper bound of Ne. In the insular species, we find lower nucleotide diversity in coding regions, higher ratios of non-synonymous to synonymous polymorphisms, and lower adaptive substitution rates. Our results provide robust evidence that the lower Ne experienced by island species has affected both the ability of natural selection to efficiently remove weakly deleterious mutations and also the adaptive potential of island species, therefore providing considerable empirical support for the nearly neutral theory. We discuss the implications for both evolutionary and conservation biology.
Thibault Leroy; Marjolaine Rousselle; Marie-Ka Tilak; Aude E. Caizergues; Céline Scornavacca; María Recuerda; Jérôme Fuchs; Juan Carlos Illera; Dawie H. De Swardt; Guillermo Blanco; Christophe Thébaud; Borja Milá; Benoit Nabholz. Island songbirds as windows into evolution in small populations. Current Biology 2021, 31, 1303 -1310.e4.
AMA StyleThibault Leroy, Marjolaine Rousselle, Marie-Ka Tilak, Aude E. Caizergues, Céline Scornavacca, María Recuerda, Jérôme Fuchs, Juan Carlos Illera, Dawie H. De Swardt, Guillermo Blanco, Christophe Thébaud, Borja Milá, Benoit Nabholz. Island songbirds as windows into evolution in small populations. Current Biology. 2021; 31 (6):1303-1310.e4.
Chicago/Turabian StyleThibault Leroy; Marjolaine Rousselle; Marie-Ka Tilak; Aude E. Caizergues; Céline Scornavacca; María Recuerda; Jérôme Fuchs; Juan Carlos Illera; Dawie H. De Swardt; Guillermo Blanco; Christophe Thébaud; Borja Milá; Benoit Nabholz. 2021. "Island songbirds as windows into evolution in small populations." Current Biology 31, no. 6: 1303-1310.e4.
Behavioural and socio-cultural traits are recognized in the restriction of gene flow in species with high cognitive capacity and complex societies. This isolation by social barriers has been generally overlooked in threatened species by assuming disrupted gene flow due to population fragmentation and decline. We examine the genetic structure and ecology of the global population of the Critically Endangered red-fronted macaw (Ara rubrogenys), an endemic species to the inter-Andean valleys of Bolivia. We found a fine-scale genetic structuring in four genetic clusters. Genetic diversity was higher in wild compared to captive-bred macaws, but similar to that of captive wild-caught macaws. We found no clear evidence of severe genetic erosion in the population in recent decades, but it was patent in historic times, overlapping with drastic human habitat transformation and macaw persecution over millennia. We found no evidence of geographical and ecological barriers, owing to the high dispersal ability, nesting and foraging habits between genetic clusters. The lack of genetic intermixing despite long-distance foraging and seasonal movements suggests recruitment in natal colonies and other social factors reinforcing philopatry-related genetic structure. Conservation efforts should be specifically focussed on major threats in each genetic cluster as independent conservation units, and also considered in ex-situ management.
Guillermo Blanco; Francisco Morinha; Séverine Roques; Fernando Hiraldo; Abraham Rojas; José L. Tella. Fine-scale genetic structure in the critically endangered red-fronted macaw in the absence of geographic and ecological barriers. Scientific Reports 2021, 11, 1 -17.
AMA StyleGuillermo Blanco, Francisco Morinha, Séverine Roques, Fernando Hiraldo, Abraham Rojas, José L. Tella. Fine-scale genetic structure in the critically endangered red-fronted macaw in the absence of geographic and ecological barriers. Scientific Reports. 2021; 11 (1):1-17.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuillermo Blanco; Francisco Morinha; Séverine Roques; Fernando Hiraldo; Abraham Rojas; José L. Tella. 2021. "Fine-scale genetic structure in the critically endangered red-fronted macaw in the absence of geographic and ecological barriers." Scientific Reports 11, no. 1: 1-17.
The common chaffinch, Fringilla coelebs, is one of the most common, widespread and well-studied passerines in Europe, with a broad distribution encompassing Western Europe and parts of Asia, North Africa and the Macaronesian archipelagos. We present a high-quality genome assembly of the common chaffinch generated using Illumina shotgun sequencing in combination with Chicago and Hi-C libraries. The final genome is a 994.87 Mb chromosome-level assembly, with 98% of the sequence data located in chromosome scaffolds and a N50 statistic of 69.73 Mb. Our genome assembly shows high completeness, with a complete BUSCO score of 93.9% using the avian dataset. Around 7.8 % of the genome contains interspersed repetitive elements. The structural annotation yielded 17,703 genes, 86.5% of which have a functional annotation, including 7,827 complete universal single-copy orthologs out of 8,338 genes represented in the BUSCO avian data set. This new annotated genome assembly will be a valuable resource as a reference for comparative and population genomic analyses of passerine, avian and vertebrate evolution.
María Recuerda; Joel Vizueta; Cristian Cuevas-Caballé; Guillermo Blanco; Julio Rozas; Borja Milá. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the common chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): a valuable resource for evolutionary biology. 2020, 1 .
AMA StyleMaría Recuerda, Joel Vizueta, Cristian Cuevas-Caballé, Guillermo Blanco, Julio Rozas, Borja Milá. Chromosome-level genome assembly of the common chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): a valuable resource for evolutionary biology. . 2020; ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleMaría Recuerda; Joel Vizueta; Cristian Cuevas-Caballé; Guillermo Blanco; Julio Rozas; Borja Milá. 2020. "Chromosome-level genome assembly of the common chaffinch (Aves: Fringilla coelebs): a valuable resource for evolutionary biology." , no. : 1.
Livestock production is a large source of microbial, pharmaceutical, and antimicrobial pollution worldwide. Vultures are one group of birds with particularly high exposure to food-borne pathogens due to frequent consumption of infected livestock carcasses. The potential origin and spatial-temporal shedding patterns of livestock-adapted Salmonella serotypes of zoonotic importance were evaluated in adult and nestling Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus). We specifically assessed the exposure source and subsequent elimination of Salmonella-infected carcasses (ecosystem services) or transmission back to livestock (ecosystem disservices) by vultures, thus contributing respectively to disease mitigation or amplification in natural and farmed environments. The results show a seasonal high occurrence and turnover of a high variety of serotypes, especially swine-adapted ones isolated at high frequency. This suggests that vultures can be reservoirs and long-distance carriers of faecal Salmonella shed in supplementary feeding stations and breeding colonies. Contrary to their conservation purposes, feeding stations can act as Salmonella hotspots and reservoirs. However, a role for vultures in the transmission back to food-producing animals seems impossible because they do not come into contact at indoor farms, while transmission to free-ranging ruminants was not supported by the presence of ruminant-adapted serotypes in the vultures. Therefore, vultures do not promote disservices associated with the re-infection of livestock with Salmonella, but can provide quantitatively important ecosystem services by removing carrion contaminated with these and other zoonotic pathogens potentially affecting their health. Sanitary vigilance of the farms authorised to provide food for avian scavengers should avoid the disposal of swine and poultry carcasses with Salmonella and the antibiotics used to treat it. Extensive free-ranging livestock and their carcasses exploited in the countryside should be a priority for the conservation of vultures and their ecological function as cleaners and disease mitigators.
Guillermo Blanco; Juan A. Díaz de Tuesta. Seasonal and spatial occurrence of zoonotic Salmonella serotypes in griffon vultures at farmland environments: Implications in pathogen pollution and ecosystem services and disservices. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 758, 143681 .
AMA StyleGuillermo Blanco, Juan A. Díaz de Tuesta. Seasonal and spatial occurrence of zoonotic Salmonella serotypes in griffon vultures at farmland environments: Implications in pathogen pollution and ecosystem services and disservices. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 758 ():143681.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuillermo Blanco; Juan A. Díaz de Tuesta. 2020. "Seasonal and spatial occurrence of zoonotic Salmonella serotypes in griffon vultures at farmland environments: Implications in pathogen pollution and ecosystem services and disservices." Science of The Total Environment 758, no. : 143681.
Aim Oceanic islands have often been colonized by small groups of individuals dispersing from the nearest mainland, giving rise to insular populations characterized by locally adapted phenotypes and low genetic diversity. Alternatively, due to past geo‐climatic changes, the present‐day distribution of the species may not correspond to that found at the time of the original colonization so that the current mainland distribution may not include the original source area, leading to erroneous assumptions regarding colonization history. Here, we use patterns of genetic variation to evaluate alternative colonization scenarios of an insular passerine in the Canary Islands. Location La Palma (Canary Islands), Northern Africa and the Iberian Peninsula. Taxon Red‐billed chough (Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax). Methods We use phylogeographical and coalescent analyses of mitochondrial DNA sequences and 10 microsatellite loci, together with Bayesian demographic modelling, to determine whether choughs on the island of La Palma originate from (a) present‐day populations in Iberia, (b) present‐day populations in the mountains of inland Morocco or (c) former populations in coastal Morocco, where suitable habitat existed in the past. Results Both the mitochondrial and nuclear datasets indicate that the chough population on La Palma is genetically well differentiated from those in Iberia and Morocco, and that La Palma choughs are more closely related to choughs in Iberia than to those in Morocco. Genetic diversity in La Palma is lower than that of mainland populations, but shows no evidence of past bottlenecks. The best supported demographic model to explain the origin of La Palma choughs that is congruent with both genetic datasets includes a ‘ghost’ population closely related to Iberia, from which the insular population diverged within the last 30,000 years. Main conclusions Our results are most consistent with the existence of a former connection between La Palma and Iberia along the North African coast, when suitable habitat was found there. Subsequent desertification of these coastal areas led to local extinctions that restricted gene flow between Iberia and the islands, promoting genetic differentiation. Our results provide a counterintuitive solution to a biogeographical enigma, and could help resolve the colonization history of other systems with similarly complex climatic pasts.
Francisco Morinha; Borja Milá; José A. Dávila; Juan A. Fargallo; Jaime Potti; Guillermo Blanco. The ghost of connections past: A role for mainland vicariance in the isolation of an insular population of the red‐billed chough (Aves: Corvidae). Journal of Biogeography 2020, 47, 2567 -2583.
AMA StyleFrancisco Morinha, Borja Milá, José A. Dávila, Juan A. Fargallo, Jaime Potti, Guillermo Blanco. The ghost of connections past: A role for mainland vicariance in the isolation of an insular population of the red‐billed chough (Aves: Corvidae). Journal of Biogeography. 2020; 47 (12):2567-2583.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancisco Morinha; Borja Milá; José A. Dávila; Juan A. Fargallo; Jaime Potti; Guillermo Blanco. 2020. "The ghost of connections past: A role for mainland vicariance in the isolation of an insular population of the red‐billed chough (Aves: Corvidae)." Journal of Biogeography 47, no. 12: 2567-2583.
Illegal wildlife trade, which mostly focuses on high-demand species, constitutes a major threat to biodiversity. However, whether poaching is an opportunistic crime within high-demand taxa such as parrots (i.e., harvesting proportional to species availability in the wild), or is selectively focused on particular, more desirable species, is still under debate. Answering this question has important conservation implications because selective poaching can lead to the extinction of some species through overharvesting. However, the challenges of estimating species abundances in the wild have hampered studies on this subject. We conducted a large-scale survey in Colombia to simultaneously estimate the relative abundance of wild parrots through roadside surveys (recording 10811 individuals from 25 species across 2221 km surveyed) and as household, illegally trapped pets in 282 sampled villages (1179 individuals from 21 species). We used for the first time a selectivity index to test selection on poaching. Results demonstrated that poaching is not opportunistic, but positively selects species based on their attractiveness, defined as a function of species size, coloration, and ability to talk, which is also reflected in their local prices. Our methodological approach, which shows how selection increases the conservation impacts of poaching for parrots, can be applied to other taxa also impacted by harvesting for trade or other purposes.
Pedro Romero-Vidal; Fernando Hiraldo; Federica Rosseto; Guillermo Blanco; Martina Carrete; José L. Tella. Opportunistic or Non-Random Wildlife Crime? Attractiveness rather than Abundance in the Wild Leads to Selective Parrot Poaching. Diversity 2020, 12, 314 .
AMA StylePedro Romero-Vidal, Fernando Hiraldo, Federica Rosseto, Guillermo Blanco, Martina Carrete, José L. Tella. Opportunistic or Non-Random Wildlife Crime? Attractiveness rather than Abundance in the Wild Leads to Selective Parrot Poaching. Diversity. 2020; 12 (8):314.
Chicago/Turabian StylePedro Romero-Vidal; Fernando Hiraldo; Federica Rosseto; Guillermo Blanco; Martina Carrete; José L. Tella. 2020. "Opportunistic or Non-Random Wildlife Crime? Attractiveness rather than Abundance in the Wild Leads to Selective Parrot Poaching." Diversity 12, no. 8: 314.
The role of wild birds in the carriage and transmission of human and food animal bacteria with resistant genotypes has repeatedly been highlighted. However, few studies have focussed on the specific exposure sources and places of acquisition and selection for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria in vultures relying on livestock carcasses across large areas and different continents. The occurrence of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents was assessed in the faecal microbiota of sedentary Griffon vultures (Gyps fulvus) and trans-Saharan migratory Egyptian vultures (Neophron percnopterus) in central Spain. High rates (generally >50%) of resistant Escherichia coli and other enterobacteria to amoxicillin, cotrimoxazole and tetracycline were found. About 25–30% of samples were colonised by extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) producing bacteria, while 5–17% were positive for plasmid mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) phenotypes, depending on vulture species and age. In total, nine ESBL types were recorded (7 in griffon vultures and 5 in Egyptian vultures), with CTX-M-1 the most prevalent in both species. The most prevalent PMQR was mediated by qnrS genes. We found no clear differences in the occurrence of antimicrobial resistance in adult vultures of each species, or between nestling and adult Egyptian vultures. This supports the hypothesis that antimicrobial resistance is acquired in the European breeding areas of both species. Bacterial resistance can directly be driven by the regular ingestion of multiple active antimicrobials found in medicated livestock carcasses from factory farms, which should be not neglected as a contributor to the emergence of novel resistance clones. The One Health framework should consider the potential transboundary carriage and spread of epidemic resistance from high-income European to low-income African countries via migratory birds.
Guillermo Blanco; Inmaculada López-Hernández; Francisco Morinha; Lorena López-Cerero. Intensive farming as a source of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents in sedentary and migratory vultures: Implications for local and transboundary spread. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 739, 140356 .
AMA StyleGuillermo Blanco, Inmaculada López-Hernández, Francisco Morinha, Lorena López-Cerero. Intensive farming as a source of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents in sedentary and migratory vultures: Implications for local and transboundary spread. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 739 ():140356.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuillermo Blanco; Inmaculada López-Hernández; Francisco Morinha; Lorena López-Cerero. 2020. "Intensive farming as a source of bacterial resistance to antimicrobial agents in sedentary and migratory vultures: Implications for local and transboundary spread." Science of The Total Environment 739, no. : 140356.
Pharmaceuticals are still considered emerging pollutants affecting both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Scavenging bird species may be exposed to veterinary drugs when they feed on livestock carcasses provided at supplementary feeding stations, as these are often stocked with ailing and/or recently medicated animals. Because those animals may be a source of several different pharmaceutical compounds, analytical methods to evaluate residue levels and exposure potential should enable detection and quantification of as many different compounds as possible, preferably from small sample volumes. Four different extraction methods were tested to conduct HPLC-MS-TOF analysis of some of the most common veterinary drugs used in livestock in Spain. The method deemed most viable was a simple extraction, using methanol and 100 µL of plasma, that allowed quantification of seven antibiotics (tetracycline, oxytetracycline, ciprofloxacin, enrofloxacin, nalidixic acid, trimethoprim, sulfadiazine) and five nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (meloxicam, flunixin, carprofen, tolfenamic acid, phenylbutazone). The method was then applied to analysis of 29 Eurasian griffon vulture (Gyps fulvus) nestling samples, wherein enrofloxacin and tolfenamic acid were most commonly detected (69% and 20%, respectively). To our knowledge, this is the first study including NSAIDs in the exposure assessment of different classes of veterinary pharmaceuticals in live avian scavengers.
Pilar Gómez-Ramírez; Guillermo Blanco; Antonio Juan García-Fernández. Validation of Multi-Residue Method for Quantification of Antibiotics and NSAIDs in Avian Scavengers by Using Small Amounts of Plasma in HPLC-MS-TOF. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 4058 .
AMA StylePilar Gómez-Ramírez, Guillermo Blanco, Antonio Juan García-Fernández. Validation of Multi-Residue Method for Quantification of Antibiotics and NSAIDs in Avian Scavengers by Using Small Amounts of Plasma in HPLC-MS-TOF. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (11):4058.
Chicago/Turabian StylePilar Gómez-Ramírez; Guillermo Blanco; Antonio Juan García-Fernández. 2020. "Validation of Multi-Residue Method for Quantification of Antibiotics and NSAIDs in Avian Scavengers by Using Small Amounts of Plasma in HPLC-MS-TOF." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 11: 4058.
Industrial food animal production uses huge amounts of antibiotics worldwide. Livestock, their excreta used for manure and meat subproducts not intended for human consumption can all play important roles in the transmission of bacterial resistance to wildlife. Vultures and other scavengers can be directly exposed to active antibiotics ingested while feeding on livestock carcasses. This study evaluates whether bacterial resistance in the red kite (Milvus milvus) differs between two wintering areas selected based on patent differences in farming practices—particularly in the industrial production of food animals (primarily swine and poultry) vs. scarce and declining sheep herding. The results support the hypothesis that intensification in food animal production is associated with increased bacterial multidrug resistance in wildlife. Resistance was positively correlated with time elapsed since the beginning of the commercial application of each antibiotic in human and veterinary medicine, with clear differences depending on farming intensification between areas. Monitoring programs are encouraged to use red kites and other avian scavengers as valuable sentinels of contamination by antibiotics and clinically relevant resistant pathogens from livestock operations of variable intensities. Farms authorized for supplementary feeding of threatened scavengers should avoid supplying carcasses with active antibiotic residues to avoid bacterial resistance in scavenger wildlife.
Guillermo Blanco; Luis M. Bautista. Avian Scavengers as Bioindicators of Antibiotic Resistance Due to Livestock Farming Intensification. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 3620 .
AMA StyleGuillermo Blanco, Luis M. Bautista. Avian Scavengers as Bioindicators of Antibiotic Resistance Due to Livestock Farming Intensification. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (10):3620.
Chicago/Turabian StyleGuillermo Blanco; Luis M. Bautista. 2020. "Avian Scavengers as Bioindicators of Antibiotic Resistance Due to Livestock Farming Intensification." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 10: 3620.
The psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) is a globally widespread infectious bird disease that mainly affects species within the Order Psittaciformes (parrots and allies). The disease is caused by an avian circovirus (the beak and feather disease virus, BFDV), which is highly infectious and can lead to severe consequences in wild and captive populations during an outbreak. Both legal and illegal trading have spread the BFDV around the world, although little is known about its prevalence in invasive parrot populations. Here, we analyze the BFDV prevalence in sympatric invasive populations of rose-ringed (Psittacula krameri) and monk parakeets (Myiopsitta monachus) in Southern Spain. We PCR-screened 110 blood samples (55 individuals from each species) for BFDV and characterized the genotypes of five positives from each species. About 33% of rose-ringed parakeets and 37% of monk parakeets sampled were positive for BFDV, while neither species showed disease symptoms. The circovirus identified is a novel BFDV genotype common to both species, similar to the BFDV genotypes detected in several parrot species kept in captivity in Saudi Arabia, South Africa and China. Our data evidences the importance of an accurate evaluation of avian diseases in wild populations, since invasive parrots may be bringing BFDV without showing any visually detectable clinical sign. Further research on the BFDV prevalence and transmission (individual–individual, captive–wild and wild–captive) in different bird orders and countries is crucial to understand the dynamics of the viral infection and minimize its impact in captive and wild populations.
Francisco Morinha; Martina Carrete; José L. Tella; Guillermo Blanco. High Prevalence of Novel Beak and Feather Disease Virus in Sympatric Invasive Parakeets Introduced to Spain From Asia and South America. Diversity 2020, 12, 192 .
AMA StyleFrancisco Morinha, Martina Carrete, José L. Tella, Guillermo Blanco. High Prevalence of Novel Beak and Feather Disease Virus in Sympatric Invasive Parakeets Introduced to Spain From Asia and South America. Diversity. 2020; 12 (5):192.
Chicago/Turabian StyleFrancisco Morinha; Martina Carrete; José L. Tella; Guillermo Blanco. 2020. "High Prevalence of Novel Beak and Feather Disease Virus in Sympatric Invasive Parakeets Introduced to Spain From Asia and South America." Diversity 12, no. 5: 192.
Vultures have evolved adaptive mechanisms to prevent infections associated with their scavenging lifestyle. However, food-borne exposure to antimicrobial pharmaceuticals can promote opportunistic infections with adverse outcomes. Here, we used multivariate and network analyses to increase understanding of the behavior of the yeast communities causing oral mycosis outbreaks recently reported in wild nestling cinereous (Aegypius monachus), griffon (Gyps fulvus) and Egyptian (Neophron percnopterus) vultures (CV, GV and EV, respectively) exposed to antibiotics from livestock farming. Common and unique yeast signatures (of Candida, Debaromyces, Diutina, Meyerozyma, Naganishia, Pichia, Rhodotorula, Trichosporon and Yarrowia species) associated with oral mycoses were identified in the three vulture species. Hierarchical clustering analysis (HCA) and principal component analysis (PCA) highlighted that oral lesions from CV and GV shared similar yeast signatures (of major causative pathogens of opportunistic mycoses, such as Candida albicans, Candida parapsilosis and Candida tropicalis), while EV had a distinct yeast signature (of uncommon pathogenic species, such as Candida dubliniensis, Candida zeylanoides, Pichia fermentans and Rhodotorula spp.). Synergistic interactions between yeast species from distinct fungal phyla were found in lesions from CV and GV, but not in EV. These formed co-occurrence subnetworks with partially or fully connected topology. This study reveals that the composition, assembly and co-occurrence patterns of the yeast communities causing oral mycoses differ between vulture species with distinct feeding habits and scavenging lifestyles. Yeast species widely pathogenic to humans and animals, and yeast co-occurrence relationships, are distinctive hallmarks of oral mycoses in CV and GV. These vulture species are more exposed to antibiotics from intensively medicated livestock carcasses provided in supplementary feeding stations and show higher incidence of thrush-like oral lesions than EV. These findings may be useful for development of new initiatives or changes in the conservation of these avian scavengers affected by anthropogenic activities.
Aida Pitarch; Concha Gil; Guillermo Blanco. Vultures from different trophic guilds show distinct oral pathogenic yeast signatures and co-occurrence networks. Science of The Total Environment 2020, 723, 138166 .
AMA StyleAida Pitarch, Concha Gil, Guillermo Blanco. Vultures from different trophic guilds show distinct oral pathogenic yeast signatures and co-occurrence networks. Science of The Total Environment. 2020; 723 ():138166.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAida Pitarch; Concha Gil; Guillermo Blanco. 2020. "Vultures from different trophic guilds show distinct oral pathogenic yeast signatures and co-occurrence networks." Science of The Total Environment 723, no. : 138166.
Electrocution is one of the less known anthropogenic impacts likely affecting the bat population. We surveyed 925 km of overhead distribution power lines that supply energy to spreading urbanized areas in Sri Lanka, recording 300 electrocuted Indian flying foxes (Pteropus giganteus). Electrocutions were recorded up to 58 km from the nearest known colony, and all of them were in urbanized areas and very close (X¯ = 4.8 m) to the exotic fruiting trees cultivated in gardens. Predictable anthropogenic food subsidies, in the form of cultivated fruits and flowers, seem to attract flying foxes to urban habitats, which in turn become ecological traps given their high electrocution risk. However, electrocution rates greatly varied among the 352 power lines surveyed (0.00–24.6 indiv./km), being highest in power lines with four wires oriented vertically (X¯ = 0.92 indiv./km) and almost zero in power lines with wires oriented horizontally. Therefore, the latter design should be applied to projected new power lines and old vertically oriented lines in electrocution hotspots should be substituted. Given that flying foxes are key seed dispersers and pollinators, their foraging habitat selection change toward urban habitats together with high electrocution risk not only may contribute to their population decline but also put their ecosystem services at risk.
José L. Tella; Dailos Hernández-Brito; Guillermo Blanco; Fernando Hiraldo. Urban Sprawl, Food Subsidies and Power Lines: An Ecological Trap for Large Frugivorous Bats in Sri Lanka? Diversity 2020, 12, 94 .
AMA StyleJosé L. Tella, Dailos Hernández-Brito, Guillermo Blanco, Fernando Hiraldo. Urban Sprawl, Food Subsidies and Power Lines: An Ecological Trap for Large Frugivorous Bats in Sri Lanka? Diversity. 2020; 12 (3):94.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé L. Tella; Dailos Hernández-Brito; Guillermo Blanco; Fernando Hiraldo. 2020. "Urban Sprawl, Food Subsidies and Power Lines: An Ecological Trap for Large Frugivorous Bats in Sri Lanka?" Diversity 12, no. 3: 94.
The extinction of ecological functions is increasingly considered a major component of biodiversity loss, given its pervasive effects on ecosystems, and it may precede the disappearance of the species engaged. Dispersal of many large-fruited (>4 cm diameter) plants is thought to have been handicapped after the extinction of megafauna in the Late Pleistocene and the recent defaunation of large mammals. We recorded the seed dispersal behavior of two macaws (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus and Anodorhynchus leari) in three Neotropical biomes, totaling >1700 dispersal events from 18 plant species, 98% corresponding to six large-fruited palm species. Dispersal rates varied among palm species (5%–100%). Fruits were moved to perches at varying distances (means: 17–450 m, maximum 1620 m). Macaws also moved nuts after regurgitation by livestock, in an unusual case of tertiary dispersal, to distant perches. A high proportion (11%–75%) of dispersed nuts was found undamaged under perches, and palm recruitment was confirmed under 6%–73% of the perches. Our results showed that these macaws were legitimate, long-distance dispersers, and challenge the prevailing view that dispersal of large-fruited plants was compromised after megafauna extinction. The large range contraction of these threatened macaws, however, meant that these mutualistic interactions are functionally extinct over large areas at a continental scale.
José L. Tella; Fernando Hiraldo; Erica Pacífico; José A. Díaz-Luque; Francisco V. Dénes; Fernanda M. Fontoura; Neiva Guedes; Guillermo Blanco. Conserving the Diversity of Ecological Interactions: The Role of Two Threatened Macaw Species as Legitimate Dispersers of “Megafaunal” Fruits. Diversity 2020, 12, 45 .
AMA StyleJosé L. Tella, Fernando Hiraldo, Erica Pacífico, José A. Díaz-Luque, Francisco V. Dénes, Fernanda M. Fontoura, Neiva Guedes, Guillermo Blanco. Conserving the Diversity of Ecological Interactions: The Role of Two Threatened Macaw Species as Legitimate Dispersers of “Megafaunal” Fruits. Diversity. 2020; 12 (2):45.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé L. Tella; Fernando Hiraldo; Erica Pacífico; José A. Díaz-Luque; Francisco V. Dénes; Fernanda M. Fontoura; Neiva Guedes; Guillermo Blanco. 2020. "Conserving the Diversity of Ecological Interactions: The Role of Two Threatened Macaw Species as Legitimate Dispersers of “Megafaunal” Fruits." Diversity 12, no. 2: 45.