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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.
The order Psittaciformes is one of the most prevalent groups in the illegal wildlife trade. Efforts to understand this threat have focused on describing the elements of the trade itself: actors, extraction rates, and routes. However, the development of policy-oriented interventions also requires an understanding of how research aims and actions are distributed across the trade chain, regions, and species. We used an action-based approach to review documents published on illegal Psittaciformes trade at a global scale to analyze patterns in research aims and actions. Research increased exponentially in recent decades, recording 165 species from 46 genera, with an over representation of American and Australasian genera. Most of the research provided basic knowledge for the intermediary side of the trade chain. Aims such as the identification of network actors, zoonosis control, and aiding physical detection had numerous but scarcely cited documents (low growth rate), while behavior change had the highest growth rate. The Americas had the highest diversity of research aims, contributing with basic knowledge, implementation, and monitoring across the whole trade chain. Better understanding of the supply side dynamics in local markets, actor typology, and actor interactions are needed. Protecting areas, livelihood incentives, and legal substitutes are actions under-explored in parrots, while behavior change is emerging.
Ada Sánchez-Mercado; José Ferrer-Paris; Jon Rodríguez; José L. Tella. A Literature Synthesis of Actions to Tackle Illegal Parrot Trade. Diversity 2021, 13, 191 .
AMA StyleAda Sánchez-Mercado, José Ferrer-Paris, Jon Rodríguez, José L. Tella. A Literature Synthesis of Actions to Tackle Illegal Parrot Trade. Diversity. 2021; 13 (5):191.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAda Sánchez-Mercado; José Ferrer-Paris; Jon Rodríguez; José L. Tella. 2021. "A Literature Synthesis of Actions to Tackle Illegal Parrot Trade." Diversity 13, no. 5: 191.
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.
We are pleased to launch the new peer-reviewed open access journal, Conservation, published by MDPI (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute), which offers an exciting new opportunity to publish comprehensive reviews, original research articles, communications, case reports, letters, commentaries, and other perspectives related to the biological, sociological, ethical, economic, methodological, and other transdisciplinary dimensions of conservation
Antoni Margalida; Luca Luiselli; José Tella; Shuqing Zhao. Conservation: A New Open Access Journal for Rapid Dissemination of the Transdisciplinary Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation. Conservation 2021, 1, 17 -20.
AMA StyleAntoni Margalida, Luca Luiselli, José Tella, Shuqing Zhao. Conservation: A New Open Access Journal for Rapid Dissemination of the Transdisciplinary Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation. Conservation. 2021; 1 (1):17-20.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntoni Margalida; Luca Luiselli; José Tella; Shuqing Zhao. 2021. "Conservation: A New Open Access Journal for Rapid Dissemination of the Transdisciplinary Dimensions of Biodiversity Conservation." Conservation 1, no. 1: 17-20.
A set of 16 microsatellite markers was characterized for Lear’s macaw (Anodorhynchus leari) using DNA samples from captive individuals. Extending this molecular toolkit, including the use of samples from wild individuals, is expected to provide the required power of resolution for pedigree inference of both wild and captive individuals, and could support research on the genetic structure of wild populations. We characterize a set of 15 microsatellite markers optimized for the Lear’s macaw, developed from a microsatellite-enriched library in a three-step procedure. Primer pairs were initially designed for 62 microsatellites with > 7 tandem repetitions. After amplification of DNA of five wild individuals from different localities, 22 loci seemed to be polymorphic and were further tested on 12 wild nestling samples. Fifteen unlinked loci showed unambiguous peaks and low to moderate polymorphism levels. The combination of the four most polymorphic markers allowed individual identification even of putative sibs.These markers complement previously described microsatellites developed for A. leari and constitute a fundamental genetic toolkit for the investigation of the genetics of both wild and captive populations, thus assisting integrated management plans for the conservation of this globally endangered species. Berkunsky I, Quillfeldt P, Brightsmith DJ et al (2017) Current threats faced by Neotropical parrot populations. Biol Conserv 214:278–287. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biocon.2017.08.016 Article Google Scholar Romero-Vidal P, Hiraldo F, Rosetto F, Blanco G, Carrete M, Tella JL (2020) Opportunistic or non-random wildlife crime? Attractiveness rather than abundances in the wild leads to selective parrot poaching. 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Erica C. Pacífico; Gregorio Sánchez-Montes; Cristina Y. Miyaki; José L. Tella. Isolation and characterization of 15 new microsatellite markers for the globally endangered Lear’s macaw Anodorhynchus leari. Molecular Biology Reports 2020, 47, 8279 -8285.
AMA StyleErica C. Pacífico, Gregorio Sánchez-Montes, Cristina Y. Miyaki, José L. Tella. Isolation and characterization of 15 new microsatellite markers for the globally endangered Lear’s macaw Anodorhynchus leari. Molecular Biology Reports. 2020; 47 (10):8279-8285.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErica C. Pacífico; Gregorio Sánchez-Montes; Cristina Y. Miyaki; José L. Tella. 2020. "Isolation and characterization of 15 new microsatellite markers for the globally endangered Lear’s macaw Anodorhynchus leari." Molecular Biology Reports 47, no. 10: 8279-8285.
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.
BACKGROUND Invasive Africanized honey bees potentially compete with cavity‐nesting birds in South America. However, the impacts caused by this competition and its conservation consequences to threatened species are poorly known. We quantified the presence of these bees and assessed its competition for cliff cavities used by nesting Lear's macaws Anodorhynchus leari , a globally endangered parrot endemic to the Caatinga biome of Brazil. We treated bee hives with permethrin by shooting them with a crossbow bolt which distributed the compound upon impact. When feasible, we removed the comb and applied an insecticide (fipronil) to deter bee recolonization. We subsequently surveyed the macaw breeding population to verify whether our treatment allowed for the nest recruitment in cavities previously occupied by bees. RESULTS We recorded >100 bee hives in the nesting cliffs. Hives outnumbered the macaw nests tenfold in two areas recently recolonized by the macaws. Cavities occupied by bees were significantly higher than those occupied by macaws, suggesting macaws may be forced to breed in lower cavities. None of the untreated bee‐cavities (n = 50) were occupied by nesting macaws, while 15% of treated cavities (n = 52) were occupied within two years post treatment. Treated cavities occupied by macaws were significantly higher than those not occupied. Hive management was responsible for 71% of the macaw breeding population increase. CONCLUSION Experimental hive treatments were effective in restoring nesting resources lost due to bee infestation. An intensive and continued eradication program is recommended to enhance macaw's habitat restoration, facilitating its expansion into historical areas. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Erica C. Pacífico; Caroline A. Efstathion; Thiago Filadelfo; Robert Horsburgh; Roberta A. Cunha; Fernanda R. Paschotto; Francisco V. Denes; James Gilardi; José L. Tella. Experimental removal of invasive Africanized honey bees increased breeding population size of the endangered Lear's macaw. Pest Management Science 2020, 76, 4141 -4149.
AMA StyleErica C. Pacífico, Caroline A. Efstathion, Thiago Filadelfo, Robert Horsburgh, Roberta A. Cunha, Fernanda R. Paschotto, Francisco V. Denes, James Gilardi, José L. Tella. Experimental removal of invasive Africanized honey bees increased breeding population size of the endangered Lear's macaw. Pest Management Science. 2020; 76 (12):4141-4149.
Chicago/Turabian StyleErica C. Pacífico; Caroline A. Efstathion; Thiago Filadelfo; Robert Horsburgh; Roberta A. Cunha; Fernanda R. Paschotto; Francisco V. Denes; James Gilardi; José L. Tella. 2020. "Experimental removal of invasive Africanized honey bees increased breeding population size of the endangered Lear's macaw." Pest Management Science 76, no. 12: 4141-4149.
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.
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.
Although the limited resources available to save species from extinction necessitate the optimization of conservation actions, little is known about their costs and effectiveness. We developed a costs–rewards framework that integrates information on which sectors of society contribute to funding conservation, how much is contributed, how funds are distributed among conservation targets and how these investments drive not only conservation rewards but also the economic and ecosystem services that benefit society. We applied this framework to the Lear's macaw ( Anodorhynchus leari ), a species discovered in the wild in 1978 with only 60 individuals. Funds invested over the last 25 years reached US$3.66 million. The contribution of governments, non-governmental organizations and private funders varied over time, as did the funding targets. Funds were proportionally invested to mitigate the main causes of mortality, while no funds were devoted to protecting foraging habitats. Conservation rewards were satisfactory, with the cost and time needed to downlist the species from critically endangered to endangered being similar to those invested in other bird species. However, economic rewards (through ecotourism and handicrafts linked to the conservation of the species) were low and require promotion, while ecosystem services provided by Lear's macaws have yet to be quantified.
Antonio E. A. Barbosa; José L. Tella. How much does it cost to save a species from extinction? Costs and rewards of conserving the Lear's macaw. Royal Society Open Science 2019, 6, 190190 .
AMA StyleAntonio E. A. Barbosa, José L. Tella. How much does it cost to save a species from extinction? Costs and rewards of conserving the Lear's macaw. Royal Society Open Science. 2019; 6 (7):190190.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAntonio E. A. Barbosa; José L. Tella. 2019. "How much does it cost to save a species from extinction? Costs and rewards of conserving the Lear's macaw." Royal Society Open Science 6, no. 7: 190190.
While Psittaciformes (parrots and allies) are well-recognized as highly-mobile seed predators, their role as seed dispersers has been overlooked until very recently. It remains to be determined whether this role is anecdotic or is a key mutualism for some plant species. We recently found that the large nut-like seeds of the two South American Araucaria tree species (Araucaria araucana in Andean forests and Araucaria angustifolia in Atlantic forests, weighing c. 3.5 and 7 g, respectively) are frequently dispersed, and to long distances, by parrots. Moreover, both observational and experimental work demonstrated that dispersed seeds can germinate faster after partial predation by parrots. Here, we hypothesized that a third, even larger-seeded (17.5 g) congeneric Australian species (A. bidwillii) is also dispersed by parrots. We surveyed 52 A. bidwillii and 42 A. cunninghamii (a sympatric species with small winged seeds, c. 0.2 g) during the seeding period. We found that sulfur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) consumed large amounts of seeds from all of the A. bidwillii trees surveyed. Cockatoos dispersed ca. 30% of the seeds they removed from the mother tree, carrying the seeds to distant perches for handling or dropped them while flying. Dispersal distances ranged between 10 and 153 m (mean = 61 m). Most seeds handled for consumption (93%) were fully eaten but others were dropped intact (3%) or only partially eaten (4%), and germination was confirmed for both intact and partially-eaten dispersed seeds. Moreover, seeds dropped by cockatoos facilitated secondary seed dispersal by conspecifics and another three bird species. We found no evidence of other primary dispersal species for A. bidwillii, while the small, winged seeds of Araucaria cunninghamii were only dispersed through barochory and anemochory. The seed weight of the three Araucaria species dispersed by zoochory is strongly related to the body mass of their main seed-disperser parrot species. These results support a role for parrots as key dispersers of the three large-seeded Araucaria species around the world, and suggest that large seeds may have evolved–at least partially–as an adaptation that allows trees to attract parrots, satiate them, and benefit from their long-distance seed dispersal services.
José L. Tella; Guillermo Blanco; Francisco Dénes; Fernando Hiraldo. Overlooked Parrot Seed Dispersal in Australia and South America: Insights on the Evolution of Dispersal Syndromes and Seed Size in Araucaria Trees. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 2019, 7, 1 .
AMA StyleJosé L. Tella, Guillermo Blanco, Francisco Dénes, Fernando Hiraldo. Overlooked Parrot Seed Dispersal in Australia and South America: Insights on the Evolution of Dispersal Syndromes and Seed Size in Araucaria Trees. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. 2019; 7 ():1.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé L. Tella; Guillermo Blanco; Francisco Dénes; Fernando Hiraldo. 2019. "Overlooked Parrot Seed Dispersal in Australia and South America: Insights on the Evolution of Dispersal Syndromes and Seed Size in Araucaria Trees." Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution 7, no. : 1.
BackgroundUrbanization is one of the main causes of biodiversity loss worldwide. Wildlife responses to urbanization, however, are greatly variable and, paradoxically, some threatened species may achieve much larger populations in urban than in natural habitats. Urban conservation hotspots may therefore help some species avoid regional or even global extinctions, but not conserve their often overlooked ecological functions in the wild. We aim to draw attention to this issue using two species of globally threatened parrots occurring in the Dominican Republic: the Hispaniolan amazon (Amazona ventralis) and the Hispaniolan parakeet (Psittacara chloropterus).MethodsWe conducted a large-scale roadside survey in June 2017 across the country to estimate the relative abundance of parrots in natural habitats, rural habitats, and cities. We combined this with informal interviews with local people to collect information on past and current human impacts on parrot populations. We also looked for foraging parrots to assess their potential role as seed dispersers, an ecological function that has been overlooked until very recently.ResultsRelative abundances of both parrot species were negligible in rural areas and very low in natural habitats. They were generally between one and two orders of magnitude lower than that of congeneric species inhabiting other Neotropical ecosystems. Relative abundances were six times higher in cities than in natural habitats in the case of the Hispaniolan parakeet and three times higher in the case of the Hispaniolan amazon. People indicated hunting for a source food and to mitigate crop damage as causes of parrot population declines, and a vigorous illegal trade for parrots (131 individuals recorded, 75% of them poached very recently), mostly obtained from protected areas where the last small wild populations remain. We observed parrots foraging on 19 plant species from 11 families, dispersing the fruits of 14 species by carrying them in their beaks and consuming them in distant perching trees. They discarded undamaged mature seeds, with the potential to germinate, in 99.5% of cases (n= 306), and minimum dispersal distances ranged from 8 to 155 m (median = 37 m).DiscussionThe loss of ecological functions provided by some species when they disappear from natural habitats and only persist in cities may have long-term, unexpected effects on ecosystems. Our example demonstrates how two cities may soon be the last refuges for two endemic parrots if overharvesting continues, in which case their overlooked role as seed dispersers would be completely lost in nature. The functional extinction of these species could strongly affect vegetation communities in an island environment where seed-dispersal species are naturally scarce. While conservation plans must include urban populations of threatened species, greater efforts are needed to restore their populations in natural habitats to conserve ecological functions.
Álvaro Luna; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Fernando Hiraldo; José L. Tella. Cities may save some threatened species but not their ecological functions. PeerJ 2018, 6, e4908 .
AMA StyleÁlvaro Luna, Pedro Romero-Vidal, Fernando Hiraldo, José L. Tella. Cities may save some threatened species but not their ecological functions. PeerJ. 2018; 6 ():e4908.
Chicago/Turabian StyleÁlvaro Luna; Pedro Romero-Vidal; Fernando Hiraldo; José L. Tella. 2018. "Cities may save some threatened species but not their ecological functions." PeerJ 6, no. : e4908.
PCR is a universal tool for the multiplication of specific DNA sequences. For example, PCR-based sex determination is widely used, and a diversity of primer sets is available. However, this protocol requires thermal cycling and electrophoresis, so results are typically obtained in laboratories and several days after sampling. Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is an alternative to PCR that can take molecular ecology outside the laboratory. Although its application has been successfully probed for sex determination in three species of a single avian Family (raptors, Accipitridae), its generality remains untested and suitable primers across taxa are lacking. We designed and tested the first LAMP-based primer set for sex determination across the modern birds (NEO-W) based on a fragment of the gene chromo-helicase-DNA-binding protein located on the female-specific W chromosome. As nucleotide identity is expected to increase among more related taxa, taxonomically targeted primers were also developed for the Order Falconiformes and Families Psittacidae, Ciconiidae, Estrildidae and Icteridae as examples. NEO-W successfully determined sex in a subset of 21 species within 17 Families and 10 Orders and is therefore a candidate primer for all modern birds. Primer sets designed specifically for the selected taxa correctly assigned sex to the evaluated species. A short troubleshooting guide for new LAMP users is provided to identify false negatives and optimize LAMP reactions. This study represents the crucial next step towards the use of LAMP for molecular sex determination in birds and other applications in molecular ecology.
A. Centeno-Cuadros; J. L. Tella; M. Delibes; P. Edelaar; M. Carrete. Validation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification for fast and portable sex determination across the phylogeny of birds. Molecular Ecology Resources 2017, 18, 251 -263.
AMA StyleA. Centeno-Cuadros, J. L. Tella, M. Delibes, P. Edelaar, M. Carrete. Validation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification for fast and portable sex determination across the phylogeny of birds. Molecular Ecology Resources. 2017; 18 (2):251-263.
Chicago/Turabian StyleA. Centeno-Cuadros; J. L. Tella; M. Delibes; P. Edelaar; M. Carrete. 2017. "Validation of loop-mediated isothermal amplification for fast and portable sex determination across the phylogeny of birds." Molecular Ecology Resources 18, no. 2: 251-263.
Parrots are largely considered plant antagonists as they usually destroy the seeds they feed on. However, there is evidence that parrots may also act as seed dispersers. We evaluated the dual role of parrots as predators and dispersers of the Critically Endangered Parana pine (Araucaria angustifolia). Eight of nine parrot species predated seeds from 48% of 526 Parana pines surveyed. Observations of the commonest parrot indicated that 22.5% of the picked seeds were dispersed by carrying them in their beaks. Another five parrot species dispersed seeds, at an estimated average distance of c. 250 m. Dispersal distances did not differ from those observed in jays, considered the main avian dispersers. Contrary to jays, parrots often dropped partially eaten seeds. Most of these seeds were handled by parrots, and the proportion of partially eaten seeds that germinated was higher than that of undamaged seeds. This may be explained by a predator satiation effect, suggesting that the large seeds of the Parana pine evolved to attract consumers for dispersal. This represents a thus far overlooked key plant-parrot mutualism, in which both components are threatened with extinction. The interaction is becoming locally extinct long before the global extinction of the species involved.
José L. Tella; Francisco Dénes; Viviane Zulian; Nêmora Pauletti Prestes; Jaime Martinez; Guillermo Blanco; Fernando Hiraldo. Endangered plant-parrot mutualisms: seed tolerance to predation makes parrots pervasive dispersers of the Parana pine. Scientific Reports 2016, 6, 31709 .
AMA StyleJosé L. Tella, Francisco Dénes, Viviane Zulian, Nêmora Pauletti Prestes, Jaime Martinez, Guillermo Blanco, Fernando Hiraldo. Endangered plant-parrot mutualisms: seed tolerance to predation makes parrots pervasive dispersers of the Parana pine. Scientific Reports. 2016; 6 (1):31709.
Chicago/Turabian StyleJosé L. Tella; Francisco Dénes; Viviane Zulian; Nêmora Pauletti Prestes; Jaime Martinez; Guillermo Blanco; Fernando Hiraldo. 2016. "Endangered plant-parrot mutualisms: seed tolerance to predation makes parrots pervasive dispersers of the Parana pine." Scientific Reports 6, no. 1: 31709.
Invasive species face new environmental conditions in their areas of introduction. A correct timing of reproduction is crucial for the successful adjustment of individuals to their environments, yet the temporal aspects of the niche are a neglected subject in the study of biological invasions. When introduced, exotic species could successfully invade new habitats by making use of ecological opportunities, e.g. empty temporal Eltonian niches. Specifically, they may achieve this via conservatism of their native reproductive phenology and/or via plasticity in their reproductive timing. Here we compare the reproductive phenology of a marshland passerine community composed of five successfully established tropical exotic species and twelve coexisting Mediterranean native species along four consecutive years. Both groups showed large differences in their phenology, with exotics reproducing along more months and later in the year than natives. One exotic species even breeds only in late summer and early autumn, when virtually all natives have ceased breeding and when overall bird abundance as well as primary production in cultivated areas (rice fields) were highest. Nonetheless, estimates of population sizes and juvenile survival rates in the study area suggest that late breeding is not maladaptive but instead highly successful. The striking difference in reproductive timing suggests that the exotics may be taking advantage of a vacant Eltonian temporal niche, possibly generated by high resource availability in human-transformed habitats (rice fields and other croplands) in the study area. This study highlights the need to also consider the temporal aspects of the niche when studying invasions.
Ana Sanz-Aguilar; Martina Carrete; Pim Edelaar; Jaime Potti; José L. Tella. The empty temporal niche: breeding phenology differs between coexisting native and invasive birds. Biological Invasions 2015, 17, 3275 -3288.
AMA StyleAna Sanz-Aguilar, Martina Carrete, Pim Edelaar, Jaime Potti, José L. Tella. The empty temporal niche: breeding phenology differs between coexisting native and invasive birds. Biological Invasions. 2015; 17 (11):3275-3288.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Sanz-Aguilar; Martina Carrete; Pim Edelaar; Jaime Potti; José L. Tella. 2015. "The empty temporal niche: breeding phenology differs between coexisting native and invasive birds." Biological Invasions 17, no. 11: 3275-3288.
Ana Sanz-Aguilar; Roger Jovani; Carlos J. Melián; Roger Pradel; J. L. Tella. Multi-event capture–recapture analysis reveals individual foraging specialization in a generalist species. Ecology 2015, 96, 1650 -1660.
AMA StyleAna Sanz-Aguilar, Roger Jovani, Carlos J. Melián, Roger Pradel, J. L. Tella. Multi-event capture–recapture analysis reveals individual foraging specialization in a generalist species. Ecology. 2015; 96 (6):1650-1660.
Chicago/Turabian StyleAna Sanz-Aguilar; Roger Jovani; Carlos J. Melián; Roger Pradel; J. L. Tella. 2015. "Multi-event capture–recapture analysis reveals individual foraging specialization in a generalist species." Ecology 96, no. 6: 1650-1660.
While genetic diversity is hypothesized to be an important factor explaining invasion success, there is no consensus yet on how variation in source populations or demographic processes affects invasiveness. We used mitochondrial DNA haplotypic and microsatellite genotypic data to investigate levels of genetic variation and reconstruct the history of replicate invasions on three continents in a globally invasive bird, the monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus). We evaluated whether genetic diversity at invasive sites could be explained by (i) the native source populations from which they were derived and (ii) demographic bottlenecks during introduction. Genetic data indicated a localized source area for most sampled invasive populations, with limited evidence for admixing of native source populations. This pattern largely coincides with historical data on pet trade exports. However, the invasive populations are genetically more similar than predicted from the export data alone. The extent of bottleneck effects varied among invasive populations. The observed low genetic diversity, evidence of demographic contraction and restricted source area do not support the hypothesis that invasion is favoured by the mixing and recombining of genetic variation from multiple source populations. Instead, they suggest that reduced genetic variation through random processes may not inhibit successful establishment and invasion in this species. However, convergent selection across invasive sites could also explain the observed patterns of reduction and similarity in genetic variation and/or the restricted source area. In general, the alternative explanation of intraspecific variation in invasive potential among genotypes or geographic areas is neglected, but warrants more attention as it could inform comparative studies and management of biological invaders.Peer reviewe
Pim Edelaar; Séverine Roques; Elizabeth A. Hobson; Anders Gonçalves da Silva; Michael L. Avery; Michael A. Russello; Juan Carlos Senar; Timothy F. Wright; Martina Carrete; José L. Tella. Shared genetic diversity across the global invasive range of the monk parakeet suggests a common restricted geographic origin and the possibility of convergent selection. Molecular Ecology 2015, 24, 2164 -2176.
AMA StylePim Edelaar, Séverine Roques, Elizabeth A. Hobson, Anders Gonçalves da Silva, Michael L. Avery, Michael A. Russello, Juan Carlos Senar, Timothy F. Wright, Martina Carrete, José L. Tella. Shared genetic diversity across the global invasive range of the monk parakeet suggests a common restricted geographic origin and the possibility of convergent selection. Molecular Ecology. 2015; 24 (9):2164-2176.
Chicago/Turabian StylePim Edelaar; Séverine Roques; Elizabeth A. Hobson; Anders Gonçalves da Silva; Michael L. Avery; Michael A. Russello; Juan Carlos Senar; Timothy F. Wright; Martina Carrete; José L. Tella. 2015. "Shared genetic diversity across the global invasive range of the monk parakeet suggests a common restricted geographic origin and the possibility of convergent selection." Molecular Ecology 24, no. 9: 2164-2176.