Resumen El gorrión doméstico (Passer domesticus), una especie invasora en México, tiene plasticidad en sus requerimientos ecológicos y fisiológicos que le permiten competir por recursos alimenticios y sitios de anidación en asentamientos humanos. P. domesticus usurpa nidos de diversas especies de aves, pero se ha documentado poco su comportamiento agresivo para utilizar los nidos. En ésta nota, presento un caso de usurpación de nidos de la golondrina risquera (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) por el gorrión doméstico en la localidad de Ixcateopan de Cuauhtémoc, Guerrero, México. Durante la temporada de invernación, cinco gorriones domésticos usurparon ocho nidos de 10 golondrinas risqueras. Éste trabajo incluye un nuevo caso de usurpación en P. pyrrhonota y P. domesticus para México y el Neotrópico. Ésta información puede ayudar a entender los efectos de una especie exótica en aves nativas que utilizan un mismo hábitat.

Abstract The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), an invasive species in Mexico, has ecological and physiological plasticity that enables the species to compete for food resources and nesting sites in human-modified environments. P. domesticus usurps nests of several bird species, but its aggressive behaviour in nest usurpation has been poorly documented. In this note, I documented a case of nest usurpation of the Cliff Swallow (Petrochelidon pyrrhonota) by House Sparrows in the town of Ixcateopan de Cuauhtémoc, Guerrero, Mexico. During the wintering season, five House Sparrows usurped eight nests of 10 Cliff Swallows. This note includes a new case of usurpation for P. pyrrhonota and P. domesticus in Mexico and the Neotropics. This information can help to understand the effects of an exotic species on native birds that use the same habitat.

RESUMEN El tucán de Ariel (Ramphastos vitellinus ariel) es un ave omnívora que eventualmente es ladrona de nidos. Varias aves paseriformes muestran estrategias anti-depredatorias, tales como ataques y llamadas de acoso para enfrentarse a este tipo de depredadores. Esta nota reporta un evento de depredación de un tucán de Ariel sobre huevos de la mirla pechi pálida (Turdus leucomelas), y describe el comportamiento antipredador, principalmente el relacionado con las llamadas de alerta y de acoso de la mirla. A pesar de que la mirla pechi pálida mostró un comportamiento anti-depredatorio acosando al tucán, no se evitó la depredación de los huevos. Aunque la depredación de huevos por parte del Ramphastos vitellinus se ha registrado varias veces, la mayoría de los reportes carecen de la identidad de la especie de ave afectada, siendo este el primer registro confirmado en Turdus leucomelas.

ABSTRACT The Channel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos vitellinus) is an omnivorous bird that eventually is nest-robbers. Several birdsongs display anti-predatory strategies such as attacks and mobbing calls to face this kind of predator. This note reports a predatory event of one Channel-billed Toucan upon eggs of Pale-breasted Thrush (Turdus leucomelas) and describes the anti-predatory behavior, principally alert and mobbing calls of the thrush. Even though the Pale-breasted Thrush displayed the anti-predatory behaviors to harass the toucan, the egg predation was not avoided. Although the predation upon eggs by Ramphastos vitellinus has been reported several times, the majority of reports lack the identity of the bird species affected, this being the first confirmed record in Turdus leucomelas.

Abstract Megachile saulcyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) is reported for first time cutting pieces from a plastic bag that are used for the construction of its nest, this being the first record of a bee performing this activity in Chile. The growing problem of solitary bees that use plastic for the construction of cells for their nest is analyzed as well as the consequences that they can originate in the survival of their populations.

Resumen Se reporta por primera vez a Megachile saulcyi (Guérin-Méneville, 1844) cortando trozos de una bolsa de plástico que son utilizados para la construcción de su nido, siendo este el primer registro de una abeja en Chile que realiza esta actividad. Se discute la creciente problemática de las abejas solitarias que utilizan este material para la construcción de celdas para sus nidos y las consecuencias que puede ocasionar en la supervivencia de sus poblaciones.

Abstract There are few studies dedicated to the natural history of Neotropical spider wasps (Pompilidae). When it comes to urban areas, the knowledge on these wasps is even scarcer. This study sheds light on the natural history of Auplopus cf. rufipes and A. cf. brasiliensis (Hymenoptera: Pompilidae: Ageniellini) from an urban Atlantic Forest fragment in the Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro City, Brazil. Auplopus cf. rufipes displays a multivoltine pattern and frequently nests in bamboo canes scattered in the open areas, whereas A. cf. brasiliensis is a rare sight, with only a single nest collected from a hose trap-nest. Females of the former species show aggressive behaviour, which suggests a solitary lifestyle. Their nests were partly enveloped in a complex structure, similar to other species that build free-standing, unconcealed nests and display some degree of sociality. Such behaviour could not be observed for A. cf. brasiliensis. Despite that, nests of both species were built using mud pellets, though the brood cells differed regarding arrangement and position in the trap. Two parasites were found attacking the cells: Caenochrysis crotonis (Chrysididae) in a cell of A. cf. rufipes, and Chaenotetrastichus neotropicalis (Eulophidae) in two cells of A. cf. brasiliensis, both recorded for the first time. Auplopus cf. rufipes was found to prey on Frigga cf. quintensis (Salticidae), the first record of this genus as a host of Auplopus.

Abstract: An entomopalynological study to assess pollen use by wild bees was performed in an urban environment with riparian native forest in the Chaco region of Argentina. A combined method for sampling pollen loads and garbage pellets at nest entrances in four stingless bees with different entrance size and forager traffic was here successfully used. Sampling was carried out in a short period of time (late winter) and located within a distance of 50 m. Pollen analysis using acetolysis showed that most identified pollen types (31) were from native species, 12 from ornamental exotic species, 5 included native and ornamental exotic species and 18 of uncertain status. A much broader pollen spectrum was present in garbage pellets (62 types) than loads (14 types). A few resources from previous blooming (late spring-summer) were identified in garbage pellets, which were mainly composed of current flowerings. From the 66 pollen types found in all samples, many (18) remained unidentified due to the complex nature of the vegetation surrounding the nests and the generalist behaviour of these bees. The versatile foraging behaviour on spontaneous (mostly native) and cultivated (mostly ornamental exotic) pollen resources is an important issue for the conservation and rearing of stingless bee colonies in urban habitats where native flora is preserved, particularly the riparians, where a high richness of blooming plants is available.

Resumo Utilizamos aparelhos de GPS miniaturizados e observações de campo para determinar padrões de forrageio e comportamento em ninho da espécie ameaçada Rabos-de-palha-de-bico-laranja Phaethon lepturus em sua colônia reprodutiva do Atlântico Sul. Padrão dual de forrageio foi observado, com alternância entre viagens longas e curtas. Aves responsáveis por cuidado parental efetuaram viagens curtas de forrageio com em média 25 ± 17 km de distância da colônia, distância total percorrida média de 79 ± 65 km e duração média de 4.02 ± 5.28 horas. As aves saíram da colônia entre o amanhecer e o entardecer, enquanto seus parceiros estavam em alto-mar em viagens longas de quatro a 11 dias de duração, com média de distância máxima da colônia de 105 ± 47.48 km. Filhotes foram constantemente deixados sozinhos por várias horas, e predação por Johngartia lagostroma, consumo de ovos por Goniopsis cruentata e competição intra-específica possivelmente foram responsáveis por sua morte.

Abstract We used miniaturized GPS loggers and site observations to access foraging patterns and nest behaviour of the White-tailed Tropicbird Phaethon lepturus (WTTB), an endangered species at its South Atlantic breeding colony. Dual foraging pattern was observed with alternation between long and short foraging trips. Birds responsible for nest attendance engaged in short foraging trips with mean distance from colony of 25 ± 17 km, total distance covered of 79 ± 65 km and mean duration of 4.02 ± 5.28 hours. Birds flew by dawn and returned before dusk while partners were at sea for long foraging trips that ranged from four to 11 days, with mean maximum distance from colony of 105 ± 47.48 km. Chicks were usually left alone for hours and chick predation by Land Crab Johngartia lagostroma, egg consumption by Goniopsis cruentata and intra-specific competition are suspected to be responsible for high chick mortality rates.

Birds have been present in the life of humans, either as pets, food source, in folk medicine, as well as participants in the worldview of many human groups; thus, they are key elements of legends, myths and superstitions. In this study, we recorded the knowledge of the inhabitants of the town of Pedra Branca (Santa Teresinha, Bahia, northeastern Brazil) about the ecology of birds and their association with the etymology of common names. We recorded data through open, semi-structured interviews and projective tests. Forty eight people of different ages were interviewed. A total of 124 bird species were recorded. Common names adopted by the villagers were associated with the habitat, vocalization and foraging and reproductive behaviour of the species. Vocalization of birds were associated with local legends. In relation to reproductive aspects, we recorded information on sexual dimorphism, moult, reproductive season, parental care and nest construction. The inhabitants made reference to the main eating habits of the birds, identifying carnivorous, insectivorous, scavenger, granivorous, nectarivorous, fruit-eating, fish-eating and omnivorous species. The informants identified four environments for birds in the region: forests, capueras, wetlands and villages. The detailed knowledge of the interviewees on the ecology of birds and their relationship with the etymology of names, obtained by the transmission of knowledge and years of contact and observations, constitute important contributions to ethno-ornithology and ornithology.

Las aves han estado presentes en la vida del ser humano, ya sea como mascotas, fuente de alimento, en la medicina popular, así como participantes en la cosmovisión de muchos grupos humanos; así, son elementos clave de leyendas, mitos y supersticiones. En este estudio se registra el conocimiento de los habitantes del poblado de Pedra Branca (Santa Teresinha, Bahía, noreste de Brasil) acerca de la ecología de las aves y su asociación con la etimología de los nombres comunes. Se registraron los datos por medio de entrevistas abiertas, semiestructuradas y pruebas proyectivas. Se entrevistaron 48 personas de diferentes edades. Se registraron 124 especies de aves. Los nombres comunes adoptados por los pobladores estuvieron asociados con el hábitat, la vocalización y los comportamientos de alimentación y reproductivo de las especies. Las vocalizaciones de las aves estuvieron asociadas con leyendas locales. En relación a los aspectos reproductivos se registró información sobre dimorfismo sexual, muda, estación reproductiva, cuidado parental y construcción del nido. Los pobladores hicieron referencia a los principales hábitos alimenticios de las aves, identificándose especies carnívoras, insectívoras, carroñeras, granívoras, nectarívoras, frugívoras, piscívoras y omnívoras. Los informantes identificaron cuatro ambientes en los cuales las aves habitan en la región: bosques, capueras, humedales y poblados. El conocimiento detallado de los entrevistados sobre la ecología de las aves y su relación con la etimología de los nombres, obtenido por la transmisión de conocimientos y por años de contactos y observaciones, constituyen importantes contribuciones para la etno-ornitología y la ornitología.

Evaluation of the territorial behaviour of four species of sparrows in the central Monte desert.- Territorial behaviour in birds is common, but very few studies have attempted to understand what are birds defending in their territories. We evaluated intra and interspecific territorial behaviour among four species of sparrows in the central Monte desert during two consecutive years, in order to assess possible interactions and plasticity in their behaviour. We performed playback experiments on the Cinnamon Warbling-Finch (Poospiza ornata), the Ringed Warbling-Finch (Poospiza torquata), the Rufous-collared Sparrow (Zonotrichia capensis), and the Many-coloured Chaco-Finch (Saltatricula multicolor). Every species showed conspecific territoriality, which tended to be weaker during the year of better environmental conditions (wetter and with higher food abundance). We also found a lack of territorial response among the species within the same feeding guild. However, we observed an asymmetric response between the species that use similar nest sites. The Cinnamon Warbling-Finch showed aggression towards the Ringed Warbling-Finch, and this occurred only during the year when the abundance of the former species was high. Our results and previous evidence suggest that territoriality in central Monte desert sparrows is most likely to be driven by defence of reproductive resources, and conflicts over food would be less important. Our results also hint that birds may respond different to both heterospecifics and conspecifics based both on their own abundance and on environmental conditions.

El comportamiento territorial en aves es común pero en pocos trabajos se busca entender qué es lo que las aves defienden en sus territorios. Se estudió el comportamiento territorial intra e interespecífico entre cuatro especies de aves granívoras en la porción central del desierto del Monte durante dos años consecutivos, a fin de evaluar un posible escenario de interacciones y la plasticidad del comportamiento. Se realizaron experimentos de "playback" con la Monterita Canela (Poospiza ornata), la Monterita de Collar (Poospiza torquata), el Chingolo (Zonotrichia capensis) y el Pepitero Chico (Saltatricula multicolor). Todas las especies mostraron territorialidad frente a conespecíficos, la cual tendió a ser menos agresiva el año de mejores condiciones ambientales (más precipitaciones y mayor abundancia de alimento). No hubo respuesta territorial entre especies del mismo gremio de alimentación, pero sí una respuesta asimétrica entre las especies que usan los mismos sitios de nidificación. La Monterita Canela mostró un comportamiento agresivo frente a la Monterita de Collar durante la temporada reproductiva en la que la densidad de la primera especie fue alta. Los resultados y la evidencia previa sugieren que la territorialidad en las aves granívoras en el Monte central está más relacionada con la defensa de recursos reproductivos y que los conflictos por el alimento son menos importantes. Además, los resultados mostraron que las aves podrían responder de manera diferente frente a conespecíficos y heterospecíficos dependiendo de su propia abundancia y de las condiciones ambientales.

Pleurodema guayapae es una especie que habita en zonas semidesérticas y salinas del área central de Argentina. Los conocimientos actuales sobre la biología reproductiva de esta especie son muy pobres, por lo que nuestro objetivo fue contribuir a su conocimiento con la descripción de algunos aspectos reproductivos importantes. Para ello se realizaron tres campañas de muestreo durante los veranos (2006-2007, 2007-2008 y 2008-2009) en el área de Chamical-Patquía, provincia de La Rioja, donde se encontraron poblaciones reproductivamente activas. Se observaron y describieron los sitios reproductivos, tipo de puesta, proceso de construcción del nido de espuma, tamaño de la puesta y de los huevos, número de huevos por puesta y tiempo y estado de eclosión de la larva. Las observaciones de comportamiento se realizaron desde el momento en que los machos comenzaron a emitir los cantos hasta que la pareja en amplexo terminó de construir el nido de espuma con los huevos en su interior. Además, se observó y filmó una pareja en amplexo, en el proceso de construcción del nido de espuma y se recolectaron cuatro parejas en amplexo y se colocaron separadamente en recipientes plásticos para que sus puestas pudieran ser observadas en el laboratorio. El tiempo de eclosión se determinó en tres nidos de espuma de edad conocida. Se encontró que las poblaciones de P. guayapae solo estuvieron acústicamente activas luego de una lluvia torrencial. Los sitios de reproducción fueron charcas efímeras de agua de lluvia. Los machos emitieron sus cantos de advertencia desde adentro o fuera de esas charcas. Se realizó una descripción detallada del proceso de construcción del nido de espuma por parte de la hembra y el macho de P. guayapae. El tipo de la puesta en esta especie es un nido de espuma flotante con forma de domo de 6 a 9cm de diámetro y de 1 a 3cm de alto, algunos de los cuales estaban unidos entre sí formando puestas comunales. Los nidos de espuma poseen en promedio 1 137 huevos pigmentados. Esta especie mostró un tiempo de eclosión corto. Nuestros resultados nos permiten concluir que P. guayapae debe ser considerada como reproductor explosivo extremo. Nuestros resultados son discutidos con los obtenidos en otras especies afines.

Pleurodema guayapae is a species that inhabits saline environments and semidesert zones from central Argentina. To date, the knowledge about the reproductive biology of this species is very poor, and our aim is to contribute to its knowledge with the description of some important reproductive aspects. For this, field work was undertaken in an area near to Patquía, La Rioja province. Sampling was undertaken during three summer periods (2006-2007; 2007-2008; 2008-2009) in Chamical-Patquía area, where we could find reproductively active populations. We observed and described breeding sites, type of clutch, process of foam nest construction, clutch and egg number and sizes, and hatching time and stage. Behaviour observations were performed from the time that males began to call until the pairs ended up the foam nests building, and layed the eggs. Additionally, one amplected pair was observed and filmed in the process of foam nest construction, and four amplectant pairs were collected and separatelly placed in plastic containers, for nests observations in the laboratory. Hatching time was based on three different foam nests of known age. We found that P. guayapae populations were acoustically active only after a rainfall. Its breeding sites were represented by ephemeral ponds of fresh water, product of rains. The males emitted their calls inside or outside these ponds. A detailed description of the foam nest construction process by both females and males was made. The clutches were in dome-shaped foam nest type of 6-9cm in diameter and 1-3cm in height, some of which were in communal nests. The nests had an average of 1 137 pigmented eggs. This species showed a short hatching time. Our results allow us to conclude that this species should be considered an extreme explosive breeder. Our results are discussed with others obtained for related species.

Entre as abelhas eussociais, dois gêneros apresentam estratégia de vida cleptobiótica, obtendo recursos alimentares de ninhos de outras abelhas ao invés de coletá-los em flores. Entre as espécies atacadas existe um gradiente de suscetibilidade ao roubo variando desde espécies vulneráveis até altamente resistentes. Neste trabalho nós descrevemos um ataque de Lestrimelitta rufipes a um ninho de Scaptotrigona sp. em um meliponário na Amazônia central (Amazonas, Brazil). O ninho atacado foi transferido para um meliponário com espécies resistentes (Duckeola ghilianii e Melipona fulva) e as interações foram descritas. As abelhas resistentes contra-atacaram e afugentaram as ladras protegendo o ninho de Scaptotrigona sp.. A presença de comportamento defensivo em gêneros não proximamente relacionados sugere que ele tenha evoluído mais de uma vez entre os Meliponini. Considerando o comportamento descrito, sugerimos a criação de espécies nativas resistentes em meliponários de regiões onde elas forem nativas, devido ao potencial que elas tem na proteção.

Among eusocial bees, two genera evolved a cleptobiotic life strategy, stealing food resources from other bee nest instead of collecting it from flowers. Under natural conditions there is a gradient of strategies against robbing, from more susceptible to highly resistant species. In this work, we describe one attack of the robber bee Lestrimelitta rufipes to a nest of Scaptotrigona sp. in the Amazon Rain Forest (Amazonas, Brazil). The attacked nest was introduced in a beekeeping area with bees already known to be resistant to cleptobiosis. The resident bees (Duckeola ghilianii and Melipona fulva) counter-attacked the robber bees and successfully protect the Scaptotrigona sp. nest. The presence of the defensive behaviour in unrelated genera suggests it evolved many times in social bees. Based on the protective behaviour described here, we suggest that in order to reduce the damage caused by Lestrimelitta attacks in Amazonian beekeeping, a combination of defensive and non-resistant bees should be considered.

The Steller's Jay (Cyanocitta stelleri) has a discontinuous geographic range in the American Continent. In Mexico, the species has isolated populations in the northeastern region in the states of Nuevo Leon and Coahuila. As a result of monthly samplings in the municipality of Miquihuana, Tamaulipas, from January 2012 to February 2013, we report for the first time the occurrence of this species in the state based on 39 records. We observed the individuals in an Abies-Pseudotsuga forest, located higher than 3000 m in altitude, in the Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO). We considered that the population might be resident based on the courtship behaviour observed and the detection of an individual associated with a nest typical of the species. However, additional information is needed. We assume that the population recorded moved throughout the coniferous forests of the highlands of the SMO for its arrival to the area, and that it might be expanding to lower altitudes in the southwestern region of Tamaulipas.

La chara crestada (Cyanocitta stelleri) presenta una distribución geográfica discontinua a lo largo del continente americano. En México, esta especie tiene poblaciones aisladas en la región noreste en los estados de Nuevo León y Coahuila. Como resultado de muestreos mensuales en el municipio de Miquihuana, Tamaulipas, durante el periodo enero de 2012 a febrero de 2013, reportamos, por primera vez, la presencia de la especie en el estado, con base en 39 registros. Observamos los individuos en un bosque de Abies-Pseudotsuga localizado a elevaciones mayores a los 3000 m en la Sierra Madre Oriental (SMO). Consideramos que la población podría ser residente con base en el comportamiento de cortejo observado y la detección de un individuo asociado a un nido típico de la especie; sin embargo, se requiere de información adicional. Suponemos que, para su arribo a esta zona, la población registrada usó como ruta de desplazamiento los continuos de bosques de coníferas inmersos en las partes altas de la SMO y que su expansión a latitudes más bajas podría estar ocurriendo hacia la región suroeste de Tamaulipas.

Espécies exóticas invasoras podem impactar negativamente a biodiversidade de um local. Nós descrevemos aqui um relato de predação a um ninho de uma espécie de ave endêmica, inhapim (Icterus pyrrhopterus) pelo sagüi-de-tufo-preto (Callithrix penicillata), espécie exótica invasora, em uma paisagem agrícola altamente impactada pelas atividades humanas. Dois ninhegos foram predados por adultos de sagüi em dois dias alternados. Durante a predação foram observados comportamento anti-predatório e imitações vocais pelo inhapim, e atividade de cópula do sagüis-de-tufo-preto. Descrevemos também o primeiro relato do uso de mobbing por I. pyrrhopterus contra predadores. O impacto potencial dos sagüis introduzidos na biodiversidade local é discutido.

Invasive exotic species can negatively impact local biodiversity. We present here a report of a nest predation of an endemic bird species, variable oriole (Icterus pyrrhopterus) by the introduced black-tufted marmoset (Callithrix penicillata) in an agricultural landscape highly disturbed by human activities. Two nestlings were predated, by adults of the introduced marmoset during two alternate days. Antipredator behavior and vocal mimicry were observed in variable oriole, while copulation was observed in black-tufted marmoset during the predation. The use of mobbing against predators by I. pyrrhopterus was observed and it is described here by the first time. The potential impact of the introduced marmosets to local biodiversity is discussed.

Se realizó un estudio de comportamiento en hembras de Protandrena evansi llevado a cabo en Farellones, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Las conductas tolerantes e intolerantes fueron observadas en una arena experimental donde fueron puestas pares de hembras provenientes de un mismo nido (interacción intra-nido) o de nidos diferentes (interacción inter-nido). Las conductas tolerantes y las intolerantes no fueron diferentes entre las hembras del mismo nido y de nidos distintos. En un segundo experimento, fueron evaluadas las respuestas conductuales presentadas por las hembras hacia extractos de compuestos cuticulares provenientes de sus compañeras de nido y de hembras de diferentes nidos. Ambos bioensayos mostraron que las hembras de P. evansi no exhiben un patrón de discriminación conductual entre compañeras de nido y no compañeras de nido. Además, las conductas tolerantes fueron las más frecuentes en ambas interacciones experimentales (intra-nido e inter-nido). Estos resultados sugieren que esta especie tiene una estructura social comunal.

This paper reports the results of a behavioral study carried out at Farellones, Metropolitan Region, Chile, using females of Protandrena evansi. Tolerant and intolerant behaviors were observed in an experimental arena where pairs of females from the same nest (intra-nest interaction) or from different nest (inter-nest interaction) were placed. Neither tolerant nor intolerant behaviors were different between intra-nest and inter-nest females. In a second experiment the behavioral responses performed by females towards cuticular extracts from nestmate and from non-nestmate females were evaluated. Both bioassays showed that P. evansi females do not exhibit a discriminative behavioral pattern between nestmate and non-nestmate females. Additionally, tolerant behaviors were the most frequent in both experimental interactions (intra and inter-nest interactions). These results suggest that this species has a communal social structure.

Human activity is causing considerable changes on our planet, which entail misbalances in one of the systems that regulate animal population dynamics: the host-parasite relationship. In this article we show, using documented examples, the direct action of pollution, habitat fragmentation and climate change, as well as their interactions, on the health of wildlife populations and their pathogens. We present the case of myiasis caused by flies of the genus Philornis, which larvae show parasitic behaviour that affects bird nestlings. The occurrence of these parasites depends on climatic variables, being more abundant during periods of high precipitation and temperature, which is influenced by climate change. Their abundance is also related to nest density, which is affected by forest fragmentation. Therefore, the net effect of global environmental change on the impact of this parasitism depends on at least two of their interacting factors: climate change and deforestation.

Las acciones humanas están produciendo grandes cambios en nuestro planeta, los cuales traen aparejados desbalances en uno de los sistemas que regulan las dinámicas poblacionales de vertebrados: la relación parásito-hospedador. En este trabajo se muestra, mediante ejemplos documentados, la acción directa de la contaminación, la fragmentación y el cambio climático, y sus interacciones, sobre la salud de las poblaciones de vertebrados silvestres y sus patógenos. Se presenta el caso de la miasis producida por las moscas del género Philornis, cuyas larvas tienen un comportamiento parásito que afecta a pichones de aves. La ocurrencia de estos parásitos depende de variables climáticas, siendo más abundantes durante períodos de precipitaciones y temperaturas elevadas, lo cual es influenciado por el cambio climático. Además, su abundancia se relaciona con la densidad de nidos, que es afectada por la fragmentación del bosque. En consecuencia, el efecto neto del cambio ambiental global sobre el impacto de este parasitismo depende, al menos, de dos de sus factores interactuantes: el cambio climático y la deforestación.

This paper reports on the material culture (specifically nests and tools) of the chimpanzees of Issa, Ugalla, western Tanzania. Ugalla is one of the driest, most open, and seasonal habitats where chimpanzees live. The methods used were archaeological, as the chimpanzees were not habituated and behavioural observations were rare. Two types of data are reviewed: 1. Spatial and temporal distribution of nests, and 2. Tool use. Nests were highly concentrated in some parts of the landscape, the majority of nesting sites were reused, and the chimpanzees preferred to nest on slopes. Evidence for the use of three types of tools was found: Termite fishing, Strychnos fruit fracture, and USO (Underground Storage Organ) digging. This last type of tool use has not been reported for any other chimpanzee study site. Issa chimpanzees extensively used the open vegetation types of their habitat. Implications of these data for early hominin behaviour are discussed.

Este artículo da cuenta de la cultura material (nidos y herramientas) de los chimpancés de Issa, Ugalla, Tanzania, uno de los sitios más abiertos, secos y con estacionalidad más marcada que habitan estos simios. Se utilizaron métodos arqueológicos, y debido a que los chimpancés no están habituados a los observadores humanos, las observaciones directas fueron escasas. Se presentan dos aspectos fundamentales: 1. La distribución espacio-temporal de los nidos, donde se evidencian concentraciones densas en puntos específicos del terreno, preferencia por nidificar en laderas y reuso de la mayoría de los sitios de nidificación. 2. La evidencia del uso de herramientas para pescar termitas, fracturar frutas del género Strychnosy extraer órganos subterráneos de almacenamiento de plantas (OSA). Este último tipo constituye un elemento único de la cultura material de los chimpancés de Ugalla, pues no se ha reportado para ningún otro sitio de chimpancés salvajes. Se localizaron once sitios de extracción y siete herramientas asociadas. A partir de la cultura material de los chimpancés de Ugalla se infiere un uso extensivo de los tipos de vegetación abiertos de su hábitat. Finalmente, se analiza la utilidad de esta información para inferir patrones de comportamiento en homininos tempranos que vivieron en hábitat similares.