Resumo: Analisamos a sobreposição da distribuição de Pygochelidon melanoleuca no Brasil com hidrelétricas ativas e planejadas no país (cenário atual e futuro). Utilizamos os algoritmos Random Forest, Maxent e Support Vector Machine para modelar a distribuição potencial da espécie, então sobrepomos com os locais das usinas hidrelétricas ativas e planejadas para calcular o quanto a área potencial desta espécie é e será afetada por elas. Aproximadamente 35% das hidrelétricas ativas estão sobrepostas com a área de distribuição potencial de P. melanoleuca e 44% das hidrelétricas planejadas coincidem com sua área. Se a implementação das hidrelétricas planejadas ocorrer, o habitat necessário para nidificação e forrageamento de P. melanoleuca estarão severamente comprometidos.

Abstract: We analyzed the overlap of the range of Pygochelidon melanoleuca in Brazil with active and planned hydropower plants in the country (current and future scenarios). We used the Random Forest, Maxent and Support Vector Machine algorithms to model the potential range of the species, which we then overlapped with the locations of active and planned hydropower plants in order to calculate how much the potential area of this species is and will be affected by them. Approximately 35% of active hydropower plants currently overlap with the potential distribution area of P. melanoleuca, and 44% of planned hydropower plants also coincide with this area. If the implementation of the planned hydropower plants occurs, the suitable habitat necessary for nesting and foraging of P. melanoleuca will be severely compromised.

ABSTRACT Changes in the amounts and proportions of leukocytes, known as leucocyte profiles, have been documented for several bird species and have been used to measure stress levels in these animals. The present work ascertained the biological and ecological attributes that influence the leukocyte profile of Antilophia galeata (Lichtenstein, 1823), the helmeted manakin. This species has been deemed useful in ecological studies because it responds to environmental changes. Blood samples drawn from 89 individuals of A. galeata captured in a Cerrado forest fragment were subjected to analysis under optical microscopy to identify and quantify leukocytes and micronuclei. The number of lymphocytes was greater for males, non-reproductive individuals and individuals infected with ticks. None of the leukocyte components differed in relation to age, molting or body condition index. The amount of micronuclei was correlated with values for total leukocytes, H/L ratio, heterophils, basophils and monocytes. The results suggest that reproduction may be an immunosuppressive factor for the species, producing sexual differences in lymphocyte availability. In addition, biomarkers of genotoxic damage (micronuclei) were related to the amount of leukocytes, indicating that individuals may be sensitive to environmental disturbances. Leukocyte profiles can be considered a useful tool for addressing ecological questions that are relevant to the conservation of species in degraded environments.

ABSTRACT The relationship between plants and frugivorous animals is modulated by morphological and nutritional characteristics of fruits, as well as their seasonal availability across habitats. We evaluated fruiting phenology, fruit morphology and nutritional characteristics of 35 abundant plant species from 15 families associated with frugivorous birds from distinct habitats in the Cerrado (savanna, forest, and palm swamp). For a subset of 16 plant species, we also evaluated the overlap in interactions with frugivorous birds using data from the literature. Open-habitat plants had their fruiting peak during the rainy season, while fruiting of forest species was evenly distributed across the year. Plants of the same family exhibited similar fruit morphology and nutritional characteristics. Most plants had fruits with more sugars than lipids, while all species with higher lipid content were from savanna habitats and produced fruits during the rainy season, the peak reproductive season for birds. Assemblages of frugivorous birds exhibited considerable overlap, irrespective of habitat or fruiting season of plants. The complementarity found among habitats, considering seasonal availability and nutritional profile of fruits for frugivorous birds, is relevant for community maintenance and regeneration. Therefore, this landscape level complexity should always be considered in conservation and restoration policies for the Cerrado.

Nesse trabalho relatam-se infestações de carrapatos em aves, meio ambiente e em animais domésticos em uma fitofisionomia não florestal, o Cerrado stricto sensu, de uma reserva natural na periferia da área urbana de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Para tal, 238 aves de 50 espécies foram capturadas, pertencentes a 15 famílias e seis ordens. Passeriforme foi a mais numerosa, com 216 indivíduos (90,75%), dos quais 22 estavam parasitados com 31 carrapatos. Nos Passeriformes a prevalência de infestação de carrapatos foi de 10,2%, a abundância e intensidade média foi de 0,14 e 1,41, respectivamente. Apenas carrapatos imaturos da espécie Amblyomma nodosum foram encontrados em aves. As espécies de carrapatos encontradas tanto em animais (Rhipicephalus sanguineus,Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)microplus, Amblyomma cajennense,Dermacentor nitens) como no ambiente (Amblyomma dubitatum, Rhipicephalus(B.) microplus,Amblyomma cajennense) foram aquelas já esperadas. Esta diferença de espécies de carrapatos entre ambiente e de aves possivelmente ocorreu porque a amostragem do ambiente se restringiu ao solo. Esse estudo também destaca a importância dos diversos microambientes usados por carrapatos e hospedeiros em uma mesma área e a complexa ecologia das relações ave-carrapato. Aspectos ecológicos e epidemiológicos dos achados são discutidos.

We report tick infestations on birds, in the environment and on domestic animals in a non-forested phytophysiognomy, the savanna-like Cerradosensu stricto, in a natural reserve on the outskirts of the urban area of Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Overall, 238 birds within 50 species, 15 families and six orders were caught. Passeriformes were the most numerous, with 216 birds (90.75%), among which 22 had ticks (n = 31). Within this order, the prevalence of tick infestation was 10.2%, and the abundance and mean intensity were 0.14 and 1.41, respectively. Only immature ticks of the species Amblyomma nodosum were found on the birds. The tick species found both on animals (Rhipicephalus sanguineus,Rhipicephalus (Boophilus)microplus, Amblyomma cajennense andDermacentor nitens) and in the environment (Amblyomma dubitatum, Rhipicephalus(B.) microplus andAmblyomma cajennense) were as expected. This difference in tick species between the environment and birds possibly occurred because the sampling of the environment was limited to the ground. This study also highlights the importance of the diverse microenvironments used by ticks and hosts in the same area and the complex ecology of bird-tick relationships. Ecological and epidemiological aspects of the findings are discussed.

The objectives of this study were: (1) to investigate the richness and composition of the Psittacidae in palm swamps; (2) to determine if the sizes of flocks vary seasonally; (3) to compare detectability rates according to species. Psittacid communities were observed from November 2006 to November 2007 in semimonthly visits to the area using fixed-point observation. A total of 1616 individuals from eight species were registered in 199 contacts. The palm swamps were highly similar (H > 0.62), and their diversity was above 1.56. The Yellow-chevroned Parakeet was considered resident in the three palm swamps (Fr > 60 %). The White-eyed Parakeet and Red-bellied Macaw were the most abundant species in the three areas. Most of the species (n = 5) were more abundant in one of the seasons. The most abundant species in the rainy season were the White-eyed Parakeet and Yellow-chevroned Parakeet (42.16 ± 30.77 individuals), whereas in the dry season the most prevalent was the Red-bellied Macaw (68.50 ± 39.35 individuals). The highest detectability rate was for the Yellow-chevroned Parakeet, which demonstrates the inter-species differences and the need to adapt the methods of research, unclear for this family.

Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: (1) investigar la riqueza y la composición de pstácidos en pantanos, (2) determinar si el tamano de los grupos varía estacionalmente, (3) comparar las especies de acuerdo con sus tasas de detectabilidad. Ensambles de psitácidos han sido observados entre noviembre de 2006 y noviembre de 2007 con visitas quincenales en cada área a través de observación de punto fijo. Un total de 1616 individuos de ocho especies fueron registrados en 199 contactos. Los pantanos fueron muy similares (H > 0.62), y su diversidad de Psittacidae fue 1.56. Brotogeris chiriri ha sido considerada residente en los tres pantanos estudiados (Fr > 60 %). Aratinga leucophthalma y Orthopsittaca manilata fueron las especies más abundantes en las tres áreas. La mayoría de las especies (n = 5) fueron más abundantes en una de las estaciones. Las especies más abundantes en la época de lluvias fueron A. leucophthalma y B. chiriri (42.16 ± 30.77 individuos), mientras que en la estación seca la mayor abundancia fue O. manilata (68.50 ± 39.35 individuos). La tasa de detectabilidad más alta fue de B. chiriri, lo que demuestra las diferencias entre las especies y la necesidad de adaptar los métodos de investigación para esta familia.

El impacto de las aves en los cultivos de cereales es un problema mundial. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar la riqueza, la composición y el impacto que tienen las aves sobre el sorgo en la región de Cerrado, Brasil Central y observar el tipo de matriz que puede reducir su tasa de consumo. Se evaluaron dos parcelas de 4 ha cultivadas con sorgo y con similar matriz alrededor: árboles (bosques naturales o barreras rompe viento), pasto, caminos y plantación aledaña (maíz o sorgo). Se realizó el registro de las aves en ocho puntos por transición cultivo/matriz, en cada parcela y se tomaron 65 horas de observaciones durante la maduración del grano. Se registraron visitas de 19 especies de aves, con un predominio de granívoros y frugívoros. Las especies Volatinia jacarina, Aratinga leucophthalma, Patagioenas picazuro y Columbina talpacoti fueron las más frecuentes (76,7 % en las visitas), y las más abundantes fueron A. leucophthalma y P. picazuro. La tasa de consumo promedio sobre las panículas fue 32,6 %, mayor en la transición cultivo/pastos (53,7 %) y menor en la transición cultivo/árboles (19,2 %). Se recomienda el uso de plantaciones forestales en las cercanías de los cultivos de sorgo y, en lo posible, cosechar en la quinta semana después del inicio de la producción de granos. La capacidad de adaptar los cultivos a estas propuestas reduciría las visitas de las aves que consumen los granos y evitar el uso de cultivares nutricionalmente inferiores.

The impact of birds on crops, especially grains, is a worldwide problem. The objective was to evaluate the richness, composition and impact of birds on sorghum in the region of Cerrado, Brazil, and to observe the type of surrounding matrix that can reduce the predation rates. We analyzed two sorghum plots (4 ha each) with similar surroundings: arboreal environment (forest or windbreak), pasture, nearby road, and adjacent crops (corn or sorghum). Visiting avifauna was surveyed at eight points by plot, one at each transition between cultivar and matrix. Both morning and afternoon observations were made during the period of grain maturation, totaling 65 hours. Nineteen species of birds visited the crops, predominantly granivores and frugivores. The species Volatina jacarina, Patagioenas picazuro, Aratinga leucophthalma and Columbina talpacoti were the most frequent visitors (76.7 % of the visits). The most abundant species were A. leucophthalma and P. picazuro. The cluster predation rate was 32.6 %, being higher in the pasture/crop transition (53.7 %) and lower in the arboreal environment/crop transition (19.2 %). It is recommended the use of forest matrix around sorghum crops and, whenever possible, harvest during the fifth week after the beginning of cluster production. Adherence to the suggested management measures would reduce visits by crop-consuming birds and avoid the use of nutritionally inferior cultivars.