Is Morphometry an Indicator of the Number of Sexy Syllables in the Song of Yellow-Fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus)?

Birds use song for several goals as defending territory, alerting a partner to the presence of a predator, or wooing a female for breeding. This study aims to identify the morphometric parameters which determine the variability of the number of syllables in the “sexy” songs of yellow-fronted canary. For this purpose, sixteen morphometric parameters were measured among 170 yellow-fronted canaries captured, in four agroecological zones in North Benin. The results showed that the morphometry of yellow-fronted canary varies according to its habitat and the type of song. The categorization of the sample studied allowed to retain two groups which differ in the importance of body characters and the number of sexy syllables issued when singing. Yellow-fronted canaries from the Sudanese climate zone not only have superior morphometric characters compared to other zones, but also have a song composed of several different sexy syllables. A binary logistic regression model with selection of variables revealed that the index of beak shape, abdomen length, and tail length are the determining characteristics of the number of sexy syllables. These results are needed for future breeding and conservation studies of the species

Socioeconomic and Cultural Importance of The Yellow-Fronted Canary (Serinus Mozambicus) in Northern Benin

The species yellow-fronted canary undergoes a real traffic due to its song and medico-magical properties in order to supply local commercial networks. This study aims to assess the socioeconomic and cultural importance of this bird in order to identify the cohorts of actors involved along this activity chain. In this context a survey was carried out among 400 breeders in four agroecological zones of Benin (ZAE II; ZAE III, ZAE IV and ZAE V). The questionnaire also focused on general characteristics of the respondents on aspects related to general knowledge of the bird, its social importance, purchase and sale price, cultural importance and breeders’ perceptions. Canary traders, mostly with primary education level (63.25%) and Muslim (97.5%), were on average 44 years old and an average experience of 27 years. They exercised this activity in part-time (96.5%). The knowledge about canary is shared is different depending on the ethnic group. The activity was profitable for all of them (100%) with 128,624 FCFA (233.18 USD) net profit per month. The trader's education level, whether or not he belonged to ZAE II, the number of birds he had in his possession, the daily amount he invested in their food, their selling price, the number of years he made the activity, his experience in the business were the factors that determine the net profit of the canary’s trader. However, canaries' breeding in north-Benin is based on a complex system with actors who develop many myths around medico-magical practices. This study was necessary to better assess the pressure on the species in order to anticipate its conservation

Cutting height as a competition control factor in teak (Tectona grandis L.f) plantations in southern Benin

The effect of stump sprouts on the growth of trees in the main plantation under system of even-aged forest was investigated in this study. In this context, eight plantations taking into account the age, the number of thinning and the type of soil were selected. In order to assess the practices related to cutting height, a survey was carried out in each plantation. In each plantation, at least, two square plots measuring 50 × 50 m (one containing trees with less stump sprouts and the other containing trees with stump sprouts) were installed. The density of stump sprouts and filler trees had a detrimental effect on the growth of trees in the main plantation. Competition for resources was the main cause. The density of stumps and those of filler trees within a radius of 5 m around each future tree were estimated at 3 stumps and 3 filler trees respectively. The distance between the future trees and the stump sprouts or the filler trees was estimated at around 3 m. The search for an appropriate cutting level, spacing of trees and compliance with recommendations related to silvicultural practices are among other solutions to limit this competition