Microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of the rock firefinch, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis

We identified the first set of microsatellites for use in the rock firefinch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis). First, we tested existing passerine microsatellite loci for cross-species amplification success in a small sample of rock firefinches and identified 10 loci that were seemingly polymorphic and easy to score. Secondly, we developed and characterized three microsatellite loci de novo from the rock firefinch genome. In a larger sample of individuals from three populations, one locus initially interpreted as polymorphic was monomorphic. Among the polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged between 2 and 15 and the expected heterozygosity between 0.08 and 0.91 within populations. Two loci had high estimated null allele frequency in at least one population. The microsatellites amplified very well (80% success) in five other African finch species and each locus was confirmed as polymorphic in at least one species. We conclude that these microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetic studies in the rock firefinch and other closely related African finches.A.P. Leventis Foundation, Swedish Ornithological Society and the Swedish Research Council.http://africanzoology.journals.ac.za/2015-10-30am201

Risk of predation: a critical force driving habitat quality perception and foraging behavior of granivorous birds in a Nigerian forest reserve

Abstract Background Understanding the factors that influence the foraging behavior and perception of habitat quality by animals has long been the focus in ecology. Due to the direct effect resource acquisition has on an individual’s fitness and species’ survival, predation risk is considered widely to be a major driver of foraging decision. The objectives of this study were to investigate how predation risk is perceived by granivorous bird species with respect to different habitat and microhabitat types, time of day and food types in Amurum Forest Reserve, Nigeria, with a view to direct future conservation planning. Methods For 3 months, we conducted field experiments to measure giving-up densities (GUD, the amount of food left behind in artificial patches after birds cease to forage in it) and how it differs with habitat types, microhabitats, times of day, and food types. General linear mixed-effect models (GLMMs) were fitted to investigate the differences in GUD with respect to the aforementioned variables. Model selection was done based on the Akaike’s Information Criterion (AIC). Results There was no significant difference in GUDs across habitats. However, there was a significant difference in GUDs between microhabitats. Higher food remnants were recorded in the open than in cover microhabitats, as birds exploited food patches in the cover more. Time of day influenced foraging behavior in the birds. They foraged more in the morning than afternoon across all three habitats except for the gallery forest where birds foraged less in the morning. Higher GUDs were recorded in open than cover microhabitats both in the morning and the afternoon. Birds had a preference for rice, millet, and groundnut respectively. Conclusion The differences in GUDs were very indicative of differences in foraging behavior and perception of resource availability in response to perceived predation risk. Therefore, this study suggests that the understanding of foraging decisions can be a veritable method for assessing habitat quality as perceived by animals

Avian haemosporidians in the cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis) from central-western and southern Africa: high diversity and prevalence

We described the geographic distribution of 82 haemosporidian lineages (Plasmodium, Haemoproteus, and Leucocytozoon) in the cattle egret sampled in five countries in central-western and southern Africa. Seventy-three lineages have not previously been reported. We determined the prevalence of three haemosporidians in the samples. We investigated the influence of the internal environment of the host and environmental variables on the Plasmodium diversity and whether environmental variables may explain spatial variations in the prevalence of Plasmodium. We screened DNA from 509 blood samples from nestlings in 15 African colonies for infection by sequencing the cytochrome b gene of parasites. The molecular phylogenetic analysis was performed using Bayesian methods and including sequences from the MalAvi and GeneBank databases. We found 62 new Plasmodium lineages in a clade with MYCAME02, which is a lineage described in waterbirds and recently identified in birds of prey as Plasmodium paranucleophilum. Two Haemoproteus lineages identified in cattle egret formed a distinct group with Haemoproteus catharti and MYCAMH1 (Haemoproteus spp.). Seven Leucocytozoon lineages found in the cattle egret clustered with Leucocytozoon californicus. We found different Plasmodium diversities among the colonies sampled, demonstrating that the internal environment of the host is not the primary determinant of diversity. A linear mixed-effects multivariate model showed that precipitation was positively associated with Plasmodium diversity when controlling for the effects of temperature, colony composition (mixed and non-mixed species) and country. Moreover, a generalized mixed model showed that temperature was positively associated with the prevalence of Plasmodium when controlling for precipitation, elevation and country. We conclude that the cattle egret is a good model for future haemosporidian studies, as we found a significant number of new lineages in this host, which occupies regions with different climate characteristics where environmental variables exert an influence on the diversity and prevalence of Plasmodium

Microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of the rock firefinch, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis

We identified the first set of microsatellites for use in the rock firefinch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis). First, we tested existing passerine microsatellite loci for cross-species amplification success in a small sample of rock firefinches and identified 10 loci that were seemingly polymorphic and easy to score. Secondly, we developed and characterized three microsatellite loci de novo from the rock firefinch genome. In a larger sample of individuals from three populations, one locus initially interpreted as polymorphic was monomorphic. Among the polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged between 2 and 15 and the expected heterozygosity between 0.08 and 0.91 within populations. Two loci had high estimated null allele frequency in at least one population. The microsatellites amplified very well (80% success) in five other African finch species and each locus was confirmed as polymorphic in at least one species. We conclude that these microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetic studies in the rock firefinch and other closely related African finches.Key words: population genetics, microsatellite, primer, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis

Microsatellite markers for population genetic studies of the rock firefinch, Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis

We identified the first set of microsatellites for use in the rock firefinch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis). First, we tested existing passerine microsatellite loci for cross-species amplification success in a small sample of rock firefinches and identified 10 loci that were seemingly polymorphic and easy to score. Secondly, we developed and characterized three microsatellite loci de novo from the rock firefinch genome. In a larger sample of individuals from three populations, one locus initially interpreted as polymorphic was monomorphic. Among the polymorphic loci, the number of alleles ranged between 2 and 15 and the expected heterozygosity between 0.08 and 0.91 within populations. Two loci had high estimated null allele frequency in at least one population. The microsatellites amplified very well (80% success) in five other African finch species and each locus was confirmed as polymorphic in at least one species. We conclude that these microsatellite markers will be useful for population genetic studies in the rock firefinch and other closely related African finches

Factors affecting forest bird diversity and recent avifaunal changes in the degrading Kagoro-Nindam forest reserves, Kaduna, Nigeria

The Kagoro-Nindam forest reserves in Nigeria harbour several forest bird species, although the area is well away from the main forest zone of the country. A bird survey in the Chanji forest reserve in this area found more species than earlier surveys. This is largely due to an influx of non-forest species, probably the result of habitat destruction. Correlations between vegetation variables and species diversity showed that loss of canopy cover, due mainly to logging, appeared to be the major cause of the changes.Ostrich 2007, 78(2): 233–23

Genetic diversity and population structure of the range restricted rock firefinch Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis

Understanding the degree of genetic population differentiation is important in conservation genetics for inferring gene flow between populations and for identifying small and isolated threatened populations. We evaluated the genetic variation within and between three populations of the rock firefinch (Lagonosticta sanguinodorsalis), a range restricted firefinch endemic to Nigeria and Cameroon. The populations were closely located (c. 100 km apart) within the species' core distribution in Central Nigeria. We found that the populations had similar levels of gene diversities (H (E) ) and low but significant inbreeding coefficients (F (IS) ). Despite the short distance between populations there was a weak but significant population structure, which indicates that the populations are somewhat isolated and affected by drift within the species' core distribution in Nigeria. The knowledge of the genetic status of the rock firefinch will serve as a foundation to future studies to help understand population demography and for managing and maintaining viable populations