Status of the globally threatened forest birds of northeast Brazil

The Atlantic Forest of northeast Brazil hosts a unique biota which is among the most threatened in the Neotropics. Near-total conversion of forest habitat to sugar cane monocultures has left the region's endemic forest-dependent avifauna marooned in a few highly-fragmented and degraded forest remnants. Here we summarise the current status of 16 globally threatened species based on surveys conducted over the last 11 years. We found a bleak situation for most of these species and consider that three endemics: Glaucidium mooreorum (Pernambuco Pygmy-owl), Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti (Cryptic Treehunter) and Philydor novaesi (Alagoas Foliage-gleaner) are most likely globally extinct. Some positive news can, however, be reported for both Leptodon forbesi (White-collared Kite) and Synallaxis infuscata (Pinto's Spinetail) which may warrant re-evaluation of their respective red list statuses. We outline a road map to prioritise conservation interventions in the region directed at preventing the extinction of this suite of threatened bird species and their companion biota.A Floresta Atlântica do Nordeste do Brasil abriga uma biota única que está entre as mais ameaçadas na região Neotropical. A quase total conversão dos habitats florestais em áreas de plantação de cana-de-açúcar deixou a avifauna florestal endêmica da região isolada em poucos remanescentes florestais altamente fragmentados e degradados. Aqui, resumimos o status atual de 16 espécies globalmente ameaçadas baseado em pesquisas conduzidas nos últimos 11 anos. Encontramos uma situação desanimadora para a maioria dessas espécies e consideramos que três espécies endêmicas: Glaucidium mooreorum (caburé-de-pernambuco), Cichlocolaptes mazarbarnetti (gritador-do-nordeste) e Philydor novaesi (limpa-folha-do-nordeste) estejam provavelmente extintas. Algumas notícias positivas podem, no entanto, ser reportadas para Leptodon forbesi (gavião-de-pescoço-branco) e Synallaxis infuscata (tatac), do qual necessitam de uma reavaliação de seus respectivos status na lista vermelha. Descrevemos em linhas gerais um planejamento para priorizar as intervenções conservacionistas na região direcionadas na prevenção da extinção do conjunto das espécies de aves ameaçadas e sua biota associada

Frugivoria por aves em área de cerrado no município de Uberlândia, Minas Gerais

O consumo de frutos carnosos por vertebrados é um fenômeno importante nos trópicos, com destaque para aves e mamíferos que apresentam altas proporções de espécies frugívoras. O objetivo do estudo foi observar as principais aves frugívoras em área de Cerrado na reserva do Clube Caça e Pesca Itororó, no Município de Uberlândia, MG, durante o período de novembro de 2000 a outubro de 2001. Foram registradas 90 interações, envolvendo 22 espécies de plantas e 33 espécies de aves. Foi encontrado padrão assimétrico nas interações, no qual poucas espécies são responsáveis pela maioria das interações. As principais aves observadas consumindo frutos são de pequeno porte e onívoras. Interações frugívoras com aves de grande porte, como das famílias Cracidae e Ramphastidae, consideradas potenciais dispersores de sementes, não foram registradas. O estudo demonstrou a importância das espécies vegetais Ouratea spectabilis e Miconia theizans nas interações de frugivoria, além do destaque do gênero Elaenia no consumo de frutos e dispersão de sementes

Range and conservation of the regionally Critically Endangered Black-collared Swallow, Pygochelidon melanoleuca (Wied, 1820) (Aves, Hirundinidae), in Minas Gerais, Brazil

The Black-collared Swallow, Pygochelidon melanoleuca, is a Critically Endangered species in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil, where its distribution remains poorly known. Here we present novel occurrence records in the Paranaíba,São Francisco and Jequitinhonha river basins, and we discuss the conservation of this species in the region

New records of Phibalura flavirostris Vieillot, 1816 (Aves: Cotingidae) in Minas Gerais, southeastern Brazil, with notes on its natural history and a review of its historical occurrence

We present new records of Phibalura flavirostris for the state of Minas Gerais, a little known and endangered species in the state, including notes on feeding and breeding behavior. We also present a review of records of the species in this state based on specimens housed in ornithological collections. It was noted the consumption of fruits belonging to five different plant families and reproductive evidence in a new state locality. The species proved to be rare in Minas Gerais, being relatively common in a few localities. P. flavirostris proved to be resident in the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region and were not found evidence of altitudinal migration. However the available records are inconsistent to affirm about the migration patterns of this species. The preservation of certain areas and new studies on the natural history are important for the conservation of the species in Minas Gerais state

Aves, Micropygia schomburgkii (Schomburgk, 1848), Veniliornis mixtus (Boddaert, 1783), Culicivora caudacuta (Vieillot, 1818) and Coryphaspiza melanotis (Temminck, 1822): Documented records in the southern Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais, Brazil

We present new records of four open-habitat birds in the southern Espinhaço Range, state of Minas Gerais, also known as the Quadrilátero Ferrífero. Three of these species (Micropygia schomburgkii, Veniliornis mixtus and Coryphaspiza melanotis) are inedit occurrences for the region and two are globally threatened (C. melanotis and Culicivora caudacuta), what draws attention for the preservation of native open-habitats within the Quadrilátero Ferrífero region

Range extensions and conservation of some threatened or little known Brazilian grassland birds

Populations of grassland birds are declining in Brazil due to profound alterations to grassland habitats. In this paper, we present recent records and range extensions for 12 threatened or little known Brazilian grassland species: Ocellated Crake Micropygia schomburgkii, Sickle-winged Nightjar Eleothreptus anomalus, Campo Miner Geositta poeciloptera, Rufous-sided Pygmytyrant Euscarthmus rufomarginatus, Sharp-tailed Grass-tyrant Culicivora caudacuta, Cocktailed Tyrant Alectrurus tricolor, Cinereous Warbling-finch Poospiza cinerea, Black-masked Finch Coryphaspiza melanotis, Tawny-bellied Seedeater Sporophila hypoxantha, Marsh Seedeater S. palustris, Chestnut Seedeater S. cinnamomea and Black-bellied Seedeater S. melanogaster. We also comment on the biogeography and conservation of these species.Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)CNPqCAPESCoordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)FAPEMIGFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais (FAPEMIG)Brehm FoundationBrehm FoundationAmerican Museum of Natural HistoryAmerican Museum of Natural HistorySETE Solucoes e Tecnologia AmbientalSETE Solucoes e Tecnologia AmbientalNeotropical Bird ClubNeotropical Bird ClubConservacao Internacional, PequiConservacao Internacional, PequiFundacao O Boticario[200710116]Fundacao O Boticari

Could the breed composition improve performance and change the enteric methane emissions from beef cattle in a tropical intensive production system?

Crossbreeding has been used to improve performance in beef cattle, however the effects of breed composition on methane (CH4) production, yield and intensity from cattle raised in tropical intensive and integrated systems remain unknown. To assess the impact of breed composition on performance and methane emissions, Nellore (NEL; yr 1: BW = 171.5 ± 19.4 kg; n = 10; yr 2: BW = 215.8 ± 32.3 kg, n = 25) and Angus x Nellore crossbred (AN; yr 1: BW = 214.2 ± 26.4 kg, n = 10; yr 2: BW = 242.5 ± 32.2 kg, n = 25) were compared. The animals grazed on integrated crop-livestock system in the growing phase (stocking rate 2452 kg BW/ha, herbage mass 4,884 kg dry matter (DM)/ha, forage allowance 5.9 kg DM/100kg BW) and then were finished in a feedlot. Steers (n = 8) from each breed composition were randomly selected in each phase to measure CH4 production using a sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) tracer technique and DM intake (DMI) using titanium dioxide. Compared with NEL, AN had both superior total gain and average daily gain (ADG) in the grazing period. The AN presented greater ADG in the feedlot with a shorter finishing period and resulted in greater carcass yield and carcass ADG. Methane production (kg/period) was lower in NEL (19% less) than AN in grazing (P<0.01), and no difference was observed in feedlot. The NEL had less CH4 intensity (CH4/BW) in grazing but greater CH4 per unit of ADG in the feedlot compared to AN. Breed composition did not influence the CH4 yield (CH4/DMI) in either phase, despite the difference in feedlot DMI (kg/day). In conclusion, crossbreeding may be an option to improve performance and reduce the CH4 per ADG in tropical climate conditions, resulting in lower methane emission per kg of meat produced

Relationship between feed efficiency indexes and performance, body measurements, digestibility, energy partitioning, and nitrogen partitioning in pre-weaning dairy heifers.

The objectives of this study were: 1) to classify animals into groups of high and low feed efficiency using two feed efficiency indexes (Residual feed intake (RFI) and residual feed intake and body weight gain (RIG)), and 2) to evaluate if pre-weaning heifer calves divergent for feed efficiency indexes exhibit differences in performance, body measurements, digestibility, energy partitioning, and nitrogen partitioning. A total of 32 Gyr heifer calves were enrolled in a 63-d trial and classified into two feed efficiency (FE) groups based on RFI and RIG (mean ± 0.5 SD). The groups were classified as high efficiency (HE) RFI (HE RFI, n = 9; HE RIG, n = 10), and low efficiency (LE) RFI (LE RFI, n = 10; LE RIG, n = 11). The remaining animals were classified as intermediate (n = 13 (RFI) and n = 11 (RIG)). HE and LE calves had RFI values of-0.052 and 0.049 kg/d (P < 0.05), respectively. The HE RFI group consumed 8.9% less solid diet than the LE RFI group. HE RFI animals exhibited an increased digestibility of crude protein and ether extract and tended to have greater total dry and organic matter digestibility. LE RFI animals had greater gross energy and nitrogen intake, though greater fecal losses resulted in a tendency to reduce energy and nitrogen use efficiency. HE and LE calves had RIG values of 0.080 and -0.077kg/d (P ≤ 0.01), respectively. HE RIG animals exhibited greater average daily gain (9.4%), body weight (BW), and heart girth, though HE RIG group exhibited narrower hip width. HE RIG animals tended to have greater ether extract digestibility but greater methane losses (% of gross energy). HE RFI in pre-weaning heifers seems to be related to differences in digestibility. Divergent animals for RIG during the assessed phase appear to differ in body measurements, which may be related to differences in the composition of the gain