The Whooping Crane in Mexico: Past, Present, and Future?

We reviewed ornithological, historic, anthropological, and archaeological records for evidence of whooping cranes (Grus americana) in Mexico. Records of whooping cranes in Mexico span 88 years (1863-1951) and cluster in 3 areas. Wintering records come from the northern highlands (Durango, and possibly Chihuahua), the central highlands (Guanajuato, Jalisco), and northeastern Tamaulipas, where the bird was also found in summer and might have bred. Later records (1970’s and 1980’s) of whooping cranes in the northern highlands are from individual birds released into the experimental migratory population that formerly migrated from Idaho to New Mexico, USA. Many of the wetlands used by whooping cranes remain and, though faced with a variety of threats, are conservation priority areas and some are already protected. We suggest 3 scenarios by which whooping cranes might return to winter in Mexico. The first 2 involve dispersal by birds wintering at the Aransas National Wildlife Refuge, Texas, USA, by either population growth or ecosystem changes or degradation (e.g., climate change, reduced freshwater inflows) at the refuge. Finally, reintroduction of a migratory population might target part of Mexico as a wintering area. We encourage investigation of wetlands in Mexico, especially in northeastern Tamaulipas for their potential as future wintering areas. Our preliminary survey of historic Spanish language publications covering the 1500’s to early 1600’s found clear references to cranes in which, for example, cranes are described feeding with geese in grain fields. Cranes are mentioned in accounts of the DeSoto and Coronado expeditions as well as the travels of Bishop Alonso de la Mota y Escobar. Unfortunately, these accounts do not adequately describe the birds for species identification. Only, the Florentine Codex by Fray Bernardino de Sahagun provides a description of the sandhill crane (G. canadensis) from near Mexico City at the time of Spanish conquest of the Aztecs. Continued searches of early Spanish language publications might yield more information of the historic distribution of cranes in Mexico

ESTRUCTURA ESPACIO‐TEMPORAL DE LA DIVERSIDAD TAXONÓMICA Y FUNCIONAL DE COLIBRÍES EN LA RESERVA DE LA BIOSFERA EL TRIUNFO, CHIAPAS, MÉXICO

RESUMEN ∙ La diversidad taxonómica y funcional de las comunidades de aves está determinada por la distribución espacio‐temporal y la densidad de las poblaciones de las especies que las integran. La diversidad puede variar según el gradiente de elevación, en general al aumentar la elevación se reduce la riqueza de especies, como es el caso en algunas comunidades de colibríes (Trochilidae). En este estudio se evaluó la distribución, la densidad, la diversidad taxonómica y funcional de tres comunidades de colibríes en diferentes elevaciones y temporadas en la Reserva de la Biosfera El Triunfo, Chiapas, México. Establecimos transectos en tres elevaciones (300 a 2500 m s.n.m.), los cuales se recorrieron durante tres temporadas (secas, lluvias y post‐lluvias) de 2015 a 2016. Asimismo, obtuvimos datos morfométricos de las especies para analizar rasgos funcionales (i.e., masa corporal, longitud y curvatura del pico) y evaluar la diversidad funcional de las comunidades. Los resultados indican que la mayor diversidad de colibríes ocurrió en la elevación media, y no hubo variación significativa de la diversidad entre temporadas. De acuerdo a los rasgos funcionales medidos, solo la masa corporal mostró diferencias con la altura, siendo mayor en elevaciones altas. Los valores de la diversidad funcional obtenidos fueron similares entre elevaciones, pero la divergencia fue mayor en la elevación baja, y la especialización fue mayor en elevaciones media y baja. Esto indica una diferenciación de nichos en la elevación baja y un efecto ambiental en la elevación alta, lo que estructuraría las comunidades de colibríes en nuestro sitio de estudio.Abstract ∙ Spatio‐temporal structure of the taxonomic and functional diversity of hummingbirds at the biosphere reserve El Triunfo, Chiapas, Mexico The taxonomic and functional diversity of bird communities is determined by the spatio‐temporal distribution and population density of their constitutive species. Diversity can change along environmental gradients and one of these patterns shows that as the elevation increases bird richness is reduced, as has been observed in some communities of hummingbirds. We evaluated the distribution, taxonomic and functional structure of three hummingbird (Trochilidae) communities at El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve, Chiapas, Mexico. We established transects where we performed counts at three elevations (300 to 2500 m a.s.l.) and during three seasons (dry, rainy, and post‐rainy) from 2015 to 2016. We also obtained morphometric data from the species to analyze functional traits (i.e., body mass, length, and curvature of the bill) and functional diversity. The results indicate that the highest species diversity of hummingbirds occurred at intermediate elevation, and that there was no significant variation in diversity among seasons. Out of the functional traits measured only body mass showed differences, being higher at high elevations. Functional diversity values were similar across elevations, but the divergence was higher at low elevations, and the degree of specialization was higher at medium and low elevations. This suggests a differentiation of niches at low elevations and an environmental filtering effect at high elevation, which structure hummingbird communities at our study site

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of Parkinson?s disease

Although over 90 independent risk variants have been identified for Parkinson’s disease using genome-wide association studies, most studies have been performed in just one population at a time. Here we performed a large-scale multi-ancestry meta-analysis of Parkinson’s disease with 49,049 cases, 18,785 proxy cases and 2,458,063 controls including individuals of European, East Asian, Latin American and African ancestry. In a meta-analysis, we identified 78 independent genome-wide significant loci, including 12 potentially novel loci (MTF2, PIK3CA, ADD1, SYBU, IRS2, USP8, PIGL, FASN, MYLK2, USP25, EP300 and PPP6R2) and fine-mapped 6 putative causal variants at 6 known PD loci. By combining our results with publicly available eQTL data, we identified 25 putative risk genes in these novel loci whose expression is associated with PD risk. This work lays the groundwork for future efforts aimed at identifying PD loci in non-European populations

Abundancia de colibríes y uso de flores en un bosque templado del sureste de México

Hummingbird abundance and flowers use in a template forest from Southeast Mexico. Hummingbird abundance varies with plant bloom phenology used for feeding. However, the information on hummingbird-flower interaction is limited for tropical mountain environments. We evaluated hummingbird abundance using mist nest and estimated monthly flowering phenology visited by hummingbirds in three dif- ferent habitats (oak forest, cloud forest and bush) from January to August 2010 in Huitepec Ecological Reserve. We recorded four hummingbird species (Hylocharis leucotis, Lampornis amethystinus, Lamprolaima rhami and Eugenes fulgens), and their abundance varied among habitats (H3.8=14.8, p=0.001). Seven plant species were visited for hummingbirds and showed the highest number of flower species during dry season. Bush had the highest blossom. Fuchsia paniculata had the highest blossom period but only was visited by H. leucotis. Passiflora membranacea was the only species visited for all hummingbird species. The only positive association was E. fulgens abundance with P.a membranacea bloom (rS=0.93, p=0.02). Hummingbird abundance fluctuations in this study are determined for interactions with floral resources and their habitat distribution.La abundancia de los colibríes puede variar por la fenología de floración de las plantas de las que se alimentan. Sin embargo, la información sobre la interacción colibrí-flor es limitada en ambientes tropicales de montaña. En este estudio se evaluó la abundancia de colibríes con redes de niebla y se registró la fenología de floración mensual de las flores visitadas por los colibríes en tres ambientes (bosque de encino, de neblina y matorral) en la Reserva Ecológica Huitepec, Chiapas, México de enero a agosto 2010. Cuatro especies de colibríes (Hylocharis leucotis, Lampornis amethystinus, Lamprolaima rhami y Eugenes fulgens) se registraron y sus abundancias variaron entre ambientes (H3.8=14.8, p=0.001). Siete especies de plantas fueron visitadas por los colibríes, y presentaron una mayor floración formando parches durante la temporada de secas. En el matorral se concentró el mayor número de especies de plantas con flores. Fuchsia paniculata presentó el mayor periodo de floración aunque solo fue visitada por H. leucotis. Passiflora membranacea fue la única especie visitada por las cuatro especies de colibríes. La única asociación positiva fue la abundancia de E. fulgens con la floración de P. membranacea (rS=0.93, p=0.02). Las fluctuaciones de las abundancias de colibríes en este estudio están en cierta forma determinadas por las interacciones del recurso floral y su distribución en el ambiente

Abundancia de colibríes y uso de flores en un bosque templado del sureste de México Hummingbird abundance and flowers use in a template forest from Southeast Mexico

La abundancia de los colibríes puede variar por la fenología de floración de las plantas de las que se alimentan. Sin embargo, la información sobre la interacción colibrí-flor es limitada en ambientes tropicales de montaña. En este estudio se evaluó la abundancia de colibríes con redes de niebla y se registró la fenología de floración mensual de las flores visitadas por los colibríes en tres ambientes (bosque de encino, de neblina y matorral) en la Reserva Ecológica Huitepec, Chiapas, México de enero a agosto 2010. Cuatro especies de colibríes (Hylocharis leucotis, Lampornis amethystinus, Lamprolaima rhami y Eugenes fulgens) se registraron y sus abundancias variaron entre ambientes (H3.8=14.8, p=0.001). Siete especies de plantas fueron visitadas por los colibríes, y presentaron una mayor floración formando parches durante la temporada de secas. En el matorral se concentró el mayor número de especies de plantas con flores. Fuchsia paniculata presentó el mayor periodo de floración aunque solo fue visitada por H. leucotis. Passiflora membranacea fue la única especie visitada por las cuatro especies de colibríes. La única asociación positiva fue la abundancia de E. fulgens con la floración de P. membranacea (rS=0.93, p=0.02). Las fluctuaciones de las abundancias de colibríes en este estudio están en cierta forma determinadas por las interacciones del recurso floral y su distribución en el ambienteHummingbird abundance varies with plant bloom phenology used for feeding. However, the information on hummingbird-flower interaction is limited for tropical mountain environments. We evaluated hummingbird abundance using mist nest and estimated monthly flowering phenology visited by hummingbirds in three different habitats (oak forest, cloud forest and bush) from January to August 2010 in Huitepec Ecological Reserve. We recorded four hummingbird species (Hylocharis leucotis, Lampornis amethystinus, Lamprolaima rhami and Eugenes fulgens), and their abundance varied among habitats (H3.8=14.8, p=0.001). Seven plant species were visited for hummingbirds and showed the highest number of flower species during dry season. Bush had the highest blossom. Fuchsia paniculata had the highest blossom period but only was visited by H. leucotis. Passiflora membranacea was the only species visited for all hummingbird species. The only positive association was E. fulgens abundance with P.a membranacea bloom (rS=0.93, p=0.02). Hummingbird abundance fluctuations in this study are determined for interactions with floral resources and their habitat distribution

Multi-ancestry genome-wide association meta-analysis of Parkinson’s disease

Although over 90 independent risk variants have been identified for Parkinson’s disease using genome-wide association studies, most studies have been performed in just one population at a time. Here we performed a large-scale multi-ancestry meta-analysis of Parkinson’s disease with 49,049 cases, 18,785 proxy cases and 2,458,063 controls including individuals of European, East Asian, Latin American and African ancestry. In a meta-analysis, we identified 78 independent genome-wide significant loci, including 12 potentially novel loci (MTF2, PIK3CA, ADD1, SYBU, IRS2, USP8, PIGL, FASN, MYLK2, USP25, EP300 and PPP6R2) and fine-mapped 6 putative causal variants at 6 known PD loci. By combining our results with publicly available eQTL data, we identified 25 putative risk genes in these novel loci whose expression is associated with PD risk. This work lays the groundwork for future efforts aimed at identifying PD loci in non-European populations