Nesting behavior of the Elegant Euphonia (Euphonia elegantissima, Aves: Fringillidae) in urban and suburban sites of east Mexico

Between 2005, 2014–2017, we studied six Elegant Euphonia (Euphonia elegantissima) nests from two sites (urban and suburban) in the city of Xalapa, Veracruz. They were located in a macadamia tree crown, under epiphytic bromeliads, and under hanging fern and Euphorbia pots. The two nests we extracted and measured (7.2 x 7.5 x 5.6 cm; 10.1 x 8.6 x 11 cm), were closed and globular, with a lateral entry and mainly made of plant fibers, leaves, and cobwebs. Our observations included nest construction, egg incubation and chick care (nestling phase). Nest construction took at least 10–11 days, while egg incubation took 14–18 days. Incubation was done by the female in all but one observation, and the male escorted the female to the nest on every occasion. Time of incubation sessions ranged from 36–88 min (mean = 62 min) with shorter out nest sessions (3–18 min, mean = 9 min). There were three eggs in two of the nests, and in one only two eggs hatched; four chicks were observed in another nest. The nestling phase lasted 20 days in two nests, with the male spending more time (35–300 s, mean = 109 s) than the female taking care of the chicks (25–99 s, mean = 53 s). Reciprocal escorting was observed during the nestling phase, with the male always arriving first. Breeding occurred in January, April, May (two nests), June, and July. Observing the male of the Elegant Euphonia escorting the female during the incubation period, corroborates previous observations of this behavior in genera Euphonia and Chlorophonia. Incubation and nestling time periods were similar to other species of these genera.Durante los años 2005, 2014–2017, estudiamos seis nidos del monjito (Euphonia elegantissima) en dos sitios urbanos y suburbanos de la ciudad de Xalapa. Los nidos se localizaron en la punta de un árbol de macadamia, debajo de bromelias epífitas y debajo de macetas colgantes con helechos o euforbiáceas. Los dos nidos que fueron colectados fueron cerrados y esféricos (7.2 x 7.5 x 5.6 cm; 10.1 x 8.6 x 11 cm), con una entrada lateral y estuvieron fabricados principalmente de fibras vegetales, hojas y telarañas. Las observaciones incluyeron la construcción del nido, la incubación de los huevos y el cuidado de los polluelos. La construcción de los nidos tardó al menos entre 10 y 11 días. La incubación de los huevos duró entre 14 y 18 días. En todos los casos con excepción de uno, la incubación fue hecha por la hembra y en todas las observaciones el macho escoltó a la hembra al nido. El tiempo de incubación por sesión fue de 36–88 min (media = 62 min) con sesiones fuera del nido más cortas (3–18 min, media = 9 min). En dos nidos se encontraron tres huevos, en uno de los cuales sólo dos huevos eclosionaron; en otro nido se observaron cuatro polluelos. En dos nidos la fase de polluelos duró lo mismo, 20 días, presentando los machos un mayor tiempo de cuidado de los polluelos (35–300 s, media = 109 s) que las hembras (25–99 s, media = 53 s). Se observó una escolta recíproca durante la fase de polluelos, siendo el macho el primero en llegar siempre. La reproducción ocurrió en los meses de enero, abril, mayo (dos nidos), junio y julio. Al registrarse para el monjito la escolta de la hembra por el macho durante la fase de incubación, se corroboran observaciones previas en los géneros Euphonia y Chlorophonia. Los tiempos observados para las fases de incubación y polluelos fueron similares a valores previamente publicados para las especies de ambos géneros

Records of Spermophilus mexicanus (Rodentia Sciuridae) in the Bolson de Mapimi (Durango, México) and comparison with Texan and Coahuilan forms of the Parvidens subspecies

La ausencia de la ardilla terrestre mexicana Spermophilus mexicanus en el norte y centro del desierto Chihuahuense había sido atribuida a barreras fisiográficas. Aquí destacamos la presencia de esta especie en la Reserva de la Biosfera Mapimí, localizada en la parte central del desierto Chihuahuense. Estos registros extienden su distribución aproximadamente 250 km hacia el oeste y son los primeros para el estado de Durango. Los presentes registros constituyen los especímenes más pequeños conocidos de la especie.La ausencia de la ardilla terrestre mexicana Spermophilus mexicanus en el norte y centro del desierto Chihuahuense había sido atribuida a barreras fisiográficas. Aquí destacamos la presencia de esta especie en la Reserva de la Biosfera Mapimí, localizada en la parte central del desierto Chihuahuense. Estos registros extienden su distribución aproximadamente 250 km hacia el oeste y son los primeros para el estado de Durango. Los presentes registros constituyen los especímenes más pequeños conocidos de la especie

Hacia la restauración con Annona glabra (Annonaceae) de una selva inundable: establecimiento y crecimiento de plántulas, y cambio en la vegetación acompañante

Background and Aims: Currently, freshwater swamps are deteriorating and their cover is decreasing, mainly due to deforestation for livestock and the introduction of exotic grasses. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the survival and the growth of Annona glabra seedlings, monitor changes in the accompanying vegetation, and estimate the cost of our experimental ecological restoration treatments in a freshwater swamp transformed into a flooded pasture and invaded by the exotic grass Echinochloa pyramidalis.Methods: The study was carried out on a floodplain surrounding a mangrove on the coast of central Veracruz, Mexico. It consisted of sowing four A. glabra seedlings in experimental quadrats exposed to different restoration techniques. Fifteen experimental restoration treatments were tested consisting of five restoration techniques (no modification, covering with plastic, planting Pontederia sagittata, soil removal, and raising the soil level), and three pretreatments applied to the seedlings planted (nursery seedlings with and without fertilizer, seedlings collected from the wetlands) in a random block design.Key results: Low seedling survival was recorded (30.7%), but this was higher for the seedlings from freshwater wetlands (41.1%). The highest percent survival was recorded where the soil was raised, followed by the soil removal technique. Regarding the vegetation, 40 species were recorded and the highest species richness was observed where the soil had been raised and where it had been removed. The Relative Importance Value was highest for Echinochloa pyramidalis, Mimosa pigra, and Annona glabra. The pretreatment of obtaining seedlings directly from the wetland was the cheapest one.Conclusions: Action is required to increase reforestation success. For future restoration projects, we recommend that the soil in the transplanting area be raised and covered with plastic before planting, to increase the probability of seedling survival and reduce grass cover. Moreover, seedlings collected from a swamp fragment should be used for reforestation.Antecedentes y Objetivos: Actualmente existe deterioro y disminución de selvas inundables debido a la deforestación para ganadería e introducción de pastos exóticos. Los objetivos del presente estudio fueron evaluar el porcentaje de supervivencia de plántulas de Annona glabra, el cambio en la vegetación acompañante, y estimar los costos de los tratamientos experimentales de restauración ecológica de una selva inundable de A. glabra transformada en pastizal e invadida por el pasto exótico Echinochloa pyramidalis. Métodos: El estudio se realizó en un pastizal inundable en la costa central de Veracruz, México. Consistió en sembrar cuatro plántulas de A. glabra en cuadros experimentales expuestos a distintas técnicas de restauración. Se probaron 15 tratamientos experimentales que consistieron en cinco técnicas de restauración (sin modificación, cubierta plástica, plantación de Pontederia sagittata, remoción de suelo, y elevación del suelo) y tres pretratamientos aplicados a las plántulas sembradas (plántulas de vivero con y sin fertilizante, plántulas de selva) en un diseño de bloques al azar.Resultados clave: Se registró baja supervivencia de plántulas (30.7%), siendo mayor en plántulas de selva (41.1%). El mayor porcentaje de supervivencia se registró con la técnica de elevación del suelo, seguido de la de remoción. Se registraron 40 especies en la vegetación; la mayor riqueza específica se observó en las técnicas de elevación del nivel del suelo y remoción. Las especies con mayor Valor de Importancia Relativa fueron Echinochloa pyramidalis, Mimosa pigra y Annona glabra. El pretratamiento en el cual se obtuvieron las plántulas directamente de la selva fue el más económico.Conclusiones: Se requieren acciones para incrementar el éxito de la reforestación. Para futuros proyectos de restauración, recomendamos la elevación del suelo en áreas de transplante y cubierta de plástico previo a la plantación, para incrementar la probabilidad de supervivencia, y reducir la cobertura del pasto; además de la reforestación con plántulas colectadas de un fragmento de selva

Bat-fruit interactions are more specialized in shaded-coffee plantations than in tropical mountain cloud forest fragments.

Forest disturbance causes specialization of plant-frugivore networks and jeopardizes mutualistic interactions through reduction of ecological redundancy. To evaluate how simplification of a forest into an agroecosystem affects plant-disperser mutualistic interactions, we compared bat-fruit interaction indexes of specialization in tropical montane cloud forest fragments (TMCF) and shaded-coffee plantations (SCP). Bat-fruit interactions were surveyed by collection of bat fecal samples. Bat-fruit interactions were more specialized in SCP (mean H2 ' = 0.55) compared to TMCF fragments (mean H2 ' = 0.27), and were negatively correlated to bat abundance in SCP (R = -0.35). The number of shared plant species was higher in the TMCF fragments (mean = 1) compared to the SCP (mean = 0.51) and this was positively correlated to the abundance of frugivorous bats (R= 0.79). The higher specialization in SCP could be explained by lower bat abundance and lower diet overlap among bats. Coffee farmers and conservation policy makers must increase the proportion of land assigned to TMCF within agroecosystem landscapes in order to conserve frugivorous bats and their invaluable seed dispersal service

Effects of microenvironmental factors on the diversity and composition of fern and orchid assemblages in an Andean paramo in Peru

Paramos are highly diverse ecosystems of tropical mountains above the tree line, where plant communities are frequently exposed to extreme climatic conditions. In this study, we analyzed the influence of microenvironmental factors (slope, cover of rocks, herbs and shrubs) on the richness, abundance and composition of fern and orchid assemblages in a remote, undisturbed paramo in the Peruvian Andes. We recorded the abundance and the life form (epiphyte, lithophyte, terrestrial) of fern and orchid species in 24 plots. In each plot (10 m × 10 m), we measured the cover of shrubs, herbaceous plants and rocks as well as slope and elevation. In total, we recorded 28 species (1861 individuals) of ferns and 33 species (5067 individuals) of orchids. Approximately 40% of the fern and 36% of the orchid species colonized all three substrates, although the most common life form was terrestrial. The total abundance and richness of ferns increased with shrub cover, whereas the total abundance of orchids decreased with herbaceous cover. Shrub cover also affected the relative abundances of ferns and orchids, depending on species, although no species was restricted to any particular microenvironmental conditions. Our results highlight the importance of shrubs in providing niches for a high fern diversity under the stressful environment of the paramo, while an increasing herbaceous cover appears to outcompete many orchid species. The recorded ferns and orchids contribute substantially to the paramo flora in Peru and included new species documented during this study

Relationship between frugivorous bat abundance and specialization indices in tropical montane cloud forests fragments (TMCF) and shaded-coffee plantations (SCP).

<p>A: specialization (<i>H</i>_<i>2</i><i>'</i>); B: mean shared plants species. Dotted lines represent predicted linear models.</p

Number of bat-fruit interactions per vegetation type: Tropical montane cloud forest fragment (TMCF) or shaded-coffee plantation (SCP); and number of individuals of chiropterochoric plant species recorded in plant surveys.

<p>^{^} denotes a plant species exclusive to the forest fragments;</p><p>* denotes a plant species exclusive to the coffee plantations.</p><p>Number of bat-fruit interactions per vegetation type: Tropical montane cloud forest fragment (TMCF) or shaded-coffee plantation (SCP); and number of individuals of chiropterochoric plant species recorded in plant surveys.</p

Observed and estimated seed richness by the bootstrap predictor in tropical montane cloud forest fragments (TMCF), and shaded-coffee plantation (SCP).

<p>Error values represent a confidence interval of ± 84%.</p><p>Observed and estimated seed richness by the bootstrap predictor in tropical montane cloud forest fragments (TMCF), and shaded-coffee plantation (SCP).</p

Quantitative bipartite plant-bat interaction graph for tropical montane cloud forest fragments (TMCF) and shaded-coffee plantations (SCP).

<p>For each bipartite graph, the right-hand bar size represents the number of plant species in fecal samples and left-hand bar size represents the number of bats for which a fecal sample was obtained. Linkage width indicates the frequency of each trophic interaction, in TMCF were recorded 371 interactions, while in SCP 94.</p