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Diversity
Special Issues
Ecology and Conservation of Parrots
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Ecology and Conservation of Parrots

A special issue of Diversity (ISSN 1424-2818). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Diversity".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 December 2024 | Viewed by 9391

Image courtesy of Leopoldo D. Vázquez Reyes/BioPic-AMFC

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Sofia Solórzano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratorio de Ecología Molecular y Evolución, Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos FES Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios 1, Los Reyes Iztacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico
Interests: avian ecology conservation
Dr. Maria Del Coro Arizmendi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Laboratorio de Ecología, Unidad de Biotecnología y Prototipos, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida de los Barrios No. 1, Los Reyes Ixtacala, Tlalnepantla de Baz 54090, Mexico
Interests: bird ecology; hummingbirds

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues:

We invite you to submit your studies to this Special Issue of Diversity, The Ecology and Conservation of Parrots.  Submissions investigating members of the order Psittaciformes, e.g., true parrots, macaws, cockatoos, parrotlets, and parakeets, are welcome. Reviews, communications, and research articles will all be considered. Those ecological studies focused on social interactions, seasonal migrations, diet, habitat use, poaching, and the loss and fragmentation of habitats, as well as those that utilized phylogenetics and population genetics as perspectives for conservation, are of particular interest.

Most psittaciforms are native to tropical and subtropical regions of America, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. These birds have been strongly impacted by habitat loss and illegal trade. Some species are extinct, while others have seen their populations severely diminished and their geographic distribution restricted to the remnants of their natural habitats.

We are pleased to invite you to contribute to this Special Issue, which will gather true alternatives for the conservation of psittaciforms.

Dr. Sofia Solórzano
Dr. Maria Del Coro Arizmendi
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Diversity is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • habitats and parrots conservation
  • parrots ecology
  • parrots demography
  • parrot feeding ecology
  • genetics and phylogenetics of parrots
  • social interactions and behavior of parrots

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 1860 KiB  
Article
How to Count Parrots: Comparing the Performance of Point and Transect Counts for Surveying Tasman Parakeets (Cyanoramphus cookii)
by Michael John Adam Skirrow, Luis Ortiz-Catedral and Adam N. H. Smith
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 698; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110698 - 14 Nov 2024
Viewed by 627
Abstract
Obtaining precise estimates of population size and trends through time is important for the effective management and conservation of threatened species. For parrots (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), obtaining such estimates can be challenging, particularly for cryptic species that occur in low densities in complex and/or [...] Read more.
Obtaining precise estimates of population size and trends through time is important for the effective management and conservation of threatened species. For parrots (Psittaciformes: Psittacidae), obtaining such estimates can be challenging, particularly for cryptic species that occur in low densities in complex and/or fragmented habitats. We used a statistical resampling approach with the aim to compare the reliability and precision of counts for the critically endangered Tasman parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii) that were taken using two methods on Norfolk Island (Pacific Ocean), namely, fixed-point counts and line transect counts. The detections obtained during fixed-point counts had better estimated precision (0.274) than line transect counts (0.476). The fixed-point method was also more efficient, yielding 1.338 parakeet detections per count compared to the 0.642 parakeet detections per count obtained by the line transect method. Although Tasman parakeets can be detected by either of these methods, our research demonstrates that the fixed-point method is more precise and reliable. These findings can help prioritise resources for the long-term monitoring of recovering populations of this species and similar island species. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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20 pages, 2886 KiB  
Article
Age Difference, Not Food Scarcity or Sibling Interactions, May Drive Brood Reduction in Wild Scarlet Macaws in Southeastern Peru
by Gabriela Vigo-Trauco, Gustavo Martínez-Sovero and Donald J. Brightsmith
Diversity 2024, 16(11), 657; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16110657 - 24 Oct 2024
Viewed by 1612
Abstract
Avian brood reduction was initially thought to be driven by insufficient food supply. Now it is more commonly considered a consequence of asynchronous hatching and resulting siblicide, direct filial infanticide (where parents kill specific chicks) or indirect filial infanticide (where parents starve specific [...] Read more.
Avian brood reduction was initially thought to be driven by insufficient food supply. Now it is more commonly considered a consequence of asynchronous hatching and resulting siblicide, direct filial infanticide (where parents kill specific chicks) or indirect filial infanticide (where parents starve specific chicks). In psittacines, brood reduction has been reported, but the mechanisms and causes remain unexplored. In this paper, we test the hypotheses that Scarlet Macaw chick starvation is driven by (1) sibling aggression, (2) food scarcity, and (3) parental food allocation based on (a) chick hatch weight and (b) chick age differences. We documented wild Scarlet Macaw behavior in lowland Peru in 37 nests over 19 seasons using morphological measurements and nest videos. Chick starvation was the leading cause of chick mortality (27% of all second-hatched chicks starve, and nearly all third- and fourth-hatched chicks starve). We found no evidence that starvation was caused by (1) sibling conflicts or (2) food availability. We did find parental food distribution favors first-hatched chicks, with larger age differences increasing the chances of second chick starvation. This study offers insights into brood reduction among Neotropical cavity-nesting birds and enhances our capacity to develop scientifically informed management strategies to support endangered psittacines. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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13 pages, 1813 KiB  
Article
Genetic Diversity of the Lilac-Crowned Parrot (Amazona finschi), a Species Endemic to Mexico
by Gabriela Padilla-Jacobo, Tiberio Cesar Monterrubio-Rico, Horacio Cano-Camacho and María Guadalupe Zavala-Páramo
Diversity 2024, 16(8), 435; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16080435 - 23 Jul 2024
Viewed by 641
Abstract
The Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) is an endemic parrot from western Mexico with a historical distribution in the Pacific Slope from southern Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua to Oaxaca. However, a particularly worrying decline in the extension of its distribution range has [...] Read more.
The Lilac-crowned Amazon (Amazona finschi) is an endemic parrot from western Mexico with a historical distribution in the Pacific Slope from southern Sonora and southwestern Chihuahua to Oaxaca. However, a particularly worrying decline in the extension of its distribution range has been reported in the central and southern regions. Overall, the species is listed in CITES the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the official Mexican standard NOM-059 as endangered. In this study, we aimed to obtain molecular information to support the planning of conservation strategies for A. finschi. For this purpose, we analyzed the genetic diversity and genealogical relationships between two groups of individuals from northern (Sinaloa) and central (Michoacan) portions of the species’ range based on mitochondrial DNA markers. In general agreement with the endangered status of the species, we found low genetic diversity values. However, at the regional level, the northern group showed high genetic diversity and the central group showed a lack of genetic diversity. Furthermore, in agreement with the proposal that A. finschi is monotypic, genealogical relationships revealed a haplotype distributed in the center and the north, although haplotypes exclusive to the north were also found. We suggest a differentiated management of northern and central populations to preserve evolutionary potential. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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14 pages, 3875 KiB  
Article
Feeding Ecology of Reintroduced Golden Parakeets (Guaruba guarouba, Psittacidae) in a Protected Area in the Amazon Forest
by Marcelo Rodrigues Vilarta, Thaís Tamamoto De Moraes, Maria Fernanda Naegeli Gondim, Crisomar Lobato, Mônica Nazaré Rodrigues Furtado Da Costa, Rubens de Aquino Oliveira and Luís Fábio Silveira
Diversity 2024, 16(3), 188; https://doi.org/10.3390/d16030188 - 21 Mar 2024
Viewed by 1874
Abstract
The Golden Parakeet is an endemic Brazilian flagship species that has suffered from poaching and habitat loss, leading to local extinctions in the urbanized parts of the Amazon. We reintroduced six groups of mostly captive-bred parakeets in a protected area. The birds were [...] Read more.
The Golden Parakeet is an endemic Brazilian flagship species that has suffered from poaching and habitat loss, leading to local extinctions in the urbanized parts of the Amazon. We reintroduced six groups of mostly captive-bred parakeets in a protected area. The birds were acclimatized for at least five months at the release site, where they were trained to recognize native foods and develop foraging skills. Subsequently, we conducted a soft release, followed by daily supplementation and monitoring. For three years following the release we recorded their diet, feeding behavior, and how they adapted to wild foraging. The reintroduced birds fed on 23 plant species, with 13 not being previously listed in past studies. The three most consumed species corresponded to 77% of their feeding records. Parakeets spent more time feeding in altered landscapes and secondary vegetation than in the preserved forest. Most of the feeding happened during the rainy season when most of their favorite plants are fruiting. The parakeets’ incorporation of new species in their diet and their transition from supplemental to natural feeding happened gradually, as we did not reduce food offerings. Parakeets that showed site fidelity were able to find native food rapidly following release, but individuals that dispersed immediately had more difficulty finding food. This study showed that captive-bred Golden Parakeets can transition to a wild diet following a gradual reintroduction process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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23 pages, 2053 KiB  
Article
Phylogeography of Ara militaris (Military Macaw): Implications for Conservation
by Francisco A. Rivera-Ortíz, Salomón Sanabria-Urbán, David A. Prieto-Torres, Adolfo G. Navarro-Sigüenza, María del C. Arizmendi and Ken Oyama
Diversity 2023, 15(10), 1035; https://doi.org/10.3390/d15101035 - 26 Sep 2023
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 3685
Abstract
The Military Macaw (Ara militaris) is an endangered bird species with disjunct geographic distribution across the Neotropics, consisting of three recognized subspecies: One in Mexico (A. m. mexicanus) and two in South America (A. m. militaris and A. [...] Read more.
The Military Macaw (Ara militaris) is an endangered bird species with disjunct geographic distribution across the Neotropics, consisting of three recognized subspecies: One in Mexico (A. m. mexicanus) and two in South America (A. m. militaris and A. m. bolivianus). However, due to the limited phenotypic differentiation between these allopatric taxa, their taxonomic status has been the subject of debate. In this study, we explored mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variability to determine the phylogeographical pattern through phylogenetic and ecological modelling analyses. We also aimed to describe the evolutionary relationships of twelve A. militaris populations. We identified 41 haplotypes in the 300 bp region of the Cytochrome b (Cyt-b) gene of the mtDNA and low nucleotide diversity. The observed phylogeographic structure suggests the existence of two clades: One composed of A. m. militaris and A. m. bolivianus and another consisting solely of A. m. mexicanus. The A. m. mexicanus clade further divides into two recognized subclades: Sierra Madre Oriental and northeastern portion of the Sierra Madre Occidental. Ecological analyses revealed that the niche similarity between these lineages was lower than expected by chance. Additionally, results from low cross-prediction tests indicated that the two lineages have inhabited different environmental spaces since the Late Pleistocene. This divergence may be associated with a steep ecological gradient and contemporary geographical barrier. Based on our results, we suggest that at least the A. m. mexicanus has a divergent evolutionary history; therefore, it should be considered as a different evolutionarily significant and management unit. We recommend that future conservation strategies in Mexico incorporate effective protection measures, including habitat preservation and the reduction of illegal trade, to ensure the preservation of viable populations. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Ecology and Conservation of Parrots)
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