bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The recent distribution of endemic, disjunct and globally uncommon birds in the forests of Kerala State, south-west India
Authors: Zacharias V. J. , Gaston Anthony J. 
Published: May 2010

SummarySurveyed the avifaunas of 24 forest areas in Kerala State, south-western India, over the period 1973–1997, recording 309 species. We give details here of distributions and status for all species endemic to South Asia and all those having isolated populations, disjunct from conspecifics in northern India (disjunct species). Most bird species found in Kerala that are endemic to southern India, or form disjunct populations, occur in forest habitats. Those species endemic to the Western Ghats (passerines), or constituting disjunct populations (raptors) tend to have more restricted occurrence than other forest birds. For the passerines this is because they are mainly confined to high elevation forests and grasslands: rather restricted habitats in Kerala. The raptors may be more dependent than other species on large areas of forest and hence may have suffered from recent reductions in forest cover. Current trends in forest clearance for agriculture and plantations and encroachment by settlers, threaten especially the birds of low and middle altitude forests. The present status of such birds as Malabar Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros coronatus, Great Eared Nightjar Eurostopodus macrotis, Lesser Coucal Centropus bengalensis and White-bellied Blue Flycatcher Cyornis pallipes seems to be markedly worse than that described by Ali (1969) for the 1930s. These species, as well as Dollarbird Eurystomus orientalis and Black-crested Baza Aviceda leuphotes, are patchily distributed at low densities and may be vulnerable to extirpation from local areas. Higher altitude habitats, where many endemics occur, cover smaller areas, but are less threatened. However, some species occurring at low densities (Rufous-bellied Eagle Hieraaetus kienerii, White-bellied Shortwing Brachypteryx major, Black-and-orange Flycatcher Ficedula nigrorufa, Broad-tailed Grassbird Schoenicola platyura) may be vulnerable to extirpation or extinction in the long term. Kerala has a large network of protected areas (National Parks, Sanctuaries). Effective protection of those areas should be sufficient to maintain most species, although the coverage of low altitude forest is poor and remaining fragments should be carefully protected. There is continuous pressure on all habitats and bird populations will need to be carefully monitored in future if Kerala's endemic and disjunct populations are to be maintained.
Status of Red-footed Boobies Sula sula on Little Cayman, British West Indies
Authors: Burton Frederic J. , Bradley Patricia E. , Schreiber Elizabeth A. , Schenk Gary A. , Burton Richard W. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe island of Little Cayman, in the north-west Caribbean, supports a large breeding colony of Red-footed Boobies Sula sula, within a Ramsar site, the Booby Pond Nature Reserve, protected and managed by the National Trust for the Cayman Islands. Comparison of aerial photographs from 1994 and 1997 shows the colony area unchanged over this time period, occupying 16.5 ha. Area sampling yielded an estimate of 4,839 nesting pairs on Little Cayman in 1997, representing c. 30% of the entire Caribbean population for this species. Low mortality and excellent condition of chicks indicated a very successful breeding year with good food availability. Aerial photography proved to be an effective tool for determining the colony area but nests visible on these images did not correlate sufficiently well with ground data to be considered a viable basis for population monitoring. The 1997 census will serve as an important baseline, as Little Cayman is on the brink of explosive real estate development which is likely to have a severe impact on the island's natural resources over the next decade.
Status of the volcanically threatened Montserrat OrioleIcterus oberiand other forest birds in Montserrat, West Indies
Authors: Arendt W. J. , Gibbons D. W. , Gray G. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe Montserrat OrioleIcterus oberiis endemic to the Caribbean island of Montserrat where, prior to 1995, it was widely distributed across the island's three main interior mountain ranges: the Centre, Soufriere and South Soufriere Hills. In July 1995, a long-dormant volcano on Chances Peak in the Soufriere Hills began to erupt. Since then the forest habitat of the oriole on the Soufriere and South Soufriere Hills has been devastated by pyroclastic flows and surges, heavy ash eruptions and rock falls. The Montserrat Oriole populations that inhabited these two mountain ranges have probably been lost. In December 1997, a census of the remaining Centre Hills population was undertaken to assess its status in the face of the heavy ash fall that occurred earlier the same year. To do this, a systematic grid of 140 sample points was overlaid on an area of 1,437.5 n a encompassing the Centre Hills, and a 10-minute count of all bird species was undertaken at 137 of these points during an eight-day survey period. The distance from the point to each oriole detected was measured and records of all other species were allocated to one of five distance bands radiating out from the point. Distance sampling was used to model densities, and thus to estimate population sizes, of eight bird species in the study area. It was estimated that 4,000 (95% CIs 1,500–7,800) Montserrat Orioles remain in the Centre Hills and thus the world. Although the probability of pyroclastic flows and surges overrunning the Centre Hills is considered rerrtote, it is recommended that the Montserrat Oriole be classified as Globally Threatened (Endangered) under the revised IUCN threat categories because of its loss of breeding habitat since 1995.
Foraging use of cultivated fields by the Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata fuertaventurae Rothschild and Hartert, 1894 on Fuerteventura (Canary Islands)
Authors: Medina Félix M. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe Houbara Bustard on Fuerteventura uses cultivated fields (gavias) as feeding sites, finding in these a high-level resource of easy access. A total of 521 visits were observed during this study, 81 to abandoned gavias, 139 to cultivated, and 301 to ploughed ones. This use was correlated with the total vegetation cover, as well as with cover by herbaceous plants and by alfalfa Medicago sativa. The relationship with invertebrate abundance was negative. Cultivated gavias were selected in relation to their alfalfa cover, abandoned gavias in relation to their herbaceous cover, and ploughed gavias were selected in relation to total vegetation cover, cover of herbaceous plants, Launaea arborescens and Salsola vermiculata cover, and vegetation height. Figs, present in ploughed gavias only, were a highly favoured food resource. Of the three study localities, Lajares was most visited by Houbaras (357 visits), followed by Triquivijate (105) and Tefía (59). This use was not correlated with the population of Houbaras in each locality but with the resources that were found in them. The gavias were used in all seasons of the year, mainly in summer, and less so in spring. In summer, use was correlated with herbaceous plant cover and associated to the presence of figs, and in winter with herbaceous cover; in autumn there was no overall selection for variables; in spring, selection was negative with respect to invertebrate availability. This predictable food resource is a real advantage for the maintenance of Houbara populations and contributes to the conservation of the species on Fuerteventura.
Population trends and status of the Madeira Laurel Pigeon Columba trocaz
Authors: Oliveira Paulo , Jones Martin , Caires Donato , Menezes Dilia 
Published: May 2010

SummaryA survey was undertaken in 1995 to assess the conservation status of the Madeira Laurel Pigeon Columba trocaz, a threatened species endemic to the Island of Madeira. The first large scale survey was carried out 1986, following the cessation of legal hunting of the species, to provide a baseline for future monitoring of population changes. The current study therefore aims to (1) compare population size with those of 1986 and (2) employ distance sampling methods (not used in 1986) to obtain estimates of population density and size. Eighteen transects (13 repeated from the 1986 survey and five new) were conducted in the four main areas of laurel forest. Pigeon numbers had increased on nearly all transects but some of the highest increases, proportionately and often numerically, were in areas with lower numbers in 1986. We estimate the current population to be 10,400 individuals, a considerable increase since 1986, probably due to a ban on hunting. As laurel forest habitat is now very well protected the Madeira Laurel Pigeon is relatively safe from extinction.
Monitoring Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii distribution, populations and time of occurrence within the Abu Dhabi Emirate using a network of local rangers
Authors: Sheldon Robert , Launay Frédéric 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe Houbara Bustard is a winter visitor to the United Arab Emirates. Monitoring its population over large areas is difficult, due to the low density of the species and the nature of its habitat. We examined the possibility of using a network of desert rangers in the western region of the Abu Dhabi Emirate to monitor the population, timing of occurrence and distribution of Houbara Bustards in two consecutive winters. Houbara Bustards arrived in Abu Dhabi in September and moved inland towards the south of the country. The last birds were seen in March. Numbers ranged from 56 to 112 in 1994/1995 and 117 to 235 in 1995/1996. Houbara sightings were not evenly distributed within the region, with consistently higher numbers in sand-dune areas. This habitat is not optimal for Houbaras, where, in the past, they were less often encountered. The level of disturbance associated with more favourable habitats may be one reason why the birds are moving to more remote and inaccessible places. The use of a network of local rangers proved to be invaluable for gathering information on the low density Houbara population over a large area and was a very efficient way of monitoring the status of this endangered species.
History of Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis and its habitats in China
Authors: Ma Zhijun , Wang Zijian , Tang Hongxiao 
Published: May 2010

SummaryThe historical distribution of the Red-crowned Crane Grus japonensis together changes in its breeding and wintering grounds in China are reviewed. According to historical information the bird mainly bred in Heilongjiang and Jilin Provinces and wintered at coastal regions near the Yangtze estuary. Due to geographical and anthropological changes, the breeding grounds gradually moved to the west and south while the wintering grounds moved northward. Efforts have been made to protect this endangered species but factors still exist which restrict further development of the population.
Fate of artificially supported Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis nests in central Florida, U.S.A.
Authors: Rodgers James A. 
Published: May 2010

SummaryTwenty Florida Snail Kite Rostrhamus sociabilis plumbeus nests in imminent danger of collapsing at four lakes in central Florida, U.S.A. during 1987-1993 were stabilized or artificially supported. Most nests (n=17, 85.0%) were in either cattail Typha spp. or bulrush Scirpus validus. Nine supported nests (45.0%) successfully fledged young; the remaining nests were either abandoned (n=8, 40.0%) or ultimately collapsed (n=3, 15.0%). The overall rate of 0.75 fledgling per nest for supported nests was similar to the 0.79 fledgling per nest for unaltered nests. If the 160 nests that collapsed during the study had been supported, 72 nests saved from collapsing could have produced an additional 54 fledgling kites. Nest support may be effective where kite populations are low or during drought conditions.
Habitat use by the globally endangered Hinde's Babbler Turdoides hindei and its sympatric relative, the Northern Pied Babbler T. hypoleucus
Authors: Njoroge Peter , Bennun Leon A. , Lens Luc 
Published: May 2010

SummaryWe examined and compared territoriality and habitat use of two congeneric babbler species in Kirinyaga district, central Kenya, with the aim of explaining their differences in global conservation status. Hinde's Babbler Turdoides hindei is a scarce, globally Endangered species whereas Northern Pied Babbler T. hypoleucus is much more abundant and widespread, and occurs throughout the range of Hinde's Babbler. Our findings suggested a lack of flexibility in the choice of habitat by Hinde's Babbler, whose territories were centred on a scarce habitat type: Lantana thickets in river valleys or near swamps. The two species showed similar daily foraging ranges but Hinde's Babbler occupied smaller group territories, whose size was not related to group size. Aggressive encounters between the two species occurred over shared feeding grounds, all of which were initiated and won by Hinde's Babbler. Its dependence on Lantana thickets makes Hinde's Babbler highly susceptible to further habitat loss within its range.
Diversity, abundance and seasonality of birds in a Caribbean pine plantation and native broad-leaved forest at Trinidad, West Indies
Authors: Hayes Floyd E. , Samad Ishmaelangelo 
Published: May 2010

SummaryMonoculture plantations of exotic Caribbean pinePinus caribaeahave been planted extensively in many tropical countries, but little is known about the bird communities inhabiting them. From October 1995 to September 1996, we compared bird populations in a 37-ha stand of mature Caribbean pine forest (planted in 1972) with an adjacent, similar-sized stand of native broad-leaved forest at Mount Saint Benedict, Trinidad, West Indies. Ten censuses, each including 10 fixed-radius point counts (25 m radius, 10 minutes duration), were conducted simultaneously during different months of the year in each habitat. Both species richness and species diversity were significantly lower in the pine forest, but the overall abundance of individual birds did not differ between the two forests. Seasonal variation in bird populations was more pronounced in the pine forest, where fewer birds (and presumably food resources) were present during the dry season. The pine forest bird community was dominated by forest edge specialists and the native forest by forest interior specialists at both the individual and species levels. At the individual level, nectarivores, aerial foragers and understorey foragers were proportionately more common in the pine forest; insectivores and canopy foragers were more common in the native forest. At the species level, more aerial foragers occurred in the pine forest and more understorey foragers in the native forest. The diversity of bird communities in pine plantations may be promoted by increasing habitat heterogeneity.
Are health problems systemic? Politics of access and choice under Beveridge and Bismarck systems
Authors: Or Zeynep , Cases Chantal , Lisac Melanie , Vrangbæk Karsten , Winblad Ulrika , Bevan Gwyn 
Published: May 2010

AbstractIndustrialised countries face similar challenges for improving the performance of their health system. Nevertheless, the nature and intensity of the reforms required are largely determined by each country’s basic social security model. Most reforms in Beveridge-type systems have sought to increase choice and reduce waiting times while those in major Bismarck-type systems have focused on cost control by constraining the choice of providers. This paper looks at the main differences in performance of five countries and reviews their recent reform experience, focusing on three questions: Are there systematic differences in performance of Beveridge and Bismarck-type systems? What are the key parameters of healthcare system, which underlie these differences? Have recent reforms been effective?Our results do not suggest that one system-type performs consistently better than the other. In part, this may be explained by the heterogeneity in organisational design and governance both within and across these systems. Insufficient attention to those structural differences may explain the limited success of a number of recent reforms. Thus, while countries may share similar problems in terms of improving healthcare performance, adopting a ‘copy-and-paste’ approach to healthcare reform is likely to be ineffective.
Science, Space, and Shuttles: An Interview With Astronaut and AGU Member Piers Sellers
Authors: Kumar Mohi 
Published: May 2010

On 14 May, NASA is scheduled to launch what will likely be the final mission for space shuttle Atlantis. This mission will deliver cargo and science payloads—including the Russian‐built Mini Research Module (MRM 1)—to the International Space Station (ISS).On board the shuttle will be Piers Sellers, an AGU member. Born in 1955 in Crowborough, United Kingdom, Sellers completed his doctorate in biometeorology at UK's Leeds University in 1981. He became an AGU Fellow in 1996 for research on how the Earth's biosphere and atmosphere interact; that same year, he was selected as an astronaut candidate. He has since logged more than 559 hours in space on two shuttle missions. In the course of those missions, he spent almost 41 hours on six space walks.During his current mission, Sellers will be operating a robotic arm nearly 60 feet long from inside a viewing cupola on the ISS. This arm will move components around the outside of the station and, with the help of astronauts on space walks, will attach MRM 1 to ISS. On 3 May, Eos science writer/editor Mohi Kumar, along with journalists from other news agencies, got to chat with Sellers about his current mission and his experiences as an astronaut. An edited transcript follows.
Ubiquitous cyanobacterial podoviruses in the global oceans unveiled through viral DNA polymerase gene sequences
Authors: Huang Sijun , Wilhelm Steven W , Jiao Nianzhi , Chen Feng 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
As a major cyanophage group, cyanobacterial podoviruses are important in regulating the biomass and population structure of picocyanobacteria in the ocean. However, little is known about their biogeography in the open ocean. This study represents the first survey of the biodiversity of cyanopodoviruses in the global oceans based on the viral encoded DNA polymerase (pol) gene. A total of 303 DNA pol sequences were amplified by PCR from 10 virus communities collected in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the South China Sea. At least five subclusters of cyanopodoviruses were identified in these samples, and one subcluster (subcluster VIII) was found in all sampling sites and comprised approximately 50% of total sequences. The diversity index based on the DNA pol gene sequences recovered through PCR suggests that cyanopodoviruses are less diverse in these oceanic samples than in a previously studied estuarine environment. Although diverse podoviruses were present in the global ocean, each sample was dominated by one major group of cyanopodoviruses. No clear biogeographic patterns were observed using statistical analysis. A metagenomic analysis based on the Global Ocean Sampling database indicates that other types of cyanopodovirus-like DNA pol sequences were present in the global ocean. Together, our study results suggest that cyanopodoviruses are widely distributed in the ocean but their community composition varies with local environments.
Transcriptomic analysis of a marine bacterial community enriched with dimethylsulfoniopropionate
Authors: Vila-Costa Maria , Rinta-Kanto Johanna M , Sun Shulei , Sharma Shalabh , Poretsky Rachel , Moran Mary Ann 
Published: May 2010

Abstract
Dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) is an important source of reduced sulfur and carbon for marine microbial communities, as well as the precursor of the climate-active gas dimethylsulfide (DMS). In this study, we used metatranscriptomic sequencing to analyze gene expression profiles of a bacterial assemblage from surface waters at the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS) station with and without a short-term enrichment of DMSP (25 nm for 30 min). An average of 303 143 reads were obtained per treatment using 454 pyrosequencing technology, of which 51% were potential protein-encoding sequences. Transcripts from Gammaproteobacteria and Bacteroidetes increased in relative abundance on DMSP addition, yet there was little change in the contribution of two bacterioplankton groups whose cultured members harbor known DMSP degradation genes, Roseobacter and SAR11. The DMSP addition led to an enrichment of transcripts supporting heterotrophic activity, and a depletion of those encoding light-related energy generation. Genes for the degradation of C3 compounds were significantly overrepresented after DMSP addition, likely reflecting the metabolism of the C3 component of DMSP. Mapping these transcripts to known biochemical pathways indicated that both acetyl-CoA and succinyl-CoA may be common entry points of this moiety into the tricarboxylic acid cycle. In a short time frame (30 min) in the extremely oligotrophic Sargasso Sea, different gene expression patterns suggest the use of DMSP by a diversity of marine bacterioplankton as both carbon and sulfur sources.
The Arabidopsis Paf1c Complex Component CDC73 Participates in the Modification ofFLOWERING LOCUS CChromatin
Authors: Yu Xuhong , Michaels Scott D. 
Published: May 2010

AbstractFLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) is a key repressor of flowering in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) and is regulated, both positively and negatively, by posttranslational histone modifications. For example, vernalization (the promotion of flowering by cold temperatures) epigenetically silences FLC expression through repressive histone modifications such as histone H3 lysine-9 dimethylation (H3K9me2) and H3K27me3. In contrast, an RNA polymerase II-associated complex (Paf1c) activates FLC expression through increased H3K4 and H3K36 methylation. As a result of this regulation, FLC has become a useful model for the study of chromatin structure in Arabidopsis. Here we show that At3g22590 is the Arabidopsis homolog of the yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) Paf1c component CDC73 and is enriched at FLC chromatin. In contrast to other Paf1c component mutants that exhibit pleiotropic developmental phenotypes, the effects of cdc73 mutations are primarily limited to flowering time, suggesting that CDC73 may only be required for Paf1c function at a subset of target genes. In rapid-cycling strains, cdc73 mutants showed reduced FLC mRNA levels and decreased H3K4me3 at the FLC locus. Interestingly, in late-flowering autonomous-pathway mutants, which contain higher levels of FLC, cdc73 mutations only suppressed FLC in a subset of mutants. H3K4me3 was uniformly reduced in all autonomous-pathway cdc73 double mutants tested; however, those showing reduced FLC expression also showed an increase in H3K27me3. Thus, CDC73 is required for high levels of FLC expression in a subset of autonomous-pathway-mutant backgrounds and functions both to promote activating histone modifications (H3K4me3) as well as preventing repressive ones (e.g. H3K27me3).