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bilateral coordination and the motor basis of female preference for sexual signals in canary song.the preference of female songbirds for particular traits in the songs of courting males has received considerable attention, but the relationship of preferred traits to male quality is poorly understood. female domestic canaries (serinus canaria, linnaeus) preferentially solicit copulation with males that sing special high repetition rate, wide-band, multi-note syllables, called 'sexy' or a-syllables. syllables are separated by minibreaths but each note is produced by pulsatile expiration, allow ...201222875764
Growth differentiation factor 15: a canary in a coal mine? 201222065154
[Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: validation of the EDAH scale in a primary school population in the Canary Islands].AIM. To validate the rating (assessment) scale for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (EDAH) in Canarian population of primary education. SUBJECTS AND METHODS. From a sample of 2,500 children, you get a subsample with those participants who have a higher scores at 75 percentile in each of the factors that make up the test (n = 614), of which 222 are girls (36.2 %) and 392 boys (63.8 %). With regard to the age, the rank ranges between 6 and 12 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS. Factorial analy ...201222187207
[comparing the perspectives of primary care doctors in the canary islands and alberta (canada).]objective: to examine the advantages and disadvantages of two different health care systems from the perspective of primary care (pc) physicians. design: qualitative research based on the analysis of documents written as diaries for the study. setting: primary care in the canary islands (spain) and alberta (canada) context and participants: intentional sample to identify different profiles of physicians. method: participants were asked to write a document describing their work activities, includ ...201222221963
the zebra finch paradox: song is little changed, but number of neurons doubles.new neurons are added to the high vocal center (hvc) of adult males in seasonally breeding songbirds such as the canary (serinus canaria) that learns new songs in adulthood, and the song sparrow (melospiza melodia) that does not. in both cases, the new neurons numerically replace others that have died, resulting in a seasonal fluctuation in hvc volume and neuron number. peaks in neuronal replacement in both species occur in the fall when breeding is over and song is variable. new neurons are add ...201222262875
Carotenoid accumulation in orange-pigmented Capsicum annuum fruit, regulated at multiple levels.The pericarp of Capsicum fruit is a rich dietary source of carotenoids. Accumulation of these compounds may be controlled, in part, by gene transcription of biosynthetic enzymes. The carotenoid composition in a number of orange-coloured C. annuum cultivars was determined using HPLC and compared with transcript abundances for four carotenogenic enzymes, Psy, LcyB, CrtZ-2, and Ccs determined by qRT-PCR. There were unique carotenoid profiles as well as distinct patterns of transcription of caroteno ...201221948863
cocaine use during pregnancy assessed by hair analysis in a canary islands cohort.abstract: background: drug use during pregnancy is difficult to ascertain, and maternal reports are likely to be inaccurate. the aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of illicit drug use among pregnant women by using maternal hair analysis. methods: a toxicological analysis of hair was used to detect chronic recreational drug use during pregnancy. in 2007, 347 mother-infant dyads were included from the hospital la candelaria, santa cruz de tenerife, canary islands (spain). data on so ...201222230295
amplitude modulation of sexy phrases is salient for song attractiveness in female canaries (serinus canaria).song discrimination and recognition in songbird species have usually been studied by measuring responses to song playbacks. in female canaries, serinus canaria, copulation solicitation displays (csds) are used as an index of female preferences, which are related to song recognition. despite the fact that many studies underline the role of song syntax in this species, we observed that short segments of songs (a few seconds long) are enough for females to discriminate between conspecific and heter ...201222476242
the origin of bird pollination in macaronesian lotus (loteae, leguminosae).the four red-flowered, apparently bird-pollinated lotus species from the canary islands have previously been classified in their own genus, rhyncholotus. currently, they are considered as a separate section within genus lotus, distinct from other herbaceous canarian congeners which are yellow-flowered and bee-pollinated. a combined analysis of four nuclear regions (including its and three homologues of cycloidea) and three plastid regions (cyb6, matk and trnh-psba) nests the four bird-pollinated ...201222019928
insects, birds and lizards as pollinators of the largest-flowered scrophularia of europe and macaronesia.it has traditionally been considered that the flowers of scrophularia are mainly pollinated by wasps. we studied the pollination system of four species which stand out for their large and showy flowers: s. sambucifolia and s. grandiflora (endemics of the western mediterranean region), s. trifoliata (an endemic of the tyrrhenian islands) and s. calliantha (an endemic of the canary islands). our principal aim was to test whether these species were pollinated by birds or showed a mixed pollination ...201222021816
heterospecific exposure affects the development of secondary sexual traits in male zebra finches (taeniopygia guttata).in many animal species, social signals can affect the reproductive physiology and behaviour of conspecifics. in a few species that exhibit vocal learning, exposure to conspecific and sometimes heterospecific sounds can also influence their vocal development. here we show that heterospecific exposure can affect the development of secondary sexual traits of male zebra finches (taeniopygia guttata). in a first experiment, we trained young males with a passive playback of domesticated canary (serinu ...201323298888
avian bornaviruses are widely distributed in canary birds (serinus canaria f. domestica).avian bornavirus (abv) was identified in 2008 as the causative agent of proventricular dilatation disease (pdd) in psittacine birds. in addition, abv variants were detected in wild waterfowl and in a canary bird. pdd-like diseases were also reported in various other avian species, but it remains unknown whether abv is involved. in this study we detected abv in 12 of 30 tested canary bird flocks (40%), indicating a wide distribution of abv in captive canary birds in germany. sequence analysis ide ...201323631925
isospora canaria box, 1975 (apicomplexa: eimeriidae) from canaries serinus canaria linnaeus (passeriformes: fringillidae) in brazil.isospora canaria box, 1975 (protozoa, apicomplexa, eimeriidae) is reported and described from canaries serinus canaria (linnaeus) in southeast brazil. its oöcysts are subspheroidal to ellipsoidal, 24.4 × 22.2 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ~1.2 μm. the micropyle and the oöcyst residuum are absent, but a polar granule is present. the sporocysts are lemon-shaped, 17.6 × 10.6 μm. the stieda body is nipple-like, and substieda body is prominent and homogeneous. the sporocyst residuum is composed of ...201323595491
social interactions modulate the virulence of avian malaria infection.there is an increasing understanding of the context-dependent nature of parasite virulence. variation in parasite virulence can occur when infected individuals compete with conspecifics that vary in infection status; virulence may be higher when competing with uninfected competitors. in vertebrates with social hierarchies, we propose that these competition-mediated costs of infection may also vary with social status. dominant individuals have greater competitive ability than competing subordinat ...201323792297
plasmodium relictum (lineages psgs1 and pgrw11): complete synchronous sporogony in mosquitoes culex pipiens pipiens.plasmodium relictum is a widespread invasive agent of avian malaria, responsible for acute, chronic and debilitating diseases in many species of birds. recent pcr-based studies revealed astonishing genetic diversity of avian malaria parasites (genus plasmodium), with numerous genetic lineages deposited in genbank. many studies addressed distribution and evolutionary relationships of avian plasmodium lineages, but information about patterns of development of different lineages in mosquito vectors ...201323337824
prolonged fecal shedding of 'megabacteria' (macrorhabdus ornithogaster) by clinically healthy canaries (serinus canaria).macrorhabdus ornithogaster, often referred to as 'megabacterium', is an ascomycetous yeast usually found colonizing the mucosal surface of the isthmus existing between the glandular and grinding stomach of a wide diversity of bird species. however, this yeast can also behave as an avian pathogen, therefore representing a potential threat to bird breeding. the aim of this work was to assess the prevalence and patterns of fecal shedding of m. ornithogaster in a colony of healthy canary birds (seri ...201323855411
pcr-based diagnosis, molecular characterization and detection of atypical strains of avian chlamydia psittaci in companion and wild birds.chlamydiosis is one of the most important infectious diseases of birds. in this study, 253 clinical samples were taken from 27 bird species belonging to seven orders. thirty-two (12.6%) samples were positive for chlamydia psittaci major outer membrane gene (ompa) dna by a nested polymerase chain reaction (pcr). twelve nested pcr-positive specimens were typed by ompa gene-based pcr-restricted fragment length polymorphism, using ctu/ctl primers and alui restriction enzyme. four restriction pattern ...201323391180
coadaptation of offspring begging and parental provisioning--an evolutionary ecological perspective on avian family life.offspring begging and parental provisioning are the two central social behaviours expressed during the period of parental care. both behaviours influence each other and it is, therefore, hypothesized that they should ultimately become (genetically) correlated, stabilized by fitness costs to parents and/or offspring. by reciprocally exchanging entire clutches in canaries (serinus canaria), we tested (1) whether there is covariation between these behaviours and (2) whether a mismatch--as introduce ...201323894662
clinical and laboratory practice for canaries and true finches.the canary (serinus canaria) is a highly popular bird with families as a companion animal and among breeders for competitive purposes. the mortality rate in these animals is very high at the onset of an epidemic, and the technical times of a laboratory often necessitate starting treatment before having completed the diagnostic procedure. this article describes a practical approach that deals with the first things to do in the clinic as soon as the animal arrives or the breeder asks for advice an ...201323347538
hvc lesions modify immediate early gene expression in auditory forebrain regions of female songbirds.it is well established that auditory forebrain regions of oscine birds are essential for the encoding of species-typical songs and are, therefore, vital for recognition of song during sociosexual interactions. regions such as the caudal medial nidopallium (ncm) and the caudal medial mesopallium (cmm) are involved in perceptual processing of song and the formation of auditory memories. there is an additional telencephalic nucleus, however, that has also been implicated in species recognition. thi ...201323076815
a species-specific view of song representation in a sensorimotor nucleus.songbirds constitute a powerful model system for the investigation of how complex vocal communication sounds are represented and generated, offering a neural system in which the brain areas involved in auditory, motor and auditory-motor integration are well known. one brain area of considerable interest is the nucleus hvc. neurons in the hvc respond vigorously to the presentation of the bird's own song and display song-related motor activity. in the present paper, we present a synthesis of neuro ...201322960663
differential effects of global versus local testosterone on singing behavior and its underlying neural substrate.steroid hormones regulate multiple but distinct aspects of social behaviors. testosterone (t) has multiple effects on learned courtship song in that it regulates both the motivation to sing in a particular social context as well as the quality of song produced. the neural substrate(s) where t acts to regulate the motivation to sing as opposed to other aspects of song has not been definitively characterized. we show here that t implants in the medial preoptic nucleus (pom) of castrated male canar ...201324218603
evaluating the predictive value of doublecortin as a marker for adult neurogenesis in canaries (serinus canaria).doublecortin (dcx) is an important microtubule-associated protein involved in the migration of young neurons into the cortical layers of the brain during early human development. the continued expression of dcx in brain areas with protracted neuron recruitment has promoted this endogenous protein as a popular indirect tool to monitor adult neurogenesis in a variety of species. however, little is known about its possible involvement in other cellular processes and a thorough validation of dcx as ...201424115109
does reproduction protect against oxidative stress?a central principle of life-history theory is that parents trade investment in reproduction against that in body maintenance. one physiological cost thought to be important as a modulator of such trade-off is oxidative stress. experimental support for this hypothesis has, however, proved to be contradictory. in this study, we manipulated the nestling rearing effort of captive canaries (serinus canaria) soon after the hatching of their nestlings using a brood-size manipulation to test whether an ...201425359937
doublecortin is a highly valuable endogenous marker of adult neurogenesis in canaries. commentary on vellema m et al. (2014): evaluating the predictive value of doublecortin as a marker for adult neurogenesis in canaries (serinus canaria) . j comparative neurol 522:1299-1315. 201425034511
dissociable effects of social context on song and doublecortin immunoreactivity in male canaries.variation in environmental factors such as day length and social context greatly affects reproductive behavior and the brain areas that regulate these behaviors. one such behavior is song in songbirds, which males use to attract a mate during the breeding season. in these species the absence of a potential mate leads to an increase in the number of songs produced, while the presence of a mate greatly diminishes singing. interestingly, although long days promote song behavior, producing song itse ...201424974859
motor control of sound frequency in birdsong involves the interaction between air sac pressure and labial tension.frequency modulation is a salient acoustic feature of birdsong. its control is usually attributed to the activity of syringeal muscles, which affect the tension of the labia responsible for sound production. we use experimental and theoretical tools to test the hypothesis that for birds producing tonal sounds such as domestic canaries (serinus canaria), frequency modulation is determined by both the syringeal tension and the air sac pressure. for different models, we describe the structure of th ...201424730873
quantitative integration of genetic factors in the learning and production of canary song.learned bird song is influenced by inherited predispositions. the canary is a model system for the interaction of genes and learning on behaviour, especially because some strains have undergone artificial selection for song. in this study, roller canaries (bred for low-pitched songs) and border canaries (whose song is higher pitched, similar to the wild-type) were interbred and backcrossed to produce 58 males that sorted into seven genetically distinct groups. all males were tutored with the sam ...201424598419
no contact transmission of avian bornavirus in experimentally infected cockatiels (nymphicus hollandicus) and domestic canaries (serinus canaria forma domestica).avian bornaviruses (abv) are the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (pdd), a widely distributed disease of parrots. distinct abv lineages were also found in various non-psittacine avian species, such as canaries, but the pathogenic role of abv in these species is less clear. despite the wide distribution of abv in captive parrots and canaries, its mode of transmission is poorly understood: both horizontal transmission via the urofaecal-oral route and vertical transmission are ...201424933163
identification of shiga toxin and intimin genes in escherichia coli detected from canary (serinus canaria domestica).the pathogenicity of enterohemorrhagic escherichia coli (ehec) strains is, in large part, due to shiga toxin (stx) genes (stx1 and stx2) and/or intimin (eae) gene. the purpose of this study was to analyze the role of domestic canaries (serinus canaria domestica) as a reservoir of stx and intimin producing strains of e. coli. for this study, a total of 50 cloacal swabs were collected from 50 healthy domestic canaries. cloacal swabs were cultured and tested using standard methods of microbiology. ...201423047613
regulatory mechanisms of testosterone-stimulated song in the sensorimotor nucleus hvc of female songbirds.in male birds, influence of the sex steroid hormone testosterone and its estrogenic metabolites on seasonal song behavior has been demonstrated for many species. in contrast, female song was only recently recognized to be widespread among songbird species, and to date, sex hormone effects on singing and brain regions controlling song development and production (song control nuclei) have been studied in females almost exclusively using domesticated canaries (serinus canaria). however, domesticate ...201425442096
discovery of a new avian bornavirus genotype in estrildid finches (estrildidae) in germany.avian bornaviruses (abv) are known to be the causative agent of proventricular dilatation disease (pdd) in parrots and their relatives (psittaciformes). a broad range of abv genotypes has been detected not only in psittacine birds, but also in other avian species including canary birds (serinus canaria forma domestica) and bengalese finches (lonchura striata f. dom.), which are both members of the order songbirds (passeriformes). during this study 286 samples collected from captive and wild bird ...201424389254
description of the first cryptic avian malaria parasite, plasmodium homocircumflexum n. sp., with experimental data on its virulence and development in avian hosts and mosquitoes.for over 100 years studies on avian haemosporidian parasite species have relied on similarities in their morphology to establish a species concept. some exceptional cases have also included information about the life cycle and sporogonic development. more than 50 avian plasmodium spp. have now been described. however, pcr-based studies show a much broader diversity of haemosporidian parasites, indicating the possible existence of a diverse group of cryptic species. in the present study, using bo ...201525449950
isospora serinuse n. sp. (apicomplexa: eimeriidae) from a domestic canary (serinus canaria forma domestica) (passeriformes: fringillidae) in western australia.a new species, isospora serinuse n. sp., (apicomplexa:eimeriidae) is described from a single domestic canary (serinus canaria forma domestica) (subspecies s. c. domestica) in western australia. sporulated oocysts of isospora serinuse n. sp. are spherical or subspherical, 25.5 (24.4-27.0) × 23.5 (22.0-24.8) μm, with a shape index (length/width) of 1.09; and a smooth bilayered oocyst wall, 1.2 μm thick (outer layer 0.9 μm, inner 0.3 μm). a polar granule is present, but a micropyle and oocyst resid ...201526325434
feather mites (acari, astigmata) from azorean passerines (aves, passeriformes): lower species richness compared to european mainland.ten passerine species were examined on three islands of the azores (north atlantic) during 2013 and 2014 in order to identify their feather mite assemblages. we recorded 19 feather mite species belonging to four families of the superfamily analgoidea (analgidae, proctophyllodidae, psoroptoididae and trouessartiidae). a high prevalence of feather mite species was recorded on the majority of the examined host species. only three passerine species (sylvia atricapilla, regulus regulus and serinus ca ...201525665827
host immune responses to experimental infection of plasmodium relictum (lineage sgs1) in domestic canaries (serinus canaria).understanding the complexity of host immune responses to parasite infection requires controlled experiments that can inform observational field studies. birds and their malaria parasites provide a useful model for understanding host-parasite relationships, but this model lacks a well-described experimental context for how hosts respond immunologically to infection. here, ten canaries (serinus canaria) were infected with the avian malaria parasite plasmodium relictum (lineage sgs1) in a controlle ...201526143864
plasmodium spp.: an experimental study on vertebrate host susceptibility to avian malaria.the interest in experimental studies on avian malaria caused by plasmodium species has increased recently due to the need of direct information about host-parasite interactions. numerous important issues (host susceptibility, development of infection, the resistance and tolerance to avian malaria) can be answered using experimental infections. however, specificity of genetically different lineages of malaria parasites and their isolates is largely unknown. this study reviews recent experimental ...201525450775
concurrent atypical diffused tuberculosis and macrorhabdosis in a canary (serinus canaria).a dead canary from a mixed species zoological garden was presented for diagnostic necropsy. cachexia with prominent atrophy of pectoral muscles, yellowish brown discoloration of the liver and kidney, dark brown to black intestinal contents and moderate proventricular dilatation with some degree of catarrhal gastritis were the significant macroscopic findings. parenchymatous organs like the liver, the spleen, the lung and the kidneys were extremely affected by massive diffuse necrosis and heavy i ...201525992258
female signalling to male song in the domestic canary, serinus canaria.most studies on sexual selection focus on male characteristics such as male song in songbirds. yet female vocalizations in songbirds are growing in interest among behavioural and evolutionary biologists because these vocalizations can reveal the female's preferences for male traits and may affect male display. this study was designed to test whether male song performance influences the different female signals in the domestic canary (serinus canaria). female canaries were exposed to three types ...201526064577
a circular model for song motor control in serinus canaria.song production in songbirds is controlled by a network of nuclei distributed across several brain regions, which drives respiratory and vocal motor systems to generate sound. we built a model for birdsong production, whose variables are the average activities of different neural populations within these nuclei of the song system. we focus on the predictions of respiratory patterns of song, because these can be easily measured and therefore provide a validation for the model. we test the hypothe ...201525904860
hatching asynchrony aggravates inbreeding depression in a songbird (serinus canaria): an inbreeding-environment interaction.understanding how the intensity of inbreeding depression is influenced by stressful environmental conditions is an important area of enquiry in various fields of biology. in birds, environmental stress during early development is often related to hatching asynchrony; differences in age, and thus size, impose a gradient in conditions ranging from benign (first hatched chick) to harsh (last hatched chick). here, we compared the effect of hatching order on growth rate in inbred (parents are full si ...201525689753
reversing song behavior phenotype: testosterone driven induction of singing and measures of song quality in adult male and female canaries (serinus canaria).in songbirds, such as canaries (serinus canaria), the song control circuit has been shown to undergo a remarkable change in morphology in response to exogenous testosterone (t). it is also well established that hvc, a telencephalic nucleus involved in song production, is significantly larger in males than in females. t regulates seasonal changes in hvc volume in males, and exposure to exogenous t in adult females increases hvc volume and singing activity such that their song becomes more male-li ...201525260250
aromatase inhibition rapidly affects in a reversible manner distinct features of birdsong.recent evidence has implicated steroid hormones, specifically estrogens, in the rapid modulation of cognitive processes. songbirds have been a useful model system in the study of complex cognitive processes including birdsong, a naturally learned vocal behavior regulated by a discrete steroid-sensitive telencephalic circuitry. singing behavior is known to be regulated by long-term actions of estrogens but rapid steroid modulation of this behavior has never been examined. we investigated if acute ...201627573712
'out of tune': consequences of inbreeding on bird song.the expression of bird song is expected to signal male quality to females. 'quality' is determined by genetic and environmental factors, but, surprisingly, there is very limited evidence if and how genetic aspects of male quality are reflected in song. here, we manipulated the genetic make-up of canaries (serinus canaria) via inbreeding, and studied its effects upon song output, complexity, phonetics and, for the first time, song learning. to this end, we created weight-matched inbred and outbre ...201627466453
circadian rhythm and stress response in droppings ofserinus canaria.serinus canariais a widespread domestic ornamental songbird, whose limited knowledge of biology make compelling studies aimed to monitor stress. here, a commercial enzyme immunoassay was adopted to measure immunoreactive corticosterone (cort) in singleserinus canariadropping sample, to monitor the daily fecal excretion of cort in birds bred singly or in-group and to detect the effect promoted by aviary or small transport cage restraint. a robust daily rhythm of cort was recorded in animals held ...201628105380
an integrated model for motor control of song in serinus canaria.birdsong is a learned motor behavior controlled by an interconnected structure of neural nuclei. this pathway is bilaterally organized, with anatomically indistinguishable structures in each brain hemisphere. in this work, we present a computational model whose variables are the average activities of different neural nuclei of the song system of oscine birds. two of the variables are linked to the air sac pressure and the tension of the labia during canary song production. we show that these tim ...201627940209
lesions targeted to the anterior forebrain disrupt vocal variability associated with testosterone-induced sensorimotor song development in adult female canaries, serinus canaria.learned communication was a trait observed in a limited number of vertebrates such as humans but also songbirds (i.e., species in the suborder passeri sometimes called oscines). robust male-biased sex-differences in song development and production have been observed in several songbird species. however, in some of these species treating adult females with testosterone (t) induced neuro-behavioral changes such that females become more male-like in brain and behavior. t-treatment in these adult fe ...201625864444
a loss of heterozygosity, a loss in competition? the effects of inbreeding, pre- and postnatal conditions on nestling development.the early developmental trajectory is affected by genetic and environmental factors that co-depend and interact often in a complex way. in order to distinguish their respective roles, we used canaries (serinus canaria) of different genetic backgrounds (inbred and outbred birds). an artificial size hierarchy was created to provoke within-nest competition, manipulating postnatal conditions. to this end, inbred birds were weight-matched with outbred birds into duos, and each nest contained one duo ...201630128140
the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of an isospora sp. (eimeriidae, eucoccidiorida, coccidiasina, apicomplexa) causing systemic coccidiosis in domestic canaries (serinus canaria linn.).we report a complete mitochondrial genome sequence for an isospora sp. causing systemic coccidiosis in canaries, serinus canaria. the a + t rich (65.2%) genome was 6216 bp in length and possessed 3 protein-coding genes, (coi; coiii and cytb), 19 lsu and 14 ssu rdna fragments, including 1 newly identified putative lsu fragment. arrangement of coding regions was identical to that of available eimeria sp. mt genomes and start codon usage for protein-coding genes was conventional. the similar mitoch ...201625714148
plasmodium delichoni n. sp.: description, molecular characterisation and remarks on the exoerythrocytic merogony, persistence, vectors and transmission.malaria parasite plasmodium (novyella) delichoni n. sp. (haemosporida, plasmodiidae) was found in a widespread eurasian songbird, the common house martin delichon urbicum (hirundinidae). it is described based on the morphology of its blood stages and segments of the mitochondrial cytochrome b and apicoplast genes, which can be used for molecular identification of this species. erythrocytic meronts and gametocytes are strictly nucleophilic, and mature gametocytes possess pigment granules of marke ...201627000087
genetic basis for red coloration in birds.the yellow and red feather pigmentation of many bird species [1] plays pivotal roles in social signaling and mate choice [2, 3]. to produce red pigments, birds ingest yellow carotenoids and endogenously convert them into red ketocarotenoids via an oxidation reaction catalyzed by a previously unknown ketolase [4-6]. we investigated the genetic basis for red coloration in birds using whole-genome sequencing of red siskins (spinus cucullata), common canaries (serinus canaria), and "red factor" cana ...201627212400
viral vector vaccines expressing nucleoprotein and phosphoprotein genes of avian bornaviruses ameliorate homologous challenge infections in cockatiels and common canaries.avian bornaviruses are causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (pdd), an often fatal disease of parrots and related species (order psittaciformes) which is widely distributed in captive psittacine populations and may affect endangered species. here, we established a vaccination strategy employing two different well described viral vectors, namely recombinant newcastle disease virus (ndv) and modified vaccinia virus ankara (mva) that were engineered to express the phosphoprotein and ...201627830736
description, molecular characterisation, diagnostics and life cycle of plasmodium elongatum (lineage perirub01), the virulent avian malaria parasite.plasmodium elongatum causes severe avian malaria and is distributed worldwide. this parasite is of particular importance due to its ability to develop and cause lethal malaria not only in natural hosts, but also in non-adapted endemic birds such as the brown kiwi and different species of penguins. information on vectors of this infection is available but is contradictory. pcr-based analysis indicated the possible existence of a cluster of closely related p. elongatum lineages which might differ ...201627349510
outbreak of an unusual tracheal mite, ptilonyssus morofskyi (acarina: rhinonyssidae), in canaries ( serinus canaria ) with concurrent infection with staphylococcus aureus and macrorhabdus ornithogaster.mortalities in a flock of canaries ( serinus canaria ) with respiratory acariasis, pododermatitis caused by staphylococcus aureus , and macrorhabdosis were investigated by postmortem examination. after a thorough parasitologic study, the tracheal mites were identified as ptilonyssus morofskyi. cleaning and disinfection of cages and perches, ivermectin application on the cervical skin of individual birds, enrofloxacin medication, and drinking water acidification with vinegar were used to control ...201627736235
phylogenetic analysis supports horizontal transmission as a driving force of the spread of avian bornaviruses.avian bornaviruses are a genetically diverse group of viruses initially discovered in 2008. they are known to infect several avian orders. bornaviruses of parrots and related species (psittaciformes) are causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease, a chronic and often fatal neurologic disease widely distributed in captive psittacine populations. although knowledge has considerably increased in the past years, many aspects of the biology of avian bornaviruses are still undiscovered. in ...201627537693
encephalitozoon hellem infection in aviary passerine and psittacine birds in spain.a european goldfinch (carduelis carduelis), a canary (serinus canaria), and a lovebird (agapornis roseicollis) captive-bred at three different private aviaries in spain were submitted for necropsy with a history of weakness and ruffled feathers, weight loss associated with glossitis, and respiratory disease, respectively. microscopically, enterocytes in the jejunum and ileum contained colonies of gram- and stamp-positive, oval to elliptical microorganisms within parasitophorous vacuoles in the a ...201626921040
mortality and pathology in birds due to plasmodium (giovannolaia) homocircumflexum infection, with emphasis on the exoerythrocytic development of avian malaria parasites.species of avian malaria parasites (plasmodium) are widespread, but their virulence has been insufficiently investigated, particularly in wild birds. during avian malaria, several cycles of tissue merogony occur, and many plasmodium spp. produce secondary exoerythrocytic meronts (phanerozoites), which are induced by merozoites developing in erythrocytic meronts. phanerozoites markedly damage organs, but remain insufficiently investigated in the majority of described plasmodium spp. avian malaria ...201627146519
exposure of the mosquito vector culex pipiens to the malaria parasite plasmodium relictum: effect of infected blood intake on immune and antioxidant defences, fecundity and survival.the intake of a plasmodium-infected blood meal may affect mosquito physiology and a series of trade-offs may occur, in particular between immune defences, reproduction and self-maintenance. we evaluated the cost of exposure to plasmodium in the mosquito vector by investigating the effect of exposure on fecundity and survival and the implication of immune and antioxidant defences in mediating this cost.201627899136
an outbreak of yolk sac infection and dead-in-shell mortality in common canary (serinus canaria) caused by klebsiella pneumoniae.yolk sac infection (ysi) and dead-in-shell mortality caused by enterobacteriaceae in birds are not a rare phenomenon, however there are only a few reports indicating the association between these conditions and klebsiella spp. among canary chicks (serinus canaria). there have been reports of high mortality among 1-3 day old canary chicks in an indoor flock of canaries. in order to study the causative agent, yolk sac samples from dead-in-shell and day-old canary chicks were cultured. klebsiella p ...201627822242
characterization of two complete isospora mitochondrial genomes from passerine birds: isospora serinuse in a domestic canary and isospora manorinae in a yellow-throated miner.the genus term isospora is now applied specifically to parasites of birds, with the term cystoisospora preferred for parasites which infect mammals. isospora is a common parasitic coccidian in birds worldwide, especially in passerine birds, in which it can cause systemic coccidiosis. the complete mitochondrial genome sequences from two recently identified isospora species; isospora serinuse in a domestic canary and isospora manorinae in a yellow-throated miner, were sequenced and compared with t ...201728291602
gastrointestinal parasites of exotic birds living in captivity in the state of sergipe, northeastern brazil.brazil has a wide diversity of exotic birds that were brought to this country during the european colonization. these animals are kept in captivity and, in some cases, in inadequate facilities, which may facilitate the introduction of pathogens, including gastrointestinal parasites. the purpose of this study was to identify the main gastrointestinal parasites that affect exotic birds living in captivity in the state of sergipe, northeastern brazil. fecal samples (n = 362) from exotic birds were ...201727925071
comparative cytogenetics between two important songbird, models: the zebra finch and the canary.songbird species (order passeriformes, suborder oscines) are important models in various experimental fields spanning behavioural genomics to neurobiology. although the genomes of some songbird species were sequenced recently, the chromosomal organization of these species is mostly unknown. here we focused on the two most studied songbird species in neuroscience, the zebra finch (taeniopygia guttata) and the canary (serinus canaria). in order to clarify these issues and also to integrate chromos ...201728129381
occurrence of ornithonyssus sylviarum in pet birds from the district of setúbal, portugal.ornithonyssus sylviarum is a blood-feeding ectoparasite of birds and the most serious pest in poultry farms in north america. although the mites are typically adapted to temperate climates, information on this mite in europe is sparse, and dermanyssus gallinae is considered to be the only mite impacting the poultry industry. the present study reports the occurrence of o. sylviarum in pet birds in portugal. mites were collected directly from birds and with traps placed in cages and nests at 20 di ...201728523489
molecular characterization and distribution of plasmodium matutinum, a common avian malaria parasite.species of plasmodium (plasmodiidae, haemosporida) are widespread and cause malaria, which can be severe in avian hosts. molecular markers are essential to detect and identify parasites, but still absent for many avian malaria and related haemosporidian species. here, we provide first molecular characterization of plasmodium matutinum, a common agent of avian malaria. this parasite was isolated from a naturally infected thrush nightingale luscinia luscinia (muscicapidae). fragments of mitochondr ...201728931453
isolation of avipoxvirus from tongue of canaries ( serinus canaria) show severe localized proliferative glossitis.poxvirus was the causative agent of two unusual outbreaks of proliferative glossitis in canary ( serinus canaria forma domestica) breeders in the northern italy. a total of 45, 7-9-mo-old canaries were submitted in fair postmortem conditions to the istituto zooprofilattico sperimentale delle venezie at the beginning of november 2005 for diagnostic investigation. birds belonged to two unrelated and geographically distant aviaries in northern italy, herein identified as aviary a and aviary b. the ...201729337622
dissociable effects on birdsong of androgen signaling in cortex-like brain regions of canaries.the neural basis of how learned vocalizations change during development and in adulthood represents a major challenge facing cognitive neuroscience. this plasticity in the degree to which learned vocalizations can change in both humans and songbirds is linked to the actions of sex steroid hormones during ontogeny but also in adulthood in the context of seasonal changes in birdsong. we investigated the role of steroid hormone signaling in the brain on distinct features of birdsong using adult mal ...201728821656
trichomonosis outbreak in a flock of canaries (serinus canaria f. domestica) caused by a finch epidemic strain of trichomonas gallinae.in the present paper, an outbreak of trichomonosis in a flock of 15 breeding pairs of canaries is described. trichomonosis was diagnosed on characteristic clinical signs, microscopic examination of crop/esophageal swabs, gross pathology and histopathology. trichomonads were successfully grown in culture media and were characterized by multi-locus sequence typing. the three genomic loci its1-5.8s-its2, 18s rrna and fe-hydrogenase were analyzed. molecular characterization confirmed the finch trich ...201728413077
extraskeletal osteoma in a canary (serinus canaria).osteoma is an uncommon bone tumor in avian species and other animals. a 2-year-old male canary (serinus canaria) with a history of an oval mass in the left wing for several months was examined. radiographs showed a radio-opaque mass. upon the bird's owner request, the canary was euthanatized and submitted for necropsy. the histopathologic examination revealed numerous trabeculae consisting of both woven and lamellar bone covered by one to several rows of normal osteoblasts. the trabeculae were c ...201729085616
eggshell biliverdin and protoporphyrin pigments in a songbird: are they derived from erythrocytes, blood plasma, or the shell gland?biliverdin and protoporphyrin pigments are deposited into the eggshell when the developing egg is in the shell gland. however, the site of synthesis of eggshell pigments is still uncertain, although it may influence the possible costs and potential functions of eggshell coloration in avian species. eggshell pigments may be derived from red blood cells or be produced in other organs and then transferred to the shell gland, or they may be synthesized de novo in the shell gland. we studied in the c ...201728937855
high-density lipoprotein receptor scarb1 is required for carotenoid coloration in birds.yellow, orange, and red coloration is a fundamental aspect of avian diversity and serves as an important signal in mate choice and aggressive interactions. this coloration is often produced through the deposition of diet-derived carotenoid pigments, yet the mechanisms of carotenoid uptake and transport are not well-understood. the white recessive breed of the common canary (serinus canaria), which carries an autosomal recessive mutation that renders its plumage pure white, provides a unique oppo ...201728465440
comprehensive molecular characterization of bacterial communities in feces of pet birds using 16s marker sequencing.birds and other animals live and evolve in close contact with millions of microorganisms (microbiota). while the avian microbiota has been well characterized in domestic poultry, the microbiota of other bird species has been less investigated. the aim of this study was to describe the fecal bacterial communities of pet birds. pooled fecal samples from 22 flocks representing over 150 individual birds of three different species (melopsittacus undulatus or budgerigars, nymphicus hollandicus or cock ...201727568186
you know what? i'm happy. cognitive bias is not related to personality but is induced by pair-housing in canaries (serinus canaria).recent studies suggest that cognitive bias could constitute a novel and valid measure of animal welfare. although interest for a link between personality and cognition is growing, no study to date investigated whether a cognitive bias might be related to the personality of the individuals. we trained 43 domestic canaries (serinus canaria) to discriminate between two sides of a test cage, each side being associated with a different value (attractive or aversive food in a dish). during the test ph ...201727697598
lombard effect onset times reveal the speed of vocal plasticity in a songbird.animals that use vocal signals to communicate often compensate for interference and masking from background noise by raising the amplitude of their vocalisations. this response has been termed the lombard effect. however, despite more than a century of research, little is known how quickly animals can adjust the amplitude of their vocalisations after the onset of noise. the ability to respond quickly to increases in noise levels would allow animals to avoid signal masking and ensure their calls ...201728096429
genomic characterization of the first oral avian papillomavirus in a colony of breeding canaries (serinus canaria).papillomaviruses are non-enveloped, dna viruses that infect skin and mucosa of a wide variety of vertebrates, causing neoplasias or simply persisting asymptomatically. avian papillomaviruses, with six fully sequenced genomes, are the second most studied group after mammalian papillomaviruses. in this study, we describe the first oral avian papillomavirus, detected in the tongue of a dead yorkshire canary (serinus canaria) and in oral swabs of the same bird and other two live canaries from an avi ...201829446002
avian malaria and bird humoral immune response.plasmodium parasites are known to impose fitness costs on their vertebrate hosts. some of these costs are due to the activation of the immune response, which may divert resources away from self-maintenance. plasmodium parasites may also immuno-deplete their hosts. thus, infected individuals may be less able to mount an immune response to a new pathogen than uninfected ones. however, this has been poorly investigated.201829426311
no evidence that carotenoid pigments boost either immune or antioxidant defenses in a songbird.dietary carotenoids have been proposed to boost immune system and antioxidant functions in vertebrate animals, but studies aimed at testing these physiological functions of carotenoids have often failed to find support. here we subject yellow canaries (serinus canaria), which possess high levels of carotenoids in their tissue, and white recessive canaries, which possess a knockdown mutation that results in very low levels of tissue carotenoids, to oxidative and pathogen challenges. across divers ...201829403051
identification and genetic characterization of polyomaviruses in estrildid and fringillid finches.polyomavirus infections were detected in 40 companion bird individuals belonging to a broad species range of estrildid and fringillid finches and originating from 21 different bird aviaries. based on partial virus protein 1 (vp1) sequences, the viruses were identified as serinus canaria polyomavirus 1 and pyrrhula pyrrhula polyomavirus 1. serinus canaria polyomavirus 1 was found in 18 birds belonging to one estrildid and four fringillid species. pyrrhula pyrrhula polyomavirus 1 was detected in 2 ...201829294182
west nile virus infection in american singer canaries: an experimental model in a highly susceptible avian species.this study investigated the susceptibility of american singer canaries ( serinus canaria) to west nile virus (wnv) infection. adult canaries were inoculated with 105, 102, and 101plaque forming units (pfu) of wnv. all birds became infected and mortality occurred by 5 days postinoculation. the load of viral rna as determined by rt-qpcr was dose dependent, and was higher at all doses than the level of viral rna detected in american crows ( corvus brachyrhynchos) challenged with 105pfu of wnv. in a ...201829506438
population differences in susceptibility to plasmodium relictum in zebra finches taeniopygia guttata.domesticated australian and timor zebra finches (taeniopygia guttata castanotis and taeniopygia guttata guttata, respectively) were inoculated with canary (serinus canaria) blood containing a hawaiian isolate of plasmodium relictum (lineage grw04), a hemoparasite that causes avian malaria. in two experimental trials, tzfs but not azfs developed parasitemia that was detected by microscopic examination of blood smears. in the second trial, in which molecular detection methods were used, a single a ...201831119918
the canary serinus canaria (passeriformes: fringillidae) as a new host for isospora bioccai in mexico.isospora bioccai (cringoli and quesada 1991) (protozoa, apicomplexa, eimeriidae) is reported and described from captive canaries serinus canaria forma domestica (linnaeus 1758) in mexico. the oöcysts are subspherical, 25.5 × 23.5 μm, with smooth, bilayered wall, ∼1.3 μm thick. micropyle absent, oöcyst residuum absent, and polar granule present, 4-8 rice-grain-shaped. sporocysts are ovoidal, 16.7 × 10.5 μm. stieda body knob-like and substieda body trapezoidal of irregular base. sporocyst residuum ...201830533383
consistency of female preference for male song in the domestic canary using two measures: operant conditioning and vocal response.variation of female preferences is often reported in the literature and could be related to an artefact derived from multiple different methods used. thus, there is a need to evaluate the influence of different methods when assessing female preferences. the present study aims to compare female preferences obtained from an operant conditioning test and from female vocal responses to male song in the domestic canary (serinus canaria). in an operant conditioning test, females had the possibility to ...201830355508
sex-specific effects of inbreeding and early life conditions on the adult oxidative balance.inbreeding negatively affects various life-history traits, with inbred individuals typically having lower fitness than outbred individuals (= inbreeding depression). inbreeding depression is often emphasized under environmental stress, but the underlying mechanisms and potential long-lasting consequences of such inbreeding-environment interactions remain poorly understood. here, we hypothesize that inbreeding-environment interactions that occur early in life have long-term physiological effects, ...201830323842
reproductive disorders in domestic canaries (serinus canarius domesticus): a retrospective study on bacterial isolates and their antimicrobial resistance in italy from 2009 to 2012.reproductive disorders are responsible for significant economic losses in canary aviculture due to embryo and newborn chick mortality. most of the time, deaths are caused by bacterial pathogens, however little published data exist about the prevalence of bacterial isolates that are identified during diagnostic protocols. this study reports on data collected from previous investigations carried out on cloacal swabs (n 456), unhatched eggs (n 52), and dead newborn chicks (n 68) collected from cana ...201830019333
an experimental study: does inbreeding increase the motivation to mate?inbreeding is a central topic in evolutionary biology and ecology and is of major concern for the conservation of endangered species. yet, it remains challenging to comprehend the fitness consequences of inbreeding, because studies typically focus only on short-term effects on inbreeding in the offspring (e.g. survival until independence). however, there is no a priori reason to assume that inbreeding has no more effects in adulthood. specifically, inbred males should have lower reproductive suc ...201829912975
avian malaria co-infections confound infectivity and vector competence assays of plasmodium homopolare.currently, there are very few studies of avian malaria that investigate relationships among the host-vector-parasite triad concomitantly. in the current study, we experimentally measured the vector competence of several culex mosquitoes for a newly described avian malaria parasite, plasmodium homopolare. song sparrow (melospiza melodia) blood infected with a low p. homopolare parasitemia was inoculated into a naïve domestic canary (serinus canaria forma domestica). within 5 to 10 days post infec ...201829845414
the effect of dietary antioxidant supplementation in a vertebrate host on the infection dynamics and transmission of avian malaria to the vector.host susceptibility to parasites is likely to be influenced by intrinsic factors, such as host oxidative status determined by the balance between pro-oxidant production and antioxidant defences. as a result, host oxidative status acts as an environmental factor for parasites and may constrain parasite development. we evaluated the role of host oxidative status on infection dynamics of an avian malarial parasite by providing canaries (serinus canaria) with an antioxidant supplementation composed ...201829744700
characterization of plasmodium relictum, a cosmopolitan agent of avian malaria.microscopic research has shown that plasmodium relictum is the most common agent of avian malaria. recent molecular studies confirmed this conclusion and identified several mtdna lineages, suggesting the existence of significant intra-species genetic variation or cryptic speciation. most identified lineages have a broad range of hosts and geographical distribution. here, a rare new lineage of p. relictum was reported and information about biological characters of different lineages of this patho ...201829720195
the regulation of birdsong by testosterone: multiple time-scales and multiple sites of action.contribution to special issue on fast effects of steroids. sex steroid hormones act during early development to shape the circuitry upon which these same hormones act in adulthood to control behavioral responses to various stimuli. the "organizational" vs. "activational" distinction was proposed to explain this temporal difference in hormone action. in both of these cases steroids were thought to act genomically over a time-scale of days to weeks. however, sex steroids can affect behavior over s ...201829679614
detection and molecular characterization of cryptosporidium spp. in captive canaries (serinus canaria) using different diagnostic methods.this study used several diagnostic methods to examine the occurrence of and molecularly characterize cryptosporidium spp. in captive canaries (serinus canaria) in southern and southeastern brazil. a total of 498 fecal samples were purified by centrifugal-flotation using sheather's solution. cryptosporidium spp. diagnosis was performed using three diagnostic methods: malachite green negative staining, nested pcr targeting the 18s rrna gene, followed by sequencing the amplified fragments, and dupl ...201829641795
domestic canaries (serinus canaria forma domestica) are susceptible to low pathogenic avian influenza virus infections.avian influenza viruses have been isolated from many bird species; however, little is known about the susceptibility of pet birds to low pathogenic avian influenza (lpai) viruses. to address this research gap, domestic canaries (serinus canaria forma domestica) were experimentally infected with h5 and h7 lpai viruses to determine susceptibility and to evaluate samples for diagnostic purposes. clinical evidence of infection (e.g. ruffled plumage and apathy) and mortality were noted for the canari ...201830207746
outbreak of systemic avian pox in canaries (serinus canaria domestica) associated with the b1 subgroup of avian pox viruses.this study reports an outbreak of avian pox in a quarantine of canaries imported from europe, with a mortality of 30% and clinical signs of dyspnea and blepharoconjunctivitis. during necropsy, beak cyanosis, serous blepharitis, caseous sinusitis, oropharyngitis, tracheitis, pulmonary edema, pneumonia, fibrinous airsacculitis, and splenomegaly were observed. microscopically, edema, epithelial hyperplasia, hydropic degeneration, and vacuolated eosinophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were fo ...201931967439
experimental study of micro-habitat selection by ixodid ticks feeding on avian hosts.mechanisms of on-host habitat selection of parasites are important to the understanding of host-parasite interactions and evolution. to this end, it is important to separate the factors driving parasite micro-habitat selection from those resulting from host anti-parasite behaviour. we experimentally investigated whether tick infestation patterns on songbirds are the result of an active choice by the ticks themselves, or the outcome of songbird grooming behaviour. attachment patterns of three ixo ...201931734336
effects of song experience and song quality on immediate early gene expression in female canaries (serinus canaria).female songbirds are thought to make mate choices based on aspects of male song quality. male canaries (serinus canaria) produce songs with "special" syllables that have been shown to be highly salient to female listeners - eliciting high rates of sexual displays and enhanced immediate early gene (ieg) expression. immunohistochemistry for the ieg zenk was used to examine the effects of experience with these syllables on activity in the caudal mesopallium (cmm) and nidocaudal mesopallium (ncm), t ...201931070003
testing the resource trade-off hypothesis for carotenoid-based signal honesty using genetic variants of the domestic canary.carotenoid-based coloration in birds is widely considered an honest signal of individual condition, but the mechanisms responsible for condition dependency in such ornaments remain debated. currently, the most common explanation for how carotenoid coloration serves as a reliable signal of condition is the resource trade-off hypothesis, which proposes that use of carotenoids for ornaments reduces their availability for use by the immune system or for protection from oxidative damage. however, two ...201930877227
flexible communication within bird families-the consequences of behavioral plasticity for parent-offspring coadaptation.offspring are selected to demand more resources than what is optimal for their parents to provide, which results in a complex and dynamic interplay during parental care. parent-offspring communication often involves conspicuous begging by the offspring which triggers a parental response, typically the transfer of food. so begging and parental provisioning reciprocally influence each other and are therefore expected to coevolve. there is indeed empirical evidence for covariation of offspring begg ...201930680149
a method for estimation of fundamental frequency for tonal sounds inspired on bird song studies.in this work a simple implementation of fundamental frequency estimation is presented. the algorithm is based on a frequency-domain approach. it was mainly developed for tonal sounds and it was used in canary birdsong analysis. the method was implemented but not restricted for this kind of data. it could be easily adapted for other sounds. python libraries were used to develop a code with a simple algorithm to obtain fundamental frequency. an open source code is provided in the local university ...201930671355
detection of avian bornavirus in wild and captive passeriformes in brazil.avian bornaviruses (abvs) are the causative agents of proventricular dilatation disease (pdd), a fatal neurologic disease considered to be a major threat to psittacine bird populations. we performed a reverse transcription pcr survey to detect the presence of canary avian bornavirus (cnbv) in birds of order passeriformes related to different clinical manifestations, such as sudden death, neurologic signs, apathy, anorexia, excessive beak growth, and pdd. a total of 227 samples from captive and w ...201931251529
increased genetic diversity of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) isolated from companion animals.the aim of the present study was to investigate the diversity of methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (mrsa) that originated from austrian companion animals during the last five-year period. a total of 90 non-repetitive mrsa isolates were obtained during diagnostic activities from autumn 2013 to autumn 2018. they originated from horses (n = 62), cats (n = 13), dogs (n = 10), rabbits (n = 2), a domestic canary, a zoo-kept hammer-headed bat (hypsignathus monstrosus) and a semi-captive north ...201931282369
reproductive success of the canarian echium simplex (boraginaceae) mediated by vertebrates and insects.oceanic island ecosystems favour the appearance of novel interactions as a consequence of their depauperate and disharmonic flora and fauna. we investigated echium simplex, endemic to the anaga biosphere reserve in ne tenerife, canary islands, belongs to the canarian bird-flower element. along two flowering seasons, we studied the breeding system of e. simplex, identified the floral visitors and compared the pollination effectiveness of different animal guilds (insects versus vertebrates) by mea ...201930334319
parasitological and molecular survey of scattered parasitism by trichomonads in some avian species in iran.outbreaks of avian trichomonosis are being reported worldwide; meanwhile, the genetic and virulence variations are under investigation. in this study, the occurrence and genetic variability of oral or faecal trichomonads among various avian species were investigated. samples obtained from either the oropharyngeal cavity, crop/oesophagus, droppings/cloaca, or conjunctival swabs of avian species were inspected for flagellates. phylogenetic analysis of partial its1-5.8s rrna-its2 sequences from sel ...202031486682
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