Topic
Greenbul
About: Greenbul is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 26 publications have been published within this topic receiving 632 citations.
Papers
TL;DR: It is shown that the little greenbul (Andropadus virens), previously shown to vary morphologically across the gradient in fitness‐related characters, also varies with respect to song characteristics, suggesting that habitat‐dependent selection may act simultaneously on traits of ecological importance and those important in prezygotic isolation.
Abstract: Bird song is a sexual trait important in mate choice and known to be shaped by environmental selection. Here we investigate the ecological factors shaping song variation across a rainforest gradient in central Africa. We show that the little greenbul (Andropadus virens), previously shown to vary morphologically across the gradient in fitness-related characters, also varies with respect to song characteristics. Acoustic features, including minimum and maximum frequency, and delivery rate of song notes showed significant differences between habitats. In contrast, we found dialectal variation independent of habitat in population-typical songtype sequences. This pattern is consistent with ongoing gene flow across habitats and in line with the view that song variation in the order in which songtypes are produced is not dependent on habitat characteristics in the same way physical song characteristics are. Sound transmission characteristics of the two habitats did not vary significantly, but analyses of ambient noise spectra revealed dramatic and consistent habitat-dependent differences. Matching between low ambient noise levels for low frequencies in the rainforest and lower minimal frequencies in greenbul songs in this habitat suggests that part of the song divergence may be driven by habitat-dependent ambient noise patterns. These results suggest that habitat-dependent selection may act simultaneously on traits of ecological importance and those important in prezygotic isolation, leading to an association between morphological and acoustic divergence. Such an association may promote assortative mating and may be a mechanism driving reproductive divergence across ecological gradients.
324 citations
1 Jan 2010
TL;DR: An analysis of the variation of parasitemia intensity and co-infections of avian haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus species) in 2 common African birds species, the yellow-whiskered greenbul and the olive sunbird, suggests that spatial heterogeneity differently affects haemorrhaging parameters in these vertebrate-hosts.
Abstract: Spatial heterogeneity influences the distribution, prevalence, and diversity of haemosporidian parasites. Previous studies have found complex patterns of prevalence with respect to habitat characteristics and parasite genotype, and their interactions, but there is little information regarding how parasitemia intensity and the prevalence of co-infections may vary in space. Here, using both molecular methods and microscopy, we report an analysis of the variation of parasitemia intensity and co-infections of avian haemosporidian parasites (Plasmodium and Haemoproteus species) in 2 common African birds species, the yellow-whiskered greenbul {Andropadus latirostris) and the olive sunbird (Cyanomitra olivacea), at 3 sites with distinct habitat characteristics in Ghana. First, we found an interaction between the site and host species for the prevalence of Plasmodium spp. and Haemoproteus spp. For the olive sunbird, the prevalence of Plasmodium spp., as well as the number of individuals with co-infections, varied significantly among the sites, but these measures remained constant for the yellow-whiskered greenbul. In addition, yellow-whiskered greenbuls infected with Haemoproteus spp. were found only at 1 site. Furthermore, for both bird species, the parasitemia intensity of Plasmodium spp. varied significantly among the 3 sites, but with opposing trends. These results suggest that spatial heterogeneity differently affects haemosporidian infection parameters in these vertebrate-hosts. Environmental conditions here can either favor or reduce parasite infection. We discuss the implications of these discrepancies for conservation and ecological studies of infectious diseases in natural populations.
63 citations
TL;DR: A 10-year study of a population of A. latirostris showed that this greenbul behaved as a lek species in Northeastern Gaboon, and some neotropical Pipridae and Trochilidae are made, in order to establish ecological features common to leK species in tropical forests of Africa and South America.
Abstract: A 10-year study of a population of A. latirostris showed that this greenbul behaved as a lek species in Northeastern Gaboon. Comparisons between A. latirostris and some neotropical Pipridae and Trochilidae are made, in order to establish ecological features common to lek species in tropical forests of Africa and South America.
24 citations
TL;DR: Ntiamoa-Baidu et al. as discussed by the authors presented data on the distribution and abundance of avifauna of 28 Condition II and III forest reserves in southern Ghana based on line transect counts and mist-net captures.
Abstract: Ntiamoa-Baidu, Y., Owusu, E.H., Asamoah, S. & Owusu-Boateng, K. 2000. Distribution and abundance of forest birds in Ghana. Ostrich 71 (1 & 2): 262–268. Forest reserves within the Ghanaian rain forest have been classified into categories (Condition I-VI) on the basis of their botanical importance and status of the vegetation. We present data on the distribution and abundance of avifauna of 28 Condition II and III forest reserves in southern Ghana based on line transect counts and mist-net captures. A total of 227 species were recorded for all the sites; species records for individual sites ranged from 78–119. The dominant groups in the overall survey were Muscicapidae (represented by 40 species), Pcynonotidae (21) and Cuculidae (12). The most abundant bird species in the Ghanaian forests were Yellow-whiskered Greenbul, Green Hylia, Green Pigeon and Olive Sunbird. Species encounter rates ranged from 16.7 to 50.7 species per km with individual bird encounter rates of 27.9 to 172.0 birds per km. Capture rates...
13 citations
TL;DR: This parasite has been reported in Ghana and Cameroon and was also found in the yellow-whiskered greenbul, Andropadus latirostris in these countries and appears to be widespread in its range given the distribution of these bird species in Africa.
Abstract: Trypanosoma naviformis n. sp. is described from the African olive sunbird Cyanomitra olivacea in Ghana based on the morphology of its hematozoic trypomastigotes and partial sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA gene. This parasite belongs to the group of small non-striated avian trypanosomes (< 30 µm in length in average) with the kinetoplast situated close to the posterior end of the body. Trypanosoma naviformis can be distinguished from other small avian trypanosomes due to its poorly visible flagellum, central position of its nucleus, and the symmetrically (in relation to the nucleus) narrowing of both ends of the hematozoic trypomastigotes, which are boat-like in shape. Illustrations of trypomastigotes of the new species are given, and SSU rDNA lineages associated with this parasite are documented. This parasite has been reported in Ghana and Cameroon and was also found in the yellow-whiskered greenbul, Andropadus latirostris in these countries. It appears to be widespread in its range given the distribution of these bird species in Africa.
12 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2013 | 1 |