During winter, aerial surveys are used to estimate densities of ducks that occupy open-water habitats. However, such surveys are ineffective for sampling forest-dwelling species, especially Aix sponsa (Wood Ducks), Anas platyrhynchos (Mallards), and Lophodytes cucullatus (Hooded Mergansers). We evaluated fi xed-radius plot (FRP) and Reynolds and Goodrum variable-radius plot (VRP) methods for es...

The origin and early evolution of birds has been a major topic in evolutionary biology. In the 20th century, evolutionary scenarios posited either ground-based bird ancestors or tree-dwelling ancestors. This has since been recognised as a false dichotomy [1]. We suggest that part of the problem is the loose categorisation of many extant bird species as either ground or tree locomotors when cons...

Avian Influenza (AI) H9N2 is endemic in Iran; therefore, it is necessary to estimate the disease prevalence among birds in live bird markets (LBMs) and assess the risk spread across the country. Accordingly, this study aimed to estimate the prevalence of AI subtypes in LBMs, bird gardens, and zoos during October and November 2015 in Iran and investigate the associated risk factors. Data related...

Background and Purpose: Cryptococcus species are pathogenic and non-pathogenic basidiomycete yeasts that are found widely in the environment. Based on phenotypic methods, this genus has many species; however, its taxonomy is presently being re- evaluated by modern techniques. The Cryptococcus species complex includes two sibling taxa of Cryptococcus neoformans and Cryptococcus gattii. We aimed ...

Background and Aims: Influenza A virus subtype H9N2 have continued to circulate in domestic poultry farms in Asia since 1998. The virus circulates in live bird markets, missing link in epidemiology of avian influenza. Regarding previous studies on H9N2 viruses of Iran and having no data on this subject in Iranian live bird markets this study was conducted to analyze genetically hemagglutinin pr...

We isolated and characterized 10 polymorphic microsatellite loci in the logrunner ( Orthonyx temminckii ), a rainforest-dwelling Australian bird. The number of alleles per locus observed within two populations ranged from three to 39, with observed heterozygosities of between 0.12 and 1.00. We demonstrate that these markers are useful for both populationand individual-level analyses.

abstract bavanat county, with an area of 4992 km², is located in north east of fars province. during a long-term avifauna survey in the area which lasted 8 years (2007-2014), 85 bird species belonging to 12 orders and 32 families, identified and reported. the order passeriformes with 61 species was the most diverse order in the study area. the most diverse families were turdidae, fringillidae a...