RESUMO

The aim of the present study was to identify and quantify the metabolites (metabolome analysis) of the pectoralis major muscle in male red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) selected for growth traits. A selection index was developed for females [body weight (BW), chest circumference (CC), and thigh circumference (TC)] and males [BW, CC, TC, semen volume, and sperm concentration] in order to divide the animals into 2 experimental groups: selection group with a higher index (TinamouS) and commercial group with a lower index (TinamouC). Twenty male offspring of the 2 groups (TinamouS, n = 10; TinamouC, n = 10) were confined for 350 d. The birds were slaughtered and pectoralis major muscle samples were collected, subjected to polar and apolar metabolites extractions and analyzed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectroscopy. Analysis of the polar metabolomic profile identified 65 metabolites; 29 of them were differentially expressed between the experimental groups (P < 0.05). The TinamouS groups exhibited significantly higher concentrations (P < 0.05) of 25 metabolites, including anserine, aspartate, betaine, carnosine, creatine, glutamate, threonine, 3-methylhistidine, NAD+, pyruvate, and taurine. Significantly higher concentrations of cysteine, beta-alanine, lactose, and choline were observed in the TinamouC group (P < 0.05). The metabolites identified in the muscle provided information about the main metabolic pathways (higher impact value and P < 0.05), for example, phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan biosynthesis; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; D-glutamine and D-glutamate metabolism; ß-alanine metabolism; glycine, serine and threonine metabolism; taurine and hypotaurine metabolism; histidine metabolism; phenylalanine metabolism. The NMR spectra of apolar fraction showed 8 classes of chemical compounds. The metabolome analysis shows that the selection index resulted in the upregulation of polyunsaturated fatty acids, unsaturated fatty acids, phosphocholines, phosphoethanolamines, triacylglycerols, and glycerophospholipids. The present study suggests that, despite few generations, the selection based on muscle growth traits promoted changes in metabolite concentrations in red-winged tinamou.

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The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficiency of selection for body growth and its association with carcass and meat quality traits in the red-winged tinamou. Two experimental groups were selected based on the selection index: selection group with a higher index (TinamouS) and commercial group with a lower index (TinamouC). Weight at 180 days and slaughter weight were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the TinamouS group, as were hot carcass weight, skinless breast weight, wing weight, and thigh and drumstick weight. The meat quality traits or sensory attributes did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) between groups. A significant positive correlation (0.59; p < 0.05) was found between shear force and chewability and a significant negative correlation (- 0.59; p < 0.05) between aroma intensity and strange aroma. The present study suggests that the selection index promotes greater body growth and preserves meat quality and sensory traits in red-winged tinamou.

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The aim of this study was to evaluate the reproductive performance of red-winged tinamous in captivity using different mating systems during three breeding seasons. The data were collected from August to March during three breeding seasons of the species. Ten couples and four groups of red-winged tinamous were randomly selected for formation of the monogamous and polygynous mating system, respectively, with egg collection from both systems. The traits evaluated were number of eggs per female, egg breaking and egg fertilization. Data were statistically analyzed by the least square method and logistic regression. Animals in couples mating strategy were superior (P<0.05) in terms of number of eggs per female compared to the group mating strategy. High egg breaking rate (P<0.05) in the red-winged tinamous groups was observed. Eggs of animals in couples mating strategy were 5.24 and 11.5 more likely to be fertilized than those of group strategy in two breeding seasons. In general, the reproductive efficiency in terms of low egg breaking, high egg production and fertility was observed for red-winged tinamous from the monogamous mating system.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o desempenho reprodutivo dos perdizes de asas vermelhas em cativeiro utilizando diferentes sistemas de acasalamento durante três épocas de reprodução. Os dados foram coletados de agosto a março, durante três épocas de reprodução da espécie. Dez casais e quatro grupos de perdizes de asas vermelhas foram selecionados aleatoriamente para a formação do sistema de acasalamento monogâmico e poliginoso, respectivamente, com coleta de ovos de ambos os sistemas. Os traços avaliados foram o número de ovos por fêmea, a quebra dos ovos e a fertilização dos ovos. Os dados foram analisados estatisticamente pelo método dos mínimos quadrados e pela regressão logística. Os animais na estratégia de acasalamento de casais foram superiores (P<0,05) em termos de número de óvulos por fêmea, em comparação com a estratégia de acasalamento do grupo. Foi observada uma alta taxa de quebra de ovos (P<0,05) nos grupos perdizes de asas vermelhas. Ovos de animais em estratégia de acasalamento de casais foram 5,24 e 11,5 mais propensos a serem fertilizados do que os de estratégia de grupo em duas épocas de reprodução. Em geral, a eficiência reprodutiva em termos de baixa quebra de ovos, alta produção de ovos e fertilidade foi observada para os tinâmicos de asas vermelhas do sistema de acasalamento monogâmico.

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Tinamous host the highest generic diversity of lice of any group of birds, as well as hosting representatives of all four avian feather louse ecomorphs. Although the generic diversity of tinamou feather lice is well documented, few attempts have been made to reconstruct the phylogenetic relationships among these lice. To test whether tinamou feather lice form a monophyletic group as a whole, we used whole-genome sequencing to estimate a higher-level phylogeny of tinamou feather lice, together with a broad diversity of other avian feather louse groups. In total, we analysed sequences from over 1000 genes for 48 genera of avian lice using both concatenated and coalescent approaches to estimate the phylogeny of this diverse group of avian feather lice. Although the body louse ecomorph of tinamou feather lice formed a monophyletic group, they did not strictly form a monophyletic group together with the other three ecomorphs of tinamou feather lice. In particular, a clade comprised of several feather louse genera, mainly from South America, is nested phylogenetically within tinamou lice, which also have their main centre of diversity in South America. These results suggest in situ radiation of these parasites in South America.

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This study aimed to report in detail, the technique and challenges of cloacal massage, to collect and evaluate semen from red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) keep in captivity, performed by only one technician. Sixty-four semen collection attempts, from 16 adult males, during breeding season and 16 attempts form these same 16 males in non-breeding season, were performed. Prior to collection, all animals were conditioned to cloacal massage for 6 weeks and the ejaculates were succeed with viable spermatozoa and then, evaluated for feces, urine and mucus contamination, volume, concentration, sperm vigor, motility, morphological defects and acrosome integrity. Semen collection success rate was 63% in breeding season and 2 (5%) samples were discarded by grade 5 contamination. Only 3 ejaculates from 16 tinamou were obtained in non-breeding season. Sperm concentration and acrosome integrity was higher (p = 0.00) in breeding season, and the percentage of total sperm morphological defects, were high in both in breeding and out breeding season. Overall, we concluded that the red-winged tinamou breeding season, is linked to photoperiod (spring and summer), and at this period time, semen can be obtained by cloacal massage collection satisfactorily, allowing its use in reproduction biotechnologies and sperm cryopreservation.

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O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos morfológicos do proventrículo e ventrículo gástrico de Crypturellus parvirostris (inhambú-chororó). Foram utilizados dois animais machos, adultos, com uma média de peso de 939 g ± 12,7 procedentes da região de Araguaína-TO. Após a captura, os animais foram eutanasiados por meio da aplicação de tiopental sódico a 2,5%, por via intravenosa, até que o coma barbitúrico fosse atingido. Posteriormente foram necropsiados, tendo seus órgãos avaliados morfologicamente. Os aspectos anátomo-histológicos do proventrículo e ventrículo gástrico de C. parvirostris assemelham-se aos dos demais tinamídeos, porém há carência em dados morfológicos relacionados à família Tinamidae.(AU)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the proventriculus and gastric ventricle of Crypturellus parvirostris. Two adult males were used, with a mean weight of 939 ± 12.7 g, from the region of Araguaína, State of Tocantins. After capture, the birds were euthanized through intravenous application of 2.5% sodium thiopental until barbiturate coma was attained. Then, they were necropsied and their organs and viscera were evaluated morphologically. The anatomical and histological characteristics of the proventriculus and gastric ventricle of C. parvirostris were similar to those of other tinamid species, but there is a lack of morphological data related to the family Tinamidae.(AU)

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RESUMO

O presente estudo teve como objetivo avaliar os aspectos morfológicos do proventrículo e ventrículo gástrico de Crypturellus parvirostris (inhambú-chororó). Foram utilizados dois animais machos, adultos, com uma média de peso de 939 g ± 12,7 procedentes da região de Araguaína-TO. Após a captura, os animais foram eutanasiados por meio da aplicação de tiopental sódico a 2,5%, por via intravenosa, até que o coma barbitúrico fosse atingido. Posteriormente foram necropsiados, tendo seus órgãos avaliados morfologicamente. Os aspectos anátomo-histológicos do proventrículo e ventrículo gástrico de C. parvirostris assemelham-se aos dos demais tinamídeos, porém há carência em dados morfológicos relacionados à família Tinamidae.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the morphological characteristics of the proventriculus and gastric ventricle of Crypturellus parvirostris. Two adult males were used, with a mean weight of 939 ± 12.7 g, from the region of Araguaína, State of Tocantins. After capture, the birds were euthanized through intravenous application of 2.5% sodium thiopental until barbiturate coma was attained. Then, they were necropsied and their organs and viscera were evaluated morphologically. The anatomical and histological characteristics of the proventriculus and gastric ventricle of C. parvirostris were similar to those of other tinamid species, but there is a lack of morphological data related to the family Tinamidae.

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Nothura maculosa is a South American Tinamidae with a marked seasonal reproductive pattern. This work describes ovarian seasonal changes in this species related to gonadotrope (GTHs) population. Ovary and pituitary samples were collected monthly from adult birds during four annual periods. They were fixed in Bouin's solution and processed for light microscopy. The data of post-fixation gonadal weight were analysed using STATISTIX 4.0. Histological sections of the ovaries were stained with H/E, PAS and Goldner-Masson trichrome. Single and double immunostaining were applied on pituitary sections with anti-chicken-FSH and anti-chicken-LH antibodies. The samples were analysed in quarterly periods of the year, Pl: March-May (resting stage); P2: June-August (developing stage); P3: September-November (reproductive stage); P4: December-February (involutive stage). Ovary weight (ow) significantly varied among periods (p<0.001). During Pl, only primordial and previtellogenic follicles were observed, ow 0.09±0.01 g (n=25); during P2, developing follicles with signs of vitellogenesis were detected, ow 0.13+0.01 g (n=14); during P3, maximum follicular development was found, ow 0.9 +/- 0.15 g (n=39); P4 exhibited great variability in follicular stages, ow 0.18+0.18 g (n=19). Involutive atresia was observed in all the periods, while bursting atresia and post-ovulatory follicles were only characterized at P3 and P4. The GTHs containing few LH and FSH immunoreactive (ir) granules were predominant during P1-P2. The GTHs with LH ir granules were abundant in intermediate zone and caudal lobe in P3 and P4 while few cells contained both types of granules. The number of FSH cells was increased during P3 and P4. The histological ovarían changes were narrowly correlated with the variations in the gonadotrope population.

Nothura maculosa es un tinámido sudamericano que presenta marcada estacionalidad reproductiva. Este trabajo describe los cambios estacionales del ovario de esta especie, en relación con la población de gonadotropas (GTHs). Muestras de ovarios y pituitarias de ejemplares adultos fueron colectadas mensualmente durante cuatro años; se fijaron en solución de Bouin y procesadas para M.O. Los datos del peso gonadal posfijación fueron analizados usando STATISTIX 4.0. Los cortes de ovarios fueron coloreados con H/E, P.A.S. y Tricrómico de Goldner-Masson. En cortes de adenohipófisis se aplicó inmunocitoquímica simple y doble (sistema ABC, Vector Lab.), empleando anticuerpos anti-pollo FSH y anti-pollo LH. Las muestras se analizaron en períodos trimestrales de cada año (P): Pl: Marzo-Abril-Mayo (etapa de reposo), P2: Junio-Julio-Agosto (etapa de desarrollo), P3: Septiembre-Octubre-Noviembre (etapa reproductiva), P4: Diciembre-Enero-Febrero (etapa involutiva). El peso de los ovarios (PO) varió significativamente entre los periodos (p< 0.001). Durante Pl, sólo se observaron folículos primordiales y pre-vitelogénicos, PO 0.09 +/- 0.01 g (n=25); durante P2, se detectaron folículos en desarrollo con signos de vitelogénesis, PO 0.13+0.01 g (n=14); durante P3, se encontró máximo desarrollo folicular, PO 0.90+0.15 g (n=39); P4 exhibió gran variabilidad folicular, PO 0.18+0.18 g (n=19). La atresia involutiva se observó en todos los períodos, mientras que la atresia explosiva y los folículos postovulatorios caracterizaron a P3 y P4. Las GTHs conteniendo escasos granulos LH y FSH inmunoreactivos (ir) predominaron durante Pl y P2. Las GTHs con granulos LH¡> eran abundantes en la zona intermedia y en el lóbulo caudal en P3 y P4 mientras que escasas células contenían ambos tipos de granulos. El número de células FSH¡> se incrementó durante P3 y P4. Los cambios histológicos del ovario se correlacionaron estrechamente con las variaciones en la población de gonadotropas.

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Birds are often considered seed predators of less importance when compared to rodents or granivorous ants in studies of seed predation using selective exclosures. However, it is possible that the role of granivorous birds interacting with seeds on the floor of Neotropical forests is being underestimated, if the selective exclosures designed to allow exclusive access to small rodents do not work properly in the Neotropics. We used an experimental approach to evaluate whether birds could remove seeds from selective exclosures designed to allow exclusive access to rodents. We compared seed removal from two paired treatments in the field: an open treatment (control) allowing the access to all vertebrates, and a selective exclosure treatment, where seeds were placed under a cage staked to the ground and covered on top and on the laterals by wire mesh of varying sizes. Treatments were placed in the center of a sand quadrat in order to record the visit of vertebrates from their footprints. Although the selective exclosures are used to tell apart the small mammal seed removal from that of other animals, birds could persistently remove seeds from selective exclosures. Thus, the role of birds interacting with seeds on the floor of tropical forests may be underestimated for some plant species, due to an artifact of the exclosure method employed. Exclosures of 40 x 40 x 40 cm should be efficient to deter the removal of seeds by birds, allowing the consumption of the seeds by small mammals at the same time.

Aves são freqüentemente consideradas predadores de sementes de pouca importância, quando comparadas a roedores e formigas granívoras em estudos sobre predação de sementes que utilizam exclusões seletivas. Contudo, é possível que o papel de aves granívoras que interagem com sementes no solo de florestas Neotropicais vem sendo subestimado, se as exclusões seletivas usadas para permitir o acesso exclusivo a pequenos roedores não funcionam de forma apropriada no Neotrópico. Foi usada uma abordagem experimental para avaliar se aves poderiam remover sementes do interior de exclusões seletivas desenhadas para permitir acesso exclusivo a roedores. Comparou-se a remoção de sementes em dois tratamentos no campo: um tratamento aberto (controle) que permite o acesso a todos os vertebrados, e um tratamento de exclusão seletiva, no qual as sementes eram dispostas sob uma gaiola metálica fixada ao solo e recoberta por tela metálica de tamanhos variados. Os tratamentos foram dispostos no centro de uma parcela de areia de forma a registrar a visita de vertebrados por meio de pegadas. Embora as exclusões seletivas sejam usadas para estimar separadamente a remoção de sementes por pequenos mamíferos daquela praticada por outros animais, aves puderam remover sementes das exclusões seletivas. Assim, o papel de aves interagindo com sementes no solo de florestas tropicais pode estar sendo subestimado para algumas espécies de plantas, devido a um artefato do método de exclusão empregado. Exclusões de 40 x 40 x 40 cm devem ser eficientes para deter a remoção de sementes por aves, permitindo o consumo de sementes por pequenos mamíferos ao mesmo tempo.

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RESUMO

Birds are often considered seed predators of less importance when compared to rodents or granivorous ants in studies of seed predation using selective exclosures. However, it is possible that the role of granivorous birds interacting with seeds on the floor of Neotropical forests is being underestimated, if the selective exclosures designed to allow exclusive access to small rodents do not work properly in the Neotropics. We used an experimental approach to evaluate whether birds could remove seeds from selective exclosures designed to allow exclusive access to rodents. We compared seed removal from two paired treatments in the field: an open treatment (control) allowing the access to all vertebrates, and a selective exclosure treatment, where seeds were placed under a cage staked to the ground and covered on top and on the laterals by wire mesh of varying sizes. Treatments were placed in the center of a sand quadrat in order to record the visit of vertebrates from their footprints. Although the selective exclosures are used to tell apart the small mammal seed removal from that of other animals, birds could persistently remove seeds from selective exclosures. Thus, the role of birds interacting with seeds on the floor of tropical forests may be underestimated for some plant species, due to an artifact of the exclosure method employed. Exclosures of 40 x 40 x 40 cm should be efficient to deter the removal of seeds by birds, allowing the consumption of the seeds by small mammals at the same time.

Aves são freqüentemente consideradas predadores de sementes de pouca importância, quando comparadas a roedores e formigas granívoras em estudos sobre predação de sementes que utilizam exclusões seletivas. Contudo, é possível que o papel de aves granívoras que interagem com sementes no solo de florestas Neotropicais vem sendo subestimado, se as exclusões seletivas usadas para permitir o acesso exclusivo a pequenos roedores não funcionam de forma apropriada no Neotrópico. Foi usada uma abordagem experimental para avaliar se aves poderiam remover sementes do interior de exclusões seletivas desenhadas para permitir acesso exclusivo a roedores. Comparou-se a remoção de sementes em dois tratamentos no campo: um tratamento aberto (controle) que permite o acesso a todos os vertebrados, e um tratamento de exclusão seletiva, no qual as sementes eram dispostas sob uma gaiola metálica fixada ao solo e recoberta por tela metálica de tamanhos variados. Os tratamentos foram dispostos no centro de uma parcela de areia de forma a registrar a visita de vertebrados por meio de pegadas. Embora as exclusões seletivas sejam usadas para estimar separadamente a remoção de sementes por pequenos mamíferos daquela praticada por outros animais, aves puderam remover sementes das exclusões seletivas. Assim, o papel de aves interagindo com sementes no solo de florestas tropicais pode estar sendo subestimado para algumas espécies de plantas, devido a um artefato do método de exclusão empregado. Exclusões de 40 x 40 x 40 cm devem ser eficientes para deter a remoção de sementes por aves, permitindo o consumo de sementes por pequenos mamíferos ao mesmo tempo.