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Brian D. Peer - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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invasion of the emperor s Grackle
Ardeola, 2011Co-Authors: Brian D. PeerAbstract:Summary. The great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus was introduced by Aztec Emperor Auitzotl beyond its native range in 16th century Mexico. Haemig (2011) provides valuable details on the transport, introduction, establishment, and spread of this species. However, here I argue that while this is an interesting account of a historical bird translocation, this is not the reason why this species has undergone one of the greatest range expansions of any native North American species during the 20th century. Fossil records indicate that the species was already present in areas further north before this historical translocation. Moreover, it is a very plastic species and human commensal. Therefore, the northward expansion of this tropical species has been aided by anthropogenic habitat changes rather than a consequence of the active translocation by the Aztec Emperor Auitzotl.
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Phenotypic Plasticity in Common Crackles (Quiscalus quiscula) in Response to Repeated Brood Parasitism
The Auk, 2010Co-Authors: Brian D. PeerAbstract:ABSTRACT. Many North American bird species either accept or reject all Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) eggs, but the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is unusual in that it rejects a small proportion of experimentally introduced cowbird eggs. We tested whether individual Common Grackles and eight typical rejecter species were consistent in their responses by parasitizing nests a second time after initial cowbird eggs were ejected. We also assessed intraclutch variation in egg appearance in Common Grackles to determine whether it may influence phenotypic plasticity in rejection frequency. Rejections were recorded at 11.9% of 337 experimentally parasitized Common Grackle nests. Only 6 (33.3%) of 18 Common Grackles that ejected initial cowbird eggs also ejected a second experimentally added cowbird egg, however, which suggests that individuals that possess rejection behavior express it only 33.3% of the time. By contrast, the other eight rejecter species rejected between 91% and 100% of initial cowbi...
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Intraclutch Variation in Egg Appearance Constrains Rejection of Brown-Headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) Eggs in Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula)
The Auk, 2010Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Stephen I. Rothstein, Robert A. MccleeryAbstract:ABSTRACT. Variation in the appearance of eggs within a clutch has been hypothesized to decrease the likelihood of rejection of brood-parasite eggs, but tests of the hypothesis have produced mixed results among cuckoo (Cuculus canoras and Clamator glandarius) hosts. The hypothesis has not been tested in cowbird hosts because they typically show little intraspecific variation in responses to cowbird eggs. However, the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula) is unusual among potential hosts of the Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) because it shows both acceptance and rejection of cowbird eggs and it demonstrates high intraclutch variation in egg appearance, which makes it one of the few potential cowbird hosts suitable for a test of the intraclutch variation—host rejection hypothesis. We tested whether intraclutch variation in the appearance of Common Grackle eggs influenced the likelihood of egg rejection and found that Common Grackles with greater variation in intraclutch egg appearance were more likely to...
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First Record of Bronzed Cowbird Parasitism on the Great-tailed Grackle
The Wilson Bulletin, 2005Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Stephen I. Rothstein, James W. RiversAbstract:We report the first record of Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) parasitism on the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), which represents the 96th known host for this cowbird species. The record is based on a parasitized clutch, collected from Sinaloa, Mexico, in the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology. The clutch contained four Grackle eggs and one Bronzed Cowbird egg. This record is unusual because the Great-tailed Grackle is extremely intolerant of foreign eggs, ejecting them from their nests almost immediately. As the Bronzed Cowbird expands its range and is studied in greater depth, more hosts will undoubtedly be recorded.
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Fate of Grackle (Quiscalus SPP.) Defenses in the Absence of Brood Parasitism: Implications for Long-Term Parasite-Host Coevolution
The Auk, 2004Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Spencer G SealyAbstract:Abstract We tested Grackles (Quiscalus spp.) to determine whether they retain egg rejection behavior in the absence of the selection pressure of brood parasitism. Neither Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) nor Brown-headed Cowbird (M. ater) parasitism was recorded in 797 Great-tailed Grackle (Q. mexicanus) nests. Cross-fostered Bronzed Cowbird nestlings, but not Brown-headed Cowbird nestlings, fledged from Great-tailed Grackle nests, indicating that Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism does not select for rejection in these Grackles. Great-tailed Grackle populations sympatric and allopatric with Bronzed Cowbirds rejected 100% of model cowbird eggs. An allopatric population of Boat-tailed Grackle (Q. major), a sister species of the Great-tailed Grackle, also rejected 100% of model eggs. Egg rejection in the Boat-tailed Grackle has apparently been retained in the absence of parasitism for as long as 800,000 years since it split from the Great-tailed Grackle. The Common Grackle (Q. quiscula), which lays the most variable eggs among the Grackles, also has the lowest level of egg rejection—which is consistent with the argument that it may have lost most of its rejection behavior in the absence of parasitism. With extreme intraclutch egg-variation, Common Grackles may be more likely to reject their own oddly colored eggs, which would select against rejection behavior in the absence of parasitism. Those results have significant implications for long-term parasite-host coevolution, because they suggest that egg rejection has been retained in most species of Quiscalus in the absence of parasitism. If typical of the world's avifauna, such retention may force brood parasites to specialize on a few host species and to rarely return to using old hosts, which would readily reject their eggs.
Spencer G Sealy - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Fate of Grackle (Quiscalus SPP.) Defenses in the Absence of Brood Parasitism: Implications for Long-Term Parasite-Host Coevolution
The Auk, 2004Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Spencer G SealyAbstract:Abstract We tested Grackles (Quiscalus spp.) to determine whether they retain egg rejection behavior in the absence of the selection pressure of brood parasitism. Neither Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) nor Brown-headed Cowbird (M. ater) parasitism was recorded in 797 Great-tailed Grackle (Q. mexicanus) nests. Cross-fostered Bronzed Cowbird nestlings, but not Brown-headed Cowbird nestlings, fledged from Great-tailed Grackle nests, indicating that Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism does not select for rejection in these Grackles. Great-tailed Grackle populations sympatric and allopatric with Bronzed Cowbirds rejected 100% of model cowbird eggs. An allopatric population of Boat-tailed Grackle (Q. major), a sister species of the Great-tailed Grackle, also rejected 100% of model eggs. Egg rejection in the Boat-tailed Grackle has apparently been retained in the absence of parasitism for as long as 800,000 years since it split from the Great-tailed Grackle. The Common Grackle (Q. quiscula), which lays the most variable eggs among the Grackles, also has the lowest level of egg rejection—which is consistent with the argument that it may have lost most of its rejection behavior in the absence of parasitism. With extreme intraclutch egg-variation, Common Grackles may be more likely to reject their own oddly colored eggs, which would select against rejection behavior in the absence of parasitism. Those results have significant implications for long-term parasite-host coevolution, because they suggest that egg rejection has been retained in most species of Quiscalus in the absence of parasitism. If typical of the world's avifauna, such retention may force brood parasites to specialize on a few host species and to rarely return to using old hosts, which would readily reject their eggs.
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Fate of Grackle (Quiscalus spp.) defenses in the absence of brood parasitism: Implications for long-term parasite-host coevolution
The Auk, 2004Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Spencer G SealyAbstract:Abstract We tested Grackles (Quiscalus spp.) to determine whether they retain egg rejection behavior in the absence of the selection pressure of brood parasitism. Neither Bronzed Cowbird (Molothrus aeneus) nor Brown-headed Cowbird (M. ater) parasitism was recorded in 797 Great-tailed Grackle (Q. mexicanus) nests. Cross-fostered Bronzed Cowbird nestlings, but not Brown-headed Cowbird nestlings, fledged from Great-tailed Grackle nests, indicating that Brown-headed Cowbird parasitism does not select for rejection in these Grackles. Great-tailed Grackle populations sympatric and allopatric with Bronzed Cowbirds rejected 100% of model cowbird eggs. An allopatric population of Boat-tailed Grackle (Q. major), a sister species of the Great-tailed Grackle, also rejected 100% of model eggs. Egg rejection in the Boat-tailed Grackle has apparently been retained in the absence of parasitism for as long as 800,000 years since it split from the Great-tailed Grackle. The Common Grackle (Q. quiscula), which lays the most ...
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INFREQUENT COWBIRD PARASITISM ON COMMON GrackleS REVISITED: NEW RECORDS FROM THE NORTHERN GREAT PLAINS
The Wilson Bulletin, 2001Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, H. Jeffrey Homan, Spencer G SealyAbstract:We report nine new records of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism on the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula): six from Benson County, North Dakota, and three from Delta Marsh, Manitoba. These observations represent 30% of the total number of records of parasitism on this host. Parasitism frequencies were 0.8% of 727 nests in North Dakota, and 4.0% of 75 nests in Manitoba. The data from Manitoba, combined with previous data from this location (Neudorf and Sealy 1994), yields a parasitism frequency of 3.4% of 119 nests examined. These parasitism frequencies are the highest recorded for the Common Grackle. Received 2 June 2000, accepted 2 February 2001.
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Conspecific brood parasitism and egg rejection in Great‐tailed Grackles
Journal of Avian Biology, 2000Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Spencer G SealyAbstract:In this study, we tested whether conspecific brood parasitism (CBP) has selected for egg rejection behavior in the colonial Great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus. No evidence of CBP was recorded at 797 Great-tailed Grackle nests, and we did not induce CBP by experimentally removing nests while Grackles were laying. We determined experimentally that Great-tailed Grackles are determinate layers, an attribute opposite to that sometimes associated with CBP. Despite the absence of CBP, Great-tailed Grackles rejected 8% of experimentally introduced conspecific eggs, rarely rejecting or damaging their own eggs. Conspecific eggs added to nests during incubation tended to be rejected more frequently than eggs switched between nests, and eggs that differed the most from the host's eggs tended to be rejected sooner. There was no relationship between rejection and the stage of the nest cycle when experimental parasitism occurred; however, eggs were rejected faster when added during the prelaying and incubation stages than during laying. Evidence suggests, therefore, that egg rejection behavior in Great-tailed Grackles has not evolved in response to CBP.
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Explanations for the infrequent cowbird parasitism on common Grackles
1997Co-Authors: Brian D. Peer, Spencer G Sealy, Jeffrey H. HomanAbstract:ABSTRACT.—We report nine new records of Brown-headed Cowbird (Molothrus ater) parasitism on the Common Grackle (Quiscalus quiscula): six from Benson County, North Dakota, and three from Delta Marsh, Manitoba. These observations represent 30 % of the total number of records of parasitism on this host. Parasitism frequencies were 0.8 % of 727 nests in North Dakota, and 4.0 % of 75 nests in Manitoba. The data from Manitoba, combined with previous data from this location (Neudorf and Sealy 1994), yields a parasitism frequency of 3.4 % of 119 nests examined. These parasitism frequencies are the highest recorded for the Common Grackle
Walter Wehtje - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Historic Genetic Structuring and Paraphyly Within the Great-Tailed Grackle
The Condor, 2008Co-Authors: Jeffrey M. Dacosta, Walter Wehtje, John KlickaAbstract:Abstract The Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) and Boat-tailed Grackle (Q. major) are sister species that have expanded their ranges during historical times. This expansion has created an area of sympatry between these species in Texas and Louisiana, and between distinctive Great-tailed Grackle subspecies in the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. We investigated the evolutionary histories of both species using mitochondrial DNA sequence data and modern phylogenetic methods. Our results reveal genetic structure within Great-tailed, but not Boat-tailed Grackles. Great-tailed Grackles are separated into two clades, but range expansion in the north has led to secondary contact between them. Boat-tailed Grackles are monophyletic and are embedded within the Great-tailed Grackle assemblage, rendering the latter paraphyletic. These results reveal a complex phylogeographic pattern caused by recent range expansion and secondary contact of once allopatric units.
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the range expansion of the great tailed Grackle quiscalus mexicanus gmelin in north america since 1880
Journal of Biogeography, 2003Co-Authors: Walter WehtjeAbstract:Aims This study aimed to document and describe the current range expansion of the great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus Gmelin) into the USA. By examining the habitat associations and pattern of spread of this species, I intended to determine the factors responsible for this remarkable expansion by a tropical species into a temperate environment. Location This study focused on the spread of the great-tailed Grackle in the continental USA, Canada and Baja California. Methods I used published records, museum specimens, and egg collections to document this range expansion from 1880 through 2002. In addition I surveyed large portions of Arizona, Nevada, southern Utah and southern California for great-tailed Grackles during 2000 and 2001. The data gathered was used to create maps in order to quantify the rate of spread of this species. Results Between 1880 and 2000 the great-tailed Grackle expanded its breeding range in the USA from c. 64,000 km2 to more than 3,561,000 km2, an increase of 5530%. The average annual rate of increase is 3.4%, but has lessened during the past 20 years. Northward movement in the eastern portion of the range has slowed down, reflecting this decrease. However, in the central and western portion of the species range, the rate of northward movement is still accelerating. During this expansion, the average time between first sighting in a state and first breeding was 5.8 years. The species has become less migratory during its range expansion, wintering in 17 of the 20 states where it breeds. Main conclusions This range expansion has been marked by great-tailed Grackles preferring human-modified environments as breeding grounds, especially in the western states. This association appears to benefit the species in two ways; nest predation is lessened in such areas compared with natural conditions, whereas human activities tend to generate an abundant and consistent food supply for feeding offspring. Wintering birds are often associated with cattle feed lots and large-scale dairies, where abundant waste grain provides them with a reliable food supply. Given the continued human population increase throughout large areas of the western USA, the great-tailed Grackle will continue its range expansion. Resumen Objetivo Este estudio tiene como objetivo documentar y describir la extencion de su expansion actual del Zanate Mayor (Quiscalus mexicanus Gmelin) dentro de Estados Unidos (USA). Examinando las asociaciones de habitat y patrones de desplazamiento de la especie, se intento determinar los factores responsables de la extraordinaria expansion de una especie subtropical dentro de un ambiente templado. Localizacion Este estudio se concentro en la expansion del Zanate Mayor en Estados Unidos continental, Canada y Baja California. Metodos Se uso registros publicados, especimenes de museo, y colecciones de huevos para documentar esta expansion en su distribucion desde 1880 hasta el 2000. Ademas durante el 2000 y 2001 se hicieron censos de una gran extension en Arizona, Nevada, el sur de Utah y el sur de California para ubicar individuos de Zanate Mayor. La informacion obtenida se uso para crear mapas para asi cuantificar el indice de expansion de la especie. Resultados Desde 1880, el Zanate Mayor ha expandido su extencion de nidificacion en USA desde aproximadamente 64,0000 Km2 a mas de 3,561,000 Km2 un crecimiento de 5,530%. El indice de promedio anual de crecimiento es 3.4% pero ha disminuido en los ultimos 20 anos. Hacia el norte y en la porcion este de su distribucion ha disminuido lo que se reflecta en esta disminucion. Si embargo en el centro y la parte oeste de su distribucion su movimiento hacia el norte sigue en crecimiento. Durante esta expansion en algun Estado, el promedio de tiempo entre el primer avistamiento y nidificacion fue 5.8 anos. La especie se a puesto mas sedentaria durante su expansion de rango, invernando en 17 de los 20 Estados donde nidifica. Conclusiones principales Esta expansion de distribucion del Zanate Mayor ha sido marcada por la preferencia de ambientes modificados por humanos como lugares de nidificacion especialmente en los estados del oeste. Esta asociacion aparentemente beneficia la especie en dos formas: la depredacion de nidos es menor en esas areas comparado con condiciones naturales, y ademas las diferentes actividades humanas tienden a producir una abundante y consistente fuente de alimento para alimentar a los pichones. Consistentemente en invierno los individuos estan asociados con corrales de vacuno y lecherias de gran envergadura, donde hay una abundante perdida de granos lo cual les permite una alimentacion segura y continua. Debido al gran crecimiento de la poblacion humana en grandes areas de los estados del oeste de USA, el Zanate Mayor probablemente continuara su expansion de distribucion.
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The range expansion of the great‐tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus Gmelin) in North America since 1880
Journal of Biogeography, 2003Co-Authors: Walter WehtjeAbstract:Aims This study aimed to document and describe the current range expansion of the great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus Gmelin) into the USA. By examining the habitat associations and pattern of spread of this species, I intended to determine the factors responsible for this remarkable expansion by a tropical species into a temperate environment. Location This study focused on the spread of the great-tailed Grackle in the continental USA, Canada and Baja California. Methods I used published records, museum specimens, and egg collections to document this range expansion from 1880 through 2002. In addition I surveyed large portions of Arizona, Nevada, southern Utah and southern California for great-tailed Grackles during 2000 and 2001. The data gathered was used to create maps in order to quantify the rate of spread of this species. Results Between 1880 and 2000 the great-tailed Grackle expanded its breeding range in the USA from c. 64,000 km2 to more than 3,561,000 km2, an increase of 5530%. The average annual rate of increase is 3.4%, but has lessened during the past 20 years. Northward movement in the eastern portion of the range has slowed down, reflecting this decrease. However, in the central and western portion of the species range, the rate of northward movement is still accelerating. During this expansion, the average time between first sighting in a state and first breeding was 5.8 years. The species has become less migratory during its range expansion, wintering in 17 of the 20 states where it breeds. Main conclusions This range expansion has been marked by great-tailed Grackles preferring human-modified environments as breeding grounds, especially in the western states. This association appears to benefit the species in two ways; nest predation is lessened in such areas compared with natural conditions, whereas human activities tend to generate an abundant and consistent food supply for feeding offspring. Wintering birds are often associated with cattle feed lots and large-scale dairies, where abundant waste grain provides them with a reliable food supply. Given the continued human population increase throughout large areas of the western USA, the great-tailed Grackle will continue its range expansion. Resumen Objetivo Este estudio tiene como objetivo documentar y describir la extencion de su expansion actual del Zanate Mayor (Quiscalus mexicanus Gmelin) dentro de Estados Unidos (USA). Examinando las asociaciones de habitat y patrones de desplazamiento de la especie, se intento determinar los factores responsables de la extraordinaria expansion de una especie subtropical dentro de un ambiente templado. Localizacion Este estudio se concentro en la expansion del Zanate Mayor en Estados Unidos continental, Canada y Baja California. Metodos Se uso registros publicados, especimenes de museo, y colecciones de huevos para documentar esta expansion en su distribucion desde 1880 hasta el 2000. Ademas durante el 2000 y 2001 se hicieron censos de una gran extension en Arizona, Nevada, el sur de Utah y el sur de California para ubicar individuos de Zanate Mayor. La informacion obtenida se uso para crear mapas para asi cuantificar el indice de expansion de la especie. Resultados Desde 1880, el Zanate Mayor ha expandido su extencion de nidificacion en USA desde aproximadamente 64,0000 Km2 a mas de 3,561,000 Km2 un crecimiento de 5,530%. El indice de promedio anual de crecimiento es 3.4% pero ha disminuido en los ultimos 20 anos. Hacia el norte y en la porcion este de su distribucion ha disminuido lo que se reflecta en esta disminucion. Si embargo en el centro y la parte oeste de su distribucion su movimiento hacia el norte sigue en crecimiento. Durante esta expansion en algun Estado, el promedio de tiempo entre el primer avistamiento y nidificacion fue 5.8 anos. La especie se a puesto mas sedentaria durante su expansion de rango, invernando en 17 de los 20 Estados donde nidifica. Conclusiones principales Esta expansion de distribucion del Zanate Mayor ha sido marcada por la preferencia de ambientes modificados por humanos como lugares de nidificacion especialmente en los estados del oeste. Esta asociacion aparentemente beneficia la especie en dos formas: la depredacion de nidos es menor en esas areas comparado con condiciones naturales, y ademas las diferentes actividades humanas tienden a producir una abundante y consistente fuente de alimento para alimentar a los pichones. Consistentemente en invierno los individuos estan asociados con corrales de vacuno y lecherias de gran envergadura, donde hay una abundante perdida de granos lo cual les permite una alimentacion segura y continua. Debido al gran crecimiento de la poblacion humana en grandes areas de los estados del oeste de USA, el Zanate Mayor probablemente continuara su expansion de distribucion.
Nicholas Komar - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Reduced West Nile Virus Transmission Around Communal Roosts of Great-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus)
EcoHealth, 2015Co-Authors: Nicholas Komar, James M. Colborn, Kalanthe Horiuchi, Mark Delorey, Brad Biggerstaff, Dan Damian, Kirk Smith, John TownsendAbstract:West Nile virus has caused several outbreaks among humans in the Phoenix metropolitan area (Arizona, southwest USA) within the last decade. Recent ecologic studies have implicated Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex tarsalis as the mosquito vectors and identified three abundant passerine birds—great-tailed Grackle ( Quiscalus mexicanus ), house sparrow ( Passer domesticus ), and house finch ( Haemorhous mexicanus )—as key amplifiers among vertebrates. Nocturnal congregations of certain species have been suggested as critical for late summer West Nile virus amplification. We evaluated the hypothesis that house sparrow ( P. domesticus ) and/or great-tailed Grackle ( Q. mexicanus ) communal roost sites ( n = 22 and n = 5, respectively) in a primarily suburban environment were spatially associated with West Nile virus transmission indices during the 2010 outbreak of human neurological disease in metropolitan Phoenix. Spatial associations between human case residences and communal roosts were non-significant for house sparrows, and were negative for great-tailed Grackle. Several theories that explain these observations are discussed, including the possibility that Grackle communal roosts are protective.
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Avian Hosts of West Nile Virus in Arizona
The American journal of tropical medicine and hygiene, 2013Co-Authors: Nicholas Komar, Nicholas A. Panella, Ginger Young, Aaron C. Brault, Craig LevyAbstract:West Nile virus (WNV) causes sporadic outbreaks of human encephalitis in Phoenix, Arizona. To identify amplifying hosts of WNV in the Phoenix area, we blood-sampled resident birds and measured antibody prevalence following an outbreak in the East Valley of metropolitan Phoenix during summer, 2010. House sparrow (Passer domesticus), house finch (Haemorhous mexicanus), great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus), and mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) accounted for most WNV infections among locally resident birds. These species roost communally after early summer breeding. In September 2010, Culex vector-avian host contact was 3-fold greater at communal bird roosts compared with control sites, as determined by densities of resting mosquitoes with previous vertebrate contact (i.e., blood-engorged or gravid mosquitoes). Because of the low competence of mourning doves, these were consid- ered weak amplifiers but potentially effective free-ranging sentinels. Highly competent sparrows, finches, and Grackles were predicted to be key amplifying hosts for WNV in suburban Phoenix.
Paul D. Haemig - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Aztec introduction of the great-tailed Grackle in ancient Mesoamerica: Formal defense of the Sahaguntine historical account
NeoBiota, 2014Co-Authors: Paul D. HaemigAbstract:The historical account of Aztec Emperor Auitztol’s introduction of the great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus into the Valley of Mexico (1486–1502) is significant because it documents human translocation of wild birds in Mexico over 500 years ago, before the Spanish Conquest of that land. In the present paper, which defends the account from writings that dispute it, I first review the evidence of how the account was obtained and show that its many details are consistent with what is known from other sources about both the great-tailed Grackle and the Aztecs (Nahuas). I then review and examine all published criticisms of the account and explain in detail why they are wrong. The critics have to date presented no persuasive evidence to support their speculation that the Aztecs confused, or might have confused, a natural invasion for an introduction. In contrast to these critics, Bernardino de Sahagun’s research group in the 1500s presented a highly credible, peer-reviewed historical account that documented Aztec introduction of the great-tailed Grackle. The pioneering work of these Renaissance Mexican scholars continues to stand as one of the most important records of invasive alien species introduction in ancient times.
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Introduction of the Great-Tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) by Aztec Emperor Auitzotl: Provenance of the Historical Account
The Auk, 2012Co-Authors: Paul D. HaemigAbstract:ABSTRACT. The introduction of the Great-tailed Grackle (Quiscalus mexicanus) into the Valley of Mexico by Aztec Emperor Auitzotl (1486–1502) is the earliest documented case of human-mediated bird introduction in the Western Hemisphere. I investigated the origin of the account of this ancient translocation and the team that collected it: Bernardino de Sahagun's research group of elite native scholars from the Royal College of the Holy Cross, Tlatelolco. These scholars, the top academic research group in 16th-century Mexico, used expert native consultants as sources of information and an early form of peer review to detect errors and omissions. The account first appears in extant drafts written by the research group during its field work in Tlatelolco (1561–1565), 59–79 years after Auitzotl introduced the Grackles. The account then successfully passed through peer review in Tenochtitlan before being added to the Florentine Codex. The research group was composed of graduates, professors, and an administrator...
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Introduction of the Great-Tailed Grackle by Aztec Emperor Auitzotl: Four-Stage Analysis with New Information
Ardeola, 2011Co-Authors: Paul D. HaemigAbstract:Summary. The introduction of the great-tailed Grackle Quiscalus mexicanus into the Valley of Mexico by Aztec Emperor Auitzotl during the years 1486–1502, is the earliest documented case of exotic bird introduction in the western hemisphere. This translocation was intensively managed and involved at least three different human interventions: (1) capture and transport of Grackles to the Aztec capital, followed by release there, (2) supplemental feeding and (3) protection from human harassment and predation. Here I present new details of this ancient translocation gleaned from extant sixteenth-century manuscripts, and review what is known about each of the four stages of the introduction. The Grackles were brought from more than one locality north of the Rio de la Antigua (Gulf Coast region). After release at Tenochtitlan and Tlatelolco, they multiplied and dispersed. By 1577, they had spread more than 20 leagues, invading even areas between the Aztec capital and their native range. Complete protection of th...
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Ecology and Ethnobiology of the Slender-billed Grackle Quiscalus palustris
Journal of Ornithology, 2009Co-Authors: Paul D. HaemigAbstract:A renaissance-era encyclopedia compiled by Fray Bernardino de Sahagun and his research group of elite native scholars from the Royal College of the Holy Cross, Tlatelolco, Valley of Mexico, provides new information on the Slender-billed Grackle (Quiscalus palustris), a bird that disappeared before modern field studies of it could be made. In sixteenth-century Mexico, this Grackle nested in emergent aquatic vegetation and in towns. It was abundant, went around in flocks, and did great damage in the maize crop. Although normally not eaten by humans, it was exploited for its feathers and sacrificed to the Aztec fire god. The Slender-billed Grackle inhabited both the Valley of Mexico and the Valley of Toluca. It was found in marshes, but the degree to which it was dependent on marsh habitats is unknown. Edward Alphonso Goldman, who saw living Slender-billed Grackles in the field, declined to call this bird a marsh specialist. Three records exist of Slender-billed Grackles and Great-tailed Grackles (Quiscalus mexicanus) inhabiting the same locality during the same time period. The author recommends that searches for this Grackle be expanded to include non-marsh habitats and areas outside its known historical range.
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Ecology and Ethnobiology of the Slender-billed Grackle
Journal für Ornithologie = Journal of Ornithology, 2009Co-Authors: Paul D. HaemigAbstract:A renaissance-era encyclopedia compiled by Fray Bernardino de Sahagun and his research group of elite native scholars from the Royal College of the Holy Cross, Tlatelolco, Valley of Mexico, provides new information on the Slender-billed Grackle (), a bird that disappeared before modern field studies of it could be made. In sixteenth-century Mexico, this Grackle nested in emergent aquatic vegetation and in towns. It was abundant, went around in flocks, and did great damage in the maize crop. Although normally not eaten by humans, it was exploited for its feathers and sacrificed to the Aztec fire god. The Slender-billed Grackle inhabited both the Valley of Mexico and the Valley of Toluca. It was found in marshes, but the degree to which it was dependent on marsh habitats is unknown. Edward Alphonso Goldman, who saw living Slender-billed Grackles in the field, declined to call this bird a marsh specialist. Three records exist of Slender-billed Grackles and Great-tailed Grackles () inhabiting the same locality during the same time period. The author recommends that searches for this Grackle be expanded to include non-marsh habitats and areas outside its known historical range.
