Mike R. Perrin

Diet of the Cape Parrot, Poicephalus robustus, in Afromontane forests in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Cape Parrots, Poicephalus robustus, occur in Podocarpus (yellow-wood) Afromontane forest patches from the Eastern Cape to southern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. They are food nomadics moving locally between forest patches in search of food, and occasionally make long foraging forays. Cape Parrots are dietary specialists feeding primarily an endocarps of Podocarpus species, but also occasionally feed on other forest fruits. Seasonal changes in food species eaten reflected the changing availability of fruits.

Abundance and activity patterns of the Cape parrot ( Poicephalus robustus ) in two afromontane forests in South Africa

Behaviour, movements and numbers of the rare Cape parrot (Poicephalus robustus) were investigated at two study sites to assess its conservation status and as the basis for an action plan for their conservation. Birds flew regularly to and from nearby forests and were observed arriving at a feeding site (Hlabeni) from roosting sites in the morning. Numbers varied monthly and seasonally between the sites. Mean monthly (±SE) number of birds observed daily was 21.8 ± 2.5 (n = 45) but ranged from 0–80. Activity was bimodal: it commenced at sunrise, lasted several hours, and was followed by inactivity through mid-day; activity recommenced a few hours before sunset and continued until sunset. Activity reflected changing day length. Causes of localized movements included food and water availability, and in summer some birds fed in fruit orchards. The relevance of counts of Cape parrots for the conservation of this species is reviewed.

Breeding biology of the Cape Parrot, Poicephalus robustus

Breeding biology and nesting requirements of Cape Parrots in their natural habitat and in captivity were investigated. Few nests were found, suggesting that nest-sites are limiting, and that the parrots have specific nesting requirements. Nests were secondary cavities in dead Podocarpus spp. (branches), high up in forest canopy trees. Breeding usually occurred from August to February, but was observed in other months, particularly in captive birds. Clutch size varied from 2–5, incubation was by the female and lasted 28–30 days, with fledging a further 55–79 days. In captive birds the ovaries are mature at 2.5 years, but age at first breeding is usually at 4–6 years.

Twenty-two polymorphic microsatellite loci aimed at detecting illegal trade in the Cape parrot, Poicephalus robustus (Psittacidae, AVES).

Twenty‐two polymorphic microsatellite loci were characterized in the Cape parrot, Poicephalus robustus. Nineteen loci were newly isolated from two Cape parrot genomic libraries, and three loci isolated from other parrot species. Loci were characterized in 40 unrelated captive Cape parrots held by aviculturalists. The loci displayed between two and 24 alleles, with the observed heterozygosities ranging between 0.10 and 0.94. This locus set is suitable for identifying clarifying parentage (parentage exclusion probabilities of PE1 = 0.0004 and PE2 = 0.000001). Candidate parents for any Cape parrot individual can now be genotyped to distinguish between individuals, which are truly captive bred and those suspected of being wild‐caught birds. Cross‐species analysis found up to 31 loci to be polymorphic across 24 additional parrot species tested.

Patterns of daily activity of Meyer's Parrot (Poicephalus meyeri) in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

Abstract Most parrots from Africa, Australasia and the Neotropics have bimodal patterns of daily activity owing to physiological restrictions (e.g. crop-size) and climatic constraints (e.g. seasonal fluctuations in temperature and rainfall). We monitored the daily patterns of flight, feeding and non-feeding activities of Meyers Parrots (Poicephalus meyeri) over 24 months at two study sites for correlation with climatic conditions, availability of food, and mean rates of protein and energy acquisition from these food resources. Feeding activity between 0830 and 1100 hours was likely to be obligate, whereas feeding between 1600 and 1830 hours was seasonally needed to achieve daily protein requirements. This weak bimodality was supported by daily nutritional requirements and midday digestive restrictions (e.g. fixed crop-size). Feeding activity patterns of Meyers Parrots at population level were significantly influenced by high and low temperatures throughout the year. A bimodal pattern of daily flight-activity was, however, a function of communal roosting and dispersal for foraging as central-place foragers. The patterns of daily activity of other parrots that rely on seeds may also be constrained by similar physiological, behavioural and climatic factors. Counting Meyers Parrots in the late morning, between 0830 and 1100 hours, would yield the highest minimum population estimate for a given area.

Two Unsuccessful Reintroduction Attempts of Rock Hyraxes (Procavia capensis) into a Reserve in the KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

Rock hyraxes (Procavia capensis) are categorized as ‘Least Concern’ in the 2008 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In South Africa they were once listed as vermin in the old Cape Province due to their high population numbers and Impact on grazing. However, about 10 years ago, populations in the KwaZulu-Natal province became locally extinct. This resulted in the recent reintroductions of rock hyraxes, purchased at annual wildlife auctions in the province. Success of these reintroductions was unknown as there had been no post-release monitoring. This study determined the success of reintroducing rock hyraxes, using two source populations, namely rock hyraxes that had been in captivity for 16 months (n = 17) and those from the wild (n = 9). Captive rock hyraxes did not have site fidelity after release and after three months could not be found. All wild rock hyraxes, except one whose fate is unknown, were found dead within 18 days of release. One had an accidental death while the rest were preyed upon. In conclusion, the reintroduction of captive and wild rock hyraxes likely failed due to predation. This may have been a consequence of group disintegration, probably as a result of incorrect group composition, captive stress, and type of release. Suggestions to improve the success of future rock hyrax reintroductions are provided.

Molecular Systematics of the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus): Implications for Taxonomy and Conservation

The taxonomic position of the Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus robustus) has been the focus of much debate. A number of authors suggest that the Cape Parrot should be viewed as a distinct species separate from the other two P. robustus subspecies (P. r. fuscicollis and P. r. suahelicus). These recommendations were based on morphological, ecological, and behavioural assessments. In this study we investigated the validity of these recommendations using multilocus DNA analyses. We genotyped 138 specimens from five Poicephalus species (P. cryptoxanthus, P. gulielmi, P. meyeri, P. robustus, and P. rueppellii) using 11 microsatellite loci. Additionally, two mitochondrial (cytochrome oxidase I gene and 16S ribosomal RNA) and one nuclear intron (intron 7 of the β-fibrinogen gene) markers were amplified and sequenced. Bayesian clustering analysis and pairwise FST analysis of microsatellite data identified P. r. robustus as genetically distinct from the other P. robustus subspecies. Phylogenetic and molecular clock analyses on sequence data also supported the microsatellite analyses, placing P. r. robustus in a distinct clade separate from the other P. robustus subspecies. Molecular clock analysis places the most recent common ancestor between P. r. robustus and P. r. fuscicollis / P. r. suahelicus at 2.13 to 2.67 million years ago. Our results all support previous recommendations to elevate the Cape Parrot to species level. This will facilitate better planning and implementation of international and local conservation management strategies for the Cape Parrot.

The Gastrointestinal Anatomy of the Lesser Bamboo Lemur, Hapalemur griseus, with Comments on Digestive Function

The stomach of the lesser bamboo lemur is unspecialized whereas the caecum and colon are large and sacculated; most likely to accommodate a symbiotic microflora for the digestion of a diet high in insoluble fibre.

The effect of bill structure on seed selection and handling ability of five species of granivorous birds

Abstract The relationships between bill morphology and seed characteristics (size and nutrients) with regard to feeding were investigated in five species of bird belonging to three families of granivorous passerines (Estrildidae, Ploceidae, Passeridae): Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullatus), Cape Sparrow (Passer melanurus), Red Bishop (Euplectes orix) and Thick-billed Weaver (Amblyospiza albifrons) and the Bengalese Finch (Lonchura domestica). Birds husked all seeds (Japanese millet, white millet, red manna seed, canary seed, red sorghum and black niger) before ingestion. Monocotyledonous seeds were handled significantly faster than dicotyledenous seeds, and spherical seeds faster than elongate seeds. Handling time also increased with the size of seeds. Birds with medium-sized bills (Cape Sparrows) were most effective in husking most species of seeds. Birds with the smallest bills (Bronze Mannikin and Bengalese Finch) husked the smallest seeds fastest while birds with the largest bills (Thick-billed Weaver) husked the largest seeds fastest. Handling time was affected by size and shape of seeds and bill structure. However, handling time and nutritional intake rate did not determine seed selection. Japanese millet was the preferred seed type for all five bird species although it provided fewer calories per seed and less protein than other seeds. Results suggest that nutrition is less important than morphological traits of seeds: birds generally selected food items that were easiest to handle and could be processed faster, thereby gaining nutrients quickly.

Characterisation of 14 blue crane Grus paradisea (Gruidae, AVES) microsatellite loci for use in detecting illegal trade

Forty-two unique microsatellite loci were isolated from an unenriched and a tetranucleotide-enriched blue crane (Grus paradisea) genomic library. Fourteen polymorphic loci were characterised in 20 unrelated wild blue crane individuals from the Karoo region, South Africa, and displayed 4–27 alleles with observed heterozygosities ranging between 0.50 and 0.95. All 14 loci were also polymorphic in the grey-crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) and the wattled crane (Grus carunculatus). These markers are aimed at assisting the identification of illegal trade in the blue crane but have wider population and conservation applications for most, if not all, crane species.