To limit the impact of invasive predator species on the ecosystem of Floreana Island, Galapagos, a large-scale rodent eradication program was implemented. Due to the significant risk of secondary exposure to rodenticide, a mitigation tactic was used to protect the only native raptor found on Floreana, the Galapagos short-eared owl (Asio flammeus galapagoensis). A large proportion of the owl population was brought into human care in July 2023 with the goal to release back to the wild following the completion of the eradication program and reduction of the risk of exposure to rodenticides. During this time under human care, health examinations including blood collection for assessment of haematology and biochemistry parameters were completed. Descriptions of leukocyte morphology and population-based reference intervals (RI) are reported here utilizing results from 62 clinically healthy adults. Sex was determined using polymerase chain reaction, allowing for comparisons between males (n = 29) and females (n = 33). Statistically significant differences were found for several parameters: packed cell volume, relative and absolute monocyte counts, total protein, calcium and phosphorus levels were higher in females, while uric acid and glucose levels were significantly higher in males. These baseline RI are an important tool for assessment of this unique population while under human care, and will allow for comparisons and continued health monitoring after release back to the island of Floreana.

Agricultural landscapes hold great potential for biodiversity conservation; however, this will require finding solutions that work for both people and nature. Increasingly, the conservation community is calling for more cross-disciplinary research integrating ecological questions with social and behavioural sciences for a more complete and successful approach to conservation. Here, we used a mixed methods approach, including 53 in-person interviews, to examine how small-scale farmers in the Galapagos Islands perceive landbirds and their ecosystem (dis)services. We also studied farmers' motivations and hesitations in planting native trees on their farms, an action that was identified to be critical for landbird conservation in Galapagos in previous ecological studies. We found that all native landbirds provided important cultural ecosystem services (CES) to farmers, with some variation between species. We also found that perceptions around pest control and pollination services were more variable and that landbirds were generally highly liked, even those who provided disservices such as crop damage. Most farmers were willing to plant native and endemic trees on their farms, although typically only in small quantities. Farmers' main motivations for planting trees were instrumental (e.g. shade/freshness), while their primary hesitation was a perceived lack of space on their farms. The main predictor of willingness was the prior presence of native trees on their farm. Synthesis and applications: Our results suggest tree-planting conservation efforts should be adaptive, context-dependent, and leverage incentives and community events for farmers. As a starting point, we recommend working with larger farms and with farmers interested in agrotourism for farmland restoration, recognizing that birdwatching has untapped potential in Galapagos. We further suggest focusing conservation messaging for the local community on the CES we identify for specific Galapagos landbirds, since CES are linked to people's motivations to care for nature. Finally, more research is needed to explore what 'Galapagos identity' means since we found it to be associated with farmers' landbird perspectives and willingness to plant trees, and self-identity can drive pro-environmental behaviours. We also recommend more research to understand the pest control services landbirds may be providing, if any, in the agricultural zone.Read the free for this article on the Journal blog. Existe un gran potencial para la conservaci & oacute;n de la biodiversidad en los paisajes agropecuarios, pero esto requerir & aacute; encontrar soluciones que funcionen tanto para las personas como para la naturaleza. La comunidad conservacionista exige m & aacute;s investigaciones interdisciplinarias que integren la ecolog & iacute;a con ciencias sociales para lograr un enfoque m & aacute;s completo y exitoso para la conservaci & oacute;n. Aqu & iacute;, hemos usado m & eacute;todos mixtos, incluyendo 53 encuestas presenciales, para entender mejor las percepciones de productores/as en las islas Gal & aacute;pagos, sobre las aves terrestres y la provisi & oacute;n de los servicios y diservicios ecosist & eacute;micos en la producci & oacute;n agropecuaria. Tambi & eacute;n estudiamos las motivaciones y preocupaciones de las y los productores para plantar & aacute;rboles end & eacute;micos y nativos en sus fincas, una acci & oacute;n que fue identificada como cr & iacute;tica para la conservaci & oacute;n de aves en Gal & aacute;pagos en estudios ecol & oacute;gicos previos. Descubrimos que todas las aves nativas brindan servicios ecosist & eacute;micos culturales importantes a las y los productores, y que estos var & iacute;an entre especies. Tambi & eacute;n descubrimos que las percepciones en torno a la polinizaci & oacute;n y el control de plagas eran m & aacute;s variables y que las aves en general eran apreciadas, incluso aquellas que causaban perjuicios como da & ntilde;o a los cultivos. La mayor & iacute;a de las y los productores estaban dispuestos a sembrar & aacute;rboles end & eacute;micos y nativos en sus fincas, aunque s & oacute;lo en peque & ntilde;as cantidades. Las principales motivaciones para plantar & aacute;rboles son los beneficios que aportar & iacute;an como sombra y frescura, y la principal preocupaci & oacute;n fue la disponibilidad limitada de tierra. El principal predictor de la disposici & oacute;n fue si el agricultor ya ten & iacute;a & aacute;rboles nativos en su finca. Nuestros resultados indican que los esfuerzos de restauraci & oacute;n deben ser adaptativos y considerar el contexto espec & iacute;fico de cada finca. Tambi & eacute;n sugieren que el uso de incentivos y la organizaci & oacute;n de eventos comunitarios son importantes para las y los productores. Para empezar, recomendamos trabajar con fincas m & aacute;s grandes que disponen del espacio necesario y con productores interesados en el agroturismo, reconociendo que la ornitolog & iacute;a tiene un gran potencial en Gal & aacute;pagos, el cual podr & iacute;a ser mejor aprovechado. Sugerimos centrar mensajes de conservaci & oacute;n para la comunidad local en los servicios ecosist & eacute;micos culturales que identificamos para las especies de aves preferidas, dado que estos servicios ecosist & eacute;micos culturales est & aacute;n vinculados a las motivaciones de las personas para cuidar de la naturaleza. Finalmente, se necesitan m & aacute;s estudios para comprender mejor la "identidad Galapague & ntilde;o/a" ya que encontramos que est & aacute; asociada con las perspectivas de los productores sobre las aves terrestres y su disposici & oacute;n a plantar & aacute;rboles. Tambi & eacute;n recomendamos estudios para comprender mejor los servicios de control de plagas proporcionado por las aves en la zona agropecuaria.

El Pequeño Pájaro Brujo Pyrocephalus nanus ha sufrido un fuerte declive poblacional en la isla Santa Cruz. Menos de 40 individuos persisten en los remanentes de bosques húmedos dentro del Parque Nacional Galápagos. Estudios previos han identificado que la mosca vampiro aviar (Philornis downsi), cambios de recursos alimenticios y la alteración del hábitat amenazan a esta especie. En Santa Cruz, las plantas invasoras podrían estar afectando fuertemente al éxito reproductivo de P. nanus porque limitan la accesibilidad a presas cerca del suelo, nicho preferido de esta especie. Desde 2019, se restauró la vegetación en siete cuadrantes de 1 ha, en los cuales se removió la mora invasiva y otras plantas introducidas. En este estudio comparamos el forrajeo y la altura de percha, formación de parejas, tiempo de incubación y éxito reproductivo entre áreas con manejo y sin manejo. Encontramos que la altura de forrajeo y altura de percha son significativamente más bajas en áreas con manejo (vegetación invasora removida), que en áreas sin manejo. En 2020, la tasa de fracasos diarios en nidos con huevos no difirió entre los tipos de manejo; sin embargo, en 2021 fue significativamente más baja en áreas manejadas. la tasa de fracasos durante el estado de empolle fue similar en ambos tipos de manejo en 2020, pero en 2021 solo los nidos en áreas con manejo llegaron a empollamiento. El tiempo de incubación también fue mayor en áreas con manejo. Gracias al manejo aplicado en los territorios de P. nanus no se registraron nidos abandonados en etapas tempranas de incubación y el éxito reproductivo fue significativamente mayor en comparación con áreas sin manejo. Esto influye positivamente en la recuperación de esta pequeña población. Es necesario mantener esta restauración a largo plazo hasta que la población de P. nanus se estabilice o incluso que incremente.

La avifauna de Floreana, una de las cuatro islas habitadas de Galápagos, está afectada por diversas especies invasoras. Con la erradicación de mamíferos en 2023 se ha eliminado la depredación de huevos por ratas, principal causa del fracaso de nidos de aves terrestres. El segundo factor de fracaso es el parasitismo por larvas de la mosca vampiro aviar (Philornis downsi). Un método para reducir la carga de parásitos es la técnica de auto-fumigación, comprobada en la isla Santa Cruz, donde las aves llevaron al nido materiales rociados con un insecticida (PermaCap CS). En 2024, probamos por primera vez en Floreana este método a gran escala. Instalamos 90 dispensadores con cinco materiales, tratados con Permacap y los monitoreamos durante 7 semanas. Cada 2 semanas se rellenaban los dispensadores con materiales y se rociaban los materiales con el insecticida. Al finalizar el monitoreo se recogieron los nidos y se desmantelaron en búsqueda de P. downsi y de material de los dispensadores. En 63% de los nidos de Canario María Setophaga petechia aureola, Pinzón Pequeño de Tierra Geospiza fuliginosa, Pinzón Pequeño de Árbol Camarhynchus parvulus y Pinzón Mediano de Árbol C. pauper se encontró material tratado; además, se observó que el Papamoscas de Galápagos Myiarchus magnirostris, que anida en cavidades, recogía plumas de los dispensadores. En el caso de las dos especies de Camarhynchus, solo el 50% de los nidos tenían material y la mayoría de veces era muy poco para reducir el número de larvas de P. downsi. En el caso de S. petechia aureola, se recolectaron suficientes nidos con y sin material para comparar la incidencia de parásitos, la cual fue menor en los nidos con material tratado. Los ajustes futuros podrían incluir cambios en las características de diseño para facilitar la entrega de material a un mayor número de aves.

La mosca Philornis downsi se introdujo accidentalmente en las islas Galápagos en la década de 1960. Esta mosca parásita pone sus huevos en los nidos de aves y sus larvas se alimentan de la sangre y los tejidos de los polluelos provocando anemia, reducción de crecimiento, mortalidad o reducción de la supervivencia tras la salida del nido. Para los pinzones de árbol Camarhynchus spp. y el Pequeño Pájaro Brujo Pyrocephalus nanus, el parasitismo por la mosca vampiro aviar es la principal amenaza, por lo cual intervenir es urgente. Investigaciones anteriores han demostrado que la inyección de larvicidas en la base de los nidos reduce la carga parasitaria, pero requiere mucha mano de obra y experiencia. Un método alternativo es la técnica Spritz, que consiste en rociar el exterior del nido con un insecticida durante la fase intermedia de incubación, para evitar que las moscas adultas pongan huevos en su interior. En las temporadas de lluvia (enero–mayo) de 2023 y 2024 probamos este método en tres especies de aves: Pinzón Pequeño de Tierra Geospiza fuliginosa, Pinzón Pequeño de Árbol Camarhynchus parvulus y Pinzón Cantor Certhidea olivacea en bosques de Scalesia en la isla Santa Cruz. Usamos concentraciones del insecticida Permacap a 0,5% y 1%. Las dos concentraciones de Permacap resultaron eficaces para reducir significativamente la intensidad de parásitos y aumentar el éxito de reproducción. Dado que el tratamiento con el concentrado más alto provocó que algunos pinzones abandonaran sus nidos, especialmente C. olivacea, recomendamos usar la concentración más baja. Este método también podría aplicarse para proteger a otros pinzones más grandes y amenazados, como el Pinzón de Manglar Camarhynchus heliobates y el Pinzón Mediano de Árbol C. pauper.

The invasive parasitic nest fly Philornis downsi poses a severe threat to the conservation of Galapagos’ endemic landbirds, including Darwin’s finches. Therefore, the development of effective stop-gap methods is required to mitigate its harmful impact until long-term solutions are found. This study aims to enhance the usability of two insecticide-based control methods designed to reduce fly infestation: 1) Self-fumigation during which birds incorporate insecticide-treated nesting material into their nests, and 2) the Spritz technique, which involves spraying insecticide around the nest entrance to prevent female flies from entering nests to lay eggs. To improve the efficacy and broaden the applicability of self-fumigation across species, we tested the effects of two insecticides using this method (Cyromazine and Permacap CS®) on per-nest P. downsi abundance and fledging success in three Darwin’s finch species, Small Ground-finch (Geospiza fuliginosa), Small Tree-finch (Camarhynchus parvulus), and Green Warbler-finch (Certhidea olivacea). We employed a stepwise approach to optimize method efficacy through variation in the insecticide used and its dosage, dispenser setup, and the type of material offered to birds. Cyromazine was effective in reducing P. downsi abundance, but did not result in increased fledging success. Permacap-treated materials at 0.5% and 1% concentrations significantly increased fledging success. Four nesting materials offered in dispensers placed 4 m high were widely accepted by Darwin’s finches. For the Spritz technique, we also tested the effects of the two Permacap concentrations on P. downsi abundance and fledging success over two consecutive breeding seasons. Using a novel, lightweight, and pole-compatible spraying device with 0.5% Permacap, fledging success improved significantly across all tested finch species, while minimizing nest abandonment risk. These methods offer immediate, effective solutions for P. downsi control, and for improving fledging success in Darwin’s finches, potentially reducing extinction risks for some of the Galapagos’ most threatened species, and marking a critical step in preserving the archipelago’s unique avian diversity.

The Galapagos archipelago in the Eastern Tropical Pacific is known for its isolation, island endemism, and rapid diversification. Despite considerable scientific research many groups remain poorly studied. One of these groups is the genus Pyrocephalus, a group of brightly-colored and charismatic flycatchers whose populations have declined significantly in recent decades. To study the evolution and diversification of Pyrocephalus, we used samples from 53 individuals across 11 Galapagos Islands (Pyrocephalus dubius and P. nanus) and a continental outgroup (P. obscurus) and reconstructed a phylogeny using 233,916 genome-wide SNPs. The data revealed that Pyrocephalus colonized Galapagos earlier than previously estimated, approximately 1.3 million years ago (MYA), and diversified into at least eight genetically distinct clades. These include P. dubius, a species endemic to San Cristobal Island, now extinct, and P. nanus across the remaining islands. The P. nanus population on Floreana Island has been isolated for at least 1.2 MYA, along with additional divergent groups from Santa Cruz, Pinzon + Rabida, Isabela + Fernandina, Santiago, Marchena and Pinta, which have each been isolated for 0.89-0.15 million years. Morphometric, plumage and acoustic comparisons corroborate many of these genetic clades. Specifically for Santa Cruz Island, population genetic analyses indicate a significant reduction in nucleotide diversity, but no evidence of inbreeding, suggesting a minimal recent migration and rapid population decline. Our data on genetic diversification are critical for identifying evolutionary distinct populations and guiding translocations to restore extirpated or diminished island populations.

Las especies invasoras en ecosistemas insulares, como las islas Galápagos, pueden tener consecuencias devastadoras, debido a que son una de las principales amenazas para su biodiversidad. La erradicación de especies invasoras mediante cebos envenenados ha sido una estrategia ampliamente utilizada en Galápagos. En 2023, se realizó un programa de envenenamiento masivo de roedores en la isla Floreana utilizando brodifacoum, un rodenticida anticoagulante que puede afectar a especies “no objetivo” por envenenamiento primario o secundario. Si bien el fin principal de este programa fue la erradicación, se ha sugerido que este veneno pudo afectar negativamente a las poblaciones de aves en esta isla, incluido el Garrapatero Piquiliso Crotophaga ani, una especie introducida deliberadamente en la década de 1960. Crotophaga ani tiene hábitos sociales y utiliza dormideros grupales para pasar la noche. Nuestro estudio evaluó el posible efecto del brodifacoum en la estructura de grupos de C. ani en la zona agrícola de Floreana en abril‒julio de 2023 y febrero‒marzo de 2024. Se monitorearon 28 grupos y sus dormideros independientes. Todos los grupos mantuvieron su ubicación en ambos años; sin embargo, se registraron pequeños cambios en la localización de dormideros en 27 grupos. En cuanto a la estructura poblacional, hubo un incremento en la composición de los grupos, representando un porcentaje de cambio de 71,43% en el promedio de individuos por grupos entre los dos años. En 2023 se anillaron 39 aves, de las cuales 27 fueron observadas en 2024 y todas, exceptuando una, mantuvieron su territorio. Los resultados indican que el brodifacoum no tuvo un evidente efecto negativo sobre la composición de grupos de C. ani ni en la fidelidad a sus territorios. Además, este trabajo representa un avance importante al conocimiento de la ecología de las especies introducidas, lo que es indispensable para desarrollar estrategias de manejo adecuadas.

Emerging parasites pose a serious risk to the health and survival of wild animal populations, particularly on islands where species often lack prior exposure and evolved defenses. We present the first report of a novel microfilaria infection found in blood from six species of Galápagos passerines in the coastal zone of Santa Cruz Island. Across 13 months, spanning two wet seasons and one dry season, 294 individuals were sampled and evaluated for microfilarial presence through microscopy and/or polymerase chain reaction. We barcoded the mitochondrial Cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) gene to tentatively place this microfilaria in the genus Eufilaria. We found host species level variation in infection, with certain species, like the vegetarian finch (Platyspiza crassirostris) and the common cactus finch (G eospiza . scandens) having very high prevalence, while others, like the Galápagos mockingbird (Mimus parvulus) and small tree finch (Camarhynchus parvulus) showing significantly lower prevalence. We investigated leukocyte counts, H/L ratios and body condition to evaluate the potential effects of infection on birds and found no relationship between infection status and these health indices. We also tested to see if seasonality could predict the infection trends found in our data and found a relationship with monthly rainfall, where more rain predicts higher microfilarial prevalence. Although we cannot confirm exactly when this parasite established in the Galápagos, our study highlights the importance of continued disease surveillance in endemic systems and underscores the need for species-level COI barcodes to improve microfilaria identification and phylogenetics.

Galapagos landbirds are currently threatened due to the negative effects of human encroachment. At least one species has become extinct, and several have been extirpated or suffered severe population declines in the past decades. Although some avian pathogens have been described over the years, the presence and prevalence of several infectious agents that may severely impact on the health and conservation of wild and domestic birds in the archipelago remain understudied. To fill this gap, we conducted a comprehensive health assessment of Galapagos landbirds covering five islands (including protected and anthropized areas), testing for three pathogens of avian conservation concern: adenoviruses (AdV), herpesviruses (HV), and Mycoplasma spp. Oral and cloacal swabs of 421 landbirds from 14 species were tested by PCR, and positive samples were subjected to Sanger sequencing. None of the samples were positive for Mycoplasma spp. A total of 35 birds (8.31 %) tested positive for AdV, while 13 (3.09 %) were positive for HV, with higher prevalences found within the inhabited islands of Floreana and Santa Cruz, respectively. Seven main AdV nucleotide sequence types (STs) were obtained, with AdV-1, AdV-3 and AdV-5 clustering within the genus Barthadenovirus, and AdV-2, AdV-4, AdV-6 and AdV-7 grouping within the genus Aviadenovirus. Three HV STs were obtained, with HV-1 and HV-3 clustering within the genus Mardivirus, and HV-2 grouping within the genus Iltovirus. To our knowledge, this is the first molecular description of novel adenoviruses and herpesviruses in Galapagos landbirds, which will inform current and future conservation efforts in the archipelago.

La invasiva mosca vampiro aviar (Philornis downsi) es una grave amenaza para la avifauna endémica de Galápagos. En los últimos años se han estudiado varias medidas a corto plazo para reducir el impacto de P. downsi; entre ellas, la autofumigación. Esta consiste en la incorporación en los nidos, por parte de las propias aves, de material tratado con una baja dosis de insecticida. Nuestro objetivo fue mejorar este método para utilizarlo como método independiente para reducir la intensidad parasitaria de P. downsi y para mejorar el éxito reproductivo de las pequeñas aves terrestres endémicas de Galápagos. En particular, nos propusimos proteger al Pinzón Cantor Certhidea olivacea y al Pinzón Pequeño de Árbol Camarhynchus parvulus, cuyas poblaciones han estado disminuyendo durante años. Colocamos dispensadores con diferentes tipos de material tratado con insecticida en el bosque de Scalesia de la isla Santa Cruz, en 2022 y 2023. Probamos dos tipos de insecticida: en 2022 usamos Cyromazina, un inhibidor del crecimiento larvario, y en 2023 usamos Permacap, un insecticida de liberación lenta a base de permetrina. Medimos la prevalencia de material y el volumen por nido, y relacionamos esto con el número de larvas que infestaban los nidos. Encontramos un impacto negativo significativo del tratamiento sobre la intensidad de las larvas de P. downsi para ambos productos. Sin embargo, la efectividad de Cyromazina no fue suficiente para aumentar el éxito reproductivo. Permacap tuvo un fuerte efecto negativo en el número de larvas, lo que se tradujo en un aumento en el éxito de anidación. Las optimizaciones del método en 2023 nos permitieron repetir el estudio con menos mano de obra, lo que lo convierte en un método de control más adecuado. Concluimos que el tratamiento de autofumigación con Permacap podría utilizarse como una herramienta de manejo eficaz para mantener la estabilidad de las poblaciones de la avifauna amenazada de Galápagos a mayor escala.

In the midst of a biodiversity crisis, it is important to conserve diversity at all levels, including species, genetic, and behavioural diversity. Animals with different behavioural traits can interact with their environment in distinct ways; hence, the distribution of behavioural traits within a population can influence the efficacy and outcome of conservation interventions. On the Galápagos Islands, Darwin’s finches are threatened by an invasive parasite, the avian vampire fly, Philornis downsi. Avian vampire fly larvae develop in the base of the nest, where they feed on the blood and tissue of developing nestlings, causing high mortality. In this study on Floreana Island, we deployed dispensers filled with insecticide-treated nesting material, a conservation method that has been found to decrease parasite load and increase fledging success. We then assessed whether individual differences in Darwin’s finch neophilia (response to a novel object) and aggressiveness (response to a simulated territory intrusion) affected their use of treated material. We found that 57

investigated parasitism of the Snail Kite (Rostrhamus sociabilis) by diptera in the genus Philornis through analysis of post-fledging nests in rice fields and flooded areas of western Ecuador in 2020 and 2021. Morphological and molecular data led to the identification of two species of Philornis flies (Diptera: Muscidae) within the nest material: P. falsificus and P. downsi. These results represent the first records of Snail Kites as a host species of any species of Philornis. The prevalence of Philornis puparia in Snail Kite nests was 22% in 2020 and 9.7% in 2021. Seventy-four percent of nest attempts successfully fledged at least one young, with the remaining 26% of attempts either failing during incubation or the nestling phase. Nestling mortality attributable to Philornis parasitism appeared to be low. We also documented parasitism of P. falsificus by the parasitoid wasp Spalangia sp. (Hymenoptera; Pteromalidae).

We review the conservation status of two small rail species breeding in the Gal & aacute;pagos Islands: the endemic Gal & aacute;pagos Rail Laterallus spilonota and the native Paint-billed Crake Neocrex erythrops, widely distributed on the South American mainland. Using distance sampling with point counts, we estimated population sizes across islands with suitable habitat from 2015 to 2025. In 2022, we reassessed long-term trends for the Gal & aacute;pagos Rail on Santa Cruz Island, following the monitoring protocol used in earlier censuses (1986, 2000, 2007). We estimated the Gal & aacute;pagos Rail population at 32,300 pairs across seven islands, including a small, newly recorded breeding population on Pinz & oacute;n and Floreana, where we rediscovered the rail in 2025. Additional breeding populations of unknown size exist in the humid zones of the two northern volcanoes of Isabela and on adjacent Fernandina. The largest population, on Santiago (22,400 pairs), has recovered remarkably over 40 years since goats and other herbivores were eradicated. We found the Gal & aacute;pagos Rail predominantly in the humid highlands, although a few pairs were recorded in the mangrove forests of Isabela Island. The species is absent from San Crist & oacute;bal Island. On Santa Cruz it showed a clear increase between 2007 and 2022. The Paint-billed Crake breeds on the four inhabited islands (Floreana, Isabela, San Crist & oacute;bal, and Santa Cruz), with at least 6,300 pairs. It was mainly found in grasslands and open woodlands within agricultural areas at lower altitude than the Gal & aacute;pagos Rail, resulting in minimal range overlap. Its population and range have expanded, especially on Santa Cruz. The significantly higher recent population estimate for the Gal & aacute;pagos Rail compared with past estimates, along with positive trends on at least three islands, warrants reclassifying the species IUCN Red List status from "Vulnerable" to "Near Threatened".

The Galápagos Islands are unique for their biodiversity and endemism. Unfortunately, due to human presence, they have undergone various alterations to their ecosystems, including the introduction of invasive species. By 2016, 1,579 introduced species were recorded, of which 1,476 have established themselves as residents. Among these is the Piquiliso Cuckoo Crotophaga ani. This Cuculidae was brought to Galápagos in the early 1960s as a potential biological control method against a tick plague in cattle, as it was mistakenly believed that its diet was based on these invertebrates. Since then, C. ani has spread throughout the archipelago, with records on all the main islands except for Darwin. Little is known about its ecology in Galápagos, which hampers the ability to quantify its negative impact on the ecosystem. This research reveals for the first time how C. ani occupies its territories in the agricultural zone of Santa Cruz. This species exhibits social habits, roosting in unique collective roosts for each group at night. In the study area, a total of 37 roosts were monitored, and the birds entering these roosts were counted to determine the composition of each territory. On average, each group consisted of nine individuals (five adults, two juveniles, and two of uncertain age). Additionally, GPS transmitters were placed on 11 individuals from different groups to monitor their movements. These results revealed that the average size of their territories is 7.99 ha, primarily located in areas with low vegetation such as grasslands or crops. This data represents a significant advance in the understanding of this invasive species, paving the way for the development of a control plan to mitigate its negative effects on Galápagos biodiversity.

The Galapagos finches represent a rapid radiation of birds across the remote oceanic archipelago that vary morphologically, behaviourally, and genetically. The level of diversity and rapid rate of speciation have created taxonomic difficulties in resolving phylogenetic relationships. While much of the phylogeny has recently been clarified with modern genomic methods, some of the diversity has been overlooked by under-sampling across islands within presumed species. The woodpecker finch, Camarhynchus pallidus Sclater and Salvin, 1870, represents one such lineage, as all three recognized subspecies have never been fully phylogenetically assessed in regard to their species' status and relationship with their close sister-species, the mangrove finch (C. heliobates; Snodgrass and Heller 1901). Using genetic and genomic tools, along with morphological analyses, we show that the San Cristobal woodpecker finch (C. p. striatipecta; Swarth 1931) is genetically distinct and paraphyletic with the mangrove finch, compared to all other woodpecker finch subspecies. Given these results we propose that the San Cristobal woodpecker finch be prioritized for further research, as our results hint that it should be given full species' status as Camarhynchus striatipecta Swarth, 1931.

Summary The endemic Little Vermilion Flycatcher (LVF) Pyrocephalus nanus has suffered a drastic decline on Santa Cruz Island, Galapagos, where it was common 30 years ago. Currently, fewer than 40 individuals remain in the last remnants of natural humid forest in the Galapagos National Park on the island. This small population has low reproductive success, which is contributing to its decline in Santa Cruz. Previous studies have identified Avian Vampire Fly Philornis downsi parasitism, changes in food sources, and habitat alteration as threats to this species. In Santa Cruz, invasive plants may strongly affect the reproductive success of LVF because they limit accessibility to prey near the ground, the preferred foraging niche of these birds. Since 2019, we restored the vegetation in seven plots of 1 ha each by removing invasive blackberry plants and other introduced plant species. In all nests that reached late incubation, we also reduced the number of Avian Vampire Fly larvae. In this study, we compared foraging and perch height, pair formation, incubation time, and reproductive success between managed and unmanaged areas. As predicted, we found significantly lower foraging height and perch height in 2021 in managed areas compared with unmanaged areas. In 2020, the daily failure rate (DFR) of nests in the egg stage did not differ between management types; however, in 2021, the DFR in the egg stage was significantly lower in managed areas than in unmanaged areas. The DFR during the nestling stage was similar between managed and unmanaged areas in 2020, but in 2021, only nests in managed areas reached the nestling stage. Females brooded significantly more during the incubation phase in managed areas. Additionally, we found significantly higher reproductive success in managed areas compared with unmanaged areas in 2021, but not in 2020. Habitat restoration is a long-term process and these findings suggest that habitat management positively affects this small population in the long term.

ABSTRACTMost of the species of the genus Philornis are obligate parasites of birds’ nests, especially affecting small populations. However, research on factors influencing its distribution is scarce. This study focuses on analyzing some elements that facilitate the parasitism of this genus on several species of birds in continental Ecuador. From a sample obtained over two years (2019-2020) in five different locations on the country’s coast, 693 nests of land birds and raptors were analyzed. Of these, 13% were parasitized. Two Philornis species already reported for Ecuador (Philornis downsi, P. niger) and two morphotypes not previously registered in the country were recorded, preliminarily classified as P. sp. nr. bellus and P. sp. nr. falsificus. The species with the highest proportion was P. downsi, both in terms of nest prevalence and intensity. Each species of the parasite showed an affinity for one or more families of birds and it was evidenced that the shape of the nest facilitates the prevalence of Philornis. The prevalence of Philornis decreases in higher places in the dry coastal forests. The probability of infection was also influenced by habitat alteration: nests from disturbed sites have a higher prevalence of parasites than nests with natural forest (P = 0.002). The present study strengthens the existing knowledge about different environmental factors that influence Philornis parasitism birds of continental Ecuador.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic intracellular parasite of particular concern in the conservation of wildlife due to its ability to infect all homeotherms and potentially cause acute fatal disease in naive species. In the Galapagos (Ecuador), an archipelago composed of more than a hundred islets and islands, the presence of T. gondii can be attributed to human-introduced domestic cats, but little is known about its transmission in wildlife populations. We compared the prevalence of antibodies against T. gondii in sympatric Galapagos wild bird species that differ in diet and contact with oocyst-contaminated soil to determine the relative importance of trophic habits as an exposure factor. Plasma samples were obtained from 163 land birds inhabiting Santa Cruz, one of the cat-inhabited islands, and from 187 seabirds breeding in cat-free surrounding islands (Daphne Major, North Seymour, and South Plaza). These samples were tested for the presence of T. gondii antibodies using the modified agglutination test (MAT ≥ 1:10). All seven species of land birds and 4/6 species of seabirds presented seropositive results. All great frigatebirds (Fregata minor) (N = 25) and swallow-tailed gulls (Creagrus furcatus) (N = 23) were seronegative. Prevalence ranged from 13% in Nazca boobies (Sula granti) to 100% in Galapagos mockingbirds (Mimus parvulus). It decreased from occasional carnivores (63.43%) to granivores-insectivores (26.22%), and strict piscivores (14.62%). These results indicate that the consumption of tissue cysts poses the highest risk of exposure to T. gondii for Galapagos birds, followed by the ingestion of plants and insects contaminated by oocysts as important transmission pathways.