Occurrence of the Brazilian Merganser ( octosetaceus) in the Southern Border of the Espinhaço Range, Minas Gerais,

GABRIEL ARVELINO DE PAULA1, MARCONI CAMPOS CERQUEIRA JÚNIOR1 AND RÔMULO RIBON1,2

1Laboratório de Ornitologia, Departamento de Ciências Biológicas, Instituto de Ciências Exatas Biológicas, Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, CEP 35400-000, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil 2Current address: Museu de Zoologia João Moojen, Departamento de Biologia , Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Viçosa, Minas Gerais, Brazil, CEP 36570-000 Corresponding author; Internet: [email protected]

Abstract.—We report a new locality for the Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octosetaceus), a spe- cies from Southern and Central South America. The species’ range is considerably extended to the East, and a new habitat and basin used by the species are given. The species was found near the city of Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais State, Brazil, located in a transition zone between the Cerrado and the Atlantic Forest biomes. Our finding improve a little bit the hope for the conservation of the species but more detailed studies to determine if there is a resident population, or if we recorded a vagrant , are necessary. Received 11 June 2007, accepted 10 November 2007. Key words.—conservation, Doce River, Espinhaço range, Merganser, Mergus octosetaceus, Ouro Preto, threatened species. Waterbirds 31(2): 289-293, 2008

The Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octoseta- viduals in southwestern Bahia State (Pineschi ceus) is a critically endangered bird (BirdLife and Yamashita 2000). In Minas Gerais State International 2007) inhabiting clear water the species was observed by G.T. Mattos in and rapids, deeper than one m and more the Salitre creek, near Salitre de Minas coun- than three m wide, where exposed rocks are ty, in 1973 (Sick 1997), although currently used for roosting (Silveira and Bartman the species is suspected to be confined to the 2001). Most of the time the feed in Serra da Canastra National Park and neigh- clear water, weak flow natural pools (Silveira borhoods (Andrade 1998). Old records are and Bartman 2001), with submersed micro- from Mato Grosso do Sul, Rio de Janeiro, São phytes and riverine forests (Pineschi and Ya- Paulo, and Santa Catarina states, where it is mashita 2000). Territory is estimated to nine believed to be extinct (Stattersfield 2000). km of linear river, and can be related to food The species is also found in the upper Parana and nest sites availability (Silveira and Bart- River, Paraguay, with the last record in 1984 man 2001), as trunk holes in gallery forests by N. López (Hughes et al. 2006). In Argenti- trees (Partridge 1956) and crevices in rocks, na the species is restricted to the Misiones at regions dominated by open grassy fields or Province (Partridge1956), where it is in the rupestrian fields (Lamas and Santos 2004). brink of extinction (Benstead et al. 1994; Shyness and ability to detect intruders make Hughes et al. 2006). behavioral observations of the Brazilian Mer- ganser a difficult task and its biology poorly METHODS known (Silveira and Bartman 2001). Brazilian Merganser have been recorded Observations were made with binoculars Tasco 8 × 21 × in a couple of localities in Brazil: upper To- mm and Zenit 10 50 mm. Calls were tape-recorded with a Sony TCM 5000 EV and a Sennheiser ME 66 micro- cantins river in Nova Roma county (Sick phone, and housed at the Arquivo Sonoro Elias Coelho 1997), Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (ASEC, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro). Photo- (Yamashita and Valle 1990), and Emas Na- graphs and a movie were also used for documentation (Canon EOS-500; 75-300 mm lenses). From April to Au- tional Park (Collar et al. 1992), in Goiás State, gust 2004 four visits a week were made to the study area. and Jalapão State Park (Braz et al. 2003), in Tocantins State. A small population was Study Area found in the Tibagi river, Paraná State (Anjos Observations were made at Itacolomi State Park et al. 1997), and there are records of 3-4 indi- (IEP) (20°22’30”-20°30’00”S, 43°32’30”-43°22’30”W),

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290 WATERBIRDS roughly 100 km from Belo Horizonte city, Minas Gerais individual did not fly, but only called briefly State. The park extends through Ouro Preto and Mari- and moved away, swimming to the opposite ana counties, protecting most of the Serra do Itacolomi, the southernmost branch of the Espinhaço Range (Mes- side of the lagoon. The literature describes sias et al. 1997). shiner birds from other regions, as they fly The IEP covers some 7,000 ha and its vegetation is immediately after detecting human pres- classified as lower-montane pluvial forest, having also ri- parian pluvial forest and rupestrian fields (Messias et al. ence (Partridge 1956; Yamashita and Valle 1997). The park is situated in the Rio Gualaxo basin, a 1990; Silveira and Bartmann 2001). The tributary of Doce River. The main watercourses are Praz- specimen at IEP often fed on small fish (of eres and Domingas creeks and the Belchior stream. The “da Curva” (20°25’85”S, 43°30’54”W), is an artificial la- about ten cm of total length) which are goon, at 1,225 m a.s.l., with two m of maximum depth, quickly swallowed. and scattered trees bordering it. It is near the headquar- The duck at IEP had slight morphologi- ters of the park and is supplied by the Manso creek, which is no more than one m wide and is surrounded by cal differences, compared with individuals closed, low vegetation. from other regions, as it had a mandible marked smaller than the maxilla, and had a RESULTS well visible gap in the feathers of the top of the head (Fig. 1). Besides morphology, the Although there is one record in 1819 for shyer behavior and habitat used were very the das Velhas river (Collar et al. 1992), near different, when compared to birds at SCNP Ouro Preto, there is no indication of the ex- (M.C.C., Jr. and G.A.P., pers. obs.). It is not act municipality. The first sighting in this possible to precise why the and crown study of the Brazilian Merganser occurred in were defective, but the injury could have 24 April 2004, at 13.00 h, when a single indi- been occurred due to a predator attack (wild vidual was observed in the da Curva lagoon. such as otter, or feral dogs which are The record extends the species range 300 common at IEP), or even human captivity. km to the east, from the site where the better Genetic problems could also be the cause of known population (and maybe the largest the morphological differences, but parsimo- one) of the Brazilian Merganser still re- ny would be in favor of the previous explana- mains—the Serra da Canastra National Park tions. The specimen was recognized as a (SCNP). In 21 May the bird was photo- male, judging for its characteristic call (L. F. graphed, and some behavioral observations Silveira, com. pess.). were made. The calls were tape-recorded in In July 2004 the individual changed rest- 19-23 June. The same individual was ob- ing sites too often. It was also more secretive served until August of the same year. In four than in the previous months, hiding more of the 80 visits to the lagoon the bird was not frequently in the vegetated bank. These seen or heard. changes coincided with the land removing While feeding, the bird in IEP showed and car traffic due to the construction of a the same behavior described by Bartmann (1988) for the birds in the SCNP—submerg- ing of the head followed, or not, by diving. The bird at IEP spent most of the time rest- ing and preening over a partially submerged trunk. When played back the bird respond- ed promptly in an aggressive way, approach- ing until one m from the authors. During these episodes the bird stretched its neck, lifted its tail and vocalized intensively, as de- scribe by Silveira and Bartmann (2001). As described for other regions, the bird at IEP was extremely keen in detecting the Figure 1. Male of Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octoseta- human approaching, even over long distanc- ceus) at Itacolomi State Park. Note the gap in the crown es (Braz et al. 2003). When frightened, the and the marked smaller mandible (I. R. Lamas).

M. OCTOSETACEUS RANGE EXTENSION 291 camping area near the lagoon, with increas- ing tourist numbers, and frequent visits of an otter (Lontra longicaudis) in the lagoon. The lagoon where the Brazilian Mergan- ser was found is quite different from those given by the literature as the only habitat where the species is found (rapids of clear wa- ter rivers, near headwaters) (Yamashita and Valle 1990, Stattersfield and Capper 2000). The lagoon is formed by a straight (0.5-1 m wide), shallow (0.1-0.5 m) and calm creek, and has a muddy bed. These characteristics strongly contrasts with the rocky beds of the watercourses of the SCNP (I. R. Lamas, pers. comm.), and those from the other sites where the species have been found. However, the lagoon is an exception to the rule as there are some watercourses, in and around IEP, whose characteristics matches perfectly those of typical Brazilian Merganser habitat. Additionally this is the first time the species is recorded at the Doce River basin, which has approximately 853 km from its head to mouth, and could be searched for the mer- Figure 2. Recent (last 20 years) and historical records of ganser, at least near its head. the Brazilian Merganser (Mergus octosetaceus). Itacolomi There is no information of past records of State Park, where we found the individual in Figure 1, is the Brazilian Merganser at Ouro Preto. How- marked by a flag. Numbers indicate rivers or parks. Countries and years of records are as follows: Brazil: 1) ever, it is likely that the species could have oc- Novo river (2002), 2) Jalapão State Park (2002), 3) curred in the region before and, at least, in Grande river (1999), 4) Correntina and Arrojado rivers the beginning of the great gold exploration (1999), 5) Corrente river (1999), 6) Formoso and th Itaguari rivers (1999), 7) das Pedras river (2003), 8) of the region, in the end of the 18 and be- Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park (2004), 9) Emas ginning of the 19th centuries, when approxi- Natinal Park (1990), 10) Salitre creek (1973), 11) Serra mately 1/3 of the Portuguese population da Canastra National Park (2006), 12) Itacolomi State Park (2004), 13) Rio de Janeiro – no river specified moved to Brazil (Brant 2004). The intense (1816), 14) Paranapanema river (1903), 15-16) Tibagi mining that took place by that time lead to a river (2001), 17) Itararé river (1820), 18) Ivaí river picture of rivers and land degradation that (1926), 28) Itajaí (1827); Argentina: 20) Iguazú river (1978), 21) Uruguai and Uruzu rivers (1988/2002), 22) shocked travelers and collectors that visited Piray Guazu river (1995), 23) Piray Mini river (1993), the region in the early 1800s (Saint Hilaire 25) Guaruhape and Paranay Guazu rivers (1982/1984), 1975). If mining 200 years ago was the cause 26) Mandarinas and Victória rivers (1953/1969), 27) Ya- bebirí river (1912); Paraguay: 19) Paraná river (1891), of the disappearance of the Brazilian Mergan- 24) Carapá river (1984). Letters indicate Brazilian ser by that time is a matter of speculation as states: RS = Rio Grande do Sul, SC = Santa Catarina, PR no skin, drawing or report was left by the = Paraná, SP = São Paulo, MG = Minas Gerais, RJ = Rio de Janeiro, MS = Mato Grosso do Sul, MT = Mato Gros- many collectors that have, obligatorily, passed so, Go = Goiás, TO = Tocantins, BA = Bahia, DF = Dis- through Ouro Preto when going to the, then, trito Federal. Data from Hughes et al. (2006). almost totally unknown Brazilian inlands. Al- ternatively, the region would maintain a relictual population until the present, and The initial tolerance of the Merganser at the individual of IEP could be a member of it. IEP to humans and vehicles have not been A third possibility is that the bird could be a described before in the literature which al- vagrant from some far and resident popula- ways highlights its secretive habits. We can tion, such as that of the SCNP. not precise the cause of the behavioral

292 WATERBIRDS change in July 2004 as at least three probable forcement of environmental regulations, disturbances have happened that month. some mining companies discharge large However, all of them, summed, could have amounts of effluents in clear water rivers, had some influence in the shiny behavior leaving their water muddy by several days. and latter disappearance of the bird. These action can have important impact up- on the few, if existent, individuals of the Bra- DISCUSSION zilian Merganser in the region. Although the bird seen by us could be a Our record of the Brazilian Merganser at vagrant, the landscape in our study area, and Ouro Preto reinforces the importance of the the historical record in the Das Velhas river, Espinhaço range to the conservation of the lead us to believe that it could have been a Neotropical avifauna, which have other Bra- resident population in Ouro Preto region in zilian endemic and near-threatened species the past. In fact, the region was the most de- such as the Hyacinth Visorbearer (Augastes graded by gold mining during the XVII and scutatus) (Sick 1997). A priority imposed by XVIII centuries (Dean 1996) and a strong our discovery was the search for other birds impact to mergansers could have been im- in and out the IEP, to determine if there was posed even as early as 200 years ago. a resident population of the Brazilian Mer- Specifically at IEP, access to the camping ganser. From September 2004 to September area should be strongly controlled and be 2006 we conducted play-back surveys in elev- made only by the road in the west margin of en watercourses in Acuruí, Itabirito, Mari- the Curva lagoon, that is more forested, al- ana, Ouro Branco and Ouro Preto, and con- lowing observation by tourists while trying ducted interviews with locals. During 49 not to interfering in the roosting and resting field-days 134 points were sampled (approx- site, near the opposite margin. imately one km right from the neigbor, when in the same watercourse), covering near 160 km of small rivers and creeks (detailed data ACKNOWLEDGMENTS available from the authors). No additional We are grateful to Fundação O Boticário de Pro- individual of the Brazilian Merganser was teção à Natureza (Project 0665_20051), Instituto Estad- seen but we obtained two strong indepen- ual de Florestas de Minas Gerais (IEF) and Arquivo Sonoro Elias Coelho (ASEC-UFRJ). Some equipment dent reports from the same family at Con- was made available from Birder’s Exchange Program of ceição river, among 82 interviews with locals. the American Birding Association. Thanks to Alberto According to them, two mergansers used to Vieira (manager of the IEP), Juarez Távora, André L. Rochelle, Osiel Magalhães, Lívia V. Lins, Ivana R. La- appear in the early morning or near the sun- mas, and Luís F. Silveira by their support, as well to our set in a small, dark water pond (20 m2) used parents (M.C.C., Jr., G.A.P.) for financial and moral sup- as fisheries, 50 m from the river. After four port. We appreciate the improvements in English usage made by Jim Armacost through the Association of Field visits to the area we did not see the birds but Ornithologists’ program of editorial assistance. P. F. De- the general landscape fits well those where veley and an anonymous reviewer made important con- the Brazilian Merganser have been found in tributions to the text. other sites and more effort should be made to try to confirm these individuals. LITERATURE CITED If more individuals have to be found in the region, the implementation of an educa- Andrade, M. A. 1998. Mergus octosetaceus. Pages 205-207 in Livro vermelho das espécies ameaçadas de ex- tional program targeting the Brazilian Mer- tinção da fauna de Minas Gerais (A. B. M. Machado, ganser and its habitats would be important. G. A. Fonseca, R. B. Machado, L. M. Aguiar and L. V. However, priority should be given to a rigor- Lins). Fundação Biodiversitas, Belo Horizonte, Mi- nas Gerais. ous control of mining activities that abound Anjos, L., K. L. Schuchmann and R. Berndt. 1997. Avi- in the region and are already in course, or faunal composition, species richness, and status in those planned to be implemented in the the Tibagi river basin, Parana State, Southern Brazil. Orn. Neotrop. 8: 145-173. near future. That priority is based in the fact Bartmann, W. 1988. New observations on the Brazilian that, although with a relatively efficient en- Merganser. Wildfowl 39: 7-14.

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