The high vocal center (HVC) controls song production in songbirds and sends a projection to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) of the descending vocal pathway. HVC receives new neurons in adulthood. Most of the new neurons project to RA and replace other neurons of the same kind. We show here that singing enhances mRNA and protein expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)...

There is increased neuronal firing in the high vocal center (a motor nucleus) and other song nuclei of canaries, Serinus canaria, and zebra finches, Taeniopygia guttata, whenever these songbirds sing or hear song. These observations suggested that song perception involved sensory and motor pathways. We now show that the act of singing, but not hearing song, induces a rapid and striking increase...

Brazil has a wide diversity of exotic birds that were brought to this country during the European colonization. These animals are kept in captivity and, in some cases, in inadequate facilities, which may facilitate the introduction of pathogens, including gastrointestinal parasites. The purpose of this study was to identify the main gastrointestinal parasites that affect exotic birds living in ...

The weevil Oromia thoracica n. sp. from Gran Canaria (Canary Islands) is described and compared to its closest allies. It can easily be distinguished by less sculptured elytra, its differently shaped antennal scrobe, and by the pronotum not constricted anteriorly and expanded over the head. Some ecological data are also provided, and considerations on the fauna occurring in the mesovoid shallow...

December has arrived and, following the tradition at the Revista Española de Cardiologı́a (REC), the editorial team has put together its annual reader’s issue. This year we have very important developments to share, as well as challenges for the future of REC. Part of the information in this ‘‘Editor’s page’’ was also presented to the REC editorial committee, and in a condensed form to the Plena...