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The continuing circulation and reassortment with low-pathogenicity avian influenza Gs/Gd (goose/Guangdong/1996)-like avian influenza viruses (AIVs) has caused huge economic losses and raised public health concerns over the zoonotic potential. Virologic surveillance of wild birds has been suggested as part of a global AIV surveillance system. However, underreporting and biased selection of sampling sites has rendered gaining information about the transmission and evolution of highly pathogenic AIV problematic. We explored the use of the Citizen Scientist eBird database to elucidate the dynamic distribution of wild birds in Taiwan and their potential for AIV exchange with domestic poultry. Through the 2-stage analytical framework, we associated nonignorable risk with 10 species of wild birds with >100 significant positive results. We generated a risk map, which served as the guide for highly pathogenic AIV surveillance. Our methodologic blueprint has the potential to be incorporated into the global AIV surveillance system of wild birds.

Actualmente, la observaci n y registro de las aves realizado por personas en todo el mundo suele asociarse con pr cticas de ciencia ciudadana promovidas por distintas instancias que persiguen diferentes prop sitos, casi siempre alineados con la identificaci n taxon mica y la producci n de bases de datos mundiales sobre biodiversidad. Algunas de estas pr cticas han sido cuestionadas por omitir las condiciones de vulnerabilidad ambiental y los v nculos entre humanos y m s que humanos que dan lugar a estas observaciones, descontextualizando la informaci n producida. En este trabajo propongo que las aves y las personas se constituyen en coagentes para la construcci n de la frontera a trav s de un an lisis de las pr cticas de observaci n y documentaci n de aves realizadas por personas que viven en Ciudad Ju rez, una metr poli ubicada en la frontera norte de M xico, vulnerada por la contaminaci n industrial y el desecamiento del R o Bravo. Desde una perspectiva m s que humana y en di logo con estudios feministas de la ciencia, se muestra c mo las observaciones que realizan estas personas responden a intereses diversos, desde los cient ficos hasta aquellos relacionados con el reclamo ciudadano de contar con m s espacios p blicos, las pr cticas art sticas y de denuncia por un entorno lastimado y vulnerado en ambos lados de la frontera. Se trata de pr cticas que buscan poner atenci n en las distintas formas de vida que participan en la construcci n de las ciudades y las fronteras e involucrarse con su cuidado. The observation and recording of birds by people around the world are often linked to citizen science initiatives aimed at various goals, primarily focused on taxonomic identification and the creation of global biodiversity databases. However, some of these practices have faced criticism for ignoring the conditions of environmental vulnerability and the connections between humans and more-than-humans, which can lead to a decontextualization of the information produced. In this paper, I suggest that birds and people can be seen as co-agents in constructing the border, particularly through an analysis of bird observation and documentation practices by residents of Ciudad Juarez, a northern Mexican metropolis affected by industrial pollution and the depletion of the Rio Bravo. Adopting a more-than-human perspective and engaging with feminist science studies, I illustrate how these observations reflect various interests, ranging from scientific inquiry to community demands for more public spaces, artistic expressions, and advocacy for a healthier environment on both sides of the border. These practices emphasize the importance of acknowledging the diverse forms of life that contribute to the shaping of cities and borders, and they advocate for greater involvement in their care and protection. Palabras clave/Keywords Ciudad Ju rez, pr cticas de observaci n de aves, ciencia ciudadana, aprendizaje ambiental, estudios fronterizos, ecolog as plurales del cuidado

The decay of organic material—litter decomposition—is a critical process for life on Earth and an essential part of the global carbon cycle. Yet, this basic process remains unknown to many citizens. The Tea Bag Index (TBI) measures decomposition in a standardized, measurable, achievable, climate-relevant, and time-relevant way by burying commercial tea bags in soil for three months and calculating proxies to characterize the decomposition process (expressed as decomposition rate (k) and stabilization factor (S)). We measured TBI at 8 cm soil depth with the help of school and farm citizen scientists in 2015 in Sweden and in 2016 in Austria. Questionnaires to the participating schools and farms enabled us to capture lessons learned from this participatory data collection. In total >5500 citizen scientists participated in the mass experiments, and approximately 50% of the tea bags sent out yielded successful results that fell well within previously reported ranges. The average decomposition rates (k) ranged from 0.008 to 0.012 g d−1 in Sweden and from 0.012 to 0.015 g d−1 in Austria. Stabilization factors (S) were up to four times higher in Sweden than Austria. Taking part in a global experiment was a great incentive for participants, and in future experiments the citizen scientists and TBI would benefit from having enhanced communication between the researchers and participants about the results gained.

Published accounts of the Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) on Isla Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico, date back at least 72 years, yet there exists no evidence in the literature of the species breeding on the island. Here we report the first scientific descriptions of nesting by Common Pauraque on Cozumel. During fieldwork in 2008 and 2009, we opportunistically documented 9 nests, including 4 with eggs and 5 with chicks. Clutch size for all nests with eggs was 2 whereas nests observed with young consisted of 1 (N=3) or 2 (N= 2) nestlings. To complement our observations, we searched available citizen science data and discovered one additional record of nesting in early June 2017 and a possible second nest in late May 2018. Collectively, these observations indicate that Common Pauraque breeds on Cozumel from at least mid-May into July. However, surveys throughout the year are required to determine whether the population on Cozumel breeds seasonally, breeds year-round, or has a more complex breeding phenology. Additional work is especially needed given that we observed some of the active nests during one of Cozumel's wettest months (June) and previous work has hypothesized that caprimulgids generally are more restricted to nesting at drier times of the year. Received 22 April 2023. Accepted 3 March 2024.

Published accounts of the Common Pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) on Isla Cozumel, Quintana Roo, Mexico, date back at least 72 years, yet there exists no evidence in the literature of the species breeding on the island. Here we report the first scientific descriptions of nesting by Common Pauraque on Cozumel. During fieldwork in 2008 and 2009, we opportunistically documented 9 nests, including 4 with eggs and 5 with chicks. Clutch size for all nests with eggs was 2 whereas nests observed with young consisted of 1 (N=3) or 2 (N= 2) nestlings. To complement our observations, we searched available citizen science data and discovered one additional record of nesting in early June 2017 and a possible second nest in late May 2018. Collectively, these observations indicate that Common Pauraque breeds on Cozumel from at least mid-May into July. However, surveys throughout the year are required to determine whether the population on Cozumel breeds seasonally, breeds year-round, or has a more complex breeding phenology. Additional work is especially needed given that we observed some of the active nests during one of Cozumel's wettest months (June) and previous work has hypothesized that caprimulgids generally are more restricted to nesting at drier times of the year. Received 22 April 2023. Accepted 3 March 2024.

Northern shortfin squid (Illex illecebrosus) and longfin inshore squid (Doryteuthis pealeii) are fished commercially and recreationally off Atlantic Canada, but limited reporting, particularly from recreational fisheries, has left major gaps in our understanding of their ecology and fishery dynamics. Our research used three years of data collected through citizen science initiatives, field visits, and commercial index harvesters to provide much-needed descriptions of squid fisheries and basic ecological characteristics, with a particular focus on Newfoundland and Labrador (NL). We documented active recreational squid fisheries landing both species, including the first confirmed observations of longfin inshore squid in the NL fishery. Distinct regional patterns emerged. North Coast Region fishers tended to use different gear and practices, achieved higher catch-per-unit effort (CPUE), and caught larger squid compared to other NL regions. South Coast Region fishers more frequently caught longfin inshore squid, and although relatively low CPUE was reported, this region tended to have a more active recreational fishery. Our findings reveal previously unrecognized regional variation in squid fisheries and highlight the need for improved understanding of squid ecology and the impacts of the recreational and commercial fisheries on the resource off Atlantic Canada.

Citizen science has become a major source of scientific research in recent years. Many studies have concluded that citizen science projects not only contribute to the sciences but also considerably improve the scientific and environmental literacy of participating volunteers (citizen scientists). A dynamic citizen science project can accomplish goals that benefit society but it is difficult to establish, operate, and maintain a citizen science project. This paper reports a case study and examined the most famous citizen science project in Taiwan, the Taiwan Roadkill Observation Network (TaiRON), with the viewpoint of a community of practice learning theory. Community of practice theory is widely used in education and business management research and is an important framework for knowledge exchange and dissemination. Through content analysis, observation, and interviews with the moderator of the TaiRON project, this study explored how its internal operations reflected the principles of community of practice theory. The results indicated that TaiRON members developed a set of shared working methods and jointly completed certain actions. All participating members possessed in-depth knowledge or enthusiasm with respect to their specific focus areas, enabling them to meaningfully contribute to work on specific topics. The three major elements of a community of practice—domain, community, and practice—should be aligned with the community’s purpose and action. We discovered that the TaiRON citizen science project was consistent with the elements of the theory of community of practice. In particular, the establishment of TaiRON was enabled by scientific and technological advances; therefore, this paper discusses the characteristics of virtual communities of practice. Moreover, TaiRON contributed to raising the public’s environmental literacy. This paper reports pilot research concerning citizen science operations and may stimulate related future research.

Triatomine species (kissing bugs) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi are found across the southern United States. The northern limits of Trypanosoma cruzi infected kissing bugs are less understood. The objective of this work was to describe the locations of kissing bugs from Illinois and Missouri based on historical records, submissions to Texas A&M University's (TAMU) Kissing Bug Community Science Program and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and records from online platforms (iNaturalist, BugGuide, and GBIF) up to and including 2022. A total of 228 records were discovered, including 186 from historical or observation platforms and 42 specimens submitted to TAMU or CDC. Species included Triatoma sanguisuga (221 total records, 9 nymphs) and Triatoma lecticularia (7 records). Notably, nearly all (24/26) records submitted to TAMU were collected indoors. Twelve of the 30 (40%) specimens tested were positive for the presence of T. cruzi, including parasite discrete taxonomic units Tcl and TclV. One triatomine sample had been found in a bed feeding on the submitter; this bug was positive for T. cruzi and had evidence of human blood in its gut. Records suggest a ubiquitous distribution in Missouri and potentially to the northernmost border in Illinois. Further investigations into triatomine distribution and infection status are needed within states assumed to be northern limits in order to create public health and veterinary health messaging and baseline distributional maps from which to measure future range shifts in relation to a changing climate.

Triatomine species (kissing bugs) infected with Trypanosoma cruzi are found across the southern United States. The northern limits of Trypanosoma cruzi infected kissing bugs are less understood. The objective of this work was to describe the locations of kissing bugs from Illinois and Missouri based on historical records, submissions to Texas A&M University's (TAMU) Kissing Bug Community Science Program and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and records from online platforms (iNaturalist, BugGuide, and GBIF) up to and including 2022. A total of 228 records were discovered, including 186 from historical or observation platforms and 42 specimens submitted to TAMU or CDC. Species included Triatoma sanguisuga (221 total records, 9 nymphs) and Triatoma lecticularia (7 records). Notably, nearly all (24/26) records submitted to TAMU were collected indoors. Twelve of the 30 (40%) specimens tested were positive for the presence of T. cruzi, including parasite discrete taxonomic units Tcl and TclV. One triatomine sample had been found in a bed feeding on the submitter; this bug was positive for T. cruzi and had evidence of human blood in its gut. Records suggest a ubiquitous distribution in Missouri and potentially to the northernmost border in Illinois. Further investigations into triatomine distribution and infection status are needed within states assumed to be northern limits in order to create public health and veterinary health messaging and baseline distributional maps from which to measure future range shifts in relation to a changing climate. Key words: triatomine, Missouri, Illinois, community science, citizen science

Citizen science is mainstream: millions of people contribute data to a growing array of citizen science projects annually, forming massive datasets that will drive research for years to come. Many citizen science projects implement a \"leaderboard\" framework, ranking the contributions based on number of records or species, encouraging further participation. But is every data point equally \"valuable?\" Citizen scientists collect data with distinct spatial and temporal biases, leading to unfortunate gaps and redundancies, which create statistical and informational problems for downstream analyses. Up to this point, the haphazard structure of the data has been seen as an unfortunate but unchangeable aspect of citizen science data. However, we argue here that this issue can actually be addressed: we provide a very simple, tractable framework that could be adapted by broadscale citizen science projects to allow citizen scientists to optimize the marginal value of their efforts, increasing the overall collective knowledge.