(1) In the subtropical finch, spotted munia (Lonchura punctulata), circanual rhythms (of gonads, fattening, feeding) have been demonstrated in an information-free environment of continuous illumination (LL), rendering it an ideal model for research on the physiology of the circannual clock.
(2) Daily injection of L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA, a dopamine precursor) given 12 hr after 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP, a serotonin precursor) stimulated testicular growth and body weight increase in the spotted munia Lonchura punctulata.
(3) Four doses of melatonin were administered intramuscularly over 30 days in separate groups of intact adult male Lal munia, Estrilda amandava, during mid-day (1300 hr) and mid-night (0100 hr) in separate sets during the month of August (late progressive phase), and their effects were studied on the body weight, gonadal and thyroidal activities, and luteinizing hormone (LH)-dependent plumage and beak pigmentation.
(4) If the endogenous circadian rhythm in perch-hopping can be taken to reflect the circadian clock mechanism associated with gonadal functioning, present results suggest that circannual rhythm of reproduction in spotted munia is independent of circadian events.
(5) neoformans has been persistently demonstrated in the saprobic environment of caged munia birds at a local zoological garden.
(6) It is suggested that the role of munia birds should be further investigated to understand the ecology of this important human pathogen.