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Potier S, Roulin A, Martin GR, Portugal SJ, Bonhomme V, Bouchet T, de Romans R, Meyrier E, Kelber A. Binocular field configuration in owls: the role of foraging ecology. Proc Biol Sci 2023; 290:20230664. [PMID: 37848065 PMCID: PMC10581762 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2023.0664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The binocular field of vision differs widely in birds depending on ecological traits such as foraging. Owls (Strigiformes) have been considered to have a unique binocular field, but whether it is related to foraging has remained unknown. While taking into account allometry and phylogeny, we hypothesized that both daily activity cycle and diet determine the size and shape of the binocular field in owls. Here, we compared the binocular field configuration of 23 species of owls. While we found no effect of allometry and phylogeny, ecological traits strongly influence the binocular field shape and size. Binocular field shape of owls significantly differed from that of diurnal raptors. Among owls, binocular field shape was relatively conserved, but binocular field size differed among species depending on ecological traits, with larger binocular fields in species living in dense habitat and foraging on invertebrates. Our results suggest that (i) binocular field shape is associated with the time of foraging in the daily cycle (owls versus diurnal raptors) and (ii) that binocular field size differs between closely related owl species even though the general shape is conserved, possibly because the field of view is partially restricted by feathers, in a trade-off with auditory localization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Potier
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, Lund S-22362, Sweden
- Les Ailes de l'Urga, 72 rue de la vieille route, 27320 Marcilly la Campagne, France
| | - Alexandre Roulin
- Department of Ecology and Evolution, University of Lausanne, Biophore 1015, Switzerland
| | - Graham R. Martin
- School of Biosciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Steven J. Portugal
- Department of Biological Science, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - Vincent Bonhomme
- ISEM, Univ Montpellier, CNRS, EPHE, IRD, 34095 Montpellier, France
- Équipe Dynamique de la biodiversité, anthropo-écologie, Place Eugène Bataillon - CC065, 34095 Montpellier Cedex 5, France
| | - Thierry Bouchet
- Académie de Fauconnerie, SAS Puy du Fou France, 85500 Les Epesses, France
| | - Romuald de Romans
- Espace Rambouillet, Office National des Forêts, route du coin du bois, 78120 Sonchamp, France
| | - Eva Meyrier
- Les Aigles du Léman, Domaine de Guidou, 74140 Sciez sur Léman, France
| | - Almut Kelber
- Department of Biology, Lund University, Sölvegatan 35, Lund S-22362, Sweden
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Jimenez-Cortes A, Boassi S, Cañon-Jones H. Determination of Haematological Reference Values for Tucúquere ( Bubo magellanicus) Habiting in Central Chile. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3000. [PMID: 37835606 PMCID: PMC10571869 DOI: 10.3390/ani13193000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Tucuquere (Bubo magellanicus) is an owl inhabiting Chile, which is classified as a species of agricultural interest, but its current conservation status is not well defined. The determination of previously unknown haematological ranges via laboratory techniques for species analysis is of great importance in the search for diagnoses in clinical veterinary work. Thirty-three samples from healthy tucuquere were obtained from zoos and rehabilitation centres in central Chile and analysed using standard laboratory techniques to obtain reference values that were determined according to the standard recommendations for animal species. The mean, standard deviation, maximum, and minimum reference limits were calculated at 95% and 97.5% error. These results differ from those of other studies, especially in terms of the white blood cells because most of the values were lower than those described for the species. These results could be explained by the habitat and location from which the samples were taken, and they corroborate the need to obtain reference values for different geographical areas. This study provides useful haematological values for use in conservation medicine and zoos and highlights the importance of carrying out these studies in different geographical areas for species of ecological interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Jimenez-Cortes
- Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago 7500975, Chile (S.B.)
| | - Sergio Boassi
- Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago 7500975, Chile (S.B.)
- Facultad de Ciencias Agropecuarias, Universidad del Alba, Santiago 8320000, Chile
| | - Hernan Cañon-Jones
- Núcleo de Investigación Aplicada en Ciencias Veterinarias y Pecuarias, Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Agronomía, Universidad de Las Américas, Santiago 7500975, Chile (S.B.)
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3
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Ghotbi N, Rabenstein A, Pilz LK, Rüther T, Roenneberg T. Chronotype, Social Jetlag, and Nicotine Use. J Biol Rhythms 2023:7487304231177197. [PMID: 37345295 DOI: 10.1177/07487304231177197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/23/2023]
Abstract
Late chronotype, which often leads to higher social jetlag (SJL), is strongly associated with the prevalence of smoking. Any circadian disruption, strain, or misalignment, results in people not being able to live according to their biological time as is described by SJL, which we will therefore use as umbrella term. We hypothesized two scenarios potentially explaining the association between smoking and SJL: (A) If smoking delays the clock, circadian phase should advance upon quitting. (B) If people smoke more to compensate the consequences of SJL, circadian phase should not change upon quitting. To distinguish between these two hypotheses, we accompanied participants of a smoking cessation program (not involving nicotine replacement products) across the cessation intervention (3 weeks prior and 6 weeks after) by monitoring their circadian behavior, sleep quality, and daytime sleepiness via questionnaires and actimetry. Our results show no effects of cessation on SJL, chronotype, sleep quality, or daytime sleepiness, thereby favoring scenario (B). Thus, smoking may be a consequence of rather than a cause for SJL. Daytime sleepiness was a significant predictor for the outcome in our model but did not improve with cessation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Ghotbi
- Institute of Medical Psychology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Andrea Rabenstein
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Luísa K Pilz
- Laboratório de Cronobiologia e Sono, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil
| | - Tobias Rüther
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Hospital, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Till Roenneberg
- Institute of Medical Psychology, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany
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Burrell LM, Kelly CJ, Kelly DR, Matthews MD. The Relationship Among Chronotype, Hardiness, Affect, and Talent and Their Effects on Performance in a Military Context. Psychol Rep 2022:332941211073659. [PMID: 35234105 DOI: 10.1177/00332941211073659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Individual preference for morning or evening activities (chronotype), affect, hardiness, and talent are associated with a variety of performance outcomes. This longitudinal study was designed to investigate the degree to which these variables are associated with academic, physical, and military performance. Self-reported measures of chronotype, affect, and hardiness were collected from 1149 cadets from the Class of 2016 upon entry to the United States Military Academy. Talent, a composite of academic, leadership, and physical fitness scores were drawn from cadet records. Academic, military, and physical performance measures were collected at graduation 4 years later. The results indicated that a morning orientation was associated with better physical and military performance. Higher talent scores, as well as lower levels of negative affect, were associated with better performance across all three performance measures. Hardiness was only associated with military performance. The findings suggest that a morning orientation and less negative affect may result in better performance overall within a challenging and structured military environment. Future studies of chronotype shifts may provide further insight into associated performance benefits.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lolita M Burrell
- 8531Department of Behavioral Sciences and Leadership, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, USA
| | | | - Dennis R Kelly
- 8531Office of Institutional Research, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, USA
| | - Michael D Matthews
- 8531Office of Institutional Research, United States Military Academy, West Point, NY, USA
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Gryz J, Krauze-Gryz D. Food Niche Overlap of Avian Predators (Falconiformes, Strigiformes) in a Field and Forest Mosaic in Central Poland. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:479. [PMID: 33670402 DOI: 10.3390/ani11020479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Revised: 01/31/2021] [Accepted: 02/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Food niche overlap statistics are a common way to show competition for food resources in a group of animals. Niche breadths of various species are very variable and their diet composition changes reflecting prey availability. The aim of this study was to evidence the food niche overlap of the whole assemblage of avian predators (eight raptor and owl species, some of them reaching very high densities) in a field and forest mosaic of central Poland. The diet composition was assessed on the basis of pellet analyses and the identification of prey remains found under the nests in the breeding period. The extent of the niche overlap was calculated using a Pianka formula. The food niche overlap indices ranged from 0.02 to 0.93 (mostly below 0.5). The most separate food niche was that of the white-tailed eagle, who regularly preyed on fish. The highest niche overlap was recorded for the common buzzard and common kestrel, two species preying on field rodents, switching to soricomorphs when the former were scarce. Our results confirmed that the food niches of species coexisting in the same area were considerably separate, which is a result of preying on various prey species or searching for them in different habitats.
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Brambilla M, Scridel D, Bazzi G, Ilahiane L, Iemma A, Pedrini P, Bassi E, Bionda R, Marchesi L, Genero F, Teufelbauer N, Probst R, Vrezec A, Kmecl P, Mihelič T, Bogliani G, Schmid H, Assandri G, Pontarini R, Braunisch V, Arlettaz R, Chamberlain D. Species interactions and climate change: How the disruption of species co-occurrence will impact on an avian forest guild. Glob Chang Biol 2020; 26:1212-1224. [PMID: 31804736 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.14953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2019] [Accepted: 11/30/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Interspecific interactions are crucial in determining species occurrence and community assembly. Understanding these interactions is thus essential for correctly predicting species' responses to climate change. We focussed on an avian forest guild of four hole-nesting species with differing sensitivities to climate that show a range of well-understood reciprocal interactions, including facilitation, competition and predation. We modelled the potential distributions of black woodpecker and boreal, tawny and Ural owl, and tested whether the spatial patterns of the more widespread species (excluding Ural owl) were shaped by interspecific interactions. We then modelled the potential future distributions of all four species, evaluating how the predicted changes will alter the overlap between the species' ranges, and hence the spatial outcomes of interactions. Forest cover/type and climate were important determinants of habitat suitability for all species. Field data analysed with N-mixture models revealed effects of interspecific interactions on current species abundance, especially in boreal owl (positive effects of black woodpecker, negative effects of tawny owl). Climate change will impact the assemblage both at species and guild levels, as the potential area of range overlap, relevant for species interactions, will change in both proportion and extent in the future. Boreal owl, the most climate-sensitive species in the guild, will retreat, and the range overlap with its main predator, tawny owl, will increase in the remaining suitable area: climate change will thus impact on boreal owl both directly and indirectly. Climate change will cause the geographical alteration or disruption of species interaction networks, with different consequences for the species belonging to the guild and a likely spatial increase of competition and/or intraguild predation. Our work shows significant interactions and important potential changes in the overlap of areas suitable for the interacting species, which reinforce the importance of including relevant biotic interactions in predictive climate change models for increasing forecast accuracy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mattia Brambilla
- Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Trento, Italy
- Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente, Settore biodiversità e aree protette, Seveso (MB), Italy
| | - Davide Scridel
- Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Trento, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Gaia Bazzi
- Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente, Settore biodiversità e aree protette, Seveso (MB), Italy
| | - Luca Ilahiane
- Fondazione Lombardia per l'Ambiente, Settore biodiversità e aree protette, Seveso (MB), Italy
| | - Aaron Iemma
- Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Trento, Italy
| | - Paolo Pedrini
- Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Trento, Italy
| | - Enrico Bassi
- Parco Nazionale dello Stelvio, Bormio (SO), Italy
| | - Radames Bionda
- Parco Naturale Alpe Veglia e Devero - Alta Valle Antrona, Varzo, Italy
| | - Luigi Marchesi
- Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Trento, Italy
| | - Fulvio Genero
- Riserva Naturale Regionale del Lago di Cornino, Cornino (UD), Italy
| | | | | | - Al Vrezec
- National Institute of Biology, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | | | | | - Giuseppe Bogliani
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | - Hans Schmid
- Schweizerische Vogelwarte, Sempach, Switzerland
| | - Giacomo Assandri
- Museo delle Scienze, Sezione Zoologia dei Vertebrati, Trento, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Terra e dell'Ambiente, Università degli Studi di Pavia, Pavia, Italy
| | | | - Veronika Braunisch
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Raphaël Arlettaz
- Division of Conservation Biology, Institute of Ecology and Evolution, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Dan Chamberlain
- Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e Biologia dei Sistemi, Università di Torino, Turin, Italy
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Raghav R, Samour J. Inclusion Body Herpesvirus Hepatitis in Captive Falcons in the Middle East: A Review of Clinical and Pathologic Findings. J Avian Med Surg 2019; 33:1-6. [PMID: 31124605 DOI: 10.1647/2018-341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Inclusion body hepatitis in falcons is caused by a herpesvirus designated Falconid HV-1. This herpesvirus and other herpesviruses affecting birds of prey have not been assigned to a genus and include inclusion body herpesvirus hepatitis in eagles (Accipitrid HV-1) and inclusion body herpesvirus hepatitis in owls (Strigid HV-1). Herpesvirus infections have been diagnosed in both captive and free-living raptors across Europe, North America, and Asia in different species of the family Falconidae. Herpesviruses affecting owls and falcons have been found to be antigenically similar to pigeon herpesvirus (Columbid HV-1) and distinct from other avian herpesviruses. When the herpesvirus isolates from owls, falcons, and pigeons were compared by sequencing a fragment of the herpes viral DNA polymerase gene from those birds naturally infected with the virus, the sequences from these 3 sources were found to be nearly identical. The authors of this study concluded that the Falconid HV-1, Strigid HV-1, and Columbid HV-1 were the same virus. Furthermore, the authors also proposed that the virus therefore be referred to as Columbid HV-1 (CoHV-1), because pigeons may be responsible for the transmission of the virus to birds of prey. Pigeons are often carriers of the virus without showing any clinical signs. It has long been suspected that raptors may contract the infection by the ingestion of infected pigeons. Some studies have suggested that falcons may not contract the infection through the oral route by ingesting carrier pigeons, but through the ocular or nasal route. Inclusion body herpesvirus hepatitis is a frequently diagnosed disease in the captive falcon population used for falconry, racing, and breeding in the Middle East, and it seems to be associated with the extensive use of pigeons for training and as a food item. This paper reviews the clinical and pathological findings in falcons affected by inclusion body herpesvirus hepatitis in the Middle East.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Raghav
- Al Wasl Veterinary Clinic, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Jaime Samour
- Wrsan, Wildlife Division, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
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Žlabravec Z, Krapež U, Slavec B, Vrezec A, Rojs OZ, Račnik J. Detection and Phylogenetic Analysis of Herpesviruses Detected in Wild Owls in Slovenia. Avian Dis 2019; 62:397-403. [PMID: 31119924 DOI: 10.1637/11899-051418-reg.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2018] [Accepted: 10/01/2018] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Herpesvirus (HV) was detected using PCR in the organs of eight of 55 wild owls (14.5%) from seven species that were found dead in various locations in Slovenia between 1995 and 2015. HV was detected in three species: the Eurasian eagle owl (Bubo bubo), Ural owl (Strix uralensis), and long-eared owl (Asio otus). Phylogenetic analysis of partial DNA polymerase gene nucleotide sequences showed that the detected HVs are similar to the avian and mammal alphaherpesviruses. Two sequences were very similar to known bird HV sequences. One sequence was identical to the columbid herpesvirus 1 (CoHV1) sequence, and the other was very similar to the gallid herpesvirus 2 (GaHV2) sequence. The phylogenetic tree revealed a lower similarity of the other six analyzed Slovenian sequences with the sequences of alphaherpesviruses of birds and mammals. This is the first study to report the detection of different HVs in owls.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zoran Žlabravec
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals, and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Uroš Krapež
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals, and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Brigita Slavec
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals, and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Al Vrezec
- National Institute of Biology, Večna pot 111, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.,Slovenian Museum of Natural History, Prešernova 20, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Olga Zorman Rojs
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals, and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jožko Račnik
- Institute for Poultry, Birds, Small Mammals, and Reptiles, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, Gerbičeva 60, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia,
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Wood CM, Gutiérrez RJ, Peery MZ. Acoustic monitoring reveals a diverse forest owl community, illustrating its potential for basic and applied ecology. Ecology 2019; 100:e02764. [PMID: 31152599 DOI: 10.1002/ecy.2764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Accepted: 04/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Connor M Wood
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - Ralph J Gutiérrez
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
| | - M Zachariah Peery
- Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1630 Linden Drive, Madison, Wisconsin, 53706, USA
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González CAG, Lopes CTA, Teixeira PPM, Santos RR, Domingues SFS. B-mode ultrasonographic evaluation of long bones in Falconiformes and Strigiformes birds. Avian Pathol 2018; 47:625-629. [PMID: 30232911 DOI: 10.1080/03079457.2018.1526372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Bone fractures in birds are usually diagnosed with the aid of traditional radiography. However, this technique remains limited because of the difficulties associating this examination with real-time procedures. The aim of this study was to describe the use of B-mode ultrasound to assess the long bones of two avian orders. For the study, we used carcases of birds from the orders Falconiformes (n = 9) and Strigiformes (n = 12), with weights ranging from 108 to 1020 g. An ultrasound device with a 5-12 MHz linear probe was employed to produce images of the long bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur and tibiotarsus). Ultrasound (US) measurements and physical measurements using a caliper were applied to compare the diameter of the bones. Images were also recorded from the US examination performed in two live patients attending the hospital with suspected bone fractures. No statistical difference was found between the two methods of measurement in carcases weighing up to 267 g (P > 0.01). The US examination provided relevant clinical information about the bone cortex and assisted in real-time surgical procedures. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS Long bones of Falconiformes and Strigiformes birds were assessed with B-mode ultrasound. Ultrasound analysis is a relevant tool in clinical orthopaedics for avian species. Ultrasound of the bone might be applied for monitoring of healing processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camilo A G González
- a Veterinary Hospital - Wild life Sector, Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Cinthia T A Lopes
- a Veterinary Hospital - Wild life Sector, Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Pedro P M Teixeira
- a Veterinary Hospital - Wild life Sector, Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil
| | - Regiane R Santos
- a Veterinary Hospital - Wild life Sector, Universidade Federal do Pará , Brazil.,b Schothorst Feed Research , the Netherlands
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Comay O, Dayan T. What determines prey selection in owls? Roles of prey traits, prey class, environmental variables, and taxonomic specialization. Ecol Evol 2018; 8:3382-3392. [PMID: 29607033 PMCID: PMC5869362 DOI: 10.1002/ece3.3899] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 12/12/2017] [Accepted: 01/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Ecological theory suggests that prey size should increase with predator size, but this trend may be masked by other factors affecting prey selection, such as environmental constraints or specific prey preferences of predator species. Owls are an ideal case study for exploring how predator body size affects prey selection in the presence of other factors due to the ease of analyzing their diets from owl pellets and their widespread distributions, allowing interspecific comparisons between variable habitats. Here, we analyze various dimensions of prey resource selection among owls, including prey size, taxonomy (i.e., whether or not particular taxa are favored regardless of their size), and prey traits (movement type, social structure, activity pattern, and diet). We collected pellets of five sympatric owl species (Athene noctua, Tyto alba, Asio otus, Strix aluco, and Bubo bubo) from 78 sites across the Mediterranean Levant. Prey intake was compared between sites, with various environmental variables and owl species as predictors of abundance. Despite significant environmental impacts on prey intake, some key patterns emerge among owl species studied. Owls select prey by predator body size: Larger owls tend to feed on wider ranges of prey sizes, leading to higher means. In addition, guild members show both specialization and generalism in terms of prey taxa, sometimes in contrast with the expectations of the predator–prey body size hypothesis. Our results suggest that while predator body size is an important factor in prey selection, taxon specialization by predator species also has considerable impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Orr Comay
- Department of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
| | - Tamar Dayan
- Department of Zoology and the Steinhardt Museum of Natural History Tel Aviv University Tel Aviv Israel
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12
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Agusti Montolio S, Molina López R, Cray C, Lavín González S, Nicolás Francisco O, Marco Sánchez I, Casas-Díaz E, Cuenca Valera R. Hematologic reference intervals and age effect in European Strigiformes. Vet Clin Pathol 2017; 46:483-495. [PMID: 28712138 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The clinical importance of hematologic testing in avian veterinary medicine is reflected in the increasing number of studies for the establishment of hematologic RIs of Strigiformes and other species. Age is an important physiologic factor in birds and the effect on hematology variable should be understood. OBJECTIVES The objective of this study was to determine baseline data of hematologic variables in 5 species of Iberian Strigiformes in different age classes. METHODS Nocturnal birds of prey were sampled at Wildlife Health Centers. Packed cell volume was determined by the microhematocrit centrifugation method, and RBC and WBC counts were determined using the direct hemocytometer count method with Natt and Herrick solution. Hemoglobin concentration was measured spectrophotometrically. The MCV, MCHC, and MHC were calculated using the standard formulas. The differential WBC count was performed by the routine microscopic evaluation of 200 cells on a blood smear manually stained with Wright stain. Thrombocyte blood count estimate was obtained from the blood film. RESULTS No differences were observed between juveniles and adults for any variable evaluated in Tawny owl, Little owl, Scops owl, Long-eared owl, and Barn owl. In addition, PCV, RBC, and HGB of chicks were statistically significantly lower than in juveniles and adults, and total WBC was significantly higher in Tawny owl, Little owl, Scops owl, and Long-eared owl. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide evidence that laboratory data from chicks of Strigiformes are different compared to juveniles and adults; therefore, separate RIs were defined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Agusti Montolio
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafael Molina López
- Torreferrusa Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain
| | - Carolyn Cray
- Division of Comparative Pathology, Department of Pathology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
| | - Santiago Lavín González
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Olga Nicolás Francisco
- Torreferrusa Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Santa Perpètua de Mogoda, Spain.,Vallcalent Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Lleida, Spain
| | - Ignasi Marco Sánchez
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Encarna Casas-Díaz
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rafaela Cuenca Valera
- Department of Animal Medicine and Surgery, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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Vieira PG, de Sousa JPM, Baron J. Contrast response functions in the visual wulst of the alert burrowing owl: a single-unit study. J Neurophysiol 2016; 116:1765-1784. [PMID: 27466135 DOI: 10.1152/jn.00505.2015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2015] [Accepted: 07/15/2016] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The neuronal representation of luminance contrast has not been thoroughly studied in birds. Here we present a detailed quantitative analysis of the contrast response of 120 individual neurons recorded from the visual wulst of awake burrowing owls (Athene cunicularia). Stimuli were sine-wave gratings presented within the cell classical receptive field and optimized in terms of eye preference, direction of drift, and spatiotemporal frequency. As contrast intensity was increased from zero to near 100%, most cells exhibited a monotonic response profile with a compressive, at times saturating, nonlinearity at higher contrasts. However, contrast response functions were found to have a highly variable shape across cells. With the view to capture a systematic trend in the data, we assessed the performance of four plausible models (linear, power, logarithmic, and hyperbolic ratio) using classical goodness-of-fit measures and more rigorous statistical tools for multimodel inferences based on the Akaike information criterion. From this analysis, we conclude that a high degree of model uncertainty is present in our data, meaning that no single descriptor is able on its own to capture the heterogeneous nature of single-unit contrast responses in the wulst. We further show that the generalizability of the hyperbolic ratio model established, for example, in the primary visual cortex of cats and monkeys is not tenable in the owl wulst mainly because most neurons in this area have a much wider dynamic range that starts at low contrast. The challenge for future research will be to understand the functional implications of these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pedro Gabrielle Vieira
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - João Paulo Machado de Sousa
- Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; and
| | - Jerome Baron
- Graduate Program in Physiology and Pharmacology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Graduate Program in Electrical Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil; and Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
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Bukauskaitė D, Žiegytė R, Palinauskas V, Iezhova TA, Dimitrov D, Ilgūnas M, Bernotienė R, Markovets MY, Valkiūnas G. Biting midges (Culicoides, Diptera) transmit Haemoproteus parasites of owls: evidence from sporogony and molecular phylogeny. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:303. [PMID: 26041656 PMCID: PMC4469425 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0910-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2015] [Accepted: 05/20/2015] [Indexed: 01/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Haemoproteus parasites are widespread, and several species cause diseases both in birds and blood-sucking insects. These pathogens are transmitted by dipterans belonging to the Ceratopogonidae and Hippoboscidae, however certain vector species remain unknown for the majority of Haemoproteus spp. Owls are often infected by Haemoproteus parasites, but experimental studies on vectors of these infections are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate sporogonic development of two widespread Haemoproteus parasites of owls, H. noctuae and H. syrnii in experimentally infected biting midges Culicoides impunctatus and Culicoides nubeculosus. We also followed in vitro sporogonic development of these infections and determined their phylogenetic relationships with Haemoproteus spp., for which vectors have been identified. METHODS Wild-caught C. impunctatus and laboratory reared C. nubeculosus were infected experimentally by allowing them to take blood meals on one individual long-eared owl (Asio otus) and one tawny owl (Strix aluco) harbouring mature gametocytes of H. noctuae (lineage hCIRCUM01) and H. syrnii (hCULCIB01), respectively. The engorged insects were maintained in the laboratory at 16-18 °C, and dissected at intervals in order to follow the development of ookinetes, oocysts and sporozoites. We also observed in vitro development of sexual stages of both parasites by exposure of infected blood to air. The parasite lineages were determined by polymerase chain reaction-based methods. Bayesian phylogeny was constructed in order to determine the relationships of owl parasites with other avian Haemoproteus spp., for which vectors have been identified. RESULTS Both H. noctuae and H. syrnii completed sporogony in C. nubeculosus, and H. noctuae completed sporogony in C. impunctatus. Ookinetes, oocysts and sporozoites of these parasites were reported and described. Gametes and ookinetes of both species readily developed in vitro. In accordance with sporogony data, the phylogenetic analysis placed both parasite lineages in a clade of Culicoides spp.-transmitted avian Haemoproteus (Parahaemoproteus) spp. CONCLUSIONS Culicoides nubeculosus and C. impunctatus are vectors of H. noctuae and H. syrnii. Phylogenies based on cytochrome b gene indicate parasite-vector relationships, and we recommend using them in predicting possible parasite-vector relationships and planning research on avian Haemoproteus spp. vectors in wildlife.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dovilė Bukauskaitė
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
| | - Rita Žiegytė
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
| | - Vaidas Palinauskas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
| | - Tatjana A Iezhova
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
| | - Dimitar Dimitrov
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
- Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, 2 Gagarin Street, Sofia, 1113, Bulgaria.
| | - Mikas Ilgūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
| | - Rasa Bernotienė
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
| | - Mikhail Yu Markovets
- Biological Station Rybachy of the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Rybachy, 238535, , Kaliningrad Region, Russia.
| | - Gediminas Valkiūnas
- Institute of Ecology, Nature Research Centre, Akademijos 2, Vilnius 21, LT-09412, Lithuania.
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Ammersbach M, Beaufrère H, Gionet Rollick A, Tully T. Laboratory blood analysis in Strigiformes-Part I: hematologic reference intervals and agreement between manual blood cell counting techniques. Vet Clin Pathol 2015; 44:94-108. [PMID: 25627556 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND While hematologic reference intervals (RI) are available for multiple raptorial species of the order Accipitriformes and Falconiformes, there is a lack of valuable hematologic information in Strigiformes that can be used for diagnostic and health monitoring purposes. OBJECTIVES The objective was to report RI in Strigiformes for hematologic variables and to assess agreement between manual cell counting techniques. METHODS A multi-center prospective study was designed to assess hematologic RI and blood cell morphology in owl species. Samples were collected from individuals representing 13 Strigiformes species, including Great Horned Owl, Snowy Owl, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Barred Owl, Great Gray Owl, Ural Owl, Northern Saw-Whet Owls, Northern Hawk Owl, Spectacled Owl, Barn Owl, Eastern Screech Owl, Long-Eared Owl, and Short-Eared Owl. Red blood cell count was determined manually using a hemocytometer. White blood cell count was determined using 3 manual counting techniques: (1) phloxine B technique, (2) Natt and Herrick technique, and (3) estimation from the smear. Differential counts and blood cell morphology were determined on smears. Reference intervals were determined and agreement between methods was calculated. RESULTS Important species-specific differences were observed in blood cell counts and granulocyte morphology. Differences in WBC count between species did not appear to be predictable based on phylogenetic relationships. Overall, most boreal owl species exhibited a lower WBC count than other species. Important disagreements were found between different manual WBC counting techniques. CONCLUSIONS Disagreements observed between manual counting techniques suggest that technique-specific RI should be used in Strigiformes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Ammersbach
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Ammersbach M, Beaufrère H, Gionet Rollick A, Tully T. Laboratory blood analysis in Strigiformes-Part II: plasma biochemistry reference intervals and agreement between the Abaxis Vetscan V2 and the Roche Cobas c501. Vet Clin Pathol 2015; 44:128-40. [PMID: 25613649 DOI: 10.1111/vcp.12230] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Limited plasma biochemical information is available in Strigiformes. Only one study investigated the agreement between a point-of-care with a reference laboratory analyzer for biochemistry variables in birds. OBJECTIVES The objective was to report reference intervals (RI) for plasma biochemistry variables in Strigiformes, and to assess agreement between the Abaxis Vetscan V2 and Roche Cobas c501. METHODS A prospective study was designed to assess plasma biochemistry RI for concentration of calcium, phosphorus, total protein, albumin, globulin, glucose, bilirubin, uric acid, bile acids, sodium, potassium, and chloride, and activities of AST, GGT, CK, amylase, lipase, LDH, and GLDH. In addition, the agreement between the Vetscan and the Cobas in owl species was assessed. RESULTS A total of 190 individuals were sampled belonging to 12 Strigiformes species including Barn Owls, Barred Owls, Great Horned Owls, Eurasian Eagle Owls, Spectacled Owls, Eastern Screech Owls, Long-Eared Owls, Short-Eared Owls, Great Gray Owls, Snowy Owls, Northern Saw-Whet Owls, and Northern Hawk-Owls. Order-, species-, and method-specific RI were determined on both analyzers. Although Vetscan data were not equivalent to the Cobas, 4 analytes (glucose, AST, CK, and total protein, with correction for bias) were within acceptable agreement, 3 analytes (uric acid, calcium, and phosphorus) were within close agreement, and the remaining analytes were in strong disagreement. Species-specific differences were observed notably for the concentration of glucose in Barn Owls and electrolytes in Northern Saw-Whet Owls. CONCLUSIONS Overall, this study suggests that the Vetscan has acceptable clinical performance in Strigiformes for some analytes and highlights discrepancies for several analytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mélanie Ammersbach
- Department of Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON, Canada
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Abstract
We report three new avian mitochondrial genomes, two from widely separated groups of owls and a falcon relative (the Secretarybird). We then report additional progress in resolving Neoavian relationships in that the two groups of owls do come together (it is not just long-branch attraction), and the Secretarybird is the deepest divergence on the Accipitridae lineage. This is now agreed between mitochondrial and nuclear sequences. There is no evidence for the monophyly of the combined three groups of raptors (owls, eagles, and falcons), and again this is agreed by nuclear and mitochondrial sequences. All three groups (owls, accipitrids [eagles], and falcons) do appear to be members of the "higher land birds," and though there may not yet be full "consilience" between mitochondrial and nuclear sequences for the precise order of divergences of the eagles, falcons, and the owls, there is good progress on their relationships.
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