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At least 721 records · Page 40Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

Thorn-like prickles and heterophylly in Cyanea: adaptations to extinct avian browsers on Hawaii?

The evolution of thorn-like structures in plants on oceanic islands that lack mammalian and reptilian herbivores is puzzling, as is their tendency toward juvenile-adult leaf dimorphism. We propose that these traits arose in Cyanea (Campanulaceae) on Hawaii as mechanical and visual defenses against herbivory by flightless geese and goose-like ducks that were extirpated by Polynesians within the last 1600 years. A chloroplast DNA phylogeny indicates that thorn-like prickles evolved at least four times and leaf dimorphism at least three times during the last 3.7 million years. The incidence of both traits increases from Oahu eastward toward younger islands, paralleling the distribution of avian species apparently adapted for browsing. The effectiveness of visual defenses against avian browsers (once dominant on many oceanic islands, based on the vagility of their ancestors) may provide a general explanation for insular heterophylly: the other islands on which this previously unexplained phenomenon is marked (New Zealand, New Caledonia, Madagascar, Mascarene Islands) are exactly those on which one or more large flightless avian browsers evolved.

Journal Article↗
PubMed2002

Characterization of avian metapneumoviruses isolated in the USA.

Avian pneumovirus (APV; officially known as turkey rhinotracheitis virus) is an emergent pathogen of birds in the USA that results in upper respiratory tract disease in turkeys. Six years after the first outbreak in the USA, the disease continues to ravage turkey flocks, primarily in the state of Minnesota. From 1997 to 2000, the industry recorded losses estimated at 15 million US dollars per annum. Researchers have developed sensitive diagnostic techniques, including the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. which, when used together, are highly sensitive in detecting APV outbreaks in commercial turkey flocks. Phylogenetic analysis of the nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence of 15 US viruses isolated between 1996 and 2000 demonstrated that the US viruses are relatively homogenous but different from the European APV subgroups A and B, resulting in the classification of US isolates into subgroup C. Infectious APV was isolated from sentinel waterfowls placed close to an infected commercial turkey farm and from wild Canada geese captured in Minnesota, suggesting that free-ranging birds may be involved in the spread of APV. Current efforts to prevent and control the infection include improving management and biosecurity practices and developing attenuated live and deletion mutant vaccines capable of conferring protection.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Storage and incubation of Echinostoma revolutum eggs recovered from wild Branta canadensis, and their infectivity to Lymnaea tomentosa snails.

Echinostoma revolutum eggs recovered from naturally infected wild Canada geese (Branta canadensis) were cold stored (4-6 degrees C) for up to 72 weeks. Successful hatching followed incubation for from 6 to 8 days at an optimum temperature of between 25 and 30 degrees C. A partial life cycle from adult worm to metacercarial encystment in Lymnaea tomentosa snails was completed in the laboratory. Snails were infected both by free miracidia and by ingestment of unhatched embryonated eggs. Infection was equally successful in environmental temperature ranges from 10 to 25 degrees C, and at challenge levels of 2, 5 or 10 embryonated eggs per snail. Exposure to 10 eggs was lethal. Ingestion by snails of embryonated eggs with successful infection at 10 degrees C suggests that embryonated eggs may be used to infect wild snails when the environmental water temperature has reached 10 degrees C.

Animals↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Manganese, copper, zinc, iron, cadmium, mercury and lead in muscle meat, liver and kidneys of poultry, rabbit and sheep slaughtered in the northern part of Poland, 1987.

Manganese, copper, zinc, iron, cadmium, mercury and lead concentrations have been determined in muscle meat, livers and kidneys of ducks, geese, chickens, hens, rabbits and sheep slaughtered in the northern part of Poland in 1987. The mean values obtained related to wet weight for muscle meat, livers and kidneys of animals were: 0.11-0.27, 0.73-3.3 and 0.90-1.9 mg/kg Mn; 0.52-7.3, 3.8-88 and 2.8-15 mg/kg Cu; 5.7-40, 20-45 and 21-30 mg/kg Zn; 10-35, 27-83 and 50-180 mg/kg Fe; less than 5-5, 16-140 and 250-5100 micrograms/kg Cd; less than 1-3, 2-10 and 5-12 micrograms/kg Hg; and less than 10-20, 100-210 and 120-1300 micrograms/kg Pb, respectively. Substantial differences have been found in the mean copper concentration in muscle meat, livers and kidneys, zinc and iron in muscle meat, and cadmium in kidneys, between some of the species examined. The mean and maximum concentrations of mercury and lead found in muscle meat and organs of animals in the present study were low, and only in the case of cadmium were somewhat higher values found in kidneys of rabbit and hen. The results obtained are compared with the literature data on the concentrations of the metals examined in muscle meat, livers and kidneys of poultry, rabbit and sheep in Poland or elsewhere.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Avian host range of Chlamydophila spp. based on isolation, antigen detection and serology.

Published reports and our own diagnostic data on the avian host range of avian Chlamydophila spp. are presented in an attempt to provide evidence for the large number of bird species that have been naturally infected with chlamydia. The term 'chlamydia-positive' is based on either isolation of the organism and antigen detection or on serological detection of circulating antibodies. The list of chlamydia-positive birds contains the six major domestic species (chicken, turkey, Pekin duck, Muscovy duck, goose, and pigeon), the three minor domestic species (Japanese quail, bobwhite quail, and peafowl) and a total of 460 free-living or pet bird species in 30 orders. The order Psittaciformes contains by far the most (153 of 342; 45%) chlamydia-positive bird species. More than 20% of all species per order are positive for chlamydia in the orders Lariformes (gulls, 26 of 92 species; 28%), Alciformes (alks, six of 23 species; 26%), Sphenisciformes (penguins, four of 16 species; 25%), and Anseriformes (ducks and geese, 33 of 157 species; 21%). Only 5% of all bird species (14 of 259 species) in the order Phasianiformes (gallinaceus birds) are chlamydia-positive. The different percentages of chlamydia-positive bird species reflect: (i) a high rate of investigations (e.g. of domestic birds) compared with infrequent testing (e.g. of Charadriiformes or Cuculiformes), (ii) frequent zoonotic implications (e.g. psittacine and columbiform birds), and (iii) an assumed high susceptibility to infection and subsequent seroconversion (e.g. waterfowl).

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Investigation of outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza in waterfowl and wild birds in Hong Kong in late 2002.

Outbreaks of highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza have occurred in Hong Kong in chickens and other gallinaceous poultry in 1997, 2001, twice in 2002 and 2003. High mortality rates were seen in gallinaceous birds but not in domestic or wild waterfowl or other wild birds until late 2002 when highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza occurred in waterfowl (geese, ducks and swans), captive Greater Flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) and other wild birds (Little Egret Egretta garzetta) at two waterfowl parks and from two dead wild Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) and a Black-headed Gull (Larus ridibundus) in Hong Kong. H5N1 avian influenza virus was also isolated from a dead feral pigeon (Columba livia) and a dead tree sparrow (Passer montanus) during the second outbreak. The first waterfowl outbreak was controlled by immediate strict quarantine and depopulation 1 week before the second outbreak commenced. Control measures implemented for the second outbreak included strict isolation, culling, increased sanitation and vaccination. Outbreaks in gallinaceous birds occurred in some live poultry markets concurrently with the second waterfowl outbreak, and infection on a chicken farm was detected 1 week after the second waterfowl park outbreak was detected, on the same day the second grey heron case was detected. Subsequent virus surveillance showed the outbreaks had been contained.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to diagnose avian tuberculosis in a captive collection of wildfowl.

The current study assessed the diagnostic accuracy of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and evaluated it as a diagnostic screening aid for avian tuberculosis (TB) in a wildfowl collection at the Wildfowl and Wetlands Trust Centre at Llanelli, Wales, U.K.. Four hundred and eighteen birds of the collection, including geese, ducks, and swans, were screened for mycobacterial antibody levels. Of those birds tested, 40 died during the period of this study and gross post mortem examinations were performed. The ELISA showed a sensitivity of 76.9% and a specificity of 55.6% using post-mortem findings as the 'gold standard'. Thirteen of the examined birds showed evidence of avian TB at necropsy. In addition, liver and spleen biopsies of 19 birds were examined histopathologically. There was minimal agreement between gross post mortem and histopathological findings. PCR performed on 13 of the specimens prepared for histopathology did not identify the presence of mycobacterial DNA. The findings reveal a need for further research to improve the sensitivity and specificity of this ELISA and the accurate diagnosis of avian TB.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

The mitochondrial genome of Cygnus columbianus, the Whistling Swan.

The nucleotide sequence of the mitochondrial genome of the Whistling Swan, Cygnus columbianus, is reported. Many of the features common to avian mitochondrial genomes are present in C. columbianus and are described here. The gene order is the same as in Gallus gallus. The sequence of this mitochondrial genome allows relationships within the family Anatidae (swans, geese and ducks) to be reconsidered in the light of a large suite of mitochondrial characters. Protein-coding gene sequences of C. columbianus were concatenated to form a supergene, which was analyzed phylogenetically with similar constructs from previously published avian genomes. Relationships within Anatidae and between the Anatidae and the galliform birds were addressed. Three independent phylogenetic methods confirmed traditional classifications and the existence of the Galloanseres clade.

Animals↗
PubMed1965

MITOCHONDRIA IN CARDIAC MUSCLE CELLS OF THE CANARY AND SOME OTHER BIRDS.

The fine structure of mitochondria from the ventricular myocardium of canaries, sparrows, zebra finches, quail, and geese has been studied. The first three of these birds have very fast heart rates, the quail being intermediate, and the goose has a relatively slow rate. The canary heart has a unique form of mitochondrion containing large, parallel arrays of zigzag or angled cristae. Other cristae, continuous with the zigzag ones and also occupying large parts of the mitochondrial volume, are named retiform because of the hexagonal network which they form, sometimes in a single plane and sometimes three dimensional. These two types of cristae appear to be interconnectible. It is possible that there is a direct functional significance in these peculiar forms, but, in any case, the relative constancy of dimensions in these arrays is probably related to specific properties of the molecules of which the cristal membrane is composed. It is also demonstrated that this membrane is composed in part of approximately 30-A particles which are believed to be protein molecules. This unusual mitochondrial morphology is not seen either in the other fast bird hearts or in the slower ones, so that there is neither a simple correlation with heart rate nor probably with the separate parts of the cardiac cycle. Although none of the other four hearts shows more than an occasional angled crista, there does seem to be a rather gross correlation between heart rate and mitochondrial size and complexity of crista structure, but no correlation with presence or absence of zigzag forms. The cristae of quail heart mitochondria are disposed in unusually large close-packed whorls.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Serologic survey of domestic animals for zoonotic arbovirus infections in the Lacandón Forest region of Chiapas, Mexico.

A serologic survey in domestic animals (birds and mammals) was conducted in four communities located in the Lacandón Forest region of northeastern Chiapas, Mexico, during June 29 to July 1, 2001, with the objective to identify zoonotic arboviruses circulating in this area. We collected 202 serum samples from healthy domestic chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, horses and cattle. The samples were tested by plaque-reduction neutralization test for antibodies to selected mosquito-borne flaviviruses (family Flaviviridae), including St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), Rocio (ROC), Ilheus (ILH), Bussuquara (BSQ), and West Nile (WN) viruses, and selected alphaviruses (family Togaviridae), including Western equine encephalitis (WEE), Eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis (VEE) viruses. Neutralizing antibodies to SLE virus were detected in two (8%) of 26 turkeys, 15 (23%) of 66 cattle, and three (60%) of five horses. Antibodies to VEE virus were detected in 29 (45%) of 65 cattle. Because some of these animals were as young as 2 months old, we demonstrated recent activity of these two viruses. Sub-typing of the VEE antibody responses indicated that the etiologic agents of these infections belonged to the IE variety of VEE, which has been reported from other regions of Chiapas. WN virus-neutralizing antibodies were detected in a single cattle specimen (PRNT(90) = 1:80) that also circulated SLE virus-neutralizing antibodies (PRNT(90) = 1:20), suggesting that WN virus may have been introduced into the region. We also detected weak neutralizing activity to BSQ virus in four cattle and a chicken specimen, suggesting the presence of this or a closely related virus in Mexico. There was no evidence for transmission of the other viruses (ROC, ILH, EEE, WEE) in the study area.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Escherichia coli producing CTX-M beta-lactamases in food animals in Hong Kong.

A study was conducted to evaluate the occurrence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Escherichia coli from fecal samples of healthy food animals in Hong Kong. Rectal or cloacal swabs were obtained from cattle, pigs, chicken, ducks, geese, and pigeons in slaughterhouses or wholesale markets over a 5- month period in 2002. Antibiotic-containing medium was used for selective isolation of potentially ESBL-producing E. coli. Of 734 samples analyzed, six (2%) from pigs, three (3.1%) from cattle, and one (3%) from pigeons had E. coli strains with the ESBL phenotype. The ESBL content for the 10 isolates include CTXM- 3 (n = 4), CTX-M-13 (n = 3), CTX-M-14 (n = 2), and CTX-M-24 (n = 1). In five isolates, the bla (CTX-M) gene was encoded on transferable plasmids (60 or 90 kb), and the gene was found to transfer to E. coli (J53 or JP995) with frequencies of 10(7) to 10(3) per donor cells. The ten isolates had five distinct pulsotypes with some clonal spread. However, the isolates from the different kinds of animals were not clonally related. These findings imply that bacteria of animal origins may serve as reservoirs of some ESBL genes.

Animals↗
PubMed1997

Lipoprotein metabolism and fattening in poultry.

Because de novo fatty acid synthesis in birds takes place mainly in the liver, adipose tissue growth and subsequent fattening depend on the availability of plasma triglycerides, which are transported as components of lipoproteins. In growing birds, VLDL is the major transporter of triglycerides, and attempts to reduce excessive fatness in poultry have involved the control of VLDL metabolism. Lean and fat lines of chickens have been selected on the basis of either their abdominal fat content or plasma VLDL concentration. In both cases, hepatic lipogenesis or LPL activity in adipose tissue did not differ between lean and fat lines, and therefore they did not appear to be limiting factors of susceptibility to fattening. In contrast, hepatic secretion and plasma concentration of VLDL were always higher in fat chickens than in lean chickens. Thus, current methods of selection of broilers against excessive fatness are based on this direct relationship between plasma VLDL and adiposity. When hepatic lipogenesis exceeds the capacity of VLDL secretion, triglycerides accumulate in the liver, causing steatosis. Although fatty liver is associated with reduced egg production and increased mortality in laying hens, hepatic steatosis in overfed ducks and geese is of positive economic value, serving as the basis for "foie-gras" production. The balance between synthesis and secretion of VLDL is therefore the key point that regulates hepatic and extrahepatic fattening in poultry.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed2004

Four new avian mitochondrial genomes help get to basic evolutionary questions in the late cretaceous.

Good phylogenetic trees are required to test hypotheses about evolutionary processes. We report four new avian mitochondrial genomes, which together with an improved method of phylogenetic analysis for vertebrate mt genomes give results for three questions in avian evolution. The new mt genomes are: magpie goose (Anseranas semipalmata), an owl (morepork, Ninox novaeseelandiae); a basal passerine (rifleman, or New Zealand wren, Acanthisitta chloris); and a parrot (kakapo or owl-parrot, Strigops habroptilus). The magpie goose provides an important new calibration point for avian evolution because the well-studied Presbyornis fossils are on the lineage to ducks and geese, after the separation of the magpie goose. We find, as with other animal mitochondrial genomes, that RY-coding is helpful in adjusting for biases between pyrimidines and between purines. When RY-coding is used at third positions of the codon, the root occurs between paleognath and neognath birds (as expected from morphological and nuclear data). In addition, passerines form a relatively old group in Neoaves, and many modern avian lineages diverged during the Cretaceous. Although many aspects of the avian tree are stable, additional taxon sampling is required.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

A mitogenomic timescale for birds detects variable phylogenetic rates of molecular evolution and refutes the standard molecular clock.

Current understanding of the diversification of birds is hindered by their incomplete fossil record and uncertainty in phylogenetic relationships and phylogenetic rates of molecular evolution. Here we performed the first comprehensive analysis of mitogenomic data of 48 vertebrates, including 35 birds, to derive a Bayesian timescale for avian evolution and to estimate rates of DNA evolution. Our approach used multiple fossil time constraints scattered throughout the phylogenetic tree and accounts for uncertainties in time constraints, branch lengths, and heterogeneity of rates of DNA evolution. We estimated that the major vertebrate lineages originated in the Permian; the 95% credible intervals of our estimated ages of the origin of archosaurs (258 MYA), the amniote-amphibian split (356 MYA), and the archosaur-lizard divergence (278 MYA) bracket estimates from the fossil record. The origin of modern orders of birds was estimated to have occurred throughout the Cretaceous beginning about 139 MYA, arguing against a cataclysmic extinction of lineages at the Cretaceous/Tertiary boundary. We identified fossils that are useful as time constraints within vertebrates. Our timescale reveals that rates of molecular evolution vary across genes and among taxa through time, thereby refuting the widely used mitogenomic or cytochrome b molecular clock in birds. Moreover, the 5-Myr divergence time assumed between 2 genera of geese (Branta and Anser) to originally calibrate the standard mitochondrial clock rate of 0.01 substitutions per site per lineage per Myr (s/s/l/Myr) in birds was shown to be underestimated by about 9.5 Myr. Phylogenetic rates in birds vary between 0.0009 and 0.012 s/s/l/Myr, indicating that many phylogenetic splits among avian taxa also have been underestimated and need to be revised. We found no support for the hypothesis that the molecular clock in birds "ticks" according to a constant rate of substitution per unit of mass-specific metabolic energy rather than per unit of time, as recently suggested. Our analysis advances knowledge of rates of DNA evolution across birds and other vertebrates and will, therefore, aid comparative biology studies that seek to infer the origin and timing of major adaptive shifts in vertebrates.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Evaluation of nicarbazin as a potential waterfowl contraceptive using mallards as a model.

Contraception may provide a useful nonlethal management tool to reduce wild bird populations. We tested the efficacy of nicarbazin (NCZ) as a contraceptive for waterfowl and assessed health effects of NCZ, using domestic mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) as a model for Canada geese (Branta canadensis). Mallards were given gelatin capsules containing 0, 8.5, 17.0, or 33.75 mg of NCZ/kg of BW perorally once daily for 14 d. Fecal 4,4'-dinitrocarbanilide (DNC) and fluorescein were evaluated as potential markers of plasma and egg DNC levels. Plasma, egg, and fecal DNC levels differed among treatment groups in a dose response relationship. There were no significant effects on the numbers of eggs laid per female per day, proportion of fertile eggs, proportion of eggs hatching, or egg yolk mottling. Hatchability was 0.55 +/- 0.1 in the control group compared with 0.26 +/- 0.1 in the 33.75 mg/kg of BW group. Degeneration of the vitelline membrane was evident at all treatment levels; severity was dose-related and greater in the outer vitelline membrane than the inner vitelline membrane. No significant health effects were observed for birds treated with NCZ. The heterophil:lymphocyte ratio was elevated during the treatment and posttreatment periods in all groups, indicating birds were experiencing stress due to handling. Fecal DNC levels did not correlate well with plasma DNC levels, likely due to NCZ being administered as a bolus dose rather than being fed ad libitum. Fluorescein correlated well with plasma DNC levels during the treatment period and can therefore be used successfully as a noninvasive marker to determine the approximate amount of NCZ a bird is consuming. As a contraceptive, NCZ likely would have minimal adverse health effects on the target animal, although field studies with the species of interest need to be conducted. Further research using higher NCZ levels needs to be conducted to determine whether NCZ can inhibit reproduction in waterfowl.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Scratching an ancient itch: an Eocene bird louse fossil.

Out of the 30 extant orders of insects, all but one, the parasitic lice (Insecta: Phthiraptera), have a confirmed fossil record. Here, we report the discovery of what appears to be the first bird louse fossil: an exceptionally well-preserved specimen collected from the crater of the Eckfeld maar near Manderscheid, Germany. The 44-million-year-old specimen shows close phylogenetic affinities with modern feather louse ectoparasites of aquatic birds. Preservation of feather remnants in the specimen's foregut confirms its association as a bird ectoparasite. Based on a phylogenetic analysis of the specimen and palaeoecological data, we suggest that this louse was the parasite of a large ancestor to modern Anseriformes (swans, geese and ducks) or Charadriiformes (shorebirds). The crown group position of this fossil in the phylogeny of lice confirms the group's long coevolutionary history with birds and points to an early origin for lice, perhaps inherited from early-feathered theropod dinosaurs.

Animals↗
PubMed2006

Predicting the consequences of carry-over effects for migratory populations.

Migratory animals present a unique challenge for predicting population size because they are influenced by events in multiple stages of the annual cycle that are separated by large geographic distances. Here, we develop a model that incorporates non-fatal carry-over effects to predict changes in population size and show how this can be integrated with predictive models of habitat loss and deterioration. Examples from Barn swallows, Greater snow geese and American redstarts show how carry-over effects can be estimated and integrated into the model. Incorporation of carry-over effects should increase the predictive power of models. However, the challenge for developing accurate predictions rests both on the ability to estimate parameters from multiple stages of the annual cycle and to understand how events between these periods interact to influence individual success.

Animal Migration↗
PubMed1993

Mycoplasma imitans sp. nov. is related to Mycoplasma gallisepticum and found in birds.

A mycoplasma designated strain 4229T (T = type strain) was isolated in 1984 from the turbinate of a duck in France, and similar strains were isolated from geese in France and from a partridge in England. All of these strains were originally identified as Mycoplasma gallisepticum by immunofluorescence and growth inhibition tests, but subsequent serological and molecular studies indicated only a partial relationship to this species and DNA-DNA hybridization studies revealed only approximately 40 to 46% genetic homology with M. gallisepticum PG31T. In this study morphological, cultural, and physical investigations were carried out on strain 4229T and partridge strain B2/85, after we first demonstrated the similarity between these organisms by performing a restriction enzyme analysis of their DNAs. Both strains had phenotypic properties very similar to M. gallisepticum properties, including the presence of an attachment organelle. As a result of these investigations, the organisms were assigned to the class Mollicutes, the order Mycoplasmatales, and the genus Mycoplasma. They fermented glucose, reduced triphenyl tetrazolium chloride aerobically and anaerobically, and exhibited hemadsorption and hemagglutination, but other biochemical tests were negative. Apart from a serological cross-reaction with M. gallisepticum, these organisms exhibited no significant relationship with any previously described Mycoplasma species as determined by growth inhibition or immunofluorescence tests or with a number of additional serovars and unclassified avian strains. This Mycoplasma taxon therefore appears to be a new species, for which we propose the name Mycoplasma imitans. The type strain is strain 4229 (= NCTC 11733 = ATCC 51306).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗