Serum protein changes in immune and nonimmune pigeons infected with various strains of Trichomonas gallinae

Serum protein changes were studied in immune and nonimmune pigeons infected with three different strains of Trichomonas gallinae. Strain I (nonvirulent) produced no change in the relative concentration of serum components. Strains II (oral canker) and III (Jones' Barn) produced decreases in albumin and alpha globulins, and increases in beta and gamma globulins between the 7th and 20th days post infection. Birds infected with strain II began to return to normal by the 20th day, while all those infected with strain III were dead between 10 and 14 days post infection. Two serum protein patterns resulted from infection of immune birds with the Jones' Barn strain. One showed no change in relative protein concentrations and no tissue invasion by the parasite while the other was similar to that seen in nonimmune birds infected with a strain producing oral canker. These also showed evidence of tissue invasion by the parasite. It was concluded that tissue invasion was necessary to evoke a quantitative change in serum protein concentrations.     

Post-hatching dynamics of plasma biochemistry in free-living European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris)

This is the first study of plasma biochemical parameters in free-living altricial birds during an entire developmental period in a nest, represented by European starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Dynamics of postnatal changes from hatching until close to fledging (days 1 to 15) were registered. Parameters of protein metabolism represented by total proteins, albumin and globulin concentrations increased continuously during the observed developmental period. There were two peaks in uric acid concentration on days 5 and 11. To the contrary, the creatinine content did not change throughout the observed period and increased only on day 15. Creatine kinase activity gradually increased until day 11 and then fell before fledging. Parameters of lipid metabolism (concentration of total lipids, triacylglycerols and nonesterified fatty acids) in plasma increased gradually reaching a plateau between days 8 and 11 and then declined on day 15. The cholesterol concentration pattern was similar to maximum value on day 11, then consecutively decreased. Concentration of glucose increased until day 8 and remained unchanged until fledging. Whereas calcium reached the highest concentration during days 8 and 11, phosphorus peaked earlier on day 5. The activity of alkaline phosphatase was similar to the pattern found in calcium concentration. Presented data showed an increase in both protein and lipid metabolism during the phase of rapid growth. A remarkable decrease in parameters of lipid metabolism before fledging may reflect increased physical activity and changes in nutrition.     

Differences between the 7-spot and 2-spot ladybird beetles (Coccinellidae) in their toxic effects on a bird predator

Abstract. 1. Experiments with nestling blue tits Parus caeruleus L. examined the effects of feeding them 7-spot ladybird Coccinella septempunctata (L.), 2-spot ladybird Adalia bipunctata (L.) or controls Tenebrio sp.
2. A feeding rate of 51/3 7-spot ladybirds per day 'killed' nestlings within 2 days. Three of six nestlings fed at half this rate survived 4 days. In contrast, all experimental birds survived sixty-four 2-spot ladybirds fed over 4 days (equivalent by weight to the high 7-spot diet).
3. Nestlings fed 7-spot ladybirds also grew more slowly than birds fed 2-spot ladybirds. The latter birds showed no difference in weight gain from the controls although they begged more strongly for food.
4. Cadavers of birds fed 7-spot ladybirds showed evidence of severe liver damage.
5. The results indicate a substantial difference between the ladybird species in their toxicity to nestling blue tits. They support the hypothesis that 2-spot ladybirds are largely-edible, polymorphic Batesian mimics of well-protected, monomorphic species such as the 7-spot ladybird.     

Influence of hatching order on growth rate and resting metabolism of kestrel nestlings

Hatching asynchrony in altricial birds may result in a competitive disadvantage for the youngest nestlings compared to older siblings. We studied the effects of a size hierarchy on the growth rate of Eurasian kestrels Falco tinnunculus chicks in nests with and without access to supplemented food in western Finland. Body mass stopped increasing on the 19th day after hatching while body size, estimated by a combination of bone and feather lengths continued to increase at least until fledging at 26 days. Body condition, reflecting muscle and fat, did not change markedly during the growth period from the 12th day to fledging. Body temperature and resting metabolism were usually lower in nestlings 12 days old than in nestlings at fledging. Growth of body mass, size and condition, and resting metabolism were delayed in last-hatched nestlings aged 19 days. Just before fledging, last-hatched nestlings attained a similar body mass and size, and had a similar resting metabolism to those of older siblings. At fledging, only in nests without access to supplemented food was the body condition of last-hatched chicks lower than that of its siblings, but in nests with access to supplemented food no such difference was detected. Our results highlight that the level of lipids in the last-hatched nestling can be affected by the food restriction imposed by hatching order.     

Seasonal Enumeration of Fecal Coliform Bacteria from the Feces of Ring-Billed Gulls (Larus delawarensis) and Canada Geese (Branta canadensis)

Water suppliers have often implicated roosting birds for fecal contamination of their surface waters. Geese and gulls have been the primary targets of this blame although literature documenting the fecal coliform content of these birds is quite limited. To determine the actual fecal coliform concentrations of these birds, fecal samples from 249 ring-billed gulls and 236 Canada geese in Westchester County, N.Y., were analyzed over a 2-year period. Results indicate that gull feces contain a greater average concentration of fecal coliform bacteria per gram (3.68 × 10⁸) than do goose feces (1.53 × 10⁴); however, average fecal sample weights of the geese were more than 15 times higher than those of the gulls.     

鹌鹑、红嘴鸥、黑翅长脚鹬胚胎期 小肠黏膜表面形态结构

应用扫描电镜观察了鹌鹑（Coturnix coturnix）、红嘴鸥（Larus ridibundus）、黑翅长脚鹬（Himantopus himantopus）胚胎期小肠黏膜的形态变化。鹌鹑与红嘴鸥胚胎发育过程中,小肠黏膜形态结构可分为3个阶段。第一阶段为鹌鹑卵孵育第10 ~ 11天、红嘴鸥卵孵育第13 ~ 14天（相当于胚胎发育60%的阶段）,小肠黏膜为山脊状纵行皱襞;第二阶段为鹌鹑卵孵育第12 ~ 13天、红嘴鸥卵孵育第15 ~ 16天（相当于胚胎发育70%的阶段）,小肠黏膜为“W”形板状皱襞;第三阶段为鹌鹑卵孵育第14 ~ 17天、红嘴鸥卵孵育第17 ~ 22天（相当于胚胎发育到80% ~ 100%阶段）,小肠黏膜为指状绒毛。黑翅长脚鹬卵孵育第10天（相当于胚胎发育到60%的阶段）,小肠黏膜为山脊状纵行皱襞;从卵孵育第12天（相当于胚胎发育到70%的阶段）一直到孵出小肠黏膜均为“W”形板状皱襞。初步判断3种鸟小肠黏膜形态发生这种有规律的变化可能是鸟类对其祖先系统发育的重演。     

Body condition changes of sand martins (Riparia riparia) during breeding, and a comparison with fledgling condition

The body condition of adult sand martins during the breeding season and a sample of fledglings was investigated by carcass analysis and by examination of live birds in the field. Fat scoring of live individuals was a reliable predictor of an individual's lipid content in most instances. Body mass changes during breeding were related to changes in the size of birds' lipid reserves, pectoral muscle mass, body water, and to development of the reproductive system. In both males and females, reserve lipid declined between the onset of breeding and nestling rearing. Pre-breeding males had significantly greater pectoral muscle masses than did nestling rearing females. The potential significance of protein in pectoral muscles as an energy reserve during breeding was small compared with lipid reserves. By comparing potential energy reserves in body lipid and protein with daily energy expenditure, it was calculated that neither incubating nor nestling rearing adults could survive a day of normal activity without feeding. The selective premium on adults optimizing their use of time and energy for self-maintenance behaviour during breeding is therefore likely to be great.     

溶藻细菌L7对水华鱼腥藻氮代谢的影响

【目的】进一步探明藻菌关系,研究溶藻细菌对藻类氮代谢的影响及其作用机制。【方法】将水华鱼腥藻和溶藻细菌L7按两种比例接种入BG11培养液中,在室内进行共培养(藻细胞初始密度为1.21×108cells/L;溶藻细菌L7初始密度分别为1.75×107、1.75×108CFU/mL)。连续7 d测定藻细胞数、异形胞频率和藻细胞内的硝酸还原酶(NR)活性、谷氨酰胺合成酶(GS)活性、谷氨酸合成酶(GOGAT)活性、蛋白质含量、丙二醛(MDA)含量。【结果】低密度溶藻细菌L7能够促进藻生长(第7天藻细胞密度是对照组的1.58倍),增加异形胞频率(第7天高于对照组66.67%);高密度则会抑制藻生长(第7天藻细胞密度相比对照组下降98.84%),降低异形胞频率(第7天为0)。在藻细胞内氮代谢关键酶活性方面,接种后2 5 d,两处理组中藻细胞内NR和GOGAT活性均极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);接种后0 5 d,高密度处理组的GS活性极显著高于对照组(P<0.01),而低密度处理组的则在大部分时间内极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。在整个实验期内,低密度处理组中藻细胞内蛋白质含量一直极显著高于对照组(P<0.01);而在高密度处理组中,除第5天外,细胞内蛋白质含量则全部极显著低于对照组(P<0.01)。接种后2 4 d,高密度处理组中藻细胞内MDA含量呈现上升趋势,并极显著高于其余两组(P<0.01)。【结论】低密度溶藻细菌L7能够提高水华鱼腥藻对氮源的需求,加速蛋白质合成,促进氮代谢;而高密度溶藻细菌L7会对藻细胞产生过氧化伤害,阻碍蛋白质合成和氮代谢过程。     

Prenatal androgen exposure modulates cellular and humoral immune function of black-headed gull chicks

Avian eggs contain considerable amounts of maternal yolk androgens, which have been shown to beneficially influence the physiology and behaviour of the chick. As androgens may suppress immune functions, they may also entail costs for the chick. This is particularly relevant for colonial species, such as the black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), in which the aggregation of large numbers of birds during the breeding season enhances the risk of infectious diseases for the hatching chick.To test the effect of maternal yolk androgens on the chick's immune function, we experimentally manipulated, in a field study, yolk androgen levels within the physiological range by in ovo injection of either androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) or sesame oil (control) into freshly laid eggs. We determined cell-mediated immunity (CMI) and humoral immunity of the chicks at the beginning of the nestling period to evaluate early modulatory effects of yolk androgens on immune function.Embryonic exposure to elevated levels of androgens negatively affected both CMI and humoral immunity in nestling gull chicks. Consequently, maternal yolk androgens not only entail benefits of enhanced competitiveness and growth as previously shown, but also costs in terms of immunosuppression. The outcome of embryonic yolk androgen exposure thus likely depends on the post-hatching circumstances for the developing offspring such as parasite exposure and degree of sibling competition.     

Circahoral rhythms of quantitative protein change--a marker of the morphological maturity and functional activity of the retina

The development of hour changes in the protein content of the retinal ganglionic cells was studied in 1, 7, 14, 19, and 30 day old ground squirrels using cytophotometry. Such rhythms were also compared in sexually mature active and hibernating animals. In ground squirrels, as well as in the other immature born mammals, the recording of hour rhythms of the protein content of the ganglionic neurones becomes possible only after the morphological maturation of retina, from the 19th day of postnatal ontogenesis. During hibernation, no hour rhythms of the protein content of the retina ganglionic cells were recorded in ground squirrels. A conclusion has been drawn that the hour rhythms of protein metabolism can serve as an index of morphological maturity of the tissue and its functional activity.     

Developmental and nutritional regulation of the messenger RNAs for fatty acid synthase,malic enzyme and albumin in the livers of embryonic and newly-hatched chicks

Summary The mRNAs for fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme were almost undetectable in total RNA extracted from the livers of 16-day old chick embryos. Both mRNAs increased in abundance between the 16th day of incubation and the day of hatching. In neonates, fatty acid synthase mRNA level was dependent on nutritional status, increasing slowly if the chicks were starved and rapidly if they were fed. The abundance of malic enzyme mRNA decreased in starved neonatal chicks and increased in fed ones. When neonates were first fed and then starved, starvation caused a large decrease in the abundance of both mRNAs. Conversely, feeding, after a period of starvation, resulted in a substantial increase in both mRNAs. The relative abundances of fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme mRNAs correlated positively with relative rates of enzyme synthesis. Thus, nutritional and hormonal regulation of the synthesis of these two lipogenic enzymes is exerted primarily at a pre-translational level.The abundance of albumin mRNA decreased significantly between the 16th day of incubation and the day of hatching but did not change thereafter in fed or starved chicks. The relative stability of albumin mRNA levels after hatching attests to the selectivity of the nutritional regulation of fatty acid synthase and malic enzyme mRNAs. The decrease in albumin mRNA which occurred between 16 days of incubation and hatching contrasts with the increase in albumin mRNA sequences which occurred during late gestation in the fetal rat (20). High levels of albumin in the chick embryo may be related to the lack of an analogue of mammalian alpha-fetoprotein in birds.Abbreviations PIPES piperazine-N,N-bis (2 ethanesulfonic acid) - SDS sodium dodecyl sulfate Postdoctoral Fellow of the Medical Research Council of Canada.     

Influence of different photoperiods on development of gonad, cloacal gland and circulating thyroid hormones in male Japanese quail Coturnix coturnix japonica.

One day old chicks of Japanese quail were exposed to different photoperiods (LD, 8:16, 13.5:10.5, 16:8 and LL) and observations (testes weight, cloacal gland size, body weight and circulating thyroxine and triiodothyronine) were taken at the age of 3, 5, 7, 9 and 16 weeks. Results indicate that immediate reproductive development occurred in birds exposed to long photoperiods (greater than 12 hr). Growth under LD 8:16, was not apparent till 7th week and by 16 weeks, degree of gonadal development was similar in all the birds, irrespective of photoperiodic treatment. Whereas body weight of the intermediate and long day (LD 13.5:10.5, 16:8 and LL) treated birds increased upto 5th week and remained constant thereafter. But the chicks maintained under short day length (LD 8:16), showed spontaneous increase till the end of the study and birds were much heavier compared to all other groups. Plasma T4 concentration increased with increasing age till 9th week and remained unaltered thereafter. On the other hand T3 level did not change till 7th week followed by a decline. It is suggested that the initiation and degree of gonadal growth in quail depends on the availability of daily photoperiod, until the achievement of full breeding condition. Peak level of T4 observed in 9 week old birds may be involved in the development of photorefractoriness at that age.     

5℃低温对转SOD或POD基因烟草影响的研究

对盆栽9叶龄的3个烟草近等基因系进行5℃低温处理。测定处理2d、4d和6d以及处理6d后恢复生长2d和4d烟草叶片的生理生化指标,观察处理2d、4d和6d后恢复生长7d烟草的生长情况。结果表明随着低温处理时间的延长,细胞质膜透性、丙二醛含量、可溶性蛋白质和糖含量均升高;SOD活性则开始下降随后升高,但始终低于对照;低温造成株高、叶片数和生物量显著下降。     

Nestling testosterone controls begging behaviour in the pied flycatcher, Ficedula hypoleuca

Begging signals and endogenous testosterone (T) levels of young birds have been shown to be positively correlated. If T is causally involved in controlling the level of begging effort, an endocrine control mechanism could explain the evolution of begging as a costly signal reflecting need. We tested experimentally whether elevated circulating T levels enhanced begging behaviour in nestling pied flycatchers, Ficedula hypoleuca. A pilot study confirmed that nestling T levels could be elevated within a natural physiological range using an oral dose of T. After T-dosing, nestling begging behaviour was measured as: i) the duration of begging displays and ii) the maximum height of begging stretches. Our results show that nestling T levels were elevated at 90 min post dosing and that at this time point both measures of begging behaviour were performed more intensely by T-dosed nestlings than controls. Nestling begging displays in response to dosing varied between individuals, which in part was explained either by the date in the breeding season or nestling mass. The results of this study confirm the causal nature of T in controlling nestling begging signals and suggest that it may be part of the mechanism that controls begging behaviour in nestling birds.     

Susceptibility of avian hosts to experimental Gymnophalloides seoi infection

To determine whether avian species are susceptible to infection with Gymnophalloides seoi (a human-infecting intestinal trematode), we exposed 7 species of birds with metacercariae obtained from oysters. The birds were necropsied at days 2, 4, and 6 postinfection (PI). The highest worm recovery at day 6 PI was obtained from the Kentish plover (Charadrius alexandrinus; mean = 56.0%), followed by the Mongolian plover (C. mongolus; 49.3%), and the grey plover (Pluvialis squatarola; 32.3%). In contrast, no mature worms were recovered from the great knot (Calidris tenuirostris), dunlin (C. alpina), black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris), and mallard (Anas platyrhynchos). Among the plovers, the worms attained the greatest size at day 6 PI (254.1 x 190.4 microm) in the Kentish plover, with a significantly higher number of eggs in the uterus. The 3 species of plovers are highly susceptible to experimental G. seoi infection, suggesting that they could play a role as definitive hosts for these worms in nature.     

Elimination of some enteroviruses in the excrements of experimentally infected rats (Rattus norvegicus) and gulls (Larus ridibundus)

Young rats of both sexes, weight 150-170 g, the first laboratory progeny of captured wild parent pairs, were used throughout this experiment. Rats in two experimental groups comprising a total of 34 animals were infected orally with type 2 poliovirus vaccine strain given in each group at doses of 500, 5000 or 50,000 TCD50. In the first experiment, the presence of poliovirus in rat excrements was detectable irregularly till day 13, in the second experiment till day 2 after infection. Small quantities of virus were also detectable from the colon and cecum wall, exceptionally from the mesenteric lymph node. The third experiment included 8 rats orally infected with 5,000 TCD50 of echovirus 30; at the lower dose of virus all excrement samples were culture-negative, at the higher dose the positive virus recovery was recorded in 3 animals one day after infection. Analogous experiments in the fifth group of rats orally infected with 5,000 TCD50 or 50,000 TCD50 of enterovirus 71 yielded much the same results; organs of further 6 animals infected intranasally with 5,000 TCD50 of this virus were culture-negative and no virus-related changes could be histologically demonstrated in these animals. The second part of this study included the experiments conducted on 17 young Larus gulls bred in the laboratory from eggs collected in a colony of free living birds. Groups of these gulls were orally infected with 500 or 5,000 TCD50 of one of the following viruses: type 1 poliovirus vaccine strain, type 3 poliovirus vaccine strain, echovirus 30, enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus B4. All samples of gull excrements collected till day 7 or 20 postinfection were culture-negative. These results suggest that wild rats may play some role in the spread of human enteroviruses in the environment, but no such role could be demonstrated in the Larus gull.     

普通夜鹰的繁殖习性及雏鸟的生长发育

2007年5～6月,对1窝普通夜鹰的繁殖习性及雏鸟的生长发育进行了观察.普通夜鹰育雏期约为18 d.雌、雄性都参与孵卵和育雏.育雏期每天有3个喂食高峰期,分别是晚上20:00～22:00、凌晨0:00~2:00、早上4:00~6:00.育雏过程中,亲鸟的领域性弱,护雏性强.初级飞羽在雏鸟出壳6 d后长出,但生长速度最快.     

A preliminary study on the effects of oyster culturing structures on birds in a sheltered Irish estuary

This study investigated the species composition, numbers and behaviour of birds in an intertidal oyster culture area in Cork Harbour . These data were compared to a nearby area free of aquaculture within the same estuary in March 1999. Species which occurred in the aquaculture free area were also observed in the trestle-area. The most abundant species were oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus, redshank Tringa totanus, dunlin Calidris alpina, curlew Numenius arquata, black-headed gull Larus ridibundus and common gull Larus canus. Oystercatcher, curlew, black-headed gull and common gull occurred in significantly lower numbers in the trestle area, while for redshank and dunlin the differences were not significant. The percentage of birds feeding did not differ between the two areas. Oystercatcher, redshank, dunlin and curlew mostly fed in both areas. In contrast, black-headed gull and common gull generally did not feed, but surveyed the area. Whether the trestles were covered by oyster bags or not did not have any effect on the number of birds except for the dunlin. Dunlin were significantly more frequent beneath the trestles with bags compared with those without bags. In general, the percentage of birds feeding did not differ between areas. Interspecies differences occurred with regard to the position occupied by birds at the trestles. Oystercatcher, redshank and curlew spent more time underneath the trestles. Dunlin, black-headed gulls and common gulls did not differ in numbers underneath or on top of the trestles. These preliminary observations at a single time period give some insight as to the potential interactions between shellfish aquaculture and intertidal birds.     

Seasonal enumeration of fecal coliform bacteria from the feces of ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) and Canada geese (Branta canadensis)

Water suppliers have often implicated roosting birds for fecal contamination of their surface waters. Geese and gulls have been the primary targets of this blame although literature documenting the fecal coliform content of these birds is quite limited. To determine the actual fecal coliform concentrations of these birds, fecal samples from 249 ring-billed gulls and 236 Canada geese in Westchester County, N.Y., were analyzed over a 2-year period. Results indicate that gull feces contain a greater average concentration of fecal coliform bacteria per gram (3.68 x 10(8)) than do goose feces (1.53 x 10(4)); however, average fecal sample weights of the geese were more than 15 times higher than those of the gulls.     

Population biology of swift (Apus apus) ectoparasites in relation to host reproductive success

Abstract.

• 1 We censused ectoparasite populations of adult and nestling swifts over the course of the host's breeding season. Nearly all of the birds were infested with chewing lice and two-thirds of the nests were infested with louse flies. Feather mites were observed but not quantified.
• 2 Lice and louse flies both showed aggregated distributions among hosts. Louse eggs, hatched lice and adult louse flies had negative binomial distributions, whereas the aggregated distribution of louse fly pupae was not adequately described by negative binomial or Poisson models.
• 3 Transmission of lice from parents to offspring was documented. A comparison of the age structure of lice on parents and offspring indicated that most transmission was by nymphal lice.
• 4 Host reproductive success and survival appeared to be independent of the number of lice or louse flies. Neither parasite correlated with the number, body mass, or date of fledging of young birds, nor with the overwinter survival of adults. We caution, however, that experimental manipulations of parasite load are required for a definitive test of the impact of ectoparasites on evolutionary fitness components.