DOCSLIB.ORG

Asymmetric Limb Control in Steady Bipedal Locomotion Robert E

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Asymmetric Limb Control in Steady Bipedal Locomotion Robert E © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd | Journal of Experimental Biology (2015) 218, 3836-3844 doi:10.1242/jeb.126193 RESEARCH ARTICLE Guineafowl with a twist: asymmetric limb control in steady bipedal locomotion Robert E. Kambic1,2,*, Thomas J. Roberts1 and Stephen M. Gatesy1 ABSTRACT imbalance. These sources include deviations from bilateral In avian bipeds performing steady locomotion, right and left limbs are symmetry in the skeleton and soft tissues (e.g. Van Valen, 1962), typically assumed to act out of phase, but with little kinematic shifting of the center of mass due to uneven visceral loads or from – disparity. However, outwardly appearing steadiness may harbor changes in head and tail position, left right differences in step previously unrecognized asymmetries. Here, we present marker- length or duty factor when one leg differentially accelerates or based XROMM data showing that guineafowl on a treadmill routinely decelerates the body, and irregular cycles of yaw, pitch and roll yaw away from their direction of travel using asymmetrical limb among strides (Gatesy, 1999a; Rubenson et al., 2007; Jindrich et al., kinematics. Variation is most strongly reflected at the hip joints, where 2007; Abourachid et al., 2011; Stoessel and Fischer, 2012). patterns of femoral long-axis rotation closely correlate to degree of However, these factors are not usually considered significant yaw divergence. As yaw deviations increase, hip long-axis rotation enough to warrant special attention or to override the general angles undergo larger excursions and shift from biphasic to assumption of symmetry. For instance, many studies measure the monophasic patterns. At large yaw angles, the alternately striding motion, muscle activity or mechanics of a single limb under the limbs exhibit synchronous external and internal femoral rotations of premise that these data are representative of both limbs. Asymmetry substantial magnitude. Hip coordination patterns resembling those in these cases will be a component of the calculated standard used during sidestep maneuvers allow birds to asymmetrically deviations, undifferentiated from measurement error, stride-to-stride modulate their mediolateral limb trajectories and thereby advance variation in speed, and individual variation. using a range of body orientations. While collecting data for a 3D kinematic study of avian walking and running, we were surprised to find major deviations in the KEY WORDS: Locomotion, Bipedalism, Kinematics, Avian, XROMM, orientation of the pelvis relative to the direction of movement. Our Three-dimensional, Numida meleagris, X-ray, Animation preliminary results revealed that birds could hold their position on a treadmill while maintaining a net yaw. The implications of deviating INTRODUCTION the body’s longitudinal axis away from the direction of travel led us Analyses of avian bipedalism typically focus on steady locomotion. to a new set of questions about symmetry and differential limb Birds are predominantly studied moving forward over level ground at control. How asymmetrical is avian bipedalism during steady relatively constant speeds in both kinematic (Cracraft, 1971; Jacobson locomotion? When symmetry is broken, how are the many degrees and Hollyday, 1982; Muir et al., 1996; Gatesy and Biewener, 1991; of freedom (DoF) within joints, among joints and among limbs Gatesy, 1999a; Abourachid, 2000, 2001; Reilly, 2000; Verstappen coordinated to move the two legs differently? et al., 2000; Rubenson et al., 2007; Nyakatura et al., 2012; Provini Until recently, such questions were difficult to answer. With the et al., 2012; Stoessel and Fischer, 2012) and kinetic (Clark and development of XROMM (X-ray reconstruction of moving Alexander, 1975; Alexander et al., 1979; Roberts et al., 1998; morphology; Brainerd et al., 2010; Gatesy et al., 2010) we now Hancock et al., 2007; Goetz et al., 2008; Nudds et al., 2010; Rubenson have the ability to measure six degree of freedom skeletal et al., 2011; Andrada et al., 2013, 2014) analyses. Compared with the kinematics at high resolution. Our 3D analysis of maneuvering uniformity of locomotion on a treadmill or straight trackway, the locomotion in helmeted guineafowl (Numida meleagris) revealed inherent variability of unsteady behaviors is much more difficult to the critical role of femoral and tibiotarsal long-axis rotation (LAR; characterize. Consequently, examinations of birds accelerating Kambic et al., 2014). Hip and knee LAR were critical for achieving (Roberts and Scales, 2002, 2004), maneuvering/turning (Jindrich the non-planar poses required to transversely shift and reorient the et al., 2007; Kambic et al., 2014), and running over uneven terrain body. We hypothesized that a closer look inside steady, yet (Daley and Biewener, 2006; Daley et al., 2009; Birn-Jeffery et al., asymmetrical, forward locomotion might reveal comparable non- 2014; Gordon et al., 2015) remain relatively uncommon. sagittal foot motions governed by similar joint control strategies. Steady locomotion is typically assumed to be symmetrical in striding bipeds. Although out of phase, right and left limbs are MATERIALS AND METHODS thought to mirror each other to a large degree. Most researchers All procedures conducted with animals were approved by the Institutional would likely concur that absolutely symmetrical operation of the Animal Care and Use Committee at Brown University. Six helmeted limbs is rare, as there are many potential sources of functional guineafowl, Numida meleagris (Linnaeus 1758), individuals (1.4±0.19 kg) were acquired from a local source and housed as a group with food and water available ad libitum. 1Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Providence, 2 The methods used for analyzing X-ray videos, animating bone models RI 02912, USA. Museum of Comparative Zoology and Department of Organismic and applying joint coordinate systems in this paper are identical to those and Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA. described in Kambic et al. (2014). Briefly, birds were surgically implanted *Author for correspondence ([email protected]) with multiple conical carbide markers in the pelvis, femur, tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus. The first two birds were implanted only in the right limb, Received 31 May 2015; Accepted 4 October 2015 the third in the right limb and left femur. The final three individuals were Journal of Experimental Biology 3836 RESEARCH ARTICLE Journal of Experimental Biology (2015) 218, 3836-3844 doi:10.1242/jeb.126193 bilaterally implanted with markers in both limbs. After sufficient recovery derived from a hospital scanner (Philips Medical System, Best, The time, individuals were recorded in the W. M. Keck Foundation XROMM Netherlands) at 512×512 pixel resolution and 0.625 mm intervals, with one facility located at Brown University. This system uses two EMD exception in which a Fidex micro-CT scanner (Animage, LLC, Pleasanton, Technologies 425 model EPS 45-80 X-ray generators connected to Varian CA, USA) at 512×512 pixel resolution and 0.456 mm intervals was used. model G-1086 X-ray tubes suspended on ceiling-mounted telescoping Geomagic Studio 2013 (3D Systems, Morrisville, NC, USA) was used to cranes. The X-rays are captured by Dunlee model TH9447QXH590 image clean bone models. XrayProject, a set of XROMM tools for Matlab intensifiers (40.64 cm diameter) mounted on mobile-arm bases. The image (MathWorks, Natick, MA, USA), was used for undistorting X-ray videos, intensifiers are backed with Phantom v10 high-speed digital video cameras calibrating cameras, and 3D marker tracking. These tools were also used to (Vision Research, Wayne, NJ, USA). We recorded at 1760×1760 pixel generate transformation matrices to position and orient the bone models in resolution. Additional Phantom v9.1 cameras were used to capture light 3D space (Fig. 1). Bone models were animated in Maya 2010 (Autodesk video at 1600×1200 pixel resolution. All videos were recorded at Inc., San Rafael, CA, USA). The raw data, including X-ray and light videos, 250 frames s−1 and 1/2000 s shutter speed. and calibration and distortion grid images, were uploaded to the X-ray Three individuals were recorded within the acrylic enclosure (29.5 cm Motion Analysis Research Portal (xmaportal.org) and will be made publicly wide×100 cm long×48 cm high) of a custom-built hand-crank treadmill at available on publication. As a measure of marker tracking precision, the speeds up to 1 m s−1. Bilaterally marked individuals were recorded on a standard deviation of intermarker distances within single bones (Tashman DC5 model Jog-a-Dog motorized treadmill (JOG A DOG, LLC, Ottawa and Anderst, 2003; Brainerd et al., 2010) averaged ±0.222 mm. Lake, MI, USA) within a similar enclosure (35 cm wide×106 cm Joint angles were calculated according to joint coordinate systems (Grood long×48 cm high). The treadmill was oriented between the horizontally and Suntay, 1983; Wu et al., 2002) that were set up identically to those arranged X-ray systems, providing two 45 deg oblique views (Fig. 1A,B). described in the appendices of Kambic et al. (2014). The sign conventions Standard light video cameras recorded anterior and lateral perspectives were as follows. Pelvic yaw was positive to the left, pelvic pitch was positive (Fig. 1C,D). Individuals were run for short durations (∼15–30 s) and had when raising the cranial end, and pelvic roll was positive when rolling the several minutes of rest in between trials while the files were evaluated and right hip higher than the left. At the hip, extension was positive, abduction saved. Trials were deemed suitable for keeping if the sequence included a was positive and external rotation was positive. At the knee, extension was number of consecutive strides where all markers were visible in both X-ray positive, adduction was positive (note that this differs from the hip and videos. If individuals appeared to be tiring, data collection would be ankle), and external rotation was positive. Finally, at the ankle, extension postponed until the next day. Birds were generally run without interference. was positive, abduction was positive and external rotation was positive.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Nogth AMERICAN BIRDS
    CHECK-LIST OF NOgTH AMERICAN BIRDS The Speciesof Birds of North America from the Arctic through Panama, Including the West Indies and Hawaiian Islands PREPARED BY THE COMMITTEE ON CLASSIFICATION AND NOMENCLATURE OF THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION SEVENTH EDITION 1998 Zo61ogical nomenclature is a means, not an end, to Zo61ogical Science PUBLISHED BY THE AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION 1998 Copyright 1998 by The American Ornithologists' Union All rights reserved, except that pages or sections may be quoted for research purposes. ISBN Number: 1-891276-00-X Preferred citation: American Ornithologists' Union. 1983. Check-list of North American Birds. 7th edition. American Ornithologists' Union, Washington, D.C. Printed by Allen Press, Inc. Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A. CONTENTS DEDICATION ...................................................... viii PREFACE ......................................................... ix LIST OF SPECIES ................................................... xvii THE CHECK-LIST ................................................... 1 I. Tinamiformes ............................................. 1 1. Tinamidae: Tinamous .................................. 1 II. Gaviiformes .............................................. 3 1. Gaviidae: Loons ....................................... 3 III. Podicipediformes.......................................... 5 1. Podicipedidae:Grebes .................................. 5 IV. Procellariiformes .......................................... 9 1. Diomedeidae: Albatrosses .............................
    [Show full text]
  • Telecrex Restudied: a Small Eocene Guineafowl
    TELECREX RESTUDIED: A SMALL EOCENE GUINEAFOWL STORRS L. OLSON In reviewing a number of the fossil species presently placed in the Rallidae, I have had occasion to examine the unique type-an incomplete femur-of Telecrex grangeri Wetmore (1934)) described from the Upper Eocene (Irdin Manha Formation) at Chimney Butte, Shara Murun region, Inner Mongolia. Although Wetmore assigned this fossil to the Rallidae, he felt that the species was distinct enough to be placed in a separate subfamily (Telecrecinae) ; this he considered to be ancestral to the modern Rallinae. After apparently ex- amining the type, Cracraft (1973b:17) assessed it as “decidedly raillike in the shape of the bone but distinct in the antero-posterior flattening of the head and shaft.” However, he suggested that Wetmores’ conclusions about its relationships to the Rallinae would have to be re-evaluated. Actually, Tele- crex bears very little resemblance to rails, and the distinctive proximal flat- tening of the shaft (but not of the head, contra Cracraft) is a feature peculiar to certain of the Galliformes. Further, my comparisons show Telecrex to be closest to the guineafowls (Numididae), a family hitherto known only from Africa and Europe. DISCUSSION The type specimen of Telecrex grangeri (AMNH 2942) is a right femur, lacking the distal end and part of the trochanter (Fig. 1). Its measurements are: proximal width 11.6 mm, depth of head 4.2, width of shaft at midpoint 4.6, depth of shaft at midpoint 4.1, overall length (as preserved ) 46.1. Telecrex differs from all rails
    [Show full text]
  • (Aves: Phasianidae) from the Late Eocene of France
    ©Naturhistorisches Museum Wien, download unter www.biologiezentrum.at Ann. Naturhist. Mus. Wien 90 A 63-66 Wien, Jänner 1989 A new guineafowl (Aves: Phasianidae) from the late Eocene of France By JIRI MÜKOVSKY1) (With 1 plate) Manuscript submitted on November, 10lh 1986 Summary A new guineafowl, Telecrex peregrinus sp. n., is described from the late Eocene (Phosphorites du Quercy) of France. It represents the first record of the genus Telecrex outside of China and the second Tertiary record of the subfamily Numidinae. Zusammenfassung Aus dem Ober-Eozän Frankreichs (Phosphorites du Quercy) wird eine neue Perlhuhnart, Telecrex peregrinus sp. n., beschrieben. Es ist der erste Fund der Gattung Telecrex außerhalb von China und zugleich der zweite Fund der Unterfamilie Numidinae im Tertiär. The pheasants and their allies (Phasianidae sensu lato) are at present a widespread, highly diversified, and presumably rather ancestral group of birds. The group includes approximately 200-205 extant species, belonging to approxi- mately 70 genera (WOLTERS 1976). Rather much effort has been devoted to the study of the ecology and behavior of phasianids, because they belong to commer- cially important birds, but their comparative morphology, systematics and evolu- tion are still remarkably less understood. The comparative osteology has been studied in greater detail only in two phasianid groups so far, particularly in the tribe Odontophorini of the subfamily Phasianinae (HOLMAN 1961) and in the subfamily Meleagrinae (STEADMAN 1980), both of which seem to belong among the relatively young groups of the Phasianidae. The guineafowl (Numidinae) belong probably among the most ancestral groups of the Phasianidae. At present, they are confined, with one exception, to the subsaharan Africa, i.
    [Show full text]
  • Bontebok Birds
    Birds recorded in the Bontebok National Park 8 Little Grebe 446 European Roller 55 White-breasted Cormorant 451 African Hoopoe 58 Reed Cormorant 465 Acacia Pied Barbet 60 African Darter 469 Red-fronted Tinkerbird * 62 Grey Heron 474 Greater Honeyguide 63 Black-headed Heron 476 Lesser Honeyguide 65 Purple Heron 480 Ground Woodpecker 66 Great Egret 486 Cardinal Woodpecker 68 Yellow-billed Egret 488 Olive Woodpecker 71 Cattle Egret 494 Rufous-naped Lark * 81 Hamerkop 495 Cape Clapper Lark 83 White Stork n/a Agulhas Longbilled Lark 84 Black Stork 502 Karoo Lark 91 African Sacred Ibis 504 Red Lark * 94 Hadeda Ibis 506 Spike-heeled Lark 95 African Spoonbill 507 Red-capped Lark 102 Egyptian Goose 512 Thick-billed Lark 103 South African Shelduck 518 Barn Swallow 104 Yellow-billed Duck 520 White-throated Swallow 105 African Black Duck 523 Pearl-breasted Swallow 106 Cape Teal 526 Greater Striped Swallow 108 Red-billed Teal 529 Rock Martin 112 Cape Shoveler 530 Common House-Martin 113 Southern Pochard 533 Brown-throated Martin 116 Spur-winged Goose 534 Banded Martin 118 Secretarybird 536 Black Sawwing 122 Cape Vulture 541 Fork-tailed Drongo 126 Black (Yellow-billed) Kite 547 Cape Crow 127 Black-shouldered Kite 548 Pied Crow 131 Verreauxs' Eagle 550 White-necked Raven 136 Booted Eagle 551 Grey Tit 140 Martial Eagle 557 Cape Penduline-Tit 148 African Fish-Eagle 566 Cape Bulbul 149 Steppe Buzzard 572 Sombre Greenbul 152 Jackal Buzzard 577 Olive Thrush 155 Rufous-chested Sparrowhawk 582 Sentinel Rock-Thrush 158 Black Sparrowhawk 587 Capped Wheatear
    [Show full text]
  • Some Makueni Birds
    Page 164 Vol. XXIII. No.4 (101) SOME MAKUENI BIRDS By BASIL PARSONS A few notes on the birds of Makueni, a very rich area less than 90 miles from Nairobi, may be of interest. Most of this country is orchard bush in which species of Acacia, Commiphora, and Combretum predominate, with here and there dense thickets, especially on hillsides. Despite Kamba settlement there is ~till a wealth of bird life. The average height above sea level is about 3,500 feet, and the 'boma' where we live is at 4,000 feet. To the west and south-west are fine hills with some rocky precipices, the most notable being Nzani. Much of my bird-watching has been done from a small hide in the garden situated about six feet from the bird-bath, which is near a piece of uncleared bush, and in this way I have been able to see over 60 species at really close range, many of them of great beauty. Birds of prey are very numerous. The Martial Eagle rests nearby and is some• times seen passing over. The small Gabar Goshawk raids our Weaver colony when the young are fledging, I have seen both normal and melanistic forms. The Black• shouldered Kite is often seen hovering over the hill slopes, and the cry of the Lizard Buzzard is another familar sQund. Occasionally I have seen the delightful Pigmy Falcon near the house. Grant's Crested and Scaly Francolins both rouse us in the early morning. On one occasion a pair of the former walked within three feet of my hide.
    [Show full text]
  • Tinamous and Agriculture: Lessons Learned from the Galliformes
    ORNITOLOGIA NEOTROPICAL 15 (Suppl.): 301–307, 2004 © The Neotropical Ornithological Society TINAMOUS AND AGRICULTURE: LESSONS LEARNED FROM THE GALLIFORMES Jeffrey J. Thompson Daniel B. Warnell School of Forest Resources, University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia 30602-2152, USA. E-mail: [email protected] Resumen. – Tinámidos y agricultura: lecciones aprendidas de los Galliformes. – El 32% de las 47 especies del orden Tinamiformes viven en pastizales. Estas especies están distribuidas en las regiones tro- picales y templadas, pero la mayoría se encuentran en las regiones australes de América del Sur. Las pobla- ciones de estas especies son susceptibles a la conversión de la tierra para agricultura y la intensificación del uso de la tierra después de la conversión. Existe poca información sobre los efectos de la conversión y uso de la tierra en las poblaciones de tinamúes, pero hay mucha investigación sobre sus efectos en los Galliformes. Al considerar los tinamúes que viven en pastizales como los equivalentes ecológicos de los Galliformes, se pueden hacer inferencias generales sobre los posibles efectos de la conversión y inten- sificación del uso de la tierra en estas especies. Es más eficiente ver los impactos potenciales del uso de la tierra como una función de la interacción de múltiples gradientes: el área de la vegetación natural, la estructura de la vegetación, la intensidad de la agricultura y ganadería, y el uso de herbicidas y pesticidas. Este modelo permite una cuantificación de la conveniencia de un lugar para cada especie, flexibilidad potencial de las especies a los cambios de hábitat, la comparación entre lugares y funciona como una herramienta para determinar rápidamente el valor de conservación de los lugares en el paisaje.
    [Show full text]
  • Alpha Codes for 2168 Bird Species (And 113 Non-Species Taxa) in Accordance with the 62Nd AOU Supplement (2021), Sorted Taxonomically
    Four-letter (English Name) and Six-letter (Scientific Name) Alpha Codes for 2168 Bird Species (and 113 Non-Species Taxa) in accordance with the 62nd AOU Supplement (2021), sorted taxonomically Prepared by Peter Pyle and David F. DeSante The Institute for Bird Populations www.birdpop.org ENGLISH NAME 4-LETTER CODE SCIENTIFIC NAME 6-LETTER CODE Highland Tinamou HITI Nothocercus bonapartei NOTBON Great Tinamou GRTI Tinamus major TINMAJ Little Tinamou LITI Crypturellus soui CRYSOU Thicket Tinamou THTI Crypturellus cinnamomeus CRYCIN Slaty-breasted Tinamou SBTI Crypturellus boucardi CRYBOU Choco Tinamou CHTI Crypturellus kerriae CRYKER White-faced Whistling-Duck WFWD Dendrocygna viduata DENVID Black-bellied Whistling-Duck BBWD Dendrocygna autumnalis DENAUT West Indian Whistling-Duck WIWD Dendrocygna arborea DENARB Fulvous Whistling-Duck FUWD Dendrocygna bicolor DENBIC Emperor Goose EMGO Anser canagicus ANSCAN Snow Goose SNGO Anser caerulescens ANSCAE + Lesser Snow Goose White-morph LSGW Anser caerulescens caerulescens ANSCCA + Lesser Snow Goose Intermediate-morph LSGI Anser caerulescens caerulescens ANSCCA + Lesser Snow Goose Blue-morph LSGB Anser caerulescens caerulescens ANSCCA + Greater Snow Goose White-morph GSGW Anser caerulescens atlantica ANSCAT + Greater Snow Goose Intermediate-morph GSGI Anser caerulescens atlantica ANSCAT + Greater Snow Goose Blue-morph GSGB Anser caerulescens atlantica ANSCAT + Snow X Ross's Goose Hybrid SRGH Anser caerulescens x rossii ANSCAR + Snow/Ross's Goose SRGO Anser caerulescens/rossii ANSCRO Ross's Goose
    [Show full text]
  • The Biology and Management of Wild Helmeted Guineafowl (Numidameleagris Galeata Pallas) Inth E Waza Region of North Cameroon Hanson Langmia Njiforti
    39 MAG NN08200 40946 1997-09-08 Hanson Langmia Njiforti The Biology and Management of Wild Helmeted Guineafowl (Numidameleagris galeata Pallas) in the Waza Region of North Cameroon Hanson Langmia Njiforti The Biology and Management of Wild Helmeted Guineafowl (Numida meleagris galeata Pallas) in the Waza Region of North Cameroon PROEFSCHRIFT ter verkrijging van de graad van doctor op gezag van de rector magnificus van de Landbouwuniversiteit Wageningen, dr. C.M. Karssen, in het openbaar te verdedigen op woensdag 24 september 1997 des namiddags te 13.30 uur in de Aula. Propositions for the dissertation of Hanson Langmia Njiforti The Biology and Management of Wild Helmeted Guineafowl (Numidameleagris galeata Pallas) in the Waza Region of North Cameroon 1. Pares (1963) and Szabo and Bankay (1974) observed that eggproductio n in guineafowl could drop bya smuc h as2 0t o 30% after their first layingseason , but the Waza guineafowl just does the opposite. Their egg production increases after the first layingseaso n (thisthesis) . 2. Guineafowl are reckoned to be poor mothers (Farkas 1965), and this may explainwh ythe y hatch manykeet s (youngguineafowl) . Somekeet swil l thus still survive after many arekille d through bad motherhood. 3. Guineafowl lookver ysluggis ha t afirs t glancebu t are more clever than they look. One hast o try to catch them to know this fact (thisthesis) . 4. Although localparticipatio n in the design and implementation of conserva­ tion projects issai d to be aprerequisit e for conservation projects, it isno t a magicoptio n for project success,an d might needst o becomplemente d with other policymeasures .
    [Show full text]
  • Complete Mitochondrial Genome of the Western Capercaillie Tetrao Urogallus (Phasianidae, Tetraoninae)
    Zootaxa 4550 (4): 585–593 ISSN 1175-5326 (print edition) https://www.mapress.com/j/zt/ Article ZOOTAXA Copyright © 2019 Magnolia Press ISSN 1175-5334 (online edition) https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4550.4.9 http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:12E18262-0DCA-403A-B047-82CFE5E20373 Complete mitochondrial genome of the Western Capercaillie Tetrao urogallus (Phasianidae, Tetraoninae) GAËL ALEIX-MATA1,5, FRANCISCO J. RUIZ-RUANO2, JESÚS M. PÉREZ1, MATHIEU SARASA3 & ANTONIO SÁNCHEZ4 1Department of Animal and Plant Biology and Ecology, Jaén University, Campus Las Lagunillas, E-23071, Jaén, Spain. E-mail: [email protected] 2Departamento de Genética, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de Granada, Avda. Fuentenueva, 18071 Granada, Spain. 3BEOPS, 1 Esplanade Compans Caffarelli, 31000 Toulouse, France 4Department of Experimental Biology, Jaén University, Campus Las Lagunillas, E-23071, Jaén, Spain 5Corresponding author Gaël Aleix-Mata: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-7429-4051 Francisco J. Ruíz-Ruano: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-5391-301X Jesús M. Pérez: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0001-9159-0365 Mathieu Sarasa: [email protected] ORDCID: 0000-0001-9067-7522 Antonio Sánchez: [email protected] ORCID: 0000-0002-6715-8158 Abstract The Western Capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus) is a galliform bird of boreal climax forests from Scandinavia to eastern Sibe- ria, with a fragmented population in southwestern Europe. We extracted the DNA of T. urogallus aquitanicus and obtained the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) sequence by combining Illumina and Sanger sequencing sequence da- ta. The mitochondrial genome of T. urogallus is 16,683 bp long and is very similar to that of Lyrurus tetrix (16,677 bp).
    [Show full text]
  • Birds at Woodland Park Zoo Pre-Visit Information for Teachers
    BIRDS AT WOODLAND PARK ZOO PRE-VISIT INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS If you are planning a zoo field trip and wish to have your students focus on birds during their visit, this pre-visit sheet can help them get the most out of their time at the zoo. We have put together an overview of key concepts related to birds, a list of basic vocabulary words, and a checklist of bird species at Woodland Park Zoo. Knowledge and understanding of these main ideas will enhance your students’ zoo visit. OVERVIEW: There are over 10,000 species of birds currently identified worldwide, inhabiting a number of different biomes and exhibiting a range of adaptations. Woodland Park Zoo exhibits a wide variety of bird species (see attached checklist) in several different areas of the zoo. A bird field trip to the zoo could focus on the characteristics of birds (see “Concepts” below), comparing/contrasting different birds or learning about biomes and observing the physical characteristics of birds in different biomes. CONCEPTS: Birds share the following physical characteristics: Feathers Endothermic (warm-blooded) Eggs with shell and yolk Lack teeth, but have bony beaks Lightweight skeleton, bones with air spaces Good vision Adaptations for flight: Low body weight Streamlined form Efficient metabolism Specialized respiration and circulation Birds, like all plants and animals, have five basic needs to survive—food, water, shelter, air and space. They inhabit every continent on the planet and range in size from the bee hummingbird at 0.05 ounces (1.6 grams) to the North African ostrich at 275 pounds (125 kilograms).
    [Show full text]
  • Birds in Zoos in England: an Assessment of Welfare, Conservation and Education in 2013
    Birds in Zoos in England: An Assessment of Welfare, Conservation and Education in 2013 Report by Craig Redmond Commissioned by the Captive Animals’ Protection Society This report has been researched and written by Craig Redmond on behalf of the Captive Animals’ Protection Society. Craig Redmond is an independent animal rights consultant who was previously CAPS’ Campaigns Director, having worked at the charity for over a decade. He has extensive knowledge of the zoo industry and has co- ordinated previous investigations and research projects into UK zoos. In addition, he has several years’ active involvement in programmes to protect migratory birds from illegal hunting across the Mediterranean. The Captive Animals’ Protection Society (CAPS) is a UK-based charity leading the campaign to end the use of animals in entertainment. Through a combination of undercover investigations, research, campaigns, political lobbying and education, CAPS aims to stop the exploitation of animals in entertainment, particularly in zoos, circuses and the exotic pet trade. The charity’s evidence-based campaigns and strong ethical basis ensure we can make a significant difference to the lives of animals in ending their exploitation. Working for a world without cages, CAPS encourages a more compassionate attitude and relationship between humans and other animals. The Captive Animals’ Protection Society is a registered charity and receives no government funding. Registered number: 1124436 We wish we could fly, We wish we could hear the tiniest of sounds And swoop gracefully and swiftly To the most definite of conclusions. The wind and wing’s secret is this; We do fly, We do hear the tiniest of sounds.
    [Show full text]
  • SOUTH AFRICA: LAND of the ZULU 26Th October – 5Th November 2015
    Tropical Birding Trip Report South Africa: October/November 2015 A Tropical Birding CUSTOM tour SOUTH AFRICA: LAND OF THE ZULU th th 26 October – 5 November 2015 Drakensberg Siskin is a small, attractive, saffron-dusted endemic that is quite common on our day trip up the Sani Pass Tour Leader: Lisle Gwynn All photos in this report were taken by Lisle Gwynn. Species pictured are highlighted RED. 1 www.tropicalbirding.com +1-409-515-0514 [email protected] Page Tropical Birding Trip Report South Africa: October/November 2015 INTRODUCTION The beauty of Tropical Birding custom tours is that people with limited time but who still want to experience somewhere as mind-blowing and birdy as South Africa can explore the parts of the country that interest them most, in a short time frame. South Africa is, without doubt, one of the most diverse countries on the planet. Nowhere else can you go from seeing Wandering Albatross and penguins to seeing Leopards and Elephants in a matter of hours, and with countless world-class national parks and reserves the options were endless when it came to planning an itinerary. Winding its way through the lush, leafy, dry, dusty, wet and swampy oxymoronic province of KwaZulu-Natal (herein known as KZN), this short tour followed much the same route as the extension of our South Africa set departure tour, albeit in reverse, with an additional focus on seeing birds at the very edge of their range in semi-Karoo and dry semi-Kalahari habitats to add maximum diversity. KwaZulu-Natal is an oft-underrated birding route within South Africa, featuring a wide range of habitats and an astonishing diversity of birds.
    [Show full text]