Roland Prinzinger

Goethe-Universität Frankfurt am Main · Faculty of Biological Sciences

Due to concerns about data quality, McKechnie, Coe, Gerson, and Wolf (2016) questioned the conclusions of our study (Khaliq et al., 2015) published in this journal. Here, we argue that most of the questioned data points are in fact useful for macrophysiological analyses, mostly because the vast majority of data are explicitly reported in the peer-r...

Zusammenfassung de Leben zeigt klare Abschnitte (zum Beispiel Embryo‐ und Ontogenese, Altern), deren Dauer man durch Allometrien beschreiben und zeitlich in chronologischen und/oder physiologischen Einheiten angeben kann. Erstere sind physikalisch auf der Basis der Abfolge von periodischen Ereignissen definiert. Sie können aber viele biologische Ze...

Aim To understand how climatic conditions influence the geographical distributions of species and their potential responses to climate change, we investigated the relationships between the thermal tolerances of species and the size and limits of their distributions. We tested two hypotheses for endotherms: the climatic variability hypothesis, which...

Aim Physiological traits that approximate the fundamental climatic niche – the climatic conditions where a species can survive – are the outcome of adaptation to the environment under historical and current environmental constraints. If a large amount of the variation in physiological traits among species can be explained by their phylogeny rather...

In the world’s greatest (4.4 ha) thermal lake of the spa town Hévíz (southeast corner of the Balaton Lake, Hungary) Little Grebes are relatively tame and swim with their young without showing signs of being disturbed amongst people swimming. Additionally they forage in very small water drains into which black mud-bath flows in short intervals via a...

Ontogeny of Blood Parameters in the Domestic Fowl Gallus gallus domesticus: I. Blood Cells and Haemoglobin The paper presents the ontogeny of 8 (from 27 investigated) haematological parameters in the precocial fowl Gallus gallus from hatching through the beginning of sexual maturity (week 18) to week 22: We found significant increases in the parame...

Ontogeny of Blood Parameters in the Domestic Fowl Gallus gallus domesticus: II. Plasma Parameter Ontogenetic development of 11 (from 19 continuously measured) haematological plasma parameters in the precocial fowl Gallus gallus from hatching through the start of sexual maturity (week 18) and through week 22 were measured daily (data of blood cells...

The relationships among species' physiological capacities and the geographical variation of ambient climate are of key importance to understanding the distribution of life on the Earth. Furthermore, predictions of how species will respond to climate change will profit from the explicit consideration of their physiological tolerances. The climatic v...

The paper gives a comparative overview of the different aspects of the heart of birds: general views on morphology (anatomy of the heart, the arterial system, allometric and systematic correlations), aspects of evolutionary and ontogenetic (juvenile) development, embryogeny of the heart and carotides), principles of function (the heart as pump for...

In the year 1846 Carl Ludwig von Erlach from Bern (Switzerland.) wrote a dissertation with the title «Versuche über die Perspiration einiger mit Lungen athmender Wirbelthiere» (Experiments on the breathing of some lung-breathing vertebrates). This paper presumably presents some of the first known serious experimental data of the gaseous metabolism...

Hematological adaptations to age (1-17 years) and about variability per se for free-living rock pigeons Columba livia are presented. Increasing age is correlated with decreasing values of hematocrit and hemoglobin. A marked reduction of lactate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.27) activity in the first 2-3 years may be caused by a training-based increase of...

A wide range and occasionally high levels of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are reported in Arctic regions, especially among top predators. Polar bears (Ursus maritimus), arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) and some gull species (Larus spp.) often have high levels of these fat-soluble pollutants. Gulls deposit significant levels of these contaminan...

The diurnal cycle of metabolic rate (MR, J/g-h, based on VO2 and VCO2) was measured in 14 Griffon Vultures (Gyps fulvus), two Hooded Vultures (Necrosyrtes monachus) and one White-backed Vulture (Gyps africanus) at different ambient temperatures (-7 to +34 °C). In (so far) three Griffon Vultures the heart rate (HR) and body temperature (Tb) were mea...

Advances in thermal physiology, especially of torpor and related phenomena, are complicated by wide inconsistencies in the use of terms for describing thermoregulatory states. We compare definitions given by the IUPS Thermal Commission (2001) and Swan (1974), which epitomize the variety in terminology. “Hypothermia” is the most widely disputed of t...

In four eggs and four chicks of the North Island brown kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) we measured pre- and postnatal oxygen consumption rate (VO(2)) daily from day (d)-75 (prior to hatching) until d+25 (after hatching). The increase of embryonic VO(2) reaches a plateau phase between d-22 and d-5 (0.113 ml O(2)/g/h=59.6% of allometrically expected value of...

The (invisible) behaviour called Internal Pipping (IP, the puncturing of the inner egg membrane to bring the bill tip inside the air-cell to breathe air) is considered as a regular and obligatory element in the normal hatching process of a bird. It does, indeed, frequently occur when about 90 % of the incubation period has elapsed, shortly before t...

Ornithology-leisure or science? Ornithology is often viewed as the scientia amabilis of amateurs. Of course, birds have dis-parate appeal and they please the eye and the ear. However, they are also ideal subjects for the study of life. Consequently, no other group of animals provided that many textbook examples than birds ranging from brain functio...

Die Ornithologie wird oftmals lediglich alsscientia amabilis, als liebenswrdiges Hobby von Amateuren gesehen. Ohne Zweifel, Vgel haben viele Reize und sie erfreuen unser Auge und Ohr. Sie sind aber auch hervorragende Objekte fr die wissenschaftliche Erforschung des Lebens. Folglich trgt kaum eine andere Tiergruppe so viel Lehrbuchbeispiele bei wie...

In 1845 thirty-two ornithologists are invited by E. Baldamus (1812–1893) to a meeting where they form a section within the “Gesellschaft deutscher Naturforscher und Ärzte” (Society of German Natural Scientists and Physicians). This first official convention (there have been informal gatherings since 1822) is presided over by J. F. Naumann (1780–185...

The (invisible) behaviour called Internal Pipping (IP, the puncturing of the inner egg membrane to bring the bill tip inside the air-cell to breathe air) is considered as a regular and obligatory element in the normal hatching process of a bird. It does, indeed, frequently occur when about 90% of the incubation period has elapsed, shortly before th...

Colies are one of the phylogenetically oldest groups among the modern birds; the earliest finds are from about 35 million years ago. In states of energy deficiency they can undergo torpor during the night when metabolic rate and body temperature are decreased drastically to save energy (up to 90%). Here, we report the first measurements of heart ra...

Mousebirds (Coliiformes) respond to cold exposure and food limitation with nightly bouts of torpor. During torpor, metabolic rate and body temperature decrease markedly, which results in energy savings. The decrease in body temperature is a regulated phenomenon as is also the arousal which occurs spontaneously without external stimuli. During arous...

Zusammenfassung Bei der Bronzeflügeltaube (Phaps chalcoptera) und der Rotschopftaube (Geophaps plumifera) konnten relativ groß ausgeprägte (bis 45 cm Länge beiP. chalcoptera), unpaare Blinddärme festgestellt werden, die für diese Vogelordnung bisher als eher untypisch galten.

In 1899Reichenow described a new bushshrike species from East Cameroons which he namedLaniarius dubiosus. This bird was in juvenile plumage (a colour-plate is given). DNA-sequence-analysis of cytochrome b (from feathers and skin of the type specimen ZMB 33 764 from Berlin) shows that this bird is a juvenile of the western race of Luehder's Bushshri...

1.1. Rheas (Rhea americana) show a typical embryonic course of heat production with a plateau phase between days 27 and 39 (total incubation time 38–42 d).2.2. In the plateau phase mean oxygen consumption is about 90 ml h−1 (range 87–108) or 0.17 ml (g h)−1 (range 0.164–0.211). The total sum of energy consumed is 1.25 kJ g−1 or 721 kJ per entire eg...

Moulting Starlings (n=9) show increased plasma values of glucose: 314,2±24,96 mg/dl; the corresponding values were 277,5±28,8 for non-moulting birds (mean value over all periods: 295,6±32,2 mg/dl). In all other blood values (e. g. blood cells, hemoglobin, protein-concentration, osmotic pressure, hematocrit) no significant differences between moulti...

Moulting Starlings (n=9) show increased plasma values of glucose: 314,2± 24,96 mg/dl; the corresponding values were 277,5±28,8 for non-moulting birds (mean value over all periods: 295,6±32,2 mg/dl). In all other blood values (e. g. blood cells, hemoglobin, protein-concentration, osmotic pressure, hematocrit) no significant differences between moult...

In 1899Reichenow described an african bushshrike in juvenile plumage as a new species. He named itLaniarius dubiosus. DNA from type material (feathers and skin) was extracted and DNA sequences from the mitochondrial Cyt-b gene were analysed. Comparisons of DNA-sequences from other bushshrikes (including the type-specimen from Luehder's bushshrikeLa...

Diamond dove eggs show characteristics typical of semi-altricial birds. All egg parameters that we examined were within the expected range for semi-altricial birds; only the relative portion of lipid content (7.9% of egg mass) was different from (25% higher) the mean value for comparable-sized eggs of semi-altricial birds. The embryonic development...

All tested blood parameters are within the expected range for birds (Tab. 1). Starlings show a high rate of alcohol resorption. Experimentally ingested (per os) doses of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg ethanol (10 %-solution) were completely absorbed from the digestive tract within at least 30 min. Extraintestinal metabolic alcohol degradation is also very fast. W...

All tested blood parameters are within the expected range for birds (Tab. 1). Starlings show a high rate of alcohol resorption. Experimentally ingested (per os) doses of 1, 2 and 3 g/kg ethanol (10 %-solution) were completely absorbed from the digestive tract within at least 30 min. Extraintestinal metabolic alcohol degradation is also very fast. W...

The embryogeny of O2 consumption (VO2) was examined in 6 altricial and 7 precocial bird species (egg mass: 1.13 to 330 g). The 13 species studied were measured in most cases daily, some of them were continuously measured for 24 hours. 10 of 13 species exhibited a clear plateau-phase in about the last fourth of their embryogeny. Mean total energy pr...

The course of embryonic VO2 was examined in 24 altricial and 27 precocial bird species to test differences in its phenology. Some authors suggest that altricial species lack a plateau in VO2-development found in precocial species. Based on the recently available data we find the following: All species (except members of the family Megapodiidae) exh...

Finke C., Misovic, A. & Prinzinger, R. 1995. Growth, the development of endothermy, and torpidity in Blue-naped Mousebirds Urocolius macrourus. Ostrich 66:1-9.Blue-naped Mousebirds are altricial birds that are naked and blind at hatching. The nestling period is extremely short (12.5 ± 0.8 d). During the first 7 days the nestlings are unable to ther...

The haematology and the haemoglobin components of 40 captive, adult Blue-naped Mousebirds Urocolius macrourus have been studied. Females show significantly lower values in the number of erythrocytes, in the absolute haemoglobin content and in the haematocrit than males. All haematological parameters (number of erythrocytes and leucocytes, haemoglob...

Beim Blaunackenmausvogel (Urocolius macrourus pulcher) wurde die Ausnutzung der verschiedenen Nährstoffe (Fette, Eiweiße, Kohlenhydrate) und die Assimilationseffizienz des Gesamtfutters untersucht. Mausvögel sind Vegetarier und hauptsächlich frugivor. Im Versuch erhielten die Vögel vier Diäten: I. Mischfutter (Bananen, Salat, gekochtes Ei, gekochte...

The way in which a bird spends its time, and the use to which it puts energy, will depend on the time of the year. During the winter, survival until the next breeding season is likely to be of critical importance. Food may, be unpredictable and much of a small bird's time will be devoted to foraging. This may expose the bird to the danger of predat...

In this review the allometric relations of different blood parameters to body mass in birds are given. The following parameters are treated: physical and chemical properties, leucocytes (number, differential blood count, Arneth counts, ontogeny), erythrocytes (number, length, width, volume, hemoglobin content, ontogeny, different forms during embry...

1.1. Maximum lifespan A (in years) in birds can be described by the following allometric exponential functions (W = bodymassing): wild birds AW = 4.75xW0.17 (N = 821); captive birds Ac = 5.1 × W0.23 (N = 131).2.2. The orders Lariformes, Accipitriformes, Psittaciformes and Strigiformes have physiological life spans clearly above the expected values....

The durations of the life stages in birds (embryogeny, ontogeny, maturity) can be measured using physical or physiological timescales. These two methods are compared. Embryogeny has a duration of 10–90 days or 2±0·8 kJ g–1, ontogeny lasts 20–300 days or 20–40 kJ g–1 and adult stages fall within the range 8–120 years or 2400–4300 kJ g–1. It follows...

The durations of the life stages in birds (embryogeny, ontogeny, maturity) can be measured using physical or physiological timescales. These two methods are compared. Embryogeny has a duration of 10–90 days or 2±0·8 kJ g–1., ontogeny lasts 20–300 days or 20–40 kJ g–1 and adult stages fall within the range 8–120 years or 2400–4300 kJ g–1. It follows...

Both species show similar body masses and a lot of other morphological convergences. Additionally they represent the smallest members of their orders. Therefore it was of interest to test the allometric and taxonomic relations of different physiological parameters in these birds. No significant differences were found between males and females in bo...

1.1. The sunbird Aethopyga christinae and the hummingbird Sephanoides sephanoides have very similar body masses (5.2 and 5.7 g) and extensive morphological convergences. Experiments have been performed to determine whether both bird taxa also exhibit similar patterns of body temperature-regulation and energy metabolism.2.2. The metabolic rate for t...

In the altricial Blackbird a distinct plateau phase in oxygen consumption during embryogeny could be found. Mean water loss of fertile eggs (n=73, mean mass 7.06 g) was 3.53 mg H2O/day x Torr. Total mass loss during incubation of fertile/infertile eggs was 9.1/3.9 % of initial fresh egg mass. Pre-IP energy turnover (11th day) was 33.8 J/h. For addi...

1. Mean levels of body temperatures (Tb) for all birds are (resting/active phase/high activity) 38.54 ± 0.96 (N = 203), 41.02 ± 1.29 (N = 724) and 43.85 ± 0.94°C (N = 74).2.2. Tb is higher in birds than in mammals: 1.87°C higher during rest and 2.43°C higher during the active phase.3.3. As in mammals, the range of Tb-oscillation (day/night) decreas...

The Diamond Dove, Geopelia cuneata, is the world's second smallest (ca. 35 g) species of the columbid order. The Diamond Dove is endemic in the arid and semiarid Mulga and Spinifex regions of Central and Western Australia. It regularly encounters ambient temperatures (T a ) in its habitat above +40 C, especially when foraging for seeds on bare gro...

Bei folgenden Prachtfinkenarten wurde der Energieumsatz, die Krpertemperatur und die Wrmedurchgangszahl in Abhngigkeit zu verschiedenen Umgebungstemperaturen bestimmt, um eventuelle physiologische Adaptationen an ihren Lebensraum zu testen:Amadina fasciata (Bandfink),Estrilda melpoda (Orangebckchen),Taeniopygia guttata (Zebrafink),Chloebia gouldiae...

1. Einleitung Das Leben von V6geln und anderen Tieren kann in drei deutlich unterscheidbare aufeinanderfolgende Abschnitte unterteilt werden: die Embryogenese, die Ontogenese und das Erwachsenenstadium. Die Zeitdauer der einzelnen Abschnitte wird normalerweise in physikalischen Einheiten (Tage d, Jahre y) gemessen und angegeben. Innerhalb der versc...

1.1. Diurnal cycles of body temperature, Tb, and energy metabolism, M, at different ambient temperatures (Ta: +5 −+ 32°C) were tested in 13 sunbird species from various habitats and of different body masses (5.2–14.2 g) including one of the smallest passerines, Aethopyga christinae.2.2. Resting M-level (night) reaches Ta-dependent mean values of 54...

Breathing frequencyFr of resting blue-naped mousebirdsUrocolius macrourus lies between 50–70 per min and correlates directly with ambient temperatureTa and energy metabolismM. The nocturnal mean energy intake per breath varies between 5.6–17.7 mJ/g. At highTa the birds show gular fluttering with a relatively constantFr of about 460 min-1.M shows a...

Casual flower visits by birds basically insectivorous in Europe suggest a certain predisposition of different bird species for (the exploitation of flowers) and drinking nectar as food. Israel is within the migration range ofSyvia atricapilla andS. curruca. This birds (among others) could be observed feeding nectar in recently cultivatedEucalyptus-...

Journal of Ornithology, 129, 1988. Beim Grnen Schattenkolibri (Phaethornis guy) lag die Relation zwischen Energiestoffwechsel (M) und Umgebungstemperatur (Ta) geringfgig unter den nach der Krpermasse (W) zu erwartenden Werten. Am Tage (Ta: 25C) betrug die Korrelation M (kJ h–1)=0,708W (g)0,54, nachts (einschlielich der Torporwerte) M=0,212W0.76. Ti...

Special energetic adaptations are of great evolutionary significance for birds that encounter transient problems in finding food during the breeding season. House martins, as aerial insectivores, encounter such problems during spells of bad weather, when they must survive on body reserves. This species employs the following behavioural and physiolo...

Summary The mean metabolic rates of 11 sunbird species are in the expected range based on data from other birds. Nevertheless the difference between day and night levels is greater (58–69%) than normal. Breathing frequencies among these birds correspond more closely to the (higher) levels found in empirical data for mammals. O2-consumption per brea...

Diurnal cycle of energy-metabolism of 12 sunbird species (body mass from 6,6–12,5 g) and 10 hummingbird species (body mass from 5,0–17,5 g) was measured in relation to different ambient temperatures (+5 °C – +25 °C/ + 32 ° C). The metabolic strategies of both groups were compared. The mean metabolism-levels of sunbirds during day and night lay with...

Summary Mousebirds are usually regarded to consume vegetables and fruits only. Therefore it is of interest, that at least 4 free-living Speckled Mousebirds (Colius striatus) could be observed at Mountain-Lodge/Mt. Kenya feeding greater amounts of cooked and raw meat, which was deposed to attract carnivore animals.

A population of House Martins (1500 nests) was ringed and controlled over a period of actually 12 years (1971–1982). Data of several thousands ♂ and ♀ allow to study the influence of age on breeding biology. The age-composition of the population is as follows: 1 year old 49 %, 2 years old 28 %, 3 years old 13 %, 4 years old 6 %, 5 years old 2,8%, 6...

Respiration frequency and tidal volume in resting hummingbirds during daytime

The Speckled Mousebird(Colius striatus), the Red-necked Mousebird(Colius castanotus), the Blue-naped Mousebird(Urocolius macrourus), and the Red-faced Mousebird(Urocolius indicus) show a diurnal cycle of energy metabolism correlated with the L:D-cycle. Fed ad libitum the level of activity metabolism (day time) is 60–100 J/g · h (ambient temperature...

KARL-L. SCHUCHMANN ; Kruger, K. ; R. Prinzinger . Torpor in hummingbirds. Bonner Zoologische Beiträge: 34, p. 273-277, 1983.

1.1 Body temperature and diurnal cycle of energy metabolism at different ambient temperatures (+2 to +25°C) were tested for 18 different hummingbird species from different biotopes and of different body-masses (2.7–17.5 g).2.2. The level of resting metabolism (night time) reaches 30–70% of activity metabolism values (day time). The mean is almost e...

1. Quick sinusoidal temperature fluctuations (constant average 10 degrees C) cause an increase in metabolism in comparison to an invariable constant ambient temperature of the same dimension. 2. At the observed mean value of 10 degrees C metabolism is increased by 0.8% per 1 K/hr based on the values of resting metabolic rate (correlation: M = 53.5...