Content uploaded by Sandra Koch
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by Sandra Koch on Aug 03, 2017
Content may be subject to copyright.
Microscopy of feathers: A practical guide for forensic feather identification
Abstract
http://www.unitedstatesbd.com/images/unitedstatesbdcom/bizcategories/2961/files/astee%20journal%20issue%201-1%20corrected.pdf
... Currently, there are several published works describing and photographing microscopic features of feathers for certain species (Dove, 2000;Dove and Koch, 2011) as well as the Bird Remains Identification System (BRIS) developed for 200 species from Europe and the Middle East. However, these studies do not include all the species or families that inhabit the study area and that appear in the archaeological contexts analyzed; hence the importance of this research, which allows us to generate new information on bird feathers from the Puna areas. ...
... The nodes are located along the barbule and are the most distal junction of individual cells that connect in a filament to form the barbule (Lucas, 1972). The barbules contain a regular sequence of nodes that can show a greater or lesser development, can have different shapes and present structures such as prongs, spines or rings (Dove and Koch, 2011). These characteristics, combined with the barbules' sizes, the sequence of appearance of the nodes and the pigmentation patterns, may allow the identification of groups or species of birds (Chandler, 1916;Hargrave, 1965;Brom, 1986;Dove, 1997;Dove and Koch, 2011;Lee et al., 2009;Michelena and Á vila, 2016;Rogers et al., 2002;Wattel, 2000). ...
... The barbules contain a regular sequence of nodes that can show a greater or lesser development, can have different shapes and present structures such as prongs, spines or rings (Dove and Koch, 2011). These characteristics, combined with the barbules' sizes, the sequence of appearance of the nodes and the pigmentation patterns, may allow the identification of groups or species of birds (Chandler, 1916;Hargrave, 1965;Brom, 1986;Dove, 1997;Dove and Koch, 2011;Lee et al., 2009;Michelena and Á vila, 2016;Rogers et al., 2002;Wattel, 2000). Likewise, Chandler (1916) describes the villus, projections at the base of the cells present on the ventral part of the plumulaceous barbs. ...
Taxonomic identification of feathers found at an archaeological site in the Argentine Puna has been achieved using novel microscopic analysis. This identification was then strengthened by macroscopic analysis of the feathers. This provides a better understanding of the relationship between birds and humans in the past.
... Ostrich barbules are different from the barbules of all studied birds (Chandler, 1916;Dove & Koch, 2011), although they bear a slight similarity to some barbules in tinamous (Foth, 2009). They are flat and ribbon-like, with an appearance similar to shaved or grated plastic ( Figure S3; Chandler, 1916;Dove & Koch, 2011). ...
... Ostrich barbules are different from the barbules of all studied birds (Chandler, 1916;Dove & Koch, 2011), although they bear a slight similarity to some barbules in tinamous (Foth, 2009). They are flat and ribbon-like, with an appearance similar to shaved or grated plastic ( Figure S3; Chandler, 1916;Dove & Koch, 2011). As previously remarked (Chandler, 1916;Foth, 2009;McGowan, 1989;Pycraft, 1900), no nodes are present, though prongs are present, arising from the tips of the barbules in TMM-M14775 ( Figure S3). ...
... The low barbule density and relatively longer barbules seen in the sampled C. coturnix match described modifications for trapping air (Broggi et al., 2011;Butler et al., 2008;D'Alba et al., 2017;Fuller, 2015;Lucas & Stettenheim, 1972;Pap et al., 2017), but their naked tips, absolutely shorter barbules, well-organized vanules, and inconsistency of node presence contrast with described modifications for insulation (Butler et al., 2008;D'Alba et al., 2017;Dove, 2000;Dove & Agreda, 2007;Fuller, 2015;Lucas & Stettenheim, 1972;Pap et al., 2017Pap et al., , 2020. Struthio camelus, by contrast, has short, ribbonlike barbules which lack nodes and extend to the tip of the ramus of most barbs (Figure 6; Chandler, 1916;Dove & Koch, 2011). Barbule orientation in our specimen was also disordered for more of the length of the barb ramus than in the sampled C. coturnix. ...
Natal down is a feather stage that differs in both form and function from the definitive feathers of adult birds. It has a simpler structure that has been speculated to be similar to the body coverings of non-avian dinosaurs. However, inference of the evolution of natal down has been limited by our understanding of its structural variation in extant birds. Most descriptive work has focused on neognathous birds, limiting our knowledge of the full diversity of feathers in extant taxa. Here, we describe the natal down of a post-hatch ostrich (Struthio camelus) and compare it to that of a post-hatch quail (Coturnix coturnix). We confirm the presence of featherless spaces (apteria) in S. camelus and the lack of barbules on the tips of natal down in both species. We also find differences between dorsal and ventral natal down structures, such as barbule density in S. camelus and the extent of the bare portion of the barb in both species. Surprisingly, we do not find that the neoptiles of either species follow the ideal morphologies for increasing insulation. Finally, we hypothesize that the different barb types present in S. camelus natal down result from a large addition of new barb ridges during development, which is not known except in feathers with a rachis. These results have implications for our understanding of how structure informs function and development in understudied feather types, such as those shared by non-avian dinosaurs.
... Teeth and mandibles of small mammals were identified based on the shape, size, and number of teeth [44]. Bird feathers were examined for barbule structure, especially the morphology of nodes and internodes and pigment distribution, allowing identification to the order level [45]. Seeds were compared with a reference collection. ...
The European badger is a highly adaptable species, inhabiting a range of environments across Europe, from woodlands to urban areas, with its behaviour influenced by environmental conditions and human activities. This study examines the badger feeding habits, patterns of diel activity, and sett site choice in northwestern Italy, assessing how landscape composition affects these behaviours. We conducted our research across seven study areas in northern Italy from December 2020 to November 2022, utilising camera trapping, faeces analysis, and sett surveys. Our findings revealed significant dietary variation, with earthworms being the primary food source in natural landscapes, while fleshy fruits being consumed especially in mixed and heavily modified landscapes, up to constitute the staple of the diet in one agricultural area. Badgers were found to be nocturnal, primarily active between sunset and sunrise. Setts varied considerably in structure and location, with a preference for natural grounds over human-made structures; key factors influencing sett site choice included slope, exposure, and vegetation cover. This study underscores the European badger's remarkable adaptability, illustrating how its diet, activity patterns, and sett site preferences are shaped by a complex interplay of factors, allowing the species to thrive in both pristine and modified environments across northern Italy.
... Sampled barbs were placed on a small drop of Xylene upon the pre-cleaned glass slides. The xylene drops were lets to air dry so that it keeps the barbs attached onto the slides (Dove and Koch, 2011). After the barbs dried completely, previously cleaned coverslips were placed on the barbs. ...
... The hairs were identified after Tóth (2017) and Appleyard (1978) and feathers after Dove and Koch (2010), and further by comparing them to the reference collections of Fennoscandian mammals and birds. The phytoliths were analysed using IOSACal: v0.4.0 using the IntCal20 atmospheric curve (Reimer et al. 2020). ...
Microscopic remains of plants, hairs, blood, bone, and sinew have been detected on Stone Age implements as evidence of the ways the tools were used. Together with use-wear analysis, microresidues enable us to obtain additional information of artefact biographies. However, the preservation of residues is not a straightforward issue. Although bones, plant matter, and wood have a tendency to decompose rapidly in acidic podzol soils, the acidity favours the preservation of keratinous tissues such as hairs and feathers. Because the analysis of microresidues has not been applied on Finnish quartz artefacts, this paper presents a preliminary testing of the method in a Late Stone Age settlement site in Kraakanmäki 3, western Finland. As a result, we found microscopic remains of hairs, feathers, and plants, which enable us to speak for the careful handling of quartz and stone tools at the excavations for further analyses.
... Since studies of the microstructure of covert feathers in corvids have previously been limited (Fadeeva and Chernova, 2011), but there is fairly complete information about their primary flight feathers (Sharafutdinova and Valuev, 2009;Fadeeva and Chernova, 2001;Silaeva et al., 2012), a comparative morphological study required not only a comparison of flight and covert feathers, but also special studies of covert feathers from the pectoral tract of some other representatives of the family Corvidae (Hooded Crow, Azurewinged Magpie, Eurasian Jay, Eurasian Nutcracker, Siberian Jay, Common Magpie, Red-billed Chough, and the Piapiac Ptilostomus afer Linnaeus, 1766). The terminology used is generally accepted (Chandler, 1916;Rutschke, 1960;Davies, 1970;Lucas and Stettenheim, 1972;Baumel, 1979;King and McLelland, 1985;Brom, 1986;Chernova et al., 2006;Dove and Koch, 2010). The appearance of jay feathers was obtained using an EPSON PERFECTION 2580 PHOTO scanner with a resolution of 300 dpi. ...
Using scanning electron microscopy, new data were obtained on the microstructure of the definitive covert feathers of all four species of Ground Jays Podoces pleskei, P. panderi, Eupodoces hendersoni, and
E. biddulphi and eight other species of Corvidae: Ptilostomus afer, Garrulus glandarius, Perisoreus infaustus,
Corvus cornix, Cyanopica cyana, Nucifraga caryocatactes, Pica pica, and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Comparative morphological analysis involving previously published data on the microstructure of the flight feathers of
these species, and the covert feathers of Corvus monedula, C. frugilegus, and C. corax revealed a number of
feather microstructures specific to Ground Jay species, as well as differences between Podoces and Eupodoces,
which confirms their genus status, possible relationship with G. glandarius and Pt. afer, and the preservation
of ancestral features in P. pleskei.
... Bird remains in pellets mostly consisted of feathers and bones; multiple individuals were identified if several beaks were present. We identified birds as Passeriformes or Galliformes based on structures of the feathers as viewed under a compound microscope (Dove and Koch 2011). We counted birds as part of the diet when feathers made up more than 20% of the pellet, to avoid counting accidental ingestion from preening. ...
Globally, many grasslands have been lost or degraded via settlement, conversion to agriculture, or use as pasture. These losses have damaged the ability of migratory and nomadic birds of prey to find suitable breeding territories. Habitat restoration of degraded grasslands via the application of biosolids, the treated and sterilized remains from sewage treatment plants, improves soil water retention and nutrient profile, leading to substantial gains in plant growth and nutritive quality. Gains to wild and domestic herbivores have been documented, but impacts to predators are poorly known. Here, we test the hypothesis that biosolids-applied pastures are attractive to and support migratory and nomadic avian predators in central British Columbia, Canada. We obtained habitat records from sightings and prey remains from pellets for three vole-specialists, Long-eared Owls (Asio otus), Short-eared Owls (A. flammeus), and Northern Harriers (Circus hudsonius), as well as the generalist American Kestrels (Falco sparverius). During 5 years, the three diurnal species preferentially used biosolids-applied pastures, and kestrels and owls nested in biosolids-applied pastures or in forest patches adjacent to these pastures. Grasshoppers were more abundant on pastures with biosolids and were common prey for American Kestrels. The owls and harriers preferentially consumed voles, although Short-eared Owls consumed deermice (Peromyscus maniculatus) as a major additional food source during years when voles were scarce. Long-eared Owls were documented only in the 2 years when voles were common. Collectively, these results suggest that biosolids-amended landscapes may attract raptors, even when vole densities are low.
... Shared derived characters (i.e., differences in measurements and/or patterns) support higher-level taxonomic classification, while species-specific characters (i.e., characters that are not shared) allow for diagnostic species identifications. (Robertson et al. 1984, Liem and Wake 1985, Pyle 2008, Dove and Koch 2010, Trail 2021. Species identifications are used in many practical investigations: anthropological or museum studies (Corbino et al. 2022), bird strikes (Laybourne 1974, Brom 1986), fossilized feather identifications (Laybourne et al. 1994, and law enforcement and forensics (Trail 2003a). ...
Eagle feathers are among the most commonly trafficked items in the illegal wildlife trade in the United States. Although the tail and secondary wing feathers of Bald Eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) and Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) generally exhibit identifiable patterns by which the species of origin can be determined, there is a lack of data allowing for the morphological identification of the commonly encountered, unpatterned outer primary wing feathers. To test if the shape of the primary feathers differed between the two species, I measured the notch and emargination heights of the outer five primaries (P10–P6) from specimens at the National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory collection and the National Eagle Repository. Although there was some overlap in lengths of the feather emargination and notch heights of both species, the results demonstrate that measurements of the outermost primaries do allow for the identification of many loose feathers. Overall, Golden Eagle feathers exhibit longer emarginations and notch heights than those of the Bald Eagle. These results will be valuable for law enforcement officials, ornithologists, and anthropologists studying the remains of North American eagles.
Wildlife forensics is a multidisciplinary field that combines the techniques and methods of various sciences, including biology, chemistry, and genetics to address the illegal trade and exploitation of wildlife species. The ultimate aim of wildlife forensics is to provide scientific evidence to support investigations and enforcement of wildlife crimes and to contribute to the conversation and protection of wildlife populations. This field plays a crucial role in addressing trafficking, which has a significant impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health.
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any references for this publication.