ArticlePDF Available

Morphometric parameters and food preference in relation to sex and reference hematological values for Upupa epops from Pakistan

Authors:
  • University of okara
  • University of Okara
  • university of okara
  • University of Okara

Abstract and Figures

Objective: The study was conducted to investigate the gut content and record morphometric and hematological parameters in the common hoopoe (Upupa epops). Materials and Methods: Twenty samples of healthy birds (10 from each sex) were collected from different locations in Okara District, Punjab, Pakistan, from September 2020 to March 2021. Birds were captured live for blood samples and morphometric and gut analyses. Results: It was revealed that the concentrations of different hematological parameters were as follows: hemoglobin, 20.03g/dl; red blood cells, 3.28 × 106/μl; white blood cells, 326.67 × 103/ μl; hematocrit, 56.47%; MCV, 173.33 FL; MCH, 57.4 pg; MCHC, 57.4 pg; PLT, 8.33/μl; and RDW, 8.33/μl. The percentages of neutrophils, lymphocytes, monocytes, and eosinophils were 84.67%, 11.67%, 2.00%, and 1.67%, respectively. The gut content of the common hoopoe mostly consisted of Coleoptera and Acrididae larvae. However, Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae, and sand were also recorded, along with seeds of Salvadora persica. Conclusions: There were no significant differences between male and female U. epops in feeding content, total weight of the gut, or weight of the empty gut. Regarding the morphometric param¬eters, there was a significant difference in both sexes' wingspan, body length, and body weight. Males were significantly heavier than females. [J Adv Vet Anim Res 2022; 9(2.000): 290-294]
Content may be subject to copyright.
hp://bdvets.org/javar/ 290
Tahir et al. / J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 9(2): 290–294, June 2022
JOURNALOFADVANCEDVETERINARYANDANIMALRESEARCH
ISSN2311-7710(Electronic)
hp://doi.org/10.5455/javar.2022.i595June 2022
A periodical of the Network for the Veterinarians of Bangladesh (BDvetNET) VOL9,NO.2,PAGES290–294
ORIGINALARTICLE
Morphometric parameters and food preference in relaon to sex and reference
hematological values for Upupa epops from Pakistan
RidaTahir1,WardaZafar1,MuhammadWaseemAslam1,AhmadWaheed1,AliUmar1,SanaFama2,
TariqJaved1,TabishLiaqat3,AllahDia1,MuhammadAshfaq1,MuhammadZaman1,AliNawaz1,
TehminaKhan1,MuhammadWajid1,MuhammadSaleemKhan1
1DepartmentofZoology,FacultyofLifeSciences,UniversityofOkara,Okara,Pakistan
2DepartmentofZoology,WildlifeandFisheries,UniversityofAgriculture,Faisalabad,Pakistan
3DepartmentofFisheriesandAquaculure,FacultyofLifeSciences,UniversityofOkara,Okara,Pakistan
Correspondence MuhammadSaleemKhan samiikhan@uo.edu.pk DepartmentofZoology,FacultyofLifeSciences,Universityof
Okara,OkaraPakistan.
How to cite:TahirR,ZafarW,AslamMW,WaheedA,UmarA,FamaS,etal.Morphometricparametersandfoodpreferenceinrelaon
tosexandreferencehematologicalvaluesforUpupa epopsfromPakistan.JAdvVetAnimRes2022;9(2):290–294.
ABSTRACT
Objecve:Thestudywasconductedtoinvesgatethegutcontentandrecordmorphometricand
hematologicalparametersinthecommonhoopoe(Upupa epops).
Materials and Methods:Twentysamplesofhealthybirds(10fromeachsex)werecollectedfrom
dierentlocaonsinOkaraDistrict,Punjab,Pakistan,fromSeptember2020toMarch2021.Birds
werecapturedliveforbloodsamplesandmorphometricandgutanalyses.
Results:It wasrevealedthattheconcentraonsofdierenthematologicalparameterswereas
follows:hemoglobin,20.03g /dl;redblood cells,3.28 ×106/µl;whitebloodcells, 326.67×103/
µl;hematocrit, 56.47%;MCV,173.33 FL;MCH,57.4 pg;MCHC, 57.4pg; PLT,8.33/µl;andRDW,
8.33/µl.Thepercentagesofneutrophils,lymphocytes,monocytes,andeosinophilswere84.67%,
11.67%,2.00%,and1.67%,respecvely.Thegutcontentofthecommonhoopoemostlyconsisted
of Coleopteraand Acrididae lar vae.However,Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae, and sand were also
recorded,alongwithseedsofSalvadora persica.
Conclusions:TherewerenosignicantdierencesbetweenmaleandfemaleU. epopsinfeeding
content,totalweightofthegut,orweightoftheemptygut.Regardingthemorphometricparam-
eters,therewasa signicantdierenceinboth sexes’wingspan,bodylength,andbodyweight.
Malesweresignicantlyheavierthanfemales.
ARTICLE HISTORY
ReceivedMarch25,2021
RevisedMarch30,2022
AcceptedApril02,2022
PublishedJune27,2022
KEYWORDS
Commonhoopoe;gutcontents;
hematology;morphometry;Pakistan
Introducon
The common hoopoe (Upupa epops) is known by its Arabic
name, “Hudhud,” in Pakistan. It is a remarkable and unique
old-world bird that belongs to the family Upupidae. It has
its foraging style with special external features [1]. The
distribution ranges from Europe and North and sub-Sa-
haran Africa (including Madagascar) to Asia. They mainly
breed in Europe, Africa, Malaysia, the Middle East, China,
and Indonesia [2]. Most of the African and Southeast Asian
populations of common hoopoe remain in their native
areas in the winter and do not migrate [3].
They also migrate to the tropical region from North
Asia and Europe during the winter seasons [4]. This bird

the Karakoram and Sulaiman ranges and the Hindu Kush
beside the Indus River [5]. It is also a summer-breed vis-
itor in the northern Himalayas and Indus plains [2]. The
best living places are wooded steppes, savannas, grass-
lands, and forest glades. Deserts and natural forests are
avoided [2,6].
Upupa epops is a small to medium-sized, slender-shaped
bird with a 29–31 cm body length and a 64–77 gm weight
in males and 57–69 gm in females [7]. The head is mainly
rufous orange to orange-brown or salmon pink in color,
with sticking black and white wings of an average length
of 13.6–15.3 cm [8]
alternative white and black bars. Upupa epops has a long,
©Theauthors.ThisisanOpenAccess
arcledistributedunderthetermsof
theCreaveCommonsAribuon4.0
License(hp://creavecommons.org/
licenses/by/4.0)
hp://bdvets.org/javar/ 291
Tahir et al. / J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 9(2): 290–294, June 2022
thin, downcurved black bill of 5–6.3 cm and a squared
tipped, black and white striped tail of 9.8-10.9 cm [7]. Like
the erectile crest crown, the high black tip fan consists of
28 feathers (long, narrow, and orange) on the common
hoopoe’s head [9]-
wards in the narrow tail in the rest position, and in excited
or alarmed conditions, the crest is erect and fan-shaped
[2,7].
Avian hematology started early in the 1960s. In veter-
inary practice, hematology is vital, and changes in avian
blood’s morphology and composition help detect and
diagnose health issues [10]. The blood parameters change
in response to health status and migration. For example,

migratory period [11]. In many species, hemoglobin con-
 
adulthood [12]. Some species, along with heterophils,
respond to stress with lymphocytosis (increased lympho-
cytes). In the case of any chronic disease, the number of
monocytes increases, while in allergic or parasitic condi-
tions, the number of eosinophils increases [13]. Therefore,
building standard reference values is necessary for each
avian species.
The common hoopoe is mostly insectivorous; it
feeds on small worms (annelids), larvae of ant-lions
(Myrmeleonidae), Elaleid beetles Agrotis larvae, Hemiptera
bugs, etc. In some studies, small reptiles, frogs, and plant
matter were also recorded in the food [2,6]. Hoopoes
that inhabit farmland mainly feed on mole crickets
(Gryllotalpidae) and Lepidoptera larvae [14], whereas
hoopoes in pine plantations mainly feed on pupae of the
pine moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) [6,15]. During the
winter–autumn season, they feed on ants (Componotus
compressces). The primarily young feed on soil inverte-
brates [2,16]. The study was conducted to investigate the
gut content and record morphometric and hematological
parameters in common hoopoe (U. epops).
Materials and Methods
Ethical approval
All procedures carried out on the animals in this study
followed the rules set by the University of Okara’s Ethical
Committee (approval number: UO/DOZ/2020/misc.).
Study area and sampling
Samples of the common hoopoe were collected from the
grassy wooded steppes area of Renala Khurd (30.88°N,
73.60°E), Pipli Pahar (30.68°N, 73.43°E), and alongside
the Ravi river in Okara District. These places were vis-
ited in the morning and evening from December 2020 to
March 2021, twice a day for sampling. Twenty samples of
the common hoopoe (10 from each gender) were captured
with the help of local hunters using a net. After capture, we
anesthetized the birds by using a combination of ketamine
HCL (10 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) [17].
Blood sample analysis, gut content, and morphometry
Analyses of hematological and morphometric characteris-
tics and gut content of the common hoopoe were carried
out according to the methodology described by Aslam et
al. [18].
Stascal analysis
Data were analyzed through mean, standard deviation
(SD), standard error (SE), and range using GraphPad Prism

an unpaired t
Results and Discussion
Hematology
The hematological values are used to indicate the health
state of birds, as well as mammals. These are used for
diagnosing and monitoring diseases, evaluation of disease
therapy, or disease prognosis. These can also be used as
      
different bird species. Different physiological factors can
affect the hematology of healthy birds [19,20]. The pres-
ent study provides physiological reference values for nor-
mal values of the adult birds of this species (Table 1). No
Table 1. Hematologicalparametersofthecommonhoopoecollect-
edfromOkaraDistrict,Punjab,Pakistan.
VariableSE Mean ± SD
HGB(gm/dl) 2.16 20.03±3.73
WBC(×103/µl) 2.88 326.33±3.33
RBC(×106/µl) 0.22 3.28±0.37
HCT(%) 0.41 56.47±0.70
MCV(FL) 0.72 173.33±1.25
MCH(pg) 0.71 58.97±1.23
MCHC(gm/dl) 1.66 34.33±2.87
PLT(×103/µl) 1.19 8.33±2.05
RDW 1.28 75.00±2.21
Neutrophils 2.60 84.67±4.50
Lymphocytes 3.31 11.67±5.73
Monocytes 0.47 2.00±0.82
Eosinophils 0.27 1.67±0.47
SE=Standarderror;SD=Standarddeviaon.
hp://bdvets.org/javar/ 292
Tahir et al. / J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 9(2): 290–294, June 2022
Figure 1. Comparison of body length, wingspan, and weight of both sexes of U. epops (*p < 0 .05;
**p < 0.01)
Table 2. ComparisonofmorphometriccharacteriscsbetweenmaleandfemaleUpupa epopscollectedfromOkaraDistrict,Punjab,
Pakistan.
Characters Sex(n = 10 each) SE Mean Range p-value
Bodyweight(gm) Male 2.07 64.03 57.70–68.00 0.01*
Female 1.04 54.35 52.60–57.70
Bodylength(cm) Male 0.12 27.88 27.50–28.10 0.01*
Female 0.21 26.23 26.40–27.50
Taillength(cm) Male 0.14 11.18 10.80–11.50 0.175NS
Female 0.11 10.85 10.50–11.10
Wingspan(cm) Male 0.06 43.70 43.60–43.90 <0.01**
Female 0.03 43.05 43.00–43.10
Winglength(cm) Male 0.13 18.85 18.40–19.10 0.142NS
Female 0.08 18.55 18.40–18.70
Longestprimaryfeather(cm) Male 0.12 13.53 13.20–13.90 0.518NS
Female 0.02 13.43 13.40–13.50
Tarsus(cm) Male 0.12 2.40 2.00–2.60 0.115NS
Female 0.05 2.13 2.00–2.30
Centraltoelength(cm) Male 0.03 2.15 2.10–2.20 0.228NS
Female 0.04 2.08 2.00–2.20
Headlengthwithoutbill(cm) Male 0.08 3.25 3.10–3.50 0.085NS
Female 0.14 2.88 2.60–3.20
Headlengthwithbill(cm) Male 0.01 8.75 8.60–8.90 0.055NS
Female 0.13 8.35 8.10–8.60
Billlength(cm) Male 0.04 5.50 5.40–5.60 0.620NS
Female 0.02 5.48 5.40–5.50
Chestcircumference(cm) Male 0.17 13.78 13.40–14.20 0.007NS
Female 0.09 12.90 12.60–13.10
*p<0.05;**p<0.01;NS=Nonsignicantdierence(p-value>0.05).
hp://bdvets.org/javar/ 293
Tahir et al. / J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 9(2): 290–294, June 2022
previous comparable records are present for the species in
the present analysis.
Morphometry
      
weight, and body length (Fig. 1), while all other morpho-
Table 2).
Morphological analysis helps understand the evolution-
ary processes [21,22]. The present study was similar to
David [23] and Roberts [2] in the morphometric measure-
ment of body weight, body length, wingspan, and length
of the longest primary feather of male and female com-
mon hoopoes. In the case of bill length, similar values to
our study were also reported by van Wijk et al. [7], Elshaer
[24], and Roberts [2]. At the same time, all other remaining

in the present study.
Food preferences

of the gut, weight of the food content, and weight of the
empty gut for both sexes (Table 3). The gut analysis shows
that the common hoopoe feeds mainly on Coleoptera and
Acrididae larvae. However, Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae,
and sand were also found. The seed of Salvadora persica
was found in the gut. The difference in feeding content
Table 4).
The study of feed preference is important from ecologi-
cal and conservation perspectives [25]. The gut content of
U. epops consisted of larvae of Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae
and Acrididae, Coleoptera, and sand, which were also
reported by Kristin [6] and Roberts [2]. We also found
some plant matter, i.e., seeds of S. persica, in the gut of U.
epops, which Fournier and Arlettaz [14] also reported.
However, our outcomes differed from Roberts [2] in the
  
these in the gut content of U. epops. Namma and Rao [26],
Myo et al. [27], and Tomás et al. [28] reported that U. epops
preferred to eat insects. This difference might be due to the
difference in habitat or food availability.
Conclusion
The morphometries of both sexes of the common hoopoe
(except for body weight, body length, and wingspan), gut
weight, and gut content were similar. Males were larger and
heavier as compared to females. The gut analysis shows
that the common hoopoe feeds on Coleoptera, Acrididae
larva, Lepidoptera, Gryllotalpidae, sand, and seeds of dif-
ferent plants, such as S. persica. This study discusses all

Table 3. Weightofgutvariablesinmaleandfemalecommonhoopoes.
CharactersGender NMean SD SE t-value p-value
Totalweightofgut(gm) Male 10 2.30 0.62 0.36 0.01 0.9512NS
Female 10 2.33 0.37 0.22
Weightoffoodmaterial(gm) Male 10 1.06 0.49 0.28 0.02 0.9052NS
Female 10 1.01 0.33 0.11
Weightofemptygut(gm) Male 10 1.24 0.13 0.07 0.74 0.4163NS
Female 10 1.32 0.04 0.33
NS=Nonsignicantdierence(p-value>0.05).
Table 4. Gutcontentofmaleandfemalecommonhoopoes.
Type of FoodWeight of dierent gut contents (%)
p-value
Male Female
Lepidoptera 0.00 10.33 0.3090NS
Gryllotalpidae 0.00 4.00 0.3739NS
S. persica 15.33 18.33 >0.9999NS
Acrididae 0.00 2.67 0.3739NS
Coleoptera 61.67 24.00 0.0866NS
Sand 0.00 5.33 0.3739NS
Digestedmaterial 23.00 35.33 0.4012NS
NS=Nonsignicantdierence(p-value>0.05).
hp://bdvets.org/javar/ 294
Tahir et al. / J. Adv. Vet. Anim. Res., 9(2): 290–294, June 2022
List of abbreviaons
HGB, Hemoglobin; WBC, White blood cells; RBC, Red blood
cells; HCT, Hematocrit; MCV, Mean corpuscular volume;
MCH, Mean corpuscular hemoglobin; MCHC, Mean corpus-
cular hematocrit; PLT, Platelets; RDW, Red cell distribution
width.
Acknowledgment
Not applicable.
Conict of interest

Authors’ contribuons
RT, MW, and WZ designed the study. AD, TK, and MA inter-
preted the data. AW and AU drafted the manuscript. MWA,
MZ, AN, TJ, TL, and SF were involved in the collection of data
and also contributed in manuscript preparation. MSK took
part in preparing and critically checking this manuscript.
References
[1] Mahmoud FA, Gadel-Rab AG, Shawki NA. Functional morphologi-
cal study of the choana in different bird species. J Basic Appl Zool
2018; 79(1):11; https://doi.org/10.1186/s41936-018-0026-6
[2] Roberts TJ. Birds of Pakistan, vol. 2, Oxford University Press,
Oxford, UK, 1992.
[3] Hewitt GM. Some genetic consequences of ice ages, and their role
in divergence and speciation. Biol J Linnean Soc 1996; 58 (3):247–
76; https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1095-8312.1996.tb01434.x
[4] Reichlin TS, Schaub M, Menz MHM, Mermod M, Portner P, Arlettaz
R, Jenni L. Migration patterns of Hoopoe Upupa epops and Wryneck
Jynx torquilla: an analysis of European ring recoveries. J Ornithol
2008; 150 (2):393; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10336-008-0361-3
[5] Altaf M, Javid A, Munir MA, Ashraf S, Iqbal KJ, et al. Diversity, dis-

Punjab, Pakistan. Biologia 2013; 59(1):131–7.
[6] Kristin A.Family Upupidae (Hoopoe), Handbook of the birds of the-
world. vol.6,Lynx Edicions,Barcelona,Spain, 2001.
[7] van Wijk RE, Schaub M, Hahn S, Juarez-Garcia-Pelayo N, Schafer B,
Viktora L, et al. S Bauer. Diverse migration strategies in hoopoes
(Upupa epops) lead to weak spatial but strong temporal connec-
tivity. Naturwissenschaften 2018; 105(7–8):42; https://doi.
org/10.1007/s00114-018-1566-9
 
Bali: the Greater Sunda Islands. Oxford University Press, Oxfor, UK,
1993.
[9] Nicoll MJ, Handlist of the birds of Egypt. Government Press, Egypt,
1919; https://doi.org/10.5962/bhl.title.14405
[10] Mitchell EB, Johns J. Avian hematology and related disorders. Vet
Clin North Am Exot Anim Pract 2008; 11(3):501–22; https://doi.
org/10.1016/j.cvex.2008.03.004
[11] Piersma T, Everaarts JM, Jukema J. Build-up of red blood cells in refu-
elling bar-tailed godwits in relation to individual migratory quality.
Condor 1996; 98 (2):363–70. https://doi.org/10.2307/1369154
[12] Samour J, Naldo J, Libanan N, Rahman H, Sakkir M. Age-related
hematology and plasma chemistry changes in captive Masai
ostriches (Struthio camelus massaicus). Comp Clin Path 2010;
20(6):659–67; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00580-010-1054-x
[13] DeNicola DB. Advances in hematology analyzers. Top Companion
Anim Med 2011; 26(2):52–61; https://doi.org/10.1053/j.
tcam.2011.02.001
[14] Fournier J, Arlettaz R. Food provision to nestlings in the Hoopoe
Upupa epops: implications for the conservation of a small endan-
gered population in the Swiss Alps. Ibis 2001; 143(1):2–10;
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.2001.tb04163.x
[15] Barbaro L, Couzi L, Bretagnolle VN, Vetillard F. Multi-scale hab-
itat selection and foraging ecology of the eurasian hoopoe
(Upupa epops) in pine plantations. In Brockerhoff EG, Jactel H,
Parrotta JA, Quine CP, Sayer J, Hawksworth DL (eds.), Plantation
forests and biodiversity: oxymoron or opportunity? Springer,
Dordrecht, The Netherlands, pp 149–163, 2007; https://doi.
org/10.1007/978-90-481-2807-5_8
[16] Martín-Vivaldi M, Palomino JJ, Soler M, Soler JJ. Determinants of
reproductive success in the Hoopoe Upupa epops, a hole-nesting
non-passerine bird with asynchronous hatching. Bird Study 1999;
46(2):205–16; https://doi.org/10.1080/00063659909461132
[17] Abbas SW, Ali MN, Abbas G, Safwan HM, Sajid M, Mehmood M.
Comparative effectiveness of general anesthesia in doves using
a combination of ketamine and diazepam. Adv Zool Bot 2018;
6(4):95–100; https://doi.org/10.13189/azb.2018.060401
[18] Aslam, MW, M Wajid, A Waheed, S Ahmad, K Jafar, H Akmal, et al.
Revision of some mensural measurements, food preference, and
haematological parameters in breeding pairs of blue rock pigeon,
Columba livia sampled from punjab Pakistan. Braz J Biol 2021; 83;
https://doi.org/10.1590/1519-6984.252059
 
E, et al. Haematological indicators in hybrid mallard ducks (Anas
platyrhynchos) with regard to the use of meal from whole white
lupin seeds in their diet. Acta Vet Brno 2017; 86 (3):309–15;
https://doi.org/10.2754/avb201786030309
[20] Kral I, Suchý P. Haematological studies in adolescent breed-
ing cocks. Acta Vet Brno 2000; 69(3):189–94; https://doi.
org/10.2754/avb200069030189
[21] Anthwal N, Tucker AS. Q&A: Morphological insights into evo-
lution. BMC Biol 2017; 15(1):83; https://doi.org/10.1186/
s12915-017-0425-z
[22] Aaron E, Hawthorne-Madell J, Livingston K, Long JH. Morphological
evolution: Bioinspired methods for analyzing bioinspired robots.
Front Robot AI 2021; 8:717214; https://doi.org/10.3389/
frobt.2021.717214
[23] David A. Hoopoes and Acacias: decoding an Ancient Egyptian
Funerary Scene. J Near East Stud 2014; 73(2):235–52; https://doi.
org/10.1086/677251
[24] Elshaer F. Comparative morphometric studies of the cranium in the
three types of birds with different feeding behaviors. Egypt Acad
J Biol Sci B. Zool 2019; 11(1):47–57; https://doi.org/10.21608/
eajbsz.2019.29471
[25] Tryjanowski P, Møller AP, Morelli F, Indykiewicz P, Zduniak P,

a large-scale experiment. Avian Res 2018; 9(1):1–6; https://doi.
org/10.1186/s40657-018-0111-z
 
pests of castor Ricinus communis l. Indian J Entomol 2020; 82(1):29–
31; http://dx.doi.org/10.5958/0974-8172.2020.00006.1
[27] Myo Y, Zin T, Htay SS. Different types of foods foraged by various
bird species in Pakokku environs, magway region. Myanmar Acad
Arts Sci 2020; 18(3):187–97.
[28] Tomás G, Zamora-Muñoz C, Martín-Vivaldi M, Barón MD, Ruiz-
Castellano C, Soler JJ. Effects of chemical and auditory cues of
hoopoes (Upupa epops) in repellence and attraction of blood-feed-
  
fevo.2020.579667
ResearchGate has not been able to resolve any citations for this publication.
Article
Full-text available
The present research was conducted to check the clinical effects of ketamine, diazepam and a ketamine and a combination of diazepam in the general anaesthesia of doves. 32 doves of both sexes with body weights ranging from 280 gm to 300 gm were divided randomly to 4 groups having 8 birds each. Group A received a 0.5 mL mixture of diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline, group B a 0.5 mL mixture of ketamine 5% (30 mg/kg) and normal saline, group C a 0.5 mL mixture of ketamine 5% (10 mg/kg), diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and normal saline, while group D (control) received 0.5 mL of normal saline only. Each mixture was administered intramuscularly. Under standard operating room conditions, general anaesthesia was not observed in group D (normal saline alone). In group A, sedation and muscle relaxation without complete loss of consciousness was observed. Induction time of anaesthesia in group C (doves treated with ketamine and diazepam combination was significantly quicker than group B (p < 0.05) that were treated with ketamine alone. Duration of anaesthesia in group C was significantly longer than group B (p < 0.05). Recovery took longer in group C in comparison with group K, but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The birds in group C were calm and sedated, with good muscle relaxation, whilst in group B the birds were excited and showed a drop in body temperature. According to the results of this study, the combination of low dose ketamine hydrochloride (HCL) and diazepam overcame the adverse effects of ketamine alone. This combination produced a more rapid induction of anaesthesia, as well as an increase in anaesthesia duration, with good muscle relaxation and a smooth and slow recovery. Use of a combination of ketamine HCL given at 10 mg/kg and diazepam given at 0.2 mg/kg for anaesthesia in doves is therefore recommended.
Article
Full-text available
To fully understand the evolution of complex morphologies, analyses cannot stop at selection: It is essential to investigate the roles and interactions of multiple processes that drive evolutionary outcomes. The challenges of undertaking such analyses have affected both evolutionary biologists and evolutionary roboticists, with their common interests in complex morphologies. In this paper, we present analytical techniques from evolutionary biology, selection gradient analysis and morphospace walks , and we demonstrate their applicability to robot morphologies in analyses of three evolutionary mechanisms: randomness (genetic mutation), development (an explicitly implemented genotype-to-phenotype map), and selection. In particular, we applied these analytical techniques to evolved populations of simulated biorobots—embodied robots designed specifically as models of biological systems, for the testing of biological hypotheses—and we present a variety of results, including analyses that do all of the following: illuminate different evolutionary dynamics for different classes of morphological traits; illustrate how the traits targeted by selection can vary based on the likelihood of random genetic mutation; demonstrate that selection on two selected sets of morphological traits only partially explains the variance in fitness in our biorobots; and suggest that biases in developmental processes could partially explain evolutionary dynamics of morphology. When combined, the complementary analytical approaches discussed in this paper can enable insight into evolutionary processes beyond selection and thereby deepen our understanding of the evolution of robotic morphologies.
Article
Full-text available
The present study describes the haematological profile, feeding preference, and comparison of morphometric characters of blue rock pigeon (Columba livia) breeding pairs. For this purpose, 25 pairs (25 samples per sex) were sampled through Mist nets from district Okara and Bahawalnagar, Punjab, Pakistan. Birds were then anaesthetized with a combination of ketamine HCL (10 mg/kg) and diazepam (0.2 mg/kg) and subjected to morphometric measurements. 5µL blood also was taken from the jugular vein of each anaesthetized bird for haematological analysis. Few pairs were also dissected to remove gastrointestinal tracts (GITs) for food preferences. Results revealed that there are no significant differences in the haematological parameters and feeding preference of breeding pairs of Columba livia. The gut analysis further revealed, the major portion of gut contents consisted of pea and corn in most of the pairs. Regarding the mensural measurements, significant differences were recorded in the body weight, length of the longest primary feather, and chest circumference, whereas the rest of the studied parameters remain nonsignificant between sexes. So, it is concluded that apart from 3 morphometric parameters (body weight, length of longest primary feather and chest circumference), both sexes are alike in term of morphometry, haematology and food preference.
Article
Full-text available
Research on the mechanisms involved in host location by parasites is of paramount importance and may aid in developing protective measures against them. This topic attains far-reaching repercussions for human and animal welfare regarding parasites transmitting vector-borne pathogens, such as blood-feeding flies. Very few studies have evaluated the effect of bird-derived cues on attraction of vectors in field conditions. We here explored the attraction of different groups of blood-feeding flies (mosquitoes, blackflies and biting midges) to auditory cues produced by begging hoopoe (Upupa epops) nestlings, and to three chemical cues derived from hoopoe nestlings or nests (uropygial secretion, symbiotic bacteria isolated from the secretion, and nest material) in the field. We deployed insect traps baited with the different stimuli at the beginning and at the end of the hoopoe breeding-season in four different habitats. Abundance of blood-feeding flies varied depending on habitat and sampling period. Begging auditory cues of nestling hoopoes did not affect abundance of flies. However, chemical stimuli affected abundance of mosquitoes, which were less abundant in traps baited with bacteria or with nest material than in control traps. Abundance of biting midges in traps also depended on the chemical stimulus but in interaction with sampling period or habitat. Fewer biting midges were collected in traps baited with bacteria and with secretion in the habitats where abundance of biting midges is higher. Our results suggest that uropygial secretion of hoopoes, and symbiotic bacteria living in this secretion, may repel blood-feeding flies from their nests.
Article
Full-text available
The annual cycle of migrating birds is shaped by their seasonal movements between breeding and non-breeding sites. Studying how migratory populations are linked throughout the annual cycle—migratory connectivity, is crucial to understanding the population dynamics of migrating bird species. This requires the consideration not only of spatial scales as has been the main focus to date but also of temporal scales: only when both aspects are taken into account, the degree of migratory connectivity can be properly defined. We investigated the migration behaviour of hoopoes (Upupa epops) from four breeding populations across Europe and characterised migration routes to and from the breeding grounds, location of non-breeding sites and the timing of key migration events. Migration behaviour was found to vary both within and amongst populations, and even though the spatial migratory connectivity amongst the populations was weak, temporal connectivity was strong with differences in timing amongst populations, but consistent timing within populations. The combination of diverse migration routes within populations and co-occurrence on the non-breeding grounds between populations might promote exchange between breeding populations. As a result, it might make hoopoes and other migrating bird species with similar strategies more resilient to future habitat or climatic changes and stabilise population trends.
Article
Full-text available
Background: Intentional winter bird feeding in gardens is one of the most common interactions between birds and humans. Because feeding may have both desired effects (provisioning of nutritious food for under-nourished birds) and undesired effects (favouritism of competitively superior species, transmission of disease), management of supple-mentary sites should be optimized from an ecological and conservation perspective. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to experimentally test winter food preferences of birds, with underlying potential influence of habitat (rural vs. urban) on realised food preferences pattern. Methods: We conducted an experimental analysis of food preferences of wintering birds by provided bird-feeders in urban and rural environments across Poland. Data were collected twice during winter 2013–2014 across Poland, in total with 80 experimental trials. Results: Sunflower seeds were the most preferred food supplement both in urban and rural habitats, significantly more exploited than any other food simultaneously available in feeders (animal fat, millet seed and dry fruits of row-anberry). However, no significant differences were recorded between urban and rural habitats in use of food. Conclusions: The degree of use of a particular type of food at bird-feeders depended on the overall use of food in a bird-feeder consumption of each of the four types of food was significantly positively correlated with that of the others, and it was positively correlated with the number of birds observed at the feeders.
Article
Full-text available
The anatomical information about the structure of the choana is lacking in literature, and its role in the olfactory and feeding mechanism is still unknown The present study discusses the adaptation of choana to cranial kinesis during feeding process in different bird species: kestrel, common moorhen, and hoopoe. Kestrel possesses a kinetic skull while the hoopoe and common moorhen have kinetic one; however, the common moorhen skull seems highly kinetic more than that of the hoopoe that properly effect on the choanal epithelium. The choana of kestrel and hoopoe are lined by pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium, while choana of common moorhen have transitional epithelium beside pseudostratified ciliated columnar epithelium. The choana epithelium of each bird species provides with simple alveolar glands and numerous goblet cells. In kestrel and hoopoe, the secretion products of choanal glands contain neutral and sulfated mucin, while in the common moorhen, these glands secret neutral and carboxylate mucopolysaccharides. The choana of the three studied bird species apparents adaptation to the olfaction process but also affects the movement of skeletal elements of the skull during the feeding process
Article
Full-text available
The objective of our study was to assess the effect of replacing soybean meal with the meal from whole white lupin seeds (Lupinus albus) of the Zulika variety in diets on selected haematological indicators in 40-day-old fattened hybrid mallard ducks. A total of 180 Cherry Valley ducks were divided into three groups (E1, E2, and control). The control group was fed a diet containing soybean meal. Soybean meal replaced with 50% and 100% meal of white lupin seeds were used in group E1 and group E2, respectively. At the end of the fattening, 12 ducks (6 males and 6 females) were randomly selected from each group for a haematological examination. From the result of this study, it is clear that the effect of the diet was found only on the slightly varying number of white blood cells and on the proportion of monocytes. Ducks of group E2 showed a slight increase in the total number of leukocytes which was accompanied by a decrease in the percentage share of monocytes (P < 0.05). Based on the results, it can be claimed that the replacement of soybean meal with meal from the Zulika variety of whole white lupin seeds in the diet did not have a negative effect on the determined blood indicators. Therefore, whole white lupin seeds were successfully used as the important protein component of the diet for fattening hybrid mallard ducks. © 2017, University of Veterinary and Pharmaceutical Sciences. All rights reserved.
Article
The present work was particularly designed to study the comparative anatomy of the skull of three different feeding Aves species inhibiting in Egypt. This study demonstrates that both size and shape are important components in the morphological differentiation of the skulls of carnivorous Kingfisher (Halcyon smyrnensis), insectivore Hoopoes (Upupa epops) and Omnivores Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) which clarify the relationship between size, shape of the skull and the type of feeding behavior. This paper presents a morphometric analysis of Kingfisher, Hoopoes and chicken skulls. Analyses are performed using traditional analytic and morphometric methods.