Phasianidae Research Articles

Modeling of ecological niches of Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) under conditions of bioclimatic variability in the Fes-Meknes region (Morocco)

Abstract The Barbary Partridge (Alectoris barbara) is a bird species belonging to the Phasianidae family and is endemic to North Africa, including Morocco. Effective conservation of this species requires a thorough understanding and accurate assessment of the environmental factors that influence reproductive parameters. In this study, we used the species distribution models (SDM) to study the geographical distribution of the Barbary Partridge in Morocco. These models are tools that allow us to study the effects of climate change on the spatial distribution of species, they are based on the Maxent (maximum entropy) algorithm. These models are based on environmental and biological data and can predict the probability of a species’ occurrence in a given geographic area. They can also predict how climatic and environmental conditions will change over time and how these changes will affect the species’ distribution. The results obtained revealed that the environmental factors that have a significant influence on the distribution area of Barbary Partridge under Moroccan conditions are: annual precipitation (Bio12) with a contribution rate of 23.3%; precipitation of the driest quarter (Bio17) at 19.9%; altitude at 9.9%; minimum temperature of the coldest month (Bio 6) at 7.6%; precipitation of the driest month (Bio14) at 7.2%; and mean temperature of the wettest quarter (Bio8) at 4.4%. This information can be used to assist in long-term conservation planning by identifying areas that may become more or less suitable for the species.

Identification of Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 (Aves: Phasianidae) Using Feather Calamus by Molecular Genetic Method

The ornate and vibrant bird, Pavo cristatus Linnaeus, 1758 belongs to Phasianidae family and is proud to be the national bird of India due to it is extravagant feathers and cultural significance. Thus, the accurate identification of this species is significant for its conservation as well as for areas where it is endangered due to factors such as habitat destruction and hunting. This study applies molecular analysis for the identification of the Indian peafowl by analyzing shed feather samples non-invasively through DNA barcoding. Barcoding the species was done by using the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene sequences. The study is rightly able to establish that DNA obtained from shed feathers can generate DNA barcodes, which help with species identification. This method provides a useful instrument for the wildlife tracking and the conservation of birds by providing an efficient and non-harmful way of identifying and tracking the population of the species. These results show that DNA barcoding could be useful in increasing the efficiency of species identification, differentiation in avian research to the broader field of molecular ecology for the monitoring, conservation and management.

The Power and Performativity of Naming

In 1906, the Mikado pheasant, an endemic bird of Taiwan, was discovered as a new species by a British collector. As the creation of this new species was based solely on the examination of tail feathers, it generated excitement among ornithologists and aviculturists, sparking a series of expeditions to collect complete specimens. By following the trajectory of these endeavors and subsequent attempts to reclassify, propagate, and protect the bird, this article explores the power and performativity of scientific naming in both global and colonial contexts. The act of writing and publishing a species description is performative in that it creates a new species by assigning a scientific name that allows it to gain recognition within the scientific community and beyond. It also served to create and maintain the ornithological community—the idealized virtual community of ornithologists, bird collectors, and aviculturists. The history of the Mikado pheasant is part of a larger scientific effort to establish the comprehensive knowledge of the family Phasianidae, which motivated aspiring Japanese ornithologists to exert their acquired knowledge over the avifauna of the Japanese empire. These processes interacted during a time when zoological nomenclature was becoming accessible to non-Western zoologists. The discovery of the Mikado pheasant was the result of a colonial enterprise involving the British and Japanese empires, which converged on the interior of Taiwan and involved the Indigenous people who had settled in the mountain regions. The enduring legacy of the Mikado pheasant’s naming still resonates today.

Habitat suitability modelling of Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) in moist temperate forest.

The decreasing status of on IUCN of Koklass pheasant (Pucrasia macrolopha) belongs to the family Phasianidae and the order Galliform needs the attention of researchers. The species with habitats as low as 6,000 feet and as high as 11,000 feet certainly cover a broad variety of habitats, such a wide altitude range embraces a diverse range of habitats. Insufficient research has been conducted on the suitability of moist temperate forests as a potential habitat for the Koklass pheasant. Therefore, this study was carried out to explore habitat suitability in 15 different sites which were located in the 4 districts of Hazara Division using GIS data science and environmental variables. A random sampling technique was used for laying out the transect. Overall, 45 line transects (Length 2-4 km, Width 10-30 m) were laid out in study sites. The size of sample plots for trees was 10x10m, for shrubs (4 x4m), and herbs and grasses 1x1m. The other habitat parameters like elevation, slope, cover, and frequency of plant at each point were also considered. We found the uneven distribution of Koklass pheasant in the Hazara Division. There were 59 occurrence points identified and highlighted the distribution of Koklass pheasant in the study area. Although all environmental variables were preferred by Koklass pheasant in its habitat statistical analysis proved that slope, level of disturbance, tree and shrub frequency of habitat contributed mostly to the presence of Koklass in each study site except the contribution of soil and herbs. The potential suitable habitat of Koklass pheasant was estimated to be 439.6 km2 areas starting from Abbottabad to Mansehra in the Hazara division. Awareness and enforcing legal protection are recommended for the conservation of Koklass Pheasant in Moist temperate forest.

Characterization in the Egg Quality of Three Species of Phasianidae Birds

Rock partridge (Alectoris graeca), Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus), and Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica) are three poultry species from the Phasianidae family birds that are kept for meat and egg production in the Republic of Turkey. This research was carried out to characterize the egg quality of Rock partridge (RP), Common pheasant (CP), and Japanese quail (JQ). The eggs parameter of egg weight (EW), shape index (SI), yolk index (YI), albumen index (AI), shell weight (SW), haugh unit (HU), yolk weight (YW), albumen weight (AW), yolk ratio (YR), albumen ratio (AR) and shell ratio (SR) were measured for data analysis. A total of 372 eggs, including 100 eggs of partridges, 200 eggs of pheasant, and 72 eggs of quail were used in this study. A Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) and Hierarchical Cluster Analysis (HCA) were used in this study to characterize three different types of eggs using SPSS. 16.0 package. The results showed that nine egg parameters of AR, YI, SI, YW, AW, YR, AI, HU, and SR are identified as discriminant variables for three egg types. The results showed that the canonical correlation (R) value in this study was high, i.e., 0.98 (Function 1) and 0.79 (Function 2). The Mahalonobis distance (D2) in this study ranged from 15.28 (RP - CP) to 27.94 (CP - JQ). In conclusion, the Phasianidae poultries in this study have different egg quality traits and can be used as the species marker.

Description of representatives of the family Phasianidae from Mátraszőlős 3 (Nógrád county, Hungary) by means of recent finds of Badenian age

Abstract The article reviews of the Galliformes fo from the Mátraszőlős 3 site in Hungary from the Middle Miocene. A total of 200 bones have so far been recovered from site at Mátraszőlős 3, of which the identification of 95 bones will be discussed in this article, including anatomical differences between species. Within the fossil record, Palaeocryptonix hungaricus (Jánossy 1991) and three species of Palaeortyx have been identify (P. phasianoides Milne-Edwards, 1869, P. gallica Milne-Edwards, 1869 and P. brevipes Milne-Edwards, 1869). Only one bone of P. brevipes was recovered. As the appearance of the members of the family can be traced back to the early Oligocene, while the majority of the species are of Neogene origin, the study contributes to a better understanding of the distribution of extinct pheasant speciesin the Carpathian Basin.

Greek Perceptions and Receptions of Non-Indigenous Birds: Some Case Studies Regarding the Phasianidae

Investigating interactions between animals and humans has become increasingly prominent in the study of the ancient Greek world. How did the Greeks react to non-indigenous species of birds and adapt these into their local environments? As a contribution to this subject, this paper focusses on a series of related avian case studies: domestic fowl ( Gallus gallus), peacocks ( Pavo cristatus), and pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus). Using key pieces of textual and visual evidence, we not only investigate how these birds—all of which are part of the family Phasianidae—became acclimated to Greece but also draw significant conclusions about their reception in Greek society. We argue that these three species remained grouped together in Greek imagination and that their distinctiveness and foreignness were essential characteristics of their cultural reception despite varying degrees of integration (e.g., successful breeding) and utility.

High throughput sequencing data reveals the complete mitogenome, abundance, maternal phylogeny, and mitogenomic diversity of Alectoris chukar of Iraq

Alectoris chukar is a wild game bird found in the north of Iraq, near the center of domestication and diversity of species. The mitogenome is one of the most vital resources for comprehensive studies of genetic diversity and molecular evolutionary relationships among avian species. In this study, we used whole genome sequencing raw reads and bioinformatics analysis to sequence and assemble Alectoris chukar's complete mitogenome for the first time. We also studied the maternal lineage and phylogenetic position of Alectoris chukar, as well as some mitogenomic diversity parameters. As a result, the complete mitogenomes with a length ranging from 16686 bp to 16688 bp of four individuals of wild Alectoris chukar were sequenced and assembled. They have a typical avian mitogenome structure with 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA), 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and one non-coding control region. Our findings from bioinformatics analysis remarkably demonstrated that copies of the mitogenome are more abundant in liver tissues than in blood and in the liver tissues of females than in males. The results of phylogenetic analysis clustered the studied mitogenomes with Alectoris chukar as a monophyletic clade. Moreover, in comparison to the different genera, Alectoris chukar showed a high level of mitogenomic similarities to the snowcock species of the genus Tetraogallus within the Phasianidae family. However, they were more distant from other partridges. Additionally, a high percentage of mitogenomic pairwise identities within Iraqi Alectoris chukar and high mitogenomic variations compared to Chinese populations were discovered. The number and location of polymorphic sites indicated that the majority of the mitogenome sequences were conserved, with the control region, ND5, and CYTB genes having the most polymorphic sites. Analyses of phylogenetic and mitogenomic diversity revealed that samples of Alectoris chukar from Iraq have a unique maternal lineage and mitogenomic diversity specific to their geographic distribution, suggesting an Alectoris chukar kurdestanica subspecies. The molecular findings presented here provide valuable knowledge and mitogenomic resources into the evolutionary relationships of Alectoris chukar from the Middle East to avian species in the Phasianidae family.
 Key words: DNA sequencing; Mitochondrial genome; Partridges; Phasianidae; Phylogeny

Evaluation of the host specificity of Eimeria uekii and Eimeria raichoi for Japanese rock ptarmigans by oocyst transfer to taxonomically related birds.

Eimeria spp. are protozoan parasites that are commonly found in a broad range of vertebrate hosts. These parasites generally exhibit strict host specificity, but some Eimeria spp. can infect groups of closely related species such as species within a genus or family. Compared with Eimeria spp. that infect livestock, limited information is available about such infections in wild animals including data on host specificity, virulence, and prevalence. The Japanese rock ptarmigan, Lagopus muta japonica, is an endangered bird belonging to the family Phasianidae, order Galliformes, and inhabits only alpine areas of Japan. In conservation efforts for these birds, two Eimeria spp., E. uekii and E. raichoi, were frequently detected. Here, we examined cross-transmission of the parasites to other bird species to characterize their infectivity as well as the development of experimental bird models to contribute to conservation programs by the oocyst transfer. Consequently, among the examined eight bird species (chickens, Japanese pheasants, turkeys, chukar partridges, quails, helmeted guineafowls and ducks), only turkeys (family Phasianidae, order Galliformes) could be infected with E. raichoi. However, the number of oocysts per feces was relatively low, and few parasites in the intestinal mucosa could be found by histopathological analyses. These results might indicate that E. uekii and E. raichoi are highly adapted to Japanese rock ptarmigans that inhabit the alpine zone although further studies are anticipated.

A chromosome-level genome assembly for the Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta).

The Rock Ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) is a cold-adapted, largely sedentary, game bird with a Holarctic distribution. The species represents an important example of an organism likely to be affected by ongoing climatic shifts across a disparate range. We provide here a high-quality reference genome and mitogenome for the Rock Ptarmigan assembled from PacBio HiFi and Hi-C sequencing of a female bird from Iceland. The total size of the genome is 1.03 Gb with a scaffold N50 of 71.23 Mb and a contig N50 of 17.91 Mb. The final scaffolds represent all 40 predicted chromosomes, and the mitochondria with a BUSCO score of 98.6%. Gene annotation resulted in 16,078 protein-coding genes out of a total 19,831 predicted (81.08% excluding pseudogenes). The genome included 21.07% repeat sequences, and the average length of genes, exons, and introns were 33605, 394, and 4265 bp, respectively. The availability of a new reference-quality genome will contribute to understanding the Rock Ptarmigan's unique evolutionary history, vulnerability to climate change, and demographic trajectories around the globe while serving as a benchmark for species in the family Phasianidae (order Galliformes).

Molecular detection of cestoda in black francolin (Francolinus francolinus) of Babylon Province, Iraq

Cestodes or tapeworms (Class Cestoda, phylum Platyhelminthes) are widespread parasites of birds, as they cause various damages, which may lead to the death of their hosts, especially when the infection is severe. The Black Francolin belongs to the Phasianidae family of pheasants and, in the order Galliformes, the gallinaceous birds, and it is called Francolinus francolinus. Considering it as a local bird in Asia, it was referred to as the black partridge. The current study was conducted from January to October 2019 to determine the Cestoda infections within F. francolinus. Thirty-five birds from F. francolinus were examined for the presence of cestoda, of which 17 birds (48.57%) were infected with cestoda parasites. Molecular diagnosis based on sequences of cytochrome c oxidase 1 (COI) gene regions was performed to confirm the diagnosis of this cestoda. This revealed a close identification of up to 93.44-100% for COI gene regions with other cestoda species obtained from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis supported the placement of this species within three families, Davaineidae, Taeniidae, and Hymenolepididae, with close relationships to the previously described species of Raillietina sp., R. mahnerti, R. hymenolepidoides, Ophryocotyloides dasi, Rodentolepis nana and Hydatigera parva based on the COI gene regions. This is the first study in Iraq to diagnose Cestoda in birds by molecular methods, where five species of cestoda parasitic on F. francolinus were recorded for the first time in Iraq.

Short Communication: Taxonomic status of Great Argus (Argusianus argus) Sumatra and Borneo based on cytochrome B gene

Abstract. Ericca C, Tjong DH, Roesma DI, Novarino W, Syafullah, Janra MN, Aandrean. 2022. Short Communication: Taxonomic status of Great Argus (Argusianus argus) Sumatra and Borneo based on cytochrome B gene. Biodiversitas 23: 4670-4676. Great Argus (Argusianus argus) belongs to the bird family Phasianidae. Currently, there are two Great Argus subspecies: A. argus argus in Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, and A. argus grayi in Borneo. Therefore, this study aims to determine the taxonomic status of Great Argus across its distribution region. Phylogenetic relationships between two Great Argus subspecies were inferred in this study using the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene. DNA was isolated, amplified, and sequenced from the feathers of Great Argus sampled from Kinantan Wildlife and Cultural Park, Bukittinggi, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Phylogenetic relationships were analyzed with Maximum Likelihood methods. The phylogenetic trees show monophyletic relationships between Sumatran Great Argus subspecies. Analysis result shows that Bornean Great Argus has a 3.26-3.80% genetic distance from the Sumatran Great Argus based on analysis using the 789 bp of cyt b gene. Based on the result, it also refers that Bornean Great Argus and Crested Argus (Rheinardia ocellata), have a close relationship, indicated by low genetic distances (5.87-6.73%). This study suggests that Bornean Great Argus is genetically different from Sumatran Great Argus.

DNA Barcode of Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus L, 1958 (Aves: Phasianidae) of Sumatra Based on Mitochondrial COI DNA Gene

Genetic data of red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) from southern Sumatra is valuable for conservation efforts in Indonesia. A mitochondrial COI DNA gene sequencing was performed to elucidate its genetic character, single nucleotide polymorphism, genetic distance, and phylogeny. Blood samples (±0.5 ml) from 20 individuals of Gallus gallus were taken from the living collections of the people of Bengkulu Province (Central Bengkulu Regency and Seluma Regency) and South Sumatra Province (North Musi Rawas Regency) from May to November 2021. Total DNA isolation followed the procedure of The Spin-Column Protocol Kit uses the Dneasy® Blood and Tissue Kit, Qiagen. DNA replication using the Polymerase Chain Reaction technique with primers (COIGG_F and COIGG_R) using MEGA 10.0 software and Bioedit for data analysis. The results revealed716 conserved sites, 16 variable sites, 9 parsimony sites, and 6 singleton sites from the 732 bp nucleotide sequence. Six specific sites (SNPs) as barcodes for Sumatran Junglefowl were found at sequences 51, 273, 327, 721, 729, and 732. The mean genetic distance between individuals was 0.1%, between populations was 0.8%, between species was 7.4%, and between genera was 15.5%. The red junglefowlof South Sumatra Province and Bengkulu Province are closely related with 98% bootstrapping and separated from other Gallus in the same group (ingroup) with 100% bootstrap. The Gallus-gallus group is quite far apart from the outgroup species in the Phasianidae family with 47-100% bootstrap. Red junglefowl from southern Sumatra has genetic differences from other chickens in the world and these differences can be used as a species barcode and as origin identification the widely traded red jungle fowl.

Use of native chicken breeds (Gallus gallus domesticus) for the development of suitable methods of Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) semen cryopreservation.

BackgroundThe Cantabrian capercaillie (Tetrao urogallus cantabricus) is critically endangered. This subspecies has the lowest genetic variability and it is in regression. It belongs to Phasianidae family; therefore, the domestic chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) could be a good model for developing reproductive technologies for use in capercaillie populations with low availability of animals.ObjectivesIn this study, we analyzed the response of capercaillie sperm to the freezing–thawing process for contributing to the development of a semen cryobank of Cantabrian capercaillie.MethodsWe used domestic chicken as the animal model in order to obtain the freezing protocol before applying on capercaillie. In the first experiment, two different extenders (EK and LR84) and different concentrations [4% and 6% dimethyl‐acetamide (DMA) v:v] of cryoprotectants were evaluated using in‐straw freezing method in domestic chickens. A pilot study in capercaillie males, using the same conditions evaluated in chicken, was performed.ResultsIn chicken, we found that the LR84‐4% DMA media provided the best results for freezing semen. In capercaillie study, LR84 extender seemed to be the most appropriate diluent and 4% was the better dose of DMA cryoprotectant agent. Further, based on previous studies carried out in rooster samples, we also tested the glycerol (8% v/v) as a cryoprotectant for capercaillie semen cryopreservation.ConclusionsOur results suggest that sperm from both domestic and wild species had a similar response to freezing–thawing processes. Mediterranean chickens may be used as a suitable model for developing sperm freezing protocols that can be extrapolated to threatened capercaillie populations. In addition, LR84 media with glycerol was the most efficient extender to freeze capercaillie sperm native.

INVENTARISASI JENIS BURUNG DI AREAL BEKAS TAMBANG BATUBARA PT. PILAR PUTRA SEJATI KELURAHAN LOA BAKUNG KECAMATAN SUNGAI KUNJANG SAMARINDA

The purpose of this study was to determine the presence of bird species in the area of ​​the former coal mine of PT. Pilar Putra Sejati, Loa Bakung Village, Sungai Kunjang District, Samarinda.This research has been carried out for approximately three months starting from May 2021 to September 2021. The method used for observing birds is a direct method using traps or traps in the form of fog nets and traps or snares, where observations are made at six points , as follows; three points on the edge of the dug hole and three points located on trees frequented by birds. At each point, observations were held in the morning at 06.00-08.00 and in the afternoon at 16.00-18.00 WITA.The results of observations at the research location found as many as 9 species of birds from 6 families. Bird species during the study were Lonchura punctulata (Ploceidae family), Passer montanus (Ploceidae family), Streptopelia chinensis (Colombidae family), Giopelia striata (Colombidae family), Arborophila charltonii (Phasianidae family), Phynonotus aurigaster (nis family), Aenicurus family Rallidae), Acridotheres javanicus (family Sturnidae), and Lonchura fuscans (family Ploceidae).

Conservation status of Southeast Asian natural habitat estimated using Galliformes spatio-temporal range decline

Southeast Asia has arguably the highest biodiversity loss due to the high deforestation rate and hunting pressure. In the region, 55 species of the family Phasianidae can be found in all available land habitats from lowland plains up to high-elevation mountainous areas. As ground-dwelling birds, these species are sensitive to habitat disturbance and hunting pressure, making them ideal to evaluate the status of remaining Southeast Asian forest habitats. The aims of this work are, therefore, to define for each Phasianidae species: (1) the extent of forest cover, suitable habitat and large forest patches currently available in the region and their decline over the years between 2000 and 2018 (six estimated generations) and (2) assess the threats using a Bayesian Belief Network approach combining data on forest loss hotspots and hunting pressure. Moreover, we defined the spatial distribution of Phasianidae diversity hotspots and relative threats in the region. The results show that over the 18-year study period, the forest cover, suitable habitat and Phasianidae diversity in Southeast Asia declined overall. The remaining forest habitats currently have low species diversity and face medium to high threat levels from habitat loss and hunting pressure. Population monitoring and higher protection levels both inside and outside protected areas are essential for the species’ long term survival. We recommend using Phasianidae as indicator species to monitor the overall habitat conservation status in Southeast Asia.

Primordial germ cells isolated from individual embryos of red junglefowl and indigenous pheasants of Thailand

Interspecific germline chimerism mediated by transplantation of primordial germ cells (PGCs) of wild species to domestic hosts promises the conservation of wild birds. Cryopreservation of avian eggs and embryos is impracticable, and currently only frozen PGCs enable conservation of both the male and female descendants. Purebred offspring have been obtained from germline chimeras of wild avian species, proving the feasibility of such technology. In vitro propagation has been optimized for avian PGCs of domestic species; however, evidence is rather limited for successful isolation as well as long-term culture from a single embryo of wild species. With accelerating biodiversity loss, we have committed to preserving current genetic resources by freezing PGCs isolated from individual embryos in addition to their genetic material. We have devised a reliable protocol for the isolation and proliferation of PGCs from wild fowls in the family Phasianidae that are conserved in captive breeding (red junglefowl, bar-tailed pheasant, kalij pheasant, Siamese fireback pheasant, and silver pheasant). We obtained individual isolates of cultured circulating PGCs (49.7%, 79/155) as well as tissue PGCs (92.9%, 144/155). The specific co-culture conditions of autologous embryonic cells, without additional growth factors, facilitated the proliferation of so-called tissue PGCs (the remaining PGCs in embryonic tissue following blood aspiration). Only circulating PGCs left in blood vessels and of PGCs migrating to developing gonads have been previously reported. However, the present study is the first to report on the harvest of ectopic PGCs. The defined conditions sustained continuous proliferation of tissue PGCs for at least six months and maintained PGC identity following cryopreservation. Cultured tissue PGCs of these wild species were extensively characterized for their expression of the germ cell-specific proteins, chicken vasa homolog (CVH) and deleted in azoospermia-like (DAZL), as well as the ability to colonize chicken embryonic gonads. The novel protocol is practical for generating enough PGCs for cryopreservation, transplantation, and additionally, it enables isolation of PGCs from both blood circulation and embryonic tissue simultaneously. For conservation purposes, this approach is potentially applicable more widely to other non-domestic birds than those in the family Phasianidae that were investigated in the present study.

Diet composition of the Javan mongoose (Urva javanica) within two forests across a karst landscape, on Java, Indonesia

We investigated the diet composition and possible ecological role played by the Javan mongoose in Java. During the 2018 dry season, fecal samples were collected from an old-growth forest (Wonosadi; n = 49) and a restored forest (Wanagama; n = 41), located in southern Yogyakarta, which were analyzed to identify food items at the family level. The frequency of occurrence of diet items was used for data comparison. Overall, the Javan mongoose fed more frequently on vertebrates of family Muridae, Phasianidae, and Colubridae as compared to invertebrate and other taxa. No significant difference was discovered in the diet composition between Wonosadi and Wanagama regions (Mantel–Haenszel test: χ2 = 1.17; P > 0.05). In line with other studies, the findings here indicate the predation of pests (Muridae species) and birds by the Javan mongoose. The findings also suggest that the Javan mongoose potentially controls the rat population in these regions, however, they might have an impact on the local biodiversity as they raid poultries and predate some ecologically significant vertebrates and invertebrates.

Comparative Histology and Micrometric Analysis of Pharyngeal cavity in Egyptian Laughing Dove (Streptopelia senegalensis aegyptiaca) and Japanese Quail (Coturnix coturnix japonicum)

Birds of different families; Japanese Quail (family Phasianidae) and Laughing Dove (family Columbidae) were used for this study to focus on the histological and micrometric comparison of the pharyngeal roof and floor with its content. The thickness of the lining epithelium of the pharyngeal roof, root of the tongue was almost equal in both species, whereas of the laryngeal mound of quail was nearly 5 times thicker than that of dove. On the other hand, the diameter of the glandular lobules of all studied salivary glands in the pharyngeal cavity of quail was more than that of dove except caudal lingual salivary glands. The entrance of the infundibular cavity of dove was infiltrated by aggregations of lymphoid tissue, but there were variably sized lymph nodules in quail termed pharyngeal nodules. The sphenopterygoid salivary glands (branched tubular mucous type) of dove were fewer than those of quail. The caudal lingual salivary glands were concentrated centrally dorsal to basihyoid of the hyoid bone in dove but distributed dorsolaterally to the basihyoid in quail. The lamina propria of the laryngeal mound of dove had 2 groups of circopterygoid salivary glands (rostromedial and caudomedial), lining by tall columnar epithelium, while of quail had 3 groups (rostromedial, rostrolateral and caudomedial) circopterygoid salivary glands, lining by low columnar epithelium. The laryngeal mound of both species was supported by two groups of intrinsic laryngeal muscles and 3groups of extrinsic laryngeal muscles.

Chromosome level assembly reveals a unique immune gene organization and signatures of evolution in the common pheasant.

The common pheasant Phasianus colchicus, belonging to the order Galliformes and family Phasianidae, is the most widespread species. Despite a long history of captivity, the domestication of this bird is still at a preliminary stage. Recently, the demand for accelerating its transformation to poultry for meat and egg production has been increasing. In this study, we assembled high quality, chromosome scale genome of the common pheasant by using PacBio long reads, next-generation short reads, and Hi-C technology. The primary assembly has contig N50 size of 1.33Mb and scaffold N50 size of 59.46Mb, with a total size of 0.99Gb, resolving most macrochromosomes into single scaffolds. A total of 23,058 genes and 10.71Mb interspersed repeats were identified, constituting 30.31% and 10.71% of the common pheasant genome, respectively. Our phylogenetic analysis revealed that the common pheasant shared common ancestors with turkey about 24.7-34.5 million years ago (Ma). Rapidly evolved gene families, as well as branch-specific positively selected genes, indicate that calcium-related genes are potentially related to the adaptive and evolutionary change of the common pheasant. Interestingly, we found that the common pheasant has a unique major histocompatibility complex B locus (MHC-B) structure: three major inversions occurred in the sequence compared with chicken MHC-B. Furthermore, we detected signals of selection in five breeds of domestic common pheasant, several of which are production-oriented.