Presence Of Air Sacs Research Articles

Morphological Comparison of Larynx, Syrinx and Trachea of Some Wild Birds

The presence of both the larynx and syrinx in the respiratory system, the trachea consisting of long and complete cartilage rings, and the presence of air sacs are some of the important features that distinguish birds from mammals. There have been many studies on the larynx, trachea and syrinx as they are the distinguishing features of song and bird vocalizations in many avian species. In the present study, the purpose was to demonstrate the morphological structures of the larynx, trachea and syrinx, which is a sound organ, pigeon, sparrowhawk, falcon, eagle, goose, crow and stork. A total of 48 specimens, were used in the study. The materials were stained with methylene blue for better observation and counting of the tracheal rings. The staining procedure was performed by soaking the materials in alcohol, methylene blue solution and alcohol solutions of different concentrations, respectively. It was observed that the tracheal cartilages were a complete ring in all study species, but there were differences in tracheal length, number of cartilages and dorsoventral flattening. Syrinx was found to be tracheal type in storks and tracheobronchial type in others. As a result, the similarities and differences of the data obtained from pigeon, falcon, sparrowhawk, eagle, crow, goose and stork on larynx, trachea and syrinx due to different hunting, singing and vocal characteristics were revealed.

MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS IN THE FARMING OSTRICH

it in a commercial environment. This bird is unique, being the largest living bird, measuring up to 2.75 m in height and up to 150 kg in mass. The bird is unable to fly, but the structure of the wing bones, the presence of air sacs, some pneumatic bones and presence of the pygostyle, strongly suggest that the ostrich evolved from a flying ancestor. The ostrich spends its time walking around its environment, only running if threatened. These birds can reach the speed of approximately 60–70 km/h. The leg anatomy reflects the walking lifestyle of the ostrich and it has only two toes. Our collection of information started with some particular aspects of ostrich chick biology (chick quality, residual vesica felea, growth rates, mortality, leg problems, post-hatch) having significant impact on the rearing systems employed. This aspect of husbandry is a critical phase of commercial production, was in the past and remains today the cause of significant problems in the majority of countries where ostrich farming is a novel enterprise. There is a wide variety of different rearing conditions, all of which are successful to different extent. As it is common with commercial poultry production, the best results are achieved with the highest quality day-old chicks. In this work the authors try to connect collected information and their personal field experience in rearing 3 months old ostrich chicks from France during quarantine time as well as later, during application of some prophylactic and therapeutic measures including patho-anathomy and laboratory examination.

The primate hyolaryngeal apparatus and herbivorous modifications

The predominantly herbivorous diet of the howler and baboon is responsible for modification in the configuration of the hyolaryngeal apparatus. In a herbivorous primate the air sac located in the concavity of the body of the hyoid bone takes on a resonating function. There is definite correlation between : (1) the presence of a large epiglottis with a convex superior surface, (2) close apposition of the soft palate with the epiglottis, (3) presence of high aryepiglottic and lateral epiglottic folds, (4) presence of air sacs and (5) concavity of the posterior surface of the body of the hyoid bone (basihyal), and the herbivorous diet of the species. These characteristics are not as pronounced in the less herbivorous rhesus, even less so in the frugivorous capuchin and the least in the insectivorous marmoset.