Phasianus Colchicus Research Articles

Genetic IS901RFLP diversity amongMycobacterium aviumsubsp.aviumisolates from four pheasant flocks

IS901 RFLP analysis of 36 Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium (MAA) isolates from 15 pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) and two goshawks (Accipiter gentilis) from four pheasant farms was performed. Using this method, six different IS901 RFLP types (E, F, G, M, Q, and V) were identified. The distribution of IS901 RFLP profiles was tightly linked to individual flocks. Matching IS901 RFLP profiles observed in the present study indicate MAA transmission between pheasants and goshawks in the same locality. In two flocks, different pheasants within a flock as well as in various organs of five individual pheasants were found to have two distinct IS901 RFLP profiles.

Uyanık Haldeki Adi Sülünlerde (Phasianus colchicus)Elektrokardiyografik Parametrelerin Analizi

Summary The aim of this study was to establish normal electrocardiographic values and patterns in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). The electrocardiograms were recorded in 24 conscious pheasants from both genders. All electrocardiograms were standardized at 1 mV=20 mm , with a paper speed of 50 mm/sec. Morphological patterns of P, QRS and T deflections were evaluated in the six limb leads (I, II, III, aVR, aVL, aVF). The amplitude and duration of waves and intervals were determined by using lead II. A regular sinus rhythm was observed in all birds. There was no significant difference between male and female pheasants except for amplitudes of P and T waves and duration of T wave. In all leads P waves were mainly positive in both sexes except for lead aVR. The dominant waveforms of the QRS complexes were rS in lead II, III and aVF, and qR in lead aVR and aVL in both sexes. Generally, T waves were positive in lead I, II, III and aVF, and negative in aVL, aVF. The majority of birds showed a slightly elevated ST segment in lead II. Heart rates were 193.5±45.8 and 235.7±59.9 beats per minute and mean electrical axes were -91±10° and -92±18° in male and female birds, respectively. This study provides electrocardiographic data for pheasants, which can be used for clinical purposes.

Identification of an avian group A rotavirus containing a novel VP4 gene with a close relationship to those of mammalian rotaviruses

Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are an important cause of diarrhoeal illness in humans, as well as in mammalian and avian animal species. Previous sequence analyses indicated that avian RVAs are related only distantly to mammalian RVAs. Here, the complete genomes of RVA strain 03V0002E10 from turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) and RVA strain 10V0112H5 from pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) were analysed using a combination of 454 deep sequencing and Sanger sequencing technologies. An adenine-rich insertion similar to that found in the chicken RVA strain 02V0002G3, but considerably shorter, was found in the 3' NCR of the NSP1 gene of the pheasant strain. Most genome segments of both strains were related closely to those of avian RVAs. The novel genotype N10 was assigned to the NSP2 gene of the pheasant RVA, which is related most closely to genotype N6 found in avian RVAs. However, this virus contains a VP4 gene of the novel genotype P[37], which is related most closely to RVAs from pigs, dogs and humans. This strain either may represent an avian/mammalian rotavirus reassortant, or it carries an unusual avian rotavirus VP4 gene, thereby broadening the potential genetic and antigenic variability among RVAs.

Effects of storage temperature on biogenic amine concentrations in meat of uneviscerated pheasants (Phasianus colchicus)

The aim of this study was to determine the hygienic quality of the pheasants reared for high-quality meat production by the biogenic amine concentrations in their meat. The content of biogenic amines was measured in the meat of sixty male pheasants killed by pithing and stored uneviscerated for 21 days under different storage temperatures (0 °C, 7 °C and 15 °C). The samples of breast and thigh muscles of pheasant were tested at weekly intervals. Biogenic amines were analysed by reverse phase liquid chromatography and detected by tandem mass spectrometry. Concentrations of biogenic amines (except spermin and spermidin) in thigh muscle were higher than in breast muscle. Highly significant difference (P < 0.01) was found in tyramine (5.80 mg/kg and 1.38 mg/kg for thigh and breast muscle, respectively), cadaverine (40.80 mg/kg and 14.43 mg/kg for thigh and breast muscle, respectively), putrescine (13.42 mg/kg and 3.16 mg/kg for thigh and breast muscle, respectively) and histamine (5.51 mg/kg and 1.70 mg/kg for thigh and breast muscle, respectively) concentrations after 21 days of storage at 15 °C. This study provides information on the dynamics of biogenic amine formation in pheasant meat during 21 days of storage at different temperatures. Based on our results, we can recommend storing pithed uneviscerated pheasants at 0–7°C for up to 21 days, or at 15 °C for up to 7 days. Concentrations of biogenic amines gained in our study can be helpful in evaluating freshness and hygienic quality of the pheasant game meat.

Changes in biogenic amine concentrations in meat of eviscerated pheasants (Phasianus colchicus) during storage at 7 °C

In our study, we tested biogenic amine concentrations in 20 eviscerated pheasants killed by pithing (the slaughtering technique in which the spinal cord of the animals is severed and their brain is destroyed) and stored at 7 °C for 21 days. Biogenic amine concentrations in breast and thigh muscles were analysed by reverse phase liquid chromatography. In the thigh muscle, the highest increases during the storage time were found in cadaverine (20.17 ± 18.66 mg/kg), putrescine (4.39 ± 4.17 mg/kg) and tyramine (15.20 ± 16.88 mg/kg) concentrations. Changes of biogenic amine concentrations in the breast muscle were minimal during the whole storage time. The concentration of biogenic amines in meat is associated with the presence of contaminating microorganisms. For that reason, biogenic amines are often used as markers of meat spoilage in various livestock species. Based on our results, the biogenic amines cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine may be considered the main indicators of hygienic quality of pheasant meat. We can recommend storing pithed pheasants treated by evisceration no longer than for seven days at 7 °C. After that period, biogenic amine concentrations in meat begin to change. The main significance of this study lies in the extension of the lack information about the content of biogenic amines in the meat of eviscerated pithed pheasant and also about changes of their concentrations during the course of storage.

The effect of radioprotectors protection ability in pheasants after alimentary radio-contamination with 137Cs

Considering that previous studies were mainly focused on a protection of domestic animals from alimentary Cs-contamination, the objective of the present study was to investigate the possibilities of ammonium - iron (III) hexacyanoferrate (II) - AFCF and clinoptilolite as radioprotectors. Pheasants of species Phasianus colchicus were used as trial animals. The total number of 2 -month old pheasants was 100. The pheasants were divided into five groups; each group was contaminated with 750 Bq of 137Cs per bird in a single experiment. The experiment consisted of 5 phases during which the animals were given AFCF (0.2 g) and clinoptilolite (2 g) either in water solution or mixed with food, according to the phase. The level of contamination was determined by gamma - spectrometry in breast meat, leg meat, liver and gizzard. The results show that the best protection effect was obtained when AFCF is used in the water solution i. e. 92.7%; while AFCF mixing with food demonstrated 74.9% of protection; clinoptilolite proved less protective with 69.3% - in the water solution, and 50.5% when mixed with food.

Effects of dietary selenium supplementation on tissue selenium distribution and glutathione peroxidase activity in Chinese Ring Necked Pheasants

The objective of this study was to determine the concentration of total selenium (Se) and the proportions of total Se comprised as selenomethionine (SeMet) and selenocysteine (SeCys) in the postmortem tissues of female pheasants (Phasianus Colchicus Torquator) offered diets that contained graded additions of selenised-enriched yeast (SY) or a single comparative dose of sodium selenite (SS). Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and tissue glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity of breast (Pectoralis Major) were assessed at 0 and 5 days postmortem. A total of 216 female pheasant chicks were enrolled into the study. Twenty-four birds were euthanased at the start of the study, and samples of blood, breast muscle, leg muscle (M. Peroneus Longus and M. Gastrocnemius), heart, liver, kidney and gizzard were collected for determination of total Se. Remaining birds were blocked by live weight and randomly allocated to one of four dietary treatments (n = 48 birds/treatment) that either differed in Se source (SY v. SS) or dose (control (0.17 mg total Se/kg), SY-L and SS-L (0.3 mg/kg total Se as SY and SS, respectively) and SY-H (0.45 mg total Se/kg)). Following 42 and 91 days of treatment, 24 birds per treatment were euthanased, and samples of blood, breast muscle, leg muscle, heart, liver, kidney and gizzard were retained for determination of total Se and the proportion of total Se comprised as SeMet or SeCys. Whole blood GSH-Px activity was determined at each time point. Tissue GSH-Px activity and TBARS were determined in breast tissue at the end of the study. There were increases in both blood and tissues to the graded addition of SY to the diet (P < 0.001), but the same responses were not apparent with the blood and tissues of selenite-supplemented birds receiving a comparable dose (SY-L v. SS-L). Although there were differences between tissue types in the distribution of SeMet and SeCys, there were few differences between treatments. There were effects of treatment on erythrocyte GSH-Px activity (P = 0.012) with values being higher in treatments SY-H and SS-L when compared with the negative control and treatment SY-L. There were no effects of treatment on tissue GSH-Px activity, which is reflected in the overall lack of any treatment effects on TBARS.

Formation of the plexus sacralis in pheasants (Phasianus colchicus mongolicus) and macroanatomic investigation of the nerves originating from the plexus sacralis

The purpose of this study was to investigate the formation of the plexus sacralis in the Kyrgyz pheasant (Phasianus colchicus mongolicus) and the origin of the nerves emerging from the plexus sacralis. Five adult male Kyrgyz pheasants were used that had been hunted in their natural habitat near the town of Tokmok in the Chuy region of Kyrgyzstan. The plexus sacralis was found to be formed in the lumbar region by the ventral strands of sacral nerves 1 to 5, originating in the spinal cord. The plexus is composed of the truncus cranialis, which consists of the ventral strands of the first 3 nerves united in the fossa renalis region, the truncus medianus formed by the ventral strand of the 4th nerve alone, and the truncus caudalis formed by the strand of the 5th ventral nerve alone. These 3 trunci are united to form the nervus ischiadicus at the entrance to the foramen ischiadicum. After passing through the foramen ischiadicum, the nerve separates into 5 strands as follows: the 1st strand forms the joint root of n. tibialis and n. peroneus, the 2nd strand forms the n. coxalis caudalis, the 3rd and 5th strands form the rr. musculares, and the 4th strand forms the n. cutaneus femoris caudalis.

Conservation of Migration and Differentiation Circuits in Primordial Germ Cells Between Avian Species

Germ cell differentiation in reverse-sexed reproductive organs and interspecies germ line chimeras provides insight into the mechanism of germ cell development and represents a useful tool for conservation of endangered birds. We investigated the migration and survival capacity of male chicken primordial germ cells (PGCs) in female chicken embryos and in quail and Korean ring-necked pheasant embryos of both sexes. Interestingly, the PGCs were successfully reintroduced in all cases. Furthermore, the cells survived in the recipient gonads until hatching regardless of sex and species of the recipient. In the case of male recipient chickens, PGC-derived offspring were produced. However, the reverse-sexed female chickens, quails and pheasants of both sexes did not generate any male donor PGC-derived progeny. These results suggest that migration and survival circuits in chicken PGCs are conserved in both sexes and between avian species during embryonic development.

I FIND YOUR DRY FLY FISHING GEAR

3 1 R I F I N D Y O U R D R Y F LY F I S H I N G G E A R J O A N S W I F T Dusty jars lids that say Bernarden Mason Skippy’s Creamy Peanut Butter Kerr’s Self-Sealing labeled raptor, bird fur English hare’s ear guard hairs. A whole jar bulging with sky as if a flock of lazuli buntings were trapped in there. A jar of rain: saddle hackles, bucktail a deer can be so many di√erent shades of baby hair honey and roan, brown horse hair, cream coyote, grizzle at the bottom wrapped in something like a turkey neck. The magnifier poises its crane over slender colors: Dry Spruce Fly, Pale Watery Dun, Black Midge 3 2 Y so light over the pale green ripples of the river. Tape curls on a jar for peach preserves, Primaries. Smucker’s jam jar: duck quill, ring-necked pheasant tail. Below, a drawer full of needle-nose pliers slender grasp of neoprene thread tying everything together before you let each one go: Light Variant Adams Irresistable Bird’s Stone Fly ...

Bioserotypes and virulence markers of Yersinia enterocolitica strains isolated from mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) and Pheasants (Phasianus colchicus).

Yersinia enterocolitica is the causative agent of yersiniosis in different animal species and in humans. Food contaminated with Y. enterocolitica is the main source of infection for humans, and swine plays a major role in the transmission of the disease. There are a limited number of reports of the prevalence of Y. enterocolitica in wild animals and birds. This study characterized virulence markers associated with Y. enterocolitica isolates recovered from mallards and pheasants. Y. enterocolitica strains were isolated from 5 (11.11%) of 45 mallards originating from a cold culture (peptone, sorbitol, and bile salts medium) belonging to biotype 1A. Serotyping showed that three of these five serotypes represented serotype O:8, one belonged to serotype O:5, and one did not agglutinate with any of the sera and was classified as nonidentified. Molecular analysis for virulence markers detected the ystB gene, which encodes an enterotoxin, in five isolates. Y. enterocolitica was not detected in any of the 16 examined pheasants.

The Food of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in Slovakia

Abstract In this work we assess the data on the food of the Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca) in two separate nesting populations: one in Western Slovakia (21 pairs), the other in Eastern Slovakia (30 pairs). In Western Slovakia between 1978 and 2005 we recorded a total of 562 food items, consisting of 33 species of animal. The species predominantly featuring in the food were the brown hare Lepus europaeus (40.2%), common pheasant Phasianuscolchicus (17.3%), feral pigeon Columba livia domestica (11.7%) and the common hamster Cricetus cricetus (11.6%). In Eastern Slovakia between 1971 and 2005 we identified a total of 524 food items, made up of 30 animal species with slightly varying predominance of the same principal kinds of prey: L. europaeus (29.0%), C. cricetus (27.7%), P. colchicus (8.4%) and Columba sp. (8.2%). Imperial Eagles nesting in Slovakia are affected by the consequences of a marked reduction in population density of steppe-type rodents, especially ground squirrels (Spermophilus citellus) and hamsters (C. cricetus) and have become dependent for their food mainly on the prevalence of other small animals (L. europaeus, P. colchicus) and pigeons (C. livia domestica). Pairs nesting in neighbouring Hungary had similar prey, but a different order of predominance of the species (Haraszthy et al. 1996): C. cricetus (51.0%), L. europaeus (12.0%), P. colchicus (11.6%) and S. citellus (7.4%).

Cytochrome P4501A induction in avian hepatocyte cultures exposed to polychlorinated biphenyls: Comparisons with AHR1-mediated reporter gene activity and in ovo toxicity

Avian-specific toxic equivalency factors (TEFs) were developed by the World Health Organization to simplify environmental risk assessments of dioxin-like compounds (DLCs), but TEFs do not account for differences in the toxic and biochemical potencies of DLCs among species of birds. Such variability may be due to differences in species sensitivity to individual DLCs. The sensitivity of avian species to DLCs was recently associated with the identity of amino acids 324 and 380 in the aryl hydrocarbon receptor 1 (AHR1) ligand binding domain. A luciferase reporter gene (LRG) assay, measuring AHR1-mediated induction of a cytochrome P450 1A5 (CYP1A5) reporter gene, in combination with a species' AHR1 ligand binding domain sequence, were also shown to predict avian species sensitivity to polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and PCB relative potency in a given species. The goals of the present study were to (1) characterize the concentration-dependent effects of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin and PCBs 126, 77, 105 and 118 on induction of ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity and CYP1A4/5 mRNA in chicken, ring-necked pheasant and Japanese quail embryo hepatocytes and (2) compare these in vitro results to those previously generated by the LRG assay and in ovo toxicity studies. EROD activity and CYP1A4/5 mRNA expression data support and complement the findings of the LRG assay. CYP1A enzyme activity and mRNA expression were significantly correlated both with luciferase activity and in ovo toxicity induced by PCBs. Relative potency values were generally similar between the LRG and EROD assays and indicate that the relative potency of some PCBs may differ among species.

Typification and characterisation of the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) game farms in Spain

This research typified and characterised the pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) game farms in Spain using structural and marketing variables. A structured survey was given to 25 private-owned farms in May 2010. A categorical principal components analysis performed to typify the farms yielded two dimensions. First dimension explained 50.5% of the variance and included the variables “number of females in the breeding flock”, and “the farm is of complete-cycle or not”. Second dimension explained 32.3% of the variance and included the variables “age of the farm” and “the farm advertises its activity in the game press”. A cluster analysis differentiated four farm typologies. Farm type 1 included 28% of the farms, being recent (established between 1990 and 2003), complete-cycle and medium-sized (breeding flock of 15 to 300 females), with low advertising activity in the game press and without a hunting preserve. Farm type 2 included 28% of the farms, being the most recent (established between 1994 and 2008), without breeding flock, with low advertising activity, and most have hunting preserve. Farm type 3 included 20% of the farms, being old (established between 1983 and 1992), without breeding flock and with high advertising activity; 40% of them have hunting preserve. Farm type 4 included 24% of the farms, being old (established between 1980 and 1995), complete-cycle and high-sized (breeding flock of 50 to 1,000 females), with high advertising activity; most have hunting preserve. In conclusion, this is an alternative poultry sub-sector consolidated in Spain, despite being only three decades old.

Evaluation of tonic immobility in common pheasant hens kept in different housing systems during laying period

Abstract. Common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) hens kept in different housing systems during laying period were exposed to a tonic immobility test. At the end of the laying period, the shortest duration of the tonic immobility, and thus the lowest fear level, was found in birds kept in enriched cages, i.e. cages equipped with 2 perches and a hiding place. The duration of the tonic immobility in hens kept in enriched cages was significantly lower (P&lt;0.05) than in hens kept in conventional cages where other measures against feather pecking were used (beak-trimming and using spectacles, respectively).

Density dependence: Applications in wildlife management

AbstractKnowledge of density‐dependent processes is regarded as important for making decisions on the management of wildlife populations. Using published data on ungulates and upland game birds, we discuss density‐dependent effects on population growth, harvest management under the logistic model, and management to increase or decrease survival and production. Empirical data show density‐dependent growth for white‐tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), reindeer (Rangifer tarandus), ring‐necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus), and northern bobwhites (Colinus virginianus), although the logistic model provided, at best, an approximation of growth. Managing harvest according to logistic theory is rare for ungulates and upland game; we suspect this owes to scarce data on population growth and complexity in density‐dependent processes. Under density dependence, managing to increase production or survival may be self‐defeating because an increase in 1 demographic variable entails a decrease in the other for sustaining populations (λ = 1). The problem can be addressed by providing space for population growth (λ &gt; 1), at least until growth re‐establishes the density‐dependent response (λ = 1). © 2012 The Wildlife Society.

Natural Bagaza virus infection in game birds in southern Spain

In late summer 2010 a mosquito born flavivirus not previously reported in Europe called Bagaza virus (BAGV) caused high mortality in red-legged partridges (Alectoris rufa) and ring-necked pheasants (Phasianus colchicus). We studied clinical findings, lesions and viral antigen distribution in naturally BAGV infected game birds in order to understand the apparently higher impact on red-legged partridges. The disease induced neurologic signs in the two galliform species and, to a lesser extent, in common wood pigeons (Columba palumbus). In red-legged partridges infection by BAGV caused severe haemosiderosis in the liver and spleen that was absent in pheasants and less evident in common wood pigeons. Also, BAGV antigen was present in vascular endothelium in multiple organs in red-legged partridges, and in the spleen in common wood pigeons, while in ring-necked pheasants it was only detected in neurons and glial cells in the brain. These findings indicate tropism of BAGV for endothelial cells and a severe haemolytic process in red-legged partridges in addition to the central nervous lesions that were found in all three species.

Complete mitochondrial genome of the ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus (Galliformes: Phasianidae)

The complete mitochondrial genome of Phasianus colchicus is 16,692 bp in length and composed of 13 typical protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, 2 ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes, and 1 putative control region. One extra nucleotide “C” is present in nad3 of P. colchicus, which is found in many other birds and is thought not to be translated. All protein-coding, rRNA, and tRNA genes have more than 99.0% nucleotide sequence similarity with the previously reported individual, except for cox3 and tRNAPro genes which has more similarity with Phasianus versicolor.

The effects of land sparing and wildlife-friendly practices on grassland bird abundance within organic farmlands

Biodiversity is often greater in organic farm systems than non-organic. However, variation in land use within organic systems limits absolute statements about its value for species conservation. Thus, a need is evident to better understand what practices associated with organic farming benefit conservation. We modeled abundance, within organic systems, of six grassland birds of conservation concern as an outcome of applied wildlife-friendly and land sparing practices at multiple spatial scales. We used a Poisson-binomial model to estimate the relative effect of abundance drivers while accounting for detectability. At the field scale, species response to vegetation structure was mixed. At a local scale, Dickcissels were more abundant at points with greater percentage of alfalfa and soybean. Three species were less abundant at points with a greater percent of local woodland and there was no significant response to local linear grass. Grasshopper Sparrows were more abundant at points with more local block grassland. At a landscape scale, Western Meadowlarks and Ring-necked Pheasants were more abundant at points with a greater percent of grassland in the landscape. Results highlight the importance of a multiscale approach and demonstrate that effective management of species should consider costs and benefits of wildlife-friendly and land sparing practices.

Real-time fluorogenic reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction assay for the specific detection of Bagaza virus

In September 2010, an outbreak of disease in 2 wild bird species (red-legged partridge, Alectoris rufa; ring-necked pheasant, Phasianus colchicus) occurred in southern Spain. Bagaza virus (BAGV) was identified as the etiological agent of the outbreak. BAGV had only been reported before in Western Africa (Central African Republic, Senegal) and in India. The first occurrence of BAGV in Spain stimulated a demand for rapid, reliable, and efficacious diagnostic methods to facilitate the surveillance of this disease in the field. This report describes a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method based on a commercial 5'-Taq nuclease-3' minor groove binder DNA probe and primers targeting the Bagaza NS5 gene. The method allowed the detection of BAGV with a high sensitivity, whereas other closely related flaviviruses (Usutu virus, West Nile virus, and Japanese encephalitis virus) were not detected. The assay was evaluated using field samples of red-legged partridges dead during the outbreak (n = 11), as well as samples collected from partridges during surveillance programs (n = 81). The results were compared to those obtained with a pan-flaviviral hemi-nested RT-PCR followed by nucleotide sequencing, which was employed originally to identify the virus involved in the outbreak. The results obtained with both techniques were 100% matching, indicating that the newly developed real-time RT-PCR is a valid technique for BAGV genome detection, useful in both diagnosis and surveillance studies.