Wing Bands Research Articles

Production Performances, Meat and Egg Quality, and Serum Biochemical Parameters of Three Native Chicken Genotypes: Laying at Seventh Generation

The present study was conducted to assess the laying performances and compare the performances of three native chicken genotypes under intensive management. Egg production was recorded up to 280 days. For Kadaknath (K), a total of 500 pedigree hatched day old chicks were identified individually by wing band. In seventh generation, 26.19%, 10.89% and 18.18% birds of Non-descript Deshi (ND), Hilly (HI) and Naked Neck (NN) had laid egg ranged 80-89%. Chick weight was not affected (p>0.05) by genotype. Fertility of ND, HI and NN was 88.96%, 87.03% and 86.67%, respectively. Significantly (p<0.001) the highest hatchability (90.85%) was found in ND compared to HI (89.25%) and NN (83.94%). The highest egg production number of ND, HI and NN were 79.08, 69.33 and 74.86, respectively. In this study, the average HDEP% of ND, HI and NN were found to be 56.48, 49.52 and 53.47, respectively. Body weight at first lay is 1111.0g and at 8th week is 685.4g. FCR at 0-8 week is 3.0. Significantly (p<0.05) the lowest glucose content was found in K chicken (4.34mMol/L) compared to HI (7.34mMol/L)), NN (5.88mMol/L) and ND (5.76mMol/L). Iron content of blood was non-significantly highest in K chicken compared to other three native chickens. Haemoglobin content of blood was non-significantly highest in HI chicken. ND was superior for egg production, fertility and hatchability traits. No extra ordinary result was found in case of Kadaknath chicken. SAARC J. Agric., 21(2): 207-216 (2023)

Negative body size-dependent resource allocation underlies conspicuous sexual ornaments in a territorial damselfly.

Sexual ornaments, signalling individual quality to choosy females or rival males, often show steeper body size scaling compared with non-sexually selected traits. Theory posits such steeper body size scaling is the result of differential resource allocation, reflecting trade-offs between different components of fitness. Yet, the process of resource allocation towards body size-dependent sexual ornaments has been rarely understood empirically. Using the Neotropical territorial damselfly Megaloprepus caerulatus, whose males and females carry wax-based, sex-specific white wing bands and white wing tips respectively, we investigated nutrition sensitivity and body size scaling of both traits by manipulating larval food availability and directly quantified both the fat allocated to wing ornaments and the fat reserve from which allocations are made. Both colour traits exhibited sensitivity to food availability during larval development and steeper body size scaling compared with control traits. Although the absolute amount of fat invested in developing the colour ornaments increased with body size, the proportion of total fat allocated to the ornaments decreased with body size, making exaggerated ornaments less affordable for smaller individuals. Our data demonstrate that measuring the proportion of resource pool from which an individual's ornaments are derived (i.e. its affordability) is essential for understanding the maintenance of honesty of sexual signals.

Influence of wing bands and behavior of Anastrepha fraterculus (Diptera: Tephritidae) by the presence of Megafreya sutrix (Araneae: Salticidae).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of wing bands and the behavior of Anastrepha fraterculus in the presence of Megafreya sutrix. The first experiment used specimens of M. sutrix (n = 40), 20 males and 20 females of A. fraterculus and Musca domestica. The second experiment used 20 individuals of M. sutrix (10 males and 10 females) and 120 of A. fraterculus (20 males and 20 females) for each treatment. Marks were made on the wings of the flies: a group with painted wing bands (n = 40) with their wings fully painted; another with highlighted wing bands (n = 40) and normal bands (n = 40). Recordings were made for 15 min or until the fly was preyed upon. The analyses were performed through observation of the recordings and Chi-square test with Yates correction for continuity. The values found for predation of A. fraterculus were significant when compared to M. domestica when evaluating the predation factor, showing that, A. fraterculus is less predated than M. domestica. It was found that the wing patterns did not influence the predatory behavior of M. sutrix.

Structures related to pheromone storage in alar androconia and the female abdominal scent gland of Heliconius erato phyllis, Heliconius ethilla narcaea, and Heliconius besckei (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Heliconiinae).

We describe the morphology of alar androconia and the female abdominal scent gland of Heliconius erato phyllis, Heliconius ethilla narcaea, and Heliconius besckei. Androconial scales of Heliconius, which are arranged in overlapping wing bands, release pheromones during courtship, probably through vibratory movements of male wings over the female to induce her to mate. An antiaphrodisiac is produced by glands located in the valves of the male and is transferred during copulation to the yellow dorsal abdominal sac present in the virgin female, causing this sac to emit a scent that reduces the attractiveness of the female for courtship with other males. Stereomicroscopy, SEM, and TEM analyses were conducted to describe the morphology of the internal and external scales and the external abdominal scent sac. The findings revealed different sizes of external androconial scales and an internal group of porous structural vesicles that are probably related to the preservation of internal space, reception and storage of secretions, and elimination of volatiles when the male is actively involved in courtship. Translucent projections on the female abdominal scent sac create open reservoirs for the reception, storage, and emission of antiaphrodisiac volatiles along with stink clubs. Male valve denticles vary in form and probably attach securely to the female sac during mating, thus ensuring secretion transfer. These features are discussed in the context of a comparative analysis.

A mathematical formula to find the wing band length of a bra to fit the comfort zone of the wearer

This work concerns on finding a formula of the length of a wing band within the comfort zone. Bra band elongation (BBE) test is one of the main methods that is being used to validate the comfort level of a bra bottom band when it is on the body. This test validates the suitable bra bottom band length, which is within the comfort zone for the wearer. However, BBE test by trial and error method is time-consuming and cost ineffective. Therefore, this research carries on an analytical method of obtaining a formula for the elongation of a wing band of a bra, which is assumed to be a rectangular thin plate. We obtain a new formula for the weighted elongation of the wing band using the Navier equation and compare the analytical weighted elongations and experimental elongation with different force values for the different bra sizes and for the different fabrics. With the weighted parameters, the model on elongation of the wing band fits with actual data and we provide specific different weighted parameters for different bra sizes to find the exact original length of the wing band of a bra.

Evaluation of Two Marking Methods for 1-day-old Northern Bobwhite Chicks

We compared survival, weight gain, and mark retention of wing bands (n = 50), passive integrated transponders (PITs)(n = 50), and leg bands proportional to the chicks size (control) (n = 50) on 1-day-old northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) chicks. A repeated measures, generalized complete randomized block ANOV A of the weekly gain in weight showed no difference in the chicks growth (p >) 0.05). Survival was similar between marking methods (wing band, PITs, leg band, and control). Retention of bands during the twelve-week pen study were equal but 4% of PITs were destroyed when adult birds were recovered after harvest. We concluded that wing bands may be the most practical method of marking 1-day-old bobwhite chicks.

Methods for Capturing, Marking, and Estimating Survival of Northern Bobwhite Chicks (Poster Abstract)

Lack of techniques to capture, mark, and observe chicks from hatch to fall has hindered our ability to understand this critical life stage of northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and other galliforms. We present 2 methods for capturing wild, free-ranging northern bobwhite chicks associated with a radiomarked adult and demonstrate application of capture-recapture estimators. Both capture techniques involve monitoring radiomarked adults, locating nests, determining date of hatch, and then locating roosting adults with broods prior to sunrise during the pre-flight period (1–12 days post-hatch). The first technique involves erecting a temporary circular fence around the roosting radio-marked bird and brood, securing the edges with dirt, and systematically clearing all vegetation and ground debris until chicks are captured. The second technique involves placing a temporary fence in a ‘‘V’’ formation with a small mesh funnel trap placed at the apex. Birds are then ‘‘corralled’’ into the funnel trap. We used both methods during the breeding seasons of 1997–99. Overall, we captured 762 chicks from 137 broods. Of 131 capture attempts using the ring method, 18.3% (n = 24) were complete failures, 13.7% (n = 18) resulted in partial capture, whereas 68% (n = 89) resulted in complete capture. Using the funnel method, 22.2% (n = 2) of attempts were complete failures, 22.2% (n = 2) resulted in partial captures, and 55.6% (n = 5) resulted in complete brood capture. Captured chicks can be permanently and uniquely marked using monel patagial wing bands. We demonstrate application of capture-recapture models in program MARK to estimate chick survival from hatch to recruitment in the fall population (Oct 1).

Female Colour Polymorphism and Unique Reproductive Behaviour in Polythore Damselflies (Zygoptera: Polythoridae).

We studied Polythore damselflies by mark-recapture techniques in the Jatun Sacha Biological Reserve (Ecuador) for a period of 48days in October-December 2014. Three species were found: Polythore mutata (MacLachlan) was the commonest species (111 individuals marked), Polythore derivata (MacLachlan) was rare (24 individuals) and Polythore concinna (MacLachlan) occasional (four individuals). In P. mutata, we found two phenotypes amongst females, one of them with a white band on the wings, very similar in colouration to the conspecific male (androchrome), and the other with an amber band (gynochrome). The recapture of marked females indicates that both phenotypes are maintained since emergence to maturation and are not age-related (i.e. polymorphism). Androchromes represent 40% of females observed. The colour of the wing band showed an age-dependent change in size with opposite trends between sexes, increasing in males and decreasing in females. Males and females were observed to return to the same forest locations in different days. Courtships and ovipositions involving androchrome females were not observed. No matings were observed in any morph. In contrast, we recorded two consecutive matings of one female P. derivata. We found that Polythore males grasp the mesothorax of females during mating instead of the prothorax as in other Zygoptera. We discuss the rarity of reproductive behaviour in this genus and how female morphs might be maintained.

Cool Bands: Wing bands decrease rate of heating, but not equilibrium temperature in Anartia fatima

Butterflies regulate their internal thoracic temperature in order to optimize performance activities (e.g. flight, foraging). Previous research has shown that butterfly wings, particularly the innermost portions, play a role in thermoregulation. We investigated to see whether a lightly colored wing band would alter the thermal properties of the banded peacock butterfly (Anartia fatima) with two within subject experiments in a laboratory setting: (1) band color manipulation in which euthanized individuals were heated to thermal equilibrium with the band unaltered and then again with the wing darkened; (2) wing ablation in which individuals already run through experiment 1 were heated to equilibrium two more times; once with the outer portion of the wing including the band removed and then with the entire wing removed. Individuals were spread so that the dorsal surface of the wing was exposed to illumination from a lamp suspended above. Twelve Anartia fatima males were collected in Panama and were run through experiment one. Four individuals were run through experiment two. We found no effect of darkening the band on the internal thoracic equilibrium temperature, but the darkened band did increase the rate of heating. The wing ablation experiment revealed that wing removal lowered the internal thoracic equilibrium temperature but did not affect the heating rate. Therefore we show that butterfly bands may be important in butterfly thermoregulation and we discuss the importance of the wing band on thermoregulatory abilities in Anartia fatima with respect to the butterfly's natural history. We conclude that the wing band may allow butterflies to reduce heat stress induced by their warm environments.

Wing morphometrics as a possible tool for the diagnosis of the Ceratitis fasciventris, C. anonae, C. rosa complex (Diptera, Tephritidae).

Previous attempts to resolve the Ceratitis FAR complex (Ceratitis fasciventris, Ceratitis anonae, Ceratitis rosa, Diptera, Tephritidae) showed contrasting results and revealed the occurrence of five microsatellite genotypic clusters (A, F1, F2, R1, R2). In this paper we explore the potential of wing morphometrics for the diagnosis of FAR morphospecies and genotypic clusters. We considered a set of 227 specimens previously morphologically identified and genotyped at 16 microsatellite loci. Seventeen wing landmarks and 6 wing band areas were used for morphometric analyses. Permutational multivariate analysis of variance detected significant differences both across morphospecies and genotypic clusters (for both males and females). Unconstrained and constrained ordinations did not properly resolve groups corresponding to morphospecies or genotypic clusters. However, posterior group membership probabilities (PGMPs) of the Discriminant Analysis of Principal Components (DAPC) allowed the consistent identification of a relevant proportion of specimens (but with performances differing across morphospecies and genotypic clusters). This study suggests that wing morphometrics and PGMPs might represent a possible tool for the diagnosis of species within the FAR complex. Here, we propose a tentative diagnostic method and provide a first reference library of morphometric measures that might be used for the identification of additional and unidentified FAR specimens.

Sexual dimorphism in wings and wing bands of Sympetrum pedemontanum (Müller in Allioni 1776)

Sexual dimorphism is common in animals and derives from two mechanisms: sexual selection and sexual niche divergence. These mechanisms may work together as determinants of wing shape in pigmented wings of Odonata. On the one hand, sexual selection by females tends to enlarge the wing areas of males that host pigments; on the other hand, sex-specific flight behaviours, due to differential niche selection, may promote sexual dimorphism. Both sexes of Sympetrumpedemontanum have ornamented wings with bands, but their function is poorly understood. Therefore, we studied shape and size of wings and wing bands of S. pedemontanum using geometric morphometrics to quantify the extent of sexual dimorphism. We also investigated whether sexual dimorphism in wing shape derives from the effect of sexual selection on wing ornamentation or from sexual niche separation. We found sexual dimorphism in wing shape and in the shapes of the bands, but the absence and misdirection of sexual size dimorphism and wing shape dimorphism of bands do not support the hypothesis that wings and wing bands in S. pedemontanum are subjected to sexual selection. Instead, the pattern of sexual dimorphism in wing shape seems more likely to be caused by sex-specific flight requirements.

Keeping the band together: evidence for false boundary disruptive coloration in a butterfly.

There is a recent surge of evidence supporting disruptive coloration, in which patterns break up the animal's outline through false edges or boundaries, increasing survival in animals by reducing predator detection and/or preventing recognition. Although research has demonstrated that false edges are successful for reducing predation of prey, research into the role of internal false boundaries (i.e. stripes and bands) in reducing predation remains warranted. Many animals have stripes and bands that may function disruptively. Here, we test the possible disruptive function of wing band patterning in a butterfly, Anartia fatima, using artificial paper and plasticine models in Panama. We manipulated the band so that one model type had the band shifted to the wing margin (nondisruptive treatment) and another model had a discontinuous band located on the wing margin (discontinuous edge treatment). We kept the natural wing pattern to represent the false boundary treatment. Across all treatment groups, we standardized the area of colour and used avian visual models to confirm a match between manipulated and natural wing colours. False boundary models had higher survival than either the discontinuous edge model or the nondisruptive model. There was no survival difference between the discontinuous edge model and the nondisruptive model. Our results demonstrate the importance of wing bands in reducing predation on butterflies and show that markings set in from the wing margin can reduce predation more effectively than marginal bands and discontinuous marginal patterns. This study demonstrates an adaptive benefit of having stripes and bands.

Population dynamics and site fidelity of the cave bat,Myotis velifer, in Oklahoma

We characterized population dynamics of nonmigratory cave bats, Myotis velifer, in Oklahoma by locating all 21 caves known to be occupied in an exhaustively searched, large study area, marking representative samples with numbered wing bands and conducting annual winter counts and recaptures over a decade. Bats moved readily among maternity caves during summer and among hibernating caves from winter to winter. The aggregate population of adults during lactation was about 13,600, including 10,500 females, of which 96% produced young. The aggregate population during winter was about 23,850 for the first 2 years of the study, declined to about 14,200 in the 3rd year, and recovered to > 20,000 for the last 4 years of the study. Mortality events and threats documented included flooding, subfreezing temperatures, and rock collapses in caves, as well as in-cave disturbance by humans, but the cause of the decline was not identified. We used capture—mark—recapture methods to estimate and model capture probability (...

Mixed signals? Morphological and molecular evidence suggest a color polymorphism in some neotropical polythore damselflies.

The study of color polymorphisms (CP) has provided profound insights into the maintenance of genetic variation in natural populations. We here offer the first evidence for an elaborate wing polymorphism in the Neotropical damselfly genus Polythore, which consists of 21 described species, distributed along the eastern slopes of the Andes in South America. These damselflies display highly complex wing colors and patterning, incorporating black, white, yellow, and orange in multiple wing bands. Wing colors, along with some components of the male genitalia, have been the primary characters used in species description; few other morphological traits vary within the group, and so there are few useful diagnostic characters. Previous research has indicated the possibility of a cryptic species existing in P. procera in Colombia, despite there being no significant differences in wing color and pattern between the populations of the two putative species. Here we analyze the complexity and diversity of wing color patterns of individuals from five described Polythore species in the Central Amazon Basin of Peru using a novel suite of morphological analyses to quantify wing color and pattern: geometric morphometrics, chromaticity analysis, and Gabor wavelet transformation. We then test whether these color patterns are good predictors of species by recovering the phylogenetic relationships among the 5 species using the barcode gene (COI). Our results suggest that, while highly distinct and discrete wing patterns exist in Polythore, these “wingforms” do not represent monophyletic clades in the recovered topology. The wingforms identified as P. victoria and P. ornata are both involved in a polymorphism with P. neopicta; also, cryptic speciation may have taking place among individuals with the P. victoria wingform. Only P. aurora and P. spateri represent monophyletic species with a single wingform in our molecular phylogeny. We discuss the implications of this polymorphism, and the potential evolutionary mechanisms that could maintain it.

Ultraviolet wing signal affects territorial contest outcome in a sexually dimorphic damselfly

Ultraviolet (UV) reflectance and UV vision are both common among animals and are known to function in mate choice and male–male competition among numerous vertebrates. In comparison, examples of functional UV reflectance among invertebrates are scarce. In a territorial damselfly (Megaloprepus caerulatus), data from natural territorial contests indicated that males assessed the male wing band of rivals. We investigated the functions of (1) UV reflectance of the male-specific white wing band in territorial contests by staging contests between size- and age-matched, control and UV-reduced males, and (2) UV reflectance of the female-specific wing tip in sex recognition by presenting control and UV-reduced females to territorial males. Results showed that males whose UV reflectance of the white wing bands was reduced were more likely to lose contests. This effect dissipated late in the reproductive season, when breeding sites typically decrease in value. UV reflectance of the female wing tips did not affect male sex recognition, nor did it affect the detectability of a female at a male territory. Our study provides the first direct evidence from invertebrates, and one of the few among all animals, that UV reflectance of wing ornamentation affects the outcome of male contests in the field.

Trimerotropis aberasturii(Orthoptera: Acrididae: Oedipodinae), a New Species of Band-Winged Grasshopper from North Central Nevada

Trimerotropis aberasturii, a new species of band-winged grasshopper, is described from the mountains of north central Nevada. It appears most closely related to T. suffusa and T. verruculata. Trimerotropis aberasturii is distinguished from the other 2 species by a more extensive black hind wing band, features of the male genitalia, and geographic distribution.

Bacterial degradability of an intrafeather unmelanized ornament: a role for feather-degrading bacteria in sexual selection?

The impact of feather-degrading bacilli on feathers depends on the presence or absence of melanin. In vitro studies have demonstrated that unmelanized (white) feathers are more degradable by bacteria than melanized (dark) ones. However, no previous study has looked at the possible effect of feather-degrading bacilli on the occurrence of patterns of unmelanized patches on otherwise melanized feathers. The pied flycatcher Ficedula hypoleuca Pallas, 1764 is a sexually dimorphic passerine with white wing bands consisting of unmelanized patches on dark flight feathers. These patches are considered to be a sexually selected trait in Ficedula flycatchers, especially in males, where the patches are more conspicuous (larger and possibly whiter) than in females. Using in vitro tests of feather bacterial degradation, we compared the degradability of unmelanized and melanized areas of the same feather for 127 primaries collected from the same number of individuals in a population breeding in central Spain (58 males and 69 females). In addition, we also looked for sex differences in feather degradability. Based on honest signalling theory and on the fact that there is stronger sexual selection for males to signal feather quality than in females, we predicted that unmelanized areas should be more degradable by bacteria than melanized ones within the same feather, and that these unmelanized areas should also be more degradable in males than in females. We confirmed both predictions. Microstructural differences between cross-section dimensions of unmelanized and melanized barbs, but not differences in the density of barbs within unmelanized and melanized areas of feathers in males and females, could partly explain differences in degradability. This is the first study to show differences in bacterial degradability among markings on the same feather and among unmelanized feather patches between males and females as predicted by sexual selection theory.

Effect of Diluting Marek's Disease Vaccines on the Outcomes of Marek's Disease Virus Infection When Challenged with Highly Virulent Marek's Disease Viruses

Dilution of Marek's disease (MD) vaccines is a common practice in the field to reduce the cost associated with vaccination. In this study we have evaluated the effect of diluting MD vaccines on the protection against MD, vaccine and challenge MD virus (MDV) kinetics, and body weight when challenged with strains Md5 (very virulent MDV) and 648A (very virulent plus MDV) by contact at day of age. The following four vaccination protocols were evaluated in meat-type chickens: turkey herpesvirus (HVT) at manufacturer-recommended full dose; HVT diluted 1:10; HVT + SB-1 at the manufacturer-recommended full dose; and HVT + SB-1 diluted 1:10 for HVT and 1:5 for SB-1. Vaccine was administered at hatch subcutaneously. One-day-old chickens were placed in floor pens and housed together with ten 15-day-old chickens that had been previously inoculated with 500 PFU of either Md5 or 648A MDV strains. Chickens were individually identified with wing bands, and for each chicken samples of feather pulp and blood were collected at 1, 3, and 8 wk posthatch. Body weights were recorded at 8 wk for every chicken. Viral DNA load of wild-type MDV, SB-1, and HVT were evaluated by real time-PCR. Our results showed that dilution of MD vaccines can lead to reduced MD protection, reduced relative body weights, reduced vaccine DNA during the first 3 wk, and increased MDV DNA load. The detrimental effect of vaccine dilution was more evident in females than in males and was more evident when the challenge virus was 648A. However, lower relative body weights and higher MDV DNA load could be detected in chickens challenged with strain Md5, even in the absence of obvious differences in protection.

A Retrospective Survival Analysis of Townsend's Big-Eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) from Washington State

Townsend's Big-eared Bat (Corynorhinus townsendii) is a species of conservation concern for many states and provinces. However, little is known about key demographic parameters, such as survival, for this species due to its sensitivity to human disturbance. This species can also be vulnerable to injuries from wing bands; the most commonly applied marking technique used in the past to estimate survival in bats. During the US Fish and Wildlife Service's Bat Banding Program (1932–1972), CM Senger banded 1,346 Townsend's Big-eared Bats at 3 major cave systems in Washington during 1964–1975, and continued to recapture banded bats until 1980. I applied current mark-recapture techniques to retrospectively estimate survival of hibernating Townsend's Big-Eared Bats banded by CM Senger. I also investigated sex, time, and trend effects on survival and capture probabilities of these 3 populations of bats using Cormack-Jolly-Seber (CJS) open models and the modeling capabilities of program MARK. For each location, estimates of annual survival and capture probabilities varied somewhat by sex and ranged from 0.54 to 0.68 for males and 0.60 to 0.67 for females. During the banding study, band injuries were noted and populations declined at all locations potentially violating assumptions of the CJS model. However, the dataset from which these estimates were derived is likely to be the most complete and well-maintained dataset in the Bat Banding Program files. Resulting annual survival estimates from these data were relatively precise and modeling provided evidence of time and trend effects and differences in survival between the sexes. These results provide historical, post hoc estimates of an important life-history parameter for this species of bat wintering in caves in 3 localized areas of Washington State.

Kindred spirits:“Brachythemis leucosticta”, Africa's most familiar dragonfly, consists of two species (Odonata: Libellulidae)

Brachythemis leucosticta was found to include two morphotypes, which we consider to represent separate species. Males are separable by the ventral structure of S8 and often differ in the colour of the venation and genital lobe. Females are as yet not reliably distinguishable. Examination of 1,154 males demonstrated that both species are widespread: the true B. leucosticta occupies most of tropical Africa and Madagascar, while B. impartita (comb. nov.; corrected spelling — neotype P: Ngaoundaba Ranch, Cameroon; in RMNH) ranges north and south of the Sahara, and extends into Eurasia. The two overlap from The Gambia to Ethiopia and south at least to Lake Victoria. The presence of wing bands was scored for all examined males and 970 females. Banded females are frequent in sub-Saharan populations of B. impartita, but virtually absent in B. leucosticta and northern B. impartita. B. impartita males become banded shortly after emergence, but B. leucosticta becomes so more gradually. Larval morphology and ecology require further study, but some ecological and seasonal segregation may occur in areas of overlap. Of two larval forms described from Uganda, the ‘mud form’ may pertain to B. leucosticta, and the ‘sand form’ to B. impartita.