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do pigeons (columba livia) use information about the absence of food appropriately? a further look into suboptimal choice.in the natural environment, when an animal encounters a stimulus that signals the absence of food-a 'bad-news' stimulus-it will most likely redirect its search to another patch or prey. because the animal does not pay the opportunity cost of waiting in the presence of a bad-news stimulus, the properties of the stimulus (e.g., its duration and probability) may have little impact in the evolution of the decision processes deployed in these circumstances. hence, in the laboratory, when animals are ...201728481567
gamasoidosis caused by the special lineage l1 of dermanyssus gallinae (acarina: dermanyssidae): a case of heavy infestation in a public place in italy.among gamasina (acari: mesostigmata) mites, some dermanyssoid species are known to cause gamasoidosis, a human dermatitis characterized by papulosquamous eruptions and urticarian lesions. we describe a case of mite infestation which occurred in public conference halls in ferrara (italy), affecting four people who attended the place and showed signs of gamasoidosis. the mites were collected and characterized using scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy and mitochondrial dna sequencing (cy ...201728483708
detection and molecular status of isospora sp. from the domestic pigeon (columba livia domestica).the domestic pigeon, columba livia domestica, is reared for meat production, as a pet, or for racing. few reports have characterized the parasitic protists from the genus isospora isolated from columbiformes. we detected isospora-like oocysts from c. livia reared for racing. the oocyst contained two sporocysts, and each sporocyst included four sporozoites. the sporulated oocysts (n=4) were spherical; their mean diameters were 25.6 (24.0-27.2)×24.7 (23.4-26.0) μm. micropyles, polar granules, and ...201728495225
impact of feather molt on ectoparasites: looks can be deceiving.animals possess a variety of well-documented defenses against ectoparasites, including morphological, behavioral, and immune responses. another possible defense that has received relatively little attention is the shedding of the host's exterior. the conventional wisdom is that ectoparasite abundance is reduced when birds molt their feathers, mammals molt their hair, and reptiles shed their skin. we carried out an experimental test of this hypothesis for birds by manipulating molt in feral pigeo ...200228547687
buparvaquone therapy in a rock pigeon infected with haemoproteus columbae showing torticollis.a clinical haemoproteus columbae infection in a two months rock pigeon was diagnosed on the basis of outward signs and blood smear examination. the clinical signs suggestive of pigeon malaria were anorexia, depression, inability to fly, circling movements and episodes of torticollis. the characteristic halter shaped gametocytes were seen, in thin blood smear, encircling the nucleus of erythrocytes. buparvaquone therapy, two intramuscular injections at the rate of 5 mg/kg at 72 h interval, was su ...201728615870
experimental infection with highly pathogenic h5n8 avian influenza viruses in the mandarin duck (aix galericulata) and domestic pigeon (columba livia domestica).wild birds play a major role in the evolution, maintenance, and dissemination of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (hpaiv). sub-clinical infection with hpai in resident wild birds could be a source of dissemination of hpaiv and continuous outbreaks. in this study, the pathogenicity and infectivity of two strains of h5n8 clade 2.3.4.4 virus were evaluated in the mandarin duck (aix galericulata) and domestic pigeon (columba livia domestica). none of the birds experimentally infected with h ...201728619174
environmental factors and zoonotic pathogen ecology in urban exploiter species.knowledge of pathogen ecology, including the impacts of environmental factors on pathogen and host dynamics, is essential for determining the risk that zoonotic pathogens pose to people. this review synthesizes the scientific literature on environmental factors that influence the ecology and epidemiology of zoonotic microparasites (bacteria, viruses and protozoa) in globally invasive urban exploiter wildlife species (i.e., rock doves [columba livia domestica], european starlings [sturnus vulgari ...201728631116
diversity and abundance of human-pathogenic fungi associated with pigeon faeces in urban environments.pathogenic fungi are a growing health concern worldwide, particularly in large, densely populated cities. the dramatic upsurge of pigeon populations in cities has been implicated in the increased incidence of invasive fungal infections. in this study, we used a culture-independent, high-throughput sequencing approach to describe the diversity of clinically relevant fungi (crf) associated with pigeon faeces and map the relative abundance of crf across seoul, korea. in addition, we tested whether ...201728636808
characterization and epidemiology of pigeon paramyxovirus type-1 viruses (ppmv-1) isolated in macedonia.we have characterized in this study 10 ppmv-1 isolated from domestic pigeons and one ppmv-1 isolated from a feral pigeon in the period 2007-2012, using both classical methods (hi test and icpi test) and molecular methods (rt-qpcr, rt-pcr, and nucleotide sequencing). using phylogenetic analysis of partial fusion gene sequences, these viruses clustered with recent european ppmv-1 isolates (eu/re) within the genotype vib/1. all isolates possessed virulent cleavage site motifs with variable morbidit ...201728665727
acute lameness in a roller pigeon ( columba livia ) with multicentric lymphosarcoma.a 3-yr-old adult female roller pigeon ( columba livia ) used as part of a breeding pair for an ongoing research study presented with acute left limb lameness. palpation of the left leg and region revealed a large lump near the coxofemoral joint. the bird was able to ambulate in the cage, but would not brood her hatchling. the bird was humanely euthanized and necropsy was performed. grossly, multiple large white to pale tan nodules were noted in the pancreas, lung, rib cage, intestines, and unila ...201728665728
cutaneous leiomyosarcoma with multiple visceral metastases in a domestic pigeon.a clinical examination of a 4-yr-old fantail pigeon revealed a large skin tumor in the area of the left wing. the tumor had solid consistency and a single cavity filled with fluid. during necropsy, multiple tumors of varied size and diameter were found in the liver, spleen, pancreas, and kidneys. a histopathological examination of the skin tumor revealed extensive multifocal neoplasia with a tendency to infiltrate, composed of polygonal, round, oval, and elongated cells forming a solid system wi ...201728665730
boldness traits, not dominance, predict exploratory flight range and homing behaviour in homing pigeons.group living has been proposed to yield benefits that enhance fitness above the level that would be achieved through living as solitary individuals. dominance hierarchies occur commonly in these social assemblages, and result, by definition, in resources not being evenly distributed between group members. determinants of rank within a dominance hierarchy can be associated with morphological characteristics, previous experience of the individual, or personality traits such as exploration tendenci ...201728673912
prevalence of haemoproteus spp. in tumbler pigeons (columba livia domestica) in kirikkale province, turkey.haemoproteus spp. are common blood parasites of pigeons. they have been reported in pigeons in many regions worldwide, including turkey. pigeon breeding is a popular hobby in kirikkale province, and there is no information about the prevalence of haemoproteus spp. the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of haemoproteus spp. in tumbler pigeons in kirikkale province (kırıkkale and yahsihan district).201728695828
ethnomedicinal and cultural practices of mammals and birds in the vicinity of river chenab, punjab-pakistan.although, use of animal species in disease treatment and culture practices is as ancient as that of plant species; however ethnomedicinal uses and cultural values of animal species have rarely been reported. present study is the first report on the medicinal uses of mammals and bird species in pakistan.201728701165
do 'literate' pigeons (columba livia) show mirror-word generalization?many children pass through a mirror stage in reading, where they write individual letters or digits in mirror and find it difficult to correctly utilize letters that are mirror images of one another (e.g., b and d). this phenomenon is thought to reflect the fact that the brain does not naturally discriminate left from right. indeed, it has been argued that reading acquisition involves the inhibition of this default process. in the current study, we tested the ability of literate pigeons, which h ...201728707141
pcr identification and phylogenetic analysis of trichomonas gallinae from domestic pigeons in guangzhou, china.avian trichomoniasis caused by trichomonas gallinae is a serious protozoan disease worldwide. the domestic pigeon (columba livia domestica) is the main host for t. gallinae and plays an important role in the spread of the disease. based on the internal transcribed spacers of nuclear ribosomal dna of this parasite, a pair of primers (tgf2/tgr2) was designed and used to develop a pcr assay for the diagnosis of t. gallinae infection in domestic pigeons. this approach allowed the identification of t ...201728719959
pigeons and their droppings as reservoirs of candida and other zoonotic yeasts.the importance of pigeons as reservoirs and carriers of cryptococcus neoformans and other species of this genus is well-known; however, less is known about their role as reservoirs and carriers of other yeasts that impact public health.201728720316
differential expression of fatty acid transporters and fatty acid synthesis-related genes in crop tissues of male and female pigeons (columba livia domestica) during incubation and chick rearing.1. the growth performance of squabs reared solely by male or female parent pigeons was measured, and the changes of lipid content of crop milk and the expression profiles of genes potentially involved in lipid accumulation by crop tissues of parent pigeons were evaluated during incubation and chick rearing. 2. squabs increased in body weight during 25 d of rearing, whereas both male and female pigeons lost weight after finishing rearing chicks, and the weight loss of male pigeons was significant ...201728752767
clinical and serological tests for arboviruses in free-living domestic pigeons (columba livia).in this study, we evaluated the role of free-living domestic pigeons (columba livia) as a reservoir of arboviruses in the city of belém, state of pará, brazil. we investigated the presence of antibodies against the most prevalent arboviruses.201728767977
testing of an oral dosing technique for double-crested cormorants, phalacocorax auritus, laughing gulls, leucophaeus atricilla, homing pigeons, columba livia, and western sandpipers, calidris mauri, with artificially weather mc252 oil.scoping studies were designed to determine if double-crested cormorants (phalacocorax auritus), laughing gulls (leucophaues atricilla), homing pigeons (columba livia) and western sandpipers (calidris mauri) that were gavaged with a mixture of artificially weathered mc252 oil and food for either a single day or 4-5 consecutive days showed signs of oil toxicity. where volume allowed, samples were collected for hematology, plasma protein electrophoresis, clinical chemistry and electrolytes, oxidati ...201728781207
how pigeons couple three-dimensional elbow and wrist motion to morph their wings.birds change the shape and area of their wings to an exceptional degree, surpassing insects, bats and aircraft in their ability to morph their wings for a variety of tasks. this morphing is governed by a musculoskeletal system, which couples elbow and wrist motion. since the discovery of this effect in 1839, the planar 'drawing parallels' mechanism has been used to explain the coupling. remarkably, this mechanism has never been corroborated from quantitative motion data. therefore, we measured h ...201728794161
first description of cryptosporidium parvum in carrier pigeons (columba livia).the carrier pigeon and the domestic pigeon are different breeds of the species columba livia. carrier pigeons are used for recreational activities such as bird contests and exhibitions. due to the close contact with humans, these birds may potentially represent a public health risk, since they can host and disseminate zoonotic parasites, such as those belonging to the genus cryptosporidium (phylum apicomplexa). the purpose of this work was the detection by microscopic and molecular techniques of ...201728807284
craniofacial diversification in the domestic pigeon and the evolution of the avian skull.a central question in evolutionary developmental biology is how highly conserved developmental systems can generate the remarkable phenotypic diversity observed among distantly related species. in part, this paradox reflects our limited knowledge about the potential for species to both respond to selection and generate novel variation. consequently, the developmental links between small-scale microevolutionary variations within populations to larger macroevolutionary patterns among species remai ...201728812673
homing pigeons (columba livia) modulate wingbeat characteristics as a function of route familiarity.mechanisms of avian navigation have received considerable attention, but whether different navigational strategies are accompanied by different flight characteristics is unknown. managing energy expenditure is critical for survival; therefore, understanding how flight characteristics, and hence energy allocation, potentially change with birds' familiarity with a navigational task could provide key insights into the costs of orientation. we addressed this question by examining changes in the wing ...201728814611
putative adult neurogenesis in two domestic pigeon breeds (columba livia domestica): racing homerversusutility carneau pigeons.generation of neurons in the brains of adult birds has been studied extensively in the telencephalon of song birds and few studies are reported on the distribution of pcna and dcx in the telencephalon of adult non-song learning birds. we report here on adult neurogenesis throughout the brains of two breeds of adult domestic pigeons (columba livia domestica), the racing homer and utility carneau using endogenous immunohistochemical markers proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna) for proliferati ...201728852390
are baboons learning "orthographic" representations? probably not.the ability of baboons (papio papio) to distinguish between english words and nonwords has been modeled using a deep learning convolutional network model that simulates a ventral pathway in which lexical representations of different granularity develop. however, given that pigeons (columba livia), whose brain morphology is drastically different, can also be trained to distinguish between english words and nonwords, it appears that a less species-specific learning algorithm may be required to exp ...201728859134
how do seasonality and host traits influence the distribution patterns of parasites on juveniles and adults of columba livia?parasites may influence host fitness and consequently exert a selective pressure on distinct phenotypes of the host population. this pressure can result in an evolutionary response, maintaining only individuals with certain traits in the population. the present study was aimed at identifying the morphological characteristics of juveniles and adults of columba livia that may influence the distribution patterns of lice, pseudolynchia canariensis and haemoproteus columbae and how the populations of ...201728859962
novel avian oropharyngeal trichomonads isolated from european turtle doves (streptopelia turtur) and racing pigeons (columba livia): genetic and morphometric characterisation of clonal cultures.extensive diversity has been described within the avian oropharyngeal trichomonad complex in recent years. in this study we developed clonal cultures from four isolates selected by their different its1/5.8s/its2 (its) genotype and their association with gross lesions of avian trichomonosis. isolates were obtained from an adult racing pigeon and a nestling of eurasian eagle owl with macroscopic lesions, and from a juvenile wood pigeon and an european turtle dove without clinical signs. multi-locu ...201728864154
differential projections of the densocellular and intermediate parts of the hyperpallium in the pigeon (columba livia).the visual wulst in birds shows a four-layered structure: apical part of the hyperpallium (ha), interstitial part of ha (iha), intercalated part of hyperpallium (hi), and densocellular part of hyperpallium (hd). hd also connects with the hippocampus and olfactory system. because hd is subjacent to hi, the two have been treated as one structure in many studies, and the fiber connections of hd have been examined by afferents and efferents originating outside hd. however, to clarify the difference ...201828891049
repair of tibiotarsal rotation in 7 chukar partridges (alectoris chukar) and 12 domestic pigeons (columba livia domestica) with type-2 external skeletal fixator intramedullary pin tie-in.rotational deformities of the long bones affect various avian species. tibiotarsal rotation may cause the leg to deviate up to 180° from the dorsoplantar axis in a matter of days, thus preventing the birds from walking freely and leading to the inability to stand. in this study, tibiotarsal rotation observed in pigeons and partridges was managed by creating a closed fracture in the tibiotarsus and then, following reduction, stabilizing it with an intramedullary tie-in type 2 external skeletal fi ...201728891696
analysis of genetic diversity in pigeon pea germplasm using retrotransposon-based molecular markers.pigeon pea (cajanus cajan), an important legume crop is predominantly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of asia and africa. it is normally considered to have a low degree of genetic diversity, an impediment in undertaking crop improvement programmes.we have analysed genetic polymorphism of domesticated pigeon pea germplasm (47 accessions) across the world using earlier characterized panzee retrotransposon-based molecularmarkers. itwas conjectured that since retrotransposons are inte ...201728947703
changes in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism-related parameters in domestic pigeon (columba livia) during incubation and chick rearing.this study aimed to evaluate the hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism-related parameters of adult male and female white king pigeons (columba livia) during incubation and chick rearing. at day 4 (i4), 10 (i10) and 17 (i17) of incubation and day 1 (r1), 7 (r7), 15 (r15) and 25 (r25) of chick rearing, livers were sampled from six pigeons for each sex. glycogen and fat contents, activities of glycolytic enzymes (hexokinase, hk; 6-phosphofructokinase, 6-pfk), and genes expressions of key enzymes inv ...201729024108
head stabilization in the pigeon: role of vision to correct for translational and rotational disturbances.stabilization of the head in animals with limited capacity to move their eyes is key to maintain a stable image on the retina. in many birds, including pigeons, a prominent example for the important role of head stabilization is the characteristic head-bobbing behavior observed during walking. multimodal sensory feedback from the eyes, the vestibular system and proprioceptors in body and neck is required to control head stabilization. here, we trained unrestrained pigeons (columba livia) to stan ...201729051726
transmitter receptors reveal segregation of the arcopallium/amygdala complex in pigeons (columba livia).at the beginning of the 20th century it was suggested that a complex group of nuclei in the avian posterior ventral telencephalon is comparable to the mammalian amygdala. subsequent findings, however, revealed that most of these structures share premotor characteristics, while some indeed constitute the avian amygdala. these developments resulted in 2004 in a change of nomenclature of these nuclei, which from then on were named arcopallial or amygdala nuclei and referred to as the arcopallium/am ...201829063593
effects of in ovo feeding of cationic amino acids on hatchability, hatch weights, and organ developments in domestic pigeon squabs (columba livia).this study was conducted to evaluate the effect of in ovo feeding of cationic amino acids on hatchability, hatch weights, and organ developments in pigeon squabs. two experiments were conducted in this study. eggs in exp. 1 were subjected to modification of in ovo feeding in pigeons. optimal time was determined by checking amniotic fluid volume, and suitable length was confirmed through ink injection. results showed that the optimum time of in ovo feeding was on d 13 of embryonic development, an ...201829077950
effects of in ovo feeding of l-arginine on hatchability, hatching time, early posthatch development, and carcass traits in domestic pigeons (columba livia).the objective of this research was to test the hypothesis that in ovo feeding of arginine (arg) may improve hatchability and posthatch performance in domestic pigeons (). a completely randomized design ( = 3) with an arg feeding treatment (arg group, 1.14 mg arg dissolved in 200 μl of 0.75% nacl buffered saline as 1% concentration compared to total arg in the egg), a buffered saline feeding treatment (sc group, 7.5 g nacl dissolved in 1 l sterile distilled water as the concentration of poultry p ...201729108055
impact of epidemiological factors on the prevalence, intensity and distribution of ectoparasites in pigeons.this study was carried out on domestic pigeons (columba livia domestica) from september (2014) to june (2015) to determine the prevalence, intensity and species of ectoparasites in sargodha region, east of pakistan. a total of 200 domestic pigeons were inspected from the study area. parasites were collected by forceps and stored in 70% ethanol. the epidemiological information e.g. health condition, color of plumage, mode of living, breed, intensity etc. were recorded in the form of questionnaire ...201729114144
the orientation of homing pigeons (columba livia f.d.) with and without navigational experience in a two-dimensional environment.homing pigeons are known for their excellent homing ability, and their brains seem to be functionally adapted to homing. it is known that pigeons with navigational experience show a larger hippocampus and also a more lateralised brain than pigeons without navigational experience. so we hypothesized that experience may have an influence also on orientation ability. we examined two groups of pigeons (11 with navigational experience and 17 without) in a standard operant chamber with a touch screen ...201729176875
an evaluation of the impact of aloe vera and licorice extracts on the course of experimental pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 infection in pigeons.the progressive decrease in the efficiency of synthetic drugs has prompted research into phytogenic feed additives with potentially immunomodulatory and anti-infective properties. complex diseases with a mixed etiology, including viral, pose a growing problem in domestic pigeons. the aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of various doses of aloe vera and licorice extracts on the course of experimental ppmv-1 infection in pigeons. the experiment was performed on pigeons divided int ...201829182728
association of dgat2 gene polymorphisms with carcass and meat quality traits in domestic pigeons (columba livia).1. diacylglycerol acyltransferase (dgat) plays an important role in the synthesis of triacylglycerol, but its effects on meat quality and carcass composition in pigeons are unclear. in this study, single-nucleotide polymorphisms (snps) in the exons of the dgat2 gene were identified and analysed by using dna sequencing methods in 200 domestic pigeons (columba livia). the associations between dgat2 polymorphisms and carcass and meat quality traits were also analysed. 2. sequencing results showed t ...201829207879
gastrointestinal helminths of two populations of wild pigeons (columba livia) in brazil.the present study analyzed gastrointestinal helminth communities in 265 wild pigeons (columba livia) living in the municipalities of são paulo and tatuí, state of são paulo, brazil, over a one-year period. the birds were caught next to grain storage warehouses and were necropsied. a total of 790 parasites comprising one nematode species and one cestode genus were recovered from 110 pigeons, thus yielding an overall prevalence of 41.5%, mean intensity of infection of 7.2 ± 1.6 (range 1-144) and d ...201729211134
pigeons (columba livia) know when they will need hints: prospective metacognition for reference memory?despite their impressive cognitive abilities, avian species have shown less evidence for metacognition than mammals. we suspect that commonly used tasks such as matching to sample might be too demanding to allow metacognitive processing within birds' working memory. here, we examined whether pigeons could control their behavior as a function of knowledge levels on a three-item sequence learning task, a reference memory task supposedly requiring fewer working memory resources. the experiment used ...201729230574
radiographic and ultrasonographic characteristics of ventral abdominal hernia in pigeons (columba livia).five female egg-laying pigeons presented with painless, reducible, ventral abdominal swellings located between the keel and the pubis, or close to the cloaca. based on clinical, radiographic, and ultrasonographic examination, these pigeons were diagnosed with ventral abdominal hernia requiring surgical interference. reduction was successfully performed under general anesthesia. radiographic and ultrasonographic examinations were beneficial for confirming the diagnosis and visualizing the hernial ...201729237997
zoonotic agents in feral pigeons (columba livia) from costa rica: possible improvements to diminish contagion risks.most studies on zoonotic agents in pigeons have been conducted in the palearctic region, but the scarcity of data is notorious in the neotropical region, where these birds can breed all year around and are in close contact with humans. in this study, we used a combination of culture-dependent and culture-independent methods to identify infectious agents in 141 fecal samples from pigeons collected at four urban parks from costa rica. of these we identified 34 positive samples for salmonella enter ...201829243991
the behavioural and physiological stress responses are linked to plumage coloration in the rock pigeon (columbia livia).in wild vertebrates, conspicuousness often signals a high phenotypic quality and is therefore associated with fitness benefits ("the handicap principle hypothesis"). however, conspicuous individuals usually face a higher risk of predation because they are easier to detect. therefore, conspicuous individuals are expected to modify their behavioural and their physiological stress responses to limit the negative effect of their conspicuousness on survival. we examined the link between plumage color ...201829246409
pigeons (c. livia) follow their head during turning flight: head stabilization underlies the visual control of flight.similar flight control principles operate across insect and vertebrate fliers. these principles indicate that robust solutions have evolved to meet complex behavioral challenges. following from studies of visual and cervical feedback control of flight in insects, we investigate the role of head stabilization in providing feedback cues for controlling turning flight in pigeons. based on previous observations that the eyes of pigeons remain at relatively fixed orientations within the head during f ...201729249929
the biological function of pigeon crop milk and the regulation of its production.the pigeon (columba livia) is one of the few birds capable of secreting nutrients to nourish squabs. during the incubation period, the crop of the parent pigeon will be thickened. when squabs are hatched, the crop milk will be secreted from the crop and fed to squabs. the nutritional benefits are similar between the pigeon crop milk and mammalian milk, and both of them are regulated by prolactin. prolactin stimulates the proliferation of crop epithelial cells, which eventually slough to form the ...201729258986
free-ranging synanthropic birds (ardea alba and columba livia domestica) as carriers of salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic escherichia coli in the vicinity of an urban zoo.the presence of free-ranging urban birds is a risk factor for transmitting pathogens to captive animals and humans alike, including salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic escherichia coli. cloacal swabs from 156 synanthropic great egrets (ardea alba) and feral pigeons (columba livia domestica) that inhabit the surroundings of an urban zoo were processed for the identification of salmonella spp. and diarrheagenic e. coli pathotypes. bacterial species identification and genotypic characterization emplo ...201829261025
coccidiosis of domestic pigeons (columba livia domestica gmelin, 1789) in kano state, nigeriapigeon coccidiosis is caused by eimeria spp., a protozoan parasite which limits productivity by causing severe illness. although numerous studies have been conducted on the coccidiosis of pigeons in some parts of nigeria, there is no published data from kano state. the intestinal contents of 144 pigeons (72 females and 72 males) were analysed for eimeria oocysts in 2007 from 12 local government areas of kano state over the period of six months including the dry (february–april) and wet (june–aug ...201829274213
fate of egg proteins during the development of columba livia domestica embryo.the transfer of egg white into the yolk and consumption of yolk proteins by the embryo are largely unexplored in the pigeon columba livia domestica. here, we investigated the route of egg white transfer as well as the degradation and uptake of yolk proteins by the pigeon embryo. initially, we tested the electrophoretic patterns of proteins in different egg compartments throughout development. then, we used lysozyme as a reference protein to follow the egg white transfer, and we measured its acti ...201829316210
co-occurrence of mycoplasma species and pigeon herpesvirus-1 infection in racing pigeons ( columba livia).oropharyngeal swab samples were collected from 438 live racing pigeons ( columba livia), with and without signs of respiratory disease, that were housed in 220 lofts in 3 provinces in the western part of the netherlands. polymerase chain reaction (pcr) was used to identify mycoplasma species and pigeon herpesvirus-1 (phv-1) from the samples. in 8.6% of the pigeon lofts tested, signs of respiratory disease were present in pigeons at sampling, and in 30.9% of the sampled pigeon lofts, respiratory ...201729327955
whole-genome sequencing of genotype vi newcastle disease viruses from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from wild pigeons reveals continuous evolution and previously unrecognized genetic diversity in the u.s.newcastle disease viruses (ndv) are highly contagious and cause disease in both wild birds and poultry. a pigeon-adapted variant of genotype vi ndv, often termed pigeon paramyxovirus 1, is commonly isolated from columbids in the united states and worldwide. complete genomic characterization of these genotype vi viruses circulating in wild columbids in the united states is limited, and due to the genetic variability of the virus, failure of rapid diagnostic detection has been reported. therefore, ...201829329546
comparative myology of the ankle of leopardus wiedii and l. geoffroyi (carnivora: felidae): functional consistency with osteology, locomotor habits and hunting in captivity.leopardus wiedii (margay) is the only arboreal neotropical felid able to climb head-first down trees, due to its ability to rotate its tarsal joint 180°. a closely related, similar-sized species, l. geoffroyi (geoffroy's cat) exhibits more typical terrestrial habits and lacks the arboreal capabilities of l. wiedii. there is osteological evidence that supports a mechanical specialization of l. wiedii's tarsal joint for inversion, but there have been no studies on the myology of this specializatio ...201729329954
in situ clock shift reveals that the sun compass contributes to orientation in a pelagic seabird.compass orientation is central to the control of animal movement from the scale of local food-caching movements around a familiar area in parids [1] and corvids [2, 3] to the first autumn vector navigation of songbirds embarking on long-distance migration [4-6]. in the study of diurnal birds, where the homing pigeon, columba livia, has been the main model, a time-compensated sun compass [7] is central to the two-step map-and-compass process of navigation from unfamiliar places, as well as guidin ...201829337074
telomere erosion varies with sex and age at immune challenge but not with maternal antibodies in pigeons.conditions experienced early in life have profound impact on adult fitness, and telomere erosion could be a key mechanism in this process. in particular, early exposure to parasites is a frequent phenomenon in young vertebrates, which is associated with several short- and long-term costs such as telomere erosion. however, the timing of exposure to parasites during ontogeny and maternal antibodies can strongly modulate the costs of immunity, and could differentially affect telomere erosion. here, ...201829368815
chlamydia psittaci in feral rosy-faced lovebirds ( agapornis roseicollis) and other backyard birds in maricopa county, arizona.in 2013, a mortality event of nonnative, feral rosy-faced lovebirds ( agapornis roseicollis) in residential backyards in maricopa county, arizona, usa was attributed to infection with chlamydia psittaci. in june 2014, additional mortality occurred in the same region. accordingly, in august 2014 we sampled live lovebirds and sympatric bird species visiting backyard bird feeders to determine the prevalence of dna and the seroprevalence of antibodies to c. psittaci using real-time pcr-based testing ...201829369723
experimentally evoked same-sex sexual behaviour in pigeons: better to be in a female-female pair than alone.same-sex sexual behaviour has been noted among social animals. however, because of the large number of observations necessary, data from controlled experiments are lacking. in this study, we performed experiments to evaluate the effects of male and female removal in colonies of the feral pigeon (columba livia f. urbana). after the experimental removal of males, five long-lasting female-female pairs occurred. we found that those pairs could successfully raise offspring in a manner comparable to f ...201829374281
sex-biased transcriptomic response of the reproductive axis to stress.stress is a well-known cause of reproductive dysfunction in many species, including birds, rodents, and humans, though males and females may respond differently. a powerful way to investigate how stress affects reproduction is by examining its effects on a biological system essential for regulating reproduction, the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (hpg) axis. often this is done by observing how a stressor affects the amount of glucocorticoids, such as cortisol or corticosterone, circulating in th ...201829378207
eulimdana clava (nematoda: filarioidea) infection in domestic pigeons (columba livia domestica): molecular characterization and pathological changes.filarial nematodes of the eulimdana genus inhabit subcutaneous tissue of various avian species, mostly charadriiforme birds. in domestic pigeons, e. clava is the only species recorded in the subcutaneous tissue in a number of isolated cases. in the present study, we discuss the morphology and histopathology of filarial nematodes recovered from subcutaneous tissue of domestic pigeons in bosnia and herzegovina. in total 110 pigeons were submitted to necropsy at the department of pathology of the f ...201829426475
avian semen collection by cloacal massage and isolation of dna from sperm.collection of semen may be useful for a wide range of applications including studies involving sperm quality, sperm telomere dynamics, and epigenetics. birds are widely used subjects in biological research and are ideal for studies involving repeated sperm samples. however, few resources are currently available for those wishing to learn how to collect and extract dna from avian sperm. here we describe cloacal massage, a gentle, non-invasive manual technique for collecting avian sperm. although ...201829443060
gastrointestinal parasites in captive and free-ranging birds and potential cross-transmission in a zoo environment.gastrointestinal parasites are commonly reported in wild birds, but transmission amongst avifauna in zoological settings, and between these captive birds and wild birds in surrounding areas, remains poorly understood. a survey was undertaken to investigate the occurrence of gastrointestinal parasites in captive and free-ranging birds at bristol zoo gardens between may and july 2016. a total of 348 fecal samples from 32 avian species were examined using the mini-flotac flotation method. parasites ...201829517437
improved genome assembly and annotation for the rock pigeon (columba livia).the domestic rock pigeon (columba livia) is among the most widely distributed and phenotypically diverse avian species. c. livia is broadly studied in ecology, genetics, physiology, behavior, and evolutionary biology, and has recently emerged as a model for understanding the molecular basis of anatomical diversity, the magnetic sense, and other key aspects of avian biology. here we report an update to the c. livia genome reference assembly and gene annotation dataset. greatly increased scaffold ...201829519939
changes in hormone profiles, growth factors, and mrna expression of the related receptors in crop tissue, relative organ weight, and serum biochemical parameters in the domestic pigeon (columba livia) during incubation and chick-rearing periods under artificial farming conditions.the present study was conducted to determine the changes in concentrations of hormones and growth factors and their related receptor gene expressions in crop tissue, relative organ weight, and serum biochemical parameters in male and female pigeons during incubation and chick-rearing periods under artificial farming conditions. seventy-eight pairs of 60-week-old white king pigeons with 2 fertile eggs per pair were randomly divided into 13 groups by different breeding stages. serum prolactin and ...201829554306
pigeons at the edge of the empire: bioarchaeological evidences for extensive management of pigeons in a byzantine desert settlement in the southern levant.metric data of 6th century ce pigeons from the negev desert, israel, are employed to test competing hypotheses on flock management strategies: that directed selection for size or shape took place under intensive management; or, alternatively, that stabilizing selection was a stronger determinant of size and shape under extensive management conditions. the results of the analysis support the second hypothesis by demonstrating that the byzantine negev pigeons were like wild pigeon (columba livia) ...201829561880
effect of the exploratory behaviour on a bird's ability to categorize a predator.despite the encountering of a predator always being extremely threatening, there is a significant plasticity among individuals in how they cope with such a situation. in laboratory experiments with wild-caught great tits (parus major), we tested the effect of exploratory behaviour (performance in novel food, object and environment test, startle test) on the ability of individual birds to assess the threat represented by a predator. we presented a wooden dummy of the european sparrowhawk (accipit ...201829581025
personality and the collective: bold homing pigeons occupy higher leadership ranks in flocks.while collective movement is ecologically widespread and conveys numerous benefits on individuals, it also poses a coordination problem: who controls the group's movements? the role that animal 'personalities' play in this question has recently become a focus of research interest. although many animal groups have distributed leadership (i.e. multiple individuals influence collective decisions), studies linking personality and leadership have focused predominantly on the group's single most influ ...201829581403
the field efficacy of nigella sativa and berberis vulgaris methanolic extracts against haemoproteus columbae.the methanolic extracts of nigella satival. seeds (mens) and berberis vulgaris l.(mebv) were investigated for treatment of haemoproteus columbae-infected pigeons (columba livia domestica).202029632842
a doctor's use of the carrier pigeon. 188029638850
pigeons deploy selective attention to efficiently learn a stagewise multidimensional visual discrimination task.we trained 8 pigeons (columba livia) on a stagewise go/no-go visual discrimination task of increasing complexity, to document the dynamics of selective attention. we constructed negative compound stimuli (s-s) on the basis of their overall similarity to a positive compound stimulus (s+) along 4 binary-valued dimensions: shape (circle/square), size (large/small), line orientation (horizontal/vertical), and brightness (dark/light). starting with 1 s+ and 1 s- that differed in all 4 dimensional val ...201829683695
identification of a transcriptionally forward α gene and two υ genes within the pigeon (columba livia) igh gene locus.compared with mammals, the bird ig genetic system relies on gene conversion to create an ab repertoire, with inversion of the iga-encoding gene and very few cases of ig subclass diversification. although gene conversion has been studied intensively, class-switch recombination, a mechanism by which the igh c region is exchanged, has rarely been investigated in birds. in this study, based on the published genome of pigeon (columba livia) and high-throughput transcriptome sequencing of immune-relat ...201829686053
genomic insights into natural selection in the common loon (gavia immer): evidence for aquatic adaptation.the common loon (gavia immer) is one of five species that comprise the avian order gaviiformes. loons are specialized divers, reaching depths up to 60 m while staying submerged for intervals up to three minutes. in this study we used comparative genomics to investigate the genetic basis of the common loon adaptations to its ecological niche. we used illumina short read dna sequence data from a female bird to produce a draft assembly of the common loon (gavia immer) genome.201829703132
post-hatching growth of the pectoralis muscle in pigeon and its functional implications.the avian pectoralis muscle is responsible for the wing's downstroke, which provides birds with lift and thrust for flight. in the present study, architectural parameters were investigated through growth in the pigeon (columba livia), an altricial bird species, from the ages of 4 days to 12 months, in order to assess the morphological changes and effects of increasing body mass. muscle mass, fascicle length (fl), and physiological cross-sectional area (pcsa) increased with strong positive allome ...201829729220
phoretic dispersal influences parasite population genetic structure.dispersal is a fundamental component of the life history of most species. dispersal influences fitness, population dynamics, gene flow, genetic drift and population genetic structure. even small differences in dispersal can alter ecological interactions and trigger an evolutionary cascade. linking such ecological processes with evolutionary patterns is difficult, but can be carried out in the proper comparative context. here, we investigate how differences in phoretic dispersal influence the pop ...201829752753
anatomical, histological and immunohistochemical study of testicular development in columba livia (aves: columbiformes).in this work, testicular ontogeny is analyzed at the anatomical, histological and immunohistochemical levels; the latter through the detection of gnrhr and pcna in the testicles of embryos, neonates and juveniles of columba livia. we analyzed 150 embryos, 25 neonates and 5 juveniles by means of observations under a stereoscopic magnifying glass and scanning electron microscope (sem). the histological analysis was performed using hematoxylin-eosin staining techniques and the pas reaction. for the ...201829776745
genetic characterization of 11 microsatellite loci in egyptian pigeons (columba livia domestica) and their cross-species amplification in other columbidae populations.this study aimed to analyze the genetic diversity and relationships of 10 egyptian pigeon populations belonging to columba livia domestica speciesusing 11 microsatellite markers and to investigate the success of these markers amplification across another eight pigeon species.201829805216
chlamydia psittaci and c. avium in feral pigeon (columba livia domestica) droppings in two cities in the netherlands.feral pigeons (columba livia domestica) live and breed in many city centres and contact with their droppings can be a hazard for human health if the birds carry chlamydia psittaci.201829806552
adaptive changes in the epidermal structure of the heat-acclimated rock pigeon (columba livia): a comparative electron microscopy study.the purpose of this study was to find out whether the microstructure of the highly permeable skin of heat-acclimated pigeons allowing increased evaporative cooling differs from the skin of pigeons in the non-acclimated or cold-acclimated state. in addition, the correlation between epidermal morphology and cutaneous water evaporation in heat-acclimated pigeons was elucidated. the epidermis of heat-acclimated pigeons differs in several respects from the epidermis of non-acclimated or cold-acclimat ...199829852630
neuromuscular organization of avian flight muscle: morphology and contractile properties of motor units in the pectoralis (pars thoracicus) of pigeon (columba livia).we used acid digestion and glycogen depletion to determine fascicle organization, fiber morphology, and physiological and anatomical features of individual motor units of an in-series muscle, the pectoralis (pars thoracicus) of the pigeon (columba livia). most fascicles are attached at one end to connective tissue. average fiber length in the four regions examined range from 42% to 66% of average fascicle length. more than 65% of fibers are blunt at one end of a fascicle and taper intrafascicula ...199829852684
prevalence of toxoplasma gondii, neospora caninum, and sarcocystis species dna in the heart and breast muscles of rock pigeons (columbia livia).little is known about the prevalence of protozoan parasites in the muscles of rock pigeons (columbia livia). the muscles from 54 (heart from 45 and breast from 54) rock pigeons were examined for dna of toxoplasma gondii, neospora caninum, and sarcocystis species using pcr. twenty-four were female and 30 were males. the birds were part of flocks of pigeons housed at the tombs of saints in lahore, pakistan. birds that died or were euthanized due to poor health were submitted for necropsy at the de ...201829854422
prevalence and risk factors of trichomonas gallinae and trichomonosis in golden eagle ( aquila chrysaetos) nestlings in western north america.avian trichomonosis, caused by the protozoan trichomonas gallinae, affects bird-eating raptors worldwide. raptors can develop trichomonosis by feeding on infected prey, particularly rock pigeons (c olumba livia), which are a reservoir for t. gallinae. raptors may be particularly vulnerable to t. gallinae infection in degraded habitats, where changes in resources may cause raptors to switch from foraging on native prey to synanthropic avian species such as rock pigeons. golden eagles ( aquila chr ...201829863970
functional anatomy of the pigeon hand (columba livia): a muscle stimulation study.the morphology and function of all muscles controlling the pigeon hand were analyzed. muscle action was determined in situ by inducing contraction via silver wire electrodes in anesthetized birds. emg electrodes were implanted in the test muscle and an adjacent muscle to monitor contraction and volume conduction respectively. results indicate that pigeons have fine control of hand and digit movements. however, the directions of movement are restricted. movements have been eliminated or severely ...199529865332
skull mechanics in the pigeon, columba livia, a three-dimensional kinematic model. 199229865599
effects of nidopallium caudolaterale inactivation on serial-order behavior in pigeons ( columba livia).serial-order behavior is the ability to complete a sequence of responses in a predetermined order to achieve a reward. in birds, serial-order behavior is thought to be impaired by damage to the nidopallium caudolaterale (ncl). in the current study, we examined the role of the ncl in serial-order behavior by training pigeons on a 4-item serial-order task and a go/no-go discrimination task. following training, pigeons received infusions of 1 μl of either tetrodotoxin (ttx) or saline. saline infusi ...201829873614
quantifying syringeal dynamics in vitro using electroglottography.the complex and elaborate vocalizations uttered by many of the 10,000 extant bird species are considered a major driver in their evolutionary success, warranting study of the underlying mechanisms of vocal production. additionally, birdsong has developed into a highly productive model system for vocal imitation learning and motor control, where, in contrast to humans, we have experimental access to the entire neuromechanical control loop. in human voice production, complex laryngeal geometry, vo ...201829880637
comparative chromosome painting in columbidae (columbiformes) reinforces divergence in passerea and columbea.pigeons and doves (columbiformes) are one of the oldest and most diverse extant lineages of birds. however, the karyotype evolution within columbiformes remains unclear. to delineate the synteny-conserved segments and karyotypic differences among four columbidae species, we used chromosome painting from gallus gallus (gga, 2n = 78) and leucopternis albicollis (lal, 2n = 68). besides that, a set of painting probes for the eared dove, zenaida auriculata (zau, 2n = 76), was generated from flow-sort ...201829882066
emerging category representation in the visual forebrain hierarchy of pigeons (columba livia).recognizing and categorizing visual stimuli are cognitive functions vital for survival, and an important feature of visual systems in primates as well as in birds. visual stimuli are processed along the ventral visual pathway. at every stage in the hierarchy, neurons respond selectively to more complex features, transforming the population representation of the stimuli. it is therefore easier to read-out category information in higher visual areas. while explicit category representations have be ...201929885380
pigeons (columba livia) learn a four-item list by trial and error.the aim of the current study was to assess whether pigeons could acquire a four-item list by trial and error. pigeons received either extensive list training prior to being tested on a novel four-item list (i.e., the full-training group) or very limited training (i.e., the limited-training group). specifically, subjects in the full-training group were trained to acquire a large set of two-item lists by trial and error, then a large set of three-item lists, and finally a large set of four-item li ...201829927268
molecular cloning, characterization, and functional analysis of pigeon (columba livia) toll-like receptor 5.toll-like receptors (tlrs) are pattern recognition receptors that are vital for the recognition of pathogen-associated molecular patterns. tlr5 is responsible for the recognition of bacterial flagellin to induce the nf-κb activation and innate immune responses. in this study, we cloned and identified the tlr5 gene from the king pigeon (columba livia) designated as pitlr5. full-length pitlr5 cdna (2583 bp) encoded an 860-amino acid protein containing a signal peptide sequence, 10 leucine-rich rep ...201829945253
reproduction impairments in metal-polluted environments and parental hormones: no evidence for a causal association in an experimental study in breeding feral pigeons exposed to lead and zinc.humans are responsible for land-cover changes resulting in the emission of hazardous chemical elements including metallic trace elements i.e. mtes. as a consequence, urban wildlife is exposed to high concentrations of mtes, which exposure is linked to reproductive impairments. mte effects on reproduction outputs might result from mte exposure disrupting the endocrine pathways involved in reproductive behaviours. in birds, there is strong evidence that prolactin, corticosterone and testosterone a ...201829957582
the peregrine falcon's rapid dive: on the adaptedness of the arm skeleton and shoulder girdle.during a dive, peregrine falcons (falco peregrinus) can reach a velocity of up to 320 km h- 1. our computational fluid dynamics simulations show that the forces that pull on the wings of a diving peregrine can reach up to three times the falcon's body mass at a stoop velocity of 80 m s- 1 (288 km h- 1). since the bones of the wings and the shoulder girdle of a diving peregrine falcon experience large mechanical forces, we investigated these bones. for comparison, we also investigated the corresp ...201829959501
association of adsl gene polymorphisms with meat quality and carcass traits in domestic pigeons (columba livia).1. adenylosuccinate lyase (adsl) plays an important role in the synthesis of inosine monophosphate (imp). in this trial, a total of 200 pigeons were sampled and slaughtered. seven meat quality traits and 11 carcass traits were measured. dna sequencing was used to detect nucleotide mutations, and associations between adsl gene polymorphisms and meat quality and carcass traits were analysed. 2. sequencing results showed that 9 nucleotide mutations were found in the exons of the adsl gene. all the ...201829963908
detection of avian reoviruses in wild birds in poland.the purpose of this study was to determine the occurrence of avian reovirus (arv) infections in wild birds in poland and attempt to propagate the selected arv strains in chicken embryo kidney (cek) cells or chicken spf embryos.201729978079
evaluation of pigeon egg yolk for post thaw quality, enzyme leakage and fertility of buffalo (bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa.egg yolk is used as a cryoprotectant in semen preservation. however, its composition varies according to the species which may influence its effectiveness during the freeze-thaw process. therefore, study was conducted to identify the optimum level of pigeon egg yolk (pey) in tris citric acid (tca) extender for freezability and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. semen was collected at weekly intervals for a period of three weeks (replicates) from 6 nili ravi buffalo bulls (2 ejaculates/bull/repl ...201830006129
introgression of regulatory alleles and a missense coding mutation drive plumage pattern diversity in the rock pigeon.birds and other vertebrates display stunning variation in pigmentation patterning, yet the genes controlling this diversity remain largely unknown. rock pigeons (columba livia) are fundamentally one of four color pattern phenotypes, in decreasing order of melanism: t-check, checker, bar (ancestral), or barless. using whole-genome scans, we identified ndp as a candidate gene for this variation. allele-specific expression differences in ndp indicate cis-regulatory divergence between ancestral and ...201830014848
setting the bar.analyzing the genomes of rock pigeons demonstrates that genetic variation comes in many forms and can have unexpected origins.201830015614
molecular characterization of two novel sub-sublineages of pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 in china.pigeon paramyxovirus type 1 (ppmv-1) infection is enzootic in pigeon flocks and poses a potential risk to the poultry industry in china. to gain insight into the biological characteristics and transmission routes of circulating ppmv-1 in pigeons, 13 ppmv-1 isolates from domestic pigeons isolated during 2011-2015 in guangxi province, china, were characterized using a pathogenicity assessment and phylogenetic analysis. all ppmv-1 isolates were mesogenic or lentogenic strains and had a mean death t ...201830043204
gonadal steroid levels in rock pigeon eggs do not represent adequately maternal allocation.maternal hormones deposited in the egg can provide a powerful model for the study of maternal effects. the differential amount of maternal hormones in the yolk of freshly laid eggs is assumed to represent differential maternal allocation. however, some evidence suggests that these amounts do not reflect maternal allocation that in fact takes place before ovulation. we compared the amounts of a wide array of gonadal steroids and their metabolites in the yolk of pre-ovulatory follicles with those ...201830046065
defining host range: host-parasite compatibility during the non-infective phase of the parasite also matters.host range and parasite specificity determine key epidemiological, ecological and evolutionary aspects of host-parasite interactions. parasites are usually classified as generalists or specialists based on the number of hosts they feed on. yet, the requirements of the various stages of a parasite may influence the suitability of a given host species. here, we investigate the generalist nature of three common ectoparasites (the dipteran carnus hemapterus and two species of louse flies, pseudolync ...201930066668
persistent pigeons (columba livia) learn how to produce a list.in the featured article for this issue of the journal of comparative psychology, scarf, johnston, and colombo (2018) showed that pigeons learned to reproduce (by pecking icons presented on a screen) a four-item serially ordered list without specific training on that list, as macaques did (figure 1). in scarf et al.'s (2018) study, all five birds given structured training subsequently mastered multiple sets of two-item, then three-item, and finally four-item lists, with a diminishing training reg ...201830080070
a comprehensive analysis of the genomic organization, expression and phylogeny of immunoglobulin light chain genes in pigeon (columba livia).previous studies on immunoglobulin light chain (igl) genes in avian species are limited to galloanseres, and few studies have investigated igl genes in neoaves, which includes most living birds. based on published genome data, we demonstrate that the pigeon (columba livia) igl locus spans approximately 24 kb of dna and contains twenty vλ segments located upstream of a single pair of jλ-cλ. among the identified vλ gene segments, four segments are structurally intact and all four segments are able ...201830096338
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