Nest decoration:Black feathers prevent Crested Mynas from nest usurpation

Nests are important structures for birds to raise their offspring and for signaling.Many birds incorporate feathers into the nest,since feathers were traditionally thought to serve the function of insulation.Hypotheses in recent years have considered that some birds place feathers in conspicuous locations in the nest for decoration to trigger a fear response in the competitors.In this study,we investigated whether decorative feathers could deter nest usurpation by Crested Mynas(Acridotheres cristatellus)by manipulating nest box contents.The results revealed that Crested Mynas preferred black feathers to white feathers as decorations and occupied nest boxes decorated with black feathers significantly less than those decorated with white feathers,suggesting that black decorative feathers in the nest could be more effective in preventing nest usurpation by Crested Mynas and that white decorative feathers may have other functions.The black feathers in the nest are prominently placed at the edge of the nest to convey the message that“this nest is occupied”or“the owner of this nest has been preyed upon”to visitor Crested Mynas,thus effectively preventing them from usurping the nest at a later stage.

The allometry of number of feathers in birds changes seasonally

Background: Feathers are a defining feature of birds with multiple functions such as flight, insulation, protection against predation and signaling. Feathers are lost during the annual molt while the rate of such loss at other times of the year and its fitness consequences remain poorly known.Methods: I used information on the number and the mass of feathers for 160 individuals belonging to 85 species of birds in general linear mixed models to analyze allometry of feathers and to investigate possible factors explaining variation in the number of feathers. A phylogenetic effect was assessed by quantifying the random effect of genus.Results: The total mass of feathers increased isometrically with body mass, while the total number of feathers and the mean mass of feathers showed negative allometry. Negative allometry implied that small-sized species had relatively many small feathers. There was a negative association between the number of feathers and migration distance. The total number of feathers initially increased during fall and winter, consistent with individuals growing more feathers later during the year or with individuals with fewer feathers selectively disappearing from the population. In contrast, the number of feathers decreased from winter through spring and summer.Conclusions: These findings suggest that thermoregulation has affected the evolution of the number and the size of feathers, there is selection against feather loss, and that the number of feathers varies across seasons.

New Flu Ruffling Feathers

A new human infection with an animal flu virus has touched a raw nerve among the public and posed a challenge to China＇s disease control system, which is quickly responding to a possible outbreak by drawing on their experiences with previous epidemics.

Physical and Morphological Structure of Chicken Feathers (Keratin Biofiber) in Natural, Chemically and Thermally Modified Forms

Because of the constant challenge to preserve the environment and the search for new materials, a comparative study was carried out using keratin fiber, a fibrous protein, found in the chicken feathers. Five different samples of the feather were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). First in their natural form Keratin Fiber (KF);the second treated with sodium hydroxide (KFNaOH);the third and fourth samples were semi carbonized at 220℃ in an oven without atmospheric control for 24 hours (samples obtained: Clear brown (SCFC) and Dark brown (SCFD));and the fifth sample was carbonized by pyrolysis Carbonized Feathers (CF). The SEM result shows that the KF has a hollow structure, with knots and hooks. The KFNaOH structure presented rougher than that of the KF, but lost their hooks. The SCFC and SCFD presented brittle structures, but preserved the hollow structure of KF;however, it was only noticeable to a magnification of 3000 times. On the other hand, the CF, was shiny, black, and showed a higher amount of porosity with open micro-pores and micro-tubes, preserved the hollow structure of KF than any other samples studied, and also presented well-defined closed micro-tubes. From the XRD analysis of the KF, CF, KFNaOH, SCFC and SCFD, presented semi-crystalline structures, with the following indices of crystallinity, 20.09%, 18.93%, 17.97%, 15.02% and 14.31%, respectively. The CF presented smaller size crystallites, in between the micro- particulates, around 27 nm and the KFNaOH with larger size around 74 nm. From this study it was concluded that micro-porous carbon material from chicken feathers (KF) could be efficiently obtained through pyrolysis.

Age and Gender Depending Growth of Feathers and Feather-Free Body in Modern Fast Growing Meat-Type Chickens

Two growth experiments with fast growing meat type chickens (Ross 308) were conducted to assess the growth of feathers and feather-free body dependent on age and gender (male:female ratio = 1:1). Birds were reared under uniform management and feeding conditions (floor pens;15 pens per gender;5 birds per pen) during the starter (day 1 to 22) and grower period (day 22 to 36). Diets were based on corn, wheat, soybean meal, soybean protein concentrate and balanced with feed amino acids to ensure an equal feed protein quality close to the ideal amino acid ratio by a constant mixture of the feed proteins. At start of the experiment and further on weekly up to the end of the 5th week, 15 birds per gender (each 3 pens of 5 birds) were selected and 24 h fasted before quantitative de-feathering. Both feather and feather free body fractions were significantly increased with increasing age of the birds (p < 0.001). Feather percentage as related to the empty body weight increased non-linearly from approximately 2% at the end of the first week to about 4% at the end of the experiment. Feather percentage and dry matter content of the feather-free body was significantly higher in female birds (p < 0.001) as compared to males. Further investigations will show how this varying proportions impact on nutrient deposition of modern meat-type chickens dependent on age and gender, respectively.

Chicken Feathers Waste Management by Microbial as a Sustainable and Tool Environmental Friendly

Valorizing chicken feather agro-wastes nowadays is imperative, if these wastes are disposed of without treatment, they could contribute to environmental problems. Conventional methods of processing chicken feathers such as landfilling, chemical treatment and burning are costly, non-time consumable and are toxic to the environment. Microbial hydrolysis, on the contrary, is now considered the main environmental-friendly recycling alternative. Hence, the aim of this study is to isolate keratinolytic bacteria with efficient feather hydrolysis, to optimize some of the physical parameters that could affect both bacterial growth and consequently its degrading ability. Results demonstrated an efficient feather degrading ability of newly identified Bacillus sp. D4 strain isolated from chicken feathers under optimal mesophilic temperature 37°C, pH 8.0 and 106 CFU/mL cell size inoculum, interpreted by highest keratin activity (55.0 ± 1.35 U/mL) and (54.3 ± 1.5 U/mL) respectively and higher total protein content in the cell free supernatant of 0.65 mg/mL. Beyond these parameters values, a moderate enzyme activity was observed at 40°C (35.1 ± 2 U/mL), 25°C (30.1 ± 2 U/mL), similarly at the initial pH 7.5 (52.3 ± 2 U/mL), pH 9.0 (49.0 ± 1.2 U/mL) and pH 10.0 (38.2 ± 1.35 U/mL). Bacillus sp. D4, on the other hand, was not able to tolerate high alkaline pH value 11.0 nor acidic pH 4.0 and 5.0 and high temperature of 55°C, correspondingly low enzyme activity was noted (19.0 ± 1 U/mL).

Films from an Aqueous Suspension of Alkaline Pretreated and Fine Milled Chicken Feathers

The purpose was to test the feasibility of preparing cast films directly from an aqueous suspension of alkaline pretreated and fine milled chicken feathers, and to evaluate the impact of different additives on film formation and the tensile properties of the resulting films. The feather suspension consisted of stiff and sharp-pointed fibers together with more round-shaped fines. Films cast from this suspension were opaque and porous. While films without additives were fragile with drying-induced defects, film formation was improved with additives, especially with ethanolamine and maleic acid at 20% and 30% concentrations. A synergistic plasticizing effect was observed with ethanolamine and formamide, and strength of the films was improved with sodium alginate. However, the overall impact of additives on the tensile properties in general and strain at break in specific was limited. This was likely due to the dominating role of the porous film structure and the stiff fibers with a limited reactivity towards the additives.

The Role of Vanes in the Damping of Bird Feathers

Bird feathers sustain bending and vibrations during flight.Such unwanted vibrations could potentially cause noise and flight instabilities.Damping could alter the system response,resulting in improving quiet flight,stability,and controllability.Vanes of feathers are known to be indispensable for supporting the aerodynamic function of the wings.The relationship between the hierarchical structures of vanes and the mechanical properties of the feather has been previously studied.However,still little is known about their relationship with feathers’damping properties.Here,the role of vanes in feathers’damping properties was quantified.The vibrations of the feathers with vanes and the bare shaft without vanes after step deflections in the plane of the vanes and perpendicular to it were measured using high-speed video recording.The presence of several main natural vibration modes was observed in the feathers with vanes.After trimming vanes,more vibration modes were observed,the fundamental frequencies increased by 51-70%,and the damping ratio decreased by 38-60%.Therefore,we suggest that vanes largely increase feather damping properties.Damping mechanisms based on the morphology of feather vanes are discussed.The aerodynamic damping is connected with the planar vane surface,the structural damping is related to the interlocking between barbules and barbs,and the material damping is caused by the foamy medulla inside barbs.

Effects of Fermented Puffed Feather Meal on Growth Performance,Serum Biochemical Indices,Meat Quality,and Intestinal Microbiota in Broilers

This study aimed to investigate the effects of fermented puffed feather meal(FPFM)on growth performance,serum biochemical indices,meat quality,and intestinal microbiota in Arbor Acres(AA)broilers.A single-factor design was adopted,and four treatments were administered with five replicates to 240 one-day-old AA broilers.The control group(group A)received a basal diet,while the experimental groups received a basal diet plus 33%(group B),67%(group C)and 100%(group D)FPFM,respectively.Compared with group A,(1)the average daily gain(ADG)in group C decreased(P<0.05),and the feed conversion ratio(FCR)in group D increased(P<0.05);(2)the level of serum urea nitrogen in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05),and the levels of triglyceride,high density lipoprotein,low density lipoprotein,cholesterol,and glucose contents in group D increased(P<0.05)at day 21;(3)the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group B and the immunoglobulin A in group C increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the serum immunoglobulin M and immunoglobulin G in group D decreased(P<0.05)at day 42;(4)the share force of breast muscle and thigh muscle in group D increased(P<0.05);(5)the villus height to crypt depth ratio in the jejunum of group B increased(P<0.05)at day 21,and the villus height in group C and D increased(P<0.05)at day 42;(6)the proteobacteria counts in the cecum digesta in treatment groups decreased(P<0.05)at day 21.The basal diet supplemented with 33%FPFM promoted protein metabolism,enhanced immunity and improved meat quality,promoted the digestion and absorption of nutrients,increased intestinal microbial diversity,and improved the content of beneficial bacteria without affecting the growth performance,it was possible to be used as a good substitute for fish meal.

Ornamental feathers in Cretaceous Burmese amber:resolving the enigma of rachis-dominated feather structure

Over the last 20 years, compression fossils of feathers surrounding dinosaurs have greatly expanded our understanding of the origin and evolution of feathers. One of the most peculiar feather morphotypes discovered to date are rachis dominated feathers(RDFs), which have also been referred to as proximally ribbon-like pennaceous feathers(PRPFs). These elongate feathers are only found in the tail plumage, typically occurring in pairs with both streamer(not proximally ribbon-like) and racket-plume morphologies recognized. Here we describe a large sample set of isolated and paired RDFs from Upper Cretaceous Burmese amber(～ 99 Ma). Amber preserves the finest details of these fragile structures in three dimensions, demonstrating that RDFs form a distinct feather morphotype with a ventrally open rachis, and with significant variability in pigmentation, microstructure, and symmetry.

Influence of dietary feathers on the fecal microbiota in captive Arctic fox:Do dietary hair or feathers play a role in the evolution of carnivorous mammals?

Hair and feathers are composed of keratin and are indigestible, inalimental and unpalatable for carnivores. How­ever, carnivores often ingest hair and feathers during feeding or when grooming. We hypothesized that inges­tion of hair and feathers changes species diversity and relative abundance of bacteria in the gut of carnivores. To test this hypothesis, we added disinfected poultry down feathers to the normal diet of captive Arctic foxes (Alo­pex lagopus). We then used fluorescently labeled terminal restriction fragments (T-RFs) to examine changes in fecal bacterial diversity and abundance. The results showed that the number of bacterial species increased sig­nificantly after feather ingestion, but that total abundance was unchanged. This demonstrated that addition of disinfected feathers to the diet stimulated increased production among less abundant bacteria, resulting in a bal­ancing of relative abundance of different bacterial species, or that some newly-ingested microbial species would colonize the gut because a suitable microhabitat had become available. This implies that the overall production of bacterial metabolites would be made up of a greater range of substances after feather ingestion. On one hand, the host’s immune response would be more diverse, increasing the capacity of the immune system to regulate gut microflora. On the other hand, the animal’s physiological performance would also be affected. For wild ani­mals, such altered physiological traits would be subjected to natural selection, and, hence, persistent geographic differences in the character of ingested feathers or fur would drive speciation.

Physiological strategies of moult-migrating Black-necked Grebes(Podiceps nigricollis)in a polluted staging site according to blood chemistry

After breeding,Black-necked Grebes(Podiceps nigricollis)perform a moult-migration to autumn hypersaline staging sites,where they moult the flight feathers and forage on superabundant brine shrimp(Artemia spp.)before leaving for wintering areas.During the stay in moulting sites,the grebes experience changes in organs and muscle size(atrophy,hypertrophy),and almost double their body mass,which has been suggested to act as an insurance against a collapse in prey availability in late autumn.During two years we collected blood samples from hundreds of individuals at one of the most important European moulting sites(the Odiel marshes,SW Spain),which is a highly polluted area due to mining drainage and chemical industry.We assessed the potential effect of moulting stage,day of the year and body condition on 16 blood biochemical parameters.Because of the changes in prey availability and body composition of grebes,we expected some physiological adjustments during moult.Elevated levels of cholesterol suggested that birds in active moult increased foraging effort to face the costs of moulting.There was increased amount of lactate dehydrogenase,corresponding to periods of breast muscle atrophy.Birds in active moult augmented protein ingestion,likely to account for the requirements of feather growth.We also show that the probability of fasting due to low prey availability increased late in the moulting season,as demonstrated by an increase in plasmaβ-hydroxy-butyrate.

Preliminary Study on Inheritance Pattern of Feather Color in Hybrid Offspring of Texan Pigeon and American Silver King Pigeon

[Objective]This study aimed to explore the inheritance pattem of feather color in hybrid offspring of Texan pigeon and American Silver King pigeon, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the breeding of feather color auto-sexing strains. [Method]The segregation situation of feather color in the male and female offspring of Texan pigeon （♂）×American Silver King pigeon （♀）（TKYW） and American Silver King pigeon （♂） ×Texan pigeon （♀） （YWTK） was analyzed. [Result]The feather color of TKYW offspring was all slate gray. Among the offspring of YWTK, the feather color of the males was all slate gray, while the feather color of the females was all silver gray; and the ratio between different colors was 1：1 （P 〉 0.05）. The F1 generation of YWTK was subjected to selfing, and the feather color of the male and female F2 generation was analyzed. It was found that the ratio of silver gray （male） to slate gray （male） to silver gray （female） to slate gray （female） was 1：1：1：1 （P 〉 0.05）. On the basis of the above results, it could be preliminarily predicated that the feather color control genes of Texan pigeon are Z^BZB and Z^BW and those of American Silver King pigeon are Z^bZ^b and Z^bW. There is a cumulative effect on B which is dominant for b. [Conclusion] This study will better solve the problem of male and female identification of pigeon in the early period.

Nickel concentration in two bird species from Hara Biosphere Reserve of southern Iran

We investigated the levels of nickel in the feathers of the Western Reef Heron (Egretta gularis) and Siberian Gull (Larus heuglini) from the Hara Biosphere Reserve in southern Iran from November to December 2010. Analysis of variance shows that no significant differences in nickel levels were found between gender and age groups in either species, but it should be pointed out that the number of samples was small. Student t tests show that the amount of nickel in the feathers of the Siberian Gull was higher than in the Western Reef Heron. The level of nickel concentration in the Western Reef Heron was higher in females than in males; on the other hand, this level of concentration in the Siberian Gull was higher in males.

Design and Implementation of Paired Pectoral Fins Locomotion of Labriform Fish Applied to a Fish Robot

In present,there are increasing interests in the research on mechanical and control system of underwater vehicles.These ongoing research efforts are motivated by more pervasive applications of such vehicles including seabed oil and gas explorations, scientific deep ocean surveys,military purposes,ecological and water environmental studies,and also entertainments. However,the performance of underwater vehicles with screw type propellers is not prospective in terms of its efficiency and maneuverability.The main weaknesses of this kind of propellers are the production of vortices and sudden generation of thrust forces which make the control of the position and motion difficult. On the other hand,fishes and other aquatic animals are efficient swimmers,posses high maneuverability,are able to follow trajectories,can efficiently stabilize themselves in currents and surges,create less wakes than currently used underwater vehicle, and also have a noiseless propulsion.The fish's locomotion mechanism is mainly controlled by its caudal fin and paired pectoral fins.They are classified into Body and/or Caudal Fin(BCF)and Median and/or paired Pectoral Fins(MPF).The study of highly efficient swimming mechanisms of fish can inspire a better underwater vehicles thruster design and its mechanism. There are few studies on underwater vehicles or fish robots using paired pectoral fins as thruster.The work presented in this paper represents a contribution in this area covering study,design and implementation of locomotion mechanisms of paired pectoral fins in a fish robot.The performance and viability of the biomimetic method for underwater vehicles are highlighted through in-water experiment of a robotic fish.

A combined airfoil with secondary feather inspired by the golden eagle and its influences on the aerodynamics

Bird flight is a remarkable adaption that has allowed thousands of species to colonize all terrestrial habitats. A golden eagle has impressive flying abilities, such as hovering, perching, preying and attacking. To reveal the flying abilities, avian geometry of a golden eagle was extracted based on noncontact surface measurements using a ROMBER three-dimensional laser scanner. Distributions of a camber line, thickness and a secondary feather line of the extracted point cloud were fitted using convenient analytical expressions. A traditional airfoil was established with the camber line and thickness, then a combined airfoil was constructed by combining the traditional airfoil with a secondary feather. Oscillations of an airfoil as well as rapid pitch up were simplified as a sine wave around the quarter chord axis. Thereafter, both steady and unsteady aerodynamic performances of the airfoil are computed, the influences of the secondary feather on the steady and unsteady aerodynamics were further studied.

Expression levels of GSTA2 and APOD genes might be associated with carotenoid coloration in golden pheasant(Chrysolophus pictus) plumage

Carotenoids, which generate yellow, orange, and red colors, are crucial pigments in avian plumage. Investigations into genes associated with carotenoid- based coloration in avian species are important; however, such research is difficult because carotenoids cannot be synthetized in vertebrates as they are only derived from dietary sources. Here, the golden pheasant （Chrysolophus pictus） was used as a model in analysis of candidate gene expression profiles implicated in carotenoid binding and deposition. Using mass and Raman spectrometry to confirm the presence of carotenoids in golden pheasant feathers, we found C40H540 and C40H5602 in feathers with yellow to red colors, and in the rachis of iridescent feathers. The global gene expression profiles in golden pheasant skins were analyzed by RNA-seq and all six carotenoid binding candidate genes sequenced were studied by real- time PCR. STAR4, GSTA2, Scarbl, and APOD in feather follicles showed different expressions in red breast and orange nape feathers compared with that of iridescent mantle feathers. Further comparison of golden pheasant yellow rump and Lady Amherst＇s pheasant （Chrysolophus amherstiae） white nape feathers suggested that GSTA2 and APOD played a potential role in carotenoid-based coloration in golden pheasant.

Characterization of an extreme alkaline-stable keratinase from the draft genome of feather-degrading Bacillus sp.JM7 from deep-sea

Bacillus sp. JM7, a strain isolated from the deep-sea of the South China Sea, was found to efficiently degrade 79.4% native chicken feather within 30 h. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that JM7 strain could gradually degrade feather by modifying the microstructure of feather keratin. A total of 25 protease genes were predicted from the draft genome of JM7 strain, among which a predicted subtilisin-like serine protease(designated as Ker02562) was further characterized for its keratinolytic activity. The recombinant Ker02562 functioned at a wide range of temperatures from 30℃ to 60℃, with an optimum at 40–50℃. Ker02562 was highly active at various pHs ranging from 5.0 to 13.0, with a maximum activity observed at pH 7.0–9.0. Remarkably, recombinant Ker02562 was stable in extreme alkaline environments(pH 10–13), which was much better than most other reported keratinases. Collectively, these favorable properties could make Bacillus sp. JM7 and Ker02562 attractive to be applied in the detergent formulation and feather bioconversion.

Observation on Ultra-micro Structure of Eggshell and Analysis of Composition of Eggshell and Feather in Great Bustard

Ultra-micro structure of eggshell was observed and compositions of eggshell and feather were analyzed. The results showed that the structure of eggshell has special characters besides common structure. The content of poisonous elements in wild great bustard(Otis talda) eggshell and feather is significant lower than that in eggshell of crested foes(Nipponis nippon) and in feather of red crown crane(Grus japonesis) because of less disturbance by people. The contents of 14 elements of female’s feather all are higher than those of male’s.

The structure,tensile properties and water resistance of hydrolyzed feather keratin-based bioplastics

Feather, as a by-product of the poultry industry, has long been treated as a solid waste, which causes environ- mental and economic problems. In this work, the hydrolyzed feather keratin （HFK） was extracted from the chicken feather using a cost-effective method of alkali-extraction and acid-precipitation by applying urea and sodium sulfide. The aim was development and characterization of the eco-friendly films based on the HFK with variable glycerol contents by a thermoplastic process. The thermal analysis showed that high temperature and high pres- sure improved the compatibility between the glycerol and the HFI（ molecules. Also it was shown that the addi- tion of water is necessary in the hot-pressing process of films, The FT-IR analysis indicated that the formation of the new hydrogen bonds between HFK and glycerol. By increasing the glycerol content, the film tensile strength （orb ） decreases from 10,5 MPa to 5.7 MPa and the solubility increases from 15.3% to 20.9%, while the elongation at break （εb） achieves the maximum value of 63,8% for the film with 35% glycerol. The swelling was just below 16.9% at 25 ℃ for 24 h, suggesting a good stability of the films in water. The water vapor permeability （WVP） varied between 3.02 x 10 ^10g. m 2. s-1 . pa-1 and 4.11 x 10-10g · m-2 · s-1 · Pa-1 for the films with 20%and 40% glycerol, respectively. The HFK film was uniform, translucent and tough, which could be used in packaging and agricultural field.