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Comparative morphology of the alimentary tract and its glandular derivatives of captive bustards

Bailey, Tom A., Mensah-Brown, Eric P., Samour, Jamie H., Naldo, Jesus, Lawrence, P., Garner, Andrew (1997) Comparative morphology of the alimentary tract and its glandular derivatives of captive bustards. Journal of Anatomy, 191 . pp. 387-398. ISSN 0021-8782. (doi:10.1046/j.1469-7580.1997.19130387.x) (The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided) (KAR id:18265)

The full text of this publication is not currently available from this repository. You may be able to access a copy if URLs are provided.
Official URL:
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1469-7580.1997.19130387....

Abstract

This study describes the gross anatomy of the alimentary tract of Houbara Bustards (Chlamydotis undulata macqueenii), Kori Bustards (Ardeotis kori), Rufous-crested Bustards (Eupodotis ruficrista) and White-bellied Bustards (Eupodotis senegalensis) maintained in captivity by the National Avian Research Center in the United Arab Emirates. The morphology of the alimentary tract and the proportions of each region were similar in all 4 species. The length of the oesophagus, combined proventriculus and ventriculus, small intestine, and large intestine formed 24.2-28.4%, 7.3-9.7%, 40.5-55.1% and 9.1-14.7% of the total alimentary tract length respectively. Neither crop nor oesophageal enlargement was observed in the birds examined in this study, although male Kori Bustards possessed a saccus oralis in the oropharyngeal cavity. Oesophagi, proventriculi, ventriculi, caeca and large intestine were well developed in all species. The small intestine was shorter than that of other avian herbivores and granivores when compared on a bodyweight basis. The well differentiated stomachs and well developed caeca of the bustards examined in this study are characteristic of omnivores. Analysis of the mean lengths of the alimentary tract components and weight of the liver and pancreas showed sexual dimorphism in cases where male and female data were available for direct comparison.

Item Type: Article
DOI/Identification number: 10.1046/j.1469-7580.1997.19130387.x
Uncontrolled keywords: avian anatomy; gastrointestinal tract; Otididae; Chlamydotis; Ardeotis; Eupodotis
Depositing User: T. Nasir
Date Deposited: 29 Oct 2009 18:13 UTC
Last Modified: 09 Mar 2023 11:31 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/18265 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Bailey, Tom A..

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