Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast
Исследованы пищеводы и кишечники 52 особей синьги Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 { (5 молодых и 27 взрослых) и 20 } (11 молодых и 9 взрослых). Проанализованы с учетом пола и возраста птиц, а также размеров их тела следующие морфометрические характеристики пищеварительной системы: длина (EL) и масса (...
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| Date: | 2004 |
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Інститут зоології ім. І. І. Шмальгаузена НАН України
2004
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| Cite this: | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast / E. Dziala-Szczepanczyk // Вестн. зоологии. — 2004. — Т. 38, № 4. — С. 31-37. — англ. |
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Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine| _version_ | 1859477981588619264 |
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| author | Dziala-Szczepanczyk, E. |
| author_facet | Dziala-Szczepanczyk, E. |
| citation_txt | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast / E. Dziala-Szczepanczyk // Вестн. зоологии. — 2004. — Т. 38, № 4. — С. 31-37. — англ. |
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| description | Исследованы пищеводы и кишечники 52 особей синьги Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 { (5 молодых и 27 взрослых) и 20 } (11 молодых и 9 взрослых). Проанализованы с учетом пола и возраста птиц, а также размеров их тела следующие морфометрические характеристики пищеварительной системы: длина (EL) и масса (EW) пищевода, длина двенадцатиперстной кишки (DL), общая длина тощей и подвздошной кишек (JIL), общая длина (CBL) и масса (CBW) обеих слепых кишек, длина тонкого кишечника (SIL), а также общая длина прямой кишки и клоаки (RCL). Последняя охарактеризирована с учетом 4 параметров: массы (BW) и длины (BL) тела, длины грудины с килем (SL) и длины цевки (TL). Помимо выявленных достоверных диморфических отличий в размерах тела синьги, значимые отличия между самцами и самками установлены только касательно EL и EW, а также RCL. Не выявлено онтогенетических различий размеров тела синьги между самцами и самками. Вместе с тем обнаружены такие отличия, как в группе самцов, так и самок относительно EW, JIL и CBW. Определена положительная корреляция CBL с SIL, а также отрицательная — EW с обоими параметрами слепых кишек, а также с JIL.
The material for the studies was oesophagi and intestines of 52 individuals of the Black Scoter Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 males (5 immature and 27 adult ones) and 20 females (11 immature and 9 adult ones). The following morphometric features of the alimentary system were analysed: oesophagus length EL and weight EW, duodenum length DL, combined length of jejunum and ileum JIL, combined length CBL and weight CBW of both caeca, small intestine length SIL, and combined length of rectum and cloaca RCL. In the analysis the sex and age of birds was taken into consideration, as well as their body sizes characte¬rised by four parameters: body weight BW, body length BL, sternum length SL, and tarsus length TL. Despite the revealed significant dimorphic differences in the features describing the size of black scoters’ bodies, only in EL, EW and RCL significant differences between males and females were recorded. No ontogenetic differences concerning black scoters’ body sizes within each sex occurred. Such differences were, however, revealed both in the group of males and females with reference to EW, JIL, and CBW. A positive correlation for the relation of CBL to SIL and a negative one for the relation of EW to both parameters of caeca and to JIL were shown.
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UDC 591.43:598.25
MORPHOMETRIC CHARACTERISTIC OF OESOPHAGUS
AND INTESTINE IN BLACK SCOTER, MELANITTA NIGRA
(ANSERIFORMES), WINTERING IN THE POLISH BALTIC COAST
E. Dzia/la-Szczepan ´́czyk
Agricultural University, Judyma str., 20, Szczecin, 71–466 Poland
E-mail: Szczepanczyk@biot.ar.szczecin.pl
Accepted 3 March 2003
Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-
mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast. Dzia/la-Szczepan ´́czyk E. — The material for the studies was
oesophagi and intestines of 52 individuals of the Black Scoter Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 males
(5 immature and 27 adult ones) and 20 females (11 immature and 9 adult ones). The following
morphometric features of the alimentary system were analysed: oesophagus length EL and weight EW,
duodenum length DL, combined length of jejunum and ileum JIL, combined length CBL and weight
CBW of both caeca, small intestine length SIL, and combined length of rectum and cloaca RCL. In
the analysis the sex and age of birds was taken into consideration, as well as their body sizes characte-
rised by four parameters: body weight BW, body length BL, sternum length SL, and tarsus length TL.
Despite the revealed significant dimorphic differences in the features describing the size of black scoters’
bodies, only in EL, EW and RCL significant differences between males and females were recorded.
No ontogenetic differences concerning black scoters’ body sizes within each sex occurred. Such
differences were, however, revealed both in the group of males and females with reference to EW, JIL,
and CBW. A positive correlation for the relation of CBL to SIL and a negative one for the relation of
EW to both parameters of caeca and to JIL were shown.
Ke y wo r d s: Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra, morphometry, oesophagus, intestine.
Ìîðôîìåòðè÷åñêàÿ õàðàêòåðèñòèêà ïèùåâîäà è êèøå÷íèêà ñèíüãè, Melanitta nigra (Anseriformes),
çèìóþùåé íà ïîëüñêîì ïîáåðåæüå Áàëòèéñêîãî ìîðÿ. Äçÿëà-Ùåïàíü÷èê Ý. — Èññëåäîâàíû ïè-
ùåâîäû è êèøå÷íèêè 52 îñîáåé ñèíüãè Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 { (5 ìîëîäûõ è 27 âçðîñ-
ëûõ) è 20 } (11 ìîëîäûõ è 9 âçðîñëûõ). Ïðîàíàëèçîâàíû ñ ó÷åòîì ïîëà è âîçðàñòà ïòèö, à òàêæå
ðàçìåðîâ èõ òåëà ñëåäóþùèå ìîðôîìåòðè÷åñêèå õàðàêòåðèñòèêè ïèùåâàðèòåëüíîé ñèñòåìû:
äëèíà (EL) è ìàññà (EW) ïèùåâîäà, äëèíà äâåíàäöàòèïåðñòíîé êèøêè (DL), îáùàÿ äëèíà
òîùåé è ïîäâçäîøíîé êèøåê (JIL), îáùàÿ äëèíà (CBL) è ìàññà (CBW) îáåèõ ñëåïûõ êèøåê,
äëèíà òîíêîãî êèøå÷íèêà (SIL), à òàêæå îáùàÿ äëèíà ïðÿìîé êèøêè è êëîàêè (RCL).
Ïîñëåäíÿÿ îõàðàêòåðèçèðîâàíà ñ ó÷åòîì 4 ïàðàìåòðîâ: ìàññû (BW) è äëèíû (BL) òåëà, äëèíû
ãðóäèíû ñ êèëåì (SL) è äëèíû öåâêè (TL). Ïîìèìî âûÿâëåííûõ äîñòîâåðíûõ äèìîðôè÷åñêèõ
îòëè÷èé â ðàçìåðàõ òåëà ñèíüãè, çíà÷èìûå îòëè÷èÿ ìåæäó ñàìöàìè è ñàìêàìè óñòàíîâëåíû
òîëüêî êàñàòåëüíî EL è EW, à òàêæå RCL. Íå âûÿâëåíî îíòîãåíåòè÷åñêèõ ðàçëè÷èé ðàçìåðîâ
òåëà ñèíüãè ìåæäó ñàìöàìè è ñàìêàìè. Âìåñòå ñ òåì îáíàðóæåíû òàêèå îòëè÷èÿ, êàê â ãðóïïå
ñàìöîâ, òàê è ñàìîê îòíîñèòåëüíî EW, JIL è CBW. Îïðåäåëåíà ïîëîæèòåëüíàÿ êîððåëÿöèÿ
CBL ñ SIL, à òàêæå îòðèöàòåëüíàÿ — EW ñ îáîèìè ïàðàìåòðàìè ñëåïûõ êèøåê, à òàêæå ñ JIL.
Êëþ÷åâûå ñ ëîâ à: ñèíüãà, Melanitta nigra, ìîðôîìåòðèÿ, ïèùåâîä, êèøå÷íèê.
Introduction
The morphology of oesophagus and intestine of Anseriform birds, like the remaining representatives of
the class Aves, show large interspecific variability. One of the reasons is that Anseriform birds are represented
in all three trophic groups — herbivorous, predatory, and species feeding on food of mixed, animal and
vegetable, origin. Moreover, digestive canals of Anseriform birds are characterised by large morphological
plasticity in relation to diet change in time (Miller, 1974, 1976; Paulus, 1982; Drobney, 1984; Kehoe et al.,
1988). This characteristic is one of the fundamental reasons of the individual variability of digestive canal
structure in this group of birds. This variability comes out in morphometric features of digestive organs, such as
length and weight — particularly of oesophagus and intestine, which are the longest parts of the digestive canal.
Vestnik zoologii, 38(4): 31–37, 2004
© E. Dzia/la-Szczepan ´czyk, 2004
The Black Scoter Melanitta fusca is a member of the order Anseriformes, suborder Anseres, family
Anatidae, subfamily Anatinae, tribe Mergini (del Hoyo et al., 1992). It is a migrating species — nesting in
taiga and wintering on non-freezing seas of Europe. In summer it feeds on mixed food with larger share of
food of animal origin; in winter it is a determined predator and mainly feeds on bivalves, snails, other
invertebrates, and small fish (Stempniewicz, 1986; del Hoyo et al., 1992; Tomia/loć 1990).
The purpose of this study is to present a morphometric characteristic of individual parts of the Black
Scoter’s intestine taking into consideration the birds’ sizes, ages, sex, and their diet.
Material and methods
The study encompassed oesophagi and intestines of 52 individuals of the Black Scoters Melanitta nigra
Linnaeus— 32 { (5 immature and 27 adult ones) and 20 } (11 immature and 9 adult ones). The birds were
obtained in winter and autumn seasons in the years 1993–1999 in fishing ports of West Pomerania province
in Dziwnow, Miedzyzdroje, Miedzywodzie, Wiselka, and Swinoujscie. After determining the sex and ages of
the black scoters, four measurements describing their body sizes were made: body weight BW (exact to 50 g)
and three linear measurements: body length BL, measured from beak to the end of rump (soft tape, exact to
0.5 mm), sternum length SL (exact to 0.5 mm), tarsus length TL (exact to 0.1 mm) — made according to
Dziubin and Cooch’s proposal (1992). The whole of alimentary system, after taking out of a body, was
spread, mesentery and fat tissue were removed, and then it was put in a straight line. The following
measurements were made: oesophagus length EL and weight EW, duodenum length DL, jejunum and ileum
length JIL, combined length CBL and weight CBW of both caeca, combined length of rectum and cloaca
RCL. Oesophagus length EL was established by measuring the section between an oral cavity and clearly
visible dividing line between the tissue lining an oesophagus and the tissue lining a proventriculus. A
duodenum, which is a first section of a small intestine, was measured from flexura duodenojejunalis
determined by the presence of arteria coeliaca (exact to 0.5 cm). The combined length of jejunum and ileum
JIL and the combined length of intestinum terminale and cloaca RCL was measured exact to 0.5 cm. The
measurement of the combined length of caeca CBL was made exact to 0.1 mm. The mentioned linear
measurements were made using Leopold’s method (1953). Moreover, oesophagus weight and both caeca
weight were determined (exact to 0.01 g) after cleaning the organs off chyme and drying with filter paper.
The study also analysed the combined length of small intestine SIL, which was the sum of duodenum length
and jejunum and ileum length.
The obtained results were worked out statistically. Basic characteristics were calculated: arithmetic
average, standard deviation, coefficient of variation for all analysed parametric features of black scoters.
Relationships occurring between the four features characterising the body weights of the studied birds and the
parameters of oesophagus and intestine were also studied. To this end appropriate Pearson’s coefficients of
linear correlation (r) were established. The significance of differences between males and females, and age
groups of the birds in average values of the analysed parameters was determined by means of t-Student test.
Results
The following average values of the analysed measurements of digestive canal in
the studied 52 individuals of black scoters were obtained: oesophagus length —
168.1 mm, the organ’s weight — 7.04 g, small intestine length — 1694.9 cm (including
duodenum length — 301.1 cm and the combined jejunum and ileum length —
1400.4 cm), the combined length of terminal intestine and cloaca 116.8 cm, both caeca
length — 40 mm, and their weight — 0.23 g (tabl. 1).
The group of males and females differed significantly in all four average measure-
ments characterising the birds’ body sizes. However, with reference to the digestive canal
parameters, drakes and ducks only differed in oesophagus, rectum and cloaca sizes,
whereas in males higher values of those organs measurements were recorded (tabl. 1).
Ontogenetic differences within each sex were not evident in the measurements
describing the birds’ body sizes. Such differences were noticed in the measurements of
oesophagus and some measurements of intestine. Young drakes differed significantly
compared to adults in oesophagus length and weight, caeca weight and length, and the
combined jejunum and ileum length; in young individuals oesophagus parameters
reached lower values and intestine parameters were higher than in adult individuals of
this sex. Young females had significantly heavier caeca, bigger combined jejunum and
ileum length, and small intestine length than adult ducks. The oesophagus in this group
of ducks was characterised by bigger weight in adult individuals than in young individ-
uals (tabl. 2).
32 E. Dzia/la-Szczepańczyk
No significant correlation relationships between the features describing black scot-
ers’ body sizes and the majority of the analysed intestine parameters were revealed —
only duodenum length positively correlated with body length and weight, and terminal
intestine and cloaca length with body length of the studied ducks. Both oesophagus
parameters had a significant relationship with body length and weight. Moreover,
oesophagus weight significantly correlated with sternum length (tabl. 3).
The analysis of the relations occurring between the studied parameters of the diges-
tive canal of black scoters revealed a positive correlation of both parameters of caeca
with small intestine length and its part — jejunum and ileum length, and a negative cor-
relation of the measurements of those organs with oesophagus length and weight. A
negative value of linear correlation coefficient was also revealed for the relation of
jejunum and ileum with oesophagus weight. No relation, however, was noticed between
oesophagus length with the remaining parameters of the digestive canal.
Discussion
The size of digestive organs of anseriform birds is significantly determined by the
amount and type of food taken by those animals (Miller, 1975; Ankney, 1977; Paulus,
33Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter…
Ta b l e 1. Differences in absolute body and oesophagus and intestine parameters between males and females of
the Black Scoter Melanitta nigra
Òàáëèö à 1. Îòëè÷èÿ â àáñîëþòíûõ ïàðàìåòðàõ òåëà, ïèùåâîäà è êèøå÷íèêà ìåæäó ñàìöàìè è ñàìêàìè
ñèíüãè
No t e. M — males; F — females; x¯— arithmetic average; SD — standard deviation; CV — coefficient
of variation; t — value of t-Student’s statistics; NS — statistically insignificant differences; p — level of
significance; BW — body weight; BL — body length; TL — tarsus length; SL — sternum length; EL —
oesophagus length; EW — oesophagus weight; DL — duodenum length; JIL — jejunum and ileum length;
CBL — combined length of both caeca; CBW — combined weight of both caeca; SIL — small intestine
length intestinum tenue; TCL — combined length of intestinum terminale and cloaca.
BW, g 1345.9 ± 99.0
7.3
1183.0 ± 84.5
7.1
t = 6.10
p < 0.0001
1283.3 ± 122.4
9.5
BL, mm 429.8 ± 11.5
2.7
407 ± 10.69
2.6
t = 7.14
p < 0.0001
421.1 ± 15.8
3.7
TL, mm 45.2 ± 1.2
2.7
43.1 ± 1.3
3.1
t = 5.84
p < 0.0001
44.4 ± 1.6
3.7
SL, mm 100.7 ± 5.6
5.6
93.4 ± 4.5
4.8
t = 4.87
p < 0.0001
97.9 ± 6.3
6.4
EL, mm 171.4 ± 10.3
6.0
162.7 ± 15.1
9.3
t = 2.46
p < 0.05
168.1 ± 12.9
7.7
EW, g 7.57 ± 1.35
17.8
6.19 ± 1.37
22.2
t = 3.54
p < 0.0001
7.04 ± 1.50
21.3
DL, mm 307.6 ± 38.3
12.4
290.5 ± 38.1
13.1
NS 301.1 ± 38.8
12.9
JIL, mm 1372.2 ± 146.2
10.6
1445.5 ± 142.9
9.9
NS 1400.4 ± 148.0
10.6
CBL, mm 38.6 ± 7.5
19.5
42.4 ± 7.5
17.6
NS 40.0 ± 7.7
19.1
CBW, g 0.20 ± 0.14
71.6
0.27 ± 0.12
44.8
NS 0.23 ± 0.16
68.9
SIL, mm 1669.2 ± 148.1
8.9
1736 ± 156.8
9.0
NS 1694.9 ± 153.5
9.0
TCL, mm 118.8 ± 7.3
6.2
113.7 ± 9.1
8.0
t = 2.23
p < 0.05
116.8 ± 8.
7.1
Measurement
x¯ ± SD
CV M VS. F
x¯ ± SD
CV
M + F (n = 52)M (n = 32) F (n = 20)
34 E. Dzia/la-Szczepańczyk
Ta b l e 2. Differences in absolute body and oesophagus and intestine parameters between immature and adult
individuals of the Black Scoter Melanitta nigra
Òàáëèö à 2. Îòëè÷èÿ àáñîëþòíûõ ïàðàìåòðîâ òåëà, ïèùåâîäà è êèøå÷íèêà ìåæäó íåïîëîâîçðåëûìè è
âçðîñëûìè îñîáÿìè ñèíüãè
No t e. M — males; F — females; ad — adult individuals; im — immature individuals; x¯ — arithmetic
average; SD — standard deviation; CV — coefficient of variation; t — values of t-Student’s statistics; NS —
differences statistically insignificant; p — level of significance). Measurements symbols — see table 1.
BW 1350.7 ± 105.8
7.8
1320 ± 46.4
3.5
NS 1217.8 ± 74.9
6.1
1154.5 ± 84.3
7.3
NS
BL 430.9 ± 12.1
2.8
424 ± 5.5
1.3
NS 407.2 ± 13.0
3.2
406.8 ± 9.0
2.2
NS
TL 45.2 ± 1.3
2.9
45.6 ± 0.5
1.1
NS 43.1 ± 0.9
2.2
43.1 ± 1.7 3.9 NS
SL 100. 3 ± 5.9
5.9
102.7 ± 3.1
3.1
NS 94.7 ± 4.3
4.5
92.4 ± 4.6
5.0
NS
EL 173.0 ± 9.6
5.6
163 ± 10.9
6.72
t = 2.084
p < 0.05
166.1 ± 13.6
8.2
160 ± 16.3
10.2
NS
EW 7.82 ± 0.31
16.8
6.23 ± 0.47
7.6
t = 2.646
p < 0.05
7.32 ± 1.26
17.3
5.28 ± 0.49
9.3
t = 4.946
p < 0.0001
DL 309.4 ± 40.5
13.1
298 ± 23.61
7.92
NS 286.1 ± 26.1
9.1
294.1 ± 46.7
15.9
NS
CBL 37.2 ± 7.3
19.7
45.88 ± 3.3
7.3
t = –2.563
p < 0.0001
40.0 ± 6.0
14.9
44.5 ± 8.3
18.7
NS
CRW 0.16 ± 0.10
57.8
0.21 ± 0.07
32.1
t = –6.166
p < 0.0001
0.08 ± 0.02
20.3
0.15 ± 0.06
39.7
t = –3.044
p < 0.0001
JIL 1342.9 ± 135.4
10.2
1530 ± 98.2
6.4
t = 2.930
p < 0.001
1365.6 ± 105.9
7.7
1510.9 ± 139.2
9.2
t = –2.576
p < 0.05
SIL 1652.4 ± 142.8
8.6
1760 ± 158.5
9.0
NS 1651.7 ± 116.7
7.1
1805 ± 155.4
8.6
t = –2.444
p < 0.05
TCL 118.8 ± 7.5
6.3
118.7 ± 7.0
5.9
NS 113.4 ± 7.4
6.5
113.9 ± 10.7
9.4
NS
Ta b l e 3. Coefficients of correlation for interdependents among linear measurment of esophagus and intestine
and parameters of body in Black Scoter Melanitta nigra (explanation to symbols — see table 1)
Ò à á ëèö à 3. Êîýôôèöèåíò êîððåëÿöèè ìåæäó ëèíåéíûìè ðàçìåðàìè ïèùåâîäà è êèøå÷íèêà è ïàðà-
ìåòðàìè òåëà ó ñèíüãè
* Siglificant at < 0.05; ** Siglificant at < 0.01; *** Siglificant at < 0.001; NS — Non-sinificant.
BW 0.65*** 0.46*** 0.52*** 0.48*** 0.39** 0.33* NS NS NS NS 0.34*
BL – 0.59*** 0.45*** 0.27* 0.43** 0.36* NS NS NS NS NS
TL – 0.56*** NS 0.29* NS NS NS NS NS NS
SL – NS NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
EL – NS NS NS NS NS NS NS
EW – NS –0.34* –0.31* –0.29* NS NS
DL – NS NS NS NS 0.28*
JIL – 0.45*** 0.43** 0.93*** NS
CBL – 0.52*** 0.41** NS
CBW – NS NS
SIL – NS
Measurements
x¯ ± SD
CV MAdVS. MIm
x¯ ± SD
CV FAdVS. FIm
MAd (n = 27) MIm (n = 5) FAd (n = 9) FIm (n = 11)
Measurements BL TL SL EL EW DL JIL CBL CBW SIL TCL
1982; Drobney, 1984, McLelland, 1979). It was confirmed by the studies carried out by
Kehoe and Ankney (1985) on a group of five diving ducks of the genus Aythya and by
the studies of Barnes and Thomas (1987) carried out on 18 species of ducks of the
genus Anatidae. Those researchers recorded a positive relationship between the length
of intestine and its individual parts and the amount of food rich in fibre taken by the
birds. Species of ducks feeding on animal food usually had (relatively to body weight)
shorter or lighter small intestine and caeca. The Black Scoter Melanitta nigra is rated
among predatory ducks. It eats small amounts of vegetable food only in summer. The
studied group of black scoters was obtained in winter, in the period when the birds
exclusively feed on animal food. However, as for a predatory species, the studied black
scoters had quite long small intestine (1694.9 mm) relatively to body weight (1283.3 g).
Goudie and Rayan (1991) obtained similar results studying 17 wintering individuals of
this species — at the average body weight of 1038.4 g the small intestine of those birds
was 1562 mm long. For comparison, in 99 individuals of vegetable eating Mallard Anas
platyrhynchos with comparable body weight to the studied black scoters (1182.6 g),
small intestine length was 1614.2 mm (Dzia/la-Szczepan ´czyk, 2001). But in 25 individ-
uals of predatory King Eider Somateria spectabilis with the average body weight of
1425.2 g, the small intestine was also long — 1871 mm (Goudie, Rayan, 1991). The
presence of very short caeca draws attention in the alimentary system of the Black
Scoter — the combined average length of those organs in the studied group of birds was
40 mm. Similar values of this parameter (42 mm) were obtained for 24 wintering indi-
viduals of this species (Goudie, Rayan, 1991). Presumably, such small sizes of caeca in
the Black Scoter are connected with the diet — birds of this species feed on highly con-
centrated and little varied food, consisting mainly of bivalves (Madsen, 1954;
Stempniewicz, 1986; del Hoyo et al., 1992)
Dimorphic differences in body size of the studied black scoters were revealed, but
at the same time, no such differences were recorded in most intestine measurements.
Ontogenetic differences were not visible in body measurements of black scoters, but
they were noticed in the size of the analysed elements of alimentary system. Those
results can confirm a certain regularity noticed by Pulliainen (1976) studying digestive
organs of wintering Willow Grouse Lagopus lagopus. This author stated that lighter indi-
viduals of this species (females and young individuals) had relatively longer small
intestines and caeca than heavier birds (males and adult individuals). Pulliainen (1976)
put forward a thesis that smaller birds must eat more food than bigger individuals to
satisfy bigger energy demand in this season of the year, which results in the lengthen-
ing of their intestine. Miller (1974) studying captive Mallards Anas platyrhynchos stat-
ed that females of this species had longer intestine than males, although the birds of
both sexes fed on similar food. This researcher (Miller, 1974) put forward a presump-
tion that ducks of this species may have genetically conditioned better ability to adapt
to diet change than drakes. Similarly Moss (1972), studying the Red Grouse Lagopus
lagopus scoticus — kept in captivity for several generations — claimed that differences
in small intestine length between females and males of this species may have genetic
basis. In each next generation of the studied birds the small intestine got shorter in both
sexes, but this organ in the first generation was longer in females than in males, and in
next generations the situations changed — males were characterised by longer small
intestine than females. According to Moss (1972), those changes were results of the
selection in the direction of forming optimum small intestine length adjusted to more
concentrated food. Dimorphism in small intestine length was also revealed in the Bean
Goose Anser fabalis. Females of this species had relatively (with relation to body
weight) longer small intestine than males (Szczepan ´czyk et al., 2000).
The recorded dimorphism in the studied group of black scoters referring to oesoph-
agus length and weight may be a consequence of differences in body weight between
35Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter…
individuals of both sexes. Moreover, it may show less morphological plasticity of this
organ with reference to changes of a diet in time, which in turn may be a result of the
function performed by the oesophagus in the digestive canal — this organ, contrary to
the intestine, does not play an important role in digestive and absorption processes.
Sexual dimorphism in oesophagus length was also observed in 64 individuals of the
Bean Goose Anser fabalis (Szczepan ´czyk et al., 2000), in which bigger males also had
longer and heavier oesophagus than smaller females. However, the differences between
males and females of this species in the relative oesophagus length referring to body
length and sternum length, turned out to be insignificant. In case of 15 individuals of
Red-Necked Grebe Pediceps griseigena significant differences between both sexes were
recorded both in absolute and relative oesophagus length (related to body length).
Females were characterised by higher values of those parameters (Szczepańczyk, 1999).
Most of significant relationships between body measurements of the studied black
scoters and the analysed parameters of the digestive canal were recorded in case of
oesophagus weight. Similar relationship, but in relation to the length of this organ and
body parameters was revealed in the Bean Goose Anser fabalis (Szczepan ´czyk et al.,
2000). The intestine parameters of the studied black scoters, contrary to oesophagus
parameters, in most cases did not show significant relationships with body measure-
ments. It may indicate a bigger morphological stability of oesophagus in comparison to
intestine, which was mentioned earlier. Similar results — the lack of relationships of
most intestine parameters with the measurements describing body size — were obtained
for some Anseriforms species — for the Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca (Szczepanczyk,
1998), White-Fronted Goose Anser albifrons (Szczepan ´czyk et al., 1999), Bean Goose
Anser fabalis (Szczepan ´czyk et al., 2000) and the Domestic Duck of Peking breed Anas
platyrhynchos f. domestica (Dzia/la-Szczepan ´czyk, 2001). In the Mallard Anas platyrhyn-
chos a significant relationship was recorded of duodenum length with all three body
parameters: body length and weight, and sternum length (Dzia/la-Szczepan ´czyk, 2001).
A positive value of correlation coefficient for the relationship of both caeca length
with jejunum and ileum length, recorded in individuals of the studied group of black
scoters, was also obtained for other species of the family of Anatidae: the Velvet Scoter
Melanitta fusca (Szczepan ´czyk, 1998), Mallard Anas Platyrhynchos — in both forms —
domesticated and wild (Dzia/la-Szczepan ´czyk, 2001), and for the White-Fronted Goose
Anser albifrons (Szczepan ´czyk et al., 1999). Presumably, caeca in those species react
similarly to jejunum and ileum to changes in diet and transform morpho-anatomically
in a similar pace.
Conclusions
1. Despite the revealed significant dimorphic differences in features describing
body sizes of black scoters, significant differences between females and males were
recorded only in relation to oesophagus length and weight, and rectum and cloaca
length.
2. Ontogenetic differences concerning body size of black scoters within each sex
were not visible. But such differences were revealed in both groups of males and females
in relation to oesophagus weight, jejunum and ileum length, and caeca weight.
3. A positive correlation for the relationship of caeca with small intestine length
and a negative correlation for the relationship of oesophagus weight with both caeca
parameters and with jejunum and ileum length were revealed.
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37Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter…
|
| id | nasplib_isofts_kiev_ua-123456789-3339 |
| institution | Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine |
| issn | 0084-5604 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2025-11-24T11:50:30Z |
| publishDate | 2004 |
| publisher | Інститут зоології ім. І. І. Шмальгаузена НАН України |
| record_format | dspace |
| spelling | Dziala-Szczepanczyk, E. 2009-07-07T08:35:49Z 2009-07-07T08:35:49Z 2004 Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast / E. Dziala-Szczepanczyk // Вестн. зоологии. — 2004. — Т. 38, № 4. — С. 31-37. — англ. 0084-5604 https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/3339 591.43:598.25 Исследованы пищеводы и кишечники 52 особей синьги Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 { (5 молодых и 27 взрослых) и 20 } (11 молодых и 9 взрослых). Проанализованы с учетом пола и возраста птиц, а также размеров их тела следующие морфометрические характеристики пищеварительной системы: длина (EL) и масса (EW) пищевода, длина двенадцатиперстной кишки (DL), общая длина тощей и подвздошной кишек (JIL), общая длина (CBL) и масса (CBW) обеих слепых кишек, длина тонкого кишечника (SIL), а также общая длина прямой кишки и клоаки (RCL). Последняя охарактеризирована с учетом 4 параметров: массы (BW) и длины (BL) тела, длины грудины с килем (SL) и длины цевки (TL). Помимо выявленных достоверных диморфических отличий в размерах тела синьги, значимые отличия между самцами и самками установлены только касательно EL и EW, а также RCL. Не выявлено онтогенетических различий размеров тела синьги между самцами и самками. Вместе с тем обнаружены такие отличия, как в группе самцов, так и самок относительно EW, JIL и CBW. Определена положительная корреляция CBL с SIL, а также отрицательная — EW с обоими параметрами слепых кишек, а также с JIL. The material for the studies was oesophagi and intestines of 52 individuals of the Black Scoter Melanitta nigra Linnaeus — 32 males (5 immature and 27 adult ones) and 20 females (11 immature and 9 adult ones). The following morphometric features of the alimentary system were analysed: oesophagus length EL and weight EW, duodenum length DL, combined length of jejunum and ileum JIL, combined length CBL and weight CBW of both caeca, small intestine length SIL, and combined length of rectum and cloaca RCL. In the analysis the sex and age of birds was taken into consideration, as well as their body sizes characte¬rised by four parameters: body weight BW, body length BL, sternum length SL, and tarsus length TL. Despite the revealed significant dimorphic differences in the features describing the size of black scoters’ bodies, only in EL, EW and RCL significant differences between males and females were recorded. No ontogenetic differences concerning black scoters’ body sizes within each sex occurred. Such differences were, however, revealed both in the group of males and females with reference to EW, JIL, and CBW. A positive correlation for the relation of CBL to SIL and a negative one for the relation of EW to both parameters of caeca and to JIL were shown. en Інститут зоології ім. І. І. Шмальгаузена НАН України Экология Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast Морфометрическая характеристика пищевода и кишечника синьги, Melanitta nigra (Anseriformes), зимующей на польском побережье Балтийского моря Article published earlier |
| spellingShingle | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast Dziala-Szczepanczyk, E. Экология |
| title | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast |
| title_alt | Морфометрическая характеристика пищевода и кишечника синьги, Melanitta nigra (Anseriformes), зимующей на польском побережье Балтийского моря |
| title_full | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast |
| title_fullStr | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast |
| title_full_unstemmed | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast |
| title_short | Morphometric Characteristic of Oesophagus and Intestine in Black Scoter, Melanitta nigra (Anserifor-mes), Wintering in the Polish Baltic Coast |
| title_sort | morphometric characteristic of oesophagus and intestine in black scoter, melanitta nigra (anserifor-mes), wintering in the polish baltic coast |
| topic | Экология |
| topic_facet | Экология |
| url | https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/3339 |
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