ANALYSIS OF VELVET SCOTER MELANITTA FUSCA HEART STRUCTURES IN ECOLOGICAL ASPECT

Bartłomiej J. Bartyzel¹, Maciej Szmidt¹, Karolina Barszcz², Małgorzata Dzierzęcka², Anna Charuta³, Michał Wasowicz¹, Henryk Kobryn^1
1 Department of Morphological Sciences, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
² Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
³ Vertebrates Morphology Department of University of Humanities and Sciences in Siedlce, Poland

ABSTRACT

Velvet Scoter Melanitta fusca, belongs to the duck family Anatidae. There is a relevant heart structure differentiation among that group of birds. The aim of the study was to evaluate basic parameters of body and heart structure of Velvet Scoters living at the Baltic sea. The research determined significant correlations between heart structures (ventricles weight) parameters. We established indexes which may be applied for comparative filogenetic and morphologic studies. The presented study extends present knowledge regarding the anatomic heart structure of wild birds in correlation with their lifestyle.

Key words: birds, heart, morphology.

INTRODUCTION

Among 9800 bird species [6], 150 belong to the order Anseriformes, while 98% belong to the suborder Anseres and family Anatidae. Those individuals, except some common features, are different in term of their lifestyle. This includes: the way of flying, nourishment, its acquiring and places of feeding. Ducks can be divided into three ecological groups of birds: phytophagous, omnivorous and plungers.

Velvet Scoter belongs to plungers, which is able to plunge 30 meters deep to capture the nourishment [6]. It is a bird which may migrate for a distance of 200 – 5000 km [6,11,12]. Velvet Scoter body length range from 45 do 58 cm, body weight 1200 to 1794 g and spread of wings range from 90 to 100 cm [6].

Plunging is a special ability resulting from evolutionary, anatomical and physiological adaptations. Accelerated heart beating and increased ventilation allow for the oxygen supply to the body organs, during the process of plunging. It allows for deeper and longer under water stay. Experiments made on penguins showed differences in the heart structure between the birds which plunge shallow and deep [10].

There is very few detailed descriptions of birds heart structure in the literature. Authors usually show correlations between heart and body structure. Relations between heart and body weight were described by Hartman [13] and Brush [5]. The correlation between the heart weight and spread of wings were shown by Viscor and Fuster [19].

The aim of the present research was to evaluate correlation between anatomic heart structure as well as circulatory system and bird’s adaptation to different environmental lifestyle.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The research was conducted on 26 Velvet Scoters. The birds were gained between 1995 and 2002 year from fishing bases in neighborhoods of Dziwnow, Swinoujscie, Miedzyzdroje, Miedzywodzie and Wiselka at coast of Baltic Sea. We determined taxonomy, age and sex of the birds delivered to the laboratory. Subsequently ducks were weighed (BW) on Pesola balance with precision to 50 g. The absolute body length (BL) was measured by yardstick with precision to 5 mm from the end of the rostrum bridge to the end of the rump. The measure of the length of sternum (SL) was done by slide caliper with 0.1 mm accuracy from the process of sternal crest to the end of middle sterna trabecula. Similarly, measure of the tarsometatarsus length (JL) was made by slide caliper with precision to 0.1 mm from the proximal epiphysis of the bones talus – metatarsal to the trochlea of talus.

The hearts were dissected, rinsed off the blood and dried on blotting paper. The pericardium was removed and then the main blood vessels were cut accordingly to the methods by Drabek, Tremblay and Viscor [8,9,10,20]. Afterwards, hearts were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution. The preserved hearts were studied anatomically as well as morphologically more than six weeks later. The heart height (HH), width (HW) and girth (HC) were measured by slide caliper with precision to 0.1 millimeter. The weight of (RL), right (RV) and left (LV) ventricles were determined.

In the present work we accepted bird’s anatomical nomenclature according to the elaboration of Baumel et al. [4].

RESULTS

Among the four performed measurements characterizing Velvet Scoter bodies, only in case of body length (BL) the significant difference between males and females were not found. Males were heavier, possess longer sternum and tarsometatarsus (Table 1). Pictures show Velvet Scoter’s heart at atrial surface (Fig. 1), auricular surface (Fig. 2) and forthright of right ventricle (Fig. 3).

Table 1. Characteristics of the absolute body and heart size of the Velvet Scoter adult males and females

Parameter	♂		♀		♂ vs. ♀
	X ± SD	V	X ± SD	V
	n = 14		n = 12
Parameters of body
BW (g) body weight	2016 ± 164 (1745 – 2290)	8.13	1776 ± 144 (1510 – 1980)	8.10	t = 3.9 p ≤ 0.01
BL(mm) body length	485 ± 8 (470 – 500)	1.64	474 ± 25 (445 – 540)	5.27	NS
SL (mm) sternum length	112.8 ± 3.9 (105.0 – 118.4)	3.45	108.5 ± 4.0 (101.0 – 114.0)	3.66	t = 3.02 p ≤ 0.01
JL (mm) tarsometatarsus length	49.0 ± 1.1 (47.3 – 50.5)	2.16	47.2 ± 1.4 (45.5 – 50.3)	3.07	t = 3.78 p ≤ 0.01
Parameters of heart
H (g) heart weight	16.38 ± 1.93 (11.78 – 19.94)	11.78	13.99 ± 1.14 (11.92 – 15.73)	8.15	t = 3.76 p ≤ 0.01
HH (mm) heart height	48.0 ± 2.9 (42.0 – 53.4)	6.04	46.0 ± 2.3 (42.8 – 49.9)	5.00	NS
HW (mm) heart width	34.5 ± 2.7 (29.7 – 39.9)	7.82	33.5 ± 2.0 (31.2 – 38.6)	5.97	NS
HC (mm) heart girth	90.1 ± 5.6 (80.0 – 98.0)	6.21	85.9 ± 3.0 (82.0 – 90.0)	3.49	t = 2.34 p ≤ 0.05
RL * (g)	13.86 ± 1.73 (9.59 – 16.82)	12.48	11.96 ± 1.02 (10.01 – 13.51)	8.53	t = 3.32 p ≤ 0.01
RV ** (g)	3.12 ± 0.41 (2.35 – 3.65)	13.14	2.72 ± 0.22 (2.33 – 3.02)	8.09	t = 3.02 p ≤ 0.01
LV *** (g)	10.74 ± 1.38 (7.25 – 13.39)	12.84	9.24 ± 0.84 (7.59 – 10.61)	9.09	t = 3.26 p ≤ 0.01

X, mean values; SD, standard deviation; V, coefficient of variability; n, number of observations; RL*, mass of right and left ventricles, interventricular septum and both of atrioventricular valves; RV**, mass of front wall of right ventricle; LV***, mass of left ventricle with consideration interventricular septum, back wall, and both of atrioventricular valves; range of variation in parentheses

Fig. 1. Heart of Velvet Scoter were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution (1. left ventricle ventriculus sinister; 2. right ventricle ventriculus dexter; 3. subsinuosal interventricular groove sulcus interventricularis subsinuosus; 4. coronary groove sulcus coronarius; view – atrial surface facies atrialis)

Fig. 2. Heart of Velvet Scoter were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution (1. left ventricle ventriculus sinister; 2. right ventricle ventriculus dexter; 3. paraconal interventricular groove sulcus interventricularis paraconalis; 4. coronary groove sulcus coronarius; view – auricular surface facies auricularis)

Fig. 3. Cavum of left ventricle of heart of Velvet Scoter were fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution (1. right ventricle ventriculus dexter; 2. subsinuosal interventricular groove sulcus interventricularis subsinuosus; 3. coronary groove sulcus coronarius; view – atrial surface facies atrialis)

In case of five (HH, HC, RL, RV, LV) among seven parameters describing heart size we found bigger for males then females. However significant differences were determined only in case of heart height (HH) and width (HW) – Table 1.

Table 2 shows parameters characterizing the heart size for adult males, females and both sexes together. There were no significant differences between sexes regarding the described parameters.

In order to determine relations between body and heart parameters, the proper linear correlation indexes were established (Table 3). We discovered significant correlations in group of heart size parameters. The highest value was found in relation between both ventricles weight and weight of left ventricle (RL – LV: r = 0.99) as well as in relation between heart weight and weight of both ventricle (H – RL: r = 0.96) and left ventricle (H – LV: r = 0.95).

Table 2. Characteristics of the relative heart size of Velvet Scoter adult males and females

Parameter	♂		♀		♀ + ♂		♂ vs. ♀
	X ± SD	V	X ± SD	V	X ± SD	V
	n = 14		n = 12		n = 26
H/BW (%)	0.81 ± 0.07 (0.66 – 0.90)	8.64	0.79 ± 0.07 (0.66 – 0.89)	8.86	0.80 ± 0.07 (0.66 – 0.90)	8.75	NS
HH/HW	1.39 ± 0.09 (1.30 – 1.59)	6.47	1.38 ± 0.10 (1.23 – 1.54)	7.24	1.39 ± 0.09 (1.23 – 1.59)	6.47	NS
RV/H (%)	19.05 ± 1.45 (16.22 – 20.72)	7.61	19.47 ± 1.05 (18.14 – 20.99)	5.39	19.25 ± 1.27 (16.22 – 20.99)	6.60	NS
RV/LV (%)	29.12 ± 2.33 (25.10 – 32.38)	8.00	29.50 ± 1.87 (27.32 – 33.53)	6.33	29.29 ± 2.10 (25.10 – 33.53)	7.17	NS

X, mean values; SD, standard deviation; V, coefficient of variability; n, number of observations; BW, body weight; H, heart weight; HH; heart height HW, heart width; RV, mass of front wall of right ventricle; LV, mass of left ventricle with consideration interventricular septum, back wall, and both of atrioventricular valves; range of variation in parentheses

Table 3. Indexes of linear correlation between body and heart parameters of Velvet Scoter adult males and females

Parameter	BL	SL	JL	H	HH	HW	HC	RL	RV	LV
BW	NS	0.57 p ≤ 0.01	0.56 p ≤ 0.01	0.74 p ≤ 0.01	0.59 p ≤ 0.01	NS	0.41 p ≤ 0.05	0.64 p ≤ 0.01	0.55 p ≤ 0.01	0.65 p ≤ 0.01
BL		0.43 p ≤ 0.05	NS	0.393 p ≤ 0.05	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
SL			0.62 p ≤ 0.01	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS	NS
JL				0.51 p ≤ 0.01	NS	NS	NS	0.45 p ≤ 0.05	0.44 p ≤ 0.05	0.44 p ≤ 0.05
H					0.71 p ≤ 0.01	0.64 p ≤ 0.01	0.73 p ≤ 0.01	0.96 p ≤ 0.01	0.87 p ≤ 0.01	0.95 p ≤ 0.01
HH						0.52 p ≤ 0.01	0.52 p ≤ 0.01	0.67 p ≤ 0.01	0.75 p ≤ 0.01	0.63 p ≤ 0.01
HW							0.44 p ≤ 0.05	0.52 p ≤ 0.01	0.57 p ≤ 0.01	0.49 p ≤ 0.05
HC								0.69 p ≤ 0.01	0.75 p ≤ 0.01	0.65 p ≤ 0.01
RL									0.91 p ≤ 0.01	0.99 p ≤ 0.01
RV										0.86 p ≤ 0.01

BW, body weight; BL, body length; SL, sternum length; JL, tarsometatarsus length; H, heart weight; HH, heart height; HW, heart width; HC, heart girth; RL, mass of right and left ventricles, interventricular septum and both of atrioventricular valves; RV, mass of front wall of right ventricle; p, significance level; NS, differences not significant

Among body parameters, we found significant correlation between body weight (BW) and heart weight (HW), heart height (HH), heart girth (HC), heart parts (RL, RV, LV).

Tarsometatarsus length (JL) was correlated only with parameters of the heart weight and its parts H, RL, RV, LV). There was no significant difference between sternum length and heart parameters.

DISCUSSION

Among examined ducks, Velvet Scoter had the biggest body weight. Relations between heart and body weights are presented by relative heart weight H/BW (percent of body weight) and proper allometric equations.

Relative heart weight of big birds (over 1000g) equals 0,85% [5,13,14]. This value depends on latitude, climate, activity and lifestyle. Relative heart weight of Anseriformes, usually remains around 1% of body weight. The research regarding the swan, Cygnus olor (J. F. Gmelin, 1789) showed the relative heart weight equals 1.03% [19]. High heart weight (around 0.9% of body weight) of Anseriformes, is related with low body weight of the species as well as with the birds need for efficient circulatory system allowing them for long and deep plunging. The example of Velvet Scoter seems to be proper as the relative heart weight of the bird remains around level of 0.80%.

The present studies of wild bird’s population of Velvet Scoter show major differences among relative and absolute parameters. The HH/HW ratio (heart height to heart weight) for examined birds equaled 1.33 (for Long-tailed Duck), 1.39 (for Velvet Scoter) and 1.50 (Bean Goose) [1,2,3].

The participation of right ventricle in heart weight (RV/H index) changes for each species in range from 18.10 to 20.34%. The lowest value of that index was found for Long-tailed Duck [3], while the highest was found for Bean Goose (unpublished data). For Velvet Scoter the index equaled 19,25%. The index showing the percentage ratio of right to left ventricle weight of the examined animals remained in the range of 27.16 – 31.64%.

The value of above mentioned index equal 31.64 for Bean Goose (unpublished data), 29.29 for Velvet Scoter, and 27.16 for Long-tailed Duck [3]. Nevertheless the species differ not only by anatomic parameters, like the body or heart weight, but also by special behaving. They act on different way, fly differently, some of them like Velvet Scoter and Long-tailed Duck are perfect plungers.

CONCLUSIONS

• Males possess highly heavier hearts comparing to females.

• All groups of Velvet Scoter possess similar relative heart weight.

• We did not observe relations between birds heart shape and body weight.

• Established indexes (HH/HW; RV/H; RV/LV) may be applied for comparative filogenetic and morphologic studies.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors thanks Mrs E. Kalisińska and Mr. P. Mysłek for their constructive help. This work was supported by Grant DZ 5/98 of Agricultural University of Szczecin.

REFERENCES

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2. Bartyzel B., Kalisińska E., 2000. Wielkość serca gęsi zbożowej Anser fabalis i gęsi białoczelnej Anser albifrons [Heart size in Bean Goose and White-Fronted Goose]. Folia Univ. Agr. Stet., 210, 17-23 [in Polish].

3. Bartyzel B. J., Karbowicz M., Dzierzęcka M., Mysłek P., Olbrych K., Tybinka A., Charuta A., Stotko L., 2006. Estimate of chosen anatomical parameter of the body of long-tailed duck, with particular consideration of structures of heart. Sci. Messenger of Lviv Natl. Acad. Vet. Med. 8(3/30), 179-189.

4. Baumel J.J., 1993. Handbook of avian anatomy: nomina anatomica avium. Cambridge, Massachusetts, Published by the Club, No 23.

5. Brush A.H., 1966. Avian heart size and cardiovascular performance. Auk, 83, 266-273.

6. del Hoyo J., Eilliott A., Sargatal J. (eds) 1992. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Vol. 1. Ostrich to Ducks, Lynx Editions, Barcelona.

7. Dobrowolski K., Halba R., 1970. Główne problemy badań anatomii i morfologii ptaków i stan badań tej dziedziny w Polsce [Major problems of anatomical and morphological investigations in birds and their present status in Poland]. Przegl. Zool., 14, 216-225 [in Polish].

8. Drabek C.M., 1989. Heart and ventricle weights of Antarctic penquins. Can. J. Zool., 67, 2602-2604.

9. Drabek C.M., 1997. Heart and ventricle weights of the Little penquin Eudyptula minor. Emu, 97, 258-261.

10. Drabek C.M., Tremblay Y., 2000. Morphological aspects of the heart of the northern rockhopper penguin (Eudyptes chrysocome moseleyi): possible implication in diving behavior and ecology? Polar. Biol., 23: 812-816.

11. Durinck J., Skov H., Jensen F.P, Pihl S., 1994. Important marine areas for wintering birds in the Baltic Sea. Report to the European Commission. Ornis. Cosult. Ltd Copenhagen.

12. Hagemeijer E.J.M., Blair M.J., 1997. The EBCC atlas of European breeding birds: Their distribution and abundance. Poyser, London.

13. Hartman F.A., 1955. Heart weight in birds. Condor., 57, 221-238.

14. Kalisińska E., Dańczak A., 1997. Heart size in some anseriform species. 11th European Symposium on Waterfowl, Nantes 8-10.09.1997, 392-396.

15. Nowicki B., Jasek S., Maciejowski J., Nowakowski P., Pawlina E., 1995. Atlas ras zwierząt gospodarskich [The atlas of races of domestic animals]. Wyd. Nauk. PWN, Warszawa [in Polish].

16. Senglaub K., 1959. Vergleichende metrische und morphologische Untersuchungen an Organen und am Kleinhirn von Wild-, Gefangenschafts- und Hausenten. Morph. Jb., 213. 18-23.

17. Szczepańczyk E., Kalisińska E., Ligocki M., Bartyzel B., 1999. Morphometry of gut in the White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons. Adv. Agr. Sci. 6, 79-90.

18. Szczepańczyk E., Kalisińska E., Ligocki M., Bartyzel B., 2000. Morphometry of esophagus and gut in bean Goose Anser fabalis. Zool. Poloniae, 45, 37-46.

19. Viscor G., Fuster J.F., 1987. Relationships between morphological parameters in birds with different flying habits. J. Com. Biochem. Physiol., 87, 231-249.

20. Viscor G., Marques M.S., Palomeqve J., 1985. Cardiovascular and organ weight adaptations as related to flight activity in birds. J. Comp. Biochem. Physiol., 82, 597-599.

 

Accepted for print: 30.06.2008

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Bartłomiej J. Bartyzel
Department of Morphological Sciences,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 159, 02–776 Warsaw, Poland
Fax: +48 22 59-362-18
email: bartlomiej_bartyzel@sggw.pl

Maciej Szmidt
Department of Morphological Sciences,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 159, 02–776 Warsaw, Poland

Karolina Barszcz
Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 159
02–776 Warsaw
Poland
email: karolina.barszcz@onet.eu

Małgorzata Dzierzęcka
Department of Morphological Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 166
02-776 Warsaw
Poland

Anna Charuta
Vertebrates Morphology Department
of University of Humanities and Sciences in Siedlce, Poland
B. Prusa Str. 14, 08-110 Siedlce, Poland
email: anna.charuta@neostrada.pl

Michał Wasowicz
Department of Morphological Sciences,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 159, 02–776 Warsaw, Poland

Henryk Kobryn
Department of Morphological Sciences,
Warsaw University of Life Sciences - SGGW, Poland
Nowoursynowska 159, 02–776 Warsaw, Poland

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