Electronic Journal of Polish Agricultural Universities (EJPAU) founded by all Polish Agriculture Universities presents original papers and review articles relevant to all aspects of agricultural sciences. It is target for persons working both in science and industry,regulatory agencies or teaching in agricultural sector. Covered by IFIS Publishing (Food Science and Technology Abstracts), ELSEVIER Science - Food Science and Technology Program, CAS USA (Chemical Abstracts), CABI Publishing UK and ALPSP (Association of Learned and Professional Society Publisher - full membership). Presented in the Master List of Thomson ISI.
2010
Volume 13
Issue 4/volume13
Topic:
Biology
ELECTRONIC
JOURNAL OF
POLISH
AGRICULTURAL
UNIVERSITIES
Pierko M. 2010. STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS (L., 1758) AND CLANGULA HYEMALIS (L., 1758), EJPAU 13(4/volume13), #22.
Available Online: http://www.ejpau.media.pl/volume13/issue4/volume13/abs-22.html

STRUCTURAL ANALYSIS OF UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT IN ANAS PLATYRHYNCHOS (L., 1758) AND CLANGULA HYEMALIS (L., 1758)

Ma³gorzata Pierko
Department of Zoology, West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland

 

ABSTRACT


This work aims at the anatomical-comparative description of the upper respiratory tract. The study comprised 212 adult ducks: 62 Anas platyrhynchos (32 males and 30 females) and 143 Clangula hyemalis (102 males and 48 females). Sex and age of the examined birds were assessed. The preparations of the studied organs were preserved in the 4% formaldehyde solution. The morpho-anatomical description comprised the larynx, the trachea, the syrinx, and the fore-fragments of the bronchi primarii. The tracheal cartilages were also counted. A considerable differentiation in the structure and the shape of the syrinx due to the sexual dimorphism was observed in both species. The syrinx in males was significantly well-developed as compared to the females. Both sexes differed in an average number of the tracheal cartilages provided there were more of them in the females. The interspecific comparisons also indicated differences in the syrinx, however solely in the group of the drakes. They mainly regarded a distinct shape of the bulla syringealis and the existence of tracheosyringeal membranes in Clangula hyemalis. A considerably higher average number of tracheal cartilages was indicated in the group of males in Anas platyrhinchos as compared to Clangula hyemalis. A regularity was noted, ie. the bigger and longer bulla syringealis, the shorter trachea containing fewer cartilages. A similar regularity in the group of females results rather from the interspecific differences of the body sizes and the neck lengths.

Key words: larynx, trachea, syrinx, bronchi primarii, Anas platyrhynchos (Mallard), Clangula hyemalis (Long-tailed Duck).

Ma³gorzata Pierko
Department of Zoology,
West Pomeranian University of Technology, Szczecin, Poland
Doktora Judyma 20, 71-466 Szczecin, Poland
Phone: 091 449 67 30
email: malgorzata.pierko@zut.edu.pl

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