Document Detail


Interannual variations in feeding frequencies and food quality of greater flamingo chicks (Phoenicopterus roseus): evidence from plasma chemistry and effects on body condition.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  17360212     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Greater flamingos in southern Spain foraged in areas distant from a breeding site, spending 4-6 days in foraging areas between successive visits to the colony to feed their chicks. During four years, we took blood samples from chicks to ascertain whether there were interannual variations in several blood parameters, indicative of food quality and feeding frequencies. When the chicks were captured, 20-31% of them had their crops empty, indicating that not all chicks were fed daily. Additional evidence of variations in feeding frequencies was obtained from a principal component analysis (PCA) on plasma chemistry values, which also indicated that there were annual variations in the quality of food received by chicks. The association of cholesterol and glucose with some PC axes indicated that some chicks were experiencing fasting periods. Of all plasma metabolites considered, cholesterol was the best one to predict body condition. Greater flamingo chicks experiencing longer fasting intervals, as suggested by higher plasma levels of cholesterol, were in lower body condition.
Authors:
Juan A Amat; Francisco Hortas; Gonzalo M Arroyo; Miguel A Rendón; José M Ramírez; Manuel Rendón-Martos; Alejandro Pérez-Hurtado; Araceli Garrido
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2007-02-14
Journal Detail:
Title:  Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology     Volume:  147     ISSN:  1095-6433     ISO Abbreviation:  Comp. Biochem. Physiol., Part A Mol. Integr. Physiol.     Publication Date:  2007 Jun 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2007-04-30     Completed Date:  2007-07-16     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9806096     Medline TA:  Comp Biochem Physiol A Mol Integr Physiol     Country:  United States    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  569-76     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Estación Biológica de Doñana, C. S. I. C., Apartado 1056, E-41080 Sevilla, Spain. amat@ebd.csic.es
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Animal Feed / standards*
Animals
Birds / blood*,  physiology*
Feeding Behavior / physiology*
Principal Component Analysis
Seasons*

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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