The Experts below are selected from a list of 321 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
P. C. Glatz - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The development of ratite production through continued research
World's Poultry Science Journal, 2012Co-Authors: Swp Cloete, P. C. Glatz, T.s. Brand, Louwrens C. Hoffman, Z. Brand, Anel Engelbrecht, Maud Bonato, Irek MaleckiAbstract:This paper summarises research on farmed Ratites and their industries over the past 100 years. Commercial ratite products include meat, skins, feathers and oil. Research on Ratites has attempted to enhance the quantity and quality of these products by focusing on the disciplines of breeding and genetics, reproduction and incubation, assisted reproduction, nutrition and animal welfare. Advances in these disciplines are discussed, and directions for future research are provided.
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Welfare Issues Associated with Ratite Husbandry Practices
Animal Welfare, 2011Co-Authors: P. C. GlatzAbstract:This chapter examines some of the methods being used to assess welfare in Ratites, identifies the welfare issues associated with declawing and highlights concerns with stockperson skills and brooder house management. Partial amputation of the toes of Ratites has welfare implications. It causes Ratites acute pain; they become flatfooted and change their gait and they can slip and fall over in wet paddocks and handling areas. However, the blunting of the claws reduces the bird’s ability to deliver kicks and injuries to other birds during aggressive encounters and improves skin quality in the flock and reduces the potential for handlers suffering injuries. The role of handlers in ratite farming is examined. While there has been little research undertaken in the ratite industry on skills of stockpersons, work with other livestock shows that it is essential that animal handlers have the skills to look after their stock and develop a good affinity with their birds. Livestock which are housed in facilities with good air quality grow faster and consume more feed than animals exposed to poor air quality. Improving air quality in ratite brooding facilities could improve production and provide a better working environment for farm employees. It is clear that declawing of Ratites, stockperson skills and housing have a major impact on welfare. The accreditation of persons practising declawing, the training of stockpersons in ratite handling and improvement in air quality in brooding and rearing facilities would result in a significant improvement in ratite welfare.
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Ratite Health: Welfare Implications
Animal Welfare, 2011Co-Authors: D. Black, P. C. GlatzAbstract:The Codes of Practice developed for Ratites in a number of countries place considerable importance on ensuring that the health of birds is closely monitored and that appropriate vaccines are used to prevent disease. Likewise, if the health of Ratites is compromised, there are clear guidelines on actions required by farmers to improve the health of birds. The action required by persons in caring for the health of birds is a significant welfare responsibility. The welfare of Ratites when using health as an indicator can range from minor ailments or infections with minimal concerns to the major health issues that cause considerable pain and discomfort to animals. When the death of the animal is potentially involved, immediate action is necessary to prevent mortality. Effective implementation of preventative health programmes that involve record keeping, preventative health measures, quarantine principles, biosecurity practices and monitoring of management practices can improve the efficiency of ratite farms and also improve bird health and welfare.
Christian Frelin - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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THE EGG WHITE PROTEIN EVIDENCE FOR RATITE AFFINITIES
Ibis, 2008Co-Authors: Charles G. Sibley, Christian FrelinAbstract:Summary The egg white proteins of the large Ratites (Struthio, Casuarius, Dromaius, Rhea), the kiwis (Apteryx) and several tinamous (Tinamidae) were compared with one another and representatives of several other groups of birds using the technique of isoelectric focusing in acrylamide gel. The tryptic peptides of the ovalbumins of the same groups were compared by thin-layer electrophoresis. The results indicate that the large Ratites are more closely related to one another than any one of them is to any other living bird; that the kiwis are not closely related to any of the other groups with which they were compared; and that the tinamous are not closely related to any of the large Ratites but may be distantly related to the Galliformes.
Allan J. Baker - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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A rticle Fast T rack Genomic Support for a Moa–Tinamou Clade and Adaptive Morphological Convergence in Flightless Ratites
2016Co-Authors: Allan J. Baker, Oliver Haddrath, John Douglas Mcpherson, Alison CloutierAbstract:One of the most startling discoveries in avian molecular phylogenetics is that the volant tinamous are embedded in the flightless Ratites, but this topology remains controversial because recent morphological phylogenies place tinamous as the closest relative of a monophyletic ratite clade. Here, we integrate new phylogenomic sequences from 1,448 nuclear DNA loci totaling almost 1 million bp from the extinct little bush moa, Chilean tinamou, and emu with available sequences from ostrich, elegant crested tinamou, four neognaths, and the green anole. Phylogenetic analysis using standard ho-mogeneous models and heterogeneous models robust to common topological artifacts recovered compelling support for ratite paraphyly with the little bush moa closest to tinamous within Ratites. Ratite paraphyly was further corroborated by eight independent CR1 retroposon insertions. Analysis of morphological characters reinterpreted on a 27-gene paleog-nath topology indicates that many characters are convergent in the Ratites, probably as the result of adaptation to a cursorial life style
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A rticle Genomic Support for a Moa–Tinamou Clade and Adaptive Morphological Convergence in Flightless Ratites
2016Co-Authors: Allan J. Baker, Oliver Haddrath, John Douglas Mcpherson, Alison CloutierAbstract:One of the most startling discoveries in avian molecular phylogenetics is that the volant tinamous are embedded in the flightless Ratites, but this topology remains controversial because recent morphological phylogenies place tinamous as the closest relative of a monophyletic ratite clade. Here, we integrate new phylogenomic sequences from 1,448 nuclear DNA loci totaling almost 1 million bp from the extinct little bush moa, Chilean tinamou, and emu with available sequences from ostrich, elegant crested tinamou, four neognaths, and the green anole. Phylogenetic analysis using standard ho-mogeneous models and heterogeneous models robust to common topological artifacts recovered compelling support for ratite paraphyly with the little bush moa closest to tinamous within Ratites. Ratite paraphyly was further corroborated by eight independent CR1 retroposon insertions. Analysis of morphological characters reinterpreted on a 27-gene paleog-nath topology indicates that many characters are convergent in the Ratites, probably as the result of adaptation to a cursorial life style
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retroelements.tar
2016Co-Authors: Allan J. Baker, Oliver Haddrath, John D. Mcpherson, Alison CloutierAbstract:Aligned palaeognath sequences for eight retroelement insertions and surrounding flanking sequence shared by moa and tinamous, and for one retroelement insertion shared by Ratites (including moa) to the exclusion of tinamous (locus 7292
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genomic support for a moa tinamou clade and adaptive morphological convergence in flightless Ratites
Molecular Biology and Evolution, 2014Co-Authors: Allan J. Baker, Oliver Haddrath, John Douglas Mcpherson, Alison CloutierAbstract:One of the most startling discoveries in avian molecular phylogenetics is that the volant tinamous are embedded in the flightless Ratites, but this topology remains controversial because recent morphological phylogenies place tinamous as the closest relative of a monophyletic ratite clade. Here, we integrate new phylogenomic sequences from 1,448 nuclear DNA loci totaling almost 1 million bp from the extinct little bush moa, Chilean tinamou, and emu with available sequences from ostrich, elegant crested tinamou, four neognaths, and the green anole. Phylogenetic analysis using standard homogeneous models and heterogeneous models robust to common topological artifacts recovered compelling support for ratite paraphyly with the little bush moa closest to tinamous within Ratites. Ratite paraphyly was further corroborated by eight independent CR1 retroposon insertions. Analysis of morphological characters reinterpreted on a 27-gene paleognath topology indicates that many characters are convergent in the Ratites, probably as the result of adaptation to a cursorial life style.
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Genomic Support for a Moa–Tinamou Clade and Adaptive Morphological Convergence in Flightless Ratites
Molecular biology and evolution, 2014Co-Authors: Allan J. Baker, Oliver Haddrath, John Douglas Mcpherson, Alison CloutierAbstract:One of the most startling discoveries in avian molecular phylogenetics is that the volant tinamous are embedded in the flightless Ratites, but this topology remains controversial because recent morphological phylogenies place tinamous as the closest relative of a monophyletic ratite clade. Here, we integrate new phylogenomic sequences from 1,448 nuclear DNA loci totaling almost 1 million bp from the extinct little bush moa, Chilean tinamou, and emu with available sequences from ostrich, elegant crested tinamou, four neognaths, and the green anole. Phylogenetic analysis using standard homogeneous models and heterogeneous models robust to common topological artifacts recovered compelling support for ratite paraphyly with the little bush moa closest to tinamous within Ratites. Ratite paraphyly was further corroborated by eight independent CR1 retroposon insertions. Analysis of morphological characters reinterpreted on a 27-gene paleognath topology indicates that many characters are convergent in the Ratites, probably as the result of adaptation to a cursorial life style.
Delphine Angst - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Stratigraphic Distribution of Large Flightless Birds in the Palaeogene of Europe
Springer Geology, 2014Co-Authors: Eric Buffetaut, Delphine AngstAbstract:Three main groups of large flightless birds are known from the Palaeogene of Europe: Gastornithidae, Ratitae, and Phorusrhacidae. Gastornithids have the longest and most complete record (Selandian to middle Lutetian). Ratites have a patchy record (Thanetian and Lutetian). Phorusrhacids are known only from the late Lutetian. Gastornithids probably originated in Europe, whereas phorusrhacids probably reached Europe from Africa.
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Stratigraphic distribution of large flightless birds in the Palaeogene of Europe and its palaeobiological and palaeogeographical implications
Earth-Science Reviews, 2014Co-Authors: Eric Buffetaut, Delphine AngstAbstract:The stratigraphic distribution of the three main groups of large flightless birds known from the Palaeogene of Europe, Gastornithidae, Phorusrhacidae and Ratitae, is reviewed. The huge, herbivorous gastornithids, represented by the single genus Gastornis, are known from the Selandian (Middle Palaeocene) to the late Lutetian (Middle Eocene), being recorded from reference levels MP5 to MP13. The carnivorous phorusrhacids are represented by a single species, Eleutherornis cotei, from the late Lutetian (MP14, late Middle Eocene). The Ratites have a patchy distribution, being represented by two species of moderate size, Remiornis heberti from the Thanetian (MP6, Late Palaeocene) and Palaeotis weigelti from the Lutetian (MP11 to MP13, Middle Eocene). The stratigraphic distributions of large eggs referred to gastornithids in the Late Palaeocene and Early Eocene of southern Europe and the occurrence of enigmatic large avian footprints in the Late Eocene of France are discussed. Whereas gastornithids and Ratites co-existed in both the Palaeocene and the Middle Eocene, phorusrhacids seem to have been the only large ground birds in Europe at the end of the Middle Eocene. The palaeobiogeographical and evolutionary implications of the stratigraphic distributions of those groups of large birds in Europe are discussed. As Gastornis first appears in North America and in Asia in the Early Eocene, it is likely that gastornithids originated in Europe and later spread to other land masses during a dispersal event close to the PalaeoceneEocene boundary. Prior to that, gastornithids evolved on the European "island continent", where they were the largest terrestrial tetrapods during the Palaeocene. Gastornithids do not seem to have been significantly affected by the PETM. Ratitae have a more patchy record and relationships between Remiornis and Palaeotis remain unclear. Nevertheless, those European forms are among the earliest known Ratites and this should not be overlooked in discussions of ratite evolution and palaeobiogeography. Phorusrhacids appear to have been present in Europe for only a short time and are interpreted as the result of dispersal from Africa followed by local extinction.
M. Fabiana Kubke - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evolution of Brain Size in the Palaeognath Lineage, with an Emphasis on New Zealand Ratites
Brain behavior and evolution, 2007Co-Authors: Jeremy R. Corfield, J. Martin Wild, Mark E. Hauber, Stuart Parsons, M. Fabiana KubkeAbstract:Brain size in vertebrates varies principally with body size. Although many studies have examined the variation of brain size in birds, there is little information on Palaeognaths, which include the ratite lineage of kiwi, emu, ostrich and extinct moa, as well as the tinamous. Therefore, we set out to determine to what extent the evolution of brain size in Palaeognaths parallels that of other birds, i.e., Neognaths, by analyzing the variation in the relative sizes of the brain and cerebral hemispheres of several species of Ratites and tinamous. Our results indicate that the Palaeognaths possess relatively smaller brains and cerebral hemispheres than the Neognaths, with the exception of the kiwi radiation (Apteryx spp.). The external morphology and relatively large size of the brain of Apteryx, as well as the relatively large size of its telencephalon, contrast with other Palaeognaths, including two species of historically sympatric moa, suggesting that unique selective pressures towards increasing brain size accompanied the evolution of kiwi. Indeed, the size of the cerebral hemispheres with respect to total brain size of kiwi is rivaled only by a handful of parrots and songbirds, despite a lack of evidence of any advanced behavioral/cognitive abilities such as those reported for parrots and crows. In addition, the enlargement in brain and telencephalon size of the kiwi occurs despite the fact that this is a precocial bird. These findings form an exception to, and hence challenge, the current rules that govern changes in relative brain size in birds.
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Evolution of brain size in the palaeognath lineage, with an emphasis on New Zealand Ratites
Science & Engineering Faculty, 2007Co-Authors: Corfield, Mark E. Hauber, Stuart Parsons, Jm Wild, M. Fabiana KubkeAbstract:Brain size in vertebrates varies principally with body size. Although many studies have examined the variation of brain size in birds, there is little information on Palaeognaths, which include the ratite lineage of kiwi, emu, ostrich and extinct moa, as well as the tinamous. Therefore, we set out to determine to what extent the evolution of brain size in Palaeognaths parallels that of other birds, i. e., Neognaths, by analyzing the variation in the relative sizes of the brain and cerebral hemispheres of several species of Ratites and tinamous. Our results indicate that the Palaeognaths possess relatively smaller brains and cerebral hemispheres than the Neognaths, with the exception of the kiwi radiation (Apteryx spp.). The external morphology and relatively large size of the brain of Apteryx, as well as the relatively large size of its telencephalon, contrast with other Palaeognaths, including two species of historically sympatric moa, suggesting that unique selective pressures towards increasing brain size accompanied the evolution of kiwi. Indeed, the size of the cerebral hemispheres with respect to total brain size of kiwi is rivaled only by a handful of parrots and songbirds, despite a lack of evidence of any advanced behavioral/ cognitive abilities such as those reported for parrots and crows. In addition, the enlargement in brain and telencephalon size of the kiwi occurs despite the fact that this is a precocial bird. These findings form an exception to, and hence challenge, the current rules that govern changes in relative brain size in birds. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.
