Being Dark is Better: A Feral Pigeon Plumage Polymorphism as a Response to Urban Environments in Slovakia

Abstract The purpose of this study was to determine the distribution and plumage phenotypes of the feral pigeon, Columba livia forma urbana (Gmelin, 1789), in Slovakia. Censuses carried out in the built-up areas of 16 towns and cities from November to February (2012–2018) counted and evaluated 3,123 individual birds. The most frequent were melanic colored birds (checker, T-pattern and spread phenotypes), which predominated in the population (51.6%, n = 1,613), followed by paler ones (42.1%, n = 1,316) and other types (6.2%, n = 194). A statistically significant difference was confirmed among the melanic and paler plumage phenotypes (χ2 = 81.49, df = 15, p < 0.0001). Correlation confirmed the different importance of city area and human density on the maintenance of dark and/or pale pigeons living in cities.

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Ecological Studies of the Feral Pigeon Columba Livia var. III. Reproduction and Plumage Polymorphism

Journal of Applied Ecology ◽

10.2307/2401748 ◽

1974 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. 841 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

R. K. Murton ◽

R. J. P. Thearle ◽

C. F. B. Coombs

Keyword(s):

Columba Livia ◽

Feral Pigeon ◽

Ecological Studies ◽

Plumage Polymorphism

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MICROSCOPIC AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF Ascaridia spp. IN DOMESTIC PIGEONS(Columba livia domestica) IN BAGHDAD CITY,IRAQ

IRAQI JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL SCIENCES ◽

10.36103/ijas.v51i4.1101 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 51 (4) ◽

pp. 1220-1225

Author(s):

Faraj & Al- Amery

Keyword(s):

Molecular Diagnosis ◽

Columba Livia ◽

Ascaridia Galli ◽

Molecular Assay ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Conventional Pcr ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Pcr Products ◽

Males And Females ◽

Domestic Pigeons

Ascaridiosis is a very important parasitic disease of birds, it is caused by Ascaridia. This study was conducted to identify the Ascaridia species by microscopic and molecular assay in Baghdad city. One hundred and sixty fecal samples were collected from domestic pigeons during the period from 1/1/ 2019 to 31/3/ 2019. Results showed that the rate of infection for Ascaridia spp. 15.62% by microscopic examination. Significant difference was observed in infection rates between males and females pigeons. Fifty samples randomly selected and subjected to molecular diagnosis of Ascaridia spp.. Molecular examination results, the total infection rate showed 16%(8/50). The eight positive PCR products were sequenced and deposited in Gene bank data base, phylogenic analysis demonstrated that 4 sequences belongs to Ascaridia galli ( MK918635.1, MK918636.1, MK918847.1, MK919081.1), while 2 (MK919199.1, MK919200.1) belong to Ascaridia nymphii and 2 (MK919207.1, MK919264.1) belong to Ascaridia numidae. It is the first study in Iraq to diagnosis of Ascaridia nymphii and Ascaridia numidae in domesticed pigeons by using conventional PCR.

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Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis captures and drowns a Feral Pigeon Columba livia

Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia ◽

10.4081/rio.2016.313 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 86 (1) ◽

pp. 69 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alessandro Canestrelli ◽

Fulvio Fraticelli

Keyword(s):

Cognitive Ability ◽

Columba Livia ◽

Feral Pigeon ◽

New Techniques ◽

Small Lake ◽

Innovative Methods ◽

Larus Michahellis

A Yellow-legged Gull catching a Feral Pigeon, flies to a nearby small lake and kills him drowning. This behaviour can be explained or with higher cognitive ability, related with the use of innovative methods, or with a generalist behaviour that offers the opportunity to use new techniques.

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Molecular Cloning, Characterisation, Tissue Distribution, and mRNA Expression Changes under Different Light Regimes of Brain and Muscle Arnt-Like Protein-1 (BMAL1) in Columba Livia

Avian Biology Research ◽

10.3184/175815617x14951979279277 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 10 (3) ◽

pp. 156-163 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Y. Wang ◽

H.M. Yang ◽

Y.B. Li ◽

W. Cao

Keyword(s):

Circadian Rhythm ◽

Light Exposure ◽

Columba Livia ◽

Full Length ◽

Day Length ◽

Mrna Levels ◽

Tyto Alba ◽

Full Length Cdna ◽

Light Regimes ◽

Significant Difference

Brain and muscle Arnt-like protein-1 (BMAL1) plays an important role in circadian rhythm, which is involved in daily behaviours and physiological activities. However, little is known about the molecular function of BMAL1 in the Pigeon ( Columba livia). In our study, the full-length cDNA of Bmal1 was cloned and sequenced from the Pigeon for the first time, and submitted to the GenBank to obtain the accession number (KF906247). The full-length cDNA of Bmal1 consists of 2,488 nucleotides, and encodes 634 amino acids. Phylogenetic analysis showed that it bore the greatest similarity to Bmal1 from the Chicken ( Gallus gallus) and Barn Owl ( Tyto alba). The amino acid sequence of the Pigeon BMAL1 contained a HLH domain and two PAS domains, which are involved in forming hetero-homodimers with the CLOCK as the positive element of the circadian rhythm. The results of real-time quantitative PCR of Bmal1 under different light regimes showed that the amplitude and expression pattern of Bmal1 were strongly affected by day length. Bmal1 was most highly expressed in the pancreas. Relative to Bmal1 expression level under 12 h of light exposure, it was increased significantly in the pituitary gland, ovary and uterus under 15 h of light exposure ( P < 0.05). However, other tissues, including the hypothalamus, heart, liver, spleen, kidney, intestines, crureus, and pectorals exhibited no significant difference ( P < 0.05) under the two light regimes. This is the first study to investigate Bmal1 mRNA levels in various tissues under different light cycles, and thereby provide data for further study of the molecular and regulatory mechanisms of Bmal1 and circadian clock genes of the Pigeon.

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