Histomorphometrical study of the tongue epithelium of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The aim of this study is to examine the dorsal lingual epithelium of the peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) of the family Falconidae. The tongue in its dorsal, lateral and ventral surfaces is covered with a non-keratinized multilayered stratified squamous epithelium. Lamina propria is present beneath the epithelial layers. Morphometrically, thickness of the apex tongue epithelium is more than that in the tongue body. Thickness of the ventral surface of the tongue is less than that in the dorsal one. Thickness of the lateral surface of the tongue was thicker than that in the ventral one and tongue body. Large and small conical papillae appeared on the posterior dorsal surface of the lingual body. There are lingual glands in certain areas of tongue body with numerous openings through the dorsal surface.

Morphological and molecular characterization of Prosthogonimus falconis n. sp. (Trematoda; Prosthogonimidae), found in a peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) (Aves: Falconidae) in the United Arab Emirates

At a routine health check of a female peregrine falcon, 23 trematodes preliminary identified as Prosthogonimus sp. were removed from the bursa of Fabricius. Based on morphological and molecular examination, a new species, Prosthogonimus falconis, was described. The pear-shaped flukes were 4.3–6.9 mm long, with greatest width posterior to testes. Tegumental spines measuring between 17 and 21 μm long covered the whole body. Length and width ratio of oral to ventral suckers were 1:1.3. Extracaecal, multifollicular vitelline glands commenced prior to acetabulum and terminated posterior to testes. Eggs in the distal uterus measured 21 × 12 μm. Molecular analysis of internal transcribed spacer 2, cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 1 gene regions revealed that the new species described here is phylogenetically closest to Prosthogonimus cuneatus and Prosthogonimus pellucidus clusters.

Distribution and habitat use of the Madagascar Peregrine Falcon: first estimates for area of habitat and population size

Accurately demarcating species distributions has long been at the core of ecology. Yet our understanding of the factors limiting species range limits is incomplete, especially for tropical species in the Global South. Human-driven threats to the survival of many taxa are increasing, particularly habitat loss and climate change. Identifying distributional range limits of at-risk and data-limited species using Species Distribution Models (SDMs) can thus inform spatial conservation planning to mitigate these threats. The Madagascar Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus radama) is the resident sub-species of the Peregrine Falcon complex distributed across Madagascar, Mayotte, and the Comoros Islands. Currently, there are significant knowledge gaps regarding its distribution, habitat preferences and population size. Here, we use point process regression models and ordination to identify Madagascar Peregrine Falcon environmental range limits and propose a population size estimate based on inferred habitat. From our models, the core range of the Madagascar Peregrine Falcon extends across the central upland plateau of Madagascar with a patchier range across coastal and low-elevation areas. Range-wide habitat use indicated that the Madagascar Peregrine Falcon prefers areas of high elevation and aridity, coupled with high vegetation heterogeneity and > 95 % herbaceous landcover, but generally avoids areas of > 30 % cultivated land and > 10 % mosaic forest. Based on inferred high-class habitat, we estimate this habitat area could potentially support a population size ranging between 150-300 pairs. Following International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List guidelines, we recommend this sub-species be classed as Vulnerable, due to its small population size. Despite its potentially large range, the Madagascar Peregrine has specialized habitat requirements and would benefit from targeted conservation measures based on spatial models in order to maintain viable populations.

Morphological Characteristics of the Sperm of the Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus) during the Reproductive Season

The morphological characteristics of different sperm cells (normal, abnormal, and immature) in the peregrine falcon during the reproductive season were analysed. We also classified the main sperm defects found in semen. Semen samples were collected from mature peregrine falcons via cloacal massage and stained with Diff-Quik stain. The percentages of normal, abnormal, and immature sperm cells were determined by bright-field optical microscopy. The number of normal spermatozoa were greater at the initial stage and subsequently decreased during the middle and later stages of the reproductive season (p < 0.01). In contrast, the percentage of abnormal spermatozoa increased significantly in the middle and end stages of the reproductive season (p < 0.05), whereas the proportion of immature spermatozoa remained stable during the study. Head defects represented the greatest proportion of morphological abnormalities, followed by the defects in the tail and midpiece regions. A small percentage of multiple defects and cytoplasmic droplets were also observed in the falcon spermatozoa. The findings of this study might be important for the development of future conservation protocols for falcon sperm.

Peregrine falcon wakes examined using Volumetric PIV

This study presents time-resolved volumetric measurements in the wake of a peregrine falcon model. The experiments were performed in a water flume with a freestream velocity of 10 cm/s and at an angle of 3.25°. The TSI volumetric PIV system, using Insight V3V-4G software, was used to capture the time-resolved volumetric flow field. The results compare well with previous Stereo PIV measurements; however, the present results also provide true 3-dimensional flow field information which helps decode the reason for the superior maneuverability. This is attributable to the vortex dominated flow field promoted by its morphology.

THE FALCONS (FALCONIFORMES, FALCONIDAE) VOUCHER COLLECTION IN THE IRAQ NATURAL HISTORY RESEARCH CENTER AND MUSEUM (INHM)

A total of 45 voucher specimens of falcons which are deposited in the bird's collection of the Iraq Natural History Research Center and Museum (INHM) were reviewed. Mummified falcons were preserved as voucher study specimens and tagged with museum collection labels. In the current study, morphometrics of six species of the genus Falco Linnaeus, 1758: Lanner falcon F. biarmicus Temminck, 1825; Sacker Falcon F. cherrug Gray, 1834; Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni Fleischer, 1818; Peregrine Falcon F. peregrines Tunstall, 1771; Eurasian Hobby F. subbuteo Linnaeus, 1758 and Common Kestrel F. tinnunculus Linnaeus, 1758 were documented. These species were recorded previously in the ornithological literatures by several authors and deposited in the museum collection; nevertheless, breeding and migrating of these birds are still occurring throughout Iraq. Furthermore, the current distribution ranges and conservation status of each of the mentioned species throughout Iraq were reviewed and comprehensively discussed.