Costantini, D., Mirzai, N. and Metcalfe, N.B. (2012) An automated system to control and manipulate the flight activity of captive birds. Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology, 66(8), pp. 1195-1199. (doi: 10.1007/s00265-012-1362-z)
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Abstract
Biologists have long been interested in the behavioural and physiological mechanisms that regulate flight. The manipulation of physical activity of birds under captive conditions, however, faces the experimenter with some technical problems. In this article, we describe a simple automated system that allows control and manipulation of the flight activity of captive birds and use it for the first time to induce blood oxidative stress in male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata). Finches subjected to a short-term flight effort regime had an increase of plasma oxidative damage and a decrease of thiol concentration in red blood cells and of body mass, respectively. However, no change in red blood cell glutathione peroxidase was observed. This simple experiment shows that our automated system may be successfully used to induce changes in the physiological state of small birds.
| Item Type: | Articles |
|---|---|
| Status: | Published |
| Refereed: | Yes |
| Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Costantini, Dr David and Metcalfe, Professor Neil and Mirzai, Mr Nosrat |
| Authors: | Costantini, D., Mirzai, N., and Metcalfe, N.B. |
| College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine |
| Journal Name: | Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology |
| ISSN: | 0340-5443 |
| Published Online: | 06 May 2012 |
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