Biochemical and morphological features of the uropygial gland of the Chilean Flamingo and their functional implications.
Zoology (Jena)
; 147: 125941, 2021 08.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34126327
ABSTRACT
Flamingos inhabit specialized habitats and breed in large colonies, building their nests on islands that limit the access of terrestrial predators. Many aspects of their uropygial gland are still unknown. The uropygial gland, a sebaceous organ exclusive to birds, shares some histological features among species such as the presence of a capsule, adenomers with stratified epithelium and secondary and primary chambers. We found that the uropygial gland of the Chilean Flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) displays most of these characteristics but lacks a primary storage chamber. This absence may be an adaptation to their aquatic environment. The uropygial secretion of this species has a variety of glycoconjugates while its lipid moiety is largely dominated by waxes and minor amounts of triacylglycerols and fatty acids. Mass spectrometry analysis of the preen wax showed branched fatty acids of varied chain length and unbranched fatty alcohols, resulting in a complex mixture of wax esters and no differences between sexes were observed. The glycoconjugates present in the preen secretion could play a role as antimicrobial molecules, as suggested for other bird species, while the absence of diester waxes in flamingos might be related with their nesting habits and limited exposure to predation. Our results were evaluated according to physiological and ecological aspects of the flamingo's biology.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Aves
/
Secreções Corporais
/
Estruturas Animais
Limite:
Animals
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Chile
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article