The relative size of olfactory bulbs (OBs) is correlated with olfactory capabilities across vertebrates and is widely used to assess the relative importance of olfaction to a species' ecology. In birds, variations in the relative size of OBs are correlated with some behaviors; however, the factors that have led to the high level of diversity seen in OB sizes across birds are still not well unde...

http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.anbehav.2015.02.024 0003-3472/© 2015 The Association for the Study of A The trade-off between starvation and predation risk is of paramount importance to songbirds and many other small organisms. A contaminant with metabolic or neurological effects may hinder a bird's ability to manage these ecological risks, which are contingent on metabolic state and require cognit...

Oseltamivir is the best available anti-influenza drug and has therefore been stockpiled worldwide in large quantities as part of influenza pandemic preparedness planning. The active metabolite oseltamivir carboxylate (OC) is stable and is not removed by conventional sewage treatment. Active OC has been detected in river water at concentrations up to 0.86 µg/L. Although the natural reservoir hos...

Sleep is a behavior characterized by a typical body posture, both eyes' closure, raised sensory threshold, distinctive electrographic signs, and a marked decrease of motor activity. In addition, sleep is a periodically necessary behavior and therefore, in the majority of animals, it involves the whole brain and body. However, certain marine mammals and species of birds show a different sleep be...

The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 virus lineage has undergone extensive genetic reassortment with viruses from different sources to produce numerous H5N1 genotypes, and also developed into multiple genetically distinct sublineages in China. From there, the virus has spread to over 60 countries. The ecological success of this virus in diverse species of both poultry and wild bird...

In mammals and many terrestrial birds the kidney appears to be the major pathway for the excretion of nitrogenous waste products and excess electrolytes. Thus when these animals are presented with varying concentrations of sodium chloride in their drinking water the tonicity of the excreted urine varies commensurately (Barker & Adolph, 1953; Wolf, Prentiss, Douglas & Swett, 1959; Poulson & Bart...

As early as the 1920s influenza was shown to be caused by a virus. There are however, three genetically very distinct types of influenza viruses: Influenza A Virus: This is by far the most pathogenic type and is responsible for pandemics such as the Spanish flu outbreak in 1918, Asian flu in 1957, Hong Kong flu in 1968 and the Swine flu in 2009 that was caused by the mysterious re-emergence of ...

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) prescribes standards for the diagnosis and control of avian influenza, as well as health measures for safe trade in birds and avian products, which are based on up-to-date scientific information and risk management principles, consistent with the role of the OIE as a reference standard-setting body for the World Trade Organization (WTO). These stan...