Our previous study demonstrated that avian species possesses two distinct aryl hydrocarbon receptors (AHR1 and AHR2). To elucidate the functional characterization of avian AHRs, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) binding affinities and in vitro DRC-induced transcriptional activities of AHR isoforms from chicken (Gallus gallus), black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes), common cormo...

Piscivorous birds consume diets which are rich in highly-polyunsaturated n-3 fatty acids; these play vital roles in embryonic development but are very susceptible to oxidative damage. The effects of such diets on the fatty acid composition and antioxidant content of the yolk were investigated in the northern gannet Morus bassanus, the great skua Catharacta skua, the American white pelican Pelec...

According to optimal foraging theory the prey choice strongly affects the benefitcost ratios. Predators search prey giving the highest benefit and costs of all components of predation (i.e. prey search, encounter, pursuit, capture, and handling) may be considerably reduced if the prey is more available. The study on Cormorant diet and the species composition of prey fish assemblages in the Dobc...

Abstract In contrast to many other water birds, the Great Cormorant, Phalacrocorax carbo (Phalacrocoracidae), shows a typical wing-spreading behavior after diving. This has been linked partial wettability of Cormorant’s feathers based on unusual structure contour feathers. Close rachis, these have closed vane with very densely spaced barbs but an open in more peripheral feather parts. To invest...

Background: Present study was carried out in north of Iran to investigate the concentration of mercury (Hg) as one of the most toxic metals in tissues of two species of birds. Methods: In this study, 15 birds from coot (Fulica atra) and 18 birds from cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) were hunted in Anzali and Gomishan wetlands. Data-analyses carried out using SPSS software version 17 licenced...

The flightless cormorant (Phalacrocorax harrisi) is an endemic species of the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador. Health studies of the species have not previously been conducted. In August 2003, baseline samples were collected from flightless cormorant colonies on the islands of Isabela and Fernandina. Seventy-six birds, from nestlings to adults, were evaluated. Genetic sexing of 70 cormorants reveale...

Nutrient enrichment in coastal marine systems can have profound impacts on trophic networks. In the Baltic Sea, the population of Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis) has increased nearly exponentially since the mid-1990 s, and colonies of these seabirds can be important sources of nitrogen enrichment for nearby benthic communities due to guano runoff. In this study we used stable iso...

The nutrients imported by breeding waterbirds should be considered when identifying the main sources of nutrient input to lakes. Lake Lesser Prespa (Greece), including adjacent Vromolimni pond, hosts numerous protected that nest in densely populated colonies across reedbeds. accelerated eutrophication lake recent years has been increasing concern. In addition likely large (i.e., anthropogenic a...