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Chinese Agricultural Science Bulletin ›› 2020, Vol. 36 ›› Issue (5): 37-41.doi: 10.11924/j.issn.1000-6850.casb18090119

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Scanning Electron Microscope Observations of Two Species Feathers of Coraciiformes in Beijing

Liu Lei1, Han Mengyan1, Liu Gang2, Li Xiangtao1, Xia Xiaofei1()   

  1. 1 Beijing Museum of Natural History, Beijing 100050
    2 Institute of Wetland Research, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091
  • Received:2018-09-26 Revised:2018-11-29 Online:2020-02-15 Published:2020-02-21
  • Contact: Xia Xiaofei E-mail:13811183804@163.com

Abstract:

The aim is to observe and compare the microstructure of the main-type feathers from Halcyon pileata (Alcedinidae, Coraciiformes) and Eurystomus orientalis (Coraciidae, Coraciiformes) in Beijing. The experimental process was as follows: re-identification before taking samples, confirming the sample location, taking samples, sample degreasing, ultrasonic cleaning, natural drying, ion sputtering and SEM observation. The results show that the remiges feather, rectrices feather and downy feathers are mainly composed of distal barbule and proximal barbule. The distal barbules and proximal barbules form a flexible and strong vane to reduce the air resistance. The same number of hamuli in distal barbules and the same number of ventral teeth in proximal barbules appear in the two species, and they are also constant respectively. Expansion node in Nodal branchlets of downy feathers has obvious distinction. According to the results and existing data, the feather parameters of the two species are constant and obvious, so they can be seen as a reference to distinguish different families.

Key words: Alcedinidae, Coraciidae, SEM, protection, classification

CLC Number: