Gender-based differences in stride and limb dimensions between healthy red-wing tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) Temminck, 1815

The red-wing tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) is economically important as food. The current study investigated the limb and trunk characteristics in age-matched [year-of-hatch (yoh) 2004 and 2005], gender segregated birds, and determined differences in stride between cocks and hens. The locomotion trial was completed in a corridor of 0.6 × 2.36 m dimension. The girth was significantly higher in cocks than in hens, while body weight was slightly higher in hens. Cocks had a greater height than hens. The time to walk 2.36 m was longer for cocks than for hens. This was related to an attenuated speed and stride length in cocks by comparison with hens. The increased number of strides and reduced stride lengths in cocks suggested their defensive posture by lagging behind the fleeing hens or juveniles. Subtle differences in yoh may have been related to small variances in nutrition, weather, management, age, and reproductive traits. Although the birds born in distinct years were submitted, the net sum of these effects could have potentiated the different performances observed.

Gender-based differences in stride and limb dimensions between healthy red-wing tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) Temminck, 1815

The red-wing tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) is economically important as food. The current study investigated the limb and trunk characteristics in age-matched [year-of-hatch (yoh) 2004 and 2005], gender segregated birds, and determined differences in stride between cocks and hens. The locomotion trial was completed in a corridor of 0.6 × 2.36 m dimension. The girth was significantly higher in cocks than in hens, while body weight was slightly higher in hens. Cocks had a greater height than hens. The time to walk 2.36 m was longer for cocks than for hens. This was related to an attenuated speed and stride length in cocks by comparison with hens. The increased number of strides and reduced stride lengths in cocks suggested their defensive posture by lagging behind the fleeing hens or juveniles. Subtle differences in yoh may have been related to small variances in nutrition, weather, management, age, and reproductive traits. Although the birds born in distinct years were submitted, the net sum of these effects could have potentiated the different performances observed.

___

  • Cooper, R.G. 2007a. Differences in stride between healthy ostriches (Struthio camelus) and those affected by tibiotarsal rotation. J. South Afr. Vet. Assoc. 78: 52-53.
  • Cooper, R.G. 2007b. Spread bow leg syndrome and associated pathology in ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks aged 2-12 weeks. Proceed. XIVth World Ratite Congress, Oct. 19-20, Riga, Latvia: 34-39.
  • Cooper, R.G. 2008. Walking and behaviours of birds kept in captivity. World Poult. 24: 24-25.
  • Cooper, R.G. 2009. Red-winged Tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens) Temminck, 1815. World Poultry – in press.
  • Cooper, R.G., Mahrose, Kh.M.A. and El-Shafei, M. 2008a. Spread bow leg syndrome in ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks aged 2 to 12 weeks. Brit. Poult. Sci. 49: 1-6.
  • Cooper, R.G., Naranowicz, H., Maliszewska, E., Tennett, A. and Horbańczuk, J.O. 2008b. Sex-based comparison of limb segmentation in healthy and tibiotarsal rotation ostriches aged 14 months. J. South Afr. Vet. Assoc. 79: 142-144.
  • Cooper, R.G. and Tennett, A. 2008. Geometric limb similarity between two flightless birds: an extinct terror bird (Phorusrhacinae gen.) vs. ostrich (Struthio camelus). Proceed. XXIII World’s Poultry Congress and the 4thInt. Ratite Science Symp., June 30-July 4, 2008, Brisbane, Australia: 659.
  • Cooper, R.G. and Tennett, A. 2009. Geometric limb similarity between two flightless birds: an extinct terror bird (Phorusrhacinae gen.) vs. the ostrich (Struthio camelus). Vet. Hist. 14: 371-375.
  • Cromberg, V.U., Stein, M.S., Boleli, I.C., Tonhati, H. and Queiroz, S.A. 2007. Reproductive and behavioural aspects of red-winged tinamous (Rhynchotus rufescens) in groups with different sex ratios. Brazil. J. Poult. Sci. 9: 161-166.
  • Sick, H. 1985. Ornitologia Brasileira, uma Introdução. Vol.1. Universidade de Brasília, Brasília: 482 p.
  • Tholon, P. and Queiroz, S.A. 2007. Models for the analysis of growth curves for rearing tinamous (Rhynchotus rufescens) in captivity. Brazil. J. Poult. Sci. 9: 23-31.
Turkish Journal of Zoology-Cover
  • ISSN: 1300-0179
  • Yayın Aralığı: Yılda 6 Sayı
  • Yayıncı: TÜBİTAK