Variation in avian coloration is produced by coordinated pigmentation of thousands of growing feathers that vary in shape and size. Although the functional consequences of avian coloration are frequently studied, little is known about its developmental basis, and, specifically, the rules that link feather growth to pigment uptake and synthesis. Here, we combine biochemical, modeling, and morpho...

The identification of bird species from feather fragments is useful in many disciplines, including forensic science. Feather evidence can be helpful to criminal investigations in demonstrating physical contact between clothing manufactured with down feathers, or it may provide specific links to the crime scene by identifying the species or group of birds from which the feather evidence came. Th...

Metal price is one of the most important parameters in the calculation of cut- off grade. The cut- off grade has the main role in determination of mine layout. Mine layout actuates mineable reserve, mine life and economic profitability. Not considering the uncertainty in metal prices can lead to a non-optimal layout. In this paper optimum underground mine layout is determined by expected utilit...

Indian Vultures ( Gyps indicus ) are critically endangered, yet poorly monitored. We analyze counts of breeding pairs in Central India, specifically the eastern portions states Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh over a period 10 years reveal populations were on differing trajectories from 2007 to 2016. The difference between population levels study areas nearly doubled during our study, with declinin...

Fault bars are common stress-induced feather abnormalities that could produce feather damage thus reducing flight performance. For that reason, it has been hypothesized that birds may have evolved adaptive strategies that reduce the costs of fault bars (the ‘fault bar allocation hypothesis’). An untested prediction of this hypothesis is that fault bars in important feathers for flight (wing and...

Abstract Vultures are presently the most threatened raptor guild in world. Threats to vultures numerous and mainly anthropogenic. Understanding human communities' relationship with species can guide strengthen conservation initiatives. We assessed awareness, benefits, beliefs, threats, perspectives of people surrounding protected areas accommodating few remaining vulture strongholds KwaZulu-Nat...

The developmental basis of morphological complexity remains a central question in developmental and evolutionary biology. Feathers provide a unique system to analyze the development of complex morphological novelties. Here, we describe the interactions between Sonic hedgehog (Shh) and bone morphogenetic protein 2 (Bmp2) signaling during feather barb ridge morphogenesis. We demonstrate that acti...

BACKGROUND An association study between single nucleotide polymorphism markers (SNP) and (innate and adaptive) immune parameters but also feather condition score on the back, rump and belly of laying hens was performed. The immune parameters measured in blood samples were natural and acquired antibody titers and complement activity. Feather condition score as a measure of feather damage was det...