AVIS-IBIS

Birds of Indian Subcontinent

THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF THE AVIAN EGGSHELL

Publication Type:Journal Article
Year of Publication:1975
Authors:Becking, JH
Journal:Ibis
Volume:117
Issue:2
Date Published:1975
ISBN Number:1474-919X
Keywords:Cuculidae, Cuculus, Cuculus canorus, Electron
Abstract:Summary By means of scanning electron microscopy the eggshells of a number of passerine and non-passerine wild birds have been investigated. Details and structures have been shown which were hitherto unrevealed by other methods. As suggested by Schmidt (1962a) and Tyler (1964a, 1966a), there is no crystallographic demarcation between cone and palisade layer. There are many vesicular holes in the palisade layer, the physiological significance of which is not yet understood. Bird groups, sometimes even bird species, show specific features of ultratexture of the eggshell by which, for instance, mimetic cuckoo eggs can be distinguished from the eggs of fosters. Other examples are given in which ultra-structure provides useful taxonomic evidence.
URL:http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1474-919X.1975.tb04201.x
Short Title:Ibis
Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith