Morphometric characterization and exact separation of Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and Common Pigeon (Columba livia forma domestica) moulted feathers

Bagi, Zoltán and Posta, János and Kusza, Szilvia (2017) Morphometric characterization and exact separation of Eurasian Collared Dove (Streptopelia decaocto) and Common Pigeon (Columba livia forma domestica) moulted feathers. ACTA AGRONOMICA ÓVÁRIENSIS, 58 (1). pp. 21-32. ISSN 1416-647X

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Abstract

Separation of feathers by objective methods improves the reliability and applicability of the moulted feathers sampling system. Our aim was to develop a simple and inexpensive method for the preselecting of samples, what can be performed even on the field and results could be helpful for the experts on different research areas (breeders, geneticists, bioinformaticians, physiologists, evolutionists, immunologists, industry experts, etc.). Eurasian Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto and CommonPigeon Columba livia forma domestica moulted feather samples were separated by using morphometric methods. Primary, feathers from hunted or dead birds were studied. Morphometric parameters of feathers were measured and then statistical analysis (Descriptive Statistics, Discriminant Analysis, Logistic Regression) was performed to compare the two species. We present three variables (diameter of calamus, length of rachis and width of complete vane) for test methods, what is suitable for the characterization of the species. The most important result of this study is to demonstrate the applicability of morphometric methods in order to identify the moulted feathers. Our study confirmed the possibility of sure separation and identification the feathers of the two studied species. We recommend preparing for further studies in case of other species, based on the used methodology andthe creation of a database that makes it easier to identificate the moulted feathers in the future.

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