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Hydrolyzed proteins have gained significant importance in the food industry due to their potential antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. They have been recognized for their ability to improve the shelf life and safety of food products. In this study, the researchers focused on incorporating hydrolyzed protein from sesame meal (SMPH) into a composite coating along with chitosan-cress seed gum (CH-CG). The aim was to investigate the effect of this composite coating, in both free and nanoparticle forms, on the shelf life of ostrich fillets during a 12-day refrigerated storage period. Initially, SMPH was produced using microbial alcalase protease enzymes, and its degree of hydrolysis and antioxidant properties were evaluated. Then, SMPH was encapsulated using liposomes. Six treatments were evaluated to examine the effect of CH-CG coating and SMPH, in both free and nanoparticle forms, on the extension of the shelf life of ostrich fillets: control, CH-CG, CH-CG + 0.5% SMPH, CH-CG + 1% SMPH, CH-CG + 0.5% nano SMPH (NSMPH), and CH-CG + 1% NSMPH. Chemical parameters (peroxide value, thiobarbituric acid, and nitrogenous volatile bases) and microbial parameters (total bacterial count and psychrotrophic bacteria count) were periodically analyzed. The results showed that SMPH with a hydrolysis time of 90 min and a molecular weight of 3 kD exhibited the highest protein content, degree of hydrolysis, and DPPH free radical scavenging activity (P < 0.05). The particle size of NSMPH was found to be 56.3 nm, the zeta potential was 38.1 mV, and the encapsulation efficiency was 75.95%. The chemical and microbial analyses indicated that the composite coating with SMPH led to a slower increase in oxidative and microbial indices compared to the control treatment, and NSMPH enhanced its antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Among all the treatments, the CH-CG + 1% NSMPH treatment demonstrated the most favorable results among all the tested treatments. Therefore, this treatment has the potential to serve as a natural preservative option in the meat industry, offering improved preservation, reduced spoilage, and enhanced product quality and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Few studies have modelled the nutrient requirements of breeding ostriches. Results obtained from historical studies were used here to determine the energy, protein and amino acid requirements of breeding ostriches for maintenance and egg production. Two energy scales were used to determine the energy requirement for egg production by ostrich breeders. The efficiency of metabolisable energy (ME) utilisation for energy deposition in the egg (ko) was calculated as 0.8, and the ME required for egg production (MEe) was 12.2 MJ/egg. The effective energy (EE) requirement for egg production (EEe) and maintenance (EEm) was calculated as 7.8 and 13.8 MJ/bird d, respectively. Average total daily balanced protein requirement (TPt) was calculated as 160 g/bird d. Amino acid requirements for maintenance and egg production are given together with recommendations for the daily supply of each amino acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Captive ratites, including the ostrich (Struthio camelus), are susceptible to various gastrointestinal conditions. However, spontaneous cloacal prolapse is a relatively less frequent diagnosis. This report details the clinical management of cloacal prolapse in an ostrich, including a brief literature review. A 10‐week‐old female ostrich reared in a semi‐intensive farming system was presented with a reddish protruded mass through the vent opening, along with a history of lethargy, poor appetite, and lack of droppings. Clinical examinations demonstrated a complete cloacal prolapse without any devitalization or necrosis of the involved tissues. Laboratory examinations revealed no parasitic or bacterial enteritis. Hematobiochemical analysis indicated low serum calcium. The case was surgically treated, which involved repositioning the prolapsed cloaca to its anatomical location and subsequent vent narrowing with a purse‐string suture while ensuring adequate space for the passage of droppings. Postoperatively, supportive medications and formulated feed with vitamin–mineral supplements, including calcium, were provided. The ostrich experienced an uneventful recovery. The purse‐string suture encompassing the vent was removed on the eighth postoperative day. No complications were reported 9 weeks after surgery. In brief, mineral deficiencies, particularly reduced serum calcium levels, may be associated with cloacal prolapse in young ostriches. Prompt surgical intervention and a balanced nutritional regimen with calcium supplements can effectively facilitate recovery.

Since current Newcastle disease vaccination programs are not able to completely control the virus, the resulting mortality seriously harms the economy of ostrich farming, so the development of methods to protect ostrich chicks against this virus is necessary. Among these methods, it is important to enrich the diet of ostrich chicks with compounds that can promote the humoral immunity of ostrich chicks. Zingiber officinalis, having biologically active compounds, has been to have modulating effects on the immune system. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of ginger extract on the immunogenicity of the Newcastle vaccine in one-month-old ostrich chicks. Thus, a total of 40 one-month-old ostriches were randomly divided into four groups of 10 ostriches each (with five repetitions). They were kept under the same management, breeding, and nutritional conditions. The first group, as a control group, received only the Newcastle vaccine and did not receive the ginger extract. The second group received 1 gram of ginger extract daily for 3 consecutive days prior to receiving the Newcastle vaccine. The third group received ginger extract 3 days after receiving the ND vaccine. The fourth group received ginger extract continuously from 3 days before vaccination to 3 days after vaccination. One-way ANOVA analysis of the resulting data showed that the changes in HI antibody titer in ostrich chickens between groups 1 and 2 are not significant, but groups 3 and 4 had statistically significant HI antibody titers compared with control group. Therefore, it can be concluded that the consumption of ginger at the rate of 1 gram per day for 3 consecutive days after vaccination or 6 days (3 days before and 3 days after vaccination) can increase the immunogenicity of Newcastle vaccination in ostrich chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostrich meat is an interesting alternative to poultry or beef due to its nutritional value. The addition of three plant species (hot peppers, acerola, Schisandra chinesis) was suggested as a method to improve the quality, safety, and consumer acceptance of sausages prepared from ostrich meat. A series of microbiological and chemical analyses (including, inter alia, content of biogenic amines, heavy metals, and bioactive compounds) of the products as well as their sensory evaluation was performed to verify this claim. The microflora of all sausages was dominated by lactic acid bacteria. The biggest threat to consumers’ health could be connected to the presence of biogenic amines formed through the enzymatic activity of lactic acid bacteria. The sausages with plant additives had better antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties and lower fat oxidation-these features were correlated with the presence of vitamin C. Sausages with plant additives had a higher acceptability in terms of taste and smell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is an important wild species highlighted in national and international livestock industry. This research was conducted to analyze the development of the ostrich respiratory system during fetal and embryonic stages. A total of 50 fertile ostrich eggs were collected from commercial farms and then incubated at 36.00 - 37.00 °C and 25.00 ± 2.00% humidity for 40 days. Sections were taken on days 13, 22, 26, 30, 36, and 42 of incubation from the lung and the cranial, middle, and caudal parts of the neck after decapitation of ostrich embryos and blood drainage. After fixation, processing, blocking, and sectioning, all samples were stained by Hematoxylin and Eosin, Alcian Blue (AB), Van Gieson, and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) techniques. It was concluded that the trachea in the 13-day-old embryo and goblet cells (PAS-positive and AB-positive) had incomplete rings of hyaline cartilage and differentiation of mesenchymal to the loose connective tissue. The bronchial stage of the lung was observed in the 22-day-old embryo, pseudoglandular stage in the 26-day-old embryo, and parabrachial and air capillary stage in the 30-day-old embryo. The information obtained from this study will be useful for diagnosing pathologies affecting this vital system and results in improving industrial breeding management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ostrich fattening project is considered one of the modern alternative agricultural activities in the Egyptian agricultural sector. The research aimed to a set of objectives, namely explaining scientific information about ostriches, and the structure of inputs, outputs and costs for ostrich fattening projects was studied, and economic efficiency indicators and investment efficiency indicators were calculated. The research relied on published secondary data, as well as primary field data collected from 10 farms specialized in ostrich fattening. To reach the objectives of the research, two types of economic evaluation were used.(A) The animal farm budget was used. (B) An analysis of the project by calculating lists of cash flows for the ostrich fattening project and estimating efficiency indicators. The most important results were: (1) Using the breakeven point, the study project can be avoid: (i) decrease in the current level of farm gate selling prices (by 15.6%), (ii) an increase in the current levels of be feed prices (by 21.2%). (2) Using the switching value technique, the study project can be avoid: (i) Decrease in the current level of farm gate selling prices (by 6.6%), (ii) An increase in the current levels of be feed prices (by 8.7%). (3) The marginal substitution relationship(i) Between the farm gate price of live weight and the average marketing live weight. (ii) Between the average farm production scale and farm gate price of live weight is also diminished rated. The research recommends the necessity of creating a market for ostrich products, and paying attention to scientific research in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vocal production in birds has been the target of considerable research that mostly has focused on phylogenetically well‐nested songbirds. Anatomical descriptions and recordings of many non‐songbirds have often only focused on a single ontogenetic stage or sex. While basic morphology of the vocal organ (syrinx) of ostrich (Palaeognathae, Struthio camelus) has been known since the 1800s, descriptions of its vocal repertoire and syrinx anatomy since then have been incomplete or inconsistent. New toolkits now enable detailed qualitative description of internal anatomy and meristic data and allow it to be compared to vocal production. Here we describe the anatomy of the syrinx in Struthio camelus for three post‐hatching ontogenetic stages and both an adult male and female utilizing dissection and contrast enhanced X‐ray computed tomography (diceCT). We find changes in ring geometry and spacing through ontogeny as well as lateral labia thickness. We document a small unpaired, midline, cartilaginous structure, a "pessuliform process" at the tracheobronchial juncture present throughout ontogeny and in both males and females. Investigation of the vocal repertoire of ostriches across ontogeny using a new dataset of 77 recordings led to identification of four vocalizations not previously reported in the literature, including the simultaneous production of a hiss and tonal. We find syrinx morphology largely consistent across ontogeny and in male and female adults. Both are capable of producing long duration tonal calls, but these may be more frequent in male birds. Closed‐mouth boom calls remain unique to males. A detailed understanding of diversity in parts of early diverging clades is pivotal in attempting to estimate features of the ancestral syrinx in birds and how avian vocalization evolved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostrich meat has a very high nutritional value, and improving the shelf life of raw ground meat is highest importance for the meat industry. The present study aims to improve the quality of minced ostrich meat using biosurfactants produced by Lactobacillus strains. For this purpose, biosurfactants were first derived from probiotic bacteria including Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus pentosus, and Lactobacillus casei. Then, the antioxidant activity of biosurfactant was evaluated in vitro using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), hydroxyl free radicals, and antimicrobial activities studied using the diffusion method in agar wells against pathogenic bacteria (Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus). Next, biosurfactants (with a concentration of 0.05 g/ml) were evaluated as biological preservatives to improve the microbiological (TVC, PTC, E. coli, S. aureus, and mold and yeast) and physicochemical (PV, TBA, TVB-N, pH, hardness and color index) quality of minced ostrich meat during 16 days of storage at 4 °C. The data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software. The results showed that the scavenging activity of DPPH and hydroxyl of biosurfactants at a concentration of 0.05 g/ml was 81.99–78.51% and 71.56–69.56%, respectively, and all biosurfactants had high antimicrobial activities. The results related to the shelf life of ostrich showed that the use of biosurfactants resulted in better color stability and firmer texture of the samples during the storage period. It was also the cause of delaying the chemical and microbial spoilage of the samples during the storage period. The samples containing biosurfactants had chemical, microbial, and sensory limits until the end of the storage period. Based on the results, biosurfactants can reduce all the indicators mentioned as natural antioxidants and antimicrobials, thus increasing the she lf life of minced ostrich meat. In addition, they can provide the necessary background for the practical use of these compounds in all kinds of meats and their products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since ancient times, animals have been used by man for a variety of purposes. Among these were birds, including flightless birds, led by the ostriches. This article attempts to show the importance of ostrich hunting in different cultures of the world in the nineteenth century, based on publications in the British press. The historical method was used to write the article and the source material for the research was press releases published in Britain. The analysis of the sources showed that English-speaking readers were familiar with the ostrich-hunting customs of various peoples living in South American and African areas. The press materials allowed readers to learn in detail about the course of the hunt or the techniques used to carry it out, which could also indirectly contribute to the inclusion of ostriches as attractions in circus staging programmes. On the other hand, the nomenclature used by the authors of the press articles clearly indicates that ostrich hunting was described as a sport that constituted both high-class entertainment and a profitable enterprise.

The brocade entitled “Five Stars Rising in the East Benefit China” of the Han Dynasty unearthed from the Niya ruins is regarded as one of the greatest discoveries of Chinese archaeology in the 20th century. It has bright colors, rich patterns and unique meanings. There are eight Chinese characters on the blue and white brocade meaning “Five Stars Rising in the East Benefit China”. In addition to these characters, there are typical Chinese patterns woven out of the five colors of red, yellow, blue, white and green, including the bird and animal pattern, the sun, moon and star pattern, the cloud and air pattern, and the dogwood pattern. At present, many scholars still have different conclusions about the identity of the animal patterns such as Luan bird, ostrich and azure dragon on this brocade. For example, Mr. Yu Zhiyong believed the animals should be peacocks, cranes and dragons; Mr. Sun Yu’an thought they should be big birds, Bixie（birds for warding off evil spirits） and spirit birds; Mr. Li Ling held they should be winged spirit birds, ostriches and divine beasts. The study took the controversial animal patterns in the brocade as the research object, adopted the two-fold evidence method, and compared and analyzed the animal patterns of the same type on different cultural relics of the Han Dynasty with the documents, summarized and analyzed the relevant documents that record the animals’ morphological characteristics, and compared and analyzed the patterns on other cultural relics of the same period, such as brocades, stone reliefs and bricks. The morphological features of animals were drawn in line, and it was proved that the controversial animal patterns on this brocade are: Luan bird, ostrich and azure dragon from right to left. Through the historical records related to the inscriptions on the brocade, the implication of animal patterns and the cultural connotation behind them were discussed.The combination of rare birds such as Luan birds and auspicious beasts with inscriptions and five stars in this brocade should be an affirmation of the merits and virtues of the tomb owner. The simultaneous appearance of an ostrich in the five-star brocade with the azure dragon, the white tiger and the Luan bird proves that the Han people regarded the ostrich as a lucky bird with the same status as the azure dragon, the white tiger and the Luan bird, which demonstrates the tolerance and absorption of Central Asian culture by Central Plains culture. The white tiger and the azure dragon, as spirit animals that can ward off evil spirits and symbolize auspice, are combined with military and political divination words into the brocade pattern, which is more likely to bring blessings and victory. As the spirit of guarding the four sides and protecting the immortal to heaven, the azure dragon represents the orientation of the sky, and also reflects the artistic style of the Han Dynasty society’s advocating masculinity and unrestrainedness. Therefore, the simultaneous appearance of the auspicious birds and beasts, the gods that guard and guide people, and the sun, moon and star pattern, cloud and air pattern, dogwood pattern and Chinese characters in the brocade, is not only an affirmation of the merits of the tomb owner, but also a protection of the owner of the tomb before and after his death, and a blessing for the Central Plains with a hope that China will prosper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Sport & Tourism Central European Journal / Sport i Turystyka Srodkowoeuropejskie Czasopismo Naukowe is the property of Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In Egypt, ostrich farming has had a great increase during the last few years. The most common problems facing ostrich farmers are a high percentage of late embryonic mortality and low hatchability. This study was designed to survey the main causes of late in-shell ostrich embryonic death. A total of 100 freshly dead inshell ostrich embryos, all of them were in the second half of the incubation period with different ages ranging from 25 to 39 days old, were received during the breeding seasons of the period from October 2018- October 2021, from different ostrich farms in Egypt, suffered from late-stage embryonic death during artificial incubation, respiratory signs and diarrhea in breeders, moreover, the surveyed ostrich farms were near to chicken farms suffered from Newcastle Disease outbreaks. Gross findings in all embryos were recorded as anasarca, severe general congestion, and hemorrhages. In this study, 66 dead shell ostrich embryos out of 100 (66%) were immunohistochemically positive for Newcastle Disease Virus. Four Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus strains (genotype VIIb) were molecularly characterized in 4 immune-positive ND embryos (from 4 different ostrich farms in 4 different Egyptian governorates) by RT-PCR and F gene sequencing. In addition, all embryos were negative for bacterial isolation except for one vNDV positive embryo (1%) (25 days old) that was superinfected by Citrobacter spp. The main histopathological lesions of vNDV-positive ostrich embryos were general edema, extensive congested blood vessels, hemorrhages, necrosis, syncytial cells formation in the upper respiratory tract, and leukocytic cells infiltrations. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first report of the Velogenic Newcastle Disease Virus that immunohistochemically and molecularly characterized in dead ostrich embryos in Egypt, therefore, Newcastle Disease Virus vaccination of ostrich breeders is strongly recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To analyze 5 types of poultry eggs (chicken, turkey, ostrich, duck and quail) to compare their nutritional characteristics. Design/Methodology/Approach: A physical analysis was performed: weight of the entire egg (weight and proportion of the albumin, yolk and shell) length and width of the entire egg, shape index, shell color, and yolk color, nutritional (determination of raw fat, protein, dry matter and ashes). Different types of egg used: chicken, turkey, ostrich, duck and quail. Results: The egg containing the most amount of protein was that of the duck (13.02 ± 0.46%), while the sample containing the lowest result was that of the ostrich (9.47 ± 0.27%). The type of egg that contained the fattest level was the duck (10.31 ± 0.75%); on the other hand, the type of egg that demonstrated the least amount of fat was that of the chicken egg (8.28 ± 0.39%). Results/Findings/Conclusion: Even though some physical differences exist in all types of eggs, they are similar and there is minimal variation in terms of their nutritional value. Therefore, these different types of eggs can be applied for consumption as substitutes for chicken eggs and as an alternative source of protein. Limitations of the study/Implications: Lack of previous research in regard to comparisons of the types of analyzed eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Morphometric study of the bony elements of the appendicular skeleton in the ostrich was fully described and identified. The appendicular skeleton included the bones of the pectoral girdle, the wing, the pelvic girdle and the pelvic limb. Results The shoulder girdle of the ostrich included the scapula and coracoid bones. The scapula appeared as a flattened spoon-like structure. The coracoid bone appeared quadrilateral in outline. The mean length of the scapula and coracoid (sternal wing) were 15.00 ± 0.23 and 10.00 ± 0.17 cm, respectively. The wing included the humerus, ulna, radius, radial carpal bone, ulnar carpal bone, carpometacarpus and phalanges of three digits. The mean length of the humerus, radius, and ulna were 33.00 ± 0.46, 10.50 ± 0.40 and 11.50 ± 0.29 cm respectively. The carpometacarpus was formed by the fusion of the distal row of carpal bones and three metacarpal bones. Digits of the wing were three in number; the alular, major and minor digits. Os coxae comprised the ilium, ischium and pubis. Their mean lengths were 36.00 ± 0.82 cm, 32.00 ± 0.20 and 55.00 ± 0.2.9 cm, respectively. The femur was a stout short bone, that appeared shorter than the tibiotarsus. The mean length of the femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus were 30.00 ± 0.23, 52.00 ± 0.50 and 46.00 ± 0.28 cm. Tibiotarsus was the longest bone in the pelvic limb. The fibula was a long bone (44.00 ± 0.41 cm) lying along the lateral surface of the tibiotarsus. The tarsometatarsus was a strong long bone formed by the fusion of the metatarsal (II, III, IV) and the distal row of tarsal bones. It was worth mentioning that metatarsal II was externally absent in adults. Conclusions In the appendicular skeleton of ostrich, there were special characteristic features that were detected in our study; the clavicle was absent, the coracoid bone was composed of a sternal wing and scapular wing, the ulna was slightly longer in length than the radius. The coupled patellae i.e., the proximal and distal patella were observed; and the ostrich pedal digits were only two; viz., the third (III) and fourth (IV) digits.

It has been reported that adult ostriches displayed the longest episodes of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep (up to 5 min) and more REM sleep (24% of the nighttime) than any other bird species. If the mammalian ontogenetic trend exists in the ostrich, then the amounts of REM and the duration of sleep episodes in young ostriches may be greater than those reported in adults. We investigated sleep in 1.5-3.5 month old ostrich chicks. Recordings were conducted during nighttime (20:00-08:00), the main sleep period in ostriches, which are diurnal. The polygrams were scored in 4-s epochs for waking, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and REM sleep, as in other bird studies. REM sleep in ostrich chicks occurred during both cortical EEG activation and during slow waves, as was described in adult ostriches. The chicks spent 69.3% ± 1.5% of the night in NREM sleep. REM sleep occupied 14.1% ± 1.8% of the night or 16.8% ± 2.0% of nighttime sleep. Episodes of REM sleep lasted on average 10 ± 1 s and ranged between 4 and 40 s. Therefore, the total amount and duration of REM sleep episodes in ostrich chicks were substantially smaller than reported in adult ostriches while the amounts of NREM sleep did not greatly differ. The developmental profile of REM sleep ontogenesis in the ostrich may be remarkably different from what has been reported in all studied mammals and birds.

Copyright of MESO is the property of Zadruzna Stampa D.D. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Few studies describe the sequence of morphological events that characterize spermiogenesis in birds. In this paper, the clearly observable steps of spermiogenesis are described and illustrated for the first time in a commercially important ratite, the ostrich, based on light microscopy of toluidine blue-stained plastic sections. Findings were supplemented and supported by ultrastructural observations, PNA labeling of acrosome development, and immunocytochemical labeling of isolated spermatogenic cells. Spermiogenesis in the ostrich followed the general pattern described in non-passerine birds. Eight steps were identified based on changes in nuclear shape and contents, positioning of the centriolar complex, and acrosome development. Only two steps could be recognized with certainty during development of the round spermatid which contributed to the fewer steps recorded for the ostrich compared to that described in some other bird species. The only lectin that displayed acrosome reactivity was PNA and only for the first three steps of spermiogenesis. This suggests that organizational and/or compositional changes may occur in the acrosome during development and merits further investigation. Immunological labeling provided additional evidence to support the finding of previous studies that the tip of the nucleus in the ostrich is shaped by the forming acrosome and not by the microtubular manchette. To our knowledge, this is the first complete description of spermiogenesis in ostrich and one of few in any avian species. In addition to comparative reproduction and animal science, this work has implications for evolutionary biology as the reported germ cell features provide a bridge between reptile and ratite-avian spermatogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Evaluating the prevalence of vancomycin resistance genes (van genes) in enterococcal isolates from food‐producing animals is an important public health issue because of the possibility of resistance genes spread to human. Objectives The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of vancomycin resistance genes among Enterococcus species obtained from ostrich faecal samples. Methods One hundred and twenty‐five faecal samples of apparently healthy ostriches from five different farms were investigated. Genes encoding vancomycin resistance were studied by multiplex‐PCR, and susceptibility to six antibiotics was evaluated by disk‐diffusion method. Results In total, 107 Enterococcus spp. isolates were obtained and confirmed by biochemical and molecular tests. Enterococcus faecium was the prevailing species (56 isolates of 107; 52.3%), followed by E. hirae (24 isolates; 22.4%) and E. gallinarum (12 isolates; 11.2%). Of the 107 recovered isolates, 44% harboured at least a type of van genes. vanA, vanC2/3 and vanC1 were identified in 34 (31.7%), 13 isolates (12.1%) and 4 (3.7%) isolates respectively. Additionally, four isolates (E. gallinarum, E. rafinosus) co‐harboured the the vanA and vanC1 or vanA and vanC2/3. Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae strains with the vanA genotype were the most frequent van‐carrying enterococci from ostrich faecal samples. Among van‐carrying enterococcal isolates, 23.4% were phenotypically resistant to vancomycin. This study revealed a relatively high prevalence (44%) of van‐carrying enterococci in ostrich faecal samples. Conclusions Results of the present study suggest that ostrich faeces could be considered as a reservoir of vancomycin resistance genes, especially vanA containing enterococci that could be potentially transferred to human through the food chain.

Background Morphometric study of the bony elements of the appendicular skeleton in the ostrich was fully described and identifed. The appendicular skeleton included the bones of the pectoral girdle, the wing, the pelvic girdle and the pelvic limb. Results The shoulder girdle of the ostrich included the scapula and coracoid bones. The scapula appeared as a fat‑ tened spoon-like structure. The coracoid bone appeared quadrilateral in outline. The mean length of the scapula and coracoid (sternal wing) were 15.00±0.23 and 10.00±0.17 cm, respectively. The wing included the humerus, ulna, radius, radial carpal bone, ulnar carpal bone, carpometacarpus and phalanges of three digits. The mean length of the humerus, radius, and ulna were 33.00±0.46, 10.50±0.40 and 11.50±0.29 cm respectively. The carpometacarpus was formed by the fusion of the distal row of carpal bones and three metacarpal bones. Digits of the wing were three in number; the alular, major and minor digits. Os coxae comprised the ilium, ischium and pubis. Their mean lengths were 36.00±0.82 cm, 32.00±0.20 and 55.00±0.2.9 cm, respectively. The femur was a stout short bone, that appeared shorter than the tibiotarsus. The mean length of the femur, tibiotarsus, and tarsometatarsus were 30.00±0.23, 52.00±0.50 and 46.00±0.28 cm. Tibiotarsus was the longest bone in the pelvic limb. The fbula was a long bone (44.00±0.41 cm) lying along the lateral surface of the tibiotarsus. The tarsometatarsus was a strong long bone formed by the fusion of the metatarsal (II, III, IV) and the distal row of tarsal bones. It was worth mentioning that metatarsal II was externally absent in adults. Conclusions In the appendicular skeleton of ostrich, there were special characteristic features that were detected in our study; the clavicle was absent, the coracoid bone was composed of a sternal wing and scapular wing, the ulna was slightly longer in length than the radius. The coupled patellae i.e., the proximal and distal patella were observed; and the ostrich pedal digits were only two; viz., the third (III) and fourth (IV) digits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coprophagy is a behavior where animals consume feces, and has been observed across a wide range of species, including birds and mammals. The phenomenon is particularly prevalent in juveniles, but the reasons for this remain unclear. One hypothesis is that coprophagy enables offspring to acquire beneficial gut microbes that aid development. However, despite the potential importance of this behavior, studies investigating the effects in juveniles are rare. Here we experimentally test this idea by examining how ingestion of adult feces by ostrich chicks affects their gut microbiota development, growth, feeding behavior, pathogen abundance, and mortality. We conducted extensive longitudinal experiments for 8 weeks, repeated over 2 years. It involved 240 chicks, of which 128 were provided daily access to fresh fecal material from adults and 112 were simultaneously given a control treatment. Repeated measures, behavioral observations, and DNA metabarcoding of the microbial gut community, both prior to and over the course of the experiment, allowed us to evaluate multiple aspects of the behavior. The results show that coprophagy causes (a) marked shifts to the juvenile gut microbiota, including a major increase in diversity and rapid maturation of the microbial composition, (b) higher growth rates (fecal-supplemented chicks became 9.4% heavier at 8 weeks old), (c) changes to overall feeding behavior but no differences in feed intake, (d) lower abundance of a common gut pathogen (Clostridium colinum), and (e) lower mortality associated with gut disease. Together, our results suggest that the behavior of coprophagy in juveniles is highly beneficial and may have evolved to accelerate the development of gut microbiota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examinations on ostrich chick vitality can help to improve the effectiveness of Hungarian ostrich husbandry and hatching technology. The investigations were carried out on an ostrich breeder farm in Eastern Hungary. For the analyses, the Tona et al. (2003) scoring system was applied presenting eight main criteria (activity, feather, condition, eyesight, the condition of navel and leg, the amount of the remaining shell membrane and egg content, and the size and tenderness of the abdomen). Most chicks (98.08%) were vigilant and had clean and dry feathers. There was no difference between the average hatching weights between May and August but a decreasing tendency was shown during the laying season. The vitality total score was above 90 in each evaluated month and was not affected by the hatching month. Our results revealed that the vitality of chicks was not affected by either the hatching month (P=0.51) or the weight category (P=0.11). Neither the hatching weight of chicks and leg condition were correlated (P=0.79). Results showed that the Tona scoring system with small modifications can be well applied to ostrich chicks. Practical on-farm usage of the system can be suggested as an aid in day-old chick evaluation. After individual marking of chicks, the investigation of growth and culling rate could be carried out for more precise conclusions, involving more farms and laying seasons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chicken has been a representative model organism to study embryonic development in birds, however important differences exist among this class of species. As a representative of one of oldest existing clades of birds, the African ostrich (Struthio camelus), has the largest body among birds, and has two toes. Our purpose is to establish the corresponding stages in ostrich embryo development that match the well‐established HH system of the chicken to facilitate comparative studies between the ostrich and other birds to better understand differences in development. Results: Here we describe in detail the middle period of embryonic development using microscopic images and skeletal staining. We found that clear morphological differentiation between the ostrich and the chicken begins at stage 26. Bird limb cartilage first form in stage 25, while the development of the limb skeletons differs after stage 31. Calcification of limb skeletons in the chicken was completed faster. The first and second toes of the ostrich disappear at stages 36 and 38, respectively. Conclusions: This study should greatly aid ostrich‐related developmental and morphological research and provide a reference for studying the development and evolution of avian limb skeletons, including molecular research. Questions that can now be addressed include studies into the fusion of tarsometatarsal skeleton, ossification, and digit loss. Key Findings: The stages of ostrich development are defined.Comparison of embryonic development between ostrich and chicken.Continuously record and describe limb bone development in the ostrich and chicken.Limb cartilage first forms in both species at stage 25.The unique degenerated first and second toes of the ostrich is completed by stages 36 and 38, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aflatoxins are types of biological toxins also known as mycotoxins and can be produced by 100 different types of fungi. The most common types of mycotoxins are AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, and AFG2. These are toxic metabolites that are produced by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. In the present study, the most common method thin layer chromatography (TLC) was used to estimate the levels of aflatoxins in broiler, quail, and ostrich feed samples. A total of 18 samples were collected from different sites of broiler, quail, and ostrich farms and local shops in Lahore. Upon quantification by TLC method, the contamination was detected in 12 samples (66.66%) out of 18 samples. B1, B2, and G1 aflatoxins were detected in different feed samples. The prevalence of the aflatoxins in overall feed samples was noticed in the following order B1>B2>G1. A less amount of contamination was noticed in broiler feed samples as compared to quail and ostrich feed samples. Results were statistically analyzed by one-way ANOVA and significant differences at p-value < 0.05 were noticed for aflatoxins in broilers with quail and ostrich. While non-significant differences at p-value> 0.05 were noticed for ostrich and quail feed samples. By independent sample T-test, a significant difference was noticed in positive feed samples of summer and winter seasons at p-value < 0.05. The most contaminated samples were found in the summer season as compared to the winter season. However, it was concluded that might be the storage conditions of feed samples need to improve and should be regulated by feed authorities so that the effects of aflatoxins can be reduced in the feed samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostriches are known to be the fastest bipedal animal alive; to accomplish such an achievement, their anatomy evolved to sustain the stresses imposed by running at such velocities. Ostriches represent an excellent case study due to the fact that their locomotor kinematics have been extensively studied for their running capabilities. The shape and structure of ostrich bones are also known to be optimized to sustain the stresses imposed by the body mass and accelerations to which the bones are subjected during movements. This study focuses on the limb bones, investigating the structure of the bones as well as the material properties, and how both the structure and material evolved to maximise the performance while minimising the stresses applied to the bones themselves. The femoral shaft is hollowed and it presents an imbricate structure of fused bone ridges connected to the walls of the marrow cavity, while the tibial shaft is subdivided into regions having different mechanical characteristics. These adaptations indicate the optimization of both the structure and the material to bear the stresses. The regionalization of the material highlighted by the mechanical tests represents the capability of the bone to adapt to external stimuli during the life of an individual, optimizing not only the structure of the bone but the material itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lower limb tarsometatarsi of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) have good load-bearing properties during locomotion, but this has never been demonstrated. One of the main load components of the tarsometatarsal bone of the ostrich is cantilever loading (with linearly varying bending moments, the largest component of which is in the sagittal plane). The main objective of this paper is to investigate whether the cross section of the backbone and its variation along the tibia make it an optimal structure under such loading. CT scans were performed on six metatarsals. Geometric and material properties were extracted from the CT scans and analyzed along the tarsal joint. A 3D model of the tarsometatarsi of the ostrich lower limb was then reconstructed using CT scans and reverse engineering techniques, and finite element simulations of the tarsometatarsi were performed under simple loads (bending and torsion) and actual physiological loads. Second-order moments of area and inertia along the tarsometatarsus, and linear variation of the modulus of section in the sagittal plane (slightly less linear in the anterior plane). The linearity of the other properties (polar coordinates and cross section) is much lower. The distribution of load along the longitudinal direction to the cross section of the tarsometatarsal bone in ostriches is similar to that of a beam structure. The good load-bearing properties of the tarsometatarsus are closely related to its morphological and structural characteristics, which suggest that the tarsometatarsus is a uniformly stressed structure suitable for cantilever loading. This novel bionic shape can be used to design lightweight structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Journal of the Chinese Society of Animal Science is the property of Chinese Society of Animal Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of the Chinese Society of Animal Science is the property of Chinese Society of Animal Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A complete ostrich femur from the Late Pleistocene deposits of the Upper Cave at Zhoukoudian (China) was referred by Shaw to Struthio anderssoni in the 1930s, but its present whereabouts are unknown. A good quality plaster cast of the missing specimen has been found in the collections of the Natural History Museum (London). This cast provides interesting information about the morphology of this large ostrich femur, which had previously been only summarily described and not illustrated. Although smaller than the femora of the Early Pleistocene giant ostrich Pachystruthio, the robust femur from Zhoukoudian shows morphological similarities with them, and it is suggested that 'Struthio' anderssoni should be placed in the genus Pachystruthio. The importance of old palaeontological casts is emphasized, as well as the need to preserve and curate them properly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Field surveys over the past decade in the Sperrgebiet, Namibia, have led to the recovery of additional fossil remains of the Early Miocene ostrich, Struthio coppensi Mourer-Chauviré et al. 1996, including three fossils from a locality, Grillental VI, from which the species had not previously been recorded. Among the new material, there are two pedal phalanges and a cervical vertebra, as well as additional leg bones (tibiotarsus, tarsometatarsus). Descriptions and illustrations are provided of the material, which conform in dimensions and morphology with what would be expected for Struthio coppensi, which had ca 65% the dimensions of the extant ostrich, Struthio camelus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, ostrich breeding has been widely developed in Iran and other countries due to the ability of this animal to produce quality meat, leather, and oil. However, one of the main problems in breeding them is sex determination using aggressive techniques with low accuracy. This study aimed to determine the sex of immature ostriches using specific primers in a multiplex PCR reaction. This study considered 20 specimens of unspecified immature and six specimens (three adult males and females) of known-sex African ostriches as controls. SS and OSFES primers were used to amplify part of the female-specific sequence and 18S primer was used as a control in a PCR reaction. The presence of SS and OSFES bands in gel electrophoresis indicated the amplification of the desired parts related to the female sex and the absence of these bands indicates the male sex of the species. In total, out of 20 African ostriches studied, 50% of them belonged to females and 50% of them belonged to males. Later, with the growth of immature individuals, the results of this experiment were confirmed. In this study, it was found that the use of feather samples for DNA extraction and multiplex PCR is a suitable, accurate, and cost-effective method in identifying and determining the sex of young ostrich and leads to more real and reliable results, avoiding stress in birds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evaluating the prevalence of vancomycin resistance genes (van genes) in enterococcal isolates from food‐producing animals is an important public health issue because of the possibility of resistance genes spread to human. Objectives: The present study aimed to determine the occurrence of vancomycin resistance genes among Enterococcus species obtained from ostrich faecal samples. Methods: One hundred and twenty‐five faecal samples of apparently healthy ostriches from five different farms were investigated. Genes encoding vancomycin resistance were studied by multiplex‐PCR, and susceptibility to six antibiotics was evaluated by disk‐diffusion method. Results: In total, 107 Enterococcus spp. isolates were obtained and confirmed by biochemical and molecular tests. Enterococcus faecium was the prevailing species (56 isolates of 107; 52.3%), followed by E. hirae (24 isolates; 22.4%) and E. gallinarum (12 isolates; 11.2%). Of the 107 recovered isolates, 44% harboured at least a type of van genes. vanA, vanC2/3 and vanC1 were identified in 34 (31.7%), 13 isolates (12.1%) and 4 (3.7%) isolates respectively. Additionally, four isolates (E. gallinarum, E. rafinosus) co‐harboured the the vanA and vanC1 or vanA and vanC2/3. Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus hirae strains with the vanA genotype were the most frequent van‐carrying enterococci from ostrich faecal samples. Among van‐carrying enterococcal isolates, 23.4% were phenotypically resistant to vancomycin. This study revealed a relatively high prevalence (44%) of van‐carrying enterococci in ostrich faecal samples. Conclusions: Results of the present study suggest that ostrich faeces could be considered as a reservoir of vancomycin resistance genes, especially vanA containing enterococci that could be potentially transferred to human through the food chain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To look for the reason why the biped animal in nature can run with such high speed and to design a bionic biped prototype which can behave the high speed running and jumping ability, this paper takes the fastest bipedal animal in nature: ostrich as the research subject. Firstly, the body structure and motion characteristics of ostrich are investigated. Secondly, a simple mechanical structure of bionic ostrich robot is designed based on the above biological investigated results. The robot is under-actuated with one actuator each leg, with a spring on the tarsometatarsus and a torsion spring on the metatarsophalangeal joint at the foot end. And then the mechanical design of leg structure is optimized. Finally, the high-speed running and jumping running gait is planned, and comparative simulations are implemented with different design requirements among pure rigid and rigid-flexible coupling scheme, which are rigid, only with spring, only with torsion spring, and with spring and torsion spring both, in detail. Simulation results show that the rigid-flexible coupling design scheme and whole body motion coordination can achieve better high speed performance. It provides an insight for the design and control of legged robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Long-necked animals like giraffes face the challenge of adequately supplying blood to the brain. The heart of such tall animals must work harder to pump blood over a 2 m head-to-heart distance against the force of gravity compared to a short-necked animal. Does a mechanism exist to assist tall animals in overcoming this challenge? We found that there is a possibility of a mechanism that can enhance blood flow to the brain and a subsequent increase in oxygen supply, which will reduce the heart's workload to pump blood over a 2 m distance in a Giraffe. In short-necked animals, the workload on the heart is less to supply blood to the brain adequately; therefore, no additional mechanism is necessary. We, however, suggest that a similar mechanism might have been functional in dinosaurs with extremely long necks to help with adequate blood supply to the brain by comparing relevant giraffe physiology and anatomy with existing data on paleontology. Adult giraffes reach heights of 4.5 m with a heart-to-head distance of over 2 m, making cranial blood supply challenging. Ultrasound confirmed that the giraffe jugular vein collapses during head movement from ground level to fully erect, negating the possibility of a siphon mechanism in the neck. We showed that a short-length siphon structure over a simulated head-to-heart distance for a giraffe significantly influences flow in a collapsible tube. The siphon structure is determined according to brain case measurements. The short-length siphon structure in a shorter-necked ostrich showed no significant increase in flow. The shorter head-to-heart distance might be the reason for the lack of effect in ostriches. A siphon mechanism situated in the cranium is certainly possible, with a significant effect exerted on the amount of pressure the heart must generate to allow adequate cranial blood perfusion in a long-necked giraffe. The study validated that a cranial-bound siphon structure can operate and will be of significant value for adequate cranial blood perfusion in long-necked species such as giraffes and might also have existed in extinct species of long-necked dinosaurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Rigorous testing is a prerequisite to prove freedom of notifiable influenza A virus infections in commercially farmed ostriches, as is the isolation and identification of circulating strains. Pooling 5 ostrich tracheal swabs in a 50 % v/v phosphate-buffered saline (PBS): glycerol transport medium (without antibiotics) is the current standard practice to increase reverse transcription real time PCR (RT-rtPCR) testing throughput and simultaneously reduce the test costs. In this study we investigated whether doubling ostrich tracheal swabs to 10 per pool would affect the sensitivity of detection of H5N8 high pathogenicity avian influenza virus (HPAIV) and H7N1 low pathogenicity avian influenza virus (LPAIV) by quantitative RT-rtPCR, and we also compared the effect of a protein-rich, brain heart infusion broth (BHI) virus transport media containing broad spectrum antimicrobials (VTM) on the efficacy of isolating the H5N8 and H7N1 viruses from ostrich tracheas, since the historical isolation success rate from these birds has been poor. Results Increasing the ostrich swabs from 5 to 10 per pool in 3 mls of transport medium had no detrimental effect on the sensitivity of the RT-rtPCR assay in detecting H5N8 HPAIV or H7N1 LPAIV; and doubling of the swab pool size even seemed to improve the sensitivity of virus detection at levels that were statistically significant (p less than or equal to 0.05) in medium and low doses of spiked H5N8 HPAIV and at high levels of spiked H7N1 LPAIV. On virus isolation, more samples were positive when swabs were stored in a protein-rich viral transport medium supplemented with antimicrobials in PBS: glycerol (10/18 vs. 7/18 for H5N8 HPAI); although the differences were not statistically significant, overall higher virus titres were detected (106.7 – 103.0 vs. 106.6 - 103.1 EID50 for H5N8 HPAIV and 105.5 - 101.4 vs. 105.1 – 101.3 EID50 for H7N1 LPAIV); and fewer passages were required with less filtration for both H5N8 HPAI and H7N1 LPAI strains. Conclusion Ostrich tracheal swab pool size could be increased from 5 to 10 in 3mls of VTM with no loss in sensitivity of the RT-rtPCR assay in detecting HPAI or LPAI viruses, and HPAI virus could be isolated from a greater proportion of swabs stored in VTM compared to PBS: glycerol without antibiotics.

Traumatic ventriculitis or hardware disease is the gizzard perforation by sharp foreign bodies (metallic or sharp object) that leads to ulcerative lesions.The present Case Report was to investigate through post mortem examination the cause of African ostrich death. Necropsy was conducted on a dead male adult African Ostrich presented to the postmortem unit of the Department of Veterinary Pathology, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria. The gross lesions showed multifocal ecchymotic and petechial haemorrhages and lacerations on the left shank and thigh as well as the cloaca and vent of the bird. A perforation of the proventriculus with adhesion of a pointed nail-like metallic sharp object of 9.4 cm in length was observed. Histopathological findings revealed obliteration of tubular and vascular congestion which predisposed the animal to metabolic disorder.

The incidence of the avian influenza virus in late 2016, different genotypes of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N8 clade 2.3.4.4b have been reported among different domestic and wild bird species. The virus became endemic in the poultry population, causing a considerable economic loss for the poultry industry. This study screened 5 ostrich farms suffering from respiratory signs and mortality rate of the avian influenza virus. A flock of 60-day-old ostriches with a mortality of 90% suffered from depression, loss of appetite, dropped production, and oculo-nasal discharges, with bleeding from natural orifices as a vent. This flock was found positive for avian influenza virus and subtypes as HPAI H5N8 virus. The similarity between nucleotide sequencing for the 28 hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) was 99% and 98%, respectively, with H5N8 viruses previously detected. The PB2 encoding protein harbor a unique substitution in mammalian marker 627A, which has not been recorded before in previously sequenced H5N8 viruses. Phylogenetically, the isolated virus is closely related to HPAI H5N8 viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b. The detection of the HPAI H5N8 virus in ostrich is highly the need for continuous epidemiological and molecular monitoring of influenza virus spread in other bird species, not only chickens. Ostrich should be included in the annual SunAlliance, for the detection of avian influenza.

Influenza A viruses (IAVs) are typically isolated and cultured by successive passages using 9- to 11-day-old embryonated chicken eggs (ECEs) and in 14-day old ECEs for virus mutational studies. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction tests (RT-PCRs) are commonly used for IAV diagnosis, but virus isolation remains invaluable in terms of its high sensitivity, providing viable isolates for further studies and the ability to distinguish between viable and nonviable virus. Efforts at isolating ostrich-origin IAVs from RT-PCR positive specimens using ECEs have often been unsuccessful, raising the possibility of a species bottleneck, whereby ostrich-adapted IAVs may not readily infect and replicate in ECEs, yet the capacity of an ostrich embryo to support the replication of influenza viruses has not been previously demonstrated. This study describes an optimised method for H5 and H7 subtype IAV isolation and propagation in 28-day old embryonated ostrich eggs (EOEs), the biological equivalent of 14-day old ECEs. The viability of EOEs transported from breeding sites could be maximised by pre-incubating the eggs for 12 to 14 days prior to long-distance transportation. This method applied to studies for ostrich-adapted virus isolation and in ovo studies will enable better understanding of the virus-host interaction in ostriches and the emergence of potentially zoonotic diseases.

There was analyzed and compared the nutritional posture of the young ostriches of different ages, reside at the farm “Anataction Investagro SRL” in conditions of Republic of Moldavia with offered pastures based on different normative dates and there was held the comparative analysis on the contends of food-value substances in them.

Recent studies have revealed the dynamic and complex evolution of CLCA1 gene homologues in and between mammals and birds with a particularly high diversity in mammals. In contrast, CLCA2 has only been found as a single copy gene in mammals, to date. Furthermore, CLCA2 has only been investigated in few mammalian species but not in birds. Here, we established core genomic, protein biochemical and expressional properties of CLCA2 in several bird species and compared them with mammalian CLCA2. Chicken, turkey, quail and ostrich CLCA2 were compared to their mammalian orthologues using in silico, biochemical and expressional analyses. CLCA2 was found highly conserved not only at the level of genomic and exon architecture but also in terms of the canonical CLCA2 protein domain organization. The putatively prototypical galline CLCA2 (gCLCA2) was cloned and immunoblotting as well as immunofluorescence analyses of heterologously expressed gCLCA2 revealed protein cleavage, glycosylation patterns and anchoring in the plasma membrane similar to those of most mammalian CLCA2 orthologues. Immunohistochemistry found highly conserved CLCA2 expression in epidermal keratinocytes in all birds and mammals investigated. Our results suggest a highly conserved and likely evolutionarily indispensable role of CLCA2 in keratinocyte function. Its high degree of conservation on the genomic, biochemical and expressional levels stands in contrast to the dynamic structural complexities and proposed functional diversifications between mammalian and avian CLCA1 homologues, insinuating a significant degree of negative selection of CLCA2 orthologues among birds and mammals. Finally, and again in contrast to CLCA1, the high conservation of CLCA2 makes it a strong candidate for studying basic properties of the functionally still widely unresolved CLCA gene family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first fossil ostrich to have been named, by Milne-Edwards in 1869–1871, was Struthio asiaticus, a taxon based on a specimen collected by Colonel Colvin in the Siwaliks of India, consisting of associated postcranial elements (vertebrae, forelimb elements, a fragmentary tarsometatarsus and first phalanx of the third toe). Although it was described as least twice in some detail in the 19th century, the specimen has since then been interpreted in conflicting ways. A revision of the type material and its history shows that it came in all likelihood from the Siwaliks of present-day India, not Pakistan. The exact locality is unknown and the stratigraphic position of the specimen is uncertain (the frequent attribution to the Dhok Pathan Formation is not based on solid evidence). Contrary to what has sometimes been claimed, Struthio asiaticus was neither a small nor an especially large ostrich. It was apparently comparable in size with the modern S. camelus, but had slightly more robust cervical vertebrae and carpal bones. It seems to have been relatively short-toed. Because of the incompleteness of the material and uncertainties about its geological age, it is difficult to assess the place of Struthio asiaticus in the evolutionary history of the ostriches. Reports of Struthio asiaticus from Africa and north-eastern Asia are based on misinterpretations and should be discarded. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to investigate the effect of the combination of year and season of breeding period, egg weight, the annual hatching order of chicks and the hatchability of eggs on the relative risk of total loss for chicks during their 48-week life period. The examination was conducted on one of the largest farms in Hungary working with sixty breeding birds, kept in trios (one male and two females). The research covered the growing information of 1606 chicks hatched in 2019, 2020 and 2021. The highest relative risk of total loss was revealed in autumn 2020 and 2021. In comparison with the reference group (2021 summer), the relative risk of total loss was significantly lower in summer 2019 (p < 0.05) and spring 2020 (p = 0.0049) 2020 (p = 0.0000) and 2021 (p = 0.0348) spring. Both between years and between seasons the tendency of relative risk was the same. The relative risk of total loss increased until the end of the third quart of the incubation period, then remained unchanged. Chicks from groups having weak hatchability (≤50%) had the highest relative risk (p < 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ostriches are depicted at rock art sites that appear to be associated with raiding dating to the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. Taking into account the well-attested spiritual beliefs that relate to rock art made by past San hunter-gatherer populations and the understanding that the art does not depict scenes of daily life, it is highly unlikely that the artists were painting scenes of actual raids that somehow involved ostriches. An examination of broader Khoe-San beliefs concerning ostriches demonstrates instead that the depiction of these animals within a raiding context makes sense. This paper examines the historical significance of the Great Fish River region, as the former boundary of the Cape Colony and the location of frequent banditry, exemplified by stock-theft carried out by mixed groups of 'Bushman' bandits — comprising San, Khoekhoen, runaway slaves and military deserters — against European settlers. When such raids targeted European settlers, punitive expeditions were undertaken by commandos that included members of military regiments which themselves consisted of Khoe-San members. It was common for such individuals to desert their regiments and join up with the very bandits whom they were expected to combat, the reasons for which are examined in detail. An investigation of San and Khoekhoe beliefs about ostriches, both past and present, reveals a reverence for this bird as an animal of great strength that is able to escape dangerous situations by means of its powerful legs. This paper suggests that these raiders painted ostriches because they were purposefully drawing on ostrich potency to enable their own escape from military service as well as from pursuing commandos after stock raids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ostrich (Struthio camelus) is an herbivorous bird with a long and developed hindgut. In the hindgut, there is a dense and highly diverse population of anaerobic bacteria, and active fermentation produces high concentrations of short-chain fatty acids. Bacteria in the hindgut of the ostrich are considered vital for both their nutritional contribution and health benefits, such as benefits to the immune and defense system of the host. We attempted to isolate Lactobacillaceae, which might be involved in improving immune function and in inhibiting pathogens. The number of colonies from ostrich feces observed on LBS agar medium was 3.64×103 per gram of feces. Three strains of Lactobacillaceae were isolated from the feces. Nearly the entire length of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of these isolates was sequenced, and a homology search showed high identity with L. brevis (identity＝99.93%), L. coryniformis (98.39%), and L. paracasei (100.0%). These isolates may be deemed potential probiotics for the ostrich.

Recent studies have revealed the dynamic and complex evolution of CLCA1 gene homologues in and between mammals and birds with a particularly high diversity in mammals. In contrast, CLCA2 has only been found as a single copy gene in mammals, to date. Furthermore, CLCA2 has only been investigated in few mammalian species but not in birds. Here, we established core genomic, protein biochemical and expressional properties of CLCA2 in several bird species and compared them with mammalian CLCA2. Chicken, turkey, quail and ostrich CLCA2 were compared to their mammalian orthologues using in silico, biochemical and expressional analyses. CLCA2 was found highly conserved not only at the level of genomic and exon architecture but also in terms of the canonical CLCA2 protein domain organization. The putatively prototypical galline CLCA2 (gCLCA2) was cloned and immunoblotting as well as immunofluorescence analyses of heterologously expressed gCLCA2 revealed protein cleavage, glycosylation patterns and anchoring in the plasma membrane similar to those of most mammalian CLCA2 orthologues. Immunohistochemistry found highly conserved CLCA2 expression in epidermal keratinocytes in all birds and mammals investigated. Our results suggest a highly conserved and likely evolutionarily indispensable role of CLCA2 in keratinocyte function. Its high degree of conservation on the genomic, biochemical and expressional levels stands in contrast to the dynamic structural complexities and proposed functional diversifications between mammalian and avian CLCA1 homologues, insinuating a significant degree of negative selection of CLCA2 orthologues among birds and mammals. Finally, and again in contrast to CLCA1, the high conservation of CLCA2 makes it a strong candidate for studying basic properties of the functionally still widely unresolved CLCA gene family.

Cooperative breeding allows the costs of parental care to be shared, but as groups become larger, such benefits often decline as competition increases and group cohesion breaks down. The counteracting forces of cooperation and competition are predicted to select for an optimal group size, but variation in groups is ubiquitous across cooperative breeding animals. Here, we experimentally test if group sizes vary because of sex differences in the costs and benefits of cooperative breeding in captive ostriches, Struthio camelus, and compare this to the distribution of group sizes in the wild. We established 96 groups with different numbers of males (1 or 3) and females (1, 3, 4, or 6) and manipulated opportunities for cooperation over incubation. There was a clear optimal group size for males (one male with four or more females) that was explained by high costs of competition and negligible benefits of cooperation. Conversely, female reproductive success was maximised across a range of group sizes due to the benefits of cooperation with male and female group members. Reproductive success in intermediate sized groups was low for both males and females due to sexual conflict over the timing of mating and incubation. Our experiments show that sex differences in cooperation and competition can explain group size variation in cooperative breeders.

A large-scale experiment demonstrates sex differences in cooperation and competition that can explain group size variation in ostriches.