Journal article
Ecomorphological constraints imposed by the kidney component measurements in honeyeater birds inhabiting different environments
Journal of Zoology, Vol.231(4), pp.611-625
1993
Abstract
The histological renal anatomy of 10 species of honeyeaters was examined quantitatively, using stereology. The kidneys of five species of predominantly wet zone inhabiting birds: the western spinebill Acanthorhynchus superciliosus, White‐checked honeyeater Phylidonyris nigra. New Holland honeyeater Phylidonyris novaehollandiae, little wattlebird anthochaera chrysoptera and red wattlebird Anthochaera carunculata, were compared to five predominantly arid zone inhabiting birds: the grey‐fronted honeyeater Meliphaga plumula, white‐plumed honeyeater Meliphaga penicillata, white‐fronted honeyeater Phylidonyris albifrons, spiny‐checked honeyeater Acanthogenys rufogularis and yellow‐throated miner Manorina flarigula. The kidneys were asymmetrical, with the left kidney being larger than the right kidney. Kidney mass was directly proportional to body mass (coefficient of correlation, r =+0·95), as was kidney volume to kidney mass (r =+1·0). Wet zone honeyeaters generally and a higher percentage and absolute volume of renal cortex, whilst arid zone honeyeaters generally had a significantly higher percentage and absolute volume of renal medulla. There were few differences between species, in either the percentage or absolute volume or luminal surface area of nephron components within the cortex. Within the medulla, wet zone honeyeaters generally had a higher percentage and absolute luminal surface area of collecting ducts, whilst arid zone honeyeaters had a higher percentage and absolute surface area of capillaries. This may be due to factors such as variations in diet and climate between habitats resulting in differences in honeyeater renal morphology which enable arid zone birds to conserve water and wet zone birds to conserve ions more efficiently.
Details
- Title
- Ecomorphological constraints imposed by the kidney component measurements in honeyeater birds inhabiting different environments
- Authors/Creators
- G. Casotti (Author/Creator)K.C. Richardson (Author/Creator)J.S. Bradley (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Journal of Zoology, Vol.231(4), pp.611-625
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Identifiers
- 991005544143807891
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences; School of Veterinary Studies
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.79 Molecular & Cell Biology - Physiology
- 1.79.411 Epithelial Ion Transport
- Web Of Science research areas
- Zoology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science