An extremely long and coiled trachea is also a characteristic of trumpeters (Psophiidae), but the tracheal elongation is subcutaneous.Ĭranes may sustain leg and wing injuries during capture, and they are prone to skin lacerations from their sharp toenails when mishandled. Cranes share this tracheal characteristic only with swans (Cygninae). Crane adults, with the exception of the African crowned cranes ( Balearica spp.), have a long, convoluted trachea that is enclosed within the bones of the keel, which is thought to be an adaptation for producing their loud bugling call ( Figure 19-1). Cranes are long-lived, with a captive lifespan that may reach 50 years. They differ from herons and egrets in that many crane species have bright-red thick skin covering parts of the head and neck and have perforate nares. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (websites accessed November 16, 2012), of the 15 extant species of cranes, 14 species and subspecies are vulnerable or endangered in bustards, 6 species are vulnerable or endangered and in rails, 35 species are vulnerable or endangered, and one, the Guam rail ( Gallirallus owstoni), is extinct in the wild (reintroduction efforts are ongoing).Ĭranes are found throughout the world except in the neotropics and the Antarctic. Much of our scientific knowledge, captive management techniques, and veterinary experience derive from these programs. Sustained efforts are ongoing to maintain, breed, and rear many species of Gruiformes for captive management and for reintroduction efforts. This chapter presents information derived primarily from experience with managing cranes, as more published data are available, with some additional information provided for bustards, coots, and rails. The orders Otididiformes (bustards, 26 species), Eurypygiformes (sunbitterns and Kagus, 2 species), Cariamiformes (seriemas, 2 species), and Mesitornithiformes (mesites, 2 species, and monias, 1 species) are traditionally included in the Gruiformes but are now largely separated because of morphologic and phylogenetic distinctions. It includes the families Gruidae (cranes, 15 species), Psophiidae (trumpeters, 3 species), Rallidae (rails, crakes, soras, gallinules, swamphens, takahes, moorhens, and coots, 138 species), Sarothruridae (flufftails, 7 species), Heliornithidae (sungrebes, and finfoots, 3 species), and Aramidae (limpkins, 1 species). The order Gruiformes has historically been problematic to classify and does not seem to be a monophyletic group as at least four different clades exist in it.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |