1
|
Amir MA, Rehman IU, Riaz U, Lone HZ, Abbasi FS, Rasheed S, Hashim HT. Battling the Eagle's sharp beak, Eagle syndrome; a case report. eNeurologicalSci 2023; 31:100462. [PMID: 37132010 PMCID: PMC10149193 DOI: 10.1016/j.ensci.2023.100462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Eagle Syndrome is a pain syndrome of rare and unwonted incidence. Forbearer has an elongated styloid process or a calcified stylohyoid ligament, suppressing glossopharyngeal nerve leading to a mélange of symptoms including sporadic cervicofacial pain, headache, and foreign body sensation. Here we present case of a 65 year old military man of south Asian origin, who presented with complaints of sudden episodes of blackouts for past five years and pain in neck while turning head to left for past two months. Patient's ultrasound Doppler showed marked narrowing of proximal left internal carotid artery with approximate diametric stenosis of 70% according to The North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET).Further studies of MRI Brain was done,revealing small Foci of restricted diffusion along Territory of Left MCA along with age related Microangiopathic cerebral changes. CT Scan of neck was also done which showed Abnormal elongation of bilateral styloid process more on the left side. The case was discussed in a Multidisciplinary Team Meeting comprising ENT surgeon, vascular surgeon and surgical excision was planned through trans cervical approach. Surgery was successful as seen by post op and follow up scans.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Umar Riaz
- Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | | | | - Sana Rasheed
- Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | | |
Collapse
|
2
|
Regner PI, Saggese MD, de Oliveira VC, Lanari LC, Desio MA, Quaglia AIE, Wiemeyer G, Capdevielle A, Zuñiga SN, de Roodt CJI, de Roodt AR. Neutralization of "Chaco eagle" (Buteogallus coronatus) serum on some activities of Bothrops spp. venoms. Toxicon 2022; 216:73-87. [PMID: 35714890 DOI: 10.1016/j.toxicon.2022.05.038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 04/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
Several species of reptiles and mammals have components in their sera that can neutralize toxic components present in snake venoms. In this manuscript, we studied the neutralizing capacity of Chaco eagle's (Buteogallus coronatus) serum. This South American bird of prey eats snakes as a regular part of its diet and has anatomical features that protect from snakes' bites. The neutralizing potency of the Chaco eagle's serum was tested on lethal, hemorrhagic, procoagulant, and phospholipase activities of the venom of "yarará grande" (Bothrops alternatus) and on phospholipase activity of "yarará ñata" (Bothrops ammodytoides) venom; both snakes are known to be the prey of Chaco eagle. Sera of crested caracara (Caracara plancus-a scavenger, omnivorous pan-American bird of prey), secretary bird (Saggitarius serpentarius-an omnivorous bird of prey from Africa that can include venomous snakes in its diet), common hen (Gallus gallus), rat (Rattus norvegicus), mouse (Mus musculus), horse (Equus caballus), and dog (Canis lupus familiaris) were also tested to compare the inhibitory capacity of neutralization. To test isologous and xenologous neutralization, sera from Bothrops alternatus and white-eared opossum (Didelphis albiventris), respectively, were used due to their known inhibitory activity on Bothrops venoms. As a control for the neutralization activity, antibothropic antivenom was used. Chaco eagle's serum neutralized hemorrhagic and phospholipasic activity and slightly neutralized the coagulation and the lethal activity of Bothrops spp. venom. The neutralizing capacity was present in the non-immunoglobulin fraction of the serum, which showed components of acidic characteristics and lower molecular weight than IgY, in correspondence with the characteristics of PLA2s and SVMPs inhibitors described in sera from some snakes and mammals. These studies showed that Chaco eagle's serum neutralizes all toxic activities tested at a higher level than sera from animal species in which inhibitors of snake venoms have not been described (p < 0.05), while it is lower or similar in neutralizing capacity to white-eared opossum and B. alternatus sera.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pablo I Regner
- Laboratorio de Toxinopatología, Centro de Patología Experimental y Aplicada, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina; Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina; Cátedra de Medicina, Producción y Tecnologías de Fauna Acuática y Terrestre, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina
| | - Miguel D Saggese
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, CA, USA
| | - Vanessa C de Oliveira
- Laboratorio de Toxinopatología, Centro de Patología Experimental y Aplicada, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina; Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina
| | - Laura C Lanari
- Área Investigación y Desarrollo, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Caba, Argentina
| | - Marcela A Desio
- Área Investigación y Desarrollo, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Caba, Argentina
| | - Agustín I E Quaglia
- Laboratorio de Arbovirus, Instituto de Virología "Dr. J. M. Vanella", Facultad de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Guillermo Wiemeyer
- Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Andrés Capdevielle
- Ecoparque Buenos Aires, Ministerio de Ambiente y Espacio Público, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | | | - Carolina J I de Roodt
- Área Investigación y Desarrollo, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Caba, Argentina
| | - Adolfo R de Roodt
- Laboratorio de Toxinopatología, Centro de Patología Experimental y Aplicada, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina; Primera Cátedra de Toxicología, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Buenos Aires, Caba, Argentina; Área Investigación y Desarrollo, Instituto Nacional de Producción de Biológicos - ANLIS "Dr. Carlos G. Malbrán", Caba, Argentina.
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Slabe VA, Anderson JT, Cooper J, Miller TA, Brown B, Wrona A, Ortiz P, Buchweitz J, McRuer D, Dominguez-Villegas E, Behmke S, Katzner T. Feeding Ecology Drives Lead Exposure of Facultative and Obligate Avian Scavengers in the Eastern United States. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020; 39:882-892. [PMID: 32022303 DOI: 10.1002/etc.4680] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 01/19/2020] [Accepted: 01/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Lead poisoning of scavenging birds is a global issue. However, the drivers of lead exposure of avian scavengers have been understood from the perspective of individual species, not cross-taxa assemblages. We analyzed blood (n = 285) and liver (n = 226) lead concentrations of 5 facultative (American crows [Corvus brachyrhynchos], bald eagles [Haliaeetus leucocephalus], golden eagles [Aquila chrysaetos], red-shouldered hawks [Buteo lineatus], and red-tailed hawks [Buteo jamaicensis]) and 2 obligate (black vultures [Coragyps atratus] and turkey vultures [Cathartes aura] avian scavenger species to identify lead exposure patterns. Species and age were significant (α < 0.05) predictors of blood lead exposure of facultative scavengers; species, but not age, was a significant predictor of their liver lead exposure. We detected temporal variations in lead concentrations of facultative scavengers (blood: median = 4.41 µg/dL in spring and summer vs 13.08 µg/dL in autumn and winter; p = <0.001; liver: 0.32 ppm in spring and summer vs median = 4.25 ppm in autumn and winter; p = <0.001). At the species level, we detected between-period differences in blood lead concentrations of bald eagles (p = 0.01) and red-shouldered hawks during the winter (p = 0.001). During summer, obligate scavengers had higher liver lead concentrations than did facultative scavengers (median = 1.76 ppm vs 0.22 ppm; p = <0.001). These data suggest that the feeding ecology of avian scavengers is a determinant of the degree to which they are lead exposed, and they highlight the importance of dietary and behavioral variation in determining lead exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:882-892. © 2020 SETAC.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vincent A Slabe
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - James T Anderson
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Jeff Cooper
- Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Richmond, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Bracken Brown
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Anna Wrona
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Patricia Ortiz
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho, USA
| | - John Buchweitz
- Department of Pathobiology and Diagnostic Investigation, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan, USA
| | - Dave McRuer
- Wildlife Center of Virginia, Waynesboro, Virginia, USA
| | | | - Shannon Behmke
- Division of Forestry and Natural Resources, West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA
| | - Todd Katzner
- US Geological Survey, Forest and Rangeland Ecosystem Science Center, Boise, Idaho, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Abstract
Adult trematodes of the genera Conodiplostomum Dubois, 1937 and Neodiplostomum Railliet, 1919 (Trematoda: Diplostomidae) parasitize the intestines of birds of prey, owls and, rarely, passeriform birds. Although the family is taxonomically unsettled, molecular phylogenetics have not been applied to analyze Conodiplostomum and Neodiplostomum and the reference DNA sequences from adult Diplostomidae are scarce and limit studies of their indistinct larval forms. We analyze the Conodiplostomum and Neodiplostomum spp. found during the examination of Czech birds performed from 1962 to 2017, and we provide comparative measurements and host spectra, including prevalence and intensity; we also provide and analyze the sequences of four DNA loci from eight diplostomid species. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggested that Conodiplostomum spathula (Creplin, 1829), the type species of this genus, is nested in Neodiplostomum. Thus, we suggest the rejection of Conodiplostomum spathula (Creplin, 1829) and the resurrection of Neodiplostomum spathula (Creplin, 1829) La Rue, 1926 and reclassification of all species of Conodiplostomum with the neodiplostomulum type of metacercariae to Neodiplostomum as well. Conodiplostomum canaliculatum (Nicoll, 1914) is reclassified as Neodiplostomum spathulaeforme (Brandes, 1888). The molecular analysis suggested that Conodiplostomum perlatum (Ciurea, 1911), the species with the neascus type of metacercariae, belongs to Crassiphialinae Sudarikov, 1960. We erect the genus Ciureatrema gen. nov. Heneberg & Sitko and reclassify Conodiplostomum perlatum (Ciurea, 1911) as Ciureatrema perlatum (Ciurea, 1911) and establish it as a type species of Ciureatrema gen. nov. Further research should focus on the evolution of the neascus and neodiplostomulum types of metacercariae, as well as the evolution of the genital cone and pseudosuckers in Diplostomidae.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Petr Heneberg
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic.
| | - Jiljí Sitko
- Comenius Museum, Moravian Ornithological Station, Přerov, Czech Republic
| | - Miroslav Těšínský
- Charles University, Third Faculty of Medicine, Prague, Czech Republic
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Martín-Maldonado B, Montoro-Dasi L, Pérez-Gracia MT, Jordá J, Vega S, Marco-Jiménez F, Marin C. Wild Bonelli's eagles (Aquila fasciata) as carrier of antimicrobial resistant Salmonella and Campylobacter in Eastern Spain. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2019; 67:101372. [PMID: 31629291 DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2019.101372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2019] [Revised: 10/06/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Wild birds have repeatedly been found to be involved in the dissemination of enteric bacterial pathogens in the environment. The aim of this study was to determine the occurrence of Salmonella and Campylobacter as well as the antimicrobial resistance in wild Bonelli's eagles nestlings in Eastern Spain. In addition, we compared the efficiency of two sampling methods (fresh faecal samples from nest and cloacal swabs from nestlings) for detection of both bacteria. A total of 28 nests with 45 nestlings were analysed. In the nest, Salmonella occurrence was 61 ± 9.2%, while Campylobacter occurrence was 11 ± 5.8% (p < 0.05). In the nestlings, Salmonella occurrence was 36 ± 7.1%, while Campylobacter occurrence was 11 ± 4.7% (p < 0.05). Eight Salmonella serovars were identified, and the most frequently isolated were S. Enteritidis, S. Typhimurium, S. Houston, and S. Cerro. Only one Campylobacter species was identified (C. jejuni). Regarding antimicrobial resistance, the Salmonella strains isolated were found to be most frequently resistant to ampicillin and to tigecycline; however, the sole Campylobacter strain recovered was multidrug resistant. In conclusion, this study demonstrated that wild Bonelli's eagles nestlings are greater carriers of Salmonella than of Campylobacter. Both Salmonella and Campylobacter isolates exhibited antimicrobial resistance. In addition, faecal samples from nests were most reliable for Salmonella detection, while cloacal swab from nestlings were most reliable for Campylobacter detection.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bárbara Martín-Maldonado
- GEMAS (Study Group on Wildlife Medicine and Conservation), Spain; Hospital Veterinario de Fauna Silvestre de GREFA. Majadahonda, Madrid, Spain
| | - Laura Montoro-Dasi
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant Lo Blanc 7, 46115, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain; Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Maria Teresa Pérez-Gracia
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant Lo Blanc 7, 46115, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jaume Jordá
- Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant Lo Blanc 7, 46115, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Santiago Vega
- GEMAS (Study Group on Wildlife Medicine and Conservation), Spain; Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant Lo Blanc 7, 46115, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco Marco-Jiménez
- Instituto de Ciencia y Tecnología Animal, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022, Valencia, Spain
| | - Clara Marin
- GEMAS (Study Group on Wildlife Medicine and Conservation), Spain; Instituto de Ciencias Biomédicas. Universidad Cardenal Herrera-CEU, CEU Universities, C/Tirant Lo Blanc 7, 46115, Alfara del Patriarca, Valencia, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
von Dohlen AR, Scott D, Dubey JP, Lindsay DS. Prevalence of Sarcocysts in the Muscles of Raptors from a Rehabilitation Center in North Carolina. J Parasitol 2019; 105:11-16. [PMID: 30807729] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The life cycle of Sarcocystis species is heteroxenous (2-host), with carnivores being the definitive host and herbivores serving as intermediate hosts in predator-prey relationships. Raptors (eagles, hawks, falcons, and owls) are apex predators and are not consumed routinely by other carnivores, making the occurrence of sarcocysts in their muscles unusual. Recent reports of sarcocysts in eagles and owls with Sarcocystis encephalitis suggests that this condition may be becoming more frequent, and Sarcocystis falcatula has been implicated as the agent of encephalitis in golden ( Aquila chrysaetos) and bald eagles ( Haliaeetus leucocephalus) as well as great horned owls ( Bubo virginianus). The present study was done to determine the prevalence of sarcocysts of Sarcocystis species in the muscles of raptors from the southeastern United States. Pectoral and heart muscle from 204 raptor patients from the Carolina Raptor Center, Huntersville, North Carolina were tested for the presence of Sarcocystis species using histology. Only a few sarcocysts were seen in sections of pectoral muscle from 39 of 204 raptors (19.1%) and heart muscle from 9 that also had sarcocysts in their pectoral muscle. Two structural types of sarcocysts, thin-walled (1 μm; 62%) or thick-walled (>2 μm, 38%), were seen. Statistical analysis of raptor age and gender was done by Fisher's exact test on samples from raptors with 20 or more samples per group. The prevalence of sarcocysts by age (2 yr or more) was significant for red-shouldered hawks ( Buteo lineatus) ( P = 0.022) and Cooper's hawks ( Accipiter cooperii) ( P = 0.028). Sarcocyst prevalence in male raptors from these groups evaluated statistically were always less than in females. Prevalence in female red-tailed hawks ( Buteo jamaicensis) (42.1%) was significantly greater than in males (6.7%) using Fisher's exact test ( P = 0.047). Examination of case histories from the 39 sarcocyst-positive raptors did not reveal an association with sarcocysts in raptor pectoral or heart muscle and in a diagnosis of encephalitis. Additional studies are needed to determine the epidemiology and relationships of Sarcocystis spp. that use raptors as intermediate hosts and the importance of Sarcocystis spp. in the overall wellbeing of raptors in their natural environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alexa Rosypal von Dohlen
- 1 Department of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Johnson C. Smith University, Charlotte, North Carolina 28216
| | - David Scott
- 2 Carolina Raptor Center, 6000 Sample Road, Huntersville, North Carolina 28078
| | - J P Dubey
- 3 United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory, Building 1001, Beltsville, Maryland 20705
| | - David S Lindsay
- 4 Department of Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology, Virginia Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, Center for One Health Research, Virginia Tech, 1410 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Abstract
Lead is a persistent inorganic environmental pollutant that affects humans and animals worldwide. Avian species are especially susceptible to lead exposure through consumption of lead ammunition, lead fishing tackle, and other contaminated food sources such as aquatic species ingesting lead contaminated sediments in mining areas. Even with government regulations on the use of lead ammunition in many countries, including the United States, terrestrial, aquatic, predatory, and scavenger avian species are still at risk of exposure to potentially lethal concentrations of lead. The toxicities seen in these avian species include increased oxidative stress and decreased anti-oxidant enzymes in hepatic and renal tissue. The avian immune system is also a target of lead and displays a number of altered functions suggestive of immune suppression; however, studies in wildlife and laboratory species remain too limited for definitive statements with regard to population risk. In contrast, lead clearly inhibits reproductive capabilities in adult birds, and alters growth and development of hatchlings. Environmental remediation for lead removal, which would lower toxic exposure in wildlife, presently is a monumental and prohibitively expensive effort. Wildlife exposure will therefore continue in contaminated areas, necessitating development of new remediation practices. These plans should aim toward limiting more widespread or heavier contamination of wildlife habitats. This chapter reviews presently available information of lead toxicity in wild bird species, and suggests continued monitoring and reduction strategies to reduce lead exposure for at-risk avian populations.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Robert J Williams
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Diagnostic Imagining, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Steven D Holladay
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Diagnostic Imagining, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Susan M Williams
- Poultry Diagnostic and Research Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Robert M Gogal
- Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Diagnostic Imagining, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sudhakar S, Madhavan A, Balasubramani S, Shreenivas S. A Rare Familial Presentation of Facial Talon Cusp. J Clin Diagn Res 2017; 11:ZD15-ZD17. [PMID: 28274067 DOI: 10.7860/jcdr/2017/22589.9162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2016] [Accepted: 10/04/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Talon cusp is a rare developmental anomaly presenting as a wisp like structure arising from the cervical region of anterior teeth. They are predominantly seen in permanent dentition with a male predilection and are commonly seen associated with incisors and on the lingual/palatal surface. The aetiology appears to be multifactorial with a possible likelihood of genetic and environmental involvement routing to disturbances in tooth development at the morphodifferentiation stage. Over the years, few cases of talon cusp among the family members have been reported which strongly supports the genetic influence. We report rare presentations of talon cusp among two family members involving the facial surface of incisors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Sankaran Sudhakar
- Reader and Head, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Asan Memorial Dental College and Hospital , Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Abhishek Madhavan
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Asan Memorial Dental College and Hospital , Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Senthil Balasubramani
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Asan Memorial Dental College and Hospital , Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sundar Shreenivas
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Oral Medicine and Radiology, Asan Memorial Dental College and Hospital , Chengalpet, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
González-Martín-Moro J, Hernández-Verdejo JL, Clement-Corral A. The visual system of diurnal raptors: updated review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 92:225-232. [PMID: 28209509 DOI: 10.1016/j.oftal.2016.11.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2016] [Revised: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Diurnal birds of prey (raptors) are considered the group of animals with highest visual acuity (VA). The purpose of this work is to review all the information recently published about the visual system of this group of animals. MATERIAL AND METHODS A bibliographic search was performed in PubMed. The algorithm used was (raptor OR falcon OR kestrel OR hawk OR eagle) AND (vision OR «visual acuity» OR eye OR macula OR retina OR fovea OR «nictitating membrane» OR «chromatic vision» OR ultraviolet). The search was restricted to the «Title» and «Abstract» fields, and to non-human species, without time restriction. RESULTS The proposed algorithm located 97 articles. CONCLUSIONS Birds of prey are endowed with the highest VA of the animal kingdom. However most of the works study one individual or a small group of individuals, and the methodology is heterogeneous. The most studied bird is the Peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), with an estimated VA of 140 cycles/degree. Some eagles are endowed with similar VA. The tubular shape of the eye, the large pupil, and a high density of photoreceptors make this extraordinary VA possible. In some species, histology and optic coherence tomography demonstrate the presence of 2foveas. The nasal fovea (deep fovea) has higher VA. Nevertheless, the exact function of each fovea is unknown. The vitreous contained in the deep fovea could behave as a third lens, adding some magnification to the optic system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J González-Martín-Moro
- Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario del Henares, Coslada (Madrid), España; Universidad Francisco de Vitoria, Madrid, España.
| | | | - A Clement-Corral
- Servicio de Oftalmología, Hospital Universitario del Henares, Coslada (Madrid), España
| |
Collapse
|