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The Use of the Microstructure of Covert Feathers in the Systematics of Ground Jays (Aves, Corvidae: Podoces, Eupodoces)

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Abstract

Using scanning electron microscopy, new data were obtained on the microstructure of the definitive covert feathers of all four species of Ground Jays Podoces pleskei, P. panderi, Eupodoces hendersoni, and E. biddulphi and eight other species of Corvidae: Ptilostomus afer, Garrulus glandarius, Perisoreus infaustus, Corvus cornix, Cyanopica cyana, Nucifraga caryocatactes, Pica pica, and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Comparative morphological analysis involving previously published data on the microstructure of the flight feathers of these species, and the covert feathers of Corvus monedula, C. frugilegus, and C. corax revealed a number of feather microstructures specific to Ground Jay species, as well as differences between Podoces and Eupodoces, which confirms their genus status, possible relationship with G. glandarius and Pt. afer, and the preservation of ancestral features in P. pleskei.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was conducted using the equipment of the Instrumental Methods in Ecology Center for General Use, Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences. The authors are grateful to the staff of the Research Zoological Museum, Moscow State University, and the Zoological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, for help in working with the collection material, as well as to T.N. Tselikova for technical assistance.

Funding

This study was carried out within the framework of a State Assignment of Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, project nos. 0089-2021-0002 and 0089-2021-0004.

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  1. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution, Russian Academy of Sciences, 119071, Moscow, Russia

    O. F. Chernova & V. Yu. Ilyashenko

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  1. O. F. Chernova
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  2. V. Yu. Ilyashenko
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Correspondence to O. F. Chernova.

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Conflict of interest. The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest. Statement on the welfare of animals. All applicable international, national, and/or institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

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Translated by L. Solovyova

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Chernova, O.F., Ilyashenko, V.Y. The Use of the Microstructure of Covert Feathers in the Systematics of Ground Jays (Aves, Corvidae: Podoces, Eupodoces). Biol Bull Russ Acad Sci 50, 641–655 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359023601143

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1134/S1062359023601143

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