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Capillarity and fibre types in locomotory muscles of wild mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos)

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Abstract

Six locomotory muscles from wild mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) were analysed by histochemical methods. Special care was taken in sample procedure in order to describe the heterogeneity found throughout each muscle. Capillarity and fibre-type distributions were correlated to the functional implications and physiological needs of each muscle. Comparisons between our results and similar previous reports on dabbling and diving ducks are also discussed. Muscles from the leg presented the most heterogeneous fibre-type distributions, which are correlated to the wide range of terrestrial and aquatic locomotory performances shown by these animals. More specialized muscles such as pectoralis, used almost exclusively for flapping flight, had more homogeneous fibretype distributions, whereas muscles from the wing presented a high proportion of glycolytic fibres probably recruited during non-steady flapping flight. Deep muscle pectoralis zones and parts of the gastrocnemius which are closer to the bone are remarkable for their high capillarity indices and oxidative capacities, which suggests that these parts are recruited during sustained flapping flight and swimming. However, two different strategies for achieving these high oxygen needs are evident, indicating that the fibre cross-sectional area plays an important role in the modulation of the oxygen supply to the muscle cells.

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Abbreviations

AChE :

acetylcholinesterase

cap :

mm-2 number of capillaries per square millimeter

CD :

capillary density

C/F :

capillary-to-fibre ratio

EMR :

muscle extensor metacarpialis radialis

FCSA :

fibre cross-sectional area

FD :

fibre density

FG :

fast glycolytic

FOG :

fast oxidative glycolytic

GLE :

muscle gastrocnemius lateralis (pars externa)

GPDH :

α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase

ITC :

muscle iliotibialis cranialis

m-ATPase :

myofibrillar adenosine triphosphatase

OFA :

oxidative fibre area

OFN :

oxidative fibre number

PEC :

muscle pectoralis

SCH :

muscle scapulohumeralis caudalis

SDH :

succinate dehydrogenase

SO :

slow oxidative

TSC :

muscle scapulotriceps or triceps scapularis

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department de Fisiologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, E-08071, Barcelona, Spain

    J. R. Torrella, V. Fouces, J. Palomeque & G. Viscor

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  1. J. R. Torrella
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  2. V. Fouces
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  3. J. Palomeque
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  4. G. Viscor
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Torrella, J.R., Fouces, V., Palomeque, J. et al. Capillarity and fibre types in locomotory muscles of wild mallard ducks (Anas platyrhynchos). J Comp Physiol B 166, 164–177 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00263979

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