Differences in body composition between urban and rural Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos

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dc.citation.issue1
dc.citation.volume6
dc.contributor.authorJarman TE
dc.contributor.authorGartrell BD
dc.contributor.authorBattley PF
dc.date.available2020-01-01
dc.date.issued2020-01-01
dc.description.abstractAnthropogenic feeding of wildlife provides a valuable opportunity for people to engage with animals, but such feeding has the potential to be detrimental to the species involved. Ducks are frequently fed at urban ponds globally, yet the health impacts of an urban lifestyle for birds are poorly documented. We studied urban and rural Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in the Manawatū-Whanganui region (New Zealand). Mallards are opportunistic omnivores that have a phenotypically flexible gastrointestinal system. As urban Mallards consume considerable amounts of low-fibre, high carbohydrate foods via anthropogenic feeding, we predicted that urban Mallards would have smaller gastrointestinal tract organs and higher fat levels than rural ducks. We compared gross body composition of Mallards in a modified environment with high levels of feeding by humans and in rural habitats. We also evaluated other health-associated aspects including fat deposit size, liver fat content and haemosiderin (liver iron deposit) levels. Contrary to predictions, urban birds had larger gizzards and caeca and were no fatter than rural birds; rural birds additionally had larger pectoralis major muscles. These differences are probably associated with broader ecological and behavioural factors than with the provision of anthropogenic food per se [in particular the presence of hard foods (acorns and nuts) for urban birds, and higher flight activity of rural birds]. Longer caeca in urban birds could, however, relate to immunity rather than microbial fermentation of cellulose. Overall, while the nature of the local environment does affect Mallard physiology, no detrimental effects of urban living were evident in this study.
dc.description.publication-statusPublished
dc.identifier.citationJournal of Urban Ecology, 2020, 6 (1)
dc.identifier.doi10.1093/jue/juaa011
dc.identifier.eissn2058-5543
dc.identifier.elements-id438760
dc.identifier.harvestedMassey_Dark
dc.relation.isPartOfJournal of Urban Ecology
dc.rights(c) The Author(s) 2020.
dc.titleDifferences in body composition between urban and rural Mallards, Anas platyrhynchos
dc.typeJournal article
pubs.notesNot known
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Natural Sciences
pubs.organisational-group/Massey University/College of Sciences/School of Veterinary Science
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