Morphometric Study on Some Body Organs of the Wild African Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus versteri)

Wanmi, N.; Mohammed, A.; Nev, T.

doi:10.21608/jva.2015.44869

Morphometric Study on Some Body Organs of the Wild African Senegal Parrot (Poicephalus senegalus versteri)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department Of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricul- ture, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria.

² Department Of Veterinary Pathology, Faculty Of Veterinary Medicine, University Of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

10.21608/jva.2015.44869

Abstract

Parrot population in Africa is declining and the need for conservation actions to address threats is increasingly rec- ognized. The situation is worst in Nigeria and if care is not taken, this species of bird will soon go into instinct. The essence of this study was to obtain a database of some body organs of the wild Senegal parrot, a species of bird that is limited in its dis- tribution in this part of the country. Documentation on this species of bird is rare despite they are being hunted for because of its demand as orna- mental bird. The mean weights (whole body, gastrointestinal tract (GIT), con- tent and GIT empty) were observed to be 120.50 ± 5.42 g, 18.01 ± 4.80 g and 13.54 ± 5.51 respectively. The liver had mean weight of 4.18 ± 1.82 while the tongue, lower respiratory system (LRS), heart and kidney were observed to be, 2.76 ± 2.14 g, 5.83 ± 1.65, 1.81 ± 0.65 and 0.41 ± 0.05 g. The mean length (whole body + tail) were observed to be 9.85 ± 1.20 cm. The mean lengths (GIT, liver tongue and LRS) were 82.62 ± 2.36 cm, 4.33 ± 1.82 cm, 2.04 ± 0.99 cm and 12.69 ± 2.10 cm respectively with GIT and LRS accounting for 76.93 % and 19.97 % of the body weight. The syr- inx is very large suggesting pro- nounced sound production and the large intestine is void of cecum.

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