Seasonal Changes in the Body Composition of the Norwegian Rock Ptarmigan Lagopus mutus

The seasonal changes in body composition of Rock Ptarmigan from northern Norway were examined. Body composition remained essentially stable throughout the year, but apparent changes related to the digestive system took place. The caeca increased in weight from 22 g in September to 48 g in March. The...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Ornis Scandinavica 1985-04, Vol.16 (1), p.25-28
Main Authors: Mortensen, Atle, Nordøy, Erling Sverre, Blix, Arnoldus Schytte
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autumn
Biological and medical sciences
Birds
Body composition
Body fat
Body weight
Digestive system
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects. Body compartment
Liver
Metabolisms and neurohumoral controls
Overweight
Starvation
Vertebrates: anatomy and physiology, studies on body, several organs or systems
Winter
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Summary:The seasonal changes in body composition of Rock Ptarmigan from northern Norway were examined. Body composition remained essentially stable throughout the year, but apparent changes related to the digestive system took place. The caeca increased in weight from 22 g in September to 48 g in March. The amount of dissectible body fat was negligible throughout the year. Our data indicate that, unlike the Svalbard Ptarmigan, the Norwegian Rock Ptarmigan is not adapted to withstand prolonged periods of starvation at any time of the year.
ISSN:0030-5693
DOI:10.2307/3676571