Small birds likely face energetic challenges in temperate zone winters posed by cold weather coupled with food scarcity. These challenges are often assumed to occur, but are rarely experimentally tested. I hypothesized that the naturally occurring, lower abundances of food in temperate zone winters limit a bird's ability to acquire optimal energy and ultimately limit fitness. In this dissertation, I show that supplementation of food decreased mortality and improved traits potentially associated with future reproductive success of wild swamp sparrows (Melospiza georgiana), supporting the hypothesis that winter food abundance limits fitness. These results come from a replicated and controlled food supplementation experiment conducted over three years. First, I demonstrated that following food addition, immigration increased, leading to higher densities, and that all age/sex classes experienced higher survival and maintained larger energy reserves (Chapter I). Survival was positively related to energy reserves, indicating that food availability limits survival through a bird's ability to maintain sufficient fat. In addition to causing mortality in winter, food limitation of energy reserves may carry over to affect future reproductive success by influencing timing of preparations for breeding, including migration. In Chapter II, I show that swamp sparrows decreased fat reserves over each winter, despite unlimited food availability, indicating that they adaptively regulated fat reserves, potentially to balance starvation and depredation risks. Fat reserves of control birds tracked recent temperature and control birds lost muscle throughout the winter, indicating that they were limited by food and were unable to reach optimal fat levels on a daily basis. These results suggest that limitation of energy reserves by food availability can be influenced by temperature and predator abundance. Lastly, I demonstrated that food abundance limits the timing of molt in the wild (Chapter III), an unprecedented finding. Because molt, migration, and breeding typically do not overlap, early molt might lead to earlier migration and breeding. Therefore, we hypothesize that timing of molt is another mechanism by which winter food abundance can limit reproductive success. These results provide strong evidence that food availability can limit wintering temperate migrants in a variety of ways. / Ph. D.

The transition of flight from manned to unmanned systems has led to new research and applications of technology within the field that, until recently, were previously thought to be unfeasible. The industry has become interested in alternative control surfaces and uses for smart materials. A Macro Fiber Composite (MFC), a smart material, takes advantage of the piezoelectric effect and provides an attractive alternative actuator to servos in the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) regime of flight. This research looks to take MFC actuated control surfaces one step further by pulling inspiration from and avian flight. A dual mode control surface, created by applying two sets of two MFCs to patch of carbon fiber, can mimic the tip feathers of a bird. This actuator was modeled both using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Real-world static testing on a feather confirmed preliminary FEA results, and wind tunnel tests simulating assumed cruise conditions confirmed the feather would not exhibit any adverse structural behaviors, such as flutter or aeroelastic divergence. From its modeled performance on a wing using CFD, the MFC feather proved to be a success. It was able to produce a wing that, when compared to a traditional rectangular wing, yielded 73% less induced drag and generated proverse yaw. However, the MFC feathers alone, in the configuration tested, did not produce enough roll authority to feasibly control an aircraft. / Master of Science / The transition of flight from manned to unmanned systems has led to new research and applications of technology within the field that, until recently, were previously thought to be unfeasible. The industry has become interested in alternative control surfaces and uses for smart materials. A Macro Fiber Composite (MFC), a smart material, takes advantage of a specific material property and provides an attractive alternative actuator to servos in the Small Unmanned Aerial Systems (SUAS) regime of flight. This research looks to take MFC actuated control surfaces one step further by pulling inspiration from and avian flight. A dual mode control surface, created by applying two sets of two MFCs to patch of carbon fiber, can mimic the tip feathers of a bird. This actuator was modeled both using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Real-world static testing on a feather confirmed preliminary FEA results, and wind tunnel tests simulating assumed cruise conditions confirmed the feather would not exhibit any adverse structural behaviors, such as flutter or aeroelastic divergence. From its modeled performance on a wing using CFD, the MFC feather proved to be a success. It was able to produce a wing that, when compared to a traditional rectangular wing, yielded 73% less induced drag and generated proverse yaw. However, the MFC feathers alone, in the configuration tested, did not produce enough roll authority to feasibly control an aircraft.

This dissertation aims to contribute toward the understanding of water-entry and -exit behaviors in nature. Since water is nearly a thousand times denser than air, transitioning between the two mediums is often associated with significant changes in force. Three topics with implications in water-entry are discussed, along with a fourth topic on water-exit. For a plunge-diving seabird, the first two stages of water-entry (initial impact and air-cavity formation) create large stresses on the bird's neck. Linear stability analysis of a cone-beam system impacting water shows buckling and non-buckling behaviors on the beam, which is extended to the diving birds. The next topic is related to the third stage of water-entry (air-cavity pinch-off), in which the chest feathers come in contact with the water. Here, the elasticity of Northern Gannet contour feathers is calculated using the nonlinear bending equation. The third topic will explore the formation of ripples along air cavity walls and their resulting force after pinch-off. An acoustic model predicts the observed wavelengths of the ripples. The final topic will delve into the mechanics of how animals leap out of water. A scaling law that balances the power of thrust and drag will predict the height of the jump. Finally, a bio-inspired robot was built to help identify physical conditions required to jump out of water. / Ph. D. / In nature, animals use enter and exit water (water-entry and water-exit, respectively) as a strategy for hunting prey and/or escaping predators. In this dissertation, we focus on the fluid mechanics of water-entry and water-exit phenomena as it pertains to animals. First, we study how seabirds plunge-dive into water at high speeds without neck injuries. Second, we discuss calculating the elasticity of bird feathers. Next, the rippling behavior of air-cavities is studied in the context of force production. Finally, we study the water-exit phenomenon of animals leaping out of water. The topics of this dissertation have implications in the water-entry and -exit of vehicles and autonomous robotics.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis proteicos e inclusões de protease sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte. As dietas foram formuladas com base em níveis nutricionais de referência no Brasil. Em todas as rações foi feito o uso de fitase, associado ou não com protease. Os níveis proteicos foram corrigidos de acordo com a matriz nutricional da protease, especificada pelo fornecedor da enzima. Foram utilizados 1764 frangos, machos, da linhagem Cobb-500 Slow. As aves foram alojadas em densidade de 14 aves/m2 e receberam dietas específicas no período de 1 a 42 dias de idade, conforme o protocolo experimental. Foram realizados 9 tratamentos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 14 repetições de 14 aves cada. Aos 43 dias foram realizados o abate das aves e a avaliação de rendimento de cortes. A análise de regressão dos resultados obtidos para níveis crescentes de proteína sobre o desempenho dos frangos evidenciou que houve maior ganho de peso, melhor conversão alimentar e maior rendimento de cortes. Não houve efeito dos níveis de proteína sobre o consumo de ração. Adicionalmente, a variação nos níveis de proteína na razão da matriz nutricional da protease não alterou significativamente o ganho de peso das aves de 36 a 42 dias de idade. Quanto à inclusão crescente da protease, verificou-se melhoria na conversão alimentar dos frangos até os 28 dias de idade, contrapondo-se com um maior consumo de ração no período de 29 a 35 dias e consequente piora na conversão alimentar nesta semana. Todavia, considerando-se o período total do experimento, não houve efeito significativo sobre ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e rendimento de cortes para o grupo avaliado quanto à inclusão desta enzima. Comparando-se os valores observados nas duas análises em cada tempo, até 28 dias a conversão alimentar observada com a melhor dose de protease possui valor equivalente ao obtido com o controle positivo na curva de níveis de proteína, validando a matriz nutricional preconizada pelo fornecedor para estas fases. Porém, conforme já exposto, de 29 a 35 dias houve uma inversão nesta tendência e a melhor dose foi zero. O Índice de Rentabilidade (IR) sinaliza que pode haver benefício econômico na utilização da protease no período inicial de criação. Em contrapartida, à medida que os resultados zootécnicos a partir de 29 dias não mostraram benefício com o uso da enzima, a sua utilização representou custo adicional aos tratamentos que receberam protease, favorecendo a obtenção de melhor IR pelo tratamento controle negativo no período de 1 a 42 dias de idade. / This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different protein levels and protease inclusions on the performance of broiler chickens. Diets were formulated based on nutritional levels of reference in Brazil. In all diets was done using phytase, associated or not with protease. Protein levels were corrected according to the nutritional matrix of protease, specified by the enzyme supplier. 1764 chickens were used, male Cobb-500 Slow. The birds were housed in density 14 birds / m2 and received specific diets in the period 1-42 days of age, according to the experimental protocol. 9 treatments were conducted in a completely randomized design, with 14 replications of 14 birds each. After 43 days was carried out killing birds and cuts yield assessment. Regression analysis of the results obtained for increasing levels of protein on the performance of broilers showed that there was more weight gain, feed conversion and higher yield of special cuts. There was no effect of protein levels on feed intake. In addition, the variation in the levels of protein in the protease nutritional matrix reason did not significantly alter the weight gain of the birds 36-42 days of age. About the growing inclusion of protease, there was improvement in feed conversion of broilers up to 28 days of age, in contrast with a greater feed intake in the period 29-35 days and consequent worst feed conversion in this week. However, considering the total period of the experiment, there was no significant effect on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and carcass yield for the group evaluated for inclusion of this enzyme. Comparing the values observed in the two analyzes in each time, up to 28 days feed conversion observed with the best protease dose has a value equivalent to that obtained with the positive control in protein levels curve, validating the recommended nutritional matrix to these phases. However, as already stated, from 29 to 35 days there was a reversal in this trend and the best dose was zero. The Profitability Index (IR) signals that there may be economic benefit in the use of protease in the initial period of creation. However, as the zootechnical results from 29 days showed no benefit with the use of the enzyme, its use represented an additional cost to treatments receiving protease, helping to reach best IR by the negative control in the period from 1 to 42 days of age.

Submitted by Fernanda Aparecida Alonge Minutti (fer.alonge@gmail.com) on 2018-05-30T16:01:45Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Fernanda A A Minutti_Dissertação completa_FINAL.pdf: 6994835 bytes, checksum: ab3793efb49bc877a92e10fe9d2d04cd (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Lucilene Cordeiro da Silva Messias null (lubiblio@bauru.unesp.br) on 2018-05-30T17:03:36Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 minutti_faa_me_bauru.pdf: 6888158 bytes, checksum: 03946ea4b9fd3ef6aec72596a601b833 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2018-05-30T17:03:36Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 minutti_faa_me_bauru.pdf: 6888158 bytes, checksum: 03946ea4b9fd3ef6aec72596a601b833 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2018-01-24 / O presente trabalho apresenta uma alternativa para a minimização do descarte atual, crescente e inadequado do resíduo agronômico pena de galinha (Chicken Feather). Assim, foram estabelecidos parâmetros para gerar um novo produto, painéis de compósitos, com adição de resina ureia-formaldeído, visando verificar as propriedades e possibilidades de aplicação deste produto na construção civil. Ao longo do levantamento bibliográfico, notou-se que a pena de galinha é um tema ainda pouco explorado em pesquisas, traduzindo-se em uma lacuna a ser preenchida. Foi escolhida a resina ureia-formaldeído por ser um componente chave muito utilizado na indústria de chapas particuladas de madeira, o que facilitaria na avaliação comparativa de desempenho do novo compósito. Durante a realização da etapa experimental, constatando-se uma grande dificuldade na trituração das penas, optouse por usá-las inteiras. Ao final desta etapa, a qualidade física das chapas foi insuficiente para a produção dos corpos de prova necessários à realização dos ensaios de caracterização física e mecânica, sendo direcionado aos ensaios de desempenho térmico, para aplicação deste compósito como isolante térmico em edificações. Com a realização destes ensaios, constatou-se o potencial de adequação do material para esta aplicação. Comparados com materiais para isolamento térmico existentes no mercado, os painéis com pena de galinha apresentaram desempenho compatível, bloqueando cerca de 20ºC de temperatura entre uma face e outra. Desta forma, conclui-se que a pena de galinha é um resíduo agronômico com considerável potencial de aproveitamento na produção de painéis, para uso como material isolante térmico em componentes para construção civil. / The present work presents an alternative for the minimization of current, increasing and inadequate disposal of agronomic chicken feather residue. Thus, parameters were established to generate a new product, composite panels, with addition of ureaformaldehyde resin, in order to verify the properties and possibilities of application of this product in civil construction. Throughout the bibliographical survey, it was noticed that the feather of chicken is a subject still little explored in researches, translating into a lacuna to be filled. The urea-formaldehyde resin was chosen as a key component widely used in the wood particleboard industry, which would facilitate the comparative evaluation of the new composite performance. During the realization of the experimental stage, it was verified a great difficulty in the crushing of the feathers, it was chosen to use them whole. At the end of this stage, the physical quality of the panels was insufficient for the production of the test specimens necessary for the physical and mechanical characterization tests, being directed to the thermal performance tests, for the application of this composite as thermal insulation in buildings. With the accomplishment of these tests, it was verified the potential of suitability of the material for this application. Compared with existing insulation materials on the market, the panels with chicken feather showed compatible performance, blocking about 20ºC of temperature between one face and another. Thus, it is concluded that the chicken feather is an agronomic residue with considerable potential for use in the production of panels, for use as thermal insulation material in components for civil construction.

Materials derived from chicken feathers could be used advantageously in composite building material applications. Such applications could potentially consume the five billion pounds of feathers produced annually as a by-product of the U.S. poultry industry. To aid the development of successful applications for chicken feather materials (CFM), the physical and mechanical properties of processed CFM have been characterized in this research. Results describing the moisture content, aspect ratio, apparent specific gravity, chemical durability, Youngs modulus, and tensile strength for processed CFM and specifically their fiber and quill components are presented herein. Processed chicken feather fiber and quill samples were found to have similar moisture contents in the range of 16 - 20%. The aspect ratio (i.e., length/diameter) of samples were found to be in the range of 30 - 50, and the fiber material was found to have a larger aspect ratio than the quill material. A comparison with values in the literature suggests that different processing regimes produce CFM with higher aspect ratios. Samples were found to have apparent specific gravities in the range of 0.7 - 1.2, with the fiber material having a higher apparent specific gravity than the quill material. A comparison with values in the literature suggests that apparent specific gravity results vary with fiber length and approach the value for keratin as fiber length decreases and internal voids become increasingly accessible. Chemical durability results showed that CFM rapidly degrade in highly alkaline (pH=12.4) environments and are, thus, likely incompatible with cement-based materials without special treatment. The Youngs modulus of processed chicken feather materials was found to be in the range of 3 - greater than 50 GPa and, thus, comparable to the Youngs moduli of other natural fibers. The tensile strength of oven-dried samples was found to be in the range of 10 - greater than 70 MPa. In agreement with results in the literature, the fiber material was found to have a greater tensile strength than the quill material. Finally, a simplified approach for comparing the effective Youngs moduli and effective tensile strengths of various processed CFM samples was introduced.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-31T13:19:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 CatharinaCOS_DISSERT.pdf: 1608765 bytes, checksum: 513276c00b59014e7c86bfd1e5d0bd10 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2015-02-25 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / The bird Neotropical Palm-Swift, Tachornis squamata (Apodiformes, Apodidae), steals feathers of other bird species by kleptoptily behavior. This particular behavior has been described for this bird species in the Amazon, however aspects of kleptoptily have not yet been investigated in other Neotropical biomes, where Neotropical Palm-Swift can be found. The aim of this study was to quantify the kleptoptily behavior of Neotropical Palm-Swift species in urban and non-urban areas in the Brazilian semi-arid region, Caatinga biome. In urban areas, the data collections were carried out between July 2013 and June 2014 between 06:00-10:00 a.m. and between 14:00- 17:00 p.m., in a total of 225h 45min of sampling effort. In non-urban area, the data collections were carried out between September 2013 and June 2014 between 06:00-10:00 a.m., in a total of 50h 30min of sampling effort. The kleptoptily behavior was quantified through of records the number of kleptoptily events, number event of kleptoptily attempts and the number of events which the Neotropical Palm-swift collected feathers that loosened in a spontaneous way of other birds. Were registered in urban areas, 39 kleptoptily events, 385 events of kleptoptily attempts and 875 events of collected feathers that loosened in a spontaneously way of other birds. Were registered in non-urban area, 25 kleptoptily events and 49 events of kleptoptily attempts. In this area were not registered events of collected feathers that loosened spontaneously of other birds. In urban area, the Neotropical Palm-Swift collected feathers of five species of birds, belonging to four families. In non-urban area, feathers were collected from seven species of birds, distributed in six families. In this study, in urban areas, the Neotropical Palm-Swifts were recorded collecting feathers in two different ways: through kleptoptily and through collected feathers that have broken off spontaneously of other birds. In non-urban area, the Neotropical Palm-Swifts only collected feathers through kleptoptily behavior. The different behavior of Neotropical Palm-Swift in the two study areas can be explained in part by synanthropic behavior of this species / A ave Tachornis squamata (Apodiformes, Apodidae), popularmente conhecida como tesourinha, rouba penas de outras espécies de aves pelo comportamento de cleptoptilia. Este comportamento específico foi descrito para o tesourinha na Amazônia, entretanto aspectos da cleptoptilia ainda não foram investigados em outros biomas da região Neotropical onde esta espécie de ave pode ser encontrada, bioma Caatinga. O objetivo desse estudo foi quantificar o comportamento de cleptoptilia da espécie tesourinha em área urbana e área não urbana na região semiárida do nordeste do Brasil. Em área urbana, as coletas de dados foram realizadas entre julho de 2013 e junho de 2014 entre 06:00h e 10:00h e entre 14:00h e 17:00h, e totalizando um esforço amostral de 225h e 45min de observações. Em área não urbana, as coletas de dados foram realizadas entre setembro de 2013 a junho de 2014 entre 06:00h e 10:00h, totalizando um esforço amostral de 50h e 30min de observações. O comportamento de cleptoptilia foi quantificado por meio dos seguintes registros: número de eventos de cleptoptilia, número de eventos de tentativas de cleptoptilia e número de eventos no qual as tesourinhas coletaram penas que se desprenderam de forma espontânea de outras aves. Foram registrados, em área urbana, 39 eventos de cleptoptilia, 385 eventos de tentativas de cleptoptilia e 875 eventos de penas coletadas que se desprenderam espontaneamente de outras aves. Foram registrados, em área não urbana, 25 eventos de cleptoptilia, 49 eventos de tentativas de cleptoptilia e não foram registrados eventos de penas coletadas que se desprenderam espontaneamente de outras aves. Em área urbana, foi registrado que o tesourinha coletou penas em cinco espécies de aves, pertencentes a quatro famílias. Em área não urbana, foi registrado que o tesourinha coletou penas em sete espécies de aves, distribuídas em seis famílias. Neste estudo, em área urbana, o tesourinha foi registrado coletando penas de duas formas distintas: por meio da cleptoptilia e por meio de penas coletadas que se desprenderam espontaneamente de outras aves. Em área não urbana, o tesourinha somente coletou penas por meio do comportamento de cleptoptilia. Esta diferença comportamental exibido pelo tesourinha nas duas áreas de estudo pode ser explicado, em parte, pelo comportamento sinantrópico desta espécie.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T14:33:09Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 HonaraMS_DISSERT.pdf: 1764050 bytes, checksum: 8846e2477a7b0e0f242d2ada60121e07 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-26 / This study to aimed investigate the community of ectoparasites associated with birds in the Mata do Olho D ?gua, in the municipality of Maca?ba, Rio Grande do Norte (RN), Brazil, its structure and the ambiental and hosts influential variables on it, and to verify microhabitats preferences by species of chewing lice and feather mites. We examined 172 individuals belonging to 38 species of Passeriformes and non-Passeriformes. 12 new geographic records are reported and 11 host-parasite associations not yet known for chewing lice and feather mites species. Significant relationship was found between the abundance of chewing lice and the variables total length (r = 0.29, p <0.05) and exposed culmen (r = 0.38, p <0.05) of the hosts. A principal component (PC1) accounted for 90.1% of the hosts morphological variation was significantly influential on the abundance of chewing lice (p <0.05), indicating that the morphological characteristics of the hosts may be positively influencing the abundance of these ectoparasites. Significantly higher frequency of individuals with high loads of chewing lice was detected during the dry period (x ? = 8.5, p <0.05), corroborating studies that propose that birds of arid environments suffer as much pressure as those of parasitic humid environments. Analyses of null models of co-occurrence and niche overlap showed a high degree of structure in the feather mites and chewing lice assemblies, when compared with other groups, and preferences in the use of microhabitats by taxa identified. These results corroborate ecological theories in host-parasite systems, contribute to the knowledge of ectoparasites associated with neotropical birds, and the need for experimental studies, as well as further deepening the biology of these arthropods / O presente estudo teve como objetivos investigar a comunidade de ectoparasitos associada a aves Mata do Olho D ?gua, localizada no munic?pio de Maca?ba, Rio Grande do Norte, BR, sua estrutura e a influ?ncia de vari?veis ambientais e morfol?gicas dos hospedeiros, al?m de averiguar prefer?ncias de microh?bitat pelas esp?cies de ?caros de pena e mal?fagos em associadas ?s aves em estudo. Foram examinados 172 indiv?duos pertencentes a 38 esp?cies de aves Passeriformes e n?o-Passeriformes. S?o reportados 12 novos registros geogr?ficos para o Brasil e 11 associa??es ainda n?o conhecidas com hospedeiros de ?caros de pena e mal?fagos. Foi detectada rela??o significativa entre abund?ncia de mal?fagos e as vari?veis comprimento total (r= 0,29; p<0,05) e c?lmen exposto (r= 0,38; p<0,05) dos hospedeiros. Uma componente principal (CP1) respons?vel por 90,1% da varia??o morfol?gica dos hospedeiros foi significativamente influente sobre a abund?ncia de mal?fagos (p<0,05), indicando que caracter?sticas morfol?gicas dos hospedeiros podem estar influenciando positivamente a abund?ncia desses ectoparasitos. Frequ?ncia significativamente maior de indiv?duos com altas cargas de mal?fagos foi dectada durante o per?odo de seca (x?= 8,5; p<0,05), corroborando estudos que prop?em que aves de ambientes ?ridos sofrem tanta press?o parasit?ria quanto aquelas de ambientes ?midos. An?lises de modelos nulos de coocorr?ncia e sobreposi??o de nicho apontaram alto grau de estrutura nas assembleias de ?caros e mal?fagos, quando comparadas com outros grupos, e prefer?ncias no uso de microh?bitats pelos t?xons identificados. Estes resultados corroboram teorias ecol?gicas nos sistemas parasito-hospedeiro, contribuem para o conhecimento dos ectoparasitos associados ?s aves neotropicais e apontam a necessidade de estudos experimentais, assim como maior aprofundamento na biologia desses artr?podos

Submitted by (edna.saturno@ufrpe.br) on 2016-11-03T12:02:12Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Moacir Bezerra de Andrade.pdf: 2249818 bytes, checksum: f9a729ac78dcf11c2675419e4b03ea11 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-11-03T12:02:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Moacir Bezerra de Andrade.pdf: 2249818 bytes, checksum: f9a729ac78dcf11c2675419e4b03ea11 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-02-29 / In order to study the topographical and descriptive thoracic and abdominal tracts and apteria in barn owls (Tyto alba, Scopoli 1769), 15 adult birds (06 males and 09 females), weighing 430g on average, donated after death by the Superintendent of the Brazilian Institute of Environmental and Natural Resources - IBAMA located in Pernambuco, were used. The birds were fixed by subcutaneous, intramuscular and intracavitary infusion of a 10% formaldehyde solution and immersed in the same solution for 48 hours. Afterwards, with the aid of surgical instruments, the feathers from the ventral, lateral and dorsal trunk regions were sectioned near the follicle, leaving 0.2 to 0.3 cm from the rack for easier visualization and recording of tracts and apteria. The Gallus gallus domesticus species was used for comparative morphology. The study showed that tracts and apteria presented undefined limits which may be smaller or larger than the regions where they are located. In addition to the tracts and apteria described in the comparative standard study, others were found (ventral humeral tract, cranial humeral apterium, interscapular apterium, ventral abdominal apterium, lateral and abdominal apteria and dorsopelvic apterium) which were analyzed, named and described according to their anatomical relations. It was observed that the pectoral and sternal tracts are attached cranially and caudally, giving the pectoral apterium a crescent-shaped conformation. The lateral body apterium is divided by the body´s lateral tract into two side parts, cranial and caudal. The sternal apterium does not communicate with other apteria cranially, but caudally, it extends as the ventral abdominal apterium. The lateral and medial abdominal tracts are delicate and showed morphological differences in the number of rows of feathers related to sex, being the lateral more developed in males and the medial more developed in females. Even though they belong to a different order, the Tyto alba species presents morphologically similar apteria (shape, size and syntopy relations) to the Gallus gallus domesticus species, as well as anatomical features that characterize their particular morphology and help in identifying sexual species. / Com o objetivo de estudar descritiva e topograficamente os tratos e aptérios, torácicos e abdominais, em Suindara (Tyto alba, Scopoli 1769), foram utilizadas 15 aves adultas (06 machos e 09 fêmeas), pesando em média 430 g, doadas por óbito pela Superintendência do Instituto Brasileiro do Meio Ambiente e dos Recursos Naturais – IBAMA em Pernambuco. As aves foram fixadas mediante a aplicação subcutânea, intramuscular e intracavitária de solução aquosa de formaldeído a 10% e imersas na mesma solução por 48 horas. Em seguida, com auxílio de instrumentos cirúrgicos, as penas constantes nas regiões ventral, laterais e dorsal do tronco foram seccionadas próximo ao folículo, deixando de 0,2 a 0,3 cm do raque para melhor visualização e registro dos tratos e aptérios. Utilizou-se como padrão morfológico comparativo, a espécie Gallus gallus domesticus. O estudo mostrou que os tratos e aptérios possuem limites adversos, podendo ser menores ou maiores que as regiões os quais estão localizados. Além dos descritos para o padrão comparativo, foram identificados um trato e quatro aptérios (trato umeral ventral, aptério umeral cranial, aptério interescapular, aptério abdominal ventral e aptério abdominal lateral) os quais foram denominados e descritos de acordo com as relações anatômicas. Os tratos peitoral e esternal são unidos cranialmente e caudalmente, conferindo ao aptério peitoral uma conformação semilunar. O aptério lateral do corpo é dividido pelo trato lateral do corpo em duas partes, cranial e caudal. O aptério esternal, cranialmente não se comunica com outros aptérios e, caudalmente, continua-se como aptério abdominal ventral. Os tratos abdominais lateral e medial são delicados e apresentaram diferenças morfológicas na quantidade de fileiras de penas em relação ao sexo, sendo o lateral mais desenvolvido nos machos e o medial mais desenvolvido nas fêmeas. Mesmo pertencendo a ordem diferente, a Tyto alba apresenta tratos e aptérios com semelhanças morfológicas (forma, dimensão e relações de sintopia) aos da Gallus gallus domesticus, como também aspectos anatômicos particulares que caracterizam seu padrão morfológico além de auxiliar na identificação sexual da espécie.

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o efeito de diferentes níveis proteicos e inclusões de protease sobre o desempenho de frangos de corte. As dietas foram formuladas com base em níveis nutricionais de referência no Brasil. Em todas as rações foi feito o uso de fitase, associado ou não com protease. Os níveis proteicos foram corrigidos de acordo com a matriz nutricional da protease, especificada pelo fornecedor da enzima. Foram utilizados 1764 frangos, machos, da linhagem Cobb-500 Slow. As aves foram alojadas em densidade de 14 aves/m2 e receberam dietas específicas no período de 1 a 42 dias de idade, conforme o protocolo experimental. Foram realizados 9 tratamentos em delineamento inteiramente casualizado, com 14 repetições de 14 aves cada. Aos 43 dias foram realizados o abate das aves e a avaliação de rendimento de cortes. A análise de regressão dos resultados obtidos para níveis crescentes de proteína sobre o desempenho dos frangos evidenciou que houve maior ganho de peso, melhor conversão alimentar e maior rendimento de cortes. Não houve efeito dos níveis de proteína sobre o consumo de ração. Adicionalmente, a variação nos níveis de proteína na razão da matriz nutricional da protease não alterou significativamente o ganho de peso das aves de 36 a 42 dias de idade. Quanto à inclusão crescente da protease, verificou-se melhoria na conversão alimentar dos frangos até os 28 dias de idade, contrapondo-se com um maior consumo de ração no período de 29 a 35 dias e consequente piora na conversão alimentar nesta semana. Todavia, considerando-se o período total do experimento, não houve efeito significativo sobre ganho de peso, consumo de ração, conversão alimentar e rendimento de cortes para o grupo avaliado quanto à inclusão desta enzima. Comparando-se os valores observados nas duas análises em cada tempo, até 28 dias a conversão alimentar observada com a melhor dose de protease possui valor equivalente ao obtido com o controle positivo na curva de níveis de proteína, validando a matriz nutricional preconizada pelo fornecedor para estas fases. Porém, conforme já exposto, de 29 a 35 dias houve uma inversão nesta tendência e a melhor dose foi zero. O Índice de Rentabilidade (IR) sinaliza que pode haver benefício econômico na utilização da protease no período inicial de criação. Em contrapartida, à medida que os resultados zootécnicos a partir de 29 dias não mostraram benefício com o uso da enzima, a sua utilização representou custo adicional aos tratamentos que receberam protease, favorecendo a obtenção de melhor IR pelo tratamento controle negativo no período de 1 a 42 dias de idade. / This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different protein levels and protease inclusions on the performance of broiler chickens. Diets were formulated based on nutritional levels of reference in Brazil. In all diets was done using phytase, associated or not with protease. Protein levels were corrected according to the nutritional matrix of protease, specified by the enzyme supplier. 1764 chickens were used, male Cobb-500 Slow. The birds were housed in density 14 birds / m2 and received specific diets in the period 1-42 days of age, according to the experimental protocol. 9 treatments were conducted in a completely randomized design, with 14 replications of 14 birds each. After 43 days was carried out killing birds and cuts yield assessment. Regression analysis of the results obtained for increasing levels of protein on the performance of broilers showed that there was more weight gain, feed conversion and higher yield of special cuts. There was no effect of protein levels on feed intake. In addition, the variation in the levels of protein in the protease nutritional matrix reason did not significantly alter the weight gain of the birds 36-42 days of age. About the growing inclusion of protease, there was improvement in feed conversion of broilers up to 28 days of age, in contrast with a greater feed intake in the period 29-35 days and consequent worst feed conversion in this week. However, considering the total period of the experiment, there was no significant effect on weight gain, feed intake, feed conversion and carcass yield for the group evaluated for inclusion of this enzyme. Comparing the values observed in the two analyzes in each time, up to 28 days feed conversion observed with the best protease dose has a value equivalent to that obtained with the positive control in protein levels curve, validating the recommended nutritional matrix to these phases. However, as already stated, from 29 to 35 days there was a reversal in this trend and the best dose was zero. The Profitability Index (IR) signals that there may be economic benefit in the use of protease in the initial period of creation. However, as the zootechnical results from 29 days showed no benefit with the use of the enzyme, its use represented an additional cost to treatments receiving protease, helping to reach best IR by the negative control in the period from 1 to 42 days of age.