ABSTRACT
The osmotic ratio between ‘urine’ (the supernatant of the ureteral part of the droppings) and plasma has been determined in a number of dehydrated West Australian birds.
The U/P ratio was 1·4 in the Emu, 1·7 in two Columbidae (Senegal Turtle Dove and Crested Pigeon), 2·4 in two Meliphagidae (Singing Honeyeater and Red Wattle Bird), 2·6 in three Psittacidae(Bourke Parrot, 28-Parrot, and Galah), 2·7 in the Laughing Kookaburra, and 2·8 in the Zebra Finch.
The Na+ and Cl− concentrations in the ‘urine’ ranged from 5 to 71 m-equiv./l, the K+ concentration from 92 to 201 m-equiv./l.
There seems to be a rather narrow range for tire concentrating ability within each family, but the concentrating ability of xerophilic birds differs considerably.
Copyright © 1974 The Company of Biologists
1974
You do not currently have access to this content.
