Feathers ID Flashcards
What are down feathers?
The cover most of the body and provide insulation. AKA Plumulae.
What are contour feathers?
They cover the body and wings and are known as plumae.
Why are Eagle feathers often traded in the USA and Canada?
For use in native american ceremonies.
What feathers were banned from trade in India in 2013?
Peacock.
Why is it useful to identify species involved in bird strikes?
We can observe their behaviour and avoid the hazards by not flying in certain areas at certain times (Hoekenga, 2007).
What parts of the feather are most valuable in identifying the species according to TRACE?
Microscopic features such as nodes and barbules.
What are macroscopic features of feathers?
Size, shape and colouration.
What is the role of pennaceous barbs?
To give feathers their colour and patterns.
It is possible to gain enough DNA for this from just 2 barbs.
(Speller, Nicholas and Yang, 2011)
Where is cytochrome b found?
Near one end of one of the hypervariable regions of mtDNA.
Why is mtDNA often used?
It is less degradeable than nuclear DNA due to its protein coat and possesses more variation so more chance of narrowing down to a specific individual.
What are the advantages of feathers as forensic evidence?
Can recognise where trade is occuring
Very little material needed for DNA analysis
Some species have very distinctive feathers
What are the disadvantages of feathers as forensic evidence?
- Time consuming and expensive to conduct DNA analysis.
2. Need reference samples for DNA and morphology which may not always be available.
