Investigation of the patagium and anatomical structures supporting patagium in two different bird species

Objective: This study is aimed to reveal the possible differences of the patagial formations on the wings in two different bird species that are flying and non-flying, raised as poultry. Material and Methods: Adult (6 - 7 months old) 8 male 7 female Numida meleagris (Guinea fowl) and 7 male 7 female Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken) were used in the study. After decapitation, it was examined by anatomical dissection. The patagiums and patagial structres in the wing were measured with a digital caliper in resting position and fully open position. Obtained data were evaluated statistically. Results: It was determined that there was no muscle or ligament supporting the patagium cervicale and patagium allulae. While m. serratus superficialis pars metapatagialis and m. latissimus dorsi pars metapatagialis support the metapatagium in Gallus gallus domesticus; only m. serratus superficialis pars metapatagialis was observed in Numida meleagris. The postpatagium was seen differently because it tightly encircled the flight feather follicles. It was observed that propatagium contained more dense connective tissue fibers between the skin layers in Numida meleagris than in Gallus gallus domesticus. The borders of Ligamentum limitans cubiti could not be seen clearly in Numida meleagris hens. While there was no significant difference between the two species in the head and middle thickness of the ligamentum propatagiale, it was determined that the data in Numida meleagris in the final thickness were larger than the Gallus gallus domesticus and were statistically significant. In addition, morphometrically it was determined that lig. propatagiale of Numida meleagris was shorter than Gallus gallus domesticus. However, the length of the lig. propatagiale was found to be proportionally the same size with the long wing bones in both different positions. Conclusion: This research has shown both morphological and morphometric variations in the structures that make up the patagia alae between two varieties of fowl, both of which are poultry and hence have comparable living circumstances and diets, but which have different flight capabilities.