Biometric analysis of the intestine of the Southern Caracara (Polyborus plancus, Miller, 1777)

Abstract

This experiment investigated the biometric parameters for the enteric tract of eight Southern Caracaras (Polyborus plancus, Miller 1777). The study was carried out on eight adult animals of both sexes (four males and four females) having different ages and weights. The animals were sacrificed and dissected, and their visceral tracts were placed on a horizontal plane surface. The lengths were measured and the weights were obtained on electronic precision scales. The statistical analysis utilized was Student’s t-test with a significance level p=0.05. The results showed that the Southern Caracara possessed a duodenum and an ileum longer than those of the chicken. It was concluded that the small intestine of the Southern Caracara is relatively extensive, mainly on account of the duodenum that is similar in length to that of the goose. This bird had a vestige of the cecum that it is different to that of the chicken