Coraciiformes TAG Veterinary Group Special Tissue Request:

INTACT head, casque

The head should be separated from the cervical vertebra and is needed without removal of skin, feathers, or casque. Gross necropsy evaluation and tissue collection may include eye, "pluck" (tongue, esophagus, trachea), and brain (if removed from a caudal access and the skull piece replaced. However, if the skull may be left intact and a diagnosis still reached, it is preferred for this specific project. The specimen should be frozen and shipped frozen.

Details:

Adult (fully mature) specimens of both genders from the following hornbill species are requested. It is preferred that the skull and casque are unaffected by disease or not severely traumatized.


Subfamily Bucorvinae
Northern/Abyssinian Ground Hornbill Bucorvus abyssinicus
Southern/African Ground Hornbill Bucorvus leadbeateri

Subfamily Bucerotidae
Von der Decken's/Jackson's Hornbill Tockus deckeni
Oriental Pied Hornbill Anthracoceros albirostris
Great/Great Indian/Giant Hornbill Buceros bicornis
Rhinoceros Hornbill Buceros rhinoceros
Rufous Hornbill Buceros hydrocorax
Wrinkled Hornbill Aceros corrugatus
Papupan/Blyth's Hornbill (Aceros) Rhyticeros plicatus
Wreathed Hornbill (Aceros) Rhyticeros undulatus
Trumpeter Hornbill Bycanistes bucinator
Silvery-cheeked Hornbill Bycanistes brevis (only male needed)

Project:
The external appearance of the hornbill casque (54 extant sp.) has been imaged and used as species identification. However, aside from the Greater Helmeted Hornbill (Buceros vigil ), its internal anatomy remains vaguely described. This project will utilize radiography, computed tomography, contrast imaging, and anatomic preparation to advance the clinical understanding of casque anatomy. The interconnections of the casque space with the sinuses (nasal and cranial), the nares themselves, and the oropharynx should be revealed by this systematic approach. The information gathered will improve veterinary care as well as may elucidate functional roles for the casque or comparable anatomy between species.

The Tissue Request has been made at this time to maximize collection of any specimen while awaiting funding notice. If a specimen is available, please contact Kathryn Gamble, DVM, MS, DACZM at Lincoln Park Zoo using the information listed below.

Please contact the Veterinary Advisor when:
a) a specimen from the listing is available and collected;
b) a species not on the listing is available;
c) your institution does not have long-term freezer storage but a specimen is available;
d) your institution has previously frozen specimens that could be appropriate for this project.

A full copy of the pre-proposal will also be made on request to the advisor. If your institution has a BioMaterials or Tissue Request form, it would be helpful to alert the advisor and assist in preparing these documents.

Veterinary Advisor:
Kathryn C. Gamble DVM, MS, DACZM
Director of Veterinary Services - Lincoln Park Zoo
2001 North Clark
Chicago, IL 60614
Ph: 312.742.7722
Fx: 312.742.7823
[email protected]