Abstract
Birds’ vocalizations are produced by the syrinx, which is located between the trachea and the two primary bronchi. Oscine birds have multiple pairs of syringeal muscles in the syrinx. To determine the detailed structure of the syringeal muscle in jungle crows, an oscine bird, a histological study and gross examination of the syrinx were performed. In the histological study, sections of the syrinxes from four jungle crows were stained with Azan and observed. Each syringeal muscle was classified by the limit of the fascia from neighbor fascicules. From the gross examination a 3-D image of the structure of the syringeal muscles was generated. The combined histological and anatomical results show that there are seven pairs of syringeal muscles in jungle crows. Muscle fusions were observed in some of the syringeal muscles. It is likely that each syringeal muscle has a specific role. Jungle crows may be able to generate various calls because they have several pairs of syringeal muscles.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Ames PL (1971) The morphology of the syrinx in Passerine birds. Bull Peabody Mus Nat Hist 37, 1–194.
Chamberlain DR, Gross WB, Cornwell GW, Mosby HS (1968) Syringeal anatomy in the common crow. Auk 85, 244–52.
Gaunt AS, Gaunt SL (1977) Mechanics of the syrinx in Gallus gallus. J Morphol 152, 1–20.
Goller F, Larsen ON (1997) In situ0 biomechanics of the syrinx and sound generation in pigeons. J Exp Biol 200, 2165–76.
Goller F, Suthers RA (1996) Role of syringeal muscles in gating airflow and sound production in singing brown thrashers. J Neurophysiol 75, 867–76.
Kuroda N (1990) The Jungle Crows of Tokyo. Yamashina Institute for Ornithology, Tokyo.
Larsen ON, Goller F (2002) Direct observation of syringeal muscle function in songbirds and a parrot. J Exp Biol 205, 25–35.
Lockner FR, Youngren OM (1976) Functional syringeal anatomy of the mallard. I. In situ electromyograms during ESB elicited calling. Auk 93, 324–42.
Miskimen M (1951) Sound production in passerine birds. Auk 68, 493–504.
Seller TJ (1979) Unilateral nervous control of the syrinx in java sparrows (Padda oryzivora). J Comp Physiol 129, 281–8.
Suthers RA, Goller F, Hertley RS (1994) Motor dynamics of song production by mimic thrushes. J Neurobiol 25, 917–36.
Suthers RA, Goller F, Pytte C (1999) The neuromuscular control of birdsong. Phil Trans R Soc Lond B 354, 927–39.
Suthers RA, Vallet E, Tanvez A, Kreutzer M (2004) Bilateral song production in domestic canaries. J Neurobiol 60, 381–93.
Tsukahara N, Aoyama M, Sugita S (2006) Sexual differences in the vocalizations and vocal organs of the Jungle Crow Corvus macrorhynchos. Jpn J Ornithol 55, 7–17 (Japanese).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Tsukahara, N., Yang, Q. & Sugita, S. Structure of the syringeal muscles in jungle crow (corvus macrorhynchos). Anato Sci Int 83, 152–158 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-073X.2007.00225.x
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1447-073X.2007.00225.x