Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae: A Taxonomic StudyStallcup, William B.
Science
Myology and Serology of the Avian Family Fringillidae: A Taxonomic Study
Stallcup, William B.
Birds; Finches
The precipitin reaction is the most successful of the serological
techniques thus far devised for systematic comparisons. The reaction
occurs because antigenic substances introduced into the body of an
animal cause the formation of antibodies which precipitate antigens
when the two are mixed. The antisera which are produced show
quantitative specificities in their actions; therefore, when an
antiserum containing precipitins is mixed with each of several
antigens, the reaction involving the homologous antigen (that used in
the production of the antiserum) is greater than those reactions
involving the heterologous antigens (antigens other than those used in
the production of the antiserum). Furthermore, the magnitudes of the
reactions between the antiserum and the heterologous antigens vary
according to the degrees of similarity of these antigens to the
homologous one.
The method of precipitin testing follows that outlined by Leone
(1949). The Libby (1938) Photronreflectometer was used to measure the
turbidities developed by the interaction of antigen and antiserum.
With this instrument parallel rays of light are passed through the
turbid systems being measured. Light rays are reflected from the
suspended particles to the sensitive plate of a photoelectric cell;
this generates a current of electricity which causes a deflection on a
galvanometer. The deflection is proportional to the amount of
turbidity developed and readings may be taken directly from the scale
of the instrument.
The reaction-cells of the photronreflectometer are designed to operate
with a volume of 2 ml.; therefore, this volume was used in all
testing. In every series of tests the amount of antiserum was held
constant and the amount of antigen was varied. The volume for each
antigen dilution was always 1.7 ml., and to this was added 0.3 ml. of
antiserum to make up a volume of 2 ml.
TABLE 2.--Percentage values obtained from analyses of precipitin
reactions. Numerals represent relative amounts of reaction between
antigens and antisera. Homologous reactions are arbitrarily valued
as 100 per cent, and heterologous reactions are expressed
accordingly. _Comparisons are meaningful only if made within each
horizontal row of values._
Table headings:
Col A: _Estrilda amandava_
Col B: _Poephila guttata_
Col C: _Piranga rubra_
Col D: _Richmondena cardinalis_
Col E: _Spiza americana_
Col F: _Spinus tristis_
Col G: _Junco hyemalis_
Col H: _Zonotrichia querula_
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