Succinic Dehydrogenase Distribution in the Pectoralis Muscle of Several East African Birds

The distribution of succinic dehydrogenase activity was investigated in the pectoralis muscle of thirteen East African birds, representing five Orders. It was found that the pectoralis muscle of the most primitive birds studied (Galliformes) contained all “white” muscle fibres whereas the more advanced birds (Passeriformes) had all “red” muscle fibres. Intermediate Orders had mostly a mixture of red and white muscle fibres. There also appeared to be a direct relationship between body size and average muscle fibre size. However, it was concluded that the most important factor in relation to the muscle structure is the bird's mode of flight. The relationship with the degree of evolution and body size only held true in so far as the birds which had developed the facility for sustained flight, by increasing their red muscle fibre content, were also smaller in size and constituted the more “evolved” Orders of birds. In support of this it was noted that migratory birds (i.e. engaging in sustained flight) from more primitive Orders also had a high red muscle fibre content in their pectoralis muscles.