Microstructural characterization and elemental profiling of shed feathers of three species of galliformes

Feathers can act as one of the vital evidence in wildlife forensics, mainly when a question related to identification of bird arises. The identification of taxonomical group help in discerning whether the bird is protected under legislations related to wildlife forensics or not. Furthermore, it can also form an important corroborative evidence in linking the criminal to the crime scene by establishing its physical contact. In the present study, an attempt has been made to collect the shed feathers belonging to three different galliformes species (Catreus wallichii, Lophura leucomelanos and Lophophorus impejanus) and to study their various morphological characteristics (colour, shape, texture, and size), microscopic morphometric characteristics (barbule width, the distance between barbules, length and width of barbules, distance between two pigments, internodal distance and node width etc.) and elemental composition. The data obtained through microscopic morphometric characteristics was subjected to statistical analysis (one way ANOVA) to study significance among the intra-species and inter-species variations. Intra-species variation among feather samples was found to be insignificant (p-value>0.5), whereas, the interspecies variation was found to be significant (p-value<0.5). In addition, the elemental profiles of the feather samples was studied using field emission-scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (FE-SEM-EDX) and chemometric technique was applied for classification, discrimination and predication among the selected galliformes species. The combination of all the above parameters were helpful in the identification of the feathers of selected species with respect to forensic points of view.