Feather Characterization of Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii: A Detailed Study on Feather Morphometry for Forensic Implications

The systematic study of feather microstructures can serve in taxonomic identification of birds and underlies species identification using feathers. Most studies conducted on the feather characteristics were focused only on plumaceous barbs, however, only a few studies have been conducted on understanding feather micro-morphometry and attempted to characterise all types of feathers of a single species. The present study evaluated the microscopic characteristics of Grey Junglefowl Gallus sonneratii feathers along with their morphometric observation and measurements using light microscopy. The detailed study of feather microstructures revealed variable pigmentation patterns, some places with concentrations of very dark pigmentation, while in others, pigmentation was light and randomly scattered across the barbules. G. sonneratii had triangular nodes, ring nodes, and pronged nodes. G. sonneratii was also having hooklets on either side of the pennaceous venule. These feather microstructures can be used in species identification while comparing with intra and inter species for different purposes. This species identification tool will greatly contribute to forensic science dealing with ongoing efforts of controlling illegal poaching of G. sonneratii as this method would provide scientific evidence for law and enforcement agencies such as the State Forest Department, Wildlife Crime Control Bureau.