Zoology Faculty Work
Title
Sunlight on Feathers Inhibits Feather Degrading Bacteria
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Publication Title
The Wilson Journal of Ornithology
Volume Number
119
Issue Number
2
DOI
10.1676/05-123.1
Abstract
We studied the effect of sunlight (280–750 nm) on Bacillus licheniformis, a feather-degrading bacterium that commonly occurs in the plumage of birds. Colony-forming units (a measure of bacterial abundance) of B. licheniformis were numerous on feathers inoculated with B. licheniformis and shielded from all sunlight, whereas colony-forming units were significantly less common on inoculated feathers exposed to full spectrum sunlight and sunlight from which the shorter ultra-violet wavelengths were blocked. Sunlight appears to inhibit the growth of feather-degrading bacilli. Given that many avian species sun themselves and that feather-degrading bacilli occur commonly in avian plumage, we suggest that regulation of potentially harmful plumage microorganisms through exposure to sunlight could be one reason that birds sunbathe.
ISSN
1559-4491
First Page
239
Last Page
245
Recommended Citation
Burtt, Edward H. Jr. and Saranathan, Vinodkumar, "Sunlight on Feathers Inhibits Feather Degrading Bacteria" (2007). Zoology Faculty Work. 69.
https://digitalcommons.owu.edu/zool_pubs/69
Link Out URL
https://doi.org/10.1676/05-123.1