Wide variation of myoglobin contents in gizzard smooth muscles of various avian species.

We determined myoglobin contents of gizzards (muscular stomach) and breast muscles in 34 avian species by a modification of Reynafarje's spectrophotometric procedure. The birds were apparently differentiated into two groups in respect of the gizzard, one with a high myoglobin content (7.74 +/- 1.81 mg/g muscle) and the other with a low (1.54 +/- 0.41 mg/g). In the former group of 15 species all but one were herbivorous, and all but one were carnivorous or else omnivorous in the latter group of 19 species. The myoglobin level was considered to closely correlate with mechanical performance and therefore oxygen demands of the gizzards. It might also be relevant to a circulatory situation during the tonic contractions of this organs.