High altitude respiration of birds. The primary structures of the major and minor hemoglobin component of adult European black vulture (Aegypius monachus, Aegypiinae).

The primary structures of the hemoglobin components Hb A and Hb D of the European Black Vulture (Aegypius monachus) are presented. The globin chains were separated on CM-Cellulose in 8M urea buffer. The amino-acid sequences were established by automatic Edman degradation of the globin chains and the tryptic peptides in liquid phase and gas-phase sequenators. The sequences are compared with those of the Golden Eagle, and with those of the Andean Condor, a New World vulture. The possible evolutionary significance of the alpha D-chains is considered. This paper serves as a reference study for high-altitude respiration of Falconiformes.