Table 2 Characteristic features of the structure of upper eyelid and lower eyelid in the examined birds. CALT – conjunctiva-associated lymphoid tissue, LF – lymphoid follicle, DL – diffuse lymphocytes, HEV – high endothelial venules, (+) – poorly marked melanocytes in the epithelium, (+++) – numerous accumulations of melanocytes in the epithelium, (+) – presence, (-) – absence
Order | Species | Epithelium of the anterior palpebral surface | Melanocytes in Lamina propria | Folds of the skin | Epithelium of the marginal zone | Localization of melanocytes of the marginal zone epithelium | Presence /absence of the melanocytes in the marginal zone stroma | Length of the tarsal plate [mm] | Width of the tarsal plate [mm] | Epithelium of the posterior surface on the upper eyelid | Epithelium of the posterior surface on the lower eyelid | CALT | L F | D L | HEV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accipitriformes | Accipiter gentilis | 2–3–4 | - | long and narrow | 17–20 | + (basal lamina) | - | 8–9 | 10–11 | 5–8 | 3–5 | + | - | - | - |
Accipitriformes | Accipiter nisus | 3–4–5 | + | short and wide | 10–12 | +++ (all epithelium) | + | 11–12 | 6–7 | 4–5 | 4–5 | + | - | - | - |
Accipitriformes | Aquila nipalensis | 6–8 | - | short and wide | 16–19 | + (basal lamina) | + | 15–16 | 10–11 | 6–7 | 10–11 | + | - | - | - |
Accipitriformes | Buteo buteo | 3–4–5 | + | long and narrow | 15–16 | + (basal lamina) | + | 12–13 | 10–11 | 3–5 | 7–9 | + | - | - | - |
Accipitriformes | Circus cyaneus | 2–3–4 | + | long and narrow | 9–12 | +++ (all epithelium) | + | 9–11 | 10–11 | 3–5 | 3–5 | + | - | - | - |
Accipitriformes | Haliaeetus albicilla | 9–10 | - | short and wide | 14–16 | +++ (all epithelium) | + | 16–17 | 12–13 | 4–7 | 12–13 | + | - | - | - |
Accipitriformes | Pernis apivorus | 2–3–4 | + | short and wide | 8–10 | +++ (all epithelium) | + | 8–9 | 7–8 | 3–4 | 3–4 | + | - | - | - |
Falconiformes | Falco peregrinus | 6–8 | + | short and wide | 13–16 | + (basal lamina) | - | 6–8 | 7–8 | 5–8 | 5–8 | + | - | - | - |
Falconiformes | Falco tinnunculus | 3–4–5 | - | long and narrow | 14–15 | +++ (all epithelium) | - | 6–9 | 7–8 | 6–10 | 7–14 | + | - | - | - |
Strigiformes | Aegolius funereus | 3–4 | - | short and wide | 8–11 | +++ (all epithelium) | + | 9–10 | 10–11 | 5–6 | 7–8 | - | + | - | + |
Strigiformes | Athene noctua | 3–5 | - | short and wide | 8–9 | +++ (all epithelium) | + | 9–10 | 8–9 | 3–4 | 2–4 | - | + | + | - |
Strigiformes | Bubo bubo | 2–4 | - | short and wide | 6–8 | +++ (all epithelium) | + (adipose cells) | 16–17 | 12–13 | 10–14 | 10–14 | - | + | - | + |
Strigiformes | Bubo scandiacus | 9–15 | - | long and wide | 7–9 | +++ (all epithelium) | - (adipose cells) | 12–13 | 13–14 | 9–15 | 9–15 | - | + | - | - |
Strigiformes | Otus megalotis | 2–3 | - | short and wide | 10–12 | +++ (all epithelium) | - | 9–10 | 11–12 | 4–6 | 4–6 | - | + | - | - |
Strigiformes | Strix aluco | 2–5 | - | short and wide | 10–12 | - | - (numerous blood vessels) | 11–12 | 12–13 | 5–7 | 8–9 | + | - | + | + |
Strigiformes | Strix uralensis | 3–5 | - | short and wide | 15–23 | - | - | 13–14 | 11–12 | 3–5 | 20–22 | + | + | - | - |
Strigiformes | Surnia ulula | 6–8 | + | long and wide | 10–13 | +++ (all epithelium) | - | 12–13 | 13–14 | 12–15 | 14–16 | - | - | + | + |
Strigiformes | Tyto alba | 7–8 | - | very short and wide | 12–13 | +++ (all epithelium) | - | 12–13 | 13–14 | 16–18 | 14–18 | + | - | - | - |