Title:

The mechanism of feather movements: implications for the evolution of birds and avian flight

Subtitle:

Acta Ornithologica, vol. 34, no. 2 ; Mechanika ruchu piór: odniesienia do ewolucji i lotu ptaków

Creator:

Homberger, Dominique G.

Contributor:

Polska Akademia Nauk. Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii ; Meeting of the European Ornithologists' Union (2 ; 1999 ; Gdańsk)

Publisher:

Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii PAN

Place of publishing:

Warszawa

Date issued/created:

1999

Description:

Referat wygłoszony na Second Meeting of the European Ornithologists' Union ; Bibliogr. p. 139-140 ; P. [135]-140 : ill. ; 27 cm ; Abstract in Polish

Type of object:

Journal/Article

Subject and Keywords:

birds ; evolution ; flight ; congresses ; integument ; feathers ; avian biomechanics ; Aves

Abstract:

The feather-bearing skin of birds differs fundamentally from the fur-bearing skin of mammals. Especially within the feather tracts, it contains much structural fat tissue in the dermis and the subcutaneous Fascia superficialis. These are separated from each other by an elastic membrane and are, together with the feather muscles, part of the hydraulic skeleto-muscular apparatus of the feathers. While feathers are raised by erector feather muscles and are returned to their resting position by the resilience of the surrounding fat tissue and an elastic membrane, the depressor feather muscles counteract external forces, such as air turbulences, thereby ensuring a smooth surface of the coat of feathers and reducing drag during flight. The coat of feathers itself creates fusiform body contours, which also reduce drag. Furthermore, subcutaneous fat bodies are strategically placed to ensure an even draping of the skin over the body and, thereby, contribute to streamlined body contours. The subcutaneous fat bodies and the dermal depressor muscles are part of the unique characteristics of the avian integument and have evolved under the selective regime for streamlining of body contours and surface as a precondition for the evolution of avian flight.

Relation:

Acta Ornithologica

Volume:

34

Issue:

2

Start page:

135

End page:

140

Resource type:

Text

Detailed Resource Type:

Article

Format:

application/pdf

Source:

MiIZ PAN, call no. P.257, Vol. 34, No 2 ; MiIZ PAN, call no. P.4568, Vol. 34, No 2 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng ; pol

Rights:

Rights Reserved - Restricted Access

Terms of use:

Copyright-protected material. Access only on terminals at the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences, may be used within the limits of statutory user freedoms.

Digitizing institution:

Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Original in:

Library of the Museum and Institute of Zoology of the Polish Academy of Sciences

Projects co-financed by:

Programme Innovative Economy, 2010-2014, Priority Axis 2. R&D infrastructure ; European Union. European Regional Development Fund

Access:

Closed