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. s. 139-140 ; S. [135]-140 : il. ; 27 cm ; Streszcz. pol.

Type of object:

Czasopismo/Artykuł

Subject and Keywords:

Ptaki -- lot -- konferencje [KABA] ; Ptaki -- ewolucja -- konferencje [KABA] ; mechanika ruchu piór ; 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:

Tekst

Detailed Resource Type:

Artykuł ; Materiały konferencyjne

Format:

application/pdf

Source:

MiIZ PAN, patrz sygn. czas. P.257, Vol. 34, No 2 ; MiIZ PAN, patrz sygn. czas. P.4568, Vol. 34, No 2 ; click here to follow the link

Language:

eng ; pol

Rights:

Prawa zastrzeżone - dostęp ograniczony

Terms of use:

Zasób chroniony prawem autorskim. Korzystanie dozwolone wyłącznie na terminalach Muzeum i Instytutu Zoologii PAN w zakresie określonym przez przepisy o dozwolonym użytku.

Digitizing institution:

Muzeum i Instytut Zoologii Polskiej Akademii Nauk

Original in:

Biblioteka Muzeum i Instytutu Zoologii PAN

Projects co-financed by:

Program Operacyjny Innowacyjna Gospodarka, lata 2010-2014, Priorytet 2. Infrastruktura strefy B + R ; Unia Europejska. Europejski Fundusz Rozwoju Regionalnego

Access:

Zamknięty