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26 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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What feature unites birds with Theropod dinosaurs?
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Feathers.
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What are two synapomorphies of birds?
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1) Shorter Tail (less than 25 vertebrae)
2) Fully reversed hallux |
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What are the structures of feathers?
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1) Shaft
2) Quill 3) Rachis 4) Barbs 5) Barbules 6) Vane |
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What is the Shaft of a feather?
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The long, tapering center of the feather.
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What is the Quill of a feather?
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Basal portion anchored in skin; hollow; cylindrical.
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What is the Rachis of a feather?
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The rachis is the solid, squarish ending portion that supports the barbs.
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What are the Barbs of a feather?
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The Barbs are parallel branches, set at an angle inclined toward feather tip.
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What are the Barbules of a feather?
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The Barbules are smaller branches of barbs that inclined toward barb tip, interlock barbules of adjacent barbs, and stiffen the vane.
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What is the Vane of a feather?
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Collection of barbs that form on each side of rachis.
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What are five different types of feathers?
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1) Contour
2) Semiplumes 3) Down 4) Bristles 5) Filoplumes |
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Describe Contour feathers and their function.
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Contours form the outline of the body. The contain large firm vanes with a downy base.
Primaries (hand) + secondaries (on arm) = flight feathers; body covering & tail. |
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Describe Semiplume feathers and their function.
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Semiplumes are loosely webbed contour feathers; loose vane, rachis longer than barbs.
Semiplumes help to insulate the body and aid buoyancy of water birds. |
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Describe Down feathers and their function.
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Down feathers are small and fluffy. They are found beneath & between contour feathers. The barbs of down feathers do not interlock, so the can trap air; provide insulation; rachis shorter than barbs.
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Describe Bristles and their function.
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Bristles are vaneless feathers that consist only of shafts. They filter dirt near the eyes and nose, and they aid in tactile sensory functions.
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Describe Filoplumes and their function.
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Filoplumes are hairlike feathers. They lack a vane; mainly shaft; widely distributed; found between contour feathers. They function as decorative and sensory structures.
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What are 8 skeletal features of derived birds?
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1) Keeled sternum (attach pectoralis mm. for downstroke).
2) Synsacrum (fused pelvis, absorb impact of landing). 3) Pygostyle (short fused tail, reduce drag). 4) Furcula (wishbone - collarbones fused into U, spring to save energy in upstroke). 5) Uncinate processes on ribs (stiffen trunk for stability). 6) Fusion of leg and arm bones for increased stability. 7) Reduced digits in hand. 8) Large Acromion. |
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What do the Acromion and Triosseal Canal do in birds?
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The Acromion acts as a pulley for upstroke muscles to reach top of wing from underneath.
• All muscles (& weight) below the wing KEEPS FLIGHT STABLE (so that the bird won’t pitch & heave). |
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What type of fliers use AEROBIC respiration?
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Long-distance fliers use AEROBIC muscle respiration, lots myoglobin in flight (dark meat).
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What type of fliers use ANAEROBIC respiration?
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Burst fliers use ANAEROBIC muscle respiration, little myoglobin in flight (white meat).
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What does UNIDIRECTIONAL flow prevent?
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Unidirectional flow prevents mixing of stale and good air.
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How is unidirectional flow achieved in birds?
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1) AIR SACS (holding chambers without gas exchange)
2) Movement of air with 2 inspiration/expiration cycles. |
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Fish gills are set up for counter-current exchange, and Avian lungs are set up for ____.
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Cross-Current Exchange.
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How does birds' excretory system work?
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Birds have no urinary bladder; instead, waste is excreted as URIC ACID (white paste).
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How does the reproductive system of birds work?
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• Single ovary reduces weight.
• Gonads regress out of breeding season to reduce weight. |
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Understand flight forces.
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Yes. You should.
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How does wing orientation produce thrust?
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• At base R directed mostly upward, MOSTLY LIFT
• At tip R directed forward, MOSTLY THRUST |
