ON PUFFINS AND THEIR OPTIMIZATION
FOR DUAL LOCOMOTION
BY B. SIDELL
ABSTRACT -- Puffins, one of the few wing-propelled diving birds, are specialized into a specific niche. By balancing the optimization of their bodies for locomotion between the two media of air and sea water created a unique anatomy for a bird. The evolution of Auks, which includes the puffin, shows a mixture of characteristics similar to those of the ultimate diving bird, the penguin, and the large-winged flyers, such as the pelican. Wing-propelled diving has evolved numerous times in the history of birds, each time finding a unique benefit to their species. This paper analyzes how the puffins have adapted in comparison to a deep diver and a high flier to see what puffins sacrificed in order to gain the ability of wing-propelled diving and flight. To compare …show more content…
Some of these adaptations include adjusting their body’s density for a more neutral buoyancy in sea water to allow for an easier descent to greater depths (Kaiser, 78). A change in their wing bone’s shapes from thin to thick wall size and cylindrical to ovular in shape occurred in order to accommodate for a thicker medium of locomotion which would create higher moments. An adaptation to the muscle and bone structure around the core of their body to protect the interior organs and withstand a larger amount of pressure (Kaiser, 313). All of these traits have consequences for flight. The higher the density of the bird, the less likely they will be able to create enough lift in order to fly. The adjustment to the wing shape and thickness means less area pushing against the water, causing less moment on the birds’ joints. Adjusting the bones and muscles to elongate further down the torso of the bird creates a more cylindrical
FOR DUAL LOCOMOTION
BY B. SIDELL
ABSTRACT -- Puffins, one of the few wing-propelled diving birds, are specialized into a specific niche. By balancing the optimization of their bodies for locomotion between the two media of air and sea water created a unique anatomy for a bird. The evolution of Auks, which includes the puffin, shows a mixture of characteristics similar to those of the ultimate diving bird, the penguin, and the large-winged flyers, such as the pelican. Wing-propelled diving has evolved numerous times in the history of birds, each time finding a unique benefit to their species. This paper analyzes how the puffins have adapted in comparison to a deep diver and a high flier to see what puffins sacrificed in order to gain the ability of wing-propelled diving and flight. To compare …show more content…
Some of these adaptations include adjusting their body’s density for a more neutral buoyancy in sea water to allow for an easier descent to greater depths (Kaiser, 78). A change in their wing bone’s shapes from thin to thick wall size and cylindrical to ovular in shape occurred in order to accommodate for a thicker medium of locomotion which would create higher moments. An adaptation to the muscle and bone structure around the core of their body to protect the interior organs and withstand a larger amount of pressure (Kaiser, 313). All of these traits have consequences for flight. The higher the density of the bird, the less likely they will be able to create enough lift in order to fly. The adjustment to the wing shape and thickness means less area pushing against the water, causing less moment on the birds’ joints. Adjusting the bones and muscles to elongate further down the torso of the bird creates a more cylindrical