Flight Feather Development
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Theory of the Growth and Evolution of Feather Shape
30JOURNAL R.O. PRUMOF EXPERIMENTAL AND S. WILLIAMSON ZOOLOGY (MOL DEV EVOL) 291:30–57 (2001) Theory of the Growth and Evolution of Feather Shape RICHARD O. PRUM* AND SCOTT WILLIAMSON Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, and Natural History Museum, University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kansas 66045 ABSTRACT We present the first explicit theory of the growth of feather shape, defined as the outline of a pennaceous feather vane. Based on a reanalysis of data from the literature, we pro- pose that the absolute growth rate of the barbs and rachis ridges, not the vertical growth rate, is uniform throughout the follicle. The growth of feathers is simulated with a mathematical model based on six growth parameters: (1) absolute barb and rachis ridge growth rate, (2) angle of heli- cal growth of barb ridges, (3) initial barb ridge number, (4) new barb ridge addition rate, (5) barb ridge diameter, and (6) the angle of barb ramus expansion following emergence from the sheath. The model simulates growth by cell division in the follicle collar and, except for the sixth param- eter, does not account for growth by differentiation in cell size and shape during later keratiniza- tion. The model can simulate a diversity of feather shapes that correspond closely in shape to real feathers, including various contour feathers, asymmetrical feathers, and even emarginate prima- ries. Simulations of feather growth under different parameter values demonstrate that each pa- rameter can have substantial, independent effects on feather shape. Many parameters also have complex and redundant effects on feather shape through their influence on the diameter of the follicle, the barb ridge fusion rate, and the internodal distance. -
The Molecular Evolution of Feathers with Direct Evidence from Fossils
The molecular evolution of feathers with direct evidence from fossils Yanhong Pana,1, Wenxia Zhengb, Roger H. Sawyerc, Michael W. Penningtond, Xiaoting Zhenge,f, Xiaoli Wange,f, Min Wangg,h, Liang Hua,i, Jingmai O’Connorg,h, Tao Zhaoa, Zhiheng Lig,h, Elena R. Schroeterb, Feixiang Wug,h, Xing Xug,h, Zhonghe Zhoug,h,i,1, and Mary H. Schweitzerb,j,1 aChinese Academy of Sciences Key Laboratory of Economic Stratigraphy and Palaeogeography, Nanjing Institute of Geology and Palaeontology and Center for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; bDepartment of Biological Sciences, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695; cDepartment of Biological Sciences, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29205; dAmbioPharm Incorporated, North Augusta, SC 29842; eInstitute of Geology and Paleontology, Lingyi University, Lingyi City, 27605 Shandong, China; fShandong Tianyu Museum of Nature, Pingyi, 273300 Shandong, China; gCAS Key Laboratory of Vertebrate Evolution and Human Origins of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100044 Beijing, China; hCenter for Excellence in Life and Paleoenvironment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100044 Beijing, China; iCollege of Earth and Planetary Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 100049 Beijing, China; and jNorth Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences, Raleigh, NC 27601 Contributed by Zhonghe Zhou, December 15, 2018 (sent for review September 12, 2018; reviewed by Dominique G. Homberger and Chenxi Jia) Dinosaur fossils possessing integumentary appendages of various feathers in Anchiornis, barbules that interlock to form feather morphologies, interpreted as feathers, have greatly enhanced our vanes critical for flight have not been identified yet (12). -
Saitta, ET, Gelernter, R., & Vinther, J
Saitta, E. T., Gelernter, R., & Vinther, J. (2018). Additional information on the primitive contour and wing feathering of paravian dinosaurs. Palaeontology, 61(2), 273-288. https://doi.org/10.1111/pala.12342 Peer reviewed version Link to published version (if available): 10.1111/pala.12342 Link to publication record in Explore Bristol Research PDF-document This is the author accepted manuscript (AAM). The final published version (version of record) is available online via Wiley at http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/pala.12342/abstract . Please refer to any applicable terms of use of the publisher. University of Bristol - Explore Bristol Research General rights This document is made available in accordance with publisher policies. Please cite only the published version using the reference above. Full terms of use are available: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/red/research-policy/pure/user-guides/ebr-terms/ Additional information on the primitive contour and wing feathering of paravian dinosaurs Evan T. Saitta1, Rebecca Gelernter2, & Jakob Vinther1,3 1School of Earth Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom; e-mails: [email protected] (ORCiD ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-9306-9060), [email protected] (ORCiD ID: orcid.org/0000-0002-3584-9616) 2Near Bird Studios, New Haven, Connecticut, USA; e-mail: [email protected] 3School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, United Kingdom ABSTRACT: Identifying feather morphology in extinct dinosaurs is challenging due to dense overlapping of filaments within fossilized plumage and the fact that some extinct feather morphologies are unlike those seen in extant birds or those predicted from an ‘evo-devo’ model of feather evolution. -
Pattern and Chronology of Prebasic Molt for the Wood Thrush and Its Relation to Reproduction and Migration Departure
Wilson Bull., 110(3), 1998, pp. 384-392 PATTERN AND CHRONOLOGY OF PREBASIC MOLT FOR THE WOOD THRUSH AND ITS RELATION TO REPRODUCTION AND MIGRATION DEPARTURE J. H. VEGA RIVERA,1,3 W. J. MCSHEA,* J. H. RAPPOLE, AND C. A. HAAS ’ ABSTRACT-Documentation of the schedule and pattern of molt and their relation to reproduction and migration departure are important, but often neglected, areas of knowledge. We radio-tagged Wood Thrushes (Hylocichlu mustelina), and monitored their movements and behavior on the U.S. Marine Corps Base, Quantico, Virginia (38” 40 ’ N, 77” 30 ’ W) from May-Oct. of 1993-1995. The molt period in adults extended from late July to early October. Molt of flight feathers lasted an average of 38 days (n = 17 birds) and there was no significant difference in duration between sexes. In 21 observed and captured individuals, all the rectrices were lost simultaneously or nearly so, and some individuals dropped several primaries over a few days. Extensive molt in Wood Thrushes apparently impaired flight efficiency, and birds at this stage were remarkably cautious and difficult to capture and observe. All breeding individuals were observed molting l-4 days after fledgling independence or last-clutch predation, except for one pair that began molt while still caring for fledglings. Our data indicate that energetics or flight efficiency constraints may dictate a separation of molt and migration. We did not observe Wood Thrushes leaving the Marine Base before completion of flight-feather molt. Departure of individuals with molt in body and head, however, was common. We caution against interpreting the lack of observations or captures of molting individuals on breeding sites as evidence that birds actually have left the area. -
Exceptional Dinosaur Fossils Show Ontogenetic Development of Early Feathers
See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/43352155 Exceptional dinosaur fossils show ontogenetic development of early feathers Article in Nature · April 2010 DOI: 10.1038/nature08965 · Source: PubMed CITATIONS READS 98 372 3 authors: Xing Xu Zheng Xiaoting Chinese Academy of Sciences Linyi University 301 PUBLICATIONS 8,762 CITATIONS 48 PUBLICATIONS 943 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE SEE PROFILE Hai-Lu You Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology,Chinese Academy of … 143 PUBLICATIONS 2,490 CITATIONS SEE PROFILE Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects: Systematic biology of the Mesozoic Cercopoidea (Insecta: Hemiptera) View project All content following this page was uploaded by Hai-Lu You on 04 June 2014. The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file. Vol 464 | 29 April 2010 | doi:10.1038/nature08965 LETTERS Exceptional dinosaur fossils show ontogenetic development of early feathers Xing Xu1, Xiaoting Zheng2 & Hailu You3 Recent discoveries of feathered dinosaur specimens have greatly Similicaudipteryx, a basal oviraptorosaur recently reported from the improved our understanding of the origin and early evolution of Yixian Formation8 (Supplementary Information). feathers, but little information is available on the ontogenetic In STM4-1, two types of feather are present: large pennaceous development of early feathers1–7. Here we describe an early-juvenile feathers are attached to the manus and the middle and posterior specimen and a late-juvenile specimen, both referable to the ovirap- caudal vertebrae but not to other parts of the skeleton, and plumu- torosaur Similicaudipteryx8, recovered from the Lower Cretaceous laceous feathers are seen over most of the rest of the vertebral column Yixian Formation of western Liaoning, China9. -
The Physical Structure, Optical Mechanics and Aesthetics of the Peacock Tail Feathers
© 2002 WIT Press, Ashurst Lodge, Southampton, SO40 7AA, UK. All rights reserved. Web: www.witpress.com Email [email protected] Paper from: Design and Nature, CA Brebbia, L Sucharov & P Pascola (Editors). ISBN 1-85312-901-1 The physical structure, optical mechanics and aesthetics of the peacock tail feathers S.C. Burgess Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bristol, University Walk, Bristol, BS8 I TR, UK Abstract The peacock tail feathers have no flight or thermal function but have the sole purpose of providing an attractive display. The peacock tail produces colours by thin-film interference. There is a very high level of optimum design in the peacock feathers including optimum layer thickness, multi layers, precision co- ordination and dark background colour, This paper analyses the structure and beauty of the peacock tail. 1 Introduction Aesthetic beauty in appearance is produced by attributes such as patterns, brightness, variety, curves, blending or any combination of such attributes. Beauty is so important in engineering design that there is a whole subject called aesthetics which defines how beauty can be added to man-made products’, An object can have two types of beauty: inherent beauty and added beauty, Inherent beauty is a beauty that exists as a hi-product of mechanical design, In contrast, added beauty is a type of beauty which has the sole purpose of providing a beautiful display. These two types of beauty can be seen in man-made products like buildings and bridges. An example of inherent beauty is found in the shape of a suspension bridge, A suspension bridge has a curved cable structure because this is an efficient way of supporting a roadway. -
Testing the Neoflightless Hypothesis: Propatagium Reveals Flying Ancestry
J Ornithol DOI 10.1007/s10336-015-1190-9 ORIGINAL ARTICLE Testing the neoflightless hypothesis: propatagium reveals flying ancestry of oviraptorosaurs 1 2 Alan Feduccia • Stephen A. Czerkas Received: 4 September 2014 / Revised: 31 December 2014 / Accepted: 23 February 2015 Ó Dt. Ornithologen-Gesellschaft e.V. 2015 Abstract Considerable debate surrounds the numerous Zusammenfassung avian-like traits in core maniraptorans (ovirap- torosaurs, troodontids, and dromaeosaurs), especially in the Die ,,Neoflightless‘‘-Hypothese im Test: Halsflughaut Chinese Early Cretaceous oviraptorosaur Caudipteryx, (Propatagium) offenbart flugfa¨hige Vorfahren der which preserves modern avian pennaceous primary remi- Oviraptorosauria ges attached to the manus, as is the case in modern birds. Was Caudipteryx derived from earth-bound theropod di- Es gibt eine ausgiebige Debatte u¨ber die zahlreichen vo- nosaurs, which is the predominant view among palaeon- gela¨hnlichen Eigenheiten der Maniraptora (Oviraptosaurus, tologists, or was it secondarily flightless, with volant avians Troodontidae, Dromaeosaurus), vor allem des (gefiederten) or theropods as ancestors (the neoflightless hypothesis), Oviraptorosauria Caudipteryx aus der fru¨hen chinesischen which is another popular, but minority view. The discovery Kreidezeit, der genau wie rezente Vo¨gel Handschwingen here of an aerodynamic propatagium in several specimens hatte, die an den Handknochen ansetzen. Stammt Cau- provides new evidence that Caudipteryx (and hence ovi- dipteryx von den nur am Erdboden lebenden Theropoda ab - raptorosaurs) represent secondarily derived flightless die unter den Pala¨ontologen vorherrschende Meinung -, oder ground dwellers, whether of theropod or avian affinity, and war er sekunda¨r flugunfa¨hig und stammte von flugfa¨higen that their presence and radiation during the Cretaceous may Theropoden ab - die ,,Neoflightless‘‘-Hypothese, eine alter- have been a factor in the apparent scarcity of many other native, wenn auch nur von Wenigen unterstu¨tzte These. -
Basic Avian Anatomy
Basic Avian Anatomy Peter S. Sakas DVM, MS Niles Animal Hospital and Bird Medical Center 7278 N. Milwaukee Ave. Niles, IL 60714 (847)-647-9325 FAX (847)-647-8498 Introduction Everyone is familiar with the anatomy of mammals and may also have some knowledge of a few avian anatomical characteristics. The purpose of this discussion is to provide a deeper insight into avian anatomy and provide some comparisons to mammalian features. An understanding of avian anatomy is essential for avian practitioners. Sources of information for this discussion include the fine work of Dr. Howard Evans and Dr. Robert Clipsham. Feathers Feathers are unique to birds. Birds grow feathers in and around eight well- defined feather tracts or pterylae; they are not haphazardly arranged. Feathers compromise from 10-20% of a bird’s body weight. Each feather can be raised by a separate skin muscle (‘raising their hackles’ or fanning tail).Feathers are outgrowths of the feather follicles of the skin and are the counterpart to hairs and hair follicles in mammals. Feathers provide many functions for birds, attracts mate or deceives predator, heat control, flight, aerodynamic streamlining and water buoyancy. Feathers are not really “bird hairs” but are probably modified scales passed down from their reptilian ancestors. Feathers can be grouped into three categories: 1) Contour feathers or penna – These feathers cover the body, wings and tail, and are the feathers most obviously visible on the bird. 2) Down feathers or plumules – These tiny, soft down feathers are found associated with contour feathers and/or the spaces between them. 3) Tufted bristle feathers or filoplumes- Feathers which are modified and appear as ‘eyelashes and nose hairs.’ Contour Feathers The contour feather consists of a shaft with a vane. -
Functional Roles of Aves Class-Specific Cis-Regulatory Elements on Macroevolution of Bird-Specific Features
Functional roles of Aves class-specific cis-regulatory elements on macroevolution of bird-specific features Seki, Ryohei; Li, Cai; Fang, Qi; Hayashi, Shinichi; Egawa, Shiro; Hu, Jiang; Xu, Luohao; Pan, Hailin; Kondo, Mao; Sato, Tomohiko; Matsubara, Haruka; Kamiyama, Namiko; Kitajima, Keiichi; Saito, Daisuke; Liu, Yang; Gilbert, Tom; Zhou, Qi; Xu, Xing-Zhi; Shiroishi, Toshihiko; Irie, Naoki; Tamura, Koji; Zhang, Guojie Published in: Nature Communications DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14229 Publication date: 2017 Document version Publisher's PDF, also known as Version of record Document license: CC BY Citation for published version (APA): Seki, R., Li, C., Fang, Q., Hayashi, S., Egawa, S., Hu, J., ... Zhang, G. (2017). Functional roles of Aves class- specific cis-regulatory elements on macroevolution of bird-specific features. Nature Communications, 8, [14229]. https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms14229 Download date: 08. Apr. 2020 ARTICLE Received 25 Apr 2016 | Accepted 12 Dec 2016 | Published 6 Feb 2017 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms14229 OPEN Functional roles of Aves class-specific cis-regulatory elements on macroevolution of bird-specific features Ryohei Seki1,2,*, Cai Li3,4,5,*, Qi Fang3,4, Shinichi Hayashi2,6, Shiro Egawa2, Jiang Hu3, Luohao Xu3, Hailin Pan3,4, Mao Kondo2, Tomohiko Sato2, Haruka Matsubara2, Namiko Kamiyama2, Keiichi Kitajima2, Daisuke Saito2,7, Yang Liu3, M. Thomas P. Gilbert5,8, Qi Zhou9, Xing Xu10, Toshihiko Shiroishi1, Naoki Irie11, Koji Tamura2 & Guojie Zhang3,4,12 Unlike microevolutionary processes, little is known about the genetic basis of macroevolutionary processes. One of these magnificent examples is the transition from non-avian dinosaurs to birds that has created numerous evolutionary innovations such as self-powered flight and its associated wings with flight feathers. -
Moulting Tail Feathers in a Juvenile Oviraptorisaur
BRIEF COMMUNICATIONS ARISING Moultingtail feathers in ajuvenile oviraptorisaur ARISING FROM Xing Xu, Xiaoting Zheng & Hailu You Nature 464, 1338–1341 (2010) Xu et al.1 describe the extraordinarily preserved feathers from two subadults of the oviraptorisaur Similicaudipteryx from the Yixian Formation of Liaoning, China. The preserved tail feathers of the juvenile specimen (STM4.1) show a morphology not previously observed in any fossil feathers. The tail feathers of an older, immature specimen (STM22-6) show a typical closed pennaceous structure with a prominent, planar vane. I propose that the feathers of the tail of the juvenile specimen are not a specialized feather generation, but fossilized ‘pin feathers’ or developing feather germs. Xu et al.1 interpret the juvenile Similicaudipteryx tail feathers as examples of ‘‘proximately ribbon-like pennaceous feathers’’ (PRPFs) that have evolved convergently in avialian confuciusornithids and enanthiornithines, and in the non-avian maniraptoran Epidexipteryx. They describe the differences between juvenile and immature Similicaudipteryx feathers as a notable example of post-nestling onto- genetic change in feather morphology, and claim that ‘‘this phenom- enon is not known to occur in other birds.’’ Although modern birds do not show radical changes in flight-feather morphology after the nestling stage (probably owing to the functional Figure 1 | Developing primary wing feathers of a nestling Great Horned constraints of flight), there are many examples of radical post-nestling Owl. The distal tip of the planar vane of the pennaceous feathers are emerging from the tubular feather sheath. The sheath surrounds the entire base of the changes in the morphology of other feathers. -
The Simultaneous Moult of Female Hornbills Is Not Triggered by the Darkness of Their Nest Cavity
Ostrich Journal of African Ornithology ISSN: 0030-6525 (Print) 1727-947X (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tost20 The simultaneous moult of female hornbills is not triggered by the darkness of their nest cavity Mark Stanback, David Millican, Paul Visser & Laurie Marker To cite this article: Mark Stanback, David Millican, Paul Visser & Laurie Marker (2018): The simultaneous moult of female hornbills is not triggered by the darkness of their nest cavity, Ostrich, DOI: 10.2989/00306525.2018.1468360 To link to this article: https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2018.1468360 Published online: 29 May 2018. Submit your article to this journal Article views: 5 View Crossmark data Full Terms & Conditions of access and use can be found at http://www.tandfonline.com/action/journalInformation?journalCode=tost20 Ostrich 2018: 1–3 Copyright © NISC (Pty) Ltd Printed in South Africa — All rights reserved OSTRICH This is the final version of the article that is ISSN 0030–6525 EISSN 1727-947X published ahead of the print and online issue https://doi.org/10.2989/00306525.2018.1468360 Short Note The simultaneous moult of female hornbills is not triggered by the darkness of their nest cavity Mark Stanback1,4, David Millican2, Paul Visser3 and Laurie Marker3 1 Department of Biology, Davidson College, Davidson, NC, USA 2 Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, VA, USA 3 Cheetah Conservation Fund, Otjiwarongo, Namibia * Corresponding author, email: [email protected] A verbal model from 1937 proposed that the darkness of the nest cavity acts as a proximate trigger for the simultaneous moult observed in female hornbills. -
Mummified Precocial Bird Wings in Mid-Cretaceous
ARTICLE Received 18 Jan 2016 | Accepted 27 May 2016 | Published 28 Jun 2016 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms12089 OPEN Mummified precocial bird wings in mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber Lida Xing1,2,*, Ryan C. McKellar3,4,*, Min Wang5,*, Ming Bai6,*, Jingmai K. O’Connor5, Michael J. Benton7, Jianping Zhang2, Yan Wang8, Kuowei Tseng9, Martin G. Lockley10, Gang Li11, Weiwei Zhang12 & Xing Xu5,* Our knowledge of Cretaceous plumage is limited by the fossil record itself: compression fossils surrounding skeletons lack the finest morphological details and seldom preserve visible traces of colour, while discoveries in amber have been disassociated from their source animals. Here we report the osteology, plumage and pterylosis of two exceptionally preserved theropod wings from Burmese amber, with vestiges of soft tissues. The extremely small size and osteological development of the wings, combined with their digit proportions, strongly suggests that the remains represent precocial hatchlings of enantiornithine birds. These specimens demonstrate that the plumage types associated with modern birds were present within single individuals of Enantiornithes by the Cenomanian (99 million years ago), providing insights into plumage arrangement and microstructure alongside immature skeletal remains. This finding brings new detail to our understanding of infrequently preserved juveniles, including the first concrete examples of follicles, feather tracts and apteria in Cretaceous avialans. 1 State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China. 2 School of the Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geosciences, Beijing 100083, China. 3 Palaeontology, Royal Saskatchewan Museum, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4P 2V7. 4 Biology Department, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada S4S 0A2.