Can the substructure of fossil feathers provide taxonomic information?

Rijke, Arie M.; Jesser, W. A.; Schaal, Stephan

doi:10.1007/s10336-013-0929-4

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 10 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…The values for r and d of these contour feathers had been measured for the purpose of a 1970 study using a transmission light microscope equipped with a calibrated scale ocular. However, there is no reason to suspect the accuracy and precision of these data to be anything less than of those collected with electronic imaging techniques such as used in more recent studies [22,47]. Values for l of the closed pennaceous portion of the contour feather were measured at the mid-part of the vane to the nearest half millimeter using a traveling microscope.…”

Section: Do Seabird Feathers Show Adaptations To the Impact Forces Of...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Feather Structure and Behavioral Patterns in Seabirds

Rijke¹

2018

Seabirds

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The structural details of the flight and contour feathers of seabirds closely match the requirements of their habitats and feeding habits. They serve a variety of functions ranging from intraspecific signaling to such physical qualities as thermal insulation, water repellency and resistance to impact. It comes as no surprise, therefore, that they are composed of an array of elements that confer these qualities to the optimal benefit of their avian bearer. In this chapter, the physical bases for these functions are provided in both mathematical and evolutionary terms. Some functions excel at the expense of others, and many species have evolved an optimal balance between functions in terms of both feather microstructure and behavioral patterns that suit their specific habitat and feeding habits.The effects of mechanical forces on feathers are presented in terms of the impact of diving, plunging and alighting, and the structural properties in seabird feathers identifiable as adaptations to these forces. Finally, the way oiling affects the water repellency and resistance of feathers is discussed. It is concluded that the flight and contour feathers exhibit morphological and mechanical features that are advantageous for specific habitats and feeding techniques.

show abstract

Section: Do Seabird Feathers Show Adaptations To the Impact Forces Of...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Feather Structure and Behavioral Patterns in Seabirds

Rijke¹

2018

Seabirds

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

What do we really know about the water repellency of feathers?

Muzio,

Rubega

2024

Journal of Avian Biology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Feathers are complex integument structures that provide birds with many functions. They are vital to a bird's survival, fundamental to their visual displays, and responsible for the evolutionary radiation of the avian class. Feathers provide a protective barrier for the body; their water repellency is a key feature. Despite hundreds of years of ornithological research, the available literature on how feathers repel water is both limited and puzzling. Most hypotheses from the early 1900s suggested uropygial gland oil provided feathers with a hydrophobic coating. Subsequent studies showed that the feather's hierarchical structure creates a porous substrate that readily repels water with or without oil. Numerous studies and methods have been published attempting to explain, quantify, and compare the water repellency of feathers. Many overlook the role of barbules and the effect of their variation, which both likely play a crucial part in water repellency. The goal of this paper is to synthesize this research to better understand what has been done, what makes sense, and more importantly, what is missing. Previous reviews on this subject are mostly over 30 years old and did not use modern methods for systematic review. Here, we performed a systematic review to capture all relevant published papers on feather water repellency. We emphasize the crucial role of barbules in feather water repellency and why their morphological variation should not be ignored. We answer the question, what do we really know about the water repellency of feathers?

show abstract

The Current State of Identification Ptilology in Russia

Silaeva

Чернова

2022

Biol Bull Rev

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Can the substructure of fossil feathers provide taxonomic information?

Cited by 3 publications

References 10 publications

Feather Structure and Behavioral Patterns in Seabirds

Feather Structure and Behavioral Patterns in Seabirds

What do we really know about the water repellency of feathers?

The Current State of Identification Ptilology in Russia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About