ABCS 341 - Comparative Chordate Biology
Module 5:
AVES - BIRDS
• Origin & Evolution
• Taxonomy & Morphology
• Behaviour & Adaptations
• Ecology & Conservation
May 2021
Prof. L. H. Holbech,
Wi-fi Network: DABCSLHH ; Drive: LHServer; User name: LHUser ; Password: ANKASA2017
1
,ABCS 341: Objectives of Lecture 1 - Birds: Origin, Evolution & Taxonomy
1. An Introduction to the major theories of avian origin and flight
• Reptilian Ancestor - Feathered Dinosaurs - Early Birds
• Evolution of Feathers and Flight
2. An Overview of 4 major taxonomical avian divisions and sub-divisions:
• Ratites - Carinates - Non-Passeriform - Passeriformes
3. A Comparison of Non-passeriform and Passeriform Birds:
• Size - Species Diversity - Morphology - Ecology - Biology
4. An Account of the varieties and diversity of 12 selected orders:
• Large Ancient Birds: Flightless Birds & Marine Birds
• Important to Humans: Fowl-like Birds - Waterfowl - Raptors
• Primitive Perching Birds: Columbids - Parrots - Turacos - Cuckoos
2
,ABCS 341: The Origin & Evolution of Birds: Archaeopteryx - The Earliest Bird?
• Meaning = ‘Ancient Wing’ (Hermann von Meyer) Reconstruction
• Limestone quarries in southern Germany
• A. lithographica (1861): 11 whole fossils
• A. bavarica (1992): 1 feather fossil
• Size: Pigeon-Crow size (35-50 cm)
148-152 mya
Aerial? Arboreal?
Cursorial? 3
, ABCS 341: Archaeopteryx - Primitive reptilian and advanced bird features
• Advanced features: Adult
Pigeon
- Highly asymmetrical feathers for flight Hoatzin
- Long forearms for flight
- Anisodactyl foot with hallux for perching
- Fused tibio-tarsus and digitigrade
• Primitive features:
- Heavy toothed jaws
- Unfused hand bones (no carpometacarpus) Archaeopteryx head reconstruction
- Unfused tail bones (no pygostyle)
- Pelvic girdle unfused with sacral vertebrae
(no synsacrum)
Archaeopteryx Young
- No uncinate processes
- No deep keels (carina) on sternum Hoatzin
From Feduccia (1999)
- Dorsal elevators (no supracoracoideus)
Hoatzin
Wing claws 4
Module 5:
AVES - BIRDS
• Origin & Evolution
• Taxonomy & Morphology
• Behaviour & Adaptations
• Ecology & Conservation
May 2021
Prof. L. H. Holbech,
Wi-fi Network: DABCSLHH ; Drive: LHServer; User name: LHUser ; Password: ANKASA2017
1
,ABCS 341: Objectives of Lecture 1 - Birds: Origin, Evolution & Taxonomy
1. An Introduction to the major theories of avian origin and flight
• Reptilian Ancestor - Feathered Dinosaurs - Early Birds
• Evolution of Feathers and Flight
2. An Overview of 4 major taxonomical avian divisions and sub-divisions:
• Ratites - Carinates - Non-Passeriform - Passeriformes
3. A Comparison of Non-passeriform and Passeriform Birds:
• Size - Species Diversity - Morphology - Ecology - Biology
4. An Account of the varieties and diversity of 12 selected orders:
• Large Ancient Birds: Flightless Birds & Marine Birds
• Important to Humans: Fowl-like Birds - Waterfowl - Raptors
• Primitive Perching Birds: Columbids - Parrots - Turacos - Cuckoos
2
,ABCS 341: The Origin & Evolution of Birds: Archaeopteryx - The Earliest Bird?
• Meaning = ‘Ancient Wing’ (Hermann von Meyer) Reconstruction
• Limestone quarries in southern Germany
• A. lithographica (1861): 11 whole fossils
• A. bavarica (1992): 1 feather fossil
• Size: Pigeon-Crow size (35-50 cm)
148-152 mya
Aerial? Arboreal?
Cursorial? 3
, ABCS 341: Archaeopteryx - Primitive reptilian and advanced bird features
• Advanced features: Adult
Pigeon
- Highly asymmetrical feathers for flight Hoatzin
- Long forearms for flight
- Anisodactyl foot with hallux for perching
- Fused tibio-tarsus and digitigrade
• Primitive features:
- Heavy toothed jaws
- Unfused hand bones (no carpometacarpus) Archaeopteryx head reconstruction
- Unfused tail bones (no pygostyle)
- Pelvic girdle unfused with sacral vertebrae
(no synsacrum)
Archaeopteryx Young
- No uncinate processes
- No deep keels (carina) on sternum Hoatzin
From Feduccia (1999)
- Dorsal elevators (no supracoracoideus)
Hoatzin
Wing claws 4
