Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds (eBook)

Front Cover 1
Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds 4
Copyright Page 5
Table of Contents 10
Contributors to Volume I 6
Preface 8
Contents of Volume II 13
CHAPTER I. The Origin of Birds 14
I. Introduction 14
II. The Osteology of Archaeopteryx 14
III. The Relative Resemblances of Archaeopteryx to Reptiles and Birds 18
IV. Affinities with the Thecodontia 20
V. Arboreal Adaptations 23
VI. The Development of Homoiothermy 24
VII. The Third Archaeopteryx 26
References 26
CHAPTER II. Adaptive Radiation in Birds 28
I. Introduction 28
II. Problems in Size. The Surface :Volume Ratio 30
III. Locomotor Adaptations 32
IV. Feeding Adaptations 46
V. Adaptive Radiation within Families of Birds 61
VI. The History of Adaptive Radiation 63
References 66
CHAPTER III. The Classification of Birds 70
I. Introduction 70
II. Evolution and Taxonomy 71
III. Practical Systematics 73
IV. Problems in Avian Classification 74
V. A Classification of Birds 76
References 104
CHAPTER IV. Geographical Distribution of Living Birds 108
I. Historical Introduction 108
II. The Nature and Delimitation of Regions 110
III. Natural Regions and Historicofaunal Studies 113
IV. The Natural Regions 119
References 137
CHAPTER V. Development of Birds 140
I. Introduction 140
II. The Egg 147
III. The Beginning of Development 149
V. The Coordination of Development 155
VI. The Laying Down of the Organs 159
VII. Body Shape 166
VIII. The Food Supply of the Embryo 168
IX. The Extraembryonic Membranes 169
X. The Blood System 171
XI. The Gut and the Respiratory Tract 175
XII. The Coelom 177
XIII. The Urogenital System 178
XIV. The Endocrine Organs 181
XV. The Nervous System 183
XVI. The Organs of Special Sense 185
XVII. The Muscles and Limbs 188
XIX. The Feathers 191
XX. Hatching 191
References 193
CHAPTER VI. The Integumentary System1 202
I. The Skin 203
II. Derivatives of the Skin 206
III. Integumentary Pigmentation 225
IV. The Development of Patterns of Melanin Pigmentation 238
References 249
CHAPTER VII. The Skeleton of Birds 254
I. Introduction 254
II. Evolution 256
III. The Vertebrae and Ribs 258
IV. The Shoulder Girdle 264
V. The Wings 268
VI. Wing Movements 271
VII. The Pelvic Girdle and Hind Limb 271
VIII. The Skull 278
X. Pneumatization 302
XI. Ossification and Growth 306
XII. Anomalies 308
Acknowledgement 308
References 308
CHAPTER VIII. The Musculature 314
I. Introduction 314
II. Striated (Skeletal or Voluntary) Muscles 315
III. Actions of Muscles 316
IV. Muscles Used in the Classification of Birds 318
V. Descriptions of Muscles of the Pectoral Appendage 325
VI. Descriptions of Muscles of the Pelvic Appendage 339
References 355
CHAPTER IX. The Blood-Vascular System 358
I. General 358
II. The Heart 359
III. The Arterial System 367
IV. The Venous System 369
V. The Blood 371
VI. The Lymphatic System 374
References 374
CHAPTER X. The Respiratory System 376
I. Introduction 376
II. Anatomy 378
III. Ventilation of the Respiratory Tract While Standing (see Section VI, C for ventilation during flight) 389
IV. The Regulation of Respiratory Movements 401
V. Heat Regulation by the Respiratory System 405
VI. Respiration during Specialized Activities 409
References 417
CHAPTER XI. Digestion and the Digestive System 424
I. Introduction 424
II. The Buccal Cavity, Buccal Glands, and Pharynx 425
III. The Esophagus and Crop 429
IV. The Gastric Apparatus 436
V. The Intestine 448
VI. The Liver 459
VII. The Pancreas 461
References 462
CHAPTER XII. Excretion 482
I. Introduction 482
II. Anatomy of the Avian Kidney 483
III. Physiology 491
IV. Extra-renal Salt Excretion 501
References 502
Author Index 506
Subject Index 518