Molecular and microstructural inventory of an isolated fossil bird feather from the Eocene Fur Formation of Denmark

Palaeontology ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 73-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johan A. Gren ◽  
Peter Sjövall ◽  
Mats E. Eriksson ◽  
Rene L. Sylvestersen ◽  
Federica Marone ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bird Feather ◽  
Fossil Bird

scholarly journals A phasianid bird from the Pleistocene of Tainan: the very first avian fossil from Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Hsiu Tsai ◽  
Gerald Mayr
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Birds ◽  
Phasianus Colchicus ◽  
Diagnostic Features ◽  
Physical Evidence ◽  
Evolutionary Origins ◽  
Geological Past ◽  
Fossil Bird ◽  
New Perspective ◽  
High Degree ◽  
Unambiguous Assignment

AbstractTaiwan accommodates more than 600 avian species, including about 30 endemic ones. As yet, however, no fossil birds have been scientifically documented from Taiwan, so that the evolutionary origins of this diversified avifauna remain elusive. Here we report on the very first fossil bird from Taiwan. This Pleistocene specimen, a distal end of the left tarsometatarsus, shows diagnostic features of the galliform Phasianidae, including an asymmetric plantar articular facet trochlea metatarsi III. Our discovery of a Pleistocene phasianid from Taiwan opens a new perspective on studies of the evolution of the avifauna in Taiwan because the fossil shows that careful search for fossils in suitable localities has the potential of recovering avian remains. In general, East Asia has an extremely poor avian fossil record, especially if terrestrial birds are concerned, which impedes well-founded evolutionary scenarios concerning the arrival of certain groups in the area. The Phasianidae exhibit a high degree of endemism in Taiwan, and the new fossil presents the first physical evidence for the presence of phasianids on the island, some 400,000–800,000 years ago. The specimen belongs to a species the size of the three larger phasianids occurring in Taiwan today (Syrmaticus mikado, Lophura swinhoii, and Phasianus colchicus). Still, an unambiguous assignment to either of these species is not possible due to the incomplete nature of the left tarsometatarsus. Because the former two species are endemic to Taiwan, the fossil has the potential to yield the first data on their existence in the geological past of Taiwan if future finds allow identification on species-level.

scholarly journals Discovery of a remarkable fossil bird

1872 ◽  
Vol 9 (52) ◽  
pp. 326-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
O.C. Marsh
Keyword(s):  
Fossil Bird

Drag Reduction Study about Bird Feather Herringbone Riblets

2013 ◽  
Vol 461 ◽  
pp. 201-205 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Wei Chen ◽  
Fu Gang Rao ◽  
De Yuan Zhang ◽  
Xiao Peng Shang
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Structural Parameters ◽  
Reduction Rate ◽  
Reduction Mechanism ◽  
Surface Drag ◽  
Flight Feather ◽  
Hollow Shaft ◽  
Smooth Edge ◽  
Bird Feather ◽  
Wild Goose

Flying bird has gradually formed airworthy structures e.g. streamlined shape and hollow shaft of feather to improve flying performance by millions of years natural selection. As typical property of flight feather, herringbone-type riblets can be observed along the shaft of each feather, which caused by perfect alignment of barbs. Why bird feather have such herringbone-type riblets has not been extensively discussed until now. In this paper, microstructures of secondary feathers are investigated through SEM photo of various birds involving adult pigeons, wild goose and magpie. Their structural parameters of herringbone riblets of secondary flight feather are statistically obtained. Based on quantitative analysis of feathers structure, one novel biomimetic herringbone riblets with narrow smooth edge are proposed to reduce surface drag. In comparison with traditional microgroove riblets and other drag reduction structures, the drag reduction rate of the proposed biomimetic herringbone riblets is experimentally clarified up to 15%, much higher than others. Moreover, the drag reduction mechanism of herringbone riblets are also confirmed and exploited by CFD.

Biomimetic Drag Reduction Study on Herringbone Riblets of Bird Feather

2013 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 341-349 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huawei Chen ◽  
Fugang Rao ◽  
Xiaopeng Shang ◽  
Deyuan Zhang ◽  
Ichiro Hagiwara
Keyword(s):  
Drag Reduction ◽  
Bird Feather

Particles from bird feather: A novel application of an ionic liquid and waste resource

2009 ◽  
Vol 170 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 786-790 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ping Sun ◽  
Zhao-Tie Liu ◽  
Zhong-Wen Liu
Keyword(s):  
Ionic Liquid ◽  
Bird Feather
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document