Differences in flight and heart muscle mass among geese, dabbling ducks, and diving ducks relative to habitat use

1988 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 2024-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. W. Bethke ◽  
V. G. Thomas
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Relative Mass ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Wing Loading ◽  
Wing Form ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Heart Mass ◽  
Heart Size ◽  
Flight Muscles ◽  
The Masses

Geese, dabbling ducks, and diving ducks differ in their ability to take off vertically when initiating flight. For three species of goose (N = 127), five species of dabbling ducks (N = 89), and eight species of diving ducks (N = 128), the masses of pectoralis, supracoracoideus, and heart muscles, and two indices of wing form (wing loading and aspect ratio) were measured. Differences in take-off ability among the groups were associated with differences in the mass, i.e., the potential power output, of the flight and heart muscles, and in wing form. Dabbling ducks had the greatest relative mass of flight muscles (p < 0.0001), lowest wing loading, and highest aspect ratio, and elevate almost vertically from the water's surface when taking off. Conversely, diving ducks had the smallest flight muscles, highest wing loading, and smallest aspect ratio, and begin flight by running over the surface of the water to gain sufficient forward velocity. Geese were intermediate between dabbling ducks and diving ducks for these three characteristics. Diving ducks however, had the largest heart mass of the three groups (p < 0.0024). Among diving ducks, heart size increased with the foraging depth of each species. It is suggested that heart size in diving ducks reflects a response to diving superimposed upon the demands for flight.

Body and organ mass dynamics during remigial moult in a wing–foot-propelled diving sea duck: the Common Eider (Atlantic) (Somateria mollissima dresseri)

2015 ◽  
Vol 93 (10) ◽  
pp. 755-764 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Viain ◽  
M. Guillemette ◽  
J.-P.L. Savard
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Mass ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Flight Muscle ◽  
Somateria Mollissima ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Common Eiders ◽  
Sea Duck ◽  
Remigial Moult ◽  
Atrophy Of The Heart

Body and organ dynamics, during remigial moult, have been mainly explored on geese, dabbling ducks, and foot-propelled diving ducks, but weakly on sea ducks. This study investigated the internal changes in a wing–foot-propelled sea duck to determine the adaptive strategies implemented. Forty-five male Common Eiders (Atlantic) (Somateria mollissima dresseri Sharpe, 1871), collected in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, were dissected; their body mass, muscle mass, and organ sizes were measured. We tested three hypotheses: (1) S. m. dresseri use a strategic reduction of body mass to reduce the flightlessness duration; (2) organs will exhibit changes consistent with a trade-off between function and maintenance to save and reallocate energy and proteins to feather growth; (3) S. m. dresseri would show lower flight muscle reduction than foot-propelled diving ducks. Somateria mollissima dresseri did not lose body mass, which does not support the first hypothesis. Atrophy of the heart followed by hypertrophy and opposite changes in leg muscle mass and gizzard mass are consistent with the second hypothesis. Flight muscle mass showed lower variations than in other ducks, validating the third hypothesis. We also suggest that the lipid depletion observed early in the moult could be a strategy to reduce foraging effort and minimize the risk of damaging the growing feathers.

Comparative migration, growth and development of Typhlocoelum cucumerinum sisowi in dabbling ducks and Typhlocoelum cucumerinum cucumerinum in diving ducks

Parasitology ◽  
1982 ◽  
Vol 84 (2) ◽  
pp. 333-350 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilyn E. Scott ◽  
M. E. Rau ◽  
J. D. McLaughlin
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Life Span ◽  
Definitive Host ◽  
Host Species ◽  
Growth And Development ◽  
Abdominal Cavity ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Air Sacs ◽  
Aythya Valisineria

SUMMARYExperimental infections of mallards (Anas platyrhynchos L.) with Typhlocoelum cucumerinum sisowi (Skrjabin, 1913) and of canvasbacks (Aythya valisineria (Wilson)) with Typhlocoelum cucumerinum cucumerinum (Rudolphi, 1809) revealed significant differences in various parameters of the life-cycle in the definitive host. Both T. c. sisowi and T. c. cucumerinum migrate to the trachea via the abdominal cavity, air sacs and lungs, although T. c. cucumerinum migrate more quickly and more synchronously than T. c. sisowi. Typhlocoelum c. sisowi has a shorter expected life-span than T. c. cucumerinum but grows and reaches maturity more quickly than T. c. cucumerinum. Evidence suggests that T. c. cucumerinum has a higher fecundity than T. c. sisowi. These differences in the patterns of migration, growth and development are related not only to differences between the two host species but also to differences intrinsic to the parasites, and serve to provide biological support for considering them as separate sub-species.

scholarly journals Aerodynamic reconstruction of the primitive fossil bat Onychonycteris finneyi (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 20180857 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucila I. Amador ◽  
Nancy B. Simmons ◽  
Norberto P. Giannini
Keyword(s):  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Rapid Evolution ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Green River Formation ◽  
Developmental Changes ◽  
Early Eocene ◽  
Wing Loading ◽  
Green River ◽  
Aerodynamic Efficiency ◽  
Extinct Species

Bats are the only mammals capable of powered flight. One of the oldest bats known from a complete skeleton is Onychonycteris finneyi from the Early Eocene (Green River Formation, Wyoming, 52.5 Ma). Estimated to weigh approximately 40 g, Onychonycteris exhibits the most primitive combination of characters thus far known for bats. Here, we reconstructed the aerofoil of the two known specimens, calculated basic aerodynamic variables and compared them with those of extant bats and gliding mammals. Onychonycteris appears in the edges of the morphospace for bats, underscoring the primitive conformation of its flight apparatus. Low aerodynamic efficiency is inferred for this extinct species as compared to any extant bat. When we estimated aerofoil variables in a model of Onychonycteris excluding the handwing, it closely approached the morphospace of extant gliding mammals. Addition of a handwing to the model lacking this structure results in a 2.3-fold increase in aspect ratio and a 28% decrease in wing loading, thus greatly enhancing aerodynamics. In the context of these models, the rapid evolution of the chiropteran handwing via genetically mediated developmental changes appears to have been a key transformation in the hypothesized transition from gliding to flapping in early bats.

Feeding activity of ducks in relation to diel emergence of chironomids

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (6) ◽  
pp. 1383-1387 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kjell Sjöberg ◽  
Kjell Danell
Keyword(s):  
Water Surface ◽  
Food Item ◽  
Feeding Activity ◽  
Emergent Vegetation ◽  
Cold Weather ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Entire Surface ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Insect Group

The diel emergence of chironomids, an insect group important as food item for both adult and young ducks, was studied in relation to the feeding activity and behaviour of ducks on a northern Swedish lake (66°3′ N, 23°46′ E) during 1975–1978. Emergence and swarming activity of chironomids peaked between 0800 and 1200. Emergence occurred even on windy days, but almost completely ceased during periods of rainy and cold weather. Swarming occurred mainly around 1000 on warm days with little or no wind. During such occasions, a large number of chironomids were observed over the entire surface of the lake. Dabbling ducks fed throughout a 24-h period, but peak feeding coincided with periods of chironomid emergence. Surface feeding by both dabbling and diving ducks on chironomid imagines present on the water surface and on emergent vegetation increased during these periods of chironomid emergence.

Intra- and inter-specific competition between Barrow's goldeneye (Bucephala islandica) and bufflehead (Bucephala albeola)

1982 ◽  
Vol 60 (12) ◽  
pp. 3439-3446 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean-Pierre L. Savard
Keyword(s):  
Intraspecific Aggression ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Interspecific Aggression ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Bucephala Islandica ◽  
Bucephala Albeola ◽  
Food Competitor

Barrow's goldeneye and bufflehead pairs defend well-delineated territories from which they exclude conspecifics. Only the male defends the territory and does so even when the female is absent. However, after the young have hatched, females of both species defend brood territories from which they exclude conspecifics. Both species are also interspecifically territorial. Barrow's goldeneye and bufflehead drakes threatened and (or) attacked 15 and 11 species, respectively. However, 55% of Barrow's goldeneye interspecific encounters were with bufflehead and 52% of bufflehead encounters were with Barrow's goldeneye. Barrow's goldeneye drakes always excluded bufflehead from their territory whereas bufflehead drakes successfully excluded yearlings, females, and unpaired Barrow's goldeneye drakes but were usually dominated by paired males. Female Barrow's goldeneye excluded all bufflehead from the brood territory and were particularly aggressive toward bufflehead broods. Food and mates are the most likely defended resources in intraspecific encounters. In interspecific encounters diving ducks were more violently attacked than dabbling ducks indicating that food may be the defended resource. Interspecific aggression of Barrow's goldeneye toward bufflehead does not appear to be misdirected intraspecific aggression but rather a directed aggression toward a food competitor and may therefore be adaptive.

Interspecific Aggression By Barrow's Goldeneye: a Descriptive and Functional Analysis

Behaviour ◽  
1987 ◽  
Vol 102 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 168-183 ◽  
Author(s):  
JEAN-PIERRE L. Savard ◽  
James N.M. Smith
Keyword(s):  
Functional Analysis ◽  
Feeding Habits ◽  
Breeding Habitat ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Interspecific Aggression ◽  
Diving Duck ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Dabbling Duck ◽  
Common Goldeneye ◽  
Intraspecific Aggressiveness

AbstractWe describe interspecific aggression and territoriality by a diving duck, the Barrow's goldeneye. Males of this species are strongly interspecifically territorial early during the breeding season, and in winter. Females are interspecifically territorial while tending broods of ducklings. Aggression was strongest against conspecifics, and against the con-generic bufflehead, which shares the same breeding habitat. Other diving ducks, which overlap in diet with goldeneyes, were frequently attacked, while dabbling ducks, with differing feeding habits, were generally tolerated, and were seldom attacked. One dabbling duck, the blue-winged teal, in which the drake resembles the Barrow's goldeneye drake in plumage, was attacked more strongly than other dabblers. We propose that the strong interspecific aggressiveness exhibited by the Barrow's goldeneye, and its congeners the bufflehead and common goldeneye, is a consequence of the strong intraspecific aggressiveness of these species. Selectivity in aggression towards victims of different species can be explained by two hypotheses. Species that have (1) similar diets, and (2) similar plumages to Barrow's goldeneye are selectively attacked.

scholarly journals Nonbreeding Duck Use at Central Flyway National Wildlife Refuges

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kent Andersson ◽  
Craig A. Davis ◽  
Grant Harris ◽  
David A. Haukos
Keyword(s):  
New Mexico ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
National Wildlife Refuge ◽  
Population Total ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Wildlife Refuge ◽  
National Wildlife Refuge System ◽  
Central Flyway ◽  
The U.S

Abstract Within the U.S. portion of the Central Flyway, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service manages waterfowl on numerous individual units (i.e., Refuges) within the National Wildlife Refuge System. Presently, the extent of waterfowl use that Refuges receive and the contribution of Refuges to waterfowl populations (i.e., the proportion of the Central Flyway population registered at each Refuge) remain unassessed. Such an evaluation would help determine to what extent Refuges support waterfowl relative to stated targets, aid in identifying species requiring management attention, inform management targets, and improve fiscal efficiencies. Using historic monitoring data (1954–2008), we performed this assessment for 23 Refuges in Texas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska during migration and wintering months (October–March). We examined six dabbling ducks and two diving ducks, plus all dabbling ducks and all diving ducks across two periods (long-term [all data] and short-term [last 10 October–March periods]). Individual Refuge use was represented by the sum of monthly duck count averages for October–March. We used two indices of Refuge contribution: peak contribution and January contribution. Peak contribution was the highest monthly count average for each October–March period divided by the indexed population total for the Central Flyway in the corresponding year; January contribution used the January count average divided by the corresponding population index. Generally, Refuges in Kansas, Nebraska, and New Mexico recorded most use and contribution for mallards Anas platyrhynchos. Refuges along the Texas Gulf Coast recorded most use and contribution for other dabbling ducks, with Laguna Atascosa and Aransas (including Matagorda Island) recording most use for diving ducks. The long-term total January contribution of the assessed Refuges to ducks wintering in the Central Flyway was greatest for green-winged teal Anas crecca with 35%; 12–15% for American wigeon Mareca americana, gadwall Mareca strepera, and northern pintail Anas acuta; and 7–8% for mallard and mottled duck Anas fulvigula. Results indicated that the reliance on the National Wildlife Refuge System decreased for these ducks, with evidence suggesting that, for several species, the assessed Refuges may be operating at carrying capacity. Future analyses could be more detailed and informative were Refuges to implement a single consistent survey methodology that incorporated estimations of detection bias in the survey process, while concomitantly recording habitat metrics on and neighboring each Refuge.

scholarly journals The contribution of nasal receptors to the cardiac response to diving in restrained and unrestrained redhead ducks (Aythya americana)

1986 ◽  
Vol 121 (1) ◽  
pp. 227-238 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. A. Furilla ◽  
D. R. Jones
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Local Anaesthesia ◽  
Cardiac Response ◽  
Dabbling Ducks ◽  
Diving Ducks ◽  
Cardiac Responses ◽  
Aythya Americana ◽  
Dabbling Duck ◽  
Redhead Ducks ◽  
A Minor

In restrained redhead ducks, forced submergence caused heart rate to fall from 100 +/− 3 beats min-1 (mean +/− S.E.M., N = 12) to a stable underwater rate of 35 +/− 4 beats min-1 (N = 12) within 5 s after submergence. Bradycardia was unaffected by breathing oxygen before a dive, but was virtually eliminated by local anaesthesia of the narial region. In contrast, in a dabbling duck (Anas platyrhynchos) bradycardia in short dives was eliminated by breathing oxygen before a dive. In unrestrained diving, on a man-made pond, heart rate in redheads diving voluntarily (y) was related to pre-dive heart rate (x) by the equation y = 76 + 0.29 +/− 0.05x +/− 17 (r2 = 0.71). Chasing, to induce submergence, had variable effects on this relationship. Local anaesthesia of the narial region inhibited voluntary diving but heart rates in chase-induced dives after nasal blockade were significantly higher, by 10–30%, than those obtained from untreated ducks in chase-induced dives. Breathing oxygen before voluntary dives had no apparent effect on heart rate after 2–5 s submergence. Voluntary head submersion by dabbling ducks caused no change in heart rate. We conclude that nasal receptors make only a minor contribution to cardiac responses in unrestrained dives, compared with forced dives, in diving ducks. Furthermore, these results show that little can be learned about cardiac responses in free diving ducks from studies of forced dives in dabblers or divers.

scholarly journals Design and Analysis of a Rocket-Deployed Flying-Wing UAV

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukei Oyama
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Wing Loading ◽  
Wing Area ◽  
Power Requirement ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Power Loading ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
And Control

This undergraduate paper demonstrates the design, analysis, and manufacturing of a rocket deployable electric powered experimental unmanned aerial vehicle. The design process begins with defining the volume and dimensions of the allocated payload space for the UAV in the rocket. These dimensions are given by the aerostructures sub team in the Ryerson Rocketry Club. The dimensions given were used to determine the best configuration for the mission. The wing loading, power loading and endurance of the UAV are obtained from the constrained payload volume in the rocket and the avionics system of the of the UAV. The wing area, UAV weight and power requirements were calculated based on the previously determined values. The power requirement determines the motor size and propeller configuration. Aerodynamics, stability, and control were based the selected airfoil and obtained wing area. After completing the design, foam, additive manufacturing, and composite layups were used to create prototypes of the UAV. These prototypes were used to iterate the aircraft and address any immediate changes. The chosen design is a foldable flying wing, once deployed from the rocket has a wingspan of 70 inches, an aspect ratio of 13.35 and a surface area of 367 in2 . A prototype was created to prove the design feasibility of the UAV. The prototype proved to function as planned, capable of gliding, powered flight, and takeoff.

scholarly journals Design and Analysis of a Rocket-Deployed Flying-Wing UAV

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukei Oyama
Keyword(s):  
Additive Manufacturing ◽  
Aspect Ratio ◽  
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle ◽  
Wing Loading ◽  
Wing Area ◽  
Power Requirement ◽  
Stability And Control ◽  
Power Loading ◽  
Aerial Vehicle ◽  
And Control

This undergraduate paper demonstrates the design, analysis, and manufacturing of a rocket deployable electric powered experimental unmanned aerial vehicle. The design process begins with defining the volume and dimensions of the allocated payload space for the UAV in the rocket. These dimensions are given by the aerostructures sub team in the Ryerson Rocketry Club. The dimensions given were used to determine the best configuration for the mission. The wing loading, power loading and endurance of the UAV are obtained from the constrained payload volume in the rocket and the avionics system of the of the UAV. The wing area, UAV weight and power requirements were calculated based on the previously determined values. The power requirement determines the motor size and propeller configuration. Aerodynamics, stability, and control were based the selected airfoil and obtained wing area. After completing the design, foam, additive manufacturing, and composite layups were used to create prototypes of the UAV. These prototypes were used to iterate the aircraft and address any immediate changes. The chosen design is a foldable flying wing, once deployed from the rocket has a wingspan of 70 inches, an aspect ratio of 13.35 and a surface area of 367 in2 . A prototype was created to prove the design feasibility of the UAV. The prototype proved to function as planned, capable of gliding, powered flight, and takeoff.

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