Bird evolution in the Eocene: climate change in Europe and a Danish fossil fauna

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2006, Номер 81(04), С. 483 - 483

Опубликована: Авг. 8, 2006

The pattern of the evolutionary radiation modern birds (Neornithes) has been debated for more than 10 years.However, early fossil record from Paleogene, in particular, Lower Eocene, only recently begun to be used a phylogenetic context address dynamics this major vertebrate radiation.The Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-P) extinction event dominates our understanding bird evolution, but climate change throughout Eocene is known have also played role.The Paleocene and was time avian diversification as result favourable global climatic conditions.Deteriorations beginning Middle appear responsible demise previously widespread lineages like Lithornithiformes Gastornithidae.Other groups, such Galliformes display replacement some by others, probably related adaptations drier climate.Finally, combination slowly deteriorating conditions onwards, appears slowed rate Europe, faunas did not differentiate markedly until Oligocene.Taking biotic factors tandem with Paleogene Neornithes illuminate event.Well-preserved taxa are required ever-improving hypotheses interrelationships founded on morphological characters.One key avifauna age, synthesised first herein, Fur Formation Denmark.The represent best preserved (often three dimensions soft tissues) records clades birds.Clear assessment these fossils will prove critical future calibration neornithine timescale.Some diverging were clearly present evidenced directly new material alongside phylogenetically constrained taxa.A later Oligocene other Passeriformes supported available data.

Язык: Английский

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New fossil mousebird (Aves: Coliiformes) with feather preservation provides insight into the ecological diversity of an Eocene North American avifauna

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2010, Номер 160(4), С. 685 - 706

Опубликована: Ноя. 24, 2010

Coliiformes (mousebirds) are represented by just six extant species. These species, restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, all primarily frugivorous and among the most sedentary of living birds. Previously described fossil preserving feather traces share short, rounded wing shape mousebirds. Along with osteological evidence, these observations have been proposed support poor sustained flight capabilities across stem mousebird lineage. We report a new species from early Eocene (51.66 ± 0.09 Ma) Fossil Butte Member Green River Formation, one comparatively few fossils deposits carbonized tail feathering. Feather indicate an elongate, tapering similar that some aerial insectivores, suggestive capacity for agile open-air flight. Traces rectrices reveal accounted approximately two-thirds total length bird, proportion in Phylogenetic analysis places as representative Coliiformes, demonstrating first time two major clades - Sandcoleidae Colii co-occurred at Lake. Based on recovered phylogeny, well osteology feathering is interpreted apomorphic. In addition documenting unexpected morphological specialization within stem-lineage adds yet another taxon emerging reconstruction diverse Paleogene avifauna tightly dated nearly synchronous fossiliferous Member.

Язык: Английский

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Making region-specific integumentary organs in birds: evolution and modifications

Current Opinion in Genetics & Development, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 69, С. 103 - 111

Опубликована: Март 27, 2021

Язык: Английский

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Heat dissipation limit theory and the evolution of avian functional traits in a warming world

Functional Ecology, Год журнала: 2012, Номер 26(5), С. 1001 - 1006

Опубликована: Сен. 17, 2012

Summary It is generally assumed that animal energy expenditure limited by acquisition. In a series of publications, Speakman, Król and colleagues argue the capacity to dissipate metabolic heat may also limit maximum rates in endotherms (heat dissipation theory – HDL theory). The implications for evolution avian functional traits are substantial open fascinating research perspectives. Notably, leads us (i) link elevated bird body temperatures with their achieve higher loss expenditure, (ii) reconsider plumage patterns speculate upon white birds field than darker relatives, (iii) hypothesize brood patch functions as thermal window allowing shed excess (iv) revise our current view adaptive significance insulation great cormorants. Such features have important cope global warming design mechanistic models energetics aiming at predicting responses changing environmental conditions.

Язык: Английский

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Hesperornithiformes (Aves: Ornithurae) from the Upper Cretaceous Pierre Shale, Southern Manitoba, Canada

Cretaceous Research, Год журнала: 2016, Номер 63, С. 154 - 169

Опубликована: Март 10, 2016

Язык: Английский

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