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Class Aves (birds)

Class Aves (birds). Chapter 18 p. 344-367. Overview. About 9,700 described species Largest of land vertebrates, only fishes have more. Great diversity in size, diet, and habitats. Evolution of Birds. Believed to be direct descendents of reptiles (branch of dinosaurs)

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Class Aves (birds)

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  1. Class Aves (birds) Chapter 18 p. 344-367

  2. Overview • About 9,700 described species • Largest of land vertebrates, only fishes have more • Great diversity in size, diet, and habitats

  3. Evolution of Birds • Believed to be direct descendents of reptiles (branch of dinosaurs) • Famous fossil specimen: Archaeopteryx “ancient wing” • Found in quarry in southern Germany, 1861 • Dated at 150 mya • Characteristics of both birds and reptiles

  4. Archaeopteryx • Reptile-like: • Long tail • Teeth in beak • Wings with claws • Bird-like: • Beak • Long, flexible neck • Feathered wings • Warm blooded?

  5. Bird Characteristics • Feathers and wings • Scales on legs • Bones light • Sternum has keel • 4 chambered heart • Syrinx (voice box) calls for mating, warning, protection, territories

  6. Bird Characteristics • No bladder (semisolid urine) • Females have one ovary and oviduct • Internal fertilization (amniotic egg) • Warm blooded (endothermic) • Behavior patterns • Parental care, nest building, courtship, migration, attachment of mates

  7. Skeleton • Bone • Pneumatic • Hollow to reduce weight and increase strength • Skull • Kinetic • Lighter than mammalian skull • Legs heavier to increase center of gravity

  8. Skeleton • Keeled sternum • Allows for pectoralis muscle attachment (used for flight)

  9. Digestion • Voracious eaters • High metabolic rate • Anatomy • Esophagus • Crop • Stomach • Proventriculus • Gizzard • Paired ceca • cloaca

  10. Respiration • Most efficient respiratory system of any vertebrate • Two respiratory cycles for one gasp of air

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