Lecture 25 Vertebrates - Birds

Question 1

Birds evolved from

Answer 1

Small, predatory dinosaurs

Question 2

The earliest bird is

Answer 2

Aurornis

Question 3

Three intermediates between dinosaurs and birds are

Answer 3

-archaeopteryx
-aurornis
-anchiornis

Question 4

Aurornis have (5)

Answer 4

-clawed digits on forelimb
-sharp teeth
-long bony tail
-Dino-fuzz-like down feathers
-larger flight like feathers but unable to fly

Question 5

Archaeopteryx have (5)

Answer 5

-clawed digits on forelimb
-sharp teeth
-long bony tail
-flight feathers
-fused clavicle

Question 6

A “reptile that flies” is

Answer 6

Archaeopteryx

Question 7

Having a fused clavicle

Answer 7

Strengthens thorax for flight

Question 8

A key feature of birds are

Answer 8

Feathers

Question 9

Feathers likely appeared in

Answer 9

Compsognathids

Question 10

New types of feathers was seen in

Answer 10

Oviraptorosaurs

Question 11

Changes in ___ accompanied the development of feathers

Answer 11

Bones (fusion, loss, and strengthening of skeletal)

Question 12

First Therapods dinosaurs had forelimbs with

Answer 12

Small 4 and 5 digits, digit 3 was the longest

Question 13

Coelophysoids had forelimbs with

Answer 13

A loss of digit 5, digits 2 and 3 were equal in length

Question 14

Allosaurids and Dromeosaurids had forelimbs with

Answer 14

Digit 2 longer than 3, loss of digit 4

Question 15

Evolutionary characteristics uniquely adapted for flight include (4)

Answer 15

-reduction, loss and fusion of forelimbs, vertebrae, and pelvic girdle
-reduction in overall body size
-thin but dense bones (reduction of weight)
-hollow bones or have trabeculae

Question 16

Sternum of birds became (2)

Answer 16

-larger
-evolved a central keel to anchor flight muscles

Question 17

Forelimbs of birds became (2)

Answer 17

-longer than hind limbs
-main form of locomotion (ie. flying)

Question 18

Teeth of birds were

Answer 18

Lost repeatedly in various lineages (too heavy)

Question 19

The second largest class of vertebrates are

Answer 19

Birds

Question 20

How many species of birds are there

Answer 20

9,600

Question 21

Success of bird evolution is due to (2)

Answer 21

-endothermy (ie. ability to control body temp)
-flight (ie. ability to adapt to wide range of environments)

Question 22

The beak of birds is (3)

Answer 22

-dependent on diet
-keratinised structure derived from skin
-grow continuously

Question 23

The uropygial gland is (4)

Answer 23

-on the dorsal surface of the tail
-not present in all species, mostly found in water birds
-is two lobes that open to a single papilla
-has a lipoid secretion which helps waterproof and moisturize

Question 24

Four types of feathers

Answer 24

-contour
-flight
-down
-natal down

Question 25

Contour feathers (3)

Answer 25

-cover most of the bird’s body
-used for aerodynamics
-protects body

Question 26

Flight feathers are

Answer 26

-larger and stiffer than contour feathers

Question 27

Remiges are

Answer 27

Flight feathers on the wing

Question 28

Retrices are

Answer 28

Flight feathers on the tail

Question 29

Primary wing flight feathers (remiges) are located on

Answer 29

The manus

Question 30

Secondary flight feathers of the wing (remiges) come from

Answer 30

The ulna (antebrachium)

Question 31

Down feathers are (2)

Answer 31

-positioned between contour and flight feathers
-provide insulation

Question 32

Natal down feathers are

Answer 32

Feathers in chicks used for insulation

Question 33

Bones of the bird are (2)

Answer 33

-Light but strong
-Have a high concentration of Calcium Phosphate

Question 34

Pneumatic bones of the bird are (2)

Answer 34

-diverticula of air sacs
-large and strong without being heavy

Question 35

Birds have a ___ than reptiles

Answer 35

Larger cerebellum

Question 36

The skull birds evolved from

Answer 36

Diapsid reptilian skull

Question 37

Prokinetic refers to

Answer 37

The premaxilla and nasal bones forming a hinge with the frontal bone (especially seen in parrots)

Question 38

The sternum of birds is (2)

Answer 38

-the attachment site for flight muscles
-absent in flightless species except penguins

Question 39

Nuts (typo??) of birds are (3)

Answer 39

-relatively small, flattened and rectangular
-unlobed
-dense

Question 40

Air sacs are (4)

Answer 40

-thin walled extensions of bronchi
-play a key role in respiration but minimal role in gas exchange
-poorly vascularized (ie. no blood supply)
-function as bellows (drive air unidirectional)

Question 41

Birds have a ___ circulation system

Answer 41

Double (systemic and pulmonary)

Question 42

The heart of birds is

Answer 42

Completely divided into 2 atria and 2 ventricles

Question 43

Birds have a ____ compared to mammals

Answer 43

Higher metabolic rate

Question 44

Male birds have a

Answer 44

Phallus - tubercle on ventral wall of vent

Question 45

Female birds only utilize

Answer 45

The left ovary and oviduct

Question 46

The ovary of birds has

Answer 46

Very large, yolk filled oocytes

Question 47

The oviduct of birds (2)

Answer 47

-is the site of fertilization
-can store sperm for weeks

Question 48

The brain of birds is

Answer 48

-proportionally small compared to body size (except crows)

Question 49

Optic lobes of birds are

Answer 49

Very large

Question 50

The cerebellum of birds is (2)

Answer 50

-relatively large
-coordinates muscle activity and balance in flight