WFSC 402 1st EditionExam # 1 Study Guide Lectures: 1 - 8Lecture 1 (August 26)Introduction to Ornithological SocietiesName the different Ornithological Societies discussed in lecture and the names of the journal they publish.Cooper Bird Club:- Created in California in the 1893- Began as a club for professionals- Name was later changed to Cooper Ornithological Society (COS)- Publish the The Condor American Ornithologists Union (AOU):- Founded in 1883- Similar to Cooper Ornithological Society- Publish The AukWilson Ornithological Society (WOS):- Founded in 1888- Used to publish The Wilson Bulletin but have since changed the name to The Wilson Journal of OrnithologyNational Audubon Society:- Founded in 1905- Has a Great Egret on its seal- Society is more for lay people - Main goal is to filter information to the public - Publishing is not a priorityLecture 2 (August 28) Diversity of BirdsHow many species of birds are there? Why are there so many species of birds? How did the Ice Age affect modern birds? Why is the American Ornithologists Union important?- There are approximately 10,000 species of birds and 5,000 species of mammals o Number is constantly changing because of modern genetics Main goals of these 3 societies is to have annual meetings andto publish scientific journals- There are more species of birds than there are mammals because birds can FLYo Birds are able to travel to other parts of the world creating a different species - Characteristics used to identify birds: color, wing span, bill/beak lengtho Birds in North usually are bigger and darkero Birds in South usually are smaller and lighter- 150 mya: birds began to evolve- Range in sizes o 2 grams 100,000 gramso Examples: humming birds (2 grams) and ostrich (100,000 grams)- There is about 30 Orders of Birds, between 190-200 Families, and 10,000 species - 10-12,000 years ago the Ice Age (advancement and retreats of glaciers)o Caused many groups of birds to become isolated which created new specieso The isolation of these new species led to some of our modern birds - Cline – range of variationAmerican Ornithologist Union- Have a checklist of all North American birds- They standardize common names so there is no need for knowing the scientific names. Lecture 3 (September 2)Bird History Describe some of the reptilian features that birds have. What is Archaeopteryx? What are some of the differences between Archaeopteryx and modern birds?Reptilian Features of Birds:- Sclerotic eye ring supports the eye - Expanded brain case- Single mid - ear bone - Single occipital condyle (structure at base of neck) supports the head; have greater range of motion as a result of single condyle- Lower jaw articulates on quadrate bone- Nucleated blood cells Archaeopteryx (“Ancient Wing”):- 105 mya in Europe- The main link between birds and reptiles- Bipedal- Apart of the genus with the Therapod dinosaurs- First specimen was found by Von Meyer in the 1860s in Munich, GermanyArchaeopteryx vs. Modern Birds:- Smaller brain case with less fusions- Evidence of “hands” - Separate pelvic bones- Many tail vertebrae which is the pygostyle in modern birds- Small sternum- Rib cage is not supported; the uncinate process in modern birds- Not a strong flyerBefore ArchaeopteryxProtoavis texensis- Specimen found in Texas - Bipedal- Structured keel which was used for flight- 210 mya, 75 mya older than Archaeopteryx - Possibly the first link between birds and reptiles Reptile Ancestors- Reptiles evolved from 2 major lineages:1. Thecodonts (crocodiles)o Diverse group o Primitive reptiles that gave rise to some arboreal reptiles and crocodileso Evidence: elongated scales which could be precursors to feathers  Similar characteristics found between modern birds and Triassic reptiles2. Therapodo Birds derived from dinosaurso Therapods and early ancestral birds coexist in the fossil recordo Share many skeletal characteristics  Juvenile dinosaurs and modern birds share distinctive anatomical featuresin leg bones (growth plates for rapid leg bone elongation)o Some Therapods had feathers and possessed uncinate processes - Speciation – splitting of phylogenetic lineages o Adaptive radiation – occurs when an evolutionary lineage splits into a suite of closely related species that differ in their ecological niche - Thus far about 100,000 species have gone extinct Lecture 4 (September 4)Feathers and FlightThere are two different theories regarding the evolution of feathers and flight. These theories are referred to as the Cursorial Theory and the Arboreal Theory.Cursorial Theory- Also referred to as the Ground Up theory- Ground – dwelling ancestors- Elongated forelimbs allowed small, bipedal therapods to jump and catch insect - Wings used for thrust and stability- Feathers may have been used to sweep ground for insectsArboreal Theory- Also referred to as Tree Down theory- Arboreal life spent leaping between trees- Parachuting and gliding- Elongated feathers could have helped to slow the rate of fallEvolution of Feathers- Facilitated flight but evolved before flight- Provided other functions (insulation)Arguments for different theories center on the main differences between feathers and scales.- Scales are flat and feathers are tubular - Type and distribution of proteins (keratin) differs between the two Lecture 5 (September 9)Feathers and Flight continued- Plumage – flection of feathers - Feathers are made up of keratin - Several kinds of feathers:o Remiges - wingso Rectrices - tailo Contour – body; also protectiono Down – insulation and protectiono Filoplume – decorative, behavior, sensoryLecture 6 (September 11)FeathersThe colors of a bird’s feathers are possible as a result of three different pigments that when lightis refracted off of the feather a specific color is shown. Each color that is refracted is a direct result of one of the three pigments. - 10-20,000 total feathers on large birds (vultures)- 2-4,000 total feathers on small birds (quail, humming bird)- Feathers are determinate: stop growing once certain length is reached- Feathers occur in tracts on the birdPigments- “structural color” – light refracts creating green, blue, purple- Prisms – color changes caused by light- 3 types of pigment:1. Melanin – browns, black, gray (all birds and virtually all mammals)2.