Functional morphology of the vanes of the flight feathers of the pigeon Columba livia
Functional morphology of the vanes of the flight feathers of the pigeon Columba livia
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发表时间：
1995-05
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通讯作者：
Ennos;Hickson;Roberts
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作者：
Ennos;Hickson;Roberts
采用形态学检查和力学试验相结合的方法对羽叶的功能形态进行了检查。推导了叶片面内特性与倒钩和小枝方向的几何模型。这预示着小分枝角度的倒刺和近端小枝应该导致叶片更容易移动远端比近端。这些预测通过对鸽子的初级和次级羽毛的力学测试得到了验证。一个进一步的预测，倒钩截面的倾斜应该使叶片更能抵抗来自下面的力，而不是来自上面的力，也得到了机械测试的证实。羽毛力学行为的差异与其形态和功能的差异有关。外部初级叶片比内部初级和次级叶片更能抵抗面外力，特别是在其尖端，这一特性将有助于它们承受飞行中可能受到的更大的空气动力。最外层的主叶片也显示出最小的不对称，以面外力的结果，其倒刺更垂直的方向。这可能有助于它作为一个可逆翼在起飞。
The functional morphology of feather vanes was examined by combining morphological examination with mechanical tests. A geometrical model was derived which related the in-plane behaviour of the vane to the orientation of the barbs and barbules. This predicted that the small branching angles of both barbs and proximal barbules should result in a vane which is easier to move distally than proximally. These predictions were verified by mechanical tests on primary and secondary feathers of the pigeon Columba livia. A further prediction, that the inclination of the barbs' cross section should make the vanes more resistant to forces from below than those from above, was also confirmed by mechanical tests. Differences in the mechanical behaviour of feathers are related to differences in their morphology and function. The vanes of outer primaries are more resistant to out-of-plane forces than those of the inner primaries and secondaries, particularly towards their tip, a property which will help them withstand the larger aerodynamic forces to which they may be subjected in flight. The outermost primary vane also showed the least asymmetry to out-of-plane forces as a result of the more vertical orientation of its barbs. This may help it to act as a reversible aerofoil during take-off.