The Evolution of Vertebrate Flight

[iv] As one writer phrases it, "You might just as well try to even off a sport somewhere between skydiving and the triad jump" (Taylor 1999). Aerodynamic modeling has been used to support twain theories, though, and both theories exhibit good logic, although they are based on differing premises and largely in dis see to itment with each other (Hedenstr"m 2002).

The only thing the two theories do agree on is that the reason wings evolved was to keep an animal in escape cock, but since that assumption conflicts with the evidence found in the fogy record, it too is suspect (Taylor 1999). The assumption that wings evolved for shoot creates an lookout of many other flight-related adaptations that should be evident in the proterozoic evolution of birds, but this is not what the fossil record reveals (Taylor 1999). small-arm modern birds exhibit many adaptations intended to lighten their flight load, such as laying their eggs one afterwards another so that they do not have to act too many at the same time, Archaeopteryx(the first know bird(shows no weight reduction adaptations of any kind (Taylor 1999). These theories stick out a number of passs about how vertebrate flight evolved. Scientists aim why birds managed to evolve functional wings first(before developing the transport and more aerodynamic skeletons necessary for flight (Taylor 1999). Another question concerns Archaeopteryx; scientists wonder why it has individual feathers that are absolutely adapted for creating lift but wings

[v] Caple G, Balda RP, and Willis WR. 1983. The Physics of Leaping Animals and the Evolution of Preflight. The American natural scientist [Internet].

[cited 2008 June 30]; 121(4): 455-476. JSTOR. Available from: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2460975?seq=21

[ii] UCMP Berkeley. [date unknown]. Vertebrate outflow: THE EVOLUTION OF FLIGHT (a.k.a. HOW TO WING IT) [Internet]. [Cited 2008 June 30]. Available from: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/vertebrates/flight/evolve.html

Theories about the evolution of vertebrate flight are enthralling but problematic. Various species are capable of flight, but whether they evolved arboreally or cursorially is not clear, and both theories leave vital issues unexplained. For now, the most oblige evidence concerning how vertebrate flight developed still lies indoors the fossil record. With further study, the fossil record may someday unlock definitive truths about how vertebrate flight really did come about.

[vi] Gee, H. 2000. Shaking the Tree: Readings from Nature in the tarradiddle of Life. Chicago: University of Chicago Press.

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