Data from: Barb geometry of asymmetrical feathers reveals a transitional morphology in the evolution of avian flight ...

• Main Authors: Feo, Teresa J., Field, Daniel J., Prum, Richard O.
• Format: Dataset
• Language: English
• Published: Dryad 2015
• Subjects: Athene cunicularia; Junco hyemalis; Nymphicus hollandicus; Gallinula neiotis; Eopengornis martini; Todus mexicanus; asymmetrical flight feather; Petrochelidon pyrrhonota; Zenaida asiatica; Atlantisia rogersi; Calypte anna; Gavia immer; Chordeiles acutipennis; Podilymbus gigas; Callipepla californica; Pipra mentalis; Dendragapus canadensis; Archaeopteryx; Alectoris Chukar; Gallirallus sylvestris; Larus marinus; Oporornis tolmiei; Numenius americanus; Falco columbarius; Chaetura pelagica; Porzana atra; Gallirallus australis; Tachyeres leucocephalus; Protonotaria citrea; Pica nuttalli; Passerella iliaca; Zonotrichia albicollis; Columbina passerina; Spizella pusilla; Aphelocoma californica; Anser fabalis; Seiurus motacilla; Streptopelia decaocto; Sphyrapicus varius; Coragyps atratus; Elanus leucurus; Cathartes aura; Numida meleagris; Strigops habroptilus; Cyanocitta stelleri; Dendroica coronata; Vermivora celata; Pinguinus impennis; Megacrex inepta; Progne subis; Chukar; Inepta
• Online Access: https://dx.doi.org/10.5061/dryad.7vb83; https://datadryad.org/stash/dataset/doi:10.5061/dryad.7vb83

The geometry of feather barbs (barb length and barb angle) determines feather vane asymmetry and vane rigidity, which are both critical to a feather's aerodynamic performance. Here, we describe the relationship between barb geometry and aerodynamic function across the evolutionary history of asymmetrical flight feathers, from Mesozoic taxa outside of modern avian diversity (Microraptor, Archaeopteryx, Sapeornis, Confuciusornis and the enantiornithine Eopengornis) to an extensive sample of modern birds. Contrary to previous assumptions, we find that barb angle is not related to vane-width asymmetry; instead barb angle varies with vane function, whereas barb length variation determines vane asymmetry. We demonstrate that barb geometry significantly differs among functionally distinct portions of flight feather vanes, and that cutting-edge leading vanes occupy a distinct region of morphospace characterized by small barb angles. This cutting-edge vane morphology is ubiquitous across a phylogenetically and ... : Feo-2015_PRSB_PaperDataMeasurements of modern flying, modern flightless, and Mesozoic stem bird feathers. ...