Fred Ruhe
Well-known member
Carolina Karoullas & Robert Nudds, 2018
Estimating the Flight Capabilities of Fossil Birds from Extant Bird Data and Aerodynamic Theory
Progressive Palaeontology 2018 Abstracts Book
Free pdf: https://www.palass.org/sites/default...act book.pdf
Abstract: https://www.palass.org/sites/default...act book.pdf
Understanding fossil avian flight capability is key to understanding their ecology as well bettering our understanding of the origins of powered flight in vertebrates. Using current aerodynamic theory in the form of aerodynamic power curves as well as extant data has great potential in helping palaeontologists answer questions about fossil avian flight capability. However, the potential error associated with using extant data to extrapolate back to fossil taxa is often ignored. This error must be explored in greater detail to ascertain if aerodynamic power curves can be used in avian palaeontological research. Subsequently, this study explores how the error associated with the regression equations required to calculate the morphological variables needed to produce the aerodynamic power curves affects the resolution of estimates about flight capabilities. Predictions of the aerodynamic cost of flight for all taxa are associated with large errors, but are less pronounced for small fossil taxa (<0.2 kg). Nonetheless, inferences about the flight capabilities of any fossil taxa using this aerodynamic power curve approach should be approached with caution.
Enjoy,
Fred
Estimating the Flight Capabilities of Fossil Birds from Extant Bird Data and Aerodynamic Theory
Progressive Palaeontology 2018 Abstracts Book
Free pdf: https://www.palass.org/sites/default...act book.pdf
Abstract: https://www.palass.org/sites/default...act book.pdf
Understanding fossil avian flight capability is key to understanding their ecology as well bettering our understanding of the origins of powered flight in vertebrates. Using current aerodynamic theory in the form of aerodynamic power curves as well as extant data has great potential in helping palaeontologists answer questions about fossil avian flight capability. However, the potential error associated with using extant data to extrapolate back to fossil taxa is often ignored. This error must be explored in greater detail to ascertain if aerodynamic power curves can be used in avian palaeontological research. Subsequently, this study explores how the error associated with the regression equations required to calculate the morphological variables needed to produce the aerodynamic power curves affects the resolution of estimates about flight capabilities. Predictions of the aerodynamic cost of flight for all taxa are associated with large errors, but are less pronounced for small fossil taxa (<0.2 kg). Nonetheless, inferences about the flight capabilities of any fossil taxa using this aerodynamic power curve approach should be approached with caution.
Enjoy,
Fred
