Características morfológicas relacionadas con la eficiencia del vuelo en palomas de competencia. , diciembre de 2009

GRAÑA GRILLI M.; FERMAN L.M.; MONTALTI D.

IBIME, Buenos Aires

Congreso; XI Jornadas de la Sociedad Argentina de Biología; 2009

Sociedad Argentina de Biología

The level of exercise developed by birds influence the determination of characteristics as the heart size. Other morphologic characteristics are involved in the maximization of the flight efficiency. The objective was to compare the heart mass relative to the body mass and other morphologic characteristics that are involved in the flight efficiency between Rock Doves Columba livia selected for competition and those from the city. Data of body and heart mass, body, tail and wing length, wing chord and span from adult doves of competition (n = 12) and of the city (n = 74) were obtained. The heart mass, calculated as percentage of the body mass, was higher in doves of competition, which also presented lower body mass and length. Neither wing span nor wing length differences were found, but doves of competition presented greater wing chord and tail length. Higher heart’s relative mass could directly influence the resistance and speed of flight. A greater wing chord, maintaining the same length and span indicates a greater proportion of the wing formed by the remiges, structures of low weight that produce the impulse for flight, and the larger tail would improve the sustentation. Lesser body size and mass, accompanied of higher heart mass, tail length and wing chord are characters that being selected would improve the flight efficiency.