Wing Folding Mechanism Research Articles

Early Evolution of Avian Flight and Perching: New Evidence from the Lower Cretaceous of China

Fossil bird skeletons discovered in Lower Cretaceous lake deposits in China shed new light on the early evolution of avian flight and perching. The 135 million-year-old sparrow-sized skeletons represent a new avian, Sinornis santensis, n. gen. n. sp., that preserves striking primitive features such as a flexible manus with unguals, a footed pubis, and stomach ribs (gastralia). In contrast to Archaeoperyx, however, Sinornis exhibits advanced features such as a broad sternum, wing-folding mechanism, pygostyle, and large fully reversed hallux. Modern avian flight function and perching capability, therefore, must have evolved in small-bodied birds in inland habitats not long after Archaeopteryx.

Wing Folding in Lepidoptera

The wing folding mechanism was investigated after a detailed study of the wing base morphology had been made (Sharplin, Canad. Ent. 95: 1024; 1121). Living moths were observed with a binocular microscope equipped with a micrometer eyepiece.The first and second axillary sclerites do not move anteroposteriorly; only the distal half of the wing base is involved in wing folding. The folding muscle originates on the pleural ridge and inserts on the third axillary sclerite. The movement of the third axillary is communicated to the bases of the anterior veins through the median plates. The radial plate rotates around the ventral second axillary sclerite which lies underneath the radial bridge at point p, (Fig. 1). Bending cuticle allows the radial bridge to buckle when the wing is folded. The first median plate ( Ml ) rotates about its articulation ( f ) with the dorsal second axillary sclerite. The distal median plate (M2) passes underneath the second cubitus and is fused to the radius. This connection to the radius restricts the backward movement of the second median plate so that point e instead of following the wider arc eg of a circle with its centre at f, must follow the arc cegd drawn about pivot p. The median plates are bent upwards during wing folding and their effective length is shortened so that they can follow the shallow arc epg. When point e is in position g the posterior margin of the median plates is straight, although the anterior margin remains arched causing the median plates to be buckled, (Fig. 2).