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A critical ligamentous mechanism in the evolution of avian flight

Nature volume 445, pages 307–310 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

Despite recent advances in aerodynamic1,2, neuromuscular3,4,5 and kinematic6,7 aspects of avian flight and dozens of relevant fossil discoveries8, the origin of aerial locomotion and the transition from limbs to wings continue to be debated9,10. Interpreting this transition depends on understanding the mechanical interplay of forces in living birds, particularly at the shoulder where most wing motion takes place. Shoulder function depends on a balance of forces from muscles, ligaments and articular cartilages, as well as inertial, gravitational and aerodynamic loads on the wing11. Here we show that the force balance system of the shoulder evolved from a primarily muscular mechanism to one in which the acrocoracohumeral ligament has a critical role. Features of the shoulder of Mesozoic birds and closely related theropod dinosaurs indicate that the evolution of flight preceded the acquisition of the ligament-based force balance system and that some basal birds are intermediate in shoulder morphology.

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Figure 1: Forelimb skeleton and pectoral girdle of a pigeon.
Figure 2: Force balance for the glenohumeral joint of a gliding pigeon and comparison of alligator and pigeon shoulder morphology.
Figure 3: Comparison of archosaur scapulocoracoids.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful to K. Dial for the pigeon specimen, K. Middleton for help with VTK, C. Sullivan and L. Claessens for sharing alligator video and specimens, Z. Zhou for access to fossils at IVPP, T. Roberts for methodological advice, and the Brown Morphology group. We thank Autodesk for Maya software support and the SHAPE lab at Brown University for access to 3D laser scanning equipment. Funding was provided by the National Science Foundation (S.M.G., SHAPE lab), a Bushnell Faculty Research Grant (S.M.G.), the Paleontological Society (D.B.B.) and Sigma Xi (D.B.B.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Brown University, Rhode Island, 02912, Providence, USA

    David B. Baier & Stephen M. Gatesy

  2. Department of Organismic and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Massachusetts, 02138, Cambridge, USA

    Farish A. Jenkins

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  1. David B. Baier
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  2. Stephen M. Gatesy
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  3. Farish A. Jenkins
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Correspondence to David B. Baier.

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Baier, D., Gatesy, S. & Jenkins, F. A critical ligamentous mechanism in the evolution of avian flight. Nature 445, 307–310 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1038/nature05435

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