QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s):
Home     Help     Feedback     Subscriptions     Archive     Search     Table of Contents

This Article Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Boggs, D. Articles by Dial, K. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Boggs, D. Articles by Dial, K.

Journal of Experimental Biology, Vol 200, Issue 9 1403-1412, Copyright © 1997 by Company of Biologists

JOURNAL ARTICLES

The effects of the wingbeat cycle on respiration in black-billed magpies (Pica pica)

D Boggs, F Jenkins and K Dial

Interclavicular and posterior thoracic airsac pressures, tracheal airflows and pectoralis muscle activity were recorded simultaneously to determine the effect of the wingbeat cycle upon the function of the respiratory system. The effects of the wingbeat cycle on the relative positions of thoraco-abdominal skeletal structures were also assessed using high-speed X-ray cinematography of magpies Pica pica flying in a windtunnel. We found that the furcula bends laterally on the downstroke and recoils medially on the upstroke, as previously described for starlings, and that the coraco-sternal joint (the most consistently visible point on the sternum for digitization) is displaced dorsally during the downstroke and ventrally, with respect to the vertebral column, during the upstroke. In magpies, there are generally three wingbeat cycles during a respiratory cycle. When downstroke occurs during inspiration, its compressive effect reduces the inspiratory subatmospheric airsac pressure by an average of 92 % (0.35 kPa), whereas when upstroke occurs during expiration its expansive effect can reduce the expiratory supra-atmospheric airsac pressure by 63 % (0.23 kPa). Corresponding changes occur in tracheal airflow. Changes in respiratory parameters during short flights with respect to resting values include a doubling of tidal volume and a tripling of respiratory frequency. We conclude that the wingbeat cycle can have a substantial impact on respiratory system function in the flying magpie, and that this represents a mechanical basis for breathing patterns and patterns of phasic coordination between wingbeat and respiratory cycles that may result in minimal interference and maximal assistance from the wingbeat upon the respiratory cycle.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				G. W. Peters, D. A. Steiner, J. A. Rigoni, A. D. Mascilli, R. W. Schnepp, and S. P. Thomas Cardiorespiratory adjustments of homing pigeons to steady wind tunnel flight J. Exp. Biol., August 15, 2005; 208(16): 3109 - 3120. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				B. G. Cooper and F. Goller Multimodal Signals: Enhancement and Constraint of Song Motor Patterns by Visual Display Science, January 23, 2004; 303(5657): 544 - 546. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. M. Deban and D. R. Carrier Hypaxial muscle activity during running and breathing in dogs J. Exp. Biol., July 1, 2002; 205(13): 1953 - 1967. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D. F. Boggs, R. V. Baudinette, P. B. Frappell, and P. J. Butler The influence of locomotion on air-sac pressures in little penguins J. Exp. Biol., March 12, 2002; 204(20): 3581 - 3586. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				The evolution of pelvic aspiration in archosaurs Paleobiology, June 1, 2000; 26(2): 271 - 293.

				D. R. Carrier and C. G. Farmer The Integration of Ventilation and Locomotion in Archosaurs Integr. Comp. Biol., February 1, 2000; 40(1): 87 - 100. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. Farmer and D. Carrier Ventilation and gas exchange during treadmill locomotion in the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) J. Exp. Biol., January 6, 2000; 203(11): 1671 - 1678. [Abstract] [PDF]