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13595705
Birds
Description
Survival stratergies
No tags specified
birds
deserts
water loss
water gain
zoology
biology
Mind Map by
Adam Heywood
, updated more than 1 year ago
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Created by
Adam Heywood
over 6 years ago
45
3
0
Resource summary
Birds
Water loss
REWL (Respiratory evaporative water loss)
Birds lack sweat glands - rely on REWL for thermoregulation
Gullar Fluttering
Rapid movement of flaps in the throat to increase evaporation
TEWL (Transepidermal evaporative water loss)
Bird skin permeable, allows moisture through. Not very waterproof
Water Gain
Drinking
opportunistic - not always available
Specialist drinking capabilities
Ostrich
Metabolic water
5 - 10 times higher in than in invertebrates and reptiles
Diet
Can feed on a high water content species of plants
Ostrich
Water re-absoprtion
Nasal salt glands
Produce concentrated salt solutions which is then excreted via the nose - 800 - 900mOsmol
Small Birds = Evaders
Sand Grouse
Males carry water to the nest over long distances
Soaks specialised breast feathers
Can carry 40ml of water over long distance
Keeps chicks away from the habitats of predators
Larks
Dunn's Lark (ARABIAN DESERT)
Annual rainfall - 90mm
Air temperature in July = 40C
Sky Lark/ Woodland Lark (NETHERLANDS)
Annual rainfall - 750mm
Air temperature in July = 22C
Mesic VS Xeric (balanced vs extreme)
Higher Metabolic rate, higher body temperature
Stratergies to reduce water loss
Avoid the extremes of hot and arid deserts
Migration
If small, able to evade the heat - Larger birds must endure (ostrich)
Nitrogenous waste
Urine
Avian Nephrons
Reptilian type - Lack loops of Henle
Mammalian type = short and sometimes long loops of henle - better at reducing waste
Production of uric acid
Uricoetylic
Renal Function
Reabsorption of water occurs in the colon and cloaca - post renal re-absorption
Large Birds = Endurers
Ostrich
Largest living bird - flightless
Reduced levels of urination and urine volume
Urine more concentrated than blood plasma (x2.7 plasma)
Only expires 75% saturated air via REWL
Water saving per day - 200 - 500ml per day
Effective Nasal counter-current flow allows this
Large and enhanced nasal salt glands
Lowered metabolic rates, lowered body temperature
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