| NEUROMUSCULAR CONTROL AND KINEMATICS OF INTERMITTENT FLIGHT IN BUDGERIGARS (MELOPSITTACUS UNDULATUS) | |
| | |
MedLine Citation:
|
PMID: 9317204 Owner: NLM Status: Publisher |
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
|
Kinematic and electromyographic data were collected from budgerigars (parakeets), Melopsittacus undulatus, flying at different speeds in a variable-speed wind tunnel. Birds exhibited flap-gliding at low speeds and flap-bounding at high speeds. The percentage of time spent flapping generally decreased at intermediate speeds. These behavior patterns are consistent with minimizing energy expenditure according to aerodynamic theory. During intermittent glides, the pectoralis exhibited an isometric contraction while the supracoracoideus was inactive. During bounds, both muscles were inactive. Contrary to earlier work, our studies indicate that budgerigars do not exhibit simultaneous twitch contractions of the pectoralis during each wingbeat, but rather generate typical multiple-spike electromyographic bursts that represent motor unit action potential trains or asynchronous twitch contractions from different motor units. The relative intensity of electromyographic bursts from the primary flight muscles increased with flight speed. This may indicate an increase in force production. Our observations of isometric contractions during glides, along with patterns of variation in muscle activity and wingbeat frequency, do not support the hypothesis that small birds such as the budgerigar use flap-bounding as their only means of reducing power output during flight. |
| | |
Authors:
|
Tobalske; Dial |
Related Documents
:
|
16685694 - Electromyography patterns of propriospinal myoclonus can be mimicked voluntarily. 3799994 - Nomenclatural review of long digital forelimb flexors in carnivores. 6719444 - A comparative histometrical analysis of renal inner medulla of man, swine, dog and hams... 665974 - Studies of d-tubocurarine pharmacokinetics in humans and dogs. 22972554 - Reliability and differentiation of pelvic floor muscle electromyography measurements in... 21472094 - Poor physical function in elderly women in low-level aged care is related to muscle str... |
Publication Detail:
|
Type: JOURNAL ARTICLE |
Journal Detail:
|
Title: The Journal of experimental biology Volume: 187 ISSN: 1477-9145 ISO Abbreviation: J. Exp. Biol. Publication Date: 1994 Feb |
Date Detail:
|
Created Date: 1997-10-07 Completed Date: - Revised Date: - |
Medline Journal Info:
|
Nlm Unique ID: 0243705 Medline TA: J Exp Biol Country: - |
Other Details:
|
Languages: ENG Pagination: 1-18 Citation Subset: - |
Export Citation:
|
APA/MLA Format Download EndNote Download BibTex |
| MeSH Terms | |
Descriptor/Qualifier:
|
|
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine
Previous Document: ACQUISITION OF MAGNETIC DIRECTIONAL PREFERENCE IN HATCHLING LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLES
Next Document: STRUCTURAL BASIS FOR WAVELENGTH DISCRIMINATION IN THE BANKED RETINA OF THE FIREFLY SQUID WATASENIA S...