Quick and deadpan :|
1. In the deep breathing discussion no one has mentioned implications of
penguins lacking neopulmonic parabronchi. My guess is that paelopulmonic
parabronchi are no disadvantage in diving and, like penguins, they are
evoltionarily ancient but they aren't as good as neo's in oxygen exchange
at high altitudes.
Questions: Do paleos have any advantage in diving? Do deep diving ducks
have more extensive paleos than dabbling ducks or high flying geese?
>Yes its ALL Mauro's fault ;)
Dare I ask which bird flies the highest and in what state are their
paleos??????
2. Birds like Magpie geese with serpinginous (sp?, try convoluted)
tracheas. How do they cope with the dead space? Is there a by-pass
mechanism? We've debated this in avian veterinary circles, I like to hear
what the orno's have to say.
Pat
Pat Macwhirter BVSc (Hons), MA, FACVSc
Registered Specialist in Bird Medicine
Highbury Veterinary Clinic
128 Highbury Road, BURWOOD, VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA
Ph: (03) 9808 9011 Fax: (03) 9888 7134
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