Lecture 4: Paleognathae

Question 1

Ratites

Answer 1

Flightless birds with reduced wing bones, sternum lacks a keel

Question 2

Tinamous

Answer 2

reduced sternal keel, primarily southern hemisphere

Question 3

Ostrich

Answer 3

Ratite: Africa 2 families

• 2 toes, no feather tracts, nomadic, communal nests
• Dominant female-70 eggs, male/female take turns incubating

Question 4

Rheas

Answer 4

Ratite-Neotropics

• Large, flightless, use wings like sail
• 3 toes
• Polygynous, male incubates, egg decoys
• People use for meat and leather

Question 5

Kiwi

Answer 5

Ratite- N. Zealand-5

• Flightless, relative extinct Moas
• “Mammal Like”; nocturnal, feathers more like insulation, bones have marrow, females have 2 ovaries, huge egg
• Can smell
• Monogamous

Question 6

Emu

Answer 6

Ratite: Australia- 1 species
-Flightless
-2m high
3 toes
-Trot long distances, fast, large stride
-Nomadic
-Plants, insects
-Females attract males; males incubate and brood

Question 7

Cassowaries

Answer 7

Ratite-Australia, New Guinea 3 families

• Flightless, 3 toes
• Females bigger than males
• Bony crest on forehead; Maybe amplifies sound, 2nd sexual characteristic, part the vegetation, weapon??
• Solitary
• Female lays eggs;

Question 8

Cassowaries

Answer 8

Ratite-Australia, New Guinea 3 families

• Flightless, 3 toes
• Females bigger than males
• Bony crest on forehead; Maybe amplifies sound, 2nd sexual characteristic, part the vegetation, weapon??
• Solitary
• Female lays eggs for several males; male incubates/adjusts temperature

Question 9

Tinamous

Answer 9

Neotropics-47 species

• Compact, small head, short tail
• Small wings but can fly
• Have a preen gland
• Polyandrous-polygnous, males incubate