Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Calmaestra R.G. & Moreno E. (2001) A phylogenetically-based analysis on the relationship between wing morphology and migratory behaviour in passeriformes. ARDEA 89 (2): 407-416
We have analysed the likely existence of an ecomorphological pattern relating migratory behaviour and four morphometrical variables of the wing apparatus: wing span, wing length, aspect ratio, and wing loading. We selected 22 passerines belonging to eleven genera, to compare one migrant and one sedentary species within each genus. This study was undertaken by using a phylogenetic-based method of comparison in order to avoid the likely effect of finding correlation due to the shared common ancestors rather than to reveal actual adaptations. We found migrant species as having greater aspect ratio and wing span than sedentary species. A trend to longer wings was also found in the former species. Considering the aerodynamic properties associated to changes in the morphometrical variables studied, we propose the ecomorphological pattern found in this study to be interpreted as an adaptation that supplies migrant species with a larger capacity for autonomous flight


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