RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Shifts in stability and control effectiveness during evolution of paraves support aerial maneuvering hypotheses for flight origins
JF bioRxiv
FD Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory
SP 001750
DO 10.1101/001750
A1 Dennis Evangelista
A1 Sharlene Cam
A1 Tony Huynh
A1 Austin Kwong
A1 Homayun Mehrabani
A1 Kyle Tse
A1 Robert Dudley
YR 2014
UL http://biorxiv.org/content/early/2014/10/03/001750.abstract
AB The capacity for aerial maneuvering was likely a major influence on the evolution of flying animals. Here we evaluate consequences of paravian morphology for aerial performance by quantifying static stability and control effectiveness of physical models for numerous taxa sampled from within the lineage leading to birds (Paraves). Results of aerodynamic testing are mapped phylogenetically to examine how maneuvering characteristics correspond to tail shortening, forewing elaboration, and other morphological features. In the evolution of Paraves we observe shifts from static stability to inherently unstable aerial planforms; control effectiveness also migrated from tails to the forewings. These shifts suggest that some degree of aerodynamic control and and capacity for maneuvering preceded the evolution of strong power stroke. The timing of shifts also suggests features normally considered in light of development of a power stroke may play important roles in control.