Devolopment of wing-assisted incline running

A developmental series of chukar partridges performing WAIR. Notice how the reptilian-like wing usage in the youngest birds quickly transitions to the adult style of flap-running.
http://dbs.umt.edu/flightlab

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Evolution
• flight
• birds
• WAIR
• flap-running
• ontogeny
• development

[bananian]

@AlexB1001

I think you are right that WAIR is a ground up theory but it is a vast improvement on the initial one:

Wings initially extended to be used as insect nets, which resulted in providing lift and some gliding. It was also supposed to increase forward propulsion when combined with fast running, but didn't make sense because lift reduces traction, which prevents acceleration.

[AlexB1001]

@bananian

Sorry, what? The ground up theory contains several sub-theories, one of which is WAIR. It's the idea that birds used their wings to climb up inclines, such as tree trunks, to escape predators or to take powered jumps. The theory you talk about refers to the balancing sub theory where dinosaurs used wings to prevent falling during running after prey (the ostrich, for instance, uses its vestigial wings for balance).

[bananian]

@AlexB1001

this isn't the same as ground up theory where the birds were chasing prey. This is birds being chased by predators and specifically running up an incline.

[AlexB1001]

This definitely supports the ground up theory for the evolution of wings in early birds.