"Peaking" Into the World of Flight
Ever wondered about what initiated the ability of flight among insects and vertebrates? About how the creatures take off and venture into their flight? Well if “yes” was an answer to one of the questions (or even if it wasn’t), Flight is the place to find the answers…
This webpage is a University of Arizona Honors MCB 181R student project. The paper that was used to help us create the webpage was The Evolutionary Physiology of Animal Flight: Paleobiological and Present Perspectives by Robert Dudley. Our mentor was Dr. Robert Smith.
What’s It All About?
Who: insects and vertebrates
What: oxygen, forces, and flight
Where: land and air
When: Phanerozoic Eon (600 to 0 million years ago)
Cruising Through the Site: The Sections in a Nutshell
Oxygen, Forces & Flight : It’s invisible. It’s in front of you. It’s behind you. It’s everywhere! Discover oxygen’s other side and the forces that combine with it to allow flight.
Aerodynamics of Flight : How exactly do creatures start flying? Read all about it.
The Paper : View Dr. Robert Dudley’s paper, “The Evolutionary Physiology of Animal Flight: Paleobiological and Present Perspectives” for detailed information on flight.
Insect Flight : Although smaller than most creatures, insects are just as capable of flying as other larger creatures. Learn about the initiation and development of flight in insects.
Vertebrate Flight : They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors—they are vertebrates. Find out how exactly flight developed in vertebrates.
Figures & Learning Tools : Need more than just words to quench your thirst for answers? Check out the charts equipped with pictures to grasp a better understanding.
About : They have read the paper. They made the webpage. Just who exactly are “they”?! Just click on the link to find out.
Contact : Have a comment, a suggestion, and/or a question? Write it out and click “submit”. They’re always welcome.
Credits : Where did all this information come from? Find out here.