Current Perspectives on the Functional Design of the Avian Respiratory System

Preface
	Reference
Acknowledgments
Contents
Chapter 1: Fascinating Natural and Biological Traits of Birds
	1.1 Birds: A Profoundly Interesting Group of Animals
	1.2 Domestication of Birds
	1.3 Megapodes: ``The Incubator Birds´´
	1.4 Hoatzin: ``The Ruminant Bird´´
	1.5 Cognitive Capacities, Nest Making, Tool Use, and Dropping Objects on Hard Surface for Food
	1.6 Vocalization in Birds: Sound Production
	1.7 Avian Body Bauplan: Structure and Function
	1.8 Avian Flight: A Novel Mode of Locomotion
	1.9 Bird Migration
	1.10 Impacts of Anthropogenic Activities on Birdlife
	1.11 Evolution of Birds
	1.12 Evolution of the Avian Respiratory System
	References
Chapter 2: Development of the Avian Respiratory System
	2.1 Developmental Biology: The less Well-Known and Explored Aspects
	2.2 Developments of Gas Exchangers
	2.3 Branching Morphogenesis
	2.4 Development of the Avian Lung
		2.4.1 Development of the Airway (Bronchial) System
		2.4.2 Development of the Pulmonary Blood Vessels
		2.4.3 Development of the Air and the Blood Capillaries
	2.5 Development of the Air Sacs
	2.6 Molecular and Genetic Aspects of the Development of the Avian Respiratory System
		2.6.1 Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) Signaling
		2.6.2 WNT Genes Signaling
		2.6.3 Sonic Hedgehog SHH) Signaling
		2.6.4 Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF)
	References
Chapter 3: Structure of the Avian Respiratory System
	3.1 Fundamental Aspects of the Structural Designs of Gas Exchangers
	3.2 Structure of the Avian Respiratory System: The Lung-Air Sac System
		3.2.1 Larynx
		3.2.2 Trachea
		3.2.3 Syrinx
		3.2.4 Lung
			3.2.4.1 Airway (Bronchial) System
			3.2.4.2 Intrapulmonary Primary Bronchus
			3.2.4.3 Secondary Bronchi
			3.2.4.4 Parabronchi (Tertiary Bronchi)
			3.2.4.5 The Paleo and Neopulmo
			3.2.4.6 Atria and Infundibula
			3.2.4.7 Air and Blood Capillaries
		3.2.5 Pulmonary Circulation
		3.2.6 Air Sacs
			3.2.6.1 Ostia
	References
Chapter 4: Function of the Avian Respiratory System
	4.1 Fundamental Aspects of the Functional Designs of Gas Exchangers
	4.2 Structural and Functional Correlations in Properties of Gas Exchangers: General Considerations
	4.3 Air Flow Dynamics in the Avian Respiratory Systems
	4.4 Gas Exchange: Coping with Hypoxia and Hypocapnia in Birds
	4.5 Structural Complexity and Functional Efficiency of the Avian Respiratory System
	4.6 Gas Exchange: The Inventory-Respiratory Mechanisms and Processes
	4.7 Strength of the Avian Lung and the Blood-Gas Barrier
	4.8 Morphometric Properties of the Avian Lung: Comparative Perspectives
		4.8.1 Lung Volume
		4.8.2 Respiratory Surface Area
		4.8.3 Blood-Gas Barrier
		4.8.4 Pulmonary Capillary Blood Volume
		4.8.5 Mathematical Modeling of the Diffusing Capacity of the Avian Lung for Oxygen
	References
Index