Scanning Electron Microscope Observations of Feathers of Crested Ibis
The microstructure of feathers of Crested Ibis (Nipponia nippon) from different parts of the body was observed with SEM. Results show that remiges and rectrices which function in flying are composed of hooked barbules and non-hooked barbules, and the hooked barbules cross the nonhooked barbules with their barbs to reduce air resistance in flying. For the neck feathers with special characteristics which compose the crest, there are nonhooked barbules on both sides of the tip barbules, and then there are some changes along the feather shaft and hooked barbules appear. There are often four hook-lets and six pairs of cilia in the hooked barbules of rectrices, and five hooklets (six hooklets are seldom found) and six pairs of cilia in the hooked barbules of remiges. Moreover, there are usually four hooklets and five pairs of cilia in the hooked barbules of neck feather. The number of the ventral teeth varies greatly. The feather shaft has no obvious characteristics , and medulla is composed of poriferous medullary cavity.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
维普
