ISSN:
1432-1432
Keywords:
Protein Evolution
;
Transferrin
;
Immunology
;
Micro-Complement Fixation
;
Phylogeny
;
Flightlessness
;
Ostrich
;
Rhea
;
Tinamou
;
Continental Drift
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary A biochemical approach was used to study the evolution of ratite birds, i.e., the ostriches, rheas, cassowaries, emus, and kiwis. Quantitative immunological comparison of transferrin from ratites, tinamous, and other flying birds indicates that all the ratites and tinamous are allied phylogenetically and that they are of monophyletic origin relative to other birds. To explain the current geographic distribution of ratites and the magnitude of the transferrin distances, it is supposed that the ancestors of these flightless birds walked across land bridges between the southern continents during Cretaceous times.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01731001
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