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Cited by 7Physiological and biochemical adaptationsBiomimetic flight and propulsion mechanismsHigh Altitude and Hypoxia

Hovering Performance of Hummingbirds in Hyperoxic Gas Mixtures

Altshuler, Douglas L., Chai, Peng, Chen, Jeff S. P.·2001·Journal of Experimental Biology
DOI 10.1242/jeb.204.11.2021
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Abstract

Hummingbirds evolved during a period of decline in atmospheric oxygen concentration and currently encounter varying levels of oxygen availability along their elevational distribution. We tested the hypothesis that inspiration of hyperoxic gas increases hummingbird hovering performance when birds are simultaneously challenged aerodynamically. We measured the maximum duration of hovering flight while simultaneously monitoring the rate of oxygen consumption of ruby-throated hummingbirds (Archilochus colubris) in low-density heliox that was either normoxic (21% O2) or hyperoxic (35% O2). As air density decreased below 0.85 kg x m(-3), hummingbirds hovered significantly longer in hyperoxia than in normoxia, but the air density at which the birds could no longer sustain hovering flight was independent of oxygen concentration. At low air densities in hyperoxia flight trials, hummingbirds appeared to increase their rate of oxygen consumption relative to flight sequences at equivalent densities in normoxia trials, but these differences were not significant. We tested the hypothesis that hummingbirds can discriminate between environments that differ in oxygen concentration. In another density-reduction experiment, hummingbirds were allowed to choose between artificial feeders infused with either normoxic or hyperoxic gases. The hypothesis was not supported because birds failed to associate oxygen concentration with a particular feeder independently of air density. Supplemental oxygen thus yields increased hovering duration at intermediate air densities, but the minimum density at which birds can fly is limited exclusively by aerodynamic considerations.

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Crossref · 10.1242/jeb.204.11.2021

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  • Providing supplemental oxygen does not increase aerodynamic performance in hypodense gas, but does allow for longer hovering durations when challenged aerodynamically.

    “Providing supplemental oxygen does not increase aerodynamic performance in hypodense gas (Chai et al., 1996), but does allow for longer hovering durations when challenged aerodynamically (Altshuler et al., 2001).”

    From The physiology and biomechanics of avian flight at high altitude (2006) · cites this paper as Altshuler et al., 2001

  • A similar response is seen for hovering in hyperoxic but hypodense gas mixtures.

    “A similar response is seen for hovering in hyperoxic but hypodense gas mixtures (Chai et al., 1996;Altshuler et al., 2001).”

    From The physiology and biomechanics of avian flight at high altitude (2006) · cites this paper as Altshuler et al., 2001

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Authors
Altshuler, D. L., Chai, P., & Chen, J. S. P.
Affiliations
The University of Texas at Austin (US)
ORCID
Altshuler, Douglas L.
Venue
Journal of Experimental Biology
Publisher
The Company of Biologists
Published
2001-06-01
Volume
204
Issue
11
Pages
2021-2027
ISSN
  • 0022-0949 (ISSN-L)
  • 1477-9145
DOI
10.1242/jeb.204.11.2021
OpenAlex
W1956615176
Cited by
7
References
29
Citations by year
2017: 1
FWCI
0.78
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Experimental Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Ecology › Physiological and biochemical adaptations
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Aerospace Engineering › Biomimetic flight and propulsion mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › High Altitude and Hypoxia
Keywords
hummingbirds, Ruby-throated Hummingbird, Archilochus colubris, hovering flight, hyperoxia, supplemental oxygen, heliox, air density, oxygen consumption, flight aerodynamics, altitudinal distribution
MeSH terms
Air, Animals, Birds, Female, Flight, Animal, Oxygen, Oxygen Consumption, Hyperoxia

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