Microscopic investigation of feather remains from the head of the Oxford dodo, Raphus cucullatus

1989/06/01 by Tim G. Brom, T.G. Prins · 6 citations
Earth and Planetary Sciences · Environmental Science · #Evolution and Paleontology Studies #Paleontology and Evolutionary Biology #Amphibian and Reptile Biology

paper · doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1989.tb02535.x

openalex publication_date 1989/06/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/06/26

Abstract

Feather fragments collected from the head of the Oxford specimen of the dodo were examined with light‐ and scanning electron microscopy. The material proved to be heavily abraded but still yielded characteristics from which some conclusions on feather type and taxonomy can be drawn. The microstructure of the barbules examined indicates that the fragments belong to the pennaceous feather type. The feathering shows some characters apparently peculiar to the dodos. In other respects the feather structure is more similar to that of the Columbidae than that of the Rallidae.

Citations

• Memoir of the dodo (didus ineptus, Linn.)

Cited by

• An ecomorphological review of the dodo(Raphus cucullatus)and solitaire(Pezophaps solitaria),flightless Columbiformes of the Mascarene Islands
• The Oxford Dodo. Part 2: from curiosity to icon and its role in displays, education and research
• Bone histology sheds new light on the ecology of the dodo (Raphus cucullatus, Aves, Columbiformes)
• Evolution of Flightlessness in Rails (Gruiformes: Rallidae): Phylogenetic, Ecomorphological, and Ontogenetic Perspectives
• Dodo [wikipedia]
• Raphina [wikipedia]