User:Nordliam/sandbox

Additions that could be made to the notochord on Wikipedia:

1) "The notochord plays a key role in signalling and coordinating development." Should there be more information of how the notochord does this? 2) More, as well as higher quality pictures are needed. 3) About half of the citations in the "Development" section of the article are not cited (i.e. 'citation needed'). 4) Very little content on the "Neurology" section compared to the other sections of the article. 5) "Scenarios for the evolutionary origin of the notochord have been comprehensively reviewed (Annona, G., Holland, N. D., and D'Aniello, S. 2015. Evolution of the notochord. EvoDevo 6: article 30)." Is the format of this citation correct? Shouldn't it be a footnote? 6) "They point out that, although many of these ideas have not been well supported by advances in molecular phylogenetics and developmental genetics, two of them have actually been revived under the stimulus of modern molecular approaches(the first proposes that the notochord evolved de novo in chordates, and the second derives it from a homologous structure, the axochord, that was present in annelid-like ancestors of the chordates)." This sentence seems a little biased? Not sure though? 7) The "Structure" section also does not have much content. In addition, it is not mentioned how the notochord is typically composed of a core of cells and fluid encased in a tough sheath of fibrous tissue (From our book). It also fails to mention how the notochord is a hydrostatic organ, meaning the fluid that fills the notochord remains static and does not flow (From our book). 8) There are not a lot of references (only 10), and many sentences are still needing citations (compare to the brain on Wikipedia~ 136 references). 9) A lot of the references used are relatively old. 10) The website associated with references 8 and 9 either doesn't work anymore or it is false. 11) A promising 'newer' reference: Lauri, A., Brunet, T., Handberg-Thorsager, M., Fischer, A.H., Simakov, O., Steinmetz, P.R., Tomer, R., Keller, P.J. and Arendt, D. 2014. Development of the annelid axochord: insights into notochord evolution. Science, 345: 1365-1368. 12) Another promising 'older' source: Cameron, C.B., Garey, J.R. and Swalla, B.J., 2000. Evolution of the chordate body plan: new insights from phylogenetic analyses of deuterostome phyla. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 97: 4469-4474. Nordliam (talk) 05:59, 16 February 2017 (UTC)

Comparative Anatomy Group Dissection Preferences:

1) Microbat

Tragus: Talk:Tragus (ear)

Echolocation: Talk:Animal echolocation

I have never really seen a bat up close, so I think it would be very interesting to learn their anatomy. In addition, I was fortunate to get the chance to listen to Crystal Asplund last semester give a very interesting presentation on the evolution of bat echolocation, which is another reason why I would like to study this creature.

2) Chimaera

Operculum: Talk:Chimaera

Electroreception: Talk:Electroreception

Clasper: Talk:Clasper

I had never heard of a chimaera before this class. Chimaeras are living relatives of sharks, and I think it would be interesting to be able to compare the anatomy of the two. I also I now know quite a bit about the anatomy of shark, which will be very helpful when comparing to the anatomy of both.

3) Frog

Buccal Pumping: Talk:Buccal pumping

Pedicellate teeth: Talk:Pedicellate teeth

I have dissected frogs and studied their anatomy in previous classes, so this might be advantageous to me for this project.

Week 5: Dissection Game Plan

Andrew:

• First off, I/we need to become more familiar with the morphology of the bat in general. Here is a good source: Outside and inside bats (PLU library).

• Next, I would like to look at the evolution, function and anatomy of both the Tragus and larynx and how those both function in echolocation for bats. Here are some promising sources:
  • Bats: from evolution to conservation (PLU library).
  • Echolocation: implications for ecology and evolution of bats (Accessible PDF on Google Scholar).
  • The role of the external ear in vertical sound localization in the free flying bat, Eptesicus fuscus (Accessible PDF on Google Scholar).
  • The evolution of echolocation in bats (Accessible PDF on Google Scholar).
  • Evolutionary origins of ultrasonic hearing and laryngeal echolocation in bats inferred from morphological analyses of the inner ear (Accessible PDF on Google Scholar).
  • HABITAT USE AND FORAGING BEHAVIOR OF TOWNSEND'S BIG-EARED BAT (CORYNORHINUS TOWNSENDII) IN COASTAL CALIFORNIA (Accessible PDF on Google Scholar).
  • Ontogeny, Functional Ecology, and Evolution of Bats (Accessible through the PLU library, also other promising articles associated with this title).Neha: pages I would be interested in editing: the microbat page.

Neha:

1. First, learning the anatomy and structures of the bat: source: Outside and inside bats 
2. Next, look at over all evolution, and focus on looking at the bat heart, wings, thermo regulation:
   1. Evolution:
      1. Altringham, J. D. (2011). Bats: From Evolution to Conservation. Oxford: Oxford University Press 2. Circulatory system
   2. Circulatory system
      1. Heart Rate: the Metabolic Rate in Heterothermic bats
         1. . "Heart rate as a predictor of metabolic rate in heterothermic bats." Journal of Experimental Biology  (2014)
            1. Veins of bat wings/ Blood flow 
               1. . “Discovery That the Veins of the Bat's Wing (Which Are Furnished with Valves) Are Endowed with Rythmical Contractility, and That the Onward Flow of Blood Is Accelerated by Each Contraction.” 
               2.  "Blood flow augmentation by intrinsic venular contraction in vivo". 
               3. “The Origin of Flight in Bats.” 
            2. Thermoregulation
               1. How it works/ article studies 
                  1.  Ecological and behavioral methods for the study of bats.

Juli:

• First I would like to familiarize myself with the general anatomy and morphology of bats and basic evolutionary information; Bats: From Evolution to Conservation
• PATAGIUM page: The article for the patagium has almost not information about the bat patagium specifically, so I am considering covering the following topics under the bat section of the patagium article page.
• Shape and structure of the bat wing: this would include giving a general overview of the basic structures of the bat patagium. The page already includes the four main regions of the patagium, but I would like to include more information to contextualize the skin of the wing with the whole body. This could include a diagram or description of the bones and muscles associated with the control of the wing. Sources- Bats: From Evolution to Conservation again. Also, chapter two of Bats (Chiroptera) as Vectors of Diseases and Parasites entitled "Bats: A Glimpse on Their Astonishing Morphology and Lifestyle"
• Physiology of skin of the bat wing: The patagium page mentions only that the structure is composed of skin, and does not include anything specific about the skin in this region. Sources- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2375846/ Although I will mostly be using this source (The Structural Design of the Bat wing web and its Possible Role in Gas Exchange) for the topic of gas exchange, it also includes a very detailed description of the make-up of the skin of the bat wing. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-7998.1996.tb05455.x/full This (Mechanical properties of bat wing membrane skin) is an incredibly detailed source on this topic.
• Role in aerodynamics of flying: The only aspect the patagium page covers even remotely is the very basic anatomical regions of the wing and that it is sed for flying; it does not include any more detail about how it is involved in the flying process, or how the structure lends to this process. Sources- https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00418147 and http://jeb.biologists.org/content/218/5/653 Both of these sources describe the morphology of the the bat wing as it relates to the aerodynamics of flight in mammals (Bat wing structures important for aerodynamics and rigidity and Bat flight: aerodynamics, kinematics and flight morphology
• Role in gas exchange: This topic may not be necessary in light of all the other information I have to choose from to add, but I thought the bat skin in relation to gas exchange across the thin membrane was very interesting. Source: Again, The Structural Design of the Bat wing web and its Possible Role in Gas Exchange.
• Jump up ^ 
• Jump up ^ 
• Jump up ^ 
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• Jump up ^ Kunz, Thomas (2009). Ecological and behavioral methods for the study of bats. John Hopkins.

Week 6: Draft I

Andrew:

Echolocation is mentioned on both the Bat and Microbat wikipedia pages. On the Bat wikipedia page, there is no mention of what anatomical structure the bat uses to produce this ultrasound, and with what anatomical structure the bat uses to sense ultrasound wavelengths. In addition, the Microbat wikipedia page makes no mention of what anatomical structure the organism uses to sense ultrasound waves, however, the page does mention that the larynx is used to produce this ultrasound. But this section of the article is not cited.

Perception of Ultrasound Waves:

Along with toothed whales, echolocating bats have evolved the most highly developed auditory systems compared to all other mammals. Echolocating bats use their cochlea to sense high frequency vocalizations. What is unique to echolocating bats is their cochlea. Their cochlea is a coiled cavity in which the turns help to facilitate the perception of high frequency sounds (>20 kHz) via its basal and upper turns. Moreover, their cochlea is enlarged and contains between 2.5 to 3.5 turns, compared to 1.75 turns in other non-echolocating bats.

Production of Ultrasound Waves:

Speech sounds are generated from the vocal folds in mammals due to the elastic membranes that compose these folds. Almost all echolocating bats use their larynx to produce ultrasonic signals. Most bats that echolocate by using their larynx have their stylohyal bones lying across the surface of the tympanic bones. This feature helps to surround and support the tympanic membranes, forming the auditory bullae. Moreover, a characteristic in all laryngeal echolocating bats is the direct contact between the prominent stylohyal bone and tympanic bone that further connect to the larynx. However, no contact between these bony elements is seen in bats that do not use their larynx to echolocate or in non-echolocating bats. The significance to the contact of these bony elements is that they serve to mechanically support and anchor the larynx and laryngeal muscles during the production of ultrasound signals.

comment from juli:

I think that overall what you have here looks good, though you may want to go though it again, I saw a typo or two. My main question is where are you going to put this? In the first paragraph you say that neither the bat nor the microbat pages have sufficient information on this topic, but which page are you going to put it on? Both? I think it should probably go in the bat section overall because it is not specific to the microbat, then maybe you could put some kind of link to it in the microbat page? Up to you, just a possible suggestion!

Future directions and reply to Juli:

I am not quite sure where I will put this information. Both the microbat and bat wikipedia pages could use this information, so I am not sure if I should just put it on one of the pages or both of the pages? I am leaning more towards putting it in the bat wikipedia page. Also, with regard to future directions, I will look for more resources on both the cochlea of the bat and the bony connections that support the larynx of the bat to see which direction I would like to go regrading my research for the project.

Juli:

Things to discuss[edit | edit source]

Based on a response from another user on the talk page of the patagium article, I think I need to change directions a little bit in order to prevent the information on the patagium article from becoming too unbalanced. Because of this, we (Neha especially because we may need to be more particular about where our topics overlap) should talk more about to approach my topics of choice. As of right now, I am thinking about adding some of my information to the patagium page directly, while also adding to the anatomy/wing section of the bat page, as well as considering putting another subheading specifically for patagium (similar to what was suggested on the patagium talk page comment- you guys should go read it if you get a chance).

Patagium section within the bat page anatomy section[edit | edit source]

The bat patagium is the skin membrane of the bat wing. It covers and is strengthened by the bat's four long, thin hand bones, though the thumb is free-moving. The patagium is stretched between the arm and hand bones, down the lateral side of the body and down to the hind limbs. This skin membrane consists of connective tissue, elastic filaments, nerves, muscles and vessels. The muscles keep the membrane taut during flight. The skin on the body of the bat, which has one layer of each the epidermis and dermis, as well as the presence of hair follicles and sweat glands and a fatty subcutaneous layer, is very different from the skin of the wing membrane. The patagium skin is comprised of an extremely thin double layer of epidermis, these layers are separated by a connective tissue center, rich with collagen and elastic fibers. The membrane skin also does not have any hair follicles of sweat glands. Due to this extremely thin membranous tissue, and that a bat's wing is about 85% of its total skin surface area, a bat's wing can significantly contribute to the organism's total gas exchange efficiency.

Additions to the bat section of the Patagium article page[edit | edit source]

• Uropatagium (tail membrane): this is the region of the patagium which supports the greatest load at failure. This increased load bearing ability is thought to relate to its predatory function of catching prey, namely insects.
• Plagiopatagium (between lateral body and skeleton of hand): this is the weakest region of the patagium, and is highly extensible, which promotes the arching of the center of the wing, important for lift.

Aerodynamics[edit | edit source]

The next thing I will talk about is the shape of the patagium in relation to the aerodynamics of flying. While I do have a couple extremely helpful journal articles on the topic, they are very complex and I need to spend a lot more time with them in order to understand the math and physics in relation to anatomy and understand it enough to be able to summarize it in the way that it needs to be presented on a forum like wikipedia. This will definitely be my next step in this process.

Moving forward[edit | edit source]

Another thing that I plan to do before moving forward with this draft is do some more research about the different patagium sections and their particular makeup, because the references that I have compiled to this point are rather lacking in this area, as is the patagium page itself, outside of just the straight definition.

Comments from peers:

Juli I think you should look at my citations below they might be helpful. but over all I think our sections will go well together. -Neha

Juli, there is a lot of different directions you could go with your research, it almost sounds a bit too broad. However, I think that you have many different routes that you could take, with regard to what you described above. I also went through and fixed a few typos. Overall, very great/detailed plan for your part of the project. -Andrew

Neha:

Gas exchange and Thermoregulations:

- The wings are adapted for the use of gas exchange and thermoregulation. The bones in the wing of the bat are design to be lighter in weight in order to achieved flight. The structure of lungs in bats are similar to that of mammals for blood flow exchange. The wings use up a high demand of energy for flight, for the body to meet those demands it is done my gas exchange through the thin layers of the skin in the wing. When the bat has its wing in an open spread out position it allows for an increase in surface area to volume ratio. The increase in surface area in the wings allows for about 85% gas exchange of the total body surface area. Underneath the skin of the wings are subcutaneous vessels that allow for a greater surface area for the diffusion of oxygen and carbon dioxide. There is also a serious of bundles of collagen fibrils, elastic fibers and fibroblasts are organized into a network that lies in the wing of the bat. The bat wings are important in thermoregulation during flight. More than 80% of the energy consumed during flight generates heat as a by- product , and thus it is expected that bat wings should dissipate large amounts of heat to prevent hyperthermia.

- My next move is going through this paragraph and editing through this and adding more of gas exchange, and a little bit of back ground on the wing to connect it to julie.