Biologists compared the swimming of the penguin to that of a Murre (another swimming/ flying bird). They measured the amount of energy the bird used when flying and also while diving and they found that it takes more energy for diving. This species has wings that are better served for flying, and that they cause more drag in the water than penguins do.
So for the time being, the scientists are thinking that the ability to fly is being sacrificed for a better diving ability. Also, the factor of the penguins warmth and body temperature may come into play, therefor another experiment should be tested.
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Science is collaborative
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http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=why-penguins-cannot-fly
I think I can agree with just about all of what you stated in this post. I don't know for sure, but it definitely does seem like it's an evolutionary adaptation, especially in the arctic environment, that diving is selected over flying. I did some further research and it is said that due to the streamlined shape of a penguin's body, it is more adaptable to an aquatic environment rather than being able to fly. That is precisely how natural selection operates; with certain traits selected over the other. For generations penguins have hunted for food underwater rather than in the sky, so they would need the diving ability.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.ccmr.cornell.edu/education/ask/?quid=661
This is cool to know! I never knew the reason to why penguins could not fly. As Anthony said above, I too think it is an evolutionary example. I found another website that explains some of their great swimming adaptations and what makes them successful swimmers. Penguins bodies are streamline which enables them to swim up to 15mph, and often said it looks like they are "flying" through the water!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.neaq.org/education_and_activities/teacher_resources/classroom_resources/teacher_guides/penguin_teacher_guide/penguin_adaptations.php
I found your post to be very interesting, so I thought of some other birds who don't fly, like the ostrich, which lead me to this link: faculty.washington.edu/beccap/workspace/.../Why-dont-ostriches-fly.pdf
ReplyDeleteThis link has data that supports the reason ostriches don't fly is similar to penguins. They don't swim, but they to have evolved.