Which of the following statements is correct regarding the evolution of flight?

a. the evolution of feathers on wings was initially to support flight in non-avian dinosaurs.

b. the wing-assisteed incline running theory postulates that wings were initially used to maintain balance while climbing up slopes.

c. the bottom-up theory postulates that the evolution of flight started with the use of wings to glide from branch to branch

d. the top-down theory postulates that the evolution of flight started with flapping to aid in generating lift off the ground.

Question

Biology

Jessie Blevins

15 February, 06:08

Which of the following statements is correct regarding the evolution of flight?

a. the evolution of feathers on wings was initially to support flight in non-avian dinosaurs.

b. the wing-assisteed incline running theory postulates that wings were initially used to maintain balance while climbing up slopes.

c. the bottom-up theory postulates that the evolution of flight started with the use of wings to glide from branch to branch

d. the top-down theory postulates that the evolution of flight started with flapping to aid in generating lift off the ground.

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Answers (1)

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Courtney Owen · Answer 1

b) the wing assisted incline running theory postulates that wings were initially used to maintain balance while climbing up slopes

Explanation:

According to Wing-Assisted Incline Running (WAIR), proto-birds developed wings as it assisted in running specially on inclined planes. The forelimbs were modified as wings as they provided balance to birds while running at fast speed on slopes. They also used less energy as compared to just running.

There were two more theories, bottom up and top down. According to bottom up, proto-birds were ground dwellers and wings were used to maintain the posture while running. According to top down, proto-birds were tree dwellers and used wings to hop from branch to branch to evade predators and catch prey.