An allometric study of lung morphology during development in the Australian pelican, Pelicanus conspicillatus, from embryo to adult

Abstract

Pelicans produce altricial chicks that develop into some of the largest birds capable of sustained flight. We traced pulmonary morphological development in the Australian pelican, Pelicanus conspicillatus , from third trimester embryos to adults. We described growth and development with allometric relationships between lung components and body mass or lung volume, according to the equation y = ax b . Pelican lung volume increased faster than body mass ( b = 1.07). Relative to lung volume, the airways and vascular spaces increased allometrically ( b > 1) in embryos, but isometrically ( b ≈ 1) after hatching. Parabronchial mantle volume decreased ( b < 1) prior to hatching and increased isometrically thereafter. Surface area of air capillaries, blood capillaries and the blood–gas barrier increased relative to lung volume ( b > 0.67) before and after hatching. Barrier thickness decreased before hatching, remained constant in juveniles and decreased by adulthood. The anatomical diffusing capacity significantly increased before hatching ( b = 4.44) and after hatching ( b = 1.26). Although altricial pelicans developed pulmonary complexity later than precocial turkeys, the volume-specific characteristics were similar. However, lungs of volant adult pelicans became significantly larger, with a greater capacity for gas exchange, than lungs of terrestrial turkeys. Exchange characteristics of growing pelican lungs were inferior to those of adult birds of 26 other species, but converged with them at maturity.