Table 2.
Iridescent barbule nanomorphology in dabbling ducks (Anseriformes: Anatidae). Values shown are species means and 95% CLs for nanomorphological measurements taken from TEM images of barbule cross sections. N indicates number of barbules (melanosomes) analysed, with all barbules sampled from the same feather of one individual per species.
| species | N | lattice constant (nm) | radius (nm) | cortex (nm) | periods |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anas platyrhynchos | 2 (133) | 139.36 ± 1.99 | 59.71 ± 1.02 | 295.19 ± 5.17 | 5.5 |
| Amazonetta brasiliensis | n.a.a | 153 | 65 | 90 | 5 |
| Anas carolinensis | 2 (107) | 153.49 ± 3.12 | 69.81 ± 1.16 | 361.76 ± 11.27 | 5.5 |
| Anas clypeata | 2 (69) | 148.93 ± 2.56 | 72.72 ± 1.55 | 258.06 ± 19.79 | 5 |
| Anas acuta | 3 (151) | 159.50 ± 3.74 | 75.12 ± 1.42 | 357.36 ± 8.44 | 4.67 |
| Speculanas specularis | n.a.a | 198 | 85 | 330 | 6 |
aMeasurements for species taken from published data [18]. Cortex thickness variation estimated from 10 measurements per barbule. Values without 95% CL indicate insufficient data available for estimation (see text for further details).