Diet of Mesozoic toothed birds (Longipterygidae) inferred from quantitative analysis of extant avian diet proxies

BMC Biology, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 20(1)

Published: May 12, 2022

Birds are key indicator species in extant ecosystems, and thus we would expect extinct birds to provide insights into the nature of ancient ecosystems. However, many aspects bird ecology, particularly their diet, remain obscure. One group particular interest is bizarre toothed long-snouted longipterygid birds. Longipterygidae most well-understood family enantiornithine birds, dominant Cretaceous period. as with Mesozoic diet remains entirely speculative.

Language: Английский

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Exceptional preservation and foot structure reveal ecological transitions and lifestyles of early theropod flyers

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1)

Published: Dec. 20, 2022

Abstract Morphology of keratinised toe pads and foot scales, hinging joints claw shape size all inform the grasping ability, cursoriality feeding mode living birds. Presented here is morphological evidence from fossil feet early theropod flyers. Foot soft tissues joint articulations are qualitatively assessed using laser-stimulated fluorescence. Pedal quantitatively analysed traditional morphometrics. We interpret these data among existing to better understand evolutionary ecology Jurassic flyers like Anchiornis Archaeopteryx show adaptations suggestive relatively ground-dwelling lifestyles. Early Cretaceous then diversify into more aerial lifestyles, including generalists Confuciusornis specialists climbing Fortunguavis . Some birds, Late Berlin Sapeornis , complex ecologies seemingly unique sampled modern As a non-bird flyer, finding affinities Microraptor specialised raptorial lifestyle unexpected. Its hawk-like characteristics rare known time suggesting that some perform roles filled by birds today. demonstrate diverse ecological profiles flyers, changing as flight developed, have roles.

Language: Английский

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Reconstructing the dietary habits and trophic positions of the Longipterygidae (Aves: Enantiornithes) using neontological and comparative morphological methods

PeerJ, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11, P. e15139 - e15139

Published: March 27, 2023

The Longipterygidae are a unique clade among the enantiornithines in that they exhibit elongate rostra (≥60% total skull length) with dentition restricted to distal tip of rostrum, and pedal morphologies suited for an arboreal lifestyle (as other enantiornithines). This suite features has made interpretations this group’s diet ecology difficult determine due lack analogous taxa similar together. Many extant bird groups rostral elongation, which is associated several disparate ecologies diets ( e.g ., aerial insectivory, piscivory, terrestrial carnivory). Thus, presence elongation only somewhat refines trophic predictions clade. Anatomical do not function singularly but as part whole thus, any dietary or ecological hypothesis regarding must also consider such their dentition. group dentulous volant tetrapods chiropterans, tooth morphology enamel thickness vary depending upon food preference. Drawing inferences from both avian bill proportions variations dental extinct taxa, we provide quantitative data support were animalivorous, greater insectivory.

Language: Английский

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Morphological disparity and structural performance of the dromaeosaurid skull informs ecology and evolutionary history

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: April 16, 2024

Abstract Non-avialan theropod dinosaurs had diverse ecologies and varied skull morphologies. Previous studies of cranial morphology mostly focused on higher-level taxa or characteristics associated with herbivory. To better understand morphological disparity function within carnivorous families, here we focus the Dromaeosauridae, ‘raptors’ traditionally seen as agile hunters. We applied 2D geometric morphometrics to quantify shape, performed mechanical advantage analysis assess efficiency bite force transfer, finite element examine strain distribution in during biting. find that dromaeosaurid was less disparate than most non-avialan groups. Their skulls show a continuum form between those are tall short flat long. hypothesise this narrower indicates developmental constraint observed some mammalian families. Mechanical Dromaeosaurus albertensis Deinonychus antirrhopus were adapted for relatively high forces, while Halszkaraptor escuilliei speed, other dromaeosaurids intermediate forces speeds. Finite regions consistent families but differ them. Average levels do not follow any phylogenetic pattern, possibly due ecological convergence distantly-related taxa. Combining our new morphofunctional data re-evaluation previous evidence, piscivorous reconstructions be unlikely, instead suggest an invertivorous diet possible adaptations feeding murky water low-visibility conditions. support being taking large vertebrate prey, its is resistant dromaeosaurids. Given recovery resistance Velociraptor mongoliensis , which believed have regularly engaged scavenging behaviour, higher taxon may reflect greater reliance rather fresh kills. Comparisons troodontid Gobivenator gracile rostrum like ancestral their closest common ancestor (Deinonychosauria) robust rostra derived condition. also displays jaw lower examined dromaeosaurids, given hypothesised divergence troodontids from it unclear group, if either, represents Future work extending sampling would therefore invaluable provide much needed context origin early birds. This study illustrates how shape functional metrics can discern ecology at taxonomic identify variants feeding.

Language: Английский

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Quantitative investigation of pengornithid enantiornithine diet reveals macrocarnivorous ecology evolved in birds by Early Cretaceous

iScience, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 26(3), P. 106211 - 106211

Published: Feb. 16, 2023

The diet of Mesozoic birds is poorly known, limiting evolutionary understanding birds' roles in modern ecosystems. Pengornithidae one the best understood families birds, hypothesized to eat insects or only small amounts meat. We investigate these hypotheses with four lines evidence: estimated body mass, claw traditional morphometrics, jaw mechanical advantage, and finite element analysis. Owing limited data, diets

Language: Английский

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A juvenile bird with possible crown-group affinities from a dinosaur-rich Cretaceous ecosystem in North America

BMC Ecology and Evolution, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 24(1)

Published: Feb. 9, 2024

Abstract Background Living birds comprise the most speciose and anatomically diverse clade of flying vertebrates, but their poor early fossil record lack resolution around relationships major clades have greatly obscured extant avian origins. Results Here, I describe a Late Cretaceous bird from North America based on fragmentary skeleton that includes cranial material portions forelimb, hindlimb, foot is identified as juvenile bone surface texture. Several features unite this specimen with crown Aves, its status precludes recognition distinct taxon. The American provenance supports cosmopolitan distribution birds, clashes hypothesized southern hemisphere origins living demonstrates closest relatives coexisted non-avian dinosaurs independently converged skeletal anatomy, such alvarezsaurids dromaeosaurids. Conclusions By revealing ecological biogeographic context within or near clade, Lance Formation provides new insights into contingent nature survival through Cretaceous-Paleogene mass extinction subsequent diversity.

Language: Английский

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Synthetic analysis of trophic diversity and evolution in Enantiornithes with new insights from Bohaiornithidae

eLife, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: April 30, 2024

Enantiornithines were the dominant birds of Mesozoic, but understanding their diet is still tenuous. We introduce new data on enantiornithine family Bohaiornithidae, famous for large size and powerfully built teeth claws. In tandem with previously published data, we comment breadth ecology potential patterns in which it evolved. Body mass, jaw mechanical advantage, finite element analysis jaw, traditional morphometrics claws skull are compared between bohaiornithids living birds. find to be more ecologically diverse than any other family: Bohaiornis Parabohaiornis similar plant-eating birds; Longusunguis resembles raptorial carnivores; Zhouornis both fruit-eating generalist feeders; Shenqiornis Sulcavis plausibly ate fish, plants, or a mix both. predict ancestral bird have been wide variety foods. However, quantitative from across tree needed refine this prediction. By Early Cretaceous, had diversified into ecological niches like crown after K-Pg extinction, adding evidence that traits unique cannot completely explain success.

Language: Английский

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Direct evidence of frugivory in the Mesozoic bird Longipteryx contradicts morphological proxies for diet

Current Biology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown

Published: Sept. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

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Vulture Interactions on Carcasses in a Protected Area: Implications for Conservation in a Savannah Context

Published: July 27, 2023

The species composition of vultures and their interactions on carcasses various stages decomposition is not well understood yet it potentially affects food acquisition survival. We collected data from six between June December 2021 using camera traps that were set undergoing states in Sinamatella Camp Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. Of interest the cases which each vulture was dominating gave an advantage terms acquisition. Four observed (White-backed, White-headed, Lappet-faced Hooded Vultures). Vulture abundances greatest fresh least dry ones. Although dominance behaviors by White-backed White-headed Vultures recorded over all other species, there no records vultures. In addition, mostly non-vulture avian advanced decay carcasses. Our results demonstrate how may be prone to intense competition further place them at disadvantageous positions if sources decline, more so under climatic shifts anthropogenic pressures.

Language: Английский

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Synthetic analysis of trophic diversity and evolution in Enantiornithes with new insights from Bohaiornithidae

eLife, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 12

Published: Sept. 12, 2023

Enantiornithines were the dominant birds of Mesozoic, but understanding their diet is still tenuous. We introduce new data on enantiornithine family Bohaiornithidae, famous for large size and powerfully built teeth claws. In tandem with previously published data, we comment breadth ecology potential patterns in which it evolved. Body mass, jaw mechanical advantage, finite element analysis jaw, traditional morphometrics claws skull are compared between bohaiornithids living birds. find to be more ecologically diverse than any other family: Bohaiornis Parabohaiornis similar plant-eating birds; Longusunguis resembles raptorial carnivores; Zhouornis both fruit-eating generalist feeders; Shenqiornis Sulcavis plausibly ate fish, plants, or a mix both. predict ancestral bird have been wide variety foods. However, quantitative from across tree needed refine this prediction. By Early Cretaceous, had diversified into ecological niches like crown after K-Pg extinction, adding evidence that traits unique cannot completely explain success.

Language: Английский

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