The diet of early birds based on modern and fossil evidence and a new framework for its reconstruction

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 96(5), С. 2058 - 2112

Опубликована: Июль 8, 2021

Birds are some of the most diverse organisms on Earth, with species inhabiting a wide variety niches across every major biome. As such, birds vital to our understanding modern ecosystems. Unfortunately, evolutionary history ecosystems is hampered by knowledge gaps in origin bird diversity and ecosystem ecology. A crucial part addressing these shortcomings improving earliest birds, non-avian avialans (i.e. non-crown birds), particularly their diet. The diet has been matter debate, large because ambiguous qualitative approaches that have used reconstruct it. Here we review methods for determining fossil avians crown birds) as well theropods, comment usefulness when applied avialans. We use this propose set comparable, quantitative ascertain basis provide consensus what currently know about While no single approach can precisely predict each exclude diets narrow dietary possibilities. recommend combining (i) dental microwear, (ii) landmark-based muscular reconstruction, (iii) stable isotope geochemistry, (iv) body mass estimations, (v) traditional and/or geometric morphometric analysis, (vi) lever modelling, (vii) finite element analysis accurately. Our provides specific methodologies implement discusses complications future researchers should keep mind. note current forms assessment mesowear, skull morphometrics, certain systems yet be proven effective at discerning On report state avialan which remains very incomplete. ancestral condition unclear due scarce data contradictory evidence Archaeopteryx. Among early pygostylians, Confuciusornis mechanical advantage pointing herbivory, whilst Sapeornis only indicating granivory, agreeing fossilised ingested material known taxon. enantiornithine ornithothoracine Shenqiornis pedal carnivory. In hongshanornithid ornithuromorph Hongshanornis indicates but agrees gastrolith ingestion Mechanical fish support carnivory songlingornithid Yanornis. Due sparsity robust assignments, clear trends evolution emerged. Dietary seems increase through time, preservational bias associated predominance from Early Cretaceous Jehol Lagerstätte. With new framework synthesis diet, expect become much clearer coming years, especially fossils other locations climates found. This will allow deeper more role played Mesozoic how developed into pivotal

Язык: Английский

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New anatomical information on the bohaiornithid Longusunguis and the presence of a plesiomorphic diapsid skull in Enantiornithes

Journal of Systematic Palaeontology, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 18(18), С. 1481 - 1495

Опубликована: Апрель 20, 2020

Bohaiornithidae is currently the most diverse recognized family of Early Cretaceous enantiornithines, with unique morphology rostrum and pedal digits. Here we describe a second specimen bohaiornithid Longusunguis kurochkini from Jiufotang Formation. This provides new anatomical information regarding this taxon, in particular clarifying uncertain aspects enantiornithine cranial morphology. The rarely preserved postorbital completely on both sides skull, confirming presence complete bar some enantiornithines. suggests that plesiomorphic diapsid skull was retained by at least basal enantiornithines infratemporal fenestra Ornithothoraces may have been lost independently multiple times, providing better understanding evolution non-avian dinosaurs to modern birds.

Язык: Английский

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Cretaceous bird with dinosaur skull sheds light on avian cranial evolution

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 12(1)

Опубликована: Июнь 23, 2021

Abstract The transformation of the bird skull from an ancestral akinetic, heavy, and toothed dinosaurian morphology to a highly derived, lightweight, edentulous, kinetic is innovation as significant powered flight feathers. Our understanding evolutionary assembly modern form function avian cranium has been impeded by rarity early fossils with well-preserved skulls. Here, we describe new enantiornithine Early Cretaceous China that preserves nearly complete including palatal elements, exposing components cranial kinesis. three-dimensional reconstruction entire demonstrates this akinetic indicated unexpected retention plesiomorphic palate diapsid temporal configurations, capped derived avialan rostrum roof, highlighting modular mosaic evolution skull.

Язык: Английский

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Cretaceous fossil birds from China

Geological Society London Special Publications, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 544(1)

Опубликована: Янв. 18, 2024

Abstract The explosive radiation of early birds has been well documented by the extraordinary discoveries Early Cretaceous fossil in China past three decades. They have greatly expanded diversity, disparity and temporal distribution Mesozoic birds, refining our knowledge evolutionary path leading to characteristic avian body plan, including feathers powered flight, locomotion habitat differentiation, diet digestion, reproduction development, feather colours display. In addition, studies on geological background Jehol Biota that produced majority Chinese provided important clues understanding taphonomy as interaction between deep process biological evolution northeastern East Asia during Cretaceous. Future multidisciplinary are expected advance palaeogeography what impacted changes diversity China, roles played terrestrial ecosystem.

Язык: Английский

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New insights into pterosaur cranial anatomy: X-ray imaging reveals palatal structure and evolutionary trends

Communications Biology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 7(1)

Опубликована: Апрель 12, 2024

Abstract Among the least studied portion of pterosaur skeleton is palate, which tends to be poorly preserved and commonly only visible from one side (the ventral portion). Even in well-preserved specimens, bones tend fused, with limits individual palatal elements obscured. To shed new light on this region, we employed advanced X-ray imaging techniques non-pterodactyloid Kunpengopterus (Wukongopteridae), pterodactyloids Dsungaripterus (Dsungaripteridae), Hongshanopterus (Istiodactylidae), Hamipterus (Hamipteridae). Our analyses revealed presence sutures between , resulted different interpretations relation palatine, ectopterygoid, pterygoid, leading a identification openings. Furthermore, our study shows six main observations such as variation angle palatine rami relative sizes We also point out that maxillopalatine fenestra (previously identified postpalatine fenestra), unique within Diapsida. Although much more work needs done, showed open window for understanding cranial anatomy provide perspective investigating evolutionary history these flying reptiles.

Язык: Английский

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Avian cranial kinesis is the result of increased encephalization during the origin of birds

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2025, Номер 122(13)

Опубликована: Март 17, 2025

The origin of birds represents a pivotal transition in vertebrate evolution, marked by significant changes both brain size and feeding biomechanics. evolution the avian skull involved dramatic modifications, such as segmented palate development powered cranial kinesis neognath birds. Powered kinesis, ability to move parts independently, is considered key innovation behind dietary diversity evolutionary success However, processes driving emergence have remained unclear until recently. By analyzing data from Mesozoic birds, including reinterpretations homology, 3D jaw muscle biomechanics, linkage analysis, researchers quantified forces their effects on mechanics during theropods As neurocranium expanded non-avian theropods, temporal muscles shifted more rostrocaudal positions aiding segmentation pterygoid. This musculoskeletal transformation increased fore-aft force neognaths, enabling kinesis. A critical change was separation epipterygoid ossification braincase, leading breakdown primitive kinematic linkages new basicranial joint, which allowed for greater flexibility. These findings shed light how neurosensory systems coevolved bird origins offer methods identifying extinct vertebrates.

Язык: Английский

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Chicago Archaeopteryx informs on the early evolution of the avian bauplan

Nature, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Май 14, 2025

Язык: Английский

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Hummingbird-sized dinosaur from the Cretaceous period of Myanmar

Nature, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 579(7798), С. 245 - 249

Опубликована: Март 11, 2020

Язык: Английский

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Insight into the evolutionary assemblage of cranial kinesis from a Cretaceous bird

eLife, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 11

Опубликована: Дек. 5, 2022

The independent movements and flexibility of various parts the skull, called cranial kinesis, are an evolutionary innovation that is found in living vertebrates only some squamates crown birds considered to be a major factor underpinning much enormous phenotypic ecological diversity birds, most diverse group extant amniotes. Compared postcranium, our understanding assemblage characteristic modern bird skull has been hampered by sparse fossil records early materials, with competing hypotheses regarding development kinesis among members avialans. Here, detailed three-dimensional reconstruction Early Cretaceous enantiornithine Yuanchuavis kompsosoura allows for its in-depth description, including elements poorly known early-diverging avialans but central deciphering mosaic assembly features required avian kinesis. Our shows functional conservation temporal palatal regions retaining ancestral theropod dinosaurian configuration within this otherwise derived volant bird. Geometric morphometric analysis palatine suggests loss jugal process represents first step structural modifications element leading kinetic condition. mixture plesiomorphic structures together avialan rostrum postcranial skeleton encapsulated manifests key role mosaicism experimentation diversification.

Язык: Английский

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Cranial osteology of the Early Cretaceous Sapeornis chaoyangensis (Aves: Pygostylia)

Cretaceous Research, Год журнала: 2020, Номер 113, С. 104496 - 104496

Опубликована: Май 12, 2020

Язык: Английский

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