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

PeerJ, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 11, С. e15139 - e15139

Опубликована: Март 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.

Язык: Английский

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Deep time diversity and the early radiations of birds

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 118(10)

Опубликована: Фев. 22, 2021

Significance Our lineage diversification rate through time analyses of three supertrees combining the published phylogenies both stem and crown group birds reveal distinct large-scale increases in across bird evolutionary history. The first two also are associated with rapid morphological evolution pertaining to locomotory cranial systems, respectively. third increase needs further support from data. study demonstrates that biodiversity was influenced mainly by long-term climatic changes Cretaceous–Paleogene extinction.

Язык: Английский

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Origin of the avian predentary and evidence of a unique form of cranial kinesis in Cretaceous ornithuromorphs

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Год журнала: 2019, Номер 116(49), С. 24696 - 24706

Опубликована: Ноя. 18, 2019

The avian predentary is a small skeletal structure located rostral to the paired dentaries found only in Mesozoic ornithuromorphs. evolution and function of this enigmatic element unknown. Skeletal tissues forming lower jaws basal ornithuromorph Yanornis martini are identified using computed-tomography, scanning electron microscopy, histology. On basis these data, we propose hypotheses for development, structure, element. composed trabecular bone. convex caudal surface articulates with rostromedial concavities on dentaries. These articular surfaces covered by cartilage, which divided into 3 discrete patches: 1 cartilage 2 symphyseal cartilages. mechanobiology suggests both compression kinesis were present at predentary–dentary joint, therefore suggesting yet unknown form cranial kinesis. Ontogenetic processes formation occurring within extant taxa do not suggest originates dentaries, nor Meckel’s cartilage. We hypothesize that biomechanically induced sesamoid arose soft connective mandibular canal hosting alveolar nerve dentary teeth proprioceptive. This whole system may have increased foraging efficiency. apparently coevolved an edentulous portion premaxilla, representing unique kinetic morphotype combined functional beak persisted successfully ∼60 million years.

Язык: Английский

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Cranial osteology and palaeobiology of the Early Cretaceous birdJeholornis prima(Aves: Jeholornithiformes)

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 198(1), С. 93 - 112

Опубликована: Окт. 24, 2022

Abstract Jeholornis is a representative of the earliest-diverging bird lineages, providing important evidence anatomical transitions involved in origins. Although ~100 specimens have been reported, its cranial morphology remains poorly documented owing to poor two-dimensional preservation, limiting our understanding and ecology key avian lineage Jeholornithiformes, addition evolution during origin early birds. Here, we provide detailed description osteology prima, based primarily on high-quality, three-dimensional data recently reported specimen. New information confirms overall plesiomorphic skull, with exception more specialized rostrum. Data from large sample size reveal dental formula J. prima be 0–2–3 (premaxillary–maxillary–dentary tooth counts), contrary previous suggestions that presence maxillary teeth diagnostic separate species, palmapenis. We also present sensory adaptation, including relatively olfactory bulbs comparison other known stem birds, suggesting olfaction was an aspect ecology. The digitally reconstructed scleral ring suggests strongly diurnal habit, supporting hypothesis early-diverging birds were predominantly active day.

Язык: Английский

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Comparative digital reconstruction of Pica pica and Struthio camelus and their cranial suture ontogenies

The Anatomical Record, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 307(1), С. 5 - 48

Опубликована: Июнь 20, 2023

Abstract To date, several studies describe post‐hatching ontogenetic variation in birds; however, none of these document and compare the entire skull multiple avian species. Therefore, we studied two bird species with very different ecologies, Pica pica , Struthio camelus using μCT based 3D reconstructions. For each specimen, performed bone‐by‐bone segmentation order to visualize morphological bone during ontogeny estimated average sutural closure skulls identify stages. Although fusion P . occurs more rapidly than that S general sequence follows a similar trend from posterior anterior, but detailed analysis reveals some interspecific patterns. growth persists over longer period adults former are significantly larger, most mature is still less fused Different patterns indicate could be related heterochronic developments. Nevertheless, this hypothesis needs tested broader phylogenetic framework detect evolutionary direction potential transformations.

Язык: Английский

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