Beak morphometry and morphogenesis across avian radiations.
Proc Biol Sci
; 290(2007): 20230420, 2023 09 27.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-37752837
ABSTRACT
Adaptive avian radiations associated with the diversification of bird beaks into a multitude of forms enabling different functions are exemplified by Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers. To elucidate the nature of these radiations, we quantified beak shape and skull shape using a variety of geometric measures that allowed us to collapse the variability of beak shape into a minimal set of geometric parameters. Furthermore, we find that just two measures of beak shape-the ratio of the width to length and the normalized sharpening rate (increase in the transverse beak curvature near the tip relative to that at the base of the beak)-are strongly correlated with diet. Finally, by considering how transverse sections to the beak centreline evolve with distance from the tip, we show that a simple geometry-driven growth law termed 'modified mean curvature flow' captures the beak shapes of Darwin's finches and Hawaiian honeycreepers. A surprising consequence of the simple growth law is that beak shapes that are not allowed based on the developmental programme of the beak are also not observed in nature, suggesting a link between evolutionary morphology and development in terms of growth-driven developmental constraints.
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1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Bico
/
Tentilhões
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2023
Tipo de documento:
Article