Corvid Skull Shape and Foraging Behavior
Author Information
Author(s): Kulemeyer Christoph, Asbahr Kolja, Gunz Philipp, Frahnert Sylke, Bairlein Franz
Hypothesis
Corvid species that frequently probe will have longer and more curved bills and more sidewise oriented orbits compared to those that frequently peck.
Conclusion
Corvid species show pronounced differences in skull shape that are associated with their foraging modes.
Supporting Evidence
- Major shape variation occurs at the bill and in the orientation of orbits.
- The first principal component correlated positively with centroid-size.
- Corvids that probe have longer bills and more sidewise oriented orbits.
- Shape differences cannot be attributed only to allometry.
- Most covariation between bill and cranium is due to differences in visual fields.
Takeaway
Different types of crows have different shaped skulls, which help them find food in their own special ways.
Methodology
Analyzed computed tomography scans of skulls of six corvid species using three-dimensional geometric morphometrics.
Limitations
The sample size per species is small and consists only of adult, unsexed corvids.
Participant Demographics
115 adult skulls from six corvid species.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p = 0.959
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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