Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)

The South American phorusrhacid bird radiation comprised at least 18 species of small to gigantic terrestrial predators for which there are no close modern analogs. Here we perform functional analyses of the skull of the medium-sized (,40 kg) patagornithine phorusrhacid Andalgalornis steulleti (uppe...

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Autores principales: Degrange, Federico Javier, Tambussi, Claudia Patricia, Moreno, Karen, Witmer, Lawrence M., Wroe, Stephen
Formato: Articulo
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: 2010
Materias:
Ciencias Naturales
Aves
Craneología
Adaptación Biológica
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/29520
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0011856
Aporte de:
SEDICI (UNLP) de Universidad Nacional de La Plata
id I19-R120-10915-29520
record_format dspace
institution Universidad Nacional de La Plata
institution_str I-19
repository_str R-120
collection SEDICI (UNLP)
language Inglés
topic Ciencias Naturales
Aves
Craneología
Adaptación Biológica
spellingShingle Ciencias Naturales
Aves
Craneología
Adaptación Biológica
Degrange, Federico Javier
Tambussi, Claudia Patricia
Moreno, Karen
Witmer, Lawrence M.
Wroe, Stephen
Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
topic_facet Ciencias Naturales
Aves
Craneología
Adaptación Biológica
description The South American phorusrhacid bird radiation comprised at least 18 species of small to gigantic terrestrial predators for which there are no close modern analogs. Here we perform functional analyses of the skull of the medium-sized (,40 kg) patagornithine phorusrhacid Andalgalornis steulleti (upper Miocene-lower Pliocene, Andalgalá Formation, Catamarca, Argentina) to assess its mechanical performance in a comparative context. Based on computed tomographic (CT) scanning and morphological analysis, the skull of Andalgalornis steulleti is interpreted as showing features reflecting loss of intracranial immobility. Discrete anatomical attributes permitting such cranial kinesis are widespread phorusrhacids outgroups, but this is the first clear evidence of loss of cranial kinesis in a gruiform bird and may be among the best documented cases among all birds. This apomorphic loss is interpreted as an adaptation for enhanced craniofacial rigidity, particularly with regard to sagittal loading. We apply a Finite Element approach to a three-dimensional (3D) model of the skull. Based on regression analysis we estimate the bite force of Andalgalornis at the bill tip to be 133 N. Relative to results obtained from Finite Element Analysis of one of its closest living relatives (seriema) and a large predatory bird (eagle), the phorusrhacid's skull shows relatively high stress under lateral loadings, but low stress where force is applied dorsoventrally (sagittally) and in ''pullback'' simulations. Given the relative weakness of the skull mediolaterally, it seems unlikely that Andalgalornis engaged in potentially risky behaviors that involved subduing large, struggling prey with its beak. We suggest that it either consumed smaller prey that could be killed and consumed more safely (e.g., swallowed whole) or that it used multiple well-targeted sagittal strikes with the beak in a repetitive attack-and-retreat strategy.
format Articulo
Articulo
author Degrange, Federico Javier
Tambussi, Claudia Patricia
Moreno, Karen
Witmer, Lawrence M.
Wroe, Stephen
author_facet Degrange, Federico Javier
Tambussi, Claudia Patricia
Moreno, Karen
Witmer, Lawrence M.
Wroe, Stephen
author_sort Degrange, Federico Javier
title Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_short Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_full Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_fullStr Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "Terror Bird" <i>Andalgalornis steulleti</i> (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_sort mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct "terror bird" <i>andalgalornis steulleti</i> (gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
publishDate 2010
url http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/29520
http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0011856
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