Intrasexually selected weapons

A Rico‐Guevara, KJ Hurme - Biological Reviews, 2019 - Wiley Online Library
We propose a practical concept that distinguishes the particular kind of weaponry that has
evolved to be used in combat between individuals of the same species and sex, which we …

The evolution, ecology, and conservation of hummingbirds and their interactions with flowering plants

KG Leimberger, B Dalsgaard, JA Tobias… - Biological …, 2022 - Wiley Online Library
The ecological co‐dependency between plants and hummingbirds is a classic example of a
mutualistic interaction: hummingbirds rely on floral nectar to fuel their rapid metabolisms …

Songs versus colours versus horns: what explains the diversity of sexually selected traits?

JJ Wiens, E Tuschhoff - Biological Reviews, 2020 - Wiley Online Library
Papers on sexual selection often highlight the incredible diversity of sexually selected traits
across animals. Yet, few studies have tried to explain why this diversity evolved. Animals use …

The hidden links between animal weapons, fighting style, and their effect on contest success: A meta‐analysis

AV Palaoro, PEC Peixoto - Biological Reviews, 2022 - Wiley Online Library
In many species that fight over resources, individuals use specialized structures to gain a
mechanical advantage over their rivals during contests (ie weapons). Although weapons are …

Bill size, bill shape, and body size constrain bird song evolution on a macroevolutionary scale

AJC Demery, KJ Burns, NA Mason - The Auk, 2021 - academic.oup.com
Studying macroevolutionary patterns of phenotypic variation and their driving forces in large
radiations can shed light on how biodiversity is generated across broad spatiotemporal …

Biomechanics illuminates form–function relationships in bird bills

A Krishnan - Journal of Experimental Biology, 2023 - journals.biologists.com
The field of comparative biomechanics examines how form, mechanical properties and
environmental interactions shape the function of biological structures. Biomechanics has …

Shifting paradigms in the mechanics of nectar extraction and hummingbird bill morphology

A Rico-Guevara, MA Rubega, KJ Hurme… - Integrative …, 2019 - academic.oup.com
As functional morphologists, we aim to connect structures, mechanisms, and emergent
higher-scale phenomena (eg, behavior), with the ulterior motive of addressing evolutionary …

PicoCam: High‐resolution 3D imaging of live animals and preserved specimens

J Medina, D Irschick, K Epperly… - Methods in Ecology …, 2024 - Wiley Online Library
The PicoCam system is a multi‐camera photogrammetry rig used for generating high‐
resolution 3D models of animals in the field, or preserved specimens in laboratory or …

The multifactorial nature of beak and skull shape evolution in parrots and cockatoos (Psittaciformes)

JA Bright, J Marugán-Lobón, EJ Rayfield… - BMC Evolutionary …, 2019 - Springer
Abstract Background The Psittaciformes (parrots and cockatoos) are characterised by their
large beaks, and are renowned for their ability to produce high bite forces. These birds also …

Upper bill bending as an adaptation for nectar feeding in hummingbirds

A Rico-Guevara, D Sustaita… - Journal of the …, 2024 - royalsocietypublishing.org
Observations of maxillary (upper bill) bending in hummingbirds have been considered an
optical illusion, yet a recent description of out-of-phase opening and closing between their …