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

Autores
Degrange, Federico Javier; Tambussi, Claudia Patricia; Moreno, Karen Gabriela; Witmer, Lawrence M.; Wroe, Stephen
Año de publicación
2010
Idioma
inglés
Tipo de recurso
artículo
Estado
versión publicada
Descripción
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.
Fil: Degrange, Federico Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina
Fil: Tambussi, Claudia Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina
Fil: Moreno, Karen Gabriela. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earthand Environmental Sciences. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre ; Australia
Fil: Witmer, Lawrence M.. Ohio State University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Wroe, Stephen. University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earthand Environmental Sciences. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre ; Australia
Materia
Finite Element Analysis
Andalgalornis
Feeding Behavior
Nivel de accesibilidad
acceso abierto
Condiciones de uso
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/
Repositorio
CONICET Digital (CONICET)
Institución
Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas
OAI Identificador
oai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/54545

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network_name_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
spelling Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)Degrange, Federico JavierTambussi, Claudia PatriciaMoreno, Karen GabrielaWitmer, Lawrence M.Wroe, StephenFinite Element AnalysisAndalgalornisFeeding Behaviorhttps://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.5https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1The 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.Fil: Degrange, Federico Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Tambussi, Claudia Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; ArgentinaFil: Moreno, Karen Gabriela. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earthand Environmental Sciences. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre ; AustraliaFil: Witmer, Lawrence M.. Ohio State University; Estados UnidosFil: Wroe, Stephen. University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earthand Environmental Sciences. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre ; AustraliaPublic Library of Science2010-08info:eu-repo/semantics/articleinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersionhttp://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501info:ar-repo/semantics/articuloapplication/pdfapplication/vnd.rarapplication/pdfhttp://hdl.handle.net/11336/54545Degrange, Federico Javier; Tambussi, Claudia Patricia; Moreno, Karen Gabriela; Witmer, Lawrence M.; Wroe, Stephen; Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae); Public Library of Science; Plos One; 5; 8; 8-20101932-6203CONICET DigitalCONICETenginfo:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/url/http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0011856info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0011856info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccesshttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ar/reponame:CONICET Digital (CONICET)instname:Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas2025-09-29T09:37:49Zoai:ri.conicet.gov.ar:11336/54545instacron:CONICETInstitucionalhttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/Organismo científico-tecnológicoNo correspondehttp://ri.conicet.gov.ar/oai/requestdasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.arArgentinaNo correspondeNo correspondeNo correspondeopendoar:34982025-09-29 09:37:49.382CONICET Digital (CONICET) - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicasfalse
dc.title.none.fl_str_mv Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
spellingShingle Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
Degrange, Federico Javier
Finite Element Analysis
Andalgalornis
Feeding Behavior
title_short Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_full Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_fullStr Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_full_unstemmed Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
title_sort Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae)
dc.creator.none.fl_str_mv Degrange, Federico Javier
Tambussi, Claudia Patricia
Moreno, Karen Gabriela
Witmer, Lawrence M.
Wroe, Stephen
author Degrange, Federico Javier
author_facet Degrange, Federico Javier
Tambussi, Claudia Patricia
Moreno, Karen Gabriela
Witmer, Lawrence M.
Wroe, Stephen
author_role author
author2 Tambussi, Claudia Patricia
Moreno, Karen Gabriela
Witmer, Lawrence M.
Wroe, Stephen
author2_role author
author
author
author
dc.subject.none.fl_str_mv Finite Element Analysis
Andalgalornis
Feeding Behavior
topic Finite Element Analysis
Andalgalornis
Feeding Behavior
purl_subject.fl_str_mv https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1.5
https://purl.org/becyt/ford/1
dc.description.none.fl_txt_mv 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.
Fil: Degrange, Federico Javier. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina
Fil: Tambussi, Claudia Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Físicas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Tierra; Argentina
Fil: Moreno, Karen Gabriela. Universidad Austral de Chile; Chile. University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earthand Environmental Sciences. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre ; Australia
Fil: Witmer, Lawrence M.. Ohio State University; Estados Unidos
Fil: Wroe, Stephen. University of New South Wales. School of Biological, Earthand Environmental Sciences. Evolution and Ecology Research Centre ; Australia
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.
publishDate 2010
dc.date.none.fl_str_mv 2010-08
dc.type.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/article
info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion
http://purl.org/coar/resource_type/c_6501
info:ar-repo/semantics/articulo
format article
status_str publishedVersion
dc.identifier.none.fl_str_mv http://hdl.handle.net/11336/54545
Degrange, Federico Javier; Tambussi, Claudia Patricia; Moreno, Karen Gabriela; Witmer, Lawrence M.; Wroe, Stephen; Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae); Public Library of Science; Plos One; 5; 8; 8-2010
1932-6203
CONICET Digital
CONICET
url http://hdl.handle.net/11336/54545
identifier_str_mv Degrange, Federico Javier; Tambussi, Claudia Patricia; Moreno, Karen Gabriela; Witmer, Lawrence M.; Wroe, Stephen; Mechanical analysis of feeding behavior in the extinct " Terror Bird " Andalgalornis steulleti (Gruiformes: phorusrhacidae); Public Library of Science; Plos One; 5; 8; 8-2010
1932-6203
CONICET Digital
CONICET
dc.language.none.fl_str_mv eng
language eng
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info:eu-repo/semantics/altIdentifier/doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0011856
dc.rights.none.fl_str_mv info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
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dc.format.none.fl_str_mv application/pdf
application/vnd.rar
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dc.publisher.none.fl_str_mv Public Library of Science
publisher.none.fl_str_mv Public Library of Science
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reponame_str CONICET Digital (CONICET)
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repository.mail.fl_str_mv dasensio@conicet.gov.ar; lcarlino@conicet.gov.ar
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