Helmeted hornbill cranial kinesis: Balancing mobility and stability in a high-impact joint.

Prokinesis-in which a craniofacial joint allows the rostrum to move relative to the braincase-is thought to confer diverse advantages in birds, mostly for feeding. A craniofacial joint would, however, be a weak link if cranial stability is important. Paradoxically, we have identified a craniofacial joint in helmeted hornbills (Rhinoplax vigil), birds known for violent head-butting behavior.

Characterization of the bacterial microbiome among free-ranging bottlenose dolphins ().

Marine animals represent a dynamic and complex habitat for diverse microbial communities. The microbiota associated with bottlenose dolphins () are believed to influence their health status, but it remains poorly understood. We therefore characterized and compared the bacterial microbiome of bottlenose dolphins from six different anatomical sites that represent four different body systems (respiratory, digestive, reproductive, and integumentary).