Brain surface morphology and ecological and macroevolutionary inferences of avian New World suboscines (Aves, Passeriformes, Tyrannides).

The New World suboscines (Passeriformes and Tyrannides) are one of the biggest endemic vertebrate radiations in South America, including the families Furnariidae and Tyrannidae. Avian brain morphology is a reliable proxy to study their evolution. The aim of this work is to elucidate whether the brains of these families reflect the ecological differences (e.

Redefining the simplicity of the craniomandibular complex of nightjars: The case of Systellura longirostris (Aves: Caprimulgidae) by means of anatomical network analysis.

To study morphological evolution, it is necessary to combine information from multiple intersecting research fields. Here, we report on the structure of the bony and muscular elements of the craniomandibular complex of birds, highlighting its morphological architecture and complexity (or simplification) in the context of anatomical networks of the Band-winged Nightjar Systellura longirostris (Caprimulgiformes, Caprimulgidae). This species has skull osteology and jaw myology that departs from the general structural plan of the craniomandibular complex of Neornithes and is considered morphologically simple.

Endocranial morphology of the piciformes (Aves, Coraciimorphae): Functional and ecological implications.

We used three-dimensional digital models to investigate the brain and endosseous labyrinth morphology of selected Neotropical Piciformes (Picidae, Ramphastidae, Galbulidae and Bucconidae). Remarkably, the brain morphology of Galbulidae clearly separates from species of other families. The eminentiae sagittales of Galbulidae and Bucconidae (insectivorous with high aerial maneuverability abilities) are smaller than those of the toucans (scansorial frugivores).

The cranio-mandibular complex of the nightjar Systellura longirostris (Aves, Caprimulgiformes): functional relationship between osteology, myology and feeding.

Here we address the morphology of the cranial musculoskeletal in the South American Band-winged nightjar (Systellura longirostris, Caprimulgiformes, Aves) with the focus upon in how the mouth closure and opening mechanism is. Bony characters such as the thinness of the interorbital septum and the reduction of the postorbital process co-assist the location of large eyes, although correlations between eye size brain mass and body mass revealed that the Band-winged nightjar's eye is bigger than expected. The reduction of the processus orbitalis of the os quadratum would allow the great mouth opening given by a large maxillary protraction.

Functional morphology of the cranio-mandibular complex of the Guira cuckoo (Aves).

The cranio-mandibular complex is an important structure involved in food capture and processing. Its morphology is related to the nature of the food item. Jaw muscles enable the motion of this complex and their study is essential for functional and evolutionary analysis.