in which I aim at to better understand the evolutionary processes that shaped the vertebral column – a key innovation in vertebrate evolution. It is also a contribution to my project on the Evolution of the axial skeleton in vertebrates. The objective of the ANR-funded project ( ANR-16-CE33-0025) is to better understand the relationship between the anatomy of the neck in birds, its mechanical properties, function, and evolution. This work is part of the interdisciplinary project Avineck (The neck of birds, an arm for robots) in which I worked as postdoc. Bird species that share the same shape trajectory are phylogenetically close and experience similar developmental and/or environmental factors. Our study also showed that „shape trajectories“ (i.e., the morphospace trajectory from the second to the last cervical vertebra) can be divided into two categories. The hinge-like apparatus formed in the middle of its neck allows the quick catching of prey. It is a highly specialized bird that uses its double-S-shaped neck to hunt its prey. Only the darter bird ( Anhinga anhinga) has two different modules that are not present in the other species. Our results revealed seven modules that were found across the studied birds. Here, we quantitatively tested this hypothesis in a sample of phylogenetically diverse species using state-of-the-art 3D geometric morphometrics (Terray & Plateau et al. According to differences in vertebral morphology and maximal dorsoventral mobility between successive vertebrae, the neck of birds can be divided into three main regions (Virchow 1910, Boas 1929). Virchow (1910) and later Boas (129) investigated the mobility in the neck of birds and noted regional differences. Depending on their position within the neck, several cervical vertebrae form a unit sharing morphofunctional characteristics. Despite this variation, a similar regionalization along the neck of a diversity of avian species has been observed. It projects its head and neck forward like a throwing spear to catch the prey.īirds vary significantly in the number and shape of vertebrae in the neck. The darter bird, Anhinga anhinga, has a long, „snake-like“ neck.
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