Predatory functional morphology in raptors: interdigital variation in talon size is related to prey restraint and immobilisation technique.

PloS One
Denver W FowlerJohn B Scannella

Abstract

Despite the ubiquity of raptors in terrestrial ecosystems, many aspects of their predatory behaviour remain poorly understood. Surprisingly little is known about the morphology of raptor talons and how they are employed during feeding behaviour. Talon size variation among digits can be used to distinguish families of raptors and is related to different techniques of prey restraint and immobilisation. The hypertrophied talons on digits (D) I and II in Accipitridae have evolved primarily to restrain large struggling prey while they are immobilised by dismemberment. Falconidae have only modest talons on each digit and only slightly enlarged D-I and II. For immobilisation, Falconini rely more strongly on strike impact and breaking the necks of their prey, having evolved a 'tooth' on the beak to aid in doing so. Pandionidae have enlarged, highly recurved talons on each digit, an adaptation for piscivory, convergently seen to a lesser extent in fishing eagles. Strigiformes bear enlarged talons with comparatively low curvature on each digit, part of a suite of adaptations to increase constriction efficiency by maximising grip strength, indicative of specialisation on small prey. Restraint and immobilisation strategy change as prey inc...Continue Reading

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Citations

Jan 5, 2013·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Diego SustaitaAnthony Herrel
Jun 27, 2013·Journal of Morphology·María Clelia MostoMariana Beatriz Julieta Picasso
Mar 8, 2013·Anatomia, histologia, embryologia·M Clelia Mosto, C Patricia Tambussi
Dec 24, 2011·PloS One·Denver W FowlerRobert E Kambic
Mar 23, 2017·Scientific Reports·Meena A MadanJen A Bright
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Jul 10, 2021·Biological Reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society·Case Vincent Miller, Michael Pittman
Aug 14, 2021·Zoology : Analysis of Complex Systems, ZACS·Marta Linde-MedinaJosep Antoni Alcover

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