Beak morphology in extant birds with implications on beak morphology in ornithomimids

Abstract

Ornithomimosaurs are only one out of several dinosaurian groups that at some point evolved beaks. The morphology of this beak and its relation to dietary habits have long been debated.Birds and turtles are the primary extant beaked organisms. Many studies have previously been conducted with the emphasis on beak shape and sensory organ topography in relation to feeding habit and behaviour. Few have, however, focused on both external and internal morphology and their correlations. This study focuses on comparative anatomy between extant birds and ornithomimid dinosaurs in an effort to reconstruct the beaks of these gracile dinosaurians. The results show a close relation in shape between the examined birds and the ornithomimids, and point towards a beak suited for omnivory (feeding on animals small enough to swallow whole) or high-fibre herbivory.