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marketrent OP t1_itt8qas wrote

Hu H, Wang Y, Fabbri M, et al. Cranial osteology and palaeobiology of the Early Cretaceous bird Jeholornis prima (Aves: Jeholornithiformes). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

>Abstract

>Jeholornis is a representative of the earliest-diverging bird lineages, providing important evidence of anatomical transitions involved in bird origins. Although ~100 specimens have been reported, its cranial morphology remains poorly documented owing to poor two-dimensional preservation, limiting our understanding of the morphology and ecology of the key avian lineage Jeholornithiformes, in addition to cranial evolution during the origin and early evolution of birds.

>Here, we provide a detailed description of the cranial osteology of Jeholornis prima, based primarily on high-quality, three-dimensional data of a recently reported specimen. New anatomical information confirms the overall plesiomorphic morphology of the skull, with the exception of the more specialized rostrum.

>Data from a large sample size of specimens reveal the dental formula of J. prima to be 0–2–3 (premaxillary–maxillary–dentary tooth counts), contrary to previous suggestions that the presence of maxillary teeth is diagnostic of a separate species, Jeholornis palmapenis.

>We also present evidence of sensory adaptation, including relatively large olfactory bulbs in comparison to other known stem birds, suggesting that olfaction was an important aspect of Jeholornis ecology. The digitally reconstructed scleral ring suggests a strongly diurnal habit, supporting the hypothesis that early-diverging birds were predominantly active during the day.

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Norwegian__Blue t1_itucfc6 wrote

Higher olfaction makes me wonder if they could’ve been scavengers. Aren’t most bird scavengers active during the day too? I don’t know that taxonomy, but it does make me wonder if modern avian scavengers are more basal or have more remaining basal traits.

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[deleted] t1_ittkr3t wrote

[removed]

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BioTyto t1_ituuqs3 wrote

Not necessarily. Seabirds also have developed olfactory bulbs for heighten smell and are primarily diurnal. This family of aves in the article feed on seed and small insects, which vultures do not do, since they are scavengers.

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