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MACROECOLOGY

Avian form and function

Nature Ecology & Evolution volume 4, pages 179–180 (2020)Cite this article

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Analysis of niche related morphological traits in nearly 10,000 species of birds shows concordance between phenotypic traits and trophic function. Avian trophic niche space can be described by only two to four dimensions, with the occurrence of similar adaptive morphologies primarily driven by convergent evolution.

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Fig. 1: Decoupling of phylogenetic and functional diversity.

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  1. Department of Botany, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand

    Matthew J. Larcombe

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  1. Matthew J. Larcombe
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Correspondence to Matthew J. Larcombe.

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The author declares no competing interests.

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Larcombe, M.J. Avian form and function. Nat Ecol Evol 4, 179–180 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41559-019-1078-9

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