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van Heteren AH, Wroe S, Tsang LR, Mitchell DR, Ross P, Ledogar JA, Attard MRG, Sustaita D, Clausen P, Scofield RP, Sansalone G. New Zealand's extinct giant raptor ( Hieraaetus moorei) killed like an eagle, ate like a condor. Proc Biol Sci 2021; 288:20211913. [PMID: 34847767 PMCID: PMC8634616 DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.1913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The extinct Haast's eagle or harpagornis (Hieraaetus moorei) is the largest known eagle. Historically, it was first considered a predator, then a scavenger, but most recent authors have favoured an active hunting ecology. However, the veracity of proposed similarities to carrion feeders has not been thoroughly tested. To infer feeding capability and behaviour in harpagornis, we used geometric morphometric and finite-element analyses to assess the shape and biomechanical strength of its neurocranium, beak and talons in comparison to five extant scavenging and predatory birds. The neurocranium of harpagornis is vulture-like in shape whereas its beak is eagle-like. The mechanical performance of harpagornis is closer to extant eagles under biting loads but is closest to the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) under extrinsic loads simulating prey capture and killing. The talons, however, are eagle-like and even for a bird of its size, able to withstand extremely high loads. Results are consistent with the proposition that, unlike living eagles, harpagornis habitually killed prey larger than itself, then applied feeding methods typical of vultures to feed on the large carcasses. Decoupling of the relationship between neurocranium and beak shape may have been linked to rapid evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. H. van Heteren
- Sektion Mammalogie, Zoologische Staatssammlung München - Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Münchhausenstraße 21, 81247 Munich, Germany
- GeoBio-Center, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Richard-Wagner-Straße 10, 80333 Munich, Germany
- Department Biologie II, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Großhaderner Straße 2, 82152 Planegg-Martinsried, Germany
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Earth Sciences Building, NSW 2351 Armidale, Australia
| | - S. Wroe
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Earth Sciences Building, NSW 2351 Armidale, Australia
| | - L. R. Tsang
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Earth Sciences Building, NSW 2351 Armidale, Australia
- Ornithology Collection, Australian Museum Research Institute, 1 William Street, Sydney, Australia
| | - D. R. Mitchell
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Earth Sciences Building, NSW 2351 Armidale, Australia
- College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, SA 5042 Adelaide, Australia
| | - P. Ross
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308 Newcastle, Australia
| | - J. A. Ledogar
- Department of Evolutionary Anthropology, Duke University, Durham, NC 27798, USA
| | - M. R. G. Attard
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Earth Sciences Building, NSW 2351 Armidale, Australia
- School of Engineering and Innovation, Open University: Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham, Surrey TW20 0EX, UK
| | - D. Sustaita
- Department of Biological Sciences, California State University San Marcos, 333 S. Twin Oaks Valley Rd., San Marcos, CA 92096, USA
| | - P. Clausen
- School of Engineering, University of Newcastle, NSW 2308 Newcastle, Australia
| | - R. P. Scofield
- Natural History, Canterbury Museum, Rolleston Avenue, 8013 Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - G. Sansalone
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Earth Sciences Building, NSW 2351 Armidale, Australia
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Major RE, Ewart KM, Portelli DJ, King A, Tsang LR, O’Dwyer T, Carlile N, Haselden C, Bower H, Alquezar‐Planas DE, Johnson RN, Eldridge MDB. Islands within islands: genetic structuring at small spatial scales has implications for long‐term persistence of a threatened species. Anim Conserv 2020. [DOI: 10.1111/acv.12603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. E. Major
- Australian Museum Research Institute Australian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
| | - K. M. Ewart
- Australian Museum Research Institute Australian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
| | - D. J. Portelli
- Department of Environment and Natural Resources Alice Springs NT Australia
| | - A. King
- Australian Museum Research Institute Australian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
| | - L. R. Tsang
- Australian Museum Research Institute Australian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
| | - T. O’Dwyer
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Hurstville NSW Australia
| | - N. Carlile
- NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment Hurstville NSW Australia
| | - C. Haselden
- Lord Howe Island Board Lord Howe Island NSW Australia
| | - H. Bower
- Lord Howe Island Board Lord Howe Island NSW Australia
| | | | - R. N. Johnson
- Australian Museum Research Institute Australian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
| | - M. D. B. Eldridge
- Australian Museum Research Institute Australian Museum Sydney NSW Australia
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