Tropical hornbills (Aceros cassidix, Aceros undulatus, and Buceros hydrocorax) use ballistic transport to feed with their large beaks

摘要: The most common and plesiomorphic mechanism of food transport in tetrapods is lingual-based. Neognathous birds use this for exploiting a large diversity resources, whereas paleognathous cranioinertial with or without tongue involvement. Food three hornbills' species (Aceros cassidix, A. undulatus, Buceros hydrocorax) defined by ballistic mechanism. Only one cycle used moving the from tip beak to pharynx. never makes contact nor it expand buccal cavity. In hornbills, filmed through high-speed video, time release occurred between 0.11 0.16 sec before maximum gape. curves show similar patterns. Maximum gape angle significantly different species. Each kinematic motor pattern head movements associated transport. rotation follows continuous that reported earlier toucans. cassidix rotates downward at permit reach pharynx touching mandible. B. hydrocorax elevates along avoid cavity upper beak. Selection items diet may explain evolutionary trend using feeding behavior which play key role tropical forest ecology dispersing seeds.