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First published online August 17, 2006
Journal of Experimental Biology 209, 3329-3335 (2006)
Published by The Company of Biologists 2006
doi: 10.1242/jeb.02379

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Seed husking time and maximal bite force in finches

M. A. A. van der Meij^* and R. G. Bout

Department of Evolutionary Morphology, Institute of Biology Leiden, PO Box 9516, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands

^* Author for correspondence (e-mail: m.a.a.van.der.meij{at}biology.leidenuniv.nl)

Accepted 12 June 2006

Many studies on the efficiency of feeding in finches concentrate on husking time in relation to average seed size and bird size. Large species are capable of eating larger seeds and are able to husk large seeds faster than smaller species. It is generally assumed that husking time is related to bite force. However, there are very few studies that investigate the relationship between husking time, seed hardness and bite force directly.

In our experiments we measured the seed husking time and the maximal bite force of two taxa of seed cracking birds. Husking time is related to maximal bite force in a highly non-linear way and differs between estrildids and fringillids. Fringillids with the same bite force as estrildids take less time to crack seeds, but only when the strength of the seed coat is close to their maximal bite force. For seeds that are relatively soft the difference in husking time becomes very small. A preliminary jaw motion analysis provides evidence that this difference in husking time between estrildids and fringillids is paralleled by a difference in husking technique. This difference in technique does not affect bite force as such, but decreases the chance of failed cracking attempts.

The selective advantage of a small increase in maximal bite force may be related more to the decrease in husking time for seeds with hardness below the maximal bite force, than to the increase in range of seed hardness that the bird is able to crack.

Key words: bite force, feeding performance, seed hardness, jaw movement, finches

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				M. A. A. van der Meij and R. G. Bout The relationship between shape of the skull and bite force in finches J. Exp. Biol., May 15, 2008; 211(10): 1668 - 1680. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]