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Avian form and function

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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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Correspondence to Matthew J. Larcombe.

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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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