The relative importance of olfaction and remote touch in prey detection by North Island brown kiwis

Cunningham, Susan J.; Castro, Isabel; Potter, Murray A.

doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2009.07.015

Cited by 78 publications

(73 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The similarity between Hesperornis and these extant divers probably reflects evolutionary convergence related to comparable lifestyles. Among extinct neornithines, the volant palaeognath Lithornis has a high olfactory ratio (mean ¼ 37.1%), which is not significantly different (p ¼ 0.051) from those of known olfactory foraging taxa (mean ¼ 30.6%), such as Procellariiformes (tube-nosed seabirds) [88,[97][98][99][100][101], birds that also use olfaction to navigate over open seas [98,[102][103][104], and Apteryx (kiwi) [105][106][107] (figure 2). This result suggests that olfaction was a key sense for food location in Lithornis and could also have played a role in navigation.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of olfaction in non-avian theropod dinosaurs and birds

et al. 2011

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Little is known about the olfactory capabilities of extinct basal (non-neornithine) birds or the evolutionary changes in olfaction that occurred from non-avian theropods through modern birds. Although modern birds are known to have diverse olfactory capabilities, olfaction is generally considered to have declined during avian evolution as visual and vestibular sensory enhancements occurred in association with flight. To test the hypothesis that olfaction diminished through avian evolution, we assessed relative olfactory bulb size, here used as a neuroanatomical proxy for olfactory capabilities, in 157 species of nonavian theropods, fossil birds and living birds. We show that relative olfactory bulb size increased during non-avian maniraptoriform evolution, remained stable across the non-avian theropod/bird transition, and increased during basal bird and early neornithine evolution. From early neornithines through a major part of neornithine evolution, the relative size of the olfactory bulbs remained stable before decreasing in derived neoavian clades. Our results show that, rather than decreasing, the importance of olfaction actually increased during early bird evolution, representing a previously unrecognized sensory enhancement. The relatively larger olfactory bulbs of earliest neornithines, compared with those of basal birds, may have endowed neornithines with improved olfaction for more effective foraging or navigation skills, which in turn may have been a factor allowing them to survive the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evolution of olfaction in non-avian theropod dinosaurs and birds

et al. 2011

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“…Behavioral studies have also demonstrated that olfaction is important in mediating many types of behaviors, including navigation [Holland et al, 2009;Papi, 1990;Wallraff, 2003Wallraff, , 2004, reproduction [Hagelin et al, 2003;Whitta ker et al, 2013], individual recognition [Bonadonna and Nevitt, 2004;De Leon et al, 2003], nest recognition [Bonadonna and Bretagnolle, 2002;Bonadonna et al, 2003aBonadonna et al, , b, 2004, communication [Hagelin et al, 2003], and mate choice [Whittaker et al, 2011. In addition, olfaction plays an important role in foraging in vultures (Cathartes melambrotus) [Graves, 1992], ravens (Corvus corax) [Harriman and Berger, 1986], parrots ( Strigops habroptilus [Hagelin, 2004] and Lorius garrulus flavopalliatus [Roper, 2003]), procellariiforms, (shearwaters, petrels, and albatrosses) [Hutchison and Wenzel, 1980], and kiwi (Apteryx mantelli) [Benham, 1906;Cunningham et al, 2009;Wenzel, 1968Wenzel, , 1971.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Anatomical Specializations for Enhanced Olfactory Sensitivity in Kiwi, <b><i>Apteryx mantelli</i></b>

et al. 2014

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The ability to function in a nocturnal and ground-dwelling niche requires a unique set of sensory specializations. The New Zealand kiwi has shifted away from vision, instead relying on auditory and tactile stimuli to function in its environment and locate prey. Behavioral evidence suggests that kiwi also rely on their sense of smell, using olfactory cues in foraging and possibly also in communication and social interactions. Anatomical studies appear to support these observations: the olfactory bulbs and tubercles have been suggested to be large in the kiwi relative to other birds, although the extent of this enlargement is poorly understood. In this study, we examine the size of the olfactory bulbs in kiwi and compare them with 55 other bird species, including emus, ostriches, rheas, tinamous, and 2 extinct species of moa (Dinornithiformes). We also examine the cytoarchitecture of the olfactory bulbs and olfactory epithelium to determine if any neural specializations beyond size are present that would increase olfactory acuity. Kiwi were a clear outlier in our analysis, with olfactory bulbs that are proportionately larger than those of any other bird in this study. Emus, close relatives of the kiwi, also had a relative enlargement of the olfactory bulbs, possibly supporting a phylogenetic link to well-developed olfaction. The olfactory bulbs in kiwi are almost in direct contact with the olfactory epithelium, which is indeed well developed and complex, with olfactory receptor cells occupying a large percentage of the epithelium. The anatomy of the kiwi olfactory system supports an enhancement for olfactory sensitivities, which is undoubtedly associated with their unique nocturnal niche.

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“…Kiwi have adopted a nocturnal, ground-dwelling niche, in which they face a number of sensory challenges. Kiwi are unlikely to rely heavily on vision [Martin et al, 2007] and there is evidence that other sensory modalities, namely olfaction, somatosensation and audition, are well developed [Cobb, 1960;Bang and Cobb, 1968;Wenzel, 1968;1971;Cunningham et al, 2007;Martin et al, 2007;Cunningham et al, 2009;Corfield et al, 2011].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphometric Analysis of Telencephalic Structure in a Variety of Neognath and Paleognath Bird Species Reveals Regional Differences Associated with Specific Behavioral Traits

Corfield¹,

Wild²,

Parsons³

et al. 2012

Brain Behav Evol

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Birds exhibit a huge array of behavior, ecology and physiology, and occupy nearly every environment on earth, ranging from the desert outback of Australia to the tropical rain forests of Panama. Some birds have adopted a fully nocturnal lifestyle, such as the barn owl and kiwi, while others, such as the albatross, spend nearly their entire life flying over the ocean. Each species has evolved unique adaptations over millions of years to function in their respective niche. In order to increase processing power or network efficiency, many of these adaptations require enlargements and/or specializations of the brain as a whole or of specific brain regions. In this study, we examine the relative size and morphology of 9 telencephalic regions in a number of Paleognath and Neognath birds and relate the findings to differences in behavior and sensory ecology. We pay particular attention to those species that have undergone a relative enlargement of the telencephalon to determine whether this relative increase in telencephalic size is homogeneous across different brain regions or whether particular regions have become differentially enlarged. The analysis indicates that changes in the relative size of telencephalic regions are not homogeneous, with every species showing hypertrophy or hypotrophy of at least one of them. The three-dimensional structure of these regions in different species was also variable, in particular that of the mesopallium in kiwi. The findings from this study provide further evidence that the changes in relative brain size in birds reflect a process of mosaic evolution.

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The relative importance of olfaction and remote touch in prey detection by North Island brown kiwis

Cited by 78 publications

References 21 publications

Evolution of olfaction in non-avian theropod dinosaurs and birds

Evolution of olfaction in non-avian theropod dinosaurs and birds

Anatomical Specializations for Enhanced Olfactory Sensitivity in Kiwi, <b><i>Apteryx mantelli</i></b>

Morphometric Analysis of Telencephalic Structure in a Variety of Neognath and Paleognath Bird Species Reveals Regional Differences Associated with Specific Behavioral Traits

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