The mandibulosphenoidal joint in penguins, albatrosses, and petrels: comparative anatomy and functional implications

Abstract

We discuss the potential use of the mandibulosphenoidal joint structures to interpret the diet and trophic habits of penguins, albatrosses, and petrels. For this purpose, several species of these phylogenetically related groups, whose diet and feeding strategies are already known, were selected. After comparisons, we conclude that: 1 ? the efficiency of the quadrate-articular primary articulation is decisive for the development of the secondary mandibulosphenoidal joint, 2 ? the morphology of the mandibulosphenoidal joint is closely related to the trophic habits of specialist birds, and 3 ? the use of the mandibulosphenoidal joint structures to infer dietary preferences has a limited use.