The sense of touch is ubiquitous in vertebrates and relies upon the detection of mechanical
forces in the skin by the tactile end-organs of low-threshold mechanoreceptors. Significant …

The extant diversity of the avian clade Palaeognathae is composed of the iconic flightless
ratites (ostriches, rheas, kiwi, emus, and cassowaries), and the volant tinamous of Central …

Birds are renowned for their exceptional vision and the way that this enables them to survive
and navigate the world in such a unique way. However, it is now recognised that avian …

Cranial nerves are key features of the nervous system and vertebrate body plan. However,
little is known about the anatomical relationships and ontogeny of cranial nerves in …

Background Kiwi, comprising five species from the genus Apteryx, are endangered, ground-
dwelling bird species endemic to New Zealand. They are the smallest and only nocturnal …

Sensory ecology investigates the information that underlies an animal's interactions with its
environment. A sensory ecology approach provides a framework in which to investigate a …

Parrots are exceptional among birds for their high levels of exploratory behaviour and
manipulatory abilities. It has been argued that foraging method is the prime determinant of a …

Three families of probe-foraging birds, Scolopacidae (sandpipers and snipes), Apterygidae
(kiwi), and Threskiornithidae (ibises, including spoonbills) have independently evolved long …

The field of comparative biomechanics examines how form, mechanical properties and
environmental interactions shape the function of biological structures. Biomechanics has …

Kiwi (Apteryx spp.) are among the most distinctive, recognised and cherished animals in
New Zealand. Endemic to New Zealand, they are the unofficial national emblem and a …