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Re: Preening

At 12:49 PM 21/02/1999 +0000, you wrote:
>Why did birds develop more flexible necks (I presume this is what the loss
>of overlapping cervical vertebral processes means)?  Preening requirements?

At a guess, I might suggest that this is a compensating adaptation for a
loss of flexibility in the trunk.  Preening is certainly a possibility as a
factor in this, but so are (for example) the ability to bring the head
close to the trunk in flight, added ability to make quick darting movements
of the head for prey capture etc.
--
Ronald I. Orenstein                           Phone: (905) 820-7886
International Wildlife Coalition              Fax/Modem: (905) 569-0116
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