Olivia Plateau

Micro-computed tomography of 69 immature and mature bird specimens finds complete post-hatching pterygoid segmentation (hemipterygoid detaches from pterygoid, fuses to palatine) only in Neoaves, not Galloanserae or palaeognaths.

This study investigates ontogenetic changes in cranial morphology across Galloanserae to understand the developmental basis of cranial disparity between anseriforms and galliforms.

The paper quantitatively assesses avian palate ontogeny across 70 species to determine the developmental mechanisms behind morphological disparity, finding no evidence of neoteny but highlighting the role of developmental mode.

The paper critiques a study on avian palate evolution, highlighting issues with taxon sampling and morphological interpretations.