Morphology of migration: associations between wing shape, bill morphology and migration in kingbirds (Tyrannus)

Abstract

Morphology is closely linked to locomotion and diet in animals. In animals that undertake long-distance migrations, limb morphology is under selection to maximize mobility and minimize energy expenditure. Migratory behaviours also interact with diet, such that migratory animals tend to be dietary generalists, whereas sedentary taxa tend to be dietary specialists. Despite a hypothesized link between migration status and morphology, phylogenetic comparative studies have yielded conflicting findings. We tested for evolutionary associations between migratory status and limb and bill morphology across kingbirds, a pan-American genus of birds with migratory, partially migratory and sedentary taxa. Migratory kingbirds had longer wings, in agreement with expectations that selection favours improved aerodynamics for long-distance migration. We also found an association between migratory status and bill shape, such that more migratory taxa had wider, deeper and shorter bills compared to sedentary taxa. However, there was no difference in intraspecific morphological variation among migrants, partial migrants and residents, suggesting that dietary specialization has evolved independently of migration strategy. The evolutionary links between migration, diet and morphology in kingbirds uncovered here further strengthen ecomorphological associations that underlie long-distance seasonal movements in animals.