Abstract Ostriches (Struthionidae) are iconic Old-World giant flightless birds. The two living
African species represent only a small part of ancient struthionid diversity, which comprises …

Evolution of the terrestrial egg of amniotes (reptiles, birds, and mammals) is often
considered to be one of the most significant events in vertebrate history. Presence of an …

The realization that ancient biomolecules are preserved in “fossil” samples has
revolutionized archaeological science. Protein sequences survive longer than DNA, but their …

Many organisms encapsulate their embryos in hard, protective shells. While birds and
reptiles largely rely on mineralized shells, plants often develop highly robust lignocellulosic …

Large brains support numerous cognitive adaptations and therefore may appear to be highly
beneficial. Nonetheless, the high energetic costs of brain tissue may have prevented the …

The phenomenon of cuckoos' brood parasitism is well known and can be investigated using
applied mathematical techniques. Among adaptive features of this phenomenon are certain …

The avian eggshell is a bio-ceramic structure that protects the embryo. It is composed almost
entirely of calcium carbonate and a small amount of organic material. An optimal amount of …

Guinea fowl eggshells have an unusual structural arrangement that is different from that of
most birds, consisting of two distinct layers with different microstructures. This bilayered …

Avian eggs are products of consumer demand, with modern methodologies for their
morphometric analysis used for improving quality, productivity and marketability. Such …

Designing composite materials with tailored stiffness and toughness is challenging due to
the massive number of possible material and geometry combinations. Although various …