Journal article
Adaptations of the alimentary tracts of some Australian lorikeets to a diet of pollen and nectar
Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol.38(6), pp.581-586
1990
Abstract
Lorikeets, which eat mainly nectar and pollen, show a suite of adaptations to this diet not found in granivorous and frugivorous parrots. Lorikeet gizzards are much less muscular, and their intestines shorter, than those of other parrots of the equivalent size. In lorikeets, but not other parrots, the proventricular and pyloric openings of the gizzard lie in the same plane, potentially allowing a rapid transit of both pollen (which is mostly digested in the intestine) and of nectar. Lorikeet tongues differ from other parrot tongues in that they are longer and narrower, with a rougher dorsal surface and a papillate tip. These features may enable lorikeets to harvest more efficiently the pollen so essential to their balanced nutrition.
Details
- Title
- Adaptations of the alimentary tracts of some Australian lorikeets to a diet of pollen and nectar
- Authors/Creators
- K.C. Richardson (Author/Creator)R.D. Wooller (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Australian Journal of Zoology, Vol.38(6), pp.581-586
- Publisher
- CSIRO Publishing
- Identifiers
- 991005544797207891
- Copyright
- © 1990 CSIRO.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Biological and Environmental Sciences; School of Veterinary Studies
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:
Source: InCites
Metrics
113 Record Views
InCites Highlights
These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output
- Citation topics
- 3 Agriculture, Environment & Ecology
- 3.64 Phylogenetics & Genomics
- 3.64.612 Pollination
- Web Of Science research areas
- Zoology
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science