Data set used for Figure construction from Binocular vision and foraging in ducks, geese and swans (Anatidae)

Wide variation in visual field configuration across avian species is hypothesized to be driven primarily by foraging ecology and predator detection. While some studies of selected taxa have identified relationships between foraging ecology and binocular field characteristics in particular species, few have accounted for the relevance of shared ancestry. We conducted a large-scale, comparative analysis across 39 Anatidae species to investigate the relationship between the foraging ecology traits of diet or behaviour and binocular field parameters, while controlling for phylogeny. We used phylogenetic models to examine correlations between traits and binocular field characteristics, using unidimensional and morphometric approaches. We found that foraging behaviour influenced three parameters of binocular field size: maximum binocular field width, vertical binocular field extent and angular separation between the eye-bill projection and the direction of maximum binocular field width. Foraging behaviour and body mass each influenced two descriptors of binocular field shape. Phylogenetic relatedness had minimal influence on binocular field size and shape, apart from vertical binocular field extent. Binocular field differences are associated with specific foraging behaviours, as related to the perceptual challenges of obtaining different food items from aquatic and terrestrial environments.

学界普遍假说认为，不同鸟类物种的视觉场配置存在显著差异，且该差异主要受觅食生态与天敌探测需求驱动。尽管部分针对选定类群的研究已在特定物种中揭示了觅食生态与双眼视觉场特征间的关联，但鲜有研究考量共同祖先带来的系统发育相关性影响。本研究针对39种鸭科（Anatidae）物种开展大规模比较分析，在控制系统发育因素的前提下，探究食性、行为等觅食生态相关性状与双眼视觉场参数之间的关联。本研究采用单维测量与形态计量学方法，借助系统发育模型分析各性状与双眼视觉场特征间的相关性。研究结果显示，觅食行为对双眼视觉场大小的三项参数存在显著影响：最大双眼视野宽度、垂直双眼视野范围，以及眼-喙投影方向与最大双眼视野宽度方向之间的角间距。觅食行为与体重分别对双眼视觉场形态的两项描述指标存在影响。除垂直双眼视野范围外，系统发育亲缘关系对双眼视觉场的大小与形态均影响极小。双眼视觉场的差异与特定觅食行为相关联，这一关联源于从水生与陆生环境中获取不同食物时所面临的感知挑战。