Comparative and Functional Biomechanics

Functional morphology seeks to relate the shape of a trait to its use in natural contexts. The advent of imaging tools and analytical techniques has opened up new frontiers in comparative biomechanics. Museum collections are invaluable resources, enabling us to rapidly examine morphological variation in a taxonomic group of interest. 

Our research uses CT imaging and biomechanical simulations (in collaboration with Sushma Reddy) to study the comparative biomechanics of the bird bill, a diverse, multifunctional trait. This GIF shows stresses (in red) resulting from simulated impact forces on a barbet bill during cavity excavation (Chhaya et al. 2023). We study diverse bird taxa both in museums and the field, and are also interested in the architectural biomechanics of extended phenotypes, i.e. structures built by animals for breeding or residence.