Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species

Abstract Large comparative datasets of avian functional traits have been used to address a wide range of questions in ecology and evolution. To date, this work has been constrained by the limited availability of skeletal trait datasets that include extensive inter- and intra-specific sampling. We us...

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Main Authors: Brian C. Weeks, Zhizhuo Zhou, Charlotte M. Probst, Jacob S. Berv, Bruce O’Brien, Brett W. Benz, Heather R. Skeen, Mark Ziebell, Louise Bodt, David F. Fouhey
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-05-01
Series:Scientific Data
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05234-y
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author Brian C. Weeks
Zhizhuo Zhou
Charlotte M. Probst
Jacob S. Berv
Bruce O’Brien
Brett W. Benz
Heather R. Skeen
Mark Ziebell
Louise Bodt
David F. Fouhey
author_facet Brian C. Weeks
Zhizhuo Zhou
Charlotte M. Probst
Jacob S. Berv
Bruce O’Brien
Brett W. Benz
Heather R. Skeen
Mark Ziebell
Louise Bodt
David F. Fouhey
author_sort Brian C. Weeks
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Large comparative datasets of avian functional traits have been used to address a wide range of questions in ecology and evolution. To date, this work has been constrained by the limited availability of skeletal trait datasets that include extensive inter- and intra-specific sampling. We use computer vision to identify and measure bones from photographs of museum skeletal specimens to assemble an extensive dataset of functionally important skeletal elements in birds. The dataset spans 2,057 species of birds (Aves: Passeriformes) and includes measurements of 12 skeletal elements from 14,419 individuals. In addition to the trait values directly measured from photographs, we leverage the multi-dimensional nature of our dataset and known phylogenetic relationships of the species to impute missing data under an evolutionary model. To facilitate use of the dataset, the taxonomy has been reconciled with an existing comprehensive avian phylogeny and an additional dataset of external functional traits for all birds.
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spelling doaj-art-5b68f0e5bf4a4a29872024f6417e650b2025-08-20T03:16:52ZengNature PortfolioScientific Data2052-44632025-05-011211710.1038/s41597-025-05234-ySkeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird speciesBrian C. Weeks0Zhizhuo Zhou1Charlotte M. Probst2Jacob S. Berv3Bruce O’Brien4Brett W. Benz5Heather R. Skeen6Mark Ziebell7Louise Bodt8David F. Fouhey9School for Environment and Sustainability, University of MichiganSchool of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon UniversitySchool for Environment and Sustainability, University of MichiganSchool for Environment and Sustainability, University of MichiganSchool for Environment and Sustainability, University of MichiganDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology and Museum of Zoology, University of MichiganDepartment of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Princeton UniversitySchool for Environment and Sustainability, University of MichiganNegaunee Integrative Research Center, Field Museum of Natural HistoryComputer Science, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York UniversityAbstract Large comparative datasets of avian functional traits have been used to address a wide range of questions in ecology and evolution. To date, this work has been constrained by the limited availability of skeletal trait datasets that include extensive inter- and intra-specific sampling. We use computer vision to identify and measure bones from photographs of museum skeletal specimens to assemble an extensive dataset of functionally important skeletal elements in birds. The dataset spans 2,057 species of birds (Aves: Passeriformes) and includes measurements of 12 skeletal elements from 14,419 individuals. In addition to the trait values directly measured from photographs, we leverage the multi-dimensional nature of our dataset and known phylogenetic relationships of the species to impute missing data under an evolutionary model. To facilitate use of the dataset, the taxonomy has been reconciled with an existing comprehensive avian phylogeny and an additional dataset of external functional traits for all birds.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05234-y
spellingShingle Brian C. Weeks
Zhizhuo Zhou
Charlotte M. Probst
Jacob S. Berv
Bruce O’Brien
Brett W. Benz
Heather R. Skeen
Mark Ziebell
Louise Bodt
David F. Fouhey
Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
Scientific Data
title Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
title_full Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
title_fullStr Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
title_full_unstemmed Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
title_short Skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
title_sort skeletal trait measurements for thousands of bird species
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41597-025-05234-y
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