PubHawk
PLoS One July 2017 PMID 27192218

Regulation of Heat Exchange across the Hornbill Beak: Functional Similarities with Toucans?

T M F N van de Ven, R O Martin, T J F Vink, A E McKechnie, S J Cunningham

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Mentions

5
Peak: 2 in Jul 2024
across 3 sources since May 2016

Extended reach

3,808
potential audience

Total likes

8

Video views

180

Mentions per month

May 2016 – Jul 2024

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter2 posts
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Bluesky1 posts

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussions reflect curiosity and appreciation for the research, with comments highlighting the thermoregulatory functions of hornbills and toucans and noticing their evolutionary similarities, exemplified by phrases like 'adapted for thermoregulation' and references to convergence. The tone is informal yet supportive, demonstrating moderate interest and engagement without extensive critique or deep analysis.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions acknowledge the article's focus on heat regulation, with some noting the broader biological implications, suggesting moderate support for the findings.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show curiosity about the research, referencing the paper and related topics like thermoregulation and convergent evolution, indicating moderate interest.

EngagementModerate engagement

Comments include sharing links, mentioning authors, and recognizing evolutionary concepts, which reflect a decent level of engagement.

ImpactNeutral impact

While there is interest and some in-depth discussion, the exchanges appear casual, so the perceived impact on wider scientific or educational discussions is limited.

Abstract in brief

  • Hornbills and toucans both use their large beaks as tools for regulating body heat, especially in hot environments.
  • In hornbills, thermal imaging shows that their beaks actively dissipate heat at air temperatures between 30°C and 41°C, with maximum heat loss reaching nearly 20% of total body heat loss.
  • Toucans can dissipate heat more efficiently at lower temperatures due to earlier vasodilation and panting thresholds, likely because they are adapted to different environmental conditions, affecting their cooling strategies.
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Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Graeme Cumming
@gscumming · X

@bjenquist I thought it was also adapted for thermoregulation? Hornbills too. Not only about biomechanics!https://t.co/NAn399Xht2

Dec 24, 2022 · 2,114 followers View post →
Colin Beale
@TZBirder · X

The same thermal exchange is also true for hornbills https://t.co/tfRjghWPBX. Toucans & hornbills are good examples of convergent evolution: both are fairly omnivorous, have huge beaks & use 'ballistic' eating mechanisms, throwing food down their gullet (see pic!) 3/5 https://t.co/gIeSkixxs3

Jul 10, 2020 · 1,515 followers View post →

All mentions

Graeme Cumming
@gscumming · X

@bjenquist I thought it was also adapted for thermoregulation? Hornbills too. Not only about biomechanics!https://t.co/NAn399Xht2

Dec 24, 2022 · 2,114 followers View post →
Colin Beale
@TZBirder · X

The same thermal exchange is also true for hornbills https://t.co/tfRjghWPBX. Toucans & hornbills are good examples of convergent evolution: both are fairly omnivorous, have huge beaks & use 'ballistic' eating mechanisms, throwing food down their gullet (see pic!) 3/5 https://t.co/gIeSkixxs3

Jul 10, 2020 · 1,515 followers View post →
Arjun Amar
@arjundevamar.bsky.social · Bluesky

Here is the link to the fab new Hornbill paper by @TanjavdVen @ro_martin, Cunningham et al. http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0154768

May 19, 2016 View post →