3D Reconstructions
Using a variety of technology to create low-impact morphologies of hummingbirds
One of the projects I have previously worked on with the Behavorial Ecophysics Lab at University of Washington is the role of morphology on behavior, and vice versa. We know hummingbirds are fierce fighters, but we still don't exactly know what equips them for this. It has been shown that dominant hummingbirds have longer maxillary overhangs (upper bill slightly longer than lower bill) and increased bill pointiness, irrespective of body size proxies. Further, tomial serrations (jagged edges of the bill) are used during aggressive encounters (Rico Guevara et al., 2019). Using specimens from the Burke Museum, we are able to accomplish fine scale CT scans to visualize bill shape and serrations (see first tile with hummingbird bill), and analyze them using open source programs such as 3D Slicer with SlicerMorph extensions. In even more recent updates, we've begun collaborating with Digital Life 3D, and with a grant from the UW Student Technology Fee, we have begun the process of creating a 3D Macro Photogrammetry Rig that can produce high quality scans for lower cost and beyond the museum walls (see Calypte anna scan).
PI: Alejandro Rico-Guevara
Affiliation: University of Washington & Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture
Undergraduate Researcher: Lucas M.
Collaborators: Josh Medina, Duncan Irschick and Digital Life 3D project
