"Evolutionary Complexity in Birds Linked to Decreased Biodiversity, Study Finds"

A study published in Nature Communications reveals that as birds evolve greater complexity in their skeletons, their biodiversity decreases. Researchers found that birds with less complex skeletons have higher species diversity, while those with more complex skeletons occupy smaller niches and are less likely to produce new species. Birds with more complex skeletons also tend to be more ecologically specialized, occupying fewer habitats and foraging in fewer ways. The study suggests that specialization limits the ability of birds to give rise to new species and makes them more vulnerable to environmental changes and extinction.