Rijke's Sawbeak

Serrabeccus rijkeai

The Rijke's Sawbeak (Serrabeccus rijkeai) is a bird-like, feathered animal with reptilian features that belongs to the Volancerta (from the Latin volantem; 'flying', and lacertae; 'lizard') class of avian-reptile hybrids. It was first discovered as a distinct species by Dr. Maria van der Rijke, the head of the CFAS Department of Ornithology and one of the foremost experts on Volancerta. Rijke's Sawbeak is native to the eastern coastal region of the Anapteros Forest, where it is known to use the coast's high, jagged cliffs as a breeding and nesting site. Like most of the serrabeccus genus, the Rijke's Sawbeak is an obligate piscivore, and spends much of its time hunting for fish over coastal waters.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Skeletal System

The skeleton of Rijke's Sawbeak is typical of other species of serrabeccus; it relies on unusually long, serrated upper and lower mandibles for hunting fish and possesses fewer developed phalanges beyond the alula (first digit) compared to other Volancerta. This is thought to be a change brought about by natural selection; evolutionary predecessors most likely migrated closer to the coast for a variety of theorised reasons (competition for food and changes in favourability of environmental conditions chief among them), which led to less of a need for claws designed for climbing trees due to the sparseness of the coast. Instead, the Rijke's Sawbeak possesses a wider spread of phalanges that are adapted for maintaining stability and grip on slippery surfaces, such as the rocky cliffs they breed, nest, and feed on.

Head

The cranial structure of the Rijke's Sawbeak is considerably heavier than that of other Volancerta, in most part due to its long and densely-structured beak. The cranium (ossa cranii) consists of the frontal, parietal, and occipital bones that form the base protective structure of the Sawbeak's brain case, with the lacrimal bone and large orbits that are most commonly seen in other species of Volancerta being instead highly keratinised, joining with the rostral portion of the upper mandible towards the cranium, and eliminating the postorbital process in favour of a concave, ridged keritinous plate that protects the eye socket. The jugal and palatine bones are especially dense, providing additional strength and support to the long upper mandible. Internally, the cranial cavity (cavum cranii) is generously sized, the base of which is divided into the rostral, middle, and cranial fossa.

Dietary Needs and Habits

As obligate piscivores, Rijke's Sawbeaks only eat fish. Their method of hunting involves gliding low over the ocean surface and angling their head downwards approximately 90 degrees, enabling them to skim or submerge the lower half of their mandibles. Setting the mandibles slightly apart exposes the serrated teeth of the lower mandible. This acts as a trap, forcing fish onto the teeth so that the Sawbeak can snap its jaws shut around the fish, effectively preventing it from escaping.

Scientific Name

Eukarya Animalia Chordata Volancerta Serrabeccus rijkeai

Lifespan

14 years

Conservation Status

Least Concern

Geographic Distribution

• The Anapteros Forest

Discovered by

Dr. Maria van der Rijke

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