What hypothesized dual function, beyond mashing food, might the robust teeth of *Longipteryx* have served?
Answer
Acting as an extension of a display weapon for aggression or competition
The extreme thickness and robust nature of the teeth at the tip of *Longipteryx*'s beak, which were adapted for consuming tough seeds, suggested more than just a dietary role. Researchers postulated that given the 'weaponized' quality of these structures, they may have functioned in intraspecies interactions. This hypothesized use involved the teeth serving as an extension of a display weapon, possibly utilized in aggressive encounters or competition over scarce resources, drawing a parallel to the sparring behaviors observed in some modern hummingbirds.
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