ISSN:
0362-2525
Keywords:
Life and Medical Sciences
;
Cell & Developmental Biology
Source:
Wiley InterScience Backfile Collection 1832-2000
Topics:
Biology
,
Medicine
Notes:
Analysis of measurements of the trunk region of the vertebral column and of the various segments of the wing and leg skeleton in sixty-four specimens (thirty-four males, thirty females) of Fulica americana shows that: The males average about 7% larger (longer) than females in all parts of the skeleton; the difference is uniform throughout the body. The coefficient of variability ranges from about 3.00 (humerus, et al.) to about 5.00 (hind toe). The correlation between lengths of parts is very high between different segments of the wing skeleton, or of the leg; it is somewhat less between homologous segments of the wing and leg; and it is still less between limbs and trunk. This decreasing order of correlation indicates an increasing order of independence of variability. The wing proportions in Fulica are those characteristic of the type of flight called flatterflug. The proportions of the leg are those of a bird moderately adapted for cursorial locomotion; the very long toes characterize a swimming bird.
Additional Material:
1 Ill.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/jmor.1050620309
