Variation in bone length and limb proportions in the coot (Fulica americana)

✍ Scribed by William L. Engels

• Book ID: 102370270
• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1938
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 410 KB
• Volume: 62
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0362-2525
• DOI: 10.1002/jmor.1050620309

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

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.