User:77lemonpie/OrnothologistsL01 sandbox
Gameplan
A.)Edit/add credited sources to missing or unreliable pieces of information Bird anatomy
Janet: Appendicular skeleton (solo)
List of Sources:
- Naish, Darren. “The Inner Bird: Anatomy and Evolution.” Historical Biology, vol. 23, no. 2/3, June 2011, pp. 313–316. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1080/08912963.2010.506741.
- Riede, Tobias, et al. “The Evolution of the Syrinx: An Acoustic Theory.” PLoS Biology, vol. 17, no. 2, Feb. 2019, pp. 1–22. EBSCOhost, doi:10.1371/journal.pbio.2006507.
Allie: Axial skeleton (solo)
List of Sources:
- Storer, Robert W. (1982). "Fused Thoracic Vertebrae in Birds: Their Occurrence and Possible Significance." Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. 14(2-3): 86-95. doi.org/10.3312/jyio1952.14.86.
- Rashid, Dana J.; Chapman, Susan C.; Larsson, Hans C.E.; Organ, Chris L.; Bebin, Anne-Gaelle; Merzdorf, Christa S.; Bradley, Roger; Horner, John R. (2014). "From dinosaurs to birds: a tail of evolution." EvoDevo Journal. 5: 25. doi.org/10.1186/2041-9139-5-25.
B.)Read through topic areas for mistakes/improvements Bird anatomy
Janet: Content sections 1-4
Allie: Content section 4-8 Bird anatomy
C.)Adding new relevant topic areas
-The syrinx of birds, it doesn't seem to be a section in the main page. Depending on the contents of one academic journal we found on EBSCO → [The evolution of the syrinx: An acoustic theory.] it would be put under beak or reproductive sections.
First Draft to the Axial skeleton Sub-heading: Allie Curtis
Note that these sections of the Bird anatomy page mainly needed added citations and better images.
The vertebral column is divided into five sections of vertebrae:
![Diagram of a general bird pelvic girdle skeleton including the lower vertebral column sections. The diagram includes the synsacrum, caudal, and pygostyle vertebrae. Note that the caudal vertebrae (5-10) are not fused in this diagram but can be in certain species.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Bird_Pelvic_Girdle_Skeleton.png/337px-Bird_Pelvic_Girdle_Skeleton.png)
- Cervical (11–25): (neck)[1]
- Trunk: (dorsal or thoracic) vertebrae usually fused in the notarium.[2]
- Synsacrum: (fused vertebrae of the back also fused to the hips/pelvis). This region is similar to the sacrum in mammals
and is unique in the pigeon because it is a fusion of the sacral, lumbar, and caudal vertebra. It is attached to the pelvis and supports terrestrial locomotion of the pigeon's legs.[2] - Caudal (5–10): This region is similar to the coccyx in mammals and helps control the movement of feathers during flight.[3]
- Pygostyle (tail): This region is made up of 4 to 7 fused vertebrae and is the point of feather attachment.[3]
~
The chest consists of the furcula (wishbone) and coracoid (collar bone) which, together with the scapula, form the pectoral girdle; the side of the chest is formed by the ribs, which meet at the sternum (mid-line of the chest).[1]
First Draft (Janet Chen) of adding a syrinx subsection in the communication section
Syrinx
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Trachea_svg_hariadhi.svg/220px-Trachea_svg_hariadhi.svg.png)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Syrinx_Bucerotidae.jpg/220px-Syrinx_Bucerotidae.jpg)
Unlike other vertebrate birds have both a layrnx and syrinx, with the syrinx being exclusive to birds. Birds use the syrinx to create sounds rather than the larynx due to it's superior sound quality. [2] This led to the syrinx being developed despite possessing a layrnx and a key feature that separates the bird from other vertebrate.
There are two key aspects that maintained the syrinx's advantages over the larynx: the location and sound output.
The syrinx sits lower (caudal) along the trachea and lower than the pharynx. The effort needed to produce sound is called "phonation threshold pressure", which is the minimum amount of lung pressure that makes the tissue vibrate.[2] The syrinx's lower placement in the trachea requires a bigger phonation threshold pressure than the larynx, but the output of sound through the syrinx is better. After passing through the syrinx/larynx, sound travels through the trachea. The syrinx's increased effort to create noise interacts acoustically with the trachea, causing better resonance. [2] Overall, this created a better quality output compared to the larynx.
The sound output of the syrinx is consistently better than the larynx in different trachea length. In shorter trachea, the difference in loudness between a syrinx and larynx isn't much, but a longer trachea with a syrinx created louder sounds than a larynx. [2]Trachea length is significant in birds because they have a relatively long trachea within the tetrapods.[2] It's more beneficial to birds to use a syrinx because the long trachea and lower position of the syrinx produces louder and more resonate sound. This amplifies the function sound serves in birds for communicating, mating, and establishing dominance over other males.[2]
77lemonpie (talk) 07:48, 29 March 2021 (UTC)
Feedback: Discussion and Adding to an Article
- I really appreciate your organization and seeing what aspects / pages / sections each of you will tackle.
- A few reminders: 1. Start actually citing in your pages and making live links. The live links are happening but I do not see citations yet
BIG REMINDER: Please make sure to draft YOUR parts in your sandbox first and THEN copy them to the group sandbox. This step is absolutely critical as it ensures that your specific work is identifiable and prevents loss due to multi-editor activity. Additionally, when you are trying out formatting elements, it prevents you from altering the whole page as you try things out. I am requiring you to do this. If you have a philosophical issue with it, please talk to me, but do not disregard it.
- This week it is time to actually draft your parts, so see me for help/feedbackOsquaesitor (talk) 15:55, 23 March 2021 (UTC)
Gameplan: Draft Two of Bird anatomy page
Allie Curtis
Sources:
- I plan to find a better, peer-reviewed source on the cervical vertebrae instead of the current one used.[1]
- The book Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds: Volume I by A. J. Marshall looks promising. I could also elaborate on the variety of vertebrae in birds using this source such as how the cervical vertebrae alone can number anywhere between 8 and 25 depending on the species of bird.[4]
Images:
- It may be helpful to refer to images I added somewhere in the text it relates to itself.
- I may edit one of the images I added to differentiate between the types of vertebrae easier.
- For example, I could take the photo of the Avestruz alta skeleton and color code each section of the vertebral column in a different color and include a key in the figure caption.
- I don't currently plan to remove the ilium, ischium, or pubis from the pelvic girdle image. I chose to leave these labels in to provide orientation since the diagram is of the entire pelvic girdle.
Content:
- The crossed out content will be officially removed, and I will include a copy of the original section for reference in my next draft.
- I will keep the bulleted list instead of sub-headings since I am afraid there is not enough content for each section of the vertebral column to warrant a sub-heading for each.
- I may change the bullet point list to a numbered list to correlate with the 5 sections of the vertebral column.
- I plan to change the parentheses if I do this because all the numbers could get confusing so close together.
- Edit the bullet point list format to be consistent for each vertebrae section (i.e. the colon and parentheses in the same place).
- I may edit the bullet points to all include functions of the vertebrae mentioned AND a short definition. Overall, I plan to make each point include similar info.
- Expand upon the bullet point for the synsacrum about how this anatomical structure relates to its mammalian homologue. I also need to check if the synsacrum fusion is common across species and edit this idea back into the bullet point.[citation needed]
Janet Chen
Sources:
- I'm going to find 1-2 more sources on the syrinx to improve my credibility on my second draft. A variety would make my information seem well researched.
Images:
- As others have mentioned, my images would benefit my draft if I add a more information on my descriptions. I'm going to describe what I'm trying to show in my content with each image, what it would say will depend on the new images I find.
- I had a hard time finding a good diagram that compared a trachea with a larynx and one with both larynx and syrinx. There wasn't one in the wikicommons that had what I really wanted so I chose images on each of them.
- I'm going to find a comprehensive diagram with a syrinx, larynx, and trachea.
Content:
- Major mistake on my part, I didn't mean to link to the communication section of the bird page, I meant to make it reference a section of the Bird anatomy page I think it would fit. We're not editing two different pages and will fix it.
- Fix the link to the Greek word for syrinx to the syrinx on birds.
- Fix spelling mistakes.
- I'll integrate all the comments/suggestions on how to rewrite my sentences. I agree a lot of them lack flow and have quite a few grammar issues.
- Reword the comparison of birds with other vetebrates (←emphasis on plural) to be less confusing. - Find a different word for "better" to be neutral yet convey the evolutionary advantage the syrinx had in birds. - The "loudness" aspect of the trachea length needs to be reworded to flow better, and I'm going to figure out how to use a different word than "loudness" and the sound quality.
- I'll build more content off of more resources.
77lemonpie (talk) 06:16, 17 April 2021 (UTC)
Second Draft to the Axial skeleton Sub-heading: Allie Curtis
(lower right).
Color | Vertebral Section |
---|---|
Pink | Cervical Vertebrae |
Orange | Thoracic/Dorsal Vertebrae |
Yellow | Synsacrum |
Green | Caudal Vertebrae |
Blue | Pygostyle |
]]
The vertebral column is divided into five sections of vertebrae:
Cervical Vertebrae
The cervical vertebrae provide structural support to the neck and number between 8 to as many as 25 vertebrae in certain swan species (Cygninae) and other long-necked birds. All cervical vertebrae have ribs attached except the first cervical vertebra. This vertebra (C1) is called the atlas which articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull and lacks the foramen typical of most vertebrae.[5]
Trunk/Dorsal/Thoracic Vertebrae
The thoracic vertebrae number between 5 to 10, and the first thoracic vertebra is distinguishable due to the fusion of its attached rib to the sternum while the ribs of cervical vertebrae are free.[5] Anterior thoracic vertebrae are fused in many birds and articulate with the notarium of the pectoral girdle.[6]
![Diagram of a general bird pelvic girdle skeleton including the lower vertebral column sections. The diagram includes the synsacrum, caudal, and pygostyle vertebrae. Note that the caudal vertebrae (5-10) are not fused in this diagram but can be in certain species.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Bird_Pelvic_Girdle_Skeleton.png/330px-Bird_Pelvic_Girdle_Skeleton.png)
The synsacrum consists of one thoracic, six lumbar, two sacral, and five sacro-caudal vertebrae fused into one ossified structure that then fuse with the ilium.[7] When not in flight, this structure provides the main support for the rest of the body.[5] Similar to the sacrum of mammals, the synsacrum lacks the distinct disc shape of cervical and thoracic vertebrae.[citation needed]
Caudal Vertebrae
The free vertebrae immediately following the fused sacro-caudal vertebrae of the synsacrum are known as the caudal vertebrae. Birds have between 5 to 8 free caudal vertebrae.[5] The caudal vertebrae provide structure to the tails of vertebrates and are homologous to the coccyx found in mammals lacking tails.[citation needed]
Pygostyle
In birds, the last 5 to 6 caudal vertebrae are fused to form the pygostyle.[7] Some sources note that up to 10 caudal vertebrae may make up this fused structure. This structure provides an attachment point for tail feathers that aid in control of flight.[5]
~
The chest consists of the furcula (wishbone) and coracoid (collar bone) which, together with the scapula, form the pectoral girdle; the side of the chest is formed by the ribs, which meet at the sternum (mid-line of the chest).[5]
References List
- ^ a b c "Skeleton". fsc.fernbank.edu. Retrieved 2018-03-16.
{{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h Storer, Robert W. (1982). "Fused Thoracic Vertebrae in Birds". Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. 14 (2–3): 86–95. doi:10.3312/jyio1952.14.86. ISSN 1883-3659. Cite error: The named reference ":1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b Rashid, Dana J; Chapman, Susan C; Larsson, Hans CE; Organ, Chris L; Bebin, Anne-Gaelle; Merzdorf, Christa S; Bradley, Roger; Horner, John R (2014). "From dinosaurs to birds: a tail of evolution". EvoDevo. 5 (1): 25. doi:10.1186/2041-9139-5-25. ISSN 2041-9139. PMC 4304130. PMID 25621146.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Marshall, A. J. (1960). Biology and comparative physiology of birds : Volume I. London. ISBN 978-1-4832-3142-6. OCLC 881852417.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d e f Marshall, A. J. (1960). Biology and Comparative Physiology of Birds: Volume I. Victoria, Australia: Academic Press. pp. 245–251. ISBN 978-1-4832-3142-6.
- ^ Storer, Robert W. (1982). "Fused Thoracic Vertebrae in Birds". Journal of the Yamashina Institute for Ornithology. 14 (2–3): 86–95. doi:10.3312/jyio1952.14.86. ISSN 1883-3659.
- ^ a b Rashid, Dana J; Chapman, Susan C; Larsson, Hans CE; Organ, Chris L; Bebin, Anne-Gaelle; Merzdorf, Christa S; Bradley, Roger; Horner, John R (2014). "From dinosaurs to birds: a tail of evolution". EvoDevo. 5 (1): 25. doi:10.1186/2041-9139-5-25. ISSN 2041-9139. PMC 4304130. PMID 25621146.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: PMC format (link) CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link)
Second Draft to Bird anatomy/Syrinx (bird anatomy): Janet Chen
(I'm editing additional information on the Syrinx (bird anatomy) page rather than the Bird anatomy page. This is because the syrinx page already exists and is really detailed. My first draft would be redundant/useless as a contribution, but I will add information on sexual dimorphism in the syrinx to that page. My contribution to Bird anatomy would be reorganization, and Syrinx (bird anatomy) is sexual dimorphism.)
————————————————————————————————————— BIRD ANATOMY PAGE —————————————————————————————————————————————
ORIGINAL:
Respiratory system
...the syrinx can produce more than one sound at a time.
Circulatory system
Birds have a four-chambered heart,[55] in common with mammals, and some reptiles (mainly the crocodilia). This adaptation allows for an efficient nutrient and oxygen transport throughout the body, providing birds with energy to fly and maintain high levels of activity. A ruby-throated hummingbird's heart beats up to 1200 times per minute (about 20 beats per second).[56]
EDITED:
Respiratory system
...the syrinx can produce more than one sound at a time. See also: Syrinx (bird anatomy)
Circulatory System
Birds have a four-chambered heart,[55] in common with mammals, and some reptiles (mainly the crocodilia). This adaptation allows for an efficient nutrient and oxygen transport throughout the body, providing birds with energy to fly and maintain high levels of activity. A ruby-throated hummingbird's heart beats up to 1200 times per minute (about 20 beats per second).[56]
I want to change the Circulatory system to a big heading and not a subheading since it's significantly different and should belong as its own topic. Also, I linked the Syrinx (bird anatomy) to lead off of the mention of the syrinx in the respiratory system to the page I'll be editing as well.
————————————————————————————————————— SYRINX (BIRD ANATOMY PAGE) —————————————————————————————————————————————
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism leads to different syrinxes in birds, and the degree of differences varies. Some species do not present differences between sexes while others, like the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), have distinctly different syrinxes between males and females. [1] This difference is significant given that sexing birds is difficult at younger stages. [2] Birds that exhibit sexual dimorphism in the syrinx can present itself at around 10 days in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) [2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Histrionicus_histrionicus_syrinx_1859.jpg/220px-Histrionicus_histrionicus_syrinx_1859.jpg)
Male ducks have a large tracheal bulla (bulla syringealis), whereas females have a discreetly sized bulla.[1] There are multiple key differences that distinguishes a male's syrinx from a female's. Males have a large bulla located on the left side of the trachea, and the tracheosyringeal rings that line the trachea are thicker in male mallards than in females.[2] Within the trachea there is a structure called the pessulus that divides the trachea in half where the two bronchus branch out. [2] The pessulus is ossified, and lined with tympaniform membranes that influence the sound production depending on its thickness when the air runs past the pessulus, causing vibrations. [3] The membranes in males are thick and nontransparent, but the females have thinner, sheer membranes.[2]
The nature of the sounds produced by males and females are different due to these differences in the syrinx. [3] Females have a louder call because the space inside their bulla is not lined with a lot of fat or connective tissue, and the thinner tympaniform membrane takes less effort to vibrate. This decreases the force absorbed from the air moving through the syrinx, making a louder, higher pitched sound.[2] On the other hand, males have a lot of fat and connective tissue in their bulla, which absorbs much more power from the moving air. This couple with their thicker membranes leads to less vibrations and a duller, lower pitched sound. [2]
- ^ a b Frank, T.; Probst, A.; König, H. E.; Walter, I. (April 2007). "The Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): Special Anatomical Features". Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia: Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C. 36 (2): 121–126. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0264.2006.00737.x.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: ignored DOI errors (link) - ^ a b c d e f g Wilson, Robert E.; Sonsthagen, Sarah A.; Franson, J. Christian (August 2013). "Sex Determination of Duck Embryos: Observations on Syrinx Development". Avian Biology Research. 6 (3): 243–246. doi:10.3184/175815513X13739900273488.
- ^ a b Frank, T.; Walter, I.; Probst, A.; König, H. E. (December 2006). "Histological Aspects of the Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)". Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia: Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C. 35 (6): 396–401. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0264.2006.00701.x.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: ignored DOI errors (link)
77lemonpie (talk) 07:48, 1 May 2021 (UTC)
Final Draft (Janet)
(I'm editing additional information on the Syrinx (bird anatomy) page rather than the Bird anatomy page. This is because the syrinx page already exists and is really detailed. My first draft would be redundant/useless as a contribution, but I will add information on sexual dimorphism in the syrinx to that page. My contribution to Bird anatomy would be reorganization, and Syrinx (bird anatomy) is sexual dimorphism.)
————————————————————————————————————— BIRD ANATOMY PAGE —————————————————————————————————————————————
ORIGINAL:
Respiratory system
...the syrinx can produce more than one sound at a time.
Circulatory system
Birds have a four-chambered heart,[55] in common with mammals, and some reptiles (mainly the crocodilia). This adaptation allows for an efficient nutrient and oxygen transport throughout the body, providing birds with energy to fly and maintain high levels of activity. A ruby-throated hummingbird's heart beats up to 1200 times per minute (about 20 beats per second).[56]
EDITED:
Respiratory system
...the syrinx can produce more than one sound at a time. See also: Syrinx (bird anatomy)
Circulatory System
Birds have a four-chambered heart,[55] in common with mammals, and some reptiles (mainly the crocodilia). This adaptation allows for an efficient nutrient and oxygen transport throughout the body, providing birds with energy to fly and maintain high levels of activity. A ruby-throated hummingbird's heart beats up to 1200 times per minute (about 20 beats per second).[56]
I want to change the Circulatory system to a big heading and not a subheading since it's significantly different and should belong as its own topic. Also, I linked the Syrinx (bird anatomy) to lead off of the mention of the syrinx in the respiratory system to the page I'll be editing as well.
————————————————————————————————————— SYRINX (BIRD ANATOMY PAGE) —————————————————————————————————————
Sexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism leads to different syrinxes in birds, and the degree of differences varies. Some species do not present differences between sexes while others, like the mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), have distinctly different syrinxes between males and females. [1] This difference is significant given that sexing birds is difficult at younger stages. [2] Birds that exhibit sexual dimorphism in the syrinx can present itself at around 10 days in Pekin ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) [2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e0/Histrionicus_histrionicus_syrinx_1859.jpg/220px-Histrionicus_histrionicus_syrinx_1859.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/87/Syrinx.jpg/220px-Syrinx.jpg)
Male ducks have a large tracheal bulla (bulla syringealis), whereas females have a smaller sized bulla.[1] There are multiple key differences that distinguishes a male's syrinx from a female's. Males have a large bulla located on the left side of the trachea, and the tracheosyringeal rings that line the trachea are thicker in male mallards than in females.[2] Within the trachea there is a structure called the pessulus that divides the trachea in half where the two bronchus branch out. [2] The pessulus is ossified, and lined with tympaniform membranes that influence the sound production depending on its thickness when the air runs past the pessulus, causing vibrations. [3] The membranes in males are thick and nontransparent, but the females have thinner, sheer membranes.[2]
The nature of the sounds produced by males and females are different due to these differences in the syrinx. [3] Females have a louder call because the space inside their bulla is not lined with a lot of fat or connective tissue, and the thinner tympaniform membrane takes less effort to vibrate. This decreases the force absorbed from the air moving through the syrinx, making a louder, higher pitched sound.[2] On the other hand, males have a lot of fat and connective tissue in their bulla, which absorbs much more power from the moving air. This coupled with their thicker membranes leads to less vibrations and a duller, lower pitched sound. [2]
- ^ a b Frank, T.; Probst, A.; König, H. E.; Walter, I. (April 2007). "The Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos): Special Anatomical Features". Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia: Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C. 36 (2): 121–126. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0264.2006.00737.x.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: ignored DOI errors (link) - ^ a b c d e f g Wilson, Robert E.; Sonsthagen, Sarah A.; Franson, J. Christian (August 2013). "Sex Determination of Duck Embryos: Observations on Syrinx Development". Avian Biology Research. 6 (3): 243–246. doi:10.3184/175815513X13739900273488.
- ^ a b Frank, T.; Walter, I.; Probst, A.; König, H. E. (December 2006). "Histological Aspects of the Syrinx of the Male Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)". Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia: Journal of Veterinary Medicine Series C. 35 (6): 396–401. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0264.2006.00701.x.
{{cite journal}}
: CS1 maint: ignored DOI errors (link)
77lemonpie (talk) 17:27, 11 May 2021 (UTC)
Final Draft to the Axial skeleton Sub-heading: Allie Curtis
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ed/Diversity_of_Bird_Vertebrae.png/260px-Diversity_of_Bird_Vertebrae.png)
Color | Vertebral Section |
---|---|
Pink | Cervical Vertebrae |
Orange | Thoracic/Dorsal Vertebrae |
Yellow | Synsacrum |
Green | Caudal Vertebrae |
Blue | Pygostyle |
The vertebral column is divided into five sections of vertebrae:
Cervical Vertebrae
The cervical vertebrae provide structural support to the neck and number between 8 to as many as 25 vertebrae in certain swan species (Cygninae) and other long-necked birds. All cervical vertebrae have ribs attached except the first cervical vertebra. This vertebra (C1) is called the atlas which articulates with the occipital condyles of the skull and lacks the foramen typical of most vertebrae.[1]
Trunk/Dorsal/Thoracic Vertebrae
The thoracic vertebrae number between 5 to 10, and the first thoracic vertebra is distinguishable due to the fusion of its attached rib to the sternum while the ribs of cervical vertebrae are free.[1] Anterior thoracic vertebrae are fused in many birds and articulate with the notarium of the pectoral girdle.[2]
Synsacrum
![Diagram of a general bird pelvic girdle skeleton including the lower vertebral column sections. The diagram includes the synsacrum, caudal, and pygostyle vertebrae. Note that the caudal vertebrae (5-10) are not fused in this diagram but can be in certain species.](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6b/Bird_Pelvic_Girdle_Skeleton.png/330px-Bird_Pelvic_Girdle_Skeleton.png)
The synsacrum consists of one thoracic, six lumbar, two sacral, and five sacro-caudal vertebrae fused into one ossified structure that then fuse with the ilium.[3] When not in flight, this structure provides the main support for the rest of the body.[1] Similar to the sacrum of mammals, the synsacrum lacks the distinct disc shape of cervical and thoracic vertebrae.[4]
Caudal Vertebrae
The free vertebrae immediately following the fused sacro-caudal vertebrae of the synsacrum are known as the caudal vertebrae. Birds have between 5 to 8 free caudal vertebrae.[1] The caudal vertebrae provide structure to the tails of vertebrates and are homologous to the coccyx found in mammals lacking tails.[5]
Pygostyle
In birds, the last 5 to 6 caudal vertebrae are fused to form the pygostyle.[3] Some sources note that up to 10 caudal vertebrae may make up this fused structure. This structure provides an attachment point for tail feathers that aid in control of flight.[1]
~
The chest consists of the furcula (wishbone) and coracoid (collar bone) which, together with the scapula, form the pectoral girdle; the side of the chest is formed by the ribs, which meet at the sternum (mid-line of the chest).[1]
References List
- ^ a b c d e f Cite error: The named reference
:3
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
:1
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
:2
was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Kardong, Kenneth V. (2019). Vertebrates : comparative anatomy, function, evolution (8th ed.). New York, NY. pp. 313–321. ISBN 978-1-259-70091-0. OCLC 1053847969.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Nakatsukasa, Masato (2004-05-XX). "Acquisition of bipedalism: the Miocene hominoid record and modern analogues for bipedal protohominids". Journal of Anatomy. 204 (5): 385–402. doi:10.1111/j.0021-8782.2004.00290.x. ISSN 0021-8782. PMC 1571308. PMID 15198702.
{{cite journal}}
: Check date values in:|date=
(help)CS1 maint: PMC format (link)