Morphometric Analysis of the Sternum in Avian Species

Authors : Ayhan DÜZLER, Özcan ÖZGEL, Nejdet DURSUN

Pages : 311-314

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Publication Date : 0000-00-00

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :The anatomy of the sternum in avian species differs according to their movement and particularly flight capability, as well as species and habitat. Various studies aimed at the examination and measurement of the sternum in avian species have been carried out. However, to the authors` knowledge, no study on the correlation between sternal measurements and movement style has been published previously. In this study, the sternums of certain avian species including the red falcon insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Buteo rufinus);, rooster insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Gallus domesticus);, drake insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Anas platyrhynches);, bald ibis insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Geronticus eremita);, pigeon insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Columba livia);, white stork insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Ciconia ciconia);, eagle owl insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Bubo bubo);, goose insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Anser anser); and turkey insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(Meleagris gallopavo); were investigated as 3 different habitant groups insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(I-flying, II- swimming and III- walking);. Data analysis revealed a correlation between movement style and sternum measurements in avian species. In the swimming birds that were examined, the width insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(W); of the sternums was greater than the height insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(H);, and W/H ranged between 1.56 and 1.95 mm. In contrast, the height of the sternum was greater than the width in walking birds and W/H was between 0.50 and 0.68 mm. In the flying birds the width and height of the sternum were approximately equal and W/H ranged between 0.96 and 1.35 mm.
Keywords : Birds, flight capability, osteology, sternum