Osteologia das aves

Texto de apoio às aulas de Anatomia I Curso de Medicina Veterinária da Universidade de Évor

Compared Cranial Osteology of Species of Leptoptilus (Lesson, 1831) (Aves, Ciconiidae)

The species of the Ciconiidae family (Ciconiiformes), commonly known as storks, exhibit a cosmopolite distribution, being represented by swamp birds of medium and large size. The present work aimed to describe minutely and comparatively the cranial osteology of Leptoptilus species. The study was performed based on the description of cranial bones of the species Leptoptilus dubius, L. crumeniferus, and L. javanicus. The studied specimens were previously prepared (dry crania and mandibles). Among the studied characteristics, it was possible to observe some structures of systematic importance, such as the zygomatic process, the temporal fossa, the ectethmoid, the superior maxilla, the quadrate bone that interconnects the palate, the neurocranium, and the mandible, performing a key role in the work of cranial kinesis. Leptoptilus javanicus possesses, in the lateral portion of the cranium, an emargination of the rostrodorsal edge of the postorbital process, not observed in either Leptoptilus dubius or Leptoptilus crumeniferus. The fossa ventralis possesses a projection in the caudal extremities in L. dubius and L. crumeniferus, which is absent in L. javanicus. The transpalatine process is present in both L. dubius and L. crumeniferus and is absent in L. javanicus. The pterygoid process of the palatine is short in both L. dubius and L. crumeniferus, and long in L. javanicus. The ectethmoid is reduced in both L. dubius and L. javanicus, whereas in L. crumeniferus, besides being more developed, it presents a “U” shape. Based on the present study, L. dubius and L. crumeniferus are phylogenetically closer to each other than L. javanicus.The species of the Ciconiidae family (Ciconiiformes), commonly known as storks, exhibit a cosmopolite distribution, being represented by swamp birds of medium and large size. The present work aimed to describe minutely and comparatively the cranial osteology of Leptoptilus species. The study was performed based on the description of cranial bones of the species Leptoptilus dubius, L. crumeniferus, and L. javanicus. The studied specimens were previously prepared (dry crania and mandibles). Among the studied characteristics, it was possible to observe some structures of systematic importance, such as the zygomatic process, the temporal fossa, the ectethmoid, the superior maxilla, the quadrate bone that interconnects the palate, the neurocranium, and the mandible, performing a key role in the work of cranial kinesis. Leptoptilus javanicus possesses, in the lateral portion of the cranium, an emargination of the rostrodorsal edge of the postorbital process, not observed in either Leptoptilus dubius or Leptoptilus crumeniferus. The fossa ventralis possesses a projection in the caudal extremities in L. dubius and L. crumeniferus, which is absent in L. javanicus. The transpalatine process is present in both L. dubius and L. crumeniferus and is absent in L. javanicus. The pterygoid process of the palatine is short in both L. dubius and L. crumeniferus, and long in L. javanicus. The ectethmoid is reduced in both L. dubius and L. javanicus, whereas in L. crumeniferus, besides being more developed, it presents a “U” shape. Based on the present study, L. dubius and L. crumeniferus are phylogenetically closer to each other than L. javanicus

CRANIAL OSTEOLOGY OF CYCLARHIS GUJANENSIS (AVES: VIREONIDAE)

The small passerine Cyclaris gujanensis can tear into small pieces large or heavy-bodied preys that could not be swallowed whole such as frogs, snakes, bats and birds. However there are few studies on the cranial anatomy of this species. Thus, we focused on the description of the cranial osteology to contribute to the anatomical knowledge of this species and to make some assumptions about functional anatomy. The fossa temporalis is shallow but broad and the fossa of os palatinum is deepened. The os quadratum processes are long and thick. The os pterygoideum is enlarged and the upper jaw is strongly inclined ventrally (140°) with reference to the skull. The rostral extremity of rhamphotheca is hooked with ventral concavity to fit the mandible (pincer form). The mandible fossae are deepened and broad and its bulky medial process probably provides mandible stability and strong support to the muscles attached on it. All these peculiar characteristics probably indicate a considerable force in the C. gujanensis jaws and partially explain its distinctive feeding habit compared with the other Vireonidae. Nevertheless, new studies with functional approaches to analysis the forces of the muscle fibers and the cranial kinesis are needed to prove the hypotheses mentioned above.O pitiguari (Cyclarhis gujanensis) é um pequeno vireonídeo com uma ampla variedade de presas, capaz inclusive de dilacerar presas maiores, como lagartos, morcegos e aves. No entanto, são escassos os estudos sobre morfologia craniana desta espécie, e, motivados pela sua maneira particular de alimentação, objetivou-se descrever a osteologia craniana para contribuir com os conhecimentos anatômicos dessa espécie, além de discutir alguns aspectos morfofuncionais relacionados à sua alimentação. A fossa temporal é ampla, porém pouco profunda, já o osso palatino apresentou fossas profundas. Os processos do osso quadrado são longos e espessos. O os pterygoideum é robusto e a maxila superior é fortemente inclinada (140°) em relação ao crânio. A extremidade rostral da ranfoteca é curvada acentuadamente, com formato côncavo em sua porção ventral para se encaixar com a mandíbula (forma de pinça). A mandíbula possui, além de fossas amplas e profundas, um processo medial bastante desenvolvido, que provavelmente dá suporte aos músculos que movimentam as maxilas. Tais características peculiares na osteologia craniana de C. gujanensis, poderiam explicar parcialmente o seu hábito alimentar diferenciado quando comparado com outros Vireonidae. Porém, novos estudos, com abordagens funcionais, cinese craniana e análises da força das fibras musculares da mandíbula são necessários para comprovar as afirmações mencionadas acima

As coleções de Arqueologia e Antropologia do Museu de História Natural da Universidade do Porto.

SIAM. Series Iberoamericanas de Museología. Año 3, Vol.

Vocalização e comentários sobre as relacões de parentesco de Hypsiboas ericae (Amphibia; Hylidae)

The vocalizations of Hypsiboas ericae (Caramaschi & Cruz, 2000) are described and new information on the external morphology and osteology of the species are presented. H. ericae presents a bony spine in the prepolex and the individuals can present green or brown dorsal color, as other species of the Hypsiboas pulchellus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841) species group. The vocalizations of H. ericae are similar to the vocalizations of Hypsiboas bischoffi (Boulenger, 1887), Hypsiboas guentheri (Boulenger, 1886), and other species in the H. polytaenius (Cope, 1870 "1869") clade of the H. pulchellus species group, but some osteological aspects are different to those found in the majority of the species of this group.As vocalizações de Hypsiboas ericae (Caramaschi & Cruz, 2000) são descritas e novas informações sobre a morfologia externa e a osteologia da espécie são apresentadas. H. ericae apresenta prepólex terminando em um espinho ósseo e os indivíduos podem ter o colorido dorsal marrom ou verde, como outras espécies do grupo de Hypsiboas pulchellus (Duméril & Bibron, 1841). As vocalizações de H. ericae são similares às de Hypsiboas bischoffi (Boulenger, 1887), Hypsiboas guentheri (Boulenger, 1886) e às de outras espécies do clado de H. polytaenius (Cope, 1870 "1869") do grupo de H. pulchellus, mas alguns aspectos de sua osteologia são muito diferentes dos encontrados na maioria das espécies do grupo de H. pulchellus.FAPES

Notes on the postcranial osteology of the sand lizard Liolaemus azarai (Squamata: Liolaemidae)

We examined skeletons of seven adult and juvenile specimens of Liolaemus azarai that were cleared and double-stained. The states of twenty three postcranial skeleton characters were described and compared with others Liolaemus species. Our findings complement the current knowledge about the osteological variation in Liolaemus and the character states may include in a data matrix to future phylogenetic studies.Fil: Gonzalez Marin, Maria Andrea. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Nacional Patagónico; ArgentinaFil: Hernando, Alejandra Beatriz. Universidad Nacional del Nordeste. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas Naturales y Agrimensura; Argentin

Melanosuchus, M. niger

Number of Pages: 4Integrative BiologyGeological Science