Abstract
The hind-limb myology of the treecreepers is highly modified compared with the normal passerine pattern, so far as it is known. The muscular modifications involve mainly the iliotibialis cranialis, iliotibialis lateralis, flexor cruris lateralis, pubo-ischiofemoralis, iliotrochantericus medius, iliofemoralis internus, obturatorius lateralis, tibialis cranialis, fibularis longus, plantaris, and some toe flexor muscles. An investigation was carried out into whether the morphological changes in these muscles are related to the specialized mode of locomotion of treecreepers, that is, whether they are adaptations for tail-supported climbing in these species. So far as the principal action of the modified muscles is concerned, it was found that the modifications observed in the hind limb favour flexion of the leg joints or reduce their extension. The adaptative hypothesis is tested using the out-group comparison method on the basis of an available phylogeny.
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