THE ONTOGENY OF THE CRANIAL BONES, CRANIAL PERIPHERAL AND CRANIAL PARASYMPATHETIC NERVES, TOGETHER WITH A STUDY OF THE VISCERAL MUSCLES OF STRUTHIO

Abstract

Abstract The skull of Struthio is typically avian. There are, however, many cranial features that are neotenic in relation to the other Dromaeognathae and Neognathae. The premaxillary‐vomer arthrosis is present in the embryo of Struthio but is absent in the adult; it is present in the adults of the other Dromaeognathae; the trabeculo‐capsular entity is uninterrupted: therefore, there is no mesokinetic joint; kinesis, as a result, is limited. No orbitosphenoid present; septum ossifies as mesethmoid which appears on the dorsal surface. There are only two circumorbital bones present: the lacrimal and the jugal. The auditory region has only two centres of ossification: the prootic and opisthotic. The quadrate has a single elongated condyle of the processus oticus which articulates with the prootic and squamosal. The cranial base is ossified as the basioccipital and basisphenoid, the latter being of mixed origin. There are five dermal bones in the lower jaw of Struthio; the gonial is present. The trigeminus musculature is reduced and shows very definite neotenic features. The peripheral cranial nerves are typically avian. The cranial parasympathetic nerves are well developed in the embryo but show definite signs of resorption in the later stages of development. The hyoid apparatus is mainly cartilaginous; the hyoid musculature is reduced.