The wing phalanges (phalanx proximalis digiti majoris) of Gaviiformes, Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes, Ardeiformes, Anseriformes, Gruiformes, Ralliformes, Charadriiformes and Galliformes

Jenő Eugen Kessler,Ida Horváth

doi:10.2478/orhu-2021-0012

Abstract

Abstract The authors compared the first phalanx of the second wing-finger of 93 species belong to 9 order (Gaviiformes – 2 species, Podicipediformes – 4 species, Pelecaniformes – 4 species, Ardeiformes – 12 species, Anseriformes – 27 species, Gruiformes – 4 species, Ralliformes – 6 species, Charadriiformes – 25 species and Galliformes – 9 species). The importance of studying this bone lies in the fact that, although it has diagnosable characteristics, it was practically neglected by osteologists and paleontologists. Thus, fossil materials can be identified through them, as well as those from owl pellets. The comparison was made possible by the comparative avian skeleton collection of the Hungarian Natural History Museum. The text is supplemented by 10 figures and 1 table.

Highlights

The current study discusses a less known part of the avian skeleton used for description
Out of the four wing phalanges, only this has such morphological characteristics that can be used for comparative anatomical, paleontological, archeological, taxonomical or ornithological examinations of owl pellets. In this investigation the bird order Ardeiformes has traditionally been handled as distinct order from other bird groups due to their bone characters (Brodkorb 1963, Feduccia 1967)
Species Charadriiformes Uria aalge Glareola pratincola Arenaria interpres Calidris alpina Charadrius alexandrinus Gallinago gallinago Himantopus himantopus Limosa limosa Lymnocryptes minimus Numenius arquata Philomachus pugnax Pluvialis squatarola Recurvirostra avosetta Scolopax rusticola Tringa erythropus Tringa hypoleucos Tringa nebularia Tringa totanus Vanellus vanellus Chlidonias niger Larus canus Larus minutus Larus ridibundus Stercorarius pomarinus Sterna hirundo

Summary

Introduction

The current study discusses a less known part of the avian skeleton used for description. Facies articularis phalangealis: – oblique, with a strongly protruding dorsal projection: Pelecanus onocrotalus; – straight, strongly protuberant, with a small dorsal projection: Gavia stellata, Pelecanus crispus; – wavy, with a strongly protruding dorsal and ventral projection: Phalacrocorax carbo; – wavy, with a slightly protruding dorsal projection: Gavia arctica; Phalacrocorax pygmeus, Podiceps auritus, P. cristatus, P. grisegena, P. nigricollis; In the case of herons, ibises, flamingos (Figure 2/11, Figure 3/1–11): a).

Results

Conclusion