Medycyna Wet. 63 (4), 459-462, 2007
Charuta A., Reymond J.
Morphology and morphometry of the pelvic girdle as well as the head and connecting segments in the pelvic limb of the domestic Peking duck
The aim of the morphological study was an attempt to define in a morphological context the shoulder girdle and epiphysis bones in the pelvic bone of the domestic Peking duck. The morphological study was performed on the bone material taken from skeletons of domestic Peking ducks (Anas platyrhynchos f. domestica, Linnaeus 1758) including 40 adult individuals (6 males and 34 females) and 84 young individuals (42 males, 42 females). After preparing the bones for the research the absolute parameters of the bones were estimated for both males and females separately taking into account different age groups. The analysis included osteometry and description of anatomic bone structures. There appeared to be statistically significant differences between similar bone parameters defined for adult male and female species. In the young bird group distinct sex dimorphism was observed only in the spinal length of the pelvis as well as in the greatest length and width of the fibula bone. There also appeared to be ontogenetic differences between young and adult ducks in the size of the bones examined. The adult male species were characterized by bigger bones of the pelvic limb part studied. Similar dependences were observed in the case of young species. However, dimorphic differences were more visible with adult species. The external surface carving becomes more distinct with the increase of the birds’ age.
Keywords: birds, bones