The Hindlimb Myology ofTyto alba(Tytonidae, Strigiformes, Aves)

Abstract

This work is the first myological dissection performed in detail on the hindlimb of Tyto alba. Six specimens were dissected and their muscle masses were obtained. T. alba has the classical myological pattern present in other species of Strigiformes, such as a well-developed m. flexor digitorum longus and the absence of the m. plantaris, flexor cruris lateralis and ambiens. Also, T. alba lacks the m. extensor propius digiti III, m. extensor propius digiti IV and m. lumbricalis, present in the Strigidae. Hindlimb muscle mass accounts for 14.13% of total body mass, which is within the range of values of both nocturnal (Strigiformes) and diurnal (Falconidae and Accipitridae) raptors. This study provides important information for future studies related to functional morphology and ecomorphology.

Wing and tail myology of Tyto furcata (Aves, Tytonidae)

“…So far, several studies have focused on the biology of the Barn Owls, like the osteology, morphometrical and biomechanical functions of their flight, embryonic development and growth, diet, feather characteristics, and silent flight (see Bachmann, ; Bachmann et al, ; Bachmann & Wagner, ; Bachmann, Wagner, & Tropea, ; Bharath Kumar, Santhi Lakshmi, & Pramod Kumar, ; Köppl, Futterer, Nieder, Sistermann, & Wagner, ; McCafferty & Lurcock, ; Wagner et al, ). Nevertheless, there are few recent studies on the myology of this species, mainly focusing on the neck (Boumans, Krings, & Wagner, ) and hindlimb (Mosto, ). Only Hoff () made a thorough and comprehensive study on the fore‐ and hind‐limb myology of Strigiformes including T. furcata , but framed in a comparative context with Caprimulgiformes (nightjars).…”

“…Descriptive and qualitative features of muscles, in addition to muscle mass data, contribute to identifying those trends in the limb anatomy of birds that can be associated with locomotive specializations (Clifton, Carr, & Biewener, ; Mosto, , ; Mosto, Carril, & Picasso, ; Picasso, ; Picasso & Mosto, ). To achieve this, we performed a detailed description of the wing and tail myology of Tyto furcata , and present data on the muscle mass and explore its implications in the flight behavior.…”

Ontogenetic changes of hindlimb muscle mass in Cabot's tragopan (Galliformes, Phasianidae) and their functional implications

“…or groups of birds, such as ratites, magpie, monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus), barn owl, Chimango caracara, anhinga, double-crested cormorant, some species of raptors and vultures (Carril, Mosto, Picasso, & Tambussi, 2014;Hertel et al, 2015;Lamas, Main, & Hutchinson, 2014;Mosto, 2017;Mosto et al, 2016;Owre, 1967;Paxton, Tickle, Rankin, Codd, & Hutchinson, 2014;Picasso, 2015;Smith, Wilson, Jespers, & Payne, 2006). For instance, the percentage mass of individual muscle or group, with respect to the total mass of the leg musculature, is indicative of their development, and may reflect the functions of these muscles.…”

“…These features are thought to be specific muscular designs for high-speed running in the ostrich (Smith et al, 2006). Raptors are different: they allocate more muscle mass to the functional group of digital flexors that power the grasping capacity for seizing and catching prey (Hertel et al, 2015;Mosto, 2017). In the monk parakeet, increased development of Mm.…”

Descripción morfológica del sistema esquelético del miembro pélvico de un ejemplar de lechuza común (Tyto alba)

“…La lechuza común, al igual que otras aves rapaces, posee miembros pélvicos con músculos desarrollados y potentes, ya que son las herramientas utilizadas para atrapar sus presas. Además, posee un esqueleto ligero, compacto y fuerte, con huesos que están neumatizados por extensiones de los sacos aéreos, para facilitar el vuelo (Dyce et al, 1999;Cano, 2007;Mosto, 2017;Madan et al, 2017). Se describe que los miembros pélvicos poseen siete funciones principales: 1) soportar el peso corporal, 2) actuar como timón durante ciertas maniobras de vuelo, 3) amortiguar el impacto del aterrizaje, 4) raptar e inmovilizar a la presa, 5) ciertas especies las utilizan para asfixiar a la presa, 6) ayudar a regular la temperatura corporal, y 7) limpiar y acicalar aquellas partes del cuerpo inaccesible para el pico (Fox, 2003).…”