European waders identification key on the basis of the cranial morphology

Full article

Published:

Volume 38(2), December 1991. Pages 249-263.

Language:

English

Keywords:

european waders, Charadriiformes, identification key, osteological study

Abstract:

335 skeletons from several osteological collections belonging to 32 european species of waders were analysed to elaborate an identification key based on the cranial and postcranial morphometry. I have used bill shape, processus maxilopalatini shape, morphology of the palatal region, orbit shape, presence/absence of foramen n. mandibularis, presence/absence of septum nasale, the joint of ectethmoides to ossa lacrimale, segment length of the lacrimal descending process and the supraorbital gland shape. Cranial and postcranial biometrical differences when the identification was not possible from the skull morphology were also used.