Morphometric variation of the hindlimb of waders and its evolutionary implications

Full article

Published:

Volume 40(1), June 1993. Pages 65-75.

Language:

English

Keywords:

evolution, hindlimb, morphometry, waders.

Abstract:

Variation of leg bones of 539 skeletal specimens belonging to 27 Charadrii species was studied using principal components analysis of pelvis and hindlimb measurements. Patterns of size variation showed an ordination gradient. This ordination was associated with feeding use of the microhabitat (e.g. water depth). Patterns of shape variation revealed differences among the species showing a gradient from species with relatively long legs and pelvis to species having short legs and wide pelvis. This gradient could be associated with locomotor and behaviour characteristics. Evolutionary rate of change in leg morphology seems to have been homogeneous during the course of the evolution. On the contrary, evolutionary rate of change in size-adjusted hindlimb suggests that change has not been homogeneous within the Charadrii. Recurvirostrinae is the taxa showing the highest rate of change in the distal elements of the leg, whereas the Scolopacidae show the highest rate in the proximal elements.