Ecomorphological patterns related to migration in the genus Sylvia: an osteological analysis

Full article

Published:

Volume 45(1), June 1998. Pages 21-27.

Language:

English

Keywords:

ecomorphology, migration, skeleton, Sylvia spp.

Abstract:

We investigate the likely existence of ecomorphological patterns relating both forelimb and hindlimb skeletal morphology of seven Sylvia species and their migratory behaviour. We found that migrant species (S. communis, S. atricapilla, S. borin and S. cantillans) have larger sternum and shorter legs than sedentary species (S. sarda, S. melanocephala and S. undata). Within migrant species we also found that long-distance migrants have larger sternal dimensions than short-distance migrants, the leg segments showing a trend to be shorter in the former. The greater dimensions of the sternum in S. cantillans, S.atricapilla, S. borin and S. communis can be interpreted as an adaptation which favour the ability to fly in these migrant species as the bigger the sternum the greater the surface available for attachment of the main fly muscles involved in flight (pectoralis and supracoracoideus).