Experiments in the classification of ornithischians

Summary

Source of content: general zoology lab guide.

Operation method

Experiments in the classification of ornithischians

Principle

1. understand the major groups of birds and their characteristics 2. recognize common local species and economically important birds 3. understand how birds are classified and learn to use a search form

Materials and Instruments

specimens
Calipers, tape measure, magnifying glass.

Move

I. Common Bird Measurement Terms

1. full length: the length from the tip of the beak to the tip of the tail (a measure taken before flaking).
2. crest length: the straight line distance from the base of the beak to the apex of the upper bill.
3. Wing length: straight line distance from the wing angle (carpal joint) to the apex of the longest flight feather. 4.
4. tail length: the length from the base of the tail feathers to the end of the longest tail feathers.
5. tarsometatarsal length: from the midpoint of the mid-tarsal joint to the lower edge of the entire scale furthest in front of the tarsometatarsal and mesonotum joints.
6. body weight: the weight of a specimen weighed after collection.

II. Terms related to classification
1. wing
(1) Fly feathers: primary fly feathers (attached to metacarpals and phalanges), secondary fly feathers (attached to ulna), tertiary fly feathers (the innermost fly feathers, attached to humerus).
(2) Coverts (on the surface and inside of the wing): primary and secondary coverts (three types: large, medium and small).
(3) Lesser wing feathers (located at the corners of the wing). 2.
2. Hind limbs (femoral, tibial, tarsometatarsal and phalanges)
(1) Tarsometatarsus: located between the tibia and the toes, either covered with feathers or bearing scales. The shape of the scales can be divided into several types.
Peltate scales: in the form of transverse scales.
Reticulated scales: mesh-like.
Boot-shaped scales: in the form of whole pieces.







(2) Toes: usually 4 toes, according to their different arrangements, can be divided into the following



Unequal toes (normal foot): 3 toes forward, 1 toe backward.
Opposite toe type: 2nd and 3rd toes forward, 1st and 4th toes backward.
Ectodactyly: 3rd and 4th toes forward, 1st and 2nd toes backward.
Turned toe: similar to unequal toes foot, but 4th toe can be turned back.
Syndactyly: resembles a regular foot, but the bases of the first 3 toes are joined.
Anterior toe type: all 4 toes are directed to the front.
(3) Webbed: most waterfowl and wading birds have webbed feet, which can be divided into the following types:
Webbed feet: a well-developed webbing membrane between the front toes.
Concave webbed feet: similar to webbed feet, but the web membrane is concave inward.
Fully webbed feet: webbing between all 4 toes.
Semi-webbed feet: webbing is reduced and remains only at the base of the toes.
Flap-webbed foot: leaf-shaped webbing attached to both toes.
Classification Search
China's common bird classification search

1. Feet suitable for swimming; webbing is more developed ........................... .............................. .........2 Feet suitable for walking; webbing less developed or lacking ........................... .............................. .........5
2. full webbing between toes ........................... ........................... Pelomorphs ( Pelecaniformes) Not fully webbed between toes ........................... .............................. ............3
3. Mouth usually flattened, apex with beak armor; males with copulatory apparatus ..................... Goose (Anseriformes) Beak not flattened; males without copulatory apparatus ........................... .............................. ......4
4. Wing tips long; tail feathers normal; toes not flap-webbed ........................ ............ Gulliformes (Lariformes) Wings short and rounded; tail feathers very short; fore toes with flap webbing ........................ ...... Podicipediformes (scops owls)
5. Neck and feet short; tibiae fully feathered; no webbing ........................ .............................. ...8 Neck and feet long; lower part of tibia bare; groin undeveloped ........................ .....................6
6. hind toes well developed, in the same plane as fore toes; eyes bare first ............... Storkiformes (Ciconiiformes) The hind toe is undeveloped or completely degenerated, and when present is slightly higher than the other toes; the eye is often feathered before the eye ...............7
7. Wings mostly short and rounded, the first primary flight feathers shorter than the second; no webbing between the legs, sometimes with flap webbing .................. Craneiformes (Gruiformes) Wings mostly pointed, first primary flight feathers longer than or equal to the second (except in the genus Gallus); webbing between toes undeveloped or absent ...... Charadriiformes
8. Beak and claws all extraordinarily sharp and curved; beak base with a wax membrane ........................ .............................. 9 Claws straight or slightly curved; base of mouth without wax coating (except in Pigeoniformes) ........................ ..................10
9 Wax membranes bare; both eyes lateral; outer toes not reversible (except in Ospreys); caudal grease glands covered by plumage ............ Falconiformes Membrane covered by stiff whiskers; both eyes forward}Outer toes reversible; caudal fat glands bare ........................ ......... Strigblemorphes
10. 3 toes forward, 1 backward (hind toe sometimes missing); toes separate from each other (except rarely) .........15 Toes not characterized by the above ........................... .............................. ...............11
11. mostly prehensile; mouth short, broad and flat; no beak whiskers .................. Apodiformes (Rainbirds) Feet not pronotum; beak strong and not flat (except in Nighthawks), often with beak whiskers ........................ 12.

12. Feet are opposite-toed ........................... .............................. .....................13 Feet not pronotum ........................... .............................. ..................14
13. Beak straight and chiseled; tail feathers usually firm and pointed ........................ ........................... Piciformes Piciformes) Mouth end slightly curved, not chiseled; tail feathers normal ........................ .............................. Cuculiformes (Cuculiformes)
14. mouth long or straight, or thin and slightly curved; snout not tubular; middle claw not pectinate ..................... ...Coraciiformes (Buddhist monks) Beak short and broad; snout usually tubular; middle claw with pectinate margin ........................ Nighthawks ( Caprimulgiformes)
15. base of beak soft, covered with a wax membrane; tip of beak inflated and horny (except in the genus Sandgrouse) ..................... ...Pigeoniformes (ColumDiformes) Beak entirely keratinized, base of beak without wax film ........................... .............................. .........16
16. hind claws no longer than claws of other toes; males often with talonids .................. GalIiformes Hind claws longer than claws of other toes; no talonids ........................ Passetiformes ......

IV. Observations on Representative Species

According to the specimens of common birds or economic birds in China prepared in the laboratory, observe the birds and representative species of each order one by one.

Caveat

1. We should take care of the specimens, hold them gently and do not pull the wings, legs, etc. We should also take good care of the specimens.

2. The difficulties in observing the morphological features encountered in the classification search can be explained with wall charts and slides.

Common Problems

I. Assignments

1. summarize the brief characteristics of the important items in the General Order of Sudden Thorax with respect to the specimens observed.

2. write a list of bird specimens in this room.

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