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Points in the morphology and anatomy of certain megapodes. Part i.—the pterylosis. Part ii.—the myology of the hind limb.

Flynn, Theodore Thomson 1909 , 'Points in the morphology and anatomy of certain megapodes. Part i.—the pterylosis. Part ii.—the myology of the hind limb.' , Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania , pp. 175-187 .

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Abstract

My material consists of a number of specimens of
two genera, "Catheturus lathami" (the "Scrub-
Turkey") and "Lipoa ocellata" (the "Mallee Fowl").
In addition, I have a chick (12 days hatched)
of "Megapodius eremita," on the pterylosis of which I
make some notes, but which I have not dissected.
The specimens were all obtained through the assistance
of the fund of the John Coutts Scholarship, of
Sydney University, of which for one year I was the
holder.
PART I.—PTERYLOSIS.
All the genera of the Megapodidae so far described
resemble the typical gallinae in a number of points in
their feather arrangement, but most especially in the
fact that the two parts of the ventral tract unite before
reaching the anus. They, however, agree with one another,
and differ from the typical gallinae in the possession
of the interrupted ventral tract, the presence of the
large dorsal interscapular space and the fusion of the lumbar with the dorsal tract.
It seems possible that the
Megapodidae are capable of being divided into two
groups.
The first of these have the oil gland tufted, and
are aquincubital. This group would probably be found to
include all the species belonging to the genus "Megapodius,"
but at any rate includes "M. eremita" and
"M. pritchardi." The second group would include those
genera with a nude oil gland and quincubital wing,
comprising the genera "Catheturus," "Lipoa," and
probably "Megacephalon," although we have no evidence
yet, in the case of this genus, as to the wing being
diastataxial or otherwise.
PART II.—MYOLOGY OF THE HIND LIMB.
Myologically, I have as yet examined only two
genera of the Megapodidae — "Catheturus" and
"Lipoa." In both cases the
enormous strength of the leg muscles is very noticeable,
particularly as regards the muscles of the thigh. The
size of these muscles is much greater than in Gallus.

Item Type: Article
Authors/Creators:Flynn, Theodore Thomson
Keywords: Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title: Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
ISSN: 0080-4703
Collections: Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:

In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.

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