University of Kansas Lawrence 1964 University of Kansas Publications, Museum of Natural History Editors: E. Raymond Hall, Chairman, Henry S. Fitch, Theodore H. Eaton, Jr. Volume 12, No. 13, pp. 553-573, 7 figs. Published March 2, 1964 University of Kansas Lawrence, Kansas PRINTED BY THE STATE PRINTER TOPEKA, KANSAS 1964...

PAGE Introduction 555 Methods and Materials 556 Myology and Angiology: Hirundinidae 557 Myology 557 Angiology 558 Myology and Angiology: Columbidae 560 Myology 560 Angiology 560 Summary of Arterial Arrangement 562 Discussion and Conclusions 562 Individual Variation 562 Intrafamilial Differences 563 Interfamilial Differences 565 Summary 567 Literature Cited 573...

Most descriptions of the circulatory system of birds, largely the work of Glenny, have dealt with arteries of the neck and thorax in a wide variety of species. As a result of his work, Glenny offered several hypotheses concerning the phylogenetic, hence taxonomic, significance of differences in some of these vessels. He also described six types of thoracic arterial arrangements and stated that these categories might represent various levels of evolution (Glenny, 1955:543-544). The families Colum

I gratefully acknowledge many valuable suggestions in my research and the preparation of this manuscript from Professors Theodore H. Eaton, A. Byron Leonard, Richard F. Johnston, Robert M. Mengel, and E. Raymond Hall. Mr. Abbot S. Gaunt and Miss Sandra Lovett assisted in collecting specimens. Final drafts of the illustrations were prepared by Mr. Thomas Swearingen. Figs. 1, 2, 3, and 4 illustrate the following muscles and arteries described for Progne subis ....

M. pectoralis thoracica , Fig. 1. The origin is from slightly less than the posterior half of the sternum, from the ventral half of the keel, almost the entire length of the posterolateral surface of the clavicle and adjacent portion of the sterno-coraco-clavicular membrane, and tendinously from the ventral thoracic ribs. This massive muscle covers the entire ventral surface of the thorax and converges to insert on the ventral side of the humerus on the pectoral surface. M. supracoracoideus , Fi

Figs. 3 and 4 show all arteries discussed for this family. The numbers following the names or descriptions of arteries in the text refer to numbered arteries in one or both of these figures. The right and left innominate or brachiocephalic arteries arise from the aortic trunk and give rise to the common carotid arteries (14). The major vessel continuing across the thoracic cavity is the subclavian artery. Classically the subclavian is considered as continuing into the anterior appendage as the a

M. pectoralis thoracica , Fig. 5. The origin is from approximately the ventral third of the keel, the lateral and anterior portion of the clavicle and the adjacent sterno-coraco-clavicular membrane, and from the lateral portion of the sternum and the fascia overlying the thoracic ribs. This massive muscle covers the entire ventral surface of the thorax, converges, and inserts on the pectoral surface on the ventral side of the humerus. M. supracoracoideus , Fig. 5. The origin is from the dorsal t

Figs. 5, 6, and 7 show all arteries discussed for this family. The numbers following names or descriptions of arteries in the text refer to numbered arteries in one of these figures. Insofar as possible, the numbers used for these arteries are the same numbers used for the homologous vessels in swallows. The right and left innominate arteries arise from the aortic trunk and give rise to the common carotid (14) and subclavian (1) arteries. The latter continues across the thoracic cavity, giving r

In both families the vessels that are relatively constant in appearance are: a subclavian giving rise to the carotid and axillary arteries, and becoming the pectoral trunk; the thoracic artery arising variously, and passing posteriorly to the rib cage; and the coracoid complex of vessels. The coracoid complex includes the coracoid artery, the vessels to Mm. sternocoracoideus and coracobrachialis posterior , and the sternal artery, which is variously present, and more extensive in some species th

The term "individual variation" is used here to mean "continuous non-sex-associated variation" (see Mayr, Linsley, and Usinger, 1953:93) found between members of the same species or between the two sides of the same individual. It is hazardous to define individual variation (and also interspecific differences, as discussed later) in the origin of one vessel by relating its location to other vessels, because these may likewise vary in origin. But, by necessity, certain vessels that are probably l

In spite of the rather extensive amount of individual variability in some vessels, I found the over-all pattern of arteries to be relatively constant within the family Columbidae and within the family Hirundinidae. There are, nevertheless, several intrafamilial differences needing some further discussion and clarification. Others have reported the occasional presence of more than one coracoid artery on each side in some columbids, these arteries being described as arising from various sites and

As shown above, there is a high degree of individual variation in the vessels being considered, while at the same time, few interspecific differences were noted within the families. On the other hand, the vascular arrangement of swallows consistently differed from that of pigeons in the species studied. The differences are most easily described by discussing the resulting change in the site of origin of the thoracic artery. In swallows the thoracic artery arises between the carotid and axillary

(Applies also to Figs. 5 and 6.) Numerals not used are those used for Progne subis for which no homologous artery occurs in Scardafella inca . American Ornithologists' Union 1957. Check-List of North American birds. Baltimore, Maryland, Amer. Ornith. Union, xiv + 691 pp. Ashley, J. F. 1941. A study of the structure of the humerus in the Corvidae. Condor, 43:184-195. Beddard, F. E. 1898. The structure and classification of birds. London, Longmans, Green, & Co., xx + 548 pp. Berger, A. J.