Cranial Osteology of Meiglyptini (Aves:Piciformes:Picidae)

Abstract

The Meiglyptini comprise eight species grouped into three genera:MeiglyptesandMulleripicus, with three species each, andHemicircus,with two species. The aim of the present study was to describe the cranial osteology of six species and three genera of Meiglyptini and to compare them to each other, as well as with other species of woodpeckers and other bird groups. The cranial osteology varied among the investigated species, but the most markedly distinct characteristics were: (1) a frontal overhang is only observed in the middle portion of the frontale ofH. concretus; (2) the Proc. zygomaticus and suprameaticus are thick and long in species of the genusMulleripicus, but short in other species; (3) thePes pterygoideiis relatively larger in species of the genusMulleripicus, while it is narrow, thin and relatively smaller in species of the genusMeiglyptesand indistinct inH. concretus; (4) the bony projection of the ectethmoidale is relatively short and thin in species ofMulleripicusand more developed inH. concretus. It appears that the greatest structural complexity of the cranial osteology is associated with the birds’ diet, with the frugivorousH. concretusbeing markedly different from the insectivorous species.