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1 January 2009 Skeletal correlates of body weight in the Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) of Jamaica
Gary R. Graves
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Abstract

Analyses of body size evolution in hummingbirds (Trochilidae) are hampered by the lack of standardized weight data for most of the ∼330 described species. Moreover, little is known of the morphological correlates of body weight upon which a body-size index could be constructed. I investigated the skeletal correlates of body weight in the endemic Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) of Jamaica. Mist-netted males were weighed at initial capture and after the holding period (2.1–6.7 hr). Seven of 10 skeletal characters exhibited marginally higher correlations with the second measure of body weight, which was unbiased by gut contents. Sternum length emerged as the single best skeletal predictor of body weight. A multivariate index (PCA 1) derived from three sternal characters had approximately the same predictive value as a comparable analysis of all ten skeletal characters. This suggests that a simple multivariate measure of sternal morphology may provide a reliable body size index for hummingbirds.

Copyright 2009 College of Arts and Sciences University of Puerto Rico, Mayagüez
Gary R. Graves "Skeletal correlates of body weight in the Black-billed Streamertail (Trochilus scitulus) of Jamaica," Caribbean Journal of Science 45(1), 69-72, (1 January 2009). https://doi.org/10.18475/cjos.v45i1.a10
Published: 1 January 2009
KEYWORDS
Body size index
hummingbirds
museum specimens
Trochilidae
Trochilus scitulus
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