Skeleton Characteristic of Ostrich
Li Xu · Jilin Nongye Daxue xuebao · 1999
The skull of ostrich is slight. In the spinal column, there are 18 cervical vertebras and 8 thoratic vertebras. The lumbar vertebra butterfly vertebra and several coccygeal vertebvra in the first ncombined each other, and become one big slkeleton. The pygostyle has degenerated. Ostrich has 8 pairs of Os costales. The end of the first, seventh and eighth pairs of costales are free. There is not undcinatus in all Os costales. The breasbone is flat and no carin, The skeleton of hind legs is rather developed. it can support the body weight and has the action of running. It has not kneecap and only has the third and forth dactylus. The skeleton of forelimb is not developed.