Morphological studies of tarso-metatarsus and digits in emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae)

Abstract

The tarso-metatarsus was long bone and it is almost equal to tibio-tarsal length. The first tarso-metatarsus was absent in Emu. Proximal extremity had two concave articular facets namely the medial and lateral condyles of tibotarsaus. The planter surface had hypotarsus in the form of spine. The distal extremity had three convex articular trochleae, which represented the 2nd, 3rd and 4th digits, respectively. There was totally three digits in the leg and the number of phalanges in each digit were equal to one more than the serial number of the corresponding digits. The third digit was the longest and largest of all, the next longest was the second digit. The proximal articular extremity of all phalanges were divided by a sagittal ridge giving rise to two areas making it saddle shaped with the medial one largest. The last phalanx of all digits were prismatic short bones leading to claw formation which was enclosed in a horny covering.