Myology of the Pectoral Appendage in Kingbirds (Tyrannus) and Their Allies

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The forelimb muscles of several species of the kingbird group are here described and illustrated, with the goal of discovering character states of use in delineating clades within the Tyrannidae. These muscles conform in all species to the oscine pattern as described by other authors, with the exception of a few features. Special attention is given to M. latissimus dorsi caudalis, the only muscle that varies widely among, as well as within, the species examined. Absence of this muscle in the species of Myiozetetes could mean that this group is a clade. Variation in other tyrannids, however, indicates that closely related species may be losing M. latissimus dorsi caudalis independently.