Aves 3D

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Cranium (Skull) of the Western Grebe Aechmophorus occidentalis (YPM 104291)

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Phylogenic Position
Aves - Neognathae - Podicipediformes - Podicipedidae - Aechmophorus - Aechmophorus occidentalis
Species Description
The Western Grebe is the largest North American grebe. It is easily confused with Clark’s Grebe, which was until recently considered a subspecies of the Western Grebe; it is now classified as a separate species, though hybrids can be found in places where the two species’ ranges overlap. The Western Grebe eats primarily fish, which it catches by use of a specialized neck structure that allows the grebe to thrust its beak forward to spear fish. Like all grebes, it is a foot-propelled diving bird; while its backset legs make it an efficient swimmer, the Western Grebe is awkward on land, and can run only with great difficulty. During courtship displays, a pair of grebes will rear up onto their feet and patter together across the water.
Specimen Information
Species	Aechmophorus occidentalis (Western Grebe)
Element	Cranium (Skull)
Specimen Number	YPM 104291
Sex	Male
Location	USA: California, Santa Barbara Co.
Geological Age	Recent
Technical Information
Scanner	Konica Minolta Range7
Resolution	40 µm
Number of Data Points	674741
Number of Data Polygons	337924
Date Scanned	July 07, 2009
Scan Technician	Abby Grace Drake
Edited By	Abby Grace Drake
Photographs
View All 3 Images
Download Digital Model	Size
STL File Not Publicly Available	33.7 MB
Other Aechmophorus occidentalis (Western Grebe) Elements
Specimen	Element
YPM 104291	Sternum (Breast Bone)
YPM 104291	Left Tarsometatarsus (Left Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
YPM 104291	Mandible (Jawbone )
YPM 104291	Right Tarsometatarsus (Right Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
YPM 104291	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
YPM 104291	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)
YPM 104291	Furcula (Wishbone)
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