Aves 3D

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Mandible (Jawbone ) of the Black Skimmer Rynchops niger (CU 42851)

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Phylogenic Position
Aves - Neognathae - Charadriiformes - Rynchopidae - Rynchops - Rynchops niger
Species Description
Rynchops niger, also known as the Black Skimmer, is one of three species in the skimmer family, which get their name from their unique feeding behavior. The lower mandible is elongated compared to the upper portion allowing them to skim the water’s surface in hopes of catching insects, mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish. At hatching the mandibles are of equal length, but throughout fledging, the upper and lower parts quickly become unequal in length. They breed on the sandy shores of North and South America, the male and female Black Skimmer incubate about 4 or 5 bluish or darkened buffed eggs. The chicks leave the nest right after hatching and rest in the area of the nest where they are protected from the severe temperatures. The young skimmers are fed only during the day, because the parents depart the colony to hunt in the evening. The body of this seabird is 40-50 cm, oddly proportioned with long narrow wings, short red legs, and a knife-like bill. Another unique feature of the Black Skimmer is its vertical pupil surrounded by a dark brown iris. If you see a bird with a graceful flight, skimming the surface of the waters, loafing on sandbars or coasts, or if you hear a call sounding like a barking “kak-kak-kak,” then the Black Skimmer is near.
Specimen Information
Species	Rynchops niger (Black Skimmer)
Element	Mandible (Jawbone )
Specimen Number	CU 42851
Sex	Female
Location	North America, USA, New York, Suffolk Co., Westhampton Beach
Geological Age	Recent
Technical Information
Scanner	Roland Picza
Resolution	40 µm
Number of Data Points	758453
Number of Data Polygons	379770
Date Scanned	November 01, 2011
Scan Technician	Ariana Masi
Edited By	Ariana Masi
Photographs
View All 1 Images
Download Digital Model	Size
STL File Not Publicly Available	37.9 MB
Other Rynchops niger (Black Skimmer) Elements
Specimen	Element
CU 42850	Mandible (Jawbone )
CU 42855	Mandible (Jawbone )
CU 42856	Mandible (Jawbone )
CU 42862	Mandible (Jawbone )
CU 42863	Mandible (Jawbone )
MCZ 341426	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 341426	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 341426	Mandible (Jawbone )
MCZ 341426	Right Tibiotarsus and Fibula (Right Middle Leg Bones)
MCZ 341426	Left Tibiotarsus and Fibula (Left Middle Leg Bones)
MCZ 345002	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 345002	Cranium (Skull)
MCZ 345002	Mandible (Jawbone )
MCZ 345002	Articulated Cranium and Mandible (Attached Skull and Jaw)
MCZ 345002	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)
MCZ 345002	Left Femur (Left Upper Leg Bone)
MCZ 345002	Right Femur (Right Femur)
MCZ 345002	Left Tibiotarsus and Fibula (Left Middle Leg Bones)
MCZ 345002	Right Tibiotarsus and Fibula (Right Middle Leg Bones)
MCZ 345002	Left Tarsometatarsus (Left Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
YPM 107666	Left Humerus (Left Upper Arm Bone)
YPM 107666	Mandible (Jawbone )
YPM 107666	Furcula (Wishbone)
YPM 107666	Right Humerus (Right Upper Arm Bone)
YPM 107666	Left Tarsometatarsus (Left Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
YPM 107666	Right Tarsometatarsus (Right Fused Element Consisting of Ankle and Middle Foot Bones)
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