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Sternum (Breast Bone) of the Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Sphyrapicus varius (MCZ 347813)


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Phylogenic Position
Aves - Neognathae - Piciformes - Picidae - Sphyrapicus - Sphyrapicus varius
Species Description
The Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker is found in young deciduous forests across Canada, eastern Alaska, and northeastern United States, with a preference for aspen and birch trees. It mostly consumes sap from trees, but will also eat fruits and berries (gleaned from foliage) and insects (caught in the air or after being attrached to the sap). Two kinds of holes are made to collect sap: deep, round holes, in which the beak is inserted to probe for sap, and rectangular, shallow holes, which must constantly be maintained in order to ensure a supply of sap. It is thought that the saliva of the Yellow-Bellied Sapsucker contains an anti-coagulant that prevents sap from clogging and sealing the holes. Sapsuckers also seem to prefer trees that are already wounded and weakened, possibly because the sap of such trees is higher in amino acids and protein.
Specimen Information
Species Sphyrapicus varius (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker)
Element Sternum (Breast Bone)
Specimen Number MCZ 347813
Sex
Location
Geological Age Recent
 
Technical Information
Scanner Roland Picza
Resolution 100 µm
Number of Data Points 61620
Number of Data Polygons 123230
Date Scanned June 25, 2008
Scan Technician Rachael Martinez
Edited By Rachael Martinez
 
Photographs


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Download Digital Model Size
STL File Not Publicly Available 6.2 MB
Other Sphyrapicus varius (Yellow-bellied Sapsucker) Elements
Specimen Element
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