ANATOMY AND CRANIAL MORPHOMETRY OF PAROARIA DOMINICANA (LINNEAUS, 1758).

Abstract

Paroaria dominicana (Linneaus, 1758) is a species whose habitat predominates in the national territory, between the Northeast, Southeast, North and part of the Central-West regions. The species Paroaria dominicana (Linneaus, 1758), popularly known as the northeastern cardinal, belongs to the phylum Animalia, of the bird class, Passeriformes order and Thraupidae family. The genus Paroaria is characterized as monophyletic, which demonstrates that all species in the genus share a common ancestor. The genus Paroaria dominicana is closely related to Paroaria coronata, as demonstrated by their common phylogenetic grouping. Understanding the osteological anatomical particularities of this species can contribute to future studies involving the biological history, morphological adaptations that guaranteed its expansion, interaction, ecological niche, as well as assisting in veterinary medical procedures in the rescue and rehabilitation of populations of this species. Six anatomical pieces of adult specimens (three males and three females) of the species Paroaria dominicana (Linneaus, 1758) were donated from the Wild Animal Screening Center (CETAS) located in the Mata do Amém restinga forest in the city of Cabedelo - PB. The skull was dissected to expose the component bone structures, with the aid of a stereomicroscopic magnifying glass, the bones corresponding to the neurocranium and viscerocranium were described, in order to contribute with morphological and phylogenetic data of the species. The selection of animals was made taking into account the state of conservation of the head. This means that the animals chosen whose skulls and related structures did not show any visible external changes. The skulls from the Dominican Paroaria (Linneaus, 1758) that were dissected have a delicate structure, with light bones.