Homology and evolution of the deep dorsal thigh musculature in birds and other reptilia.

Data from adult birds, crocodilians, Sphenodon, squamates, turtles, and from the chick embryo are compared to test conflicting hypotheses of homology of the deep dorsal thigh muscles of birds and other reptiles. This comparison suggests that: (1) avian Mm. iliofemoralis externus and iliotrochantericus caudalis (herein renamed "iliofemoralis cranialis") are homologous with M. iliofemoralis of other reptiles; (2) avian Mm. iliotrochanterici cranialis and medius are homologous with one of two divisions of M. pubo-ischio-femoralis internus found in other reptiles (pars dorsalis of Crocodylia); (3) avian M. iliofemoralis internus (herein renamed "cuppedicus") is homologous with the other division of M. pubo-ischio-femoralis internus (pars medialis of Crocodylia). This hypothesis implies a minimum of seven transformations in the number of muscles and their positions of origin and insertion in the evolution of Aves, five of which are recapitulated during ontogeny of the chick. The traditional recognition of three muscles in the "iliotrochantericus group" is topographically accurate, but it is a misnomer and has been a source of misdirection when these muscles are studied in a phylogenetic context. Variations within Aves in the presence of the iliotrochantericus muscles (cranialis or medius) and the iliofemoralis muscles (externus or cranialis) are results of heterochronic perturbations of a conserved developmental program. Unlike most previous interpretations, this view of homology suggests that the evolution of avian bipedality was accompanied by few myological transformations, despite profound modification of the skeleton.