Caudalmost section of thoracic spine and isolated thoracic vertebrae of various neornithine birds with lateral openings (lop) and pleurocoels (plc) in the vertebral corpus (lateral or lateroventral view). A, Sula leucogaster (Sulidae; SMF 9574). B, Phaethon lepturus (Phaethontidae; SMF 9969). C, Balaeniceps rex (Balaenicipitidae; SMF 6293; last but two thoracic vertebra). D, Psophia leucoptera (Psophiidae; SMF 9576). E, Aramus guarauna (Aramidae; SMF 9970). F, Balearica regulorum (Gruidae; SMF 19959). G, Ardeotis kori (Otididae; SMF 11797 last but one thoracic vertebra). H, juvenile A. kori (SMF 19961). I, Sagittarius serpentarius (Sagittariidae; SMF 445). J, Haliaeetus albicilla (Accipitridae; SMF 1522). K, Bubo bubo sibiricus (Strigidae; SMF 18823). L, Corythaeola cristata (Musophagidae; SMF 15047). M, Opisthocomus hoazin (Opisthocomiformes; SMF 1546). The scale bars equal 10 mm.

 
 
  Part of: Mayr G (2021) On the occurrence of lateral openings and fossae (pleurocoels) in the thoracic vertebrae of neornithine birds and their functional significance. Vertebrate Zoology 71: 453-463. https://doi.org/10.3897/vz.71.e71268