The Hyoid Apparatus of Humboldt Penguin (Spheniscus humboldti)

Abstract

The hyoid apparatus of Humboldt penguin was observed. The paraglossum consisted of cartilage, and it was buried in the tongue. The paraglossum was similar to the arrow shaped tongue. The basihyale was short and fused with the urohyale. The cornu had small paired caudal small processes of the paraglossum. The cornu branchiate consisted of the ceratobranchiale and the epibranchiale and length of the ceratobranchiale and the epibranchiale were in the ratio of approximately 3 to 1. The hyoid apparatus of Humboldt penguin has a unique character, the paraglossum completely consisted of cartilage, and the basihyale was fused with the urohyale.