The ossification of the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton of the quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica).

The onset of ossification centres of the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton of the quail in embryos and juvenile birds were studied. Specimens, which were cleared and were stained with Alcian Blue and Alizarin Red S, were examined at the stereomicroscope. The ilium and the pubis began to ossify at the 8th day (E8), whereas the ischium at E9. Perichondral ossification was observed at E6 in the femur, tibia and fibula. A secondary ossification centre was detected in the proximal epiphysis of the tibiotarsus at the 15th post-hatching day (P15). The patella began to ossify at P30. Regarding the tarsal bones tibiale, pre-tibiale and fibulare, ossification was observed at the E15, E12 and E16, respectively. The metatarsals II, III, IV ossified at E7, whereas the metatarsal I at E11. The centres of ossification of the 1st phalanges of all digits were observed at E9. At the same day, the ossification centres of the 2nd phalanx of digits II and III as well as the 3rd phalanx of digit III appeared. At E10, ossification was observed in the 2nd phalanx of digit I, in the 3rd phalanx of digit II and in the 2nd and 3rd phalanx of digit IV. In the 4th phalanx of digit III and in the terminal phalanges of digit IV, ossification was observed at E11. The data presented here provide useful baseline information on the normal sequential pattern of ossification in the pelvic girdle and leg skeleton in this species.