tarsometatarsus

views updated May 18 2018

tarsometatarsus A bone formed by the fusion of the metatarsals with the tarsal bones of the appendicular skeleton, and found in birds (Aves) and some dinosaurs. The beginnings of this fusion can be seen in some Theropoda, but it is not complete until the early Cretaceous (Sinornis). See also TIBIOTARSUS.

A Dictionary of Zoology MICHAEL ALLABY

views updated May 08 2018

tarsometatarsus A bone formed by the fusion of the metatarsals with the tarsals of the appendicular skeleton, and found in birds (Aves) and some dinosaurs. The beginnings of this fusion can be seen in some Theropoda, but it is not complete until the early Cretaceous (Sinornis). See also TIBIOTARSUS.

A Dictionary of Earth Sciences AILSA ALLABY and MICHAEL ALLABY