Epidemiologic assessment of trauma-independent skeletal pathology in non-passerine birds from museum collections.
Systematic survey of mammalian skeletons has revealed patterns of disease reproducible over geologic time. Systematic examination of non-passerine bird skeletons also reveals patterns of disease and identifies those disorders amenable to epidemiologic assessment. Neoplasia, infection, osteochondromatosis and gout are extremely rare, precluding phylogenetic comparisons--at least those based on macroscopic examination of skeletons. Osteoarthritis, paradoxically, is identified at sufficient population frequency for meaningful investigation.
Rothschild
Bruce M
BM
Arthritis Center of Northeast Ohio, Northeastern Ohio Universities College of Medicine, Youngstown, OH 44512, USA. bmr@neoucom.edu
Panza
Robin K
RK
D000818:Animals; D001168:Arthritis / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001715:Bird Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D001717:Birds / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*