pygostyle

American  

[pahy-guh-stahyl] / ˈpaɪ gəˌstaɪl /

noun

Ornithology.

1. the bone at the posterior end of the spinal column in birds, formed by the fusion of several caudal vertebrae.

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Other Word Forms

• pygostyled adjective
• pygostylous adjective

Etymology

Origin of pygostyle

1870–75; < Greek pȳgo- (combining form representing pȳgḗ rump) + stŷlos pillar

Example Sentences

The tail's anatomy enabled the scientists to rule out that it belonged to a bird because it was long and flexible and lacked a pygostyle, fused vertebrae that in birds support the tail feathers.

From Reuters

"We can be sure of the source because the vertebrae are not fused into a rod or pygostyle as in modern birds and their closest relatives," he explained.

From BBC

Turning a pygostyle back into a long tail requires learning how the pygostyle evolved in the first place.

From Washington Post

Instead, they have a complicated appendage called a pygostyle, with short, fused vertebrae and connected muscles that allow them to control and fan out their tail feathers.

From Washington Post

Pygostyle, pī′gō-stīl, n. the vomer or ploughshare bone of a bird's tail.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg