A new feature of adaptive colouration in ungulates: the fibular flag, part 2: Alces alces (Cervidae)
...continued from https://www.inaturalist.org/journal/milewski/70368-a-new-feature-of-adaptive-colouration-in-ungulates-the-fibular-flag-part-1-raphicerus-bovidae#
The moose (Alces alces, https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/522193-Alces-alces) possesses a fibular flag (https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detail/photo/bull-moose-moving-through-northern-tundra-calling-royalty-free-image/657485842).
In this large-bodied cervid, the fibular flag covers the inner, and often also the outer, surfaces of the hindleg above the hock.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/107522426
The fibular flag of the moose is individually and seasonally variable, and also depends on illumination.
In the summer pelage, the fibular flag is poorly-developed (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/179584604 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/170204579 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/79012704 and https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/31202401).
The following illustrate the fibular fag in Alces alces shirasi:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/22730337
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/165808747
second photo in https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183755724
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/73121671
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4482611
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/4308293
Fibular flag in Alces alces alces:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35274716
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183855765
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183819576
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153934473
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46595843
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/2922305
In nominate A. a. alces, the pale feature in question can be so expansive that the term 'fibular flag' no longer applies (https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112176729).
ADDITIONAL ILLUSTRATIONS OF FIBULAR FLAG IN ALCES ALCES
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116777704
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115702446
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115325363
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115314501
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/114790758
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/112619055
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135414451
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/115470987
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125843310
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/121343112
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/120257251
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/129646111
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/119626107
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/119092478
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116521066
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134851345
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116789745
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-moose-from-behind-142718462.html
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/131879614
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/126552983
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/125993345
Why A. alces is unusual, in possessing a fibular flag, is worthy of further investigation.
Σχόλια
Fibular flag in Alces alces alces:https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/35274716https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183855765https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/183819576https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/153934473https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/46595843
Fibular flag in Alces alces buturlini:
https://www.alamy.com/two-male-moose-alces-alces-with-large-antlers-kronotsky-zapovednik-nature-reserve-kamchatka-peninsula-russian-far-east-december-image263189579.html?imageid=6B22A620-2189-465A-886D-0576A87E886A&p=216449&pn=1&searchId=693543c6c0b82d61e979d27d23f7d17f&searchtype=0
Fibular flag in Alces alces gigas:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/150261561
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/116521066
The following of Alces alces americanus shows that some individuals, in some circumstances, do not show any fibular flag. This is despite the presence of a pedal flag on the foreleg.
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/176492198
The following shows that the fibular flag appears at the juvenile stage in Alces alces alces:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/171011163
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/157248660
https://www.nps.gov/parkhistory/online_books/fauna7/fauna5j.htm#:~:text=Incidental%20observations%20made%20on%20moose,by%20the%20end%20of%20August.
https://pub.epsilon.slu.se/1800/1/Lundmark_kappan_Morhological_and__behavioural_adaptations.pdf
https://link.springer.com/referenceworkentry/10.1007/978-3-030-24475-0_23
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/60517830
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/48543915
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/47020098
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141096978
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/137285474
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/69259259
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/20365946
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/73121671
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM OF FIBULAR FLAG IN ALCES ALCES ALCES:
Females:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134620144
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/142257592
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/134079511
Males:
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/142892596
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/141096978
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/145199168
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/135414451
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/15104271
Shift
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/140164842
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/47020098
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/207779236
https://www.inaturalist.org/observations/207779229
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