ar24852-sup-0001-FigureS1.tifTIFF image, 44.9 MB

Figure S1. Examples of the notarium in Tinamiformes in left lateral view: A, Rhynchotus rufescens (specimen MCP 1556). B, Nothura maculosa (MCP 1869). C, Crypturellus tataupa (MCP 1522). Abbreviations: IO, Intervertebral openings, VK, ventral keel. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0002-FigureS2.tifTIFF image, 45.9 MB

Figure S2. Examples of the notarium in Galliformes in left lateral view: A, Pauxi mitu (specimen MPEG 1936). B, Pipile cujubi (MPEG 3208). C, Ortalis motmot (MPEG 693). D, Gallus gallus (particular collection of A. Aires). Abbreviations: FT, free thoracic vertebra; N, notarial vertebrae; OT, ossified tendons. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0003-FigureS3.tifTIFF image, 32.1 MB

Figure S3. Ossified tendons in the thoracic vertebrae of the Anseriformes in left lateral view: A, Tachyeres brachypteros (specimen MPEG 3266). B, Chloephaga picta (MPEG 3282). The tendons form a rigid structure that join the neural spines, reducing the movement between the vertebrae. Abbreviations: F, fusion; OT, ossified tendons; T, thoracic vertebrae. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0004-FigureS4.tifTIFF image, 38 MB

Figure S4. Notarium of Columba livia (Columbiformes – particular collection of A. Aires). A, left lateral view. B, dorsal view. Abbreviation: OT, ossified tendons. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0005-FigureS5.tifTIFF image, 28.5 MB

Figure S5. Comparative image of the notarium of Phoenicopteriformes in a geological time: A, Palaelodus ambiguus (AMNH 10545), Miocene basal flamingo from France. B, Phoenicopterus chilensis (MCN 0475), extant flamingo. Note the lines indicating the intervertebral openings more large in extant species. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0006-FigureS6.tifTIFF image, 34.6 MB

Figure S6. Notarium of Podicipediformes in left lateral view: A, Podiceps major (MHNT 1339). B, Podiceps cristatus (MHNT 1469). Abbreviations: OT, ossified tendons; VK, ventral keel. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0007-FigureS7.tifTIFF image, 50.7 MB

Figure S7. Notarium of Aramus guarauna (Gruiformes) in left lateral view: A, the specimen MHNT 1785, with three thoracic vertebrae fused. B, the specimen MCP 0858, with four thoracic vertebrae fused. It may be an ontogenetic variation or sexual dimorphism. Abbreviations: CV, cervical vertebrae; FTV, free thoracic vertebrae; N, notarium; OT, ossified tendons; S, synsacrum. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0008-FigureS8.tifTIFF image, 27.6 MB

Figure S8. Notarium of Eurypyga helias (Eurypygiformes, specimen MPEG 35): A, left lateral view. B, dorsal view. Abbreviations: FTV, free thoracic vertebra; L, lamina transversalis notarii; N, notarium; OT, ossified tendon. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0009-FigureS9.tifTIFF image, 51.4 MB

Figure S9. Notarium of Nannopterum brasilianus (Suliformes, specimen MCP 0925) in left lateral view and with the two first thoracic vertebrae fused to the centra. Abbreviations: F, foramen; OT, ossified tendon; VK, ventral keel. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0010-FigureS10.tifTIFF image, 32 MB

Figure S10. Notarium of Threskiornithidae (Pelecaniformes) in left lateral view: A, Eudocimus ruber (MPEG 511). B, Platalea ajaja (MPEG 1269). Note the three first thoracic vertebrae fused. Abbreviations: FTV, free thoracic vertebrae; N, notarium. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0011-FigureS11.tifTIFF image, 43.5 MB

Figure S11. Examples of the notarium in Falconiformes in left lateral view: A, Caracara plancus (MCP 2844). B, Milvago chimango (MCP 2179). Note the four first fused thoracic vertebrae. Abbreviations: VK, ventral keel. Scale = 10mm.

ar24852-sup-0012-Supinfo.tifTIFF image, 62.5 KB

Supporting Information