234 
PACIFIC SCIENCE, Vol. 1, October, 1947 
TABLE 12 
Measurements of the Tibiotarsus (mm.)* 
NO. 
SPEC¬ 
IMENS 
RANGE 
MEAN 
STANDARD 
DEVIATION 
COEFFICIENT 
VARIATION 
Length . 
S 5 
208-213 
210± .90 
1.94± .61 
.92 ± .30 
l 71 
212-244 
229 ± .90 
7.29— .61 
3.18± .27 
Proximal width. 
{ ,. 8 
26.2-29.4 
27.3 
Distal width ... 
I 6 
23.4-23.5 
24.3 
l 66 
22.3-26.2 
24.1 
Length fibular crest ... 
f , 6 
43.3-47.0 
45.1 
1 69 
42.3-58.8 
51.2 
* First row of figures under each category pertains to californianus, the second row to amplus. 
californianus are probably the result of the 
small sample. 
The range of the length of the tarsometa- 
tarsus in californianus is included in the com¬ 
parable range in amplus (Table 13). How¬ 
ever, the sample of the Recent form is small; 
it is likely that it represents less than 70 per 
cent of the probable range of the whole pop¬ 
ulation. In no absolute measurement are all 
individuals of the two series separable. In 
every dimension the fossil bone averages 
larger, and these differences are highly sig¬ 
nificant (Table 15). The coefficient of vari¬ 
ation is greater in amplus for each of the 
three measurements, but this probably is a 
reflection of the small series for the modern 
condor. 
There were so few pedal elements avail¬ 
able for californianus that statistical analysis 
was not undertaken. The only statements 
that can be made regarding the phalanges of 
the foot are that each phalanx is apparently 
longer in the fossil and that the coefficients 
of variation in amplus are of a magnitude 
similar to that found in most zoological 
series of Recent materials. The greater abso¬ 
lute lengths of the phalanges (as exemplified 
by those of digit III) in amplus were found 
to be the same relative length as in califor¬ 
nianus when their means were compared to 
mean total length of leg. 
SUMMARY 
In this study it has been found impossible 
to distinguish the two species, californianus 
and amplus, of the cathartid genus Gymno- 
gyps on the basis of any qualitative charac¬ 
ters in skeletal elements other than those of 
the skull. Further, it is not possible to seg¬ 
regate all individuals of the two species on 
the basis of absolute size of skeletal ele¬ 
ments. In no measurement made in this 
TABLE 13 
Measurements of the Tarsometatarsus (mm.)* 
NO. 
SPEC¬ 
IMENS 
RANGE 
MEAN 
STANDARD 
DEVIATION 
COEFFICIENT 
VARIATION 
Length . 
i 6 
113-117 
114± .71 
1.75 ± .51 
1.54± .44 
\ 100 
113-134 
123± .40 
3.96± .28 
3.22± .23 
Diameter through cotyla. 
1 6 
25.5-28.0 
26.6± .38 
.94 ± .27 
3.53±1.02 
\ 86 
26.5-31.7 
28.5± .13 
1.16± .09 
4.07 ± .31 
Diameter through trochlea. 
{ 6 
28.3-30.2 
29.4± .31 
.75 ± .22 
2.55 ± .74 
l 97 
29.5-34.5 
32.2± .17 
1.64 ± .12 
5.09— .37 
* First row of figures under each category pertains to californianus, the second row to amplus. 
