Pygostyle

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Pygostyle refers to a number of the final few caudal vertebrae fused into a single ossification, to which the rectrices attach in birds. The pygostyle supports the tail feathers and musculature.

The earliest known species to have evolved a pygostyle were members of the genus of Confuciusornis. It provided an evolutionary advantage, as a completely mobile tail is detrimental to its use for flight control. Modern birds still develop longer caudal vertebrae in their embryonal state, which later fuse to form a pygostyle.

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