What morphological trait of the Xeme is adapted for tundra maneuvering rather than deep wading?
Answer
Relatively short legs for a gull.
A key physical adaptation evident in the Sabine’s Gull morphology relates to its lower limbs. Compared to many other gull species that spend significant time wading along open beaches searching for food in shallow water, the Xeme possesses legs that are relatively short. This shorter limb structure is advantageous for a bird that spends more time navigating the uneven terrain of tussocky tundra or needs to execute rapid take-offs directly from the ground environment where it nests.
Related Questions
What makes the Sabine’s Gull scientifically unique regarding its genus classification?Where does the Sabine’s Gull exclusively breed in the high Arctic tundra?How is the striking adult breeding plumage of the Xeme instantly recognizable?What morphological trait of the Xeme is adapted for tundra maneuvering rather than deep wading?Which two distant global regions are mentioned as potential wintering grounds for migrating Sabine’s Gulls?What describes the pelagic existence of the Sabine’s Gull during the non-breeding season?How do the plumage characteristics of juvenile *Xema sabini* differ from fully mature adults?What is the specific diagnostic feature of the Sabine’s Gull tail that matures in immature birds?What pattern defines the successful evolutionary strategy balancing Arctic breeding and global migration?How did the Xeme’s habitat partitioning promote its distinct evolutionary pathway?