totipalmate

Totipalmate refers to a specific type of foot webbing found in certain birds. In totipalmate feet, all four toes, including the hind toe, are connected by a continuous web of skin. This arrangement is distinct from other types of webbing, such as subulate or semipalmate, where the webbing is either absent, partial, or only connects certain toes.

Birds with totipalmate feet are typically well-adapted for aquatic life, especially for swimming and diving. The extensive webbing allows for a larger surface area to propel themselves through water, making them efficient swimmers. This adaptation is particularly common in families like Pelecanidae (pelicans) and Phalacrocoracidae (cormorants), where members spend a significant amount of time foraging for food in aquatic environments.

The presence of a fully webbed hind toe is a key characteristic that distinguishes totipalmate feet. While other webbed feet might have the hind toe partially attached or even free, in totipalmate feet, it is integrated into the overall webbing structure. This unique anatomical feature contributes significantly to the bird's ability to maneuver and hunt effectively in water. Examples of totipalmate birds include pelicans, cormorants, gannets, and boobies. Their lifestyle and ecological niche are closely linked to this specific foot morphology.