 |
|
|
|
Year 2018 - Volume 38, Number 1
|
|
Osteology of the thoracic limb in the Lycalopex gymnocercus Fischer, 1814 (Carnivora, Mammalia): comparative, radiogrpahic and osteometric approaches, 38(1):195-221
|
ABSTRACT.- Souza Junior P., Santos L.M.P.R., Souza E.C., Souza W.V., Carvalho N.C., Anjos B.L., Ferreira C.C. & Santos A.L.Q. 2018. [Osteology of the thoracic limb in the Lycalopex gymnocercus Fischer, 1814 (Carnivora, Mammalia): comparative, radiogrpahic and osteometric approaches.] Osteologia do membro torácico de Lycalopex gymnocercus Fischer, 1814 (Carnivora, Mammalia): abordagens comparada, radiográfica e osteométrica. Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira 38(1):195-221. Laboratório de Anatomia Animal, Universidade Federal do Pampa, campus Uruguaiana, Rodovia BR-472 Km 592, Cx. Postal 118, Uruguaiana, RS 97508-000, Brazil. E-mail: paulosouza@unipampa.edu.br
The forelimb is the part of the post-cranial skeleton that provides more information about locomotion and life habits of a species. The objective of this study was to perform a detailed macroscopic, comparative, radiographic and osteometric investigation of the thoracic limb of Lycalopex gymnocercus. Twenty-four adult specimens collected dead from roadkill were studied. Analysis included macroscopic and comparative descriptions to other canids, radiographic images for recognition of trabeculation patterns and topographical arrangement of bones, linear and three-dimensional measurements, and histological evaluation of the clavicles. The forelimb skeleton of L. gymnocercus presented morphological and functional adaptations in every segment for a specialized cursorial locomotion and some ability to pronation and supination for capture of small vertebrates. There was a tendency for the bones to be longer in males, especially in the distal end of humerus, presumably to fixation of stronger antebrachial muscles. The vestigial clavicle bone was found in all the specimens, had a predominantly cartilaginous nature and was significantly larger in males. The basic conformation of the forelimb skeleton was similar to that of domestic and wild canids described in the literature, although peculiar characteristics of L. gymnocercus have been found. |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
