The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse)
Examined bones were obtained from eight adult African giant rats, Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse. Animals used had an average body mass of 730.00±41.91 gm and body length of 67.20±0.05 cm. The vertebral formula was found to be C7, T13, L6, S4, Ca31–36. The lowest and highest points of the cervicoth...
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Wiley
2013-01-01
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| Series: | The Scientific World Journal |
| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/973537 |
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| author | Matthew Ayokunle Olude Oluwaseun Ahmed Mustapha Temitope Kehinde Ogunbunmi James Olukayode Olopade |
| author_facet | Matthew Ayokunle Olude Oluwaseun Ahmed Mustapha Temitope Kehinde Ogunbunmi James Olukayode Olopade |
| author_sort | Matthew Ayokunle Olude |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Examined bones were obtained from eight adult African giant rats, Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse. Animals used had an average body mass of 730.00±41.91 gm and body length of 67.20±0.05 cm. The vertebral formula was found to be C7, T13, L6, S4, Ca31–36. The lowest and highest points of the cervicothoracic curvature were at C5 and T2, respectively. The spinous process of the axis was the largest in the cervical group while others were sharp and pointed. The greatest diameter of the vertebral canal was at the atlas (0.8 cm) and the lowest at the caudal sacral bones (2 mm). The diameter of the vertebral foramen was the largest at C1 and the smallest at the S4; the foramina were negligibly indistinct caudal to the sacral vertebrae. There were 13 pairs of ribs. The first seven pairs were sternal, and six pairs were asternal of which the last 2-3 pairs were floating ribs. The sternum was composed of deltoid-shaped manubrium sterni, four sternebrae, and a slender processus xiphoideus. No sex-related differences were observed. The vertebral column is adapted for strong muscular attachment and actions helping the rodent suited for speed, agility, dexterity, and strength which might enable it to overpower prey and escape predation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-0e2d87c13e074d9388b499cead6c912d |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1537-744X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2013-01-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Scientific World Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-0e2d87c13e074d9388b499cead6c912d2025-02-03T01:10:06ZengWileyThe Scientific World Journal1537-744X2013-01-01201310.1155/2013/973537973537The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse)Matthew Ayokunle Olude0Oluwaseun Ahmed Mustapha1Temitope Kehinde Ogunbunmi2James Olukayode Olopade3Department of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 110124, Ogun, NigeriaDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 110124, Ogun, NigeriaDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, College of Veterinary Medicine, Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta 110124, Ogun, NigeriaDepartment of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan 200213, Oyo, NigeriaExamined bones were obtained from eight adult African giant rats, Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse. Animals used had an average body mass of 730.00±41.91 gm and body length of 67.20±0.05 cm. The vertebral formula was found to be C7, T13, L6, S4, Ca31–36. The lowest and highest points of the cervicothoracic curvature were at C5 and T2, respectively. The spinous process of the axis was the largest in the cervical group while others were sharp and pointed. The greatest diameter of the vertebral canal was at the atlas (0.8 cm) and the lowest at the caudal sacral bones (2 mm). The diameter of the vertebral foramen was the largest at C1 and the smallest at the S4; the foramina were negligibly indistinct caudal to the sacral vertebrae. There were 13 pairs of ribs. The first seven pairs were sternal, and six pairs were asternal of which the last 2-3 pairs were floating ribs. The sternum was composed of deltoid-shaped manubrium sterni, four sternebrae, and a slender processus xiphoideus. No sex-related differences were observed. The vertebral column is adapted for strong muscular attachment and actions helping the rodent suited for speed, agility, dexterity, and strength which might enable it to overpower prey and escape predation.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/973537 |
| spellingShingle | Matthew Ayokunle Olude Oluwaseun Ahmed Mustapha Temitope Kehinde Ogunbunmi James Olukayode Olopade The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) The Scientific World Journal |
| title | The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) |
| title_full | The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) |
| title_fullStr | The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) |
| title_short | The Vertebral Column, Ribs, and Sternum of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse) |
| title_sort | vertebral column ribs and sternum of the african giant rat cricetomys gambianus waterhouse |
| url | http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/973537 |
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