THE MORPHO-FUNCTIONAL PECULIARITIES OF THE SYNSARCOSIS MUSCLES IN RED SQUIRRELS

In terrestrial species, body propulsion is mostly performed via the pelvic limbs. In semiaquatic species, both pairs of limbs are used in swimming and diving, whereas in arboreal species, the pelvic limbs are used to maintain body stability. Thus, in squirrels, the synsarcosis muscles participate in body propulsion during climbing, as they have well-developed muscular bellies. Among these, the pectoral transverse muscle, which originates along the entire sternum and is inserted on the humeral crest, stands out for its width. The cervical parts of the trapezius and rhomboideus muscles are reduced and their thoracic parts more developed. As a result, muscles such as the occipitoscapularis or atlantoscapularis coordinate forelimb protraction and neck displacement. The serratus ventralis muscle is very well developed and clearly divided into cranial (cervical) and caudal (thoracic) parts; it produces a strong adduction of the thoracic limbs when the parts contract, and when they relax, a large abduction of the forelimbs is produced, enlarging the body size during jumping

The morpho-functional peculiarities of the synsarcosis muscles in red squirrels

In terrestrial species, body propulsion is mostly performed via the pelvic limbs. In semiaquatic species, both pairs of limbs are used in swimming and diving, whereas in arboreal species, the pelvic limbs are used to maintain body stability. Thus, in squirrels, the synsarcosis muscles participate in body propulsion during climbing, as they have well-developed muscular bellies. Among these, the pectoral transverse muscle, which originates along the entire sternum and is inserted on the humeral crest, stands out for its width. The cervical parts of the trapezius and rhomboideus muscles are reduced and their thoracic parts more developed. As a result, muscles such as the occipitoscapularis or atlantoscapularis coordinate forelimb protraction and neck displacement. The serratus ventralis muscle is very well developed and clearly divided into cranial (cervical) and caudal (thoracic) parts; it produces a strong adduction of the thoracic limbs when the parts contract, and when they relax, a large abduction of the forelimbs is produced, enlarging the body size during jumping

Cranial morphology of Balkan and West Asian livestock guardian dogs

Several large “shepherd” or livestock guardian dog (LGD) breeds were historically selectively bred to protect sheep and goat flocks in the Balkans, Anatolia, and the Caucasus regions. Although these breeds exhibit similar behavior, their morphology is different. Yet, the fine characterization of the phenotypic differences remains to be analyzed. The aim of this study is to characterize cranial morphology in the specific Balkan and West Asian LGD breeds. We use a 3D geometric morphometric in order to assess morphological differences regarding both shape and size between LGD breeds and compare this phenotypic diversity to close relative wild canids. Our results indicate that Balkan and Anatolian LGDs form a distinct cluster within a relatively large dog cranial size and shape diversity. Most LGDs display a cranial morphology that could be described as intermediate to the mastiff breeds and large herding dogs, except for the Romanian Mioritic shepherd which has a more brachycephalic cranium strongly resembling the bully-type dog cranial morphotype. Although often considered to represent an ancient type of dog, the Balkan–West Asian LGDs are clearly distinguishable from wolves, dingoes, and most other primitive and spitz-type dogs and this group displays a surprising cranial diversity

Morphometric Study on the Digital Bones in the Domestic Cattle

In this study, the phalanges of the forelimb and hindlimb of 18 adult Holstein breed cattle were used. Morphometric measurements were taken from 144 digital bones. In contrast to classical references, it was concluded that the greatest lengths (GLpe) were longer in the hindlimb than the forelimb for the phalanx proximalis and phalanx media. In the phalanx proximalis and phalanx media, the SD*100/GLpe index value was high in the forelimb and low in the hindlimb. It was observed that the differences between the Bp (Breadth of the proximal end) values of phalanx proximalis and Bd (Breadth of the distal end) values in phalanx media were significant for the inner bones of the forelimb and their hindlimb counterparts, while the other values were statistically not significant. The presence of an asymmetry between the osteometric measurements of the internal and external bones of the digits could only be observed between the GL values of the phalanx media of forelimb (P<0.05). We concluded that the asymmetry seen in the forelimb in Holstein breed cattle maybe a result of being kept on concrete ground as dairy cows

Anatomical Differences in the Omasum of Weaning Calves Fed with Different Diets

The omasum is the third compartment of the ruminant stomach, which is also considered a water absorption organ and participates in the absorption of volatile fatty acids (VFA), minerals, electrolytes, and fluids. The most important morphological parameter of the omasum is the available absorption area, which depends on the size and number of the omasal laminae, and is variable among different ruminants and based on differences in their daily diets. Optimal omasum development in the transition period to ruminant life can enhance animal performance, so identifying the best diet for this period is crucial for producers. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of two diets based on 8 L of milk replacer with the inclusion of concentrate or forage on the development of the omasum in twenty newborn male Holstein calves divided into two groups. The first group was fed alfalfa hay, and the second was administered a balanced commercial starter feed, both groups ad libitum. After standard dissection of the omasum of both calf groups, the omasal laminae were classified as primary, secondary, and tertiary, and their surface area was calculated. Regarding the number of first-, second-, and third-order laminae, a significant difference was only observed in the number of third-order laminae in favor of the forage-fed group (p = 0.04). The laminar surface area indicated that the area of the primary, secondary, and tertiary sheets, and the total laminar area, were greater in the forage group (p p = 0.05). In conclusion, this study demonstrates that significant anatomical differences can be observed between two groups of animals of the same species and rearing stage that were fed with two different diets within a period of less than two months. This highlights the remarkable plasticity and adaptability of the ruminant stomach

The morphometric examination of head area of black headed gulls (larus ridibundus) from marmara region

The Black-headed gull (Larus ridibundus), a gull species commonly seen on shores of Küçükçekmece lake located in Turkey’s Marmara Region. This bird does not show sexual dimorphism because as it has monomorphic feather characteristics like other gull species.. In order to perform sex discrimination in gulls, the effective discriminant function analysis (DFA) method is used for the measurements based on the external morphology and determining the variables discriminating the two sex groups. The head morphological measurements and the body weights of 28 (14 males and 14 females) adult Black-headed gulls were obtained. One discriminant function was determined based on the results. The accuracy rate in two sexes was determined to be 82.1% (85.7% female, 78.6% male) using the formula we obtained as a result of the discriminant function analysis in which the head length, determined to be more significant compared to the other variables, was used. The aim of the study is to assess the sexual dimorphism in population of Black-headed gull and represent a reliable method to make a sex discrimination along with discriminant analysis