Skull asymmetries in wild boar (Sus scrofa LINNAEUS, 1758)

Organisms can develop different kinds of asymmetry when deviations from expected perfect symmetry occur. Among others are fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and directional asymmetry (DA). FA represents small random differences between corresponding parts on the left and right sides of an individual in bilaterally paired structures. It is thought that FA reflects an organism’s ability to cope with genetic and environmental stress during growth. DA occurs whenever one side on the plane of symmetry develops more than the other side, and has a genetic component. In this research, we examined the expression of morphological symmetry in 38 skulls of different age groups of wild boar (Sus scrofa), on their ventral aspect, using two-dimensional coordinates of 27 landmarks. Analyses showed the presence of significant FA and DA in the entire sample, detecting also distinctive differences between age groups. The obtained results show that the shape differences in different age groups could reasonably be a consequence of a response to environmental factors for FA and a masticatory lateralization for DA.Os organismos podem desenvolver diferentes tipos de assimetria quando ocorrem desvios da pefeita simetria esperada. Entre os diversos tipos de assimetria existentes duas merecem especial destaque: a flutuante (AF) e a directional (AD). A AF é representada por pequenas diferenças casuais entre as partes correspondents das laterais direita e esquerda de um indivíduo em estruturas pareadas bilateralmente; acredita-se que elas reflitam a habilidade de um organismo adaptar-se a fatores estressantes genéticos e ambientais observados durante o seu crescimentos. A AD ocorre quando um lado da assimetria plana desenvolve-se mais do que o outro e há um componente genético. No presente trabalho foi analisada a expresssão da simetria morfológica de 38 crânios de diferentes grupos etários de javalis (Sus scrofa), nos seus aspectos ventrais, com o emprego de duas coordenadas dimensionais de 27 pontos anatômicos homólogos. As análises efetuadas revelaram a existência de valores significantes de AF e AD em toda a amostra trabalhada, detectando inclusive diferenças entre os grupos etários. Os resultados obtidos demonstraram que as diferentes formas observadas nos diferentes grupos etários podem ser consequência de uma resposta a fatores ambientais para a AF e a lateralização da mastigação para a AD

Una visión profesional como zootomistas sobre la latinización de nombres en anatomía animal

Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria represents a general agreement on the nomenclature of veterinary anatomy. This article compiles some archaic and irrational terms extracted from the latest version of the Nomina. This has led the authors to advocate the choosing of terms that can be more easily adapted to the vernacular, regardless of whether they are of Latin or Greek origin. Animal anatomists should consider the usefulness of Latinized words in nomenclature, even if they involve a certain corruption of Latin.La Nomina Anatomica Veterinaria se constituye como un consenso general de la nomenclatura veterinaria. Este artículo contempla algunos términos arcaicos e irracionales extraídos de la última versión de la Nomina, de lo que se justifica que los autores justifiquemos la elección de palabras que puedan ser fácilmente adaptadas a las lenguas vernáculas, independientemente del origen de cada término, griego o latín. Los anatomistas animales deberíamos relativizar la utilidad de términos latinos en esta nomenclatura, a favor, si fuese incluso necesario, de una cierta corrupción del original latín

Isometric beak morphology in Phoenicopterus ruber roseus, Phoenicopteriformes

It is well documented that size of various body parts tends to correlate within the same individual. In the current study, we explore the relationship between body weight and some area and lineal beak measurements in a sample of 17 corpses of Greater flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber roseus (10 immatures and 7 adults), collected and after obtaining beak radiographic latero-lateral projections. On images, the following traits were obtained: area of rhinotheca –the sheath covering the maxilla- and gnathotheca –the sheath covering the mandibular-, rhamphotheca height, ocular area, ocular height, ocular width, height, width and area of nares. Our results suggest that some beak measurements are positively correlated with body weight, while nostril area is not. Specifically, rhinotheca and gnathotheca areas and rhamphotheca height were strongly coupled and largely correlated to body weight. The observed differences in beak dimensions are merely a consequence of body weight difference. It is suggested, that the cranial skeleton and musculature are closely linked at least developmentally, allowing for efficient functional integration, but genetic and functional tests must have been performed to reveal the exact nature of the flamingo beak change