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44891

Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology

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Last updated: 22 Jan 2023

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate some aspects of the skull typology of the African giant rat. In this study, 16 adult African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus,Waterhouse) of both sexes were used to investigate the bones of the cranial skeleton. The dimensions of excised skulls were measured directly using pre-established anatomical points. Morphometric analysis of the skulls showed important measurements and features; the intercondylar width was 1.45 ± 0.02cm. The mean nasal length in females at 2.93 ± 0.05 cm was longer than the 2.76 ± 0.06 cm of male. The infraorbital foramen was large in the African giant rat with the greatest length being 0.75 ± 0.02 cm while the greatest breadth was 0.52 ± 0.02 cm. Maximum mandibular height and length were 2.13 ± 0.02 cm and 3.62 ± 0.04 cm respec- tively. Four parameters were statistically significant at P< 0.05 between both sexes and include the intercondylar width, temporal bone height, external auditory pore height and the sub arcuate fossa height; these could thus serve as basis for sexual dimorphism. Major morphologic findings include the presence of a ventral mandibular foramen, a complete jugal arch and presence of jugal foramen. This work has provided morphometric information that will aid in sexual dimorphism and taxonomy of the African giant rat.

DOI

10.21608/jva.2010.44891

Keywords

skull, African giant rat, Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse

Authors

First Name

M.

Last Name

Olude

MiddleName

A.

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria

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Orcid

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First Name

J.

Last Name

Olopade

MiddleName

O. Olopade

Affiliation

Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria

Email

jkayodeolopade@yahoo.com

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Orcid

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Volume

3

Article Issue

2

Related Issue

6697

Issue Date

2010-10-01

Receive Date

2010-03-16

Publish Date

2010-10-01

Page Start

1

Page End

12

Print ISSN

1687-9988

Online ISSN

2357-0504

Link

https://jva.journals.ekb.eg/article_44891.html

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https://jva.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=44891

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1

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Original Article

Type Code

782

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

Journal of Veterinary Anatomy

Publication Link

https://jva.journals.ekb.eg/

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023