Background: Understanding the adaptative changes in bone shapes among animals involves studying
bone morphology. We examined adult hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius)forelimb bones at the
anatomy laboratory of Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh. Samples were
collected from Rangpur Recreation Park and Zoo between September 2021 and July 2022.
Methods: Bones were processed by removing mud and boiled with water. Subsequently, hydrogen
peroxide was used for one and a half hours to remove any remaining muscular tissues from the bones.
Following this, the bones were air-dried under sunlight for a month. Measurements of key parameters
including length, height, width, circumference, and weight were obtained using calibrated instruments,
thereby ensuring precision.
Results:The scapula displayed a pronounced and elongated spine – the spina scapulae – that demarcated
the lateral surface into two distinct fossae: the supraspinous fossa and the infraspinous fossa. The distal
expansion of the spine, known as the acromion process, consisted of the fused hamate process and
suprahamate process. The head of humerus was round and featured two undivided tubercles: the greater or
major and the lesser tubercle. On the medial surface, a small and shallow radial fossa was observed, while
on the opposite side, a large and deep olecranon fossa was present. The proximal surface of the radius
head exhibited concave fovea capitis radii, which articulated with the lateral condyle of the humerus. The
shaft of the radius was slightly expanded in the cranio-caudal direction. Similarly, the shaft of the ulnahad
a somewhat triangular shape, resembling the shape of the radius shaft. Medially, it had a convex facet that
articulated with the radius, and cranially, the interosseous space between the radius and ulna was longer
than the caudal view.
Conclusions: The unique anatomical features and morphometric measurements of the forelimb bones in
hippos can be beneficial for identification, radiographic interpretation, and forensic investigation.
Furthermore, this study provides essential guidelines and insights for understanding appropriate
anatomical parameters.
Key words: Hippopotamus, anatomy, scapula, humerus, radius, ulna
|
