Osteology of the pelvic limb of nine-banded-armadillo, dasypus novemcinctus linnaeus, 1758 applied to radiographic interpretation

Abstract

At South Brazil, where the Pampa biome is predominant, dead nine-banded armadillo is frequentely found injuried or even dead at margins of roads and highways what has contributed to the increasing of number of specimens in admission to wildlife rehabilitation centers. Osteological studies are limited and normal skeleton morphology informations is need to radiographic recognition in wildlife medicine. The objective of this work was to present the morphology of the bones from the pelvic limbs of Dasypus novemcinctus, pointing out their topographical characterization and how their can be seen in radiographic images. Pelvic limbs of twelve dead nine-banded armadillo specimens from different age categories were used. The carcass were underwent radiological examinations using digital processing and practical plans for the clinical routine of small animals. From each radiographed individual osteological preparation was carrying out using conventional anatomical techniques. Photographic records of bones were made considering views of anatomical importance to the study. All bone components of the pelvic limb showed characteristics favorable to the species' lifestyle and habits reforcing evolutive morphoplasticity. Some bone accidents were unable to be clearly recorded through radiographic images because peculiar anatomical characteristics and limited mobility in some joints which not allowed executing positioning as done in the dog or cat. Presence of a sinsacre, a great third trochanter, a well structured leg with tibia and fibula similar in size and thickness and the complex sesamoid elements on feet suggests the specialization in shifting body weight to the pelvic limb while using the forelimbs to dig. The study provided a radiographic protocol includyind suitable positionings from practical execution by wildlife veterinarians that work in rehabilitation centers.