Studies Regarding Comparative Aspects of the Splahnocranium in Thebrown Bear (Ursusarctros) and Lion (Pantheraleo)

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the comparative aspects of the splanchnocranium, in two species that were not detailed in Romanian literature: the brown bear (Ursusarctos) - a protected species, and the lion(Pantheraleo). The lion is a mammal from theFelidaefamily, the 2nd largest feline after the tiger, while the bear is a particularly strong predator representative for the Romanian wildlife, belonging to theUrside family. For this study we have used two bear skulls and two lion skulls, all belonging to the Museum of the Comparative Anatomy Discipline of the University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj-Napoca. The skulls were obtained through the usual techniques of osseous pieces processing. Following the examination, we have noted that adult bears have massive skulls. The line of the common profile of the nasal, frontal and occipital bones is relatively smooth, rising and falling progressively in the cranio-caudal direction. The cranial cavity is small, flattened and elongated. The incisors are well developed, and the canines are large and curved. The molars of the superior maxillary present a progressive development in the cranio-caudal sense, while the inferior dental arch has weakly developed first and last molars. The two diastemata are of considerable length. The lion’s skull has an elongated profile, the frontal region slightly fattened, a short post-orbital region, and the cranial cavity has thicker bones, protecting the brain. The nasal openings are large. The maxillary is strong, accommodating a number of 30 teeth. The four canines are long, to help suffocate the pray. The incisors are small, but the carnassials are like a scissor’s blade, in order to cut the meat. The bear skull is more massif than the lion’s, which in turn is more elongated.