Study of different indices of scapula of certain non-primate mammals in relation to locomotion

Abstract

The movement of the forelimb chiefly depends on structure and function of the shoulder region. The functional morphology of the primate forelimb has been studied in detail but the non primate shoulder has not been explored to such extent. The present study was conducted on scapula bones of different (non-primate) mammals, including ox, horse, dog, rhinoceros, sloth bear, chital deer, barasingha, striped hyena and small Indian civet with regard to scapular indices.The infraspinous index was highest in sloth bear for the purpose of climbing. Superior angle of scapula bone was rounded in dog, striped hyena, small Indian civet and sloth bear, whereas in case of barasingha, horse, ox, rhinoceros and chital deer, was not rounded. It can be concluded that the scapula of barasingha, horse, dog, ox, rhinoceros are better adapted for running purposes only, whereas sloth bear and small Indian civet are better adapted for climbing, digging and various other manipulations.