Anatomical studies on the bones of the pelvic limb in Indian Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak)

Anatomical studies on the bones of the pelvic limb of three Indian muntjac were carried out. The long axis of ilium and ischium were in the same line and the pelvic floor had a caudal slope. The elliptical pelvic inlet was obliquely placed. The gluteal line was a rounded crest. The iliopubic eminence was a small ridge. The ischiatic spine was tall and sharp. The tuber ischii was large and trituberculate. The rim of acetabulum presented a narrow deep notch. The shaft of femur was curved cranially in the distal third. The trochanter major projected above the level of the head of femur. The medial trochlear ridge was more prominent than the lateral. The supracondyloid fossa was well-developed and the patella was long, narrow and triangular with pointed apex. The popliteal line and the muscular ridges on tibia were less prominent. The medial intercondylar tubercle of tibia was taller. Lateral malleolus was a small quadrilateral bone. The tarsus comprised of tibial tarsal, fibular tarsal, central and fourth fused tarsal, first tarsal and second and third fused tarsal. The shaft of the large metatarsal was distinctly four-sided. The small metatarsal was a quadrilateral sesamoid bone. Two chief digits each with three phalanges and three sesamoids were present. The proximal and middle phalanges were more slender than that of the pectoral limb. The middle phalanx was one-third shorter than the proximal one and the distal phalanx had the shape of a hoof.

Key words:

Morphology, pelvic limb, Indian muntjac