Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology
Olude, M., Olopade, J. (2010). Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology. EKB Journal Management System, 3(2), 1-12. doi: 10.21608/jva.2010.44891
M. A. Olude; J. O. Olopade Olopade. "Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology". EKB Journal Management System, 3, 2, 2010, 1-12. doi: 10.21608/jva.2010.44891
Olude, M., Olopade, J. (2010). 'Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology', EKB Journal Management System, 3(2), pp. 1-12. doi: 10.21608/jva.2010.44891
Olude, M., Olopade, J. Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology. EKB Journal Management System, 2010; 3(2): 1-12. doi: 10.21608/jva.2010.44891

Morphometric Studies of the Axial Skeleton of the African Giant Rat (Cricetomys gambianus, Waterhouse) Part (1): Skull Typology

Journal of Veterinary Anatomy
Article 1, Volume 3, Issue 2, October 2010, Page 1-12  XML PDF (444.75 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/jva.2010.44891
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Authors
M. A. Olude1; J. O. Olopade Olopade2
1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria
2Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate some aspects of the skull typology of the African giant rat. In this study, 16 adult African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus,Waterhouse) of both sexes were used to investigate the bones of the cranial skeleton. The dimensions of excised skulls were measured directly using pre-established anatomical points. Morphometric analysis of the skulls showed important measurements and features; the intercondylar width was 1.45 ± 0.02cm. The mean nasal length in females at 2.93 ± 0.05 cm was longer than the 2.76 ± 0.06 cm of male. The infraorbital foramen was large in the African giant rat with the greatest length being 0.75 ± 0.02 cm while the greatest breadth was 0.52 ± 0.02 cm. Maximum mandibular height and length were 2.13 ± 0.02 cm and 3.62 ± 0.04 cm respec- tively. Four parameters were statistically significant at P< 0.05 between both sexes and include the intercondylar width, temporal bone height, external auditory pore height and the sub arcuate fossa height; these could thus serve as basis for sexual dimorphism. Major morphologic findings include the presence of a ventral mandibular foramen, a complete jugal arch and presence of jugal foramen. This work has provided morphometric information that will aid in sexual dimorphism and taxonomy of the African giant rat.
Keywords
skull; African giant rat; Cricetomys gambianus; Waterhouse
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