Morphological, Morphometrical and Radiological Features of the Pelvic Limb Skeleton in African Green Monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) from Saint Kitts and Nevis Islands.

Abstract

The paper presents a detailed gross anatomical description of the elements of the pelvic limb in the African green monkey and provides comparative and differential elements on pelvic limb monkey osteology. The osteometric investigation adds value to the gross morphological and radiological investigation, adjoining metric data to the gross descriptive data set. The main methodology used was the gross morphological investigation, doubled by regular osteometrical and radiographical assessments. For each of the elements, several morphological aspects are described, pointing to the specific and differential aspects that might serve as landmarks in the specific diagnosis of different adaptative changes, related to the type of locomotion. For the pelvis, the aspect of the symphysis, the overall shape of the pelvic inlet, the iliac wing aspect and the acetabular shape are listed as significant elements. The femur has a spherical head with an inferior position of the femoral fovea and a well-developed (tall) greater trochanter, lacking the third trochanter. The medial condyle of the femur is better developed than the lateral one and an evident extensor's fossa is noted at the level of the distal shaft. The proximal lateral condyloid surface in the tibia is slightly larger than the medial one, with noticeable intercondilar eminences. The fibula is long and unfused with the tibia. Some specific anatomical features are listed only for the talus and calcaneus from tarsals. The study revealed the presence of the gastrocnemius sesamoid bones and the proximal sesamoidi bones as well. Investigation presents a series of osteometrical data with an attempt to show some basic metrical differences among the investigated specimens.