{"title":"Reassessing hindlimb morphology in greater and lesser rheas (Aves, Palaeognathae, Rheidae): New insights for fossil rheid identification.","authors":"M B J Picasso, C Acosta Hospitaleche, B Quaggia","doi":"10.1002/ar.70315","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ar.70315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Correct identification of Rhea americana and Rhea pennata in the fossil record has important paleoenvironmental implications; however, the strong similarity between their postcranial skeletons complicates taxonomic assignments. This study analyzes hindlimb morphology in both species to identify diagnostic characters useful for fossil and archaeological material and to reassess previously reported remains. Femora, tibiotarsi, and tarsometatarsi of adult and juvenile R. americana and R. pennata, comprising a total of 37 specimens, were comparatively analyzed using qualitative morphology and linear measurements. Several osteological differences were identified, particularly in distal tibiotarsal and tarsometatarsal morphology, including trochlear configuration and divergence patterns. Some differences are maintained in juvenile specimens, although ontogenetic variation may complicate identification in certain cases. Reevaluation of fossil and archaeological specimens supported revised taxonomic interpretations for several specimens, whereas poorly preserved or morphologically ambiguous materials were conservatively assigned to Rheidae indet. Although hindlimb bones of R. americana and R. pennata are broadly similar, distal tibiotarsal and especially tarsometatarsal morphology provide useful diagnostic characters. Trochlear configuration and divergence appear to be among the most consistent features, whereas other traits are affected by ontogenetic, intraspecific, and preservational variation. These results contribute to a more robust framework for identifying fossil rheids and highlight the importance of evaluating multiple characters when dealing with fragmentary material.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148727547","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Osteology of the pectoral girdle and forelimb of Siriusgnathus niemeyerorum, a Late Triassic traversodontid cynodont from Brazil.","authors":"Jhonata H A Martins, Leonardo Kerber","doi":"10.1002/ar.70289","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70289","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Traversodontids are non-mammaliaform cynodonts, herbivorous to omnivorous, that lived during the Triassic. In the Late Triassic, some members of this group increased in body size relative to other cynodont lineages and evolved postcranial adaptations associated with locomotion. The Late Triassic Siriusgnathus niemeyerorum is one such traversodontid. Originally described in 2018 based on cranial material, the species has since been the focus of considerable advances in our understanding of its skull anatomy; however, its postcranial skeleton remains undescribed. The present study examined the postcranial osteology of this traversodontid, focusing on the pectoral girdle and forelimb of the specimen CAPPA/UFSM 0109, paratype of the species. These remains show that Si. niemeyerorum presents a scapulocoracoid with concave anterior and posterior margins and a lateroventrally oriented glenoid fossa formed by the scapula and coracoid; a humerus with a short diaphysis and a broadly open deltopectoral crest; an ulna with a developed olecranon process; and a manus with a phalangeal formula of 2-3-3-3-3. One of the distal carpals (dc1) is greatly elongated and morphologically similar to a metacarpal, a feature observed in some gomphodonts. The combination of traits present in the scapulocoracoid (glenoid) and the robustness of the humerus suggests a lateralized (\"sprawling\") forelimb posture in Si. niemeyerorum, similar to that inferred for Exaeretodon argentinus and Exaeretodon riograndensis. In summary, this study expands current knowledge of traversodontid postcranial anatomy and provides new insights into the locomotor adaptations among non-mammaliaform cynodonts.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148698732","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nadine G Steer, Samuel P Sullivan, Mara G Fields, Eden Mackereth, Amy D Lagorio, Corrine Cranor, Kevin M Middleton, Faye R McGechie, Carol V Ward, Casey M Holliday
{"title":"A 3D model of human hand anatomy using contrast imaging and muscle architecture visualization.","authors":"Nadine G Steer, Samuel P Sullivan, Mara G Fields, Eden Mackereth, Amy D Lagorio, Corrine Cranor, Kevin M Middleton, Faye R McGechie, Carol V Ward, Casey M Holliday","doi":"10.1002/ar.70304","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70304","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diffusible iodine-based contrast-enhanced microCT (DiceCT) enables three-dimensional visualization of mineralized and soft tissues while preserving their spatial relationships in situ. We present a DiceCT-based digital atlas of a human hand from a consented female donor through the University of Missouri Gift of Body program, scanned at 48.8 μm resolution following Lugol's iodine staining. Bones, tendons, intrinsic muscles, neurovascular structures, the flexor retinaculum and carpal tunnel, and dorsal digital expansions were manually segmented to generate labeled multiplanar sections and three-dimensional reconstructions. The dataset resolves epidermal ridge detail on the palmar surface while capturing structures, including the carpal tunnel contents, extensor mechanism, neurovasculature, palmar fat pads, and metacarpophalangeal sesamoids. Reconstructions demonstrate relevant relationships among the median nerve, flexor tendons, and flexor retinaculum, the ulnar nerve within Guyon's canal and the radial artery within the anatomical snuffbox. Distal digital arterial anastomoses are visible near the terminal tufts, and radial artery branches supplying the dorsal and distal scaphoid poles provide context for scaphoid vascular vulnerability. Muscle volumes and physiological cross-sectional areas were calculated using all fascicles within each intrinsic muscle. Flexor pollicis brevis and adductor pollicis exhibited comparatively large relative physiological cross-sectional areas, whereas the lumbricals had the smallest values, consistent with previous architectural estimates. By documenting whole-hand anatomy and within-individual muscle architecture non-destructively, this atlas provides a high-fidelity resource for anatomical education, documentation of anatomical variation, clinical interpretation, and generation of anatomically consistent biomechanical models. These results support DiceCT as a platform bridging anatomical research, clinical translation, and pedagogical access to donor-specific human anatomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148687462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Laura Bento Da Costa, Katheryn P Franklin, Timothy D Smith, Kristen Prufrock, Valerie B DeLeon
{"title":"Developmental insights and dental formula of the Coquerel's Sifaka Propithecus coquereli (Indriidae, primates).","authors":"Laura Bento Da Costa, Katheryn P Franklin, Timothy D Smith, Kristen Prufrock, Valerie B DeLeon","doi":"10.1002/ar.70303","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70303","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The question of dental reduction in primates has been a longtime debate, especially in Indriidae, where the tooth type of the dental comb has been extensively investigated. While the presence of two incisors without the canine is largely accepted today, some questions remain concerning the homology of teeth preserved in the lower postincisor dentition. Although the presence of the dc<sub>1</sub>, dp<sub>2</sub>, and dp<sub>3</sub> is clearly distinguishable during development, two teeth disappear at the adult stage. Consequently, some authors identify the remaining postincisor replacement tooth as a P<sub>3</sub>, while some studies indicate the identity as the P<sub>2</sub>. Here, the observation of several specimens of Propithecus coquereli at different developmental stages (late fetal, newborn, infant, and adult) using 3D reconstructions and histological sections sheds light on the characterization of this tooth as P<sub>2</sub>, with a loss of the lower canine and P<sub>3</sub>. Among the deciduous teeth, dc<sub>1</sub> and dp<sub>3</sub> are smaller, at an advanced stage of eruption, and lack adjacent replacement teeth. In contrast, the first deciduous premolar (dp<sub>2</sub>) has a replacement tooth (P<sub>2</sub>) clearly adjacent to it at the late fetal stage. The development of the permanent dentition in P. coquereli reflects its precociality, with the replacement tooth buds already developed and the M3 showing an advanced stage of mineralization at birth. In addition, the morphological variability of P<sub>2</sub> and P<sub>4</sub> may have implications on diet adaptations, being involved in the two phases of oral food processing (ingestion and mastication). Thus, this work brings new insights concerning the issue of dental reduction in primates, clarifying the homology of teeth at the adult stage in this species. Addressing this question provides new perspectives on the history of dental reduction in the genus Propithecus and on the functional role of premolars in relation to dietary adaptations.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148671694","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Veronika A Zimmer, José Braga, Carrie S Mongle, Frederick E Grine
{"title":"Assessment of variation in symphyseal morphology among Middle Stone Age hominin mandibles from Klasies River Main Site, South Africa, by diffeomorphic surface mapping.","authors":"Veronika A Zimmer, José Braga, Carrie S Mongle, Frederick E Grine","doi":"10.1002/ar.70302","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70302","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The hominin fossils from the Middle Stone Age (MSA) deposits of Klasies River Main Site have played a significant role in discussions over the emergence of modern human morphology in the Late Pleistocene. While some display manifestly modern characteristics, others evince more archaic traits, leading to differing assessments of the assemblage. Four mandibles with varying degrees of tuber symphyseos development have been the focus of considerable debate. Two likely date to 83-108 ka, one to 89-101 ka, and the oldest to ca. >110-123 ka. Thus, the oldest and youngest may be separated by possibly 23,000 years. Symphyseal expression has been assessed qualitatively in several studies; the sole quantitative evaluation of all four employed a contour guide to record linear measurements in the sagittal plane. Here, we employ diffeomorphic surface mapping (DSM) to contextualize the degree of morphological variation these jaws exhibit in relation to a sample of adult mandibles from Holocene Later Stone Age (LSA) archaeological sites in South Africa spanning ca. 8000 years. DSM was applied to segmented surface volume renderings of high-resolution μ-CT scans of the fossils and CT/μ-CT scans of the LSA jaws. Although differences in chin development among the Klasies fossils exceed those among LSA jaws, their symphyseal variation is comfortably accommodated within the envelope of morphological diversity displayed by the LSA sample. Thus, variation exhibited by these MSA mandibles does not necessarily indicate more than a single population lineage through time.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148671662","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jeremy M DeSilva, Catherine K Miller, Marine Cazenave, Gideon Chinamatira, Habiba Chirchir, Ashley S Hammond, Tracy L Kivell, Klara Komza, Ellison J McNutt, Kimberleigh Tommy, John F Thackeray, Zewdi Tsegai, Alessandra Vecino Gazabón, José Braga, Bernhard Zipfel
{"title":"New hominin postcranial fossils from Kromdraai, South Africa (2014-2025).","authors":"Jeremy M DeSilva, Catherine K Miller, Marine Cazenave, Gideon Chinamatira, Habiba Chirchir, Ashley S Hammond, Tracy L Kivell, Klara Komza, Ellison J McNutt, Kimberleigh Tommy, John F Thackeray, Zewdi Tsegai, Alessandra Vecino Gazabón, José Braga, Bernhard Zipfel","doi":"10.1002/ar.70300","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70300","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Kromdraai, South Africa is the type locality of Paranthropus robustus. Renewed paleontological exploration of the site has yielded over 50 hominin fossils since 2014, including 21 postcranial elements. These finds nearly triple the number of postcranial remains previously known from Kromdraai. We describe here four partial humeri, five manual phalanges, two femora, two patellae, and eight pedal elements. Twenty of the fossils derive from Unit P, which dates to over 2.0 million years old and includes craniodental material from Paranthropus and Homo. One fossil, a patella, may derive from the stratigraphically older Unit O. Interestingly, while more than half of the craniodental remains from Unit P are identified as juvenile, all of the postcrania are adult. Furthermore, though none of the postcrania are directly associated with craniodental finds, we tentatively propose taxonomic assignments for some of these fossils, including two humeri and two femora that may belong to Paranthropus.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-08-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148665477","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elisabeth Steinbach, Julia Schaar, Christine Böhmer
{"title":"Postnatal craniomandibular growth in Harbor seals (Phoca vitulina vitulina).","authors":"Elisabeth Steinbach, Julia Schaar, Christine Böhmer","doi":"10.1002/ar.70296","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70296","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>As secondarily aquatic carnivores, seals display several phenotypic differences compared to their terrestrial relatives. Differences in the craniomandibular system are associated with aquatic feeding strategies and involve the absence of oral processing of prey. Since Harbor seal pups are particularly precocial, this raises the question of whether the cranium and mandible achieve adult morphology early during postnatal growth. Here, we took advantage of a unique sample of Phoca vitulina vitulina, quantifying the postnatal growth of the craniomandibular system in 152 specimens ranging from 4 months to 20 years. Our results show that craniomandibular growth follows the same general pattern as body length growth: rapid growth until the age of 5 years, followed by a deceleration and finally a stagnation between 15 and 20 years of age, which is well after reaching sexual maturity at around 4 years. Although the overall sexual dimorphism in P. v. vitulina is known to be low, we found significant differences in craniomandibular dimensions between males and females. Most of the craniomandibular postnatal growth patterns in P. v. vitulina are conservative, sharing allometric trends, except for the dimensions of the foramen magnum, interorbital width and palatal width. Calculations of the lever mechanics suggest differences in the masticatory muscles (M. masseter and M. temporalis) and a relatively slow increase in bite force with increasing age. This suggests that the function of the craniomandibular system in P. v. vitulina is achieved early and develops gradually during postnatal ontogeny. This differs from terrestrial carnivores, which experience a pronounced shift from milk suckling to active mastication.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148633468","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Characterization of the electrosensory organs in Gymnotus carapo (Teleostei: Gymnotiformes): Morphological and immunohistochemical analysis.","authors":"Tania Blanco Cohene, Gabriela Olea, Franco González, Eduen Gross, Federico Benitez, Claucia Aparecida Honorato, Carolina Flores Quintana","doi":"10.1002/ar.70295","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70295","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Gymnotiformes are weakly electric fishes that rely on specialized electrosensory organs for navigation, prey detection, and electrocommunication in structurally complex aquatic environments. Despite their ecological and evolutionary importance, detailed anatomical and histological information on the electrosensory organs of Gymnotus carapo remains scarce. The aim of this study was to characterize the electrosensory organs of the integument of G. carapo through morphological and immunohistochemical analyses. Twenty-eight specimens (10 juveniles and 18 adults) collected in Corrientes, Argentina, were examined using scanning electron microscopy, histology, histochemistry, and immunohistochemistry for proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Neuromasts were distributed along the cephalic and trunk lateral line system and consisted of hair cells, supporting cells, and mantle cells. Ampullary organs (Type I) exhibited a duct connected to a dilated ampulla filled with gelatinous material and lined by sensory and supporting cells. Tuberous organs (Type II) lacked an ampulla and were classified into three subtypes (IIA, IIB, and IIC) according to differences in sensory cell arrangement and epithelial covering. PCNA immunoreactivity was detected in supporting, sensory, and covering cells of tuberous organs in both juveniles and adults, indicating that these cells retain proliferative potential throughout ontogeny. This study provides the first detailed anatomical, histological, and immunohistochemical characterization of electrosensory organs in G. carapo, establishing a morphological basis for future studies on sensory function, cellular turnover, and environmental adaptations in weakly electric fishes.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148633381","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Comparative histological, histochemical, and histometric evaluation of the esophagus in two avian species with different feeding habits (Ciconia ciconia and Buteo buteo).","authors":"Serap İlhan Aksu, Dilem Gülece Ermutlu, Burak Büyükbaki, Turgay Deprem, Serap Koral Taşçi, Şahin Aslan, Rumeysa Nur Aslan, Hatice Gizem Büyükbaki, Mete Cihan","doi":"10.1002/ar.70306","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.70306","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative evaluation of the histological and histochemical organization of the esophagus in two avian species with different feeding ecologies. A total of 6 individuals were used for this purpose (3 storks, 3 common buzzards). The esophageal samples were examined using Crossmon's triple stain, PAS with Light green combination, Alcian blue/PAS (pH 1, pH 2.5) and Aldehyde fuchsin/Alcian blue (AF/AB) staining methods following routine histological processing. In the histological evaluation, it was observed that the esophagus in both species typically consists of the mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and adventitia/serosa layers. Significant differences were identified between the species in terms of epithelial structure and gland distribution. In storks, the mucosal folds were more distinct, and the glands were more densely distributed. In common buzzards, the epithelial structure was relatively more compact, and the distribution of the glands was limited. Histochemical analyses revealed significant inter-species variations in mucus content. PAS and AB/PAS staining showed that neutral, acidic, and mixed mucopolysaccharides coexist in the stork esophagus, whereas more limited and distinct distribution patterns were observed in common buzzards. AF/AB staining, on the other hand, revealed differences between species in the localization of sulfated and carboxylated mucopolysaccharides. The findings support the notion that the histological and histochemical characteristics of the avian esophagus are closely related to the species' feeding habits. In particular, differences in mucus composition and gland organization are thought to be important in terms of adaptive mechanisms for food transport and esophageal protection. This study contributes to the literature by providing comparative data on the structural differences of the esophagus in avian species with different trophic characteristics.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148650537","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Katherine M Clark, Reece A Brown, Maggie Funderburk, Elise S Bush, Anthony Herrel, Adam Hartstone-Rose
{"title":"Fascicle measurement methods do result in lengths that are significantly different.","authors":"Katherine M Clark, Reece A Brown, Maggie Funderburk, Elise S Bush, Anthony Herrel, Adam Hartstone-Rose","doi":"10.1002/ar.70301","DOIUrl":"10.1002/ar.70301","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Fascicle length is a key anatomical variable used to estimate functional adaptations of muscles. Although a recent study concluded that the fascicles measured on different specimens using in situ measurement and chemical dissection yield results that are not significantly different, these two methods have not been systematically tested within individual specimens. To that end, we compare the two measurement techniques on contralateral sides of (1) carnivoran masticatory muscles and (2) rat leg muscles to evaluate their statistical comparability. Our results show that the two methods result in statistically significant fascicle length differences, with in situ measurements being significantly greater in architecturally simpler muscles across a weighted average of masticatory muscles and among individual muscles. This trend holds for the rat soleus muscles but is reversed for the architecturally more complex gastrocnemius, with chemical dissection resulting in greater fascicle lengths. This suggests that pennation may influence methodological compatibility, with more complex connective tissue potentially obscuring fascicle ends and architecturally simpler muscles being prone to stretching when measured in situ. Given the importance of this anatomical measure, these results have potentially wide implications. Although small muscles with complex connective tissue yield shorter fascicle lengths when measured in situ, in general, in situ measurements are significantly longer by a factor of 1.3. Comparing fascicles measured using these traditional methods and through imaging techniques like DiceCT and micro-MRI, which allow evaluation of intact specimens, may provide further insight into the true anatomical reliability of these methods that unambiguously produce significantly different measurements.</p>","PeriodicalId":520555,"journal":{"name":"Anatomical record (Hoboken, N.J. : 2007)","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2026-07-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"148633405","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}