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Tuli J U N, Kibria M M, Beli A K, Kaisar S M, Biswas J K. Morphological profile of the forelimb long bones and ribs in the Ganges River dolphin, Platanista gangetica (Lebeck, 1801) (Mammalia: Cetacea: Platanistidae). JAD 2024; 6 (2) :1-10
URL: http://jad.lu.ac.ir/article-1-428-en.html
1- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram-4331, Bangladesh
2- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Chittagong, Chattogram-4331, Bangladesh , jadabbiswas@yahoo.com
Abstract:   (887 Views)

We conducted a study on the morphology of the forelimb long bones and ribs in the Ganges River dolphin, Platanista gangetica (Lebeck, 1801) using traditional morphometric methods. A total of 17 morphometric measurements of six specimens of P. gangetica were taken. The humerus was the longest bone in the forelimb morphology, with its length ranging from 41.75 to 52.78 mm (mean: 45.57, SD: ± 5.07) in juveniles/subadults and 60.56 to 90.92 mm (mean: 76.75, SD: ± 22.90) in adults. The length of the scapula was 85.84 to 135.46 mm (mean: 102.18, SD: ± 23.00) in juveniles/subadults and 171.79 to 251.95 mm (mean: 211.87, SD: ± 56.68) in adults. Of 10 ribs, the sixth rib was the longest (mean: 133.55, SD: ± 24.12) in juveniles/subadults and the seventh (mean: 240.62, SD: ± 54.24) in adults. All measurements (except the two variables of the scapula) were significantly correlated (P < 0.05) with specific bone length. The allometric coefficients of all correlated variables of the humerus, radius, ulna, scapula, and the depths of ribs exhibited isometry against the length of the particular bone, respectively. We discussed the morphological patterns of the forelimb long bones and ribs in P. gangetica along with the structural and functional aspects of the aquatic lifestyles.

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Type of Study: Original Research Article | Subject: Species Diversity
Received: 2024/03/10 | Accepted: 2024/06/23 | Published: 2024/06/30

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