Is there a two-humped stage in the embryonic development of the dromedary?
It has been postulated that the one-humped (Arabian) dromedary and the two-humped (Bactrian) camel originated from a single ancestor. Consequently, the dromedary was considered a breed of the two-humped camel, based on an anatomical study by Lombardini L, 1879: Ann. Del. Universita Toscane, 259, 147, who described a reduced second hump like structure in foetal and adult dromedaries. To resolve this lingering issue, we analysed dromedary foetuses and calves. In contrast to the situation in two-humped camels, we never observed any rudimentary second hump in the dromedary foetuses or calves.
Kinne
J
J
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory, Dubai, UAE.
Wani
N A
NA
Wernery
U
U
Peters
J
J
Knospe
C
C
D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus / Q000196:embryology*; D047108:Embryonic Development; D005260:Female; D011247:Pregnancy