title: Morphology of the pelvis and hind limb of the red panda (Ailurus fulgens) evidenced by gross osteology, radiography and computed tomography.
abstract: The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a quadrupedal arboreal animal primarily distributed in the Himalayas and southern China. It is a species commonly kept in zoological collections. This study was carried out to describe the morphology of the pelvis and hind limb of the red panda evidenced by gross osteology, radiography and computed tomography as a reference for clinical use and identification of skeletons. Radiography of the pelvis and right hind limb was performed in nine and seven animals, respectively. Radiographic findings were correlated with bone specimens from three adult animals. Computed tomography of the torso and hind limb was performed in one animal. The pelvic bone had a wide ventromedial surface of the ilium. The trochlea of the femur was wide and shallow. The patella was similar to that seen in feline species. The medial fabella was not seen radiographically in any animal. The cochlea grooves of the tibia were shallow with a poorly defined intermediate ridge. The trochlea of the talus was shallow and presented with an almost flattened medial ridge. The tarsal sesamoid bone was always present. The lateral process of the base of the fifth metatarsal (MT) bone was directed laterally. The MT bones were widely spaced. The morphology of the pelvis and hind limb of the red panda indicated flexibility of the pelvis and hind limb joints as an adaptation to an arboreal quadrupedal lifestyle.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.|Department of Veterinary Surgery and Theriogenology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sokoine University of Agriculture, P. O. Box 3020, Morogoro, Tanzania.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Makungu
authors.affiliation: Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, P. O Box 334, Basseterre, St. Kitts, West Indies.
authors.forename: W M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: du Plessis
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Groenewald
authors.affiliation: Bristol Zoo Gardens, Clifton, Bristol, BS8 3HA, UK.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Barrows
authors.affiliation: Johannesburg Zoo, Private Bag X13, Parkview, Johannesburg, 2122, South Africa.
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Koeppel
mesh_terms: D053822:Ailuridae / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D005269:Femur / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006614:Hindlimb / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010329:Patella / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010388:Pelvis / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013628:Talus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013977:Tibia / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000662:veterinary*