title: Anatomical, radiographical and computed tomographic study of the limbs skeleton of the Euphrates soft shell turtle (Rafetus euphraticus).
abstract: Euphrates turtle is the only soft shell turtle of Iran, and unfortunately is in danger of extinction due to multiple reasons. Imaging techniques, in addition to their importance in diagnosis of injuries to animals, have been used as non-invasive methods to provide normal anatomic views. A few studies have been conducted to understand body structure of the Euphrates turtle. Since there is only general information about the anatomy of turtle limbs, the normal skeleton of the Euphrates limbs was studied. For this purpose four adult Euphrates turtles were used. Digital radiographic examination was performed by computed radiographic (CR) in dorsoventral (DV) and lateral (L) positions. Spiral CT-scanning was done and 3D images of the bones were reconstructed for anatomical evaluation. For skeletal preparation, the skeleton was cleaned by a combination of boiling and mealworm methods and limbs' bones were examined anatomically. In the present study, simultaneous anatomic, radiographic and CT studies of bones in individual turtles made us possible to describe bones anatomically and provided comparable and complementary conditions to represent the abilities of the radiography and CT for better understanding of the anatomy. Arrangement and the number of carpal and tarsal bones are used in turtles' classification. Among the studied species, Euphrates turtle carpal and tarsal bones show the most similarities to the Apolone spinifera.
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran;
authors.forename: Behnaz
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Asadi Ahranjani
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman, Kerman, Iran;
authors.forename: Bahador
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Shojaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Basic Science, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran;
authors.forename: Zahra
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Tootian
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Radiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran;
authors.forename: Madjid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masoudifard
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Amir
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rostami
keywords: Anatomy; Euphrates turtle; Limb skeleton; Radiography