ANATOMORADIOGRAPHIC DESCRIPTION OF THE APENDICULAR SKELETON OF THE AGOUTI (Dasyprocta azarae, LICHTENSTEIN, 1823)

Abstract

This research was developed with the purpose of better know some anatomoradiographic aspects of the apendicular skeleton of one of biggest wild brazilian rodents, the agouti. Six animals were used for radiographic and three for anatomic analysis. The pectoral girdle consists of two scapulae and two clavicles. The humerus possesses evident greater tubercle, radial and olecranus graves perforated and a non-developed deltoid tuberosity. The radio tuberosities are little evident and it is not fused to the ulna, which is proportional to it. The intermedioradial, ulnar, accessory and falciform form the proximal and the I, II, III and IV carpal bones the distal row of carpus. There are five metacarpi and five fingers in the forelimb and every one presents a proximal, median and distal phalanxes. The pelvis is narrow, lengthened and with a rounded and deep acetabulum. The femoral greater trochanter is makeable. The tibia and fibula are not fused and the later is similar in length to the former. The talus, calcaneus, medial tibial tarsal and central form the proximal row and the tarsometatarsal I, and the II, III and IV tarsal bones form the distal row of tarsus. There are three fingers in the hindlimb and the tarsometatarsal II, III and IV, with three phalanxes each, and a small tarsometatarsal V.