The present study was conducted on the scapula of five adult tigers to record the characteristic features of scapula bone. It was placed on lateral aspect of thorax, directed downward and forward. It was in the form of wide plate having scapular spine on lateral aspect. The height of spine increased gradually towards the distal end. The acromian process was subdivided into hamate process and suprahamate process. Hamate process overhanged the glenoid cavity. The suprahamate process was in the form of thin triangular plate directed backwards. The supraspinous fossa presented undulating surface in its middle. The infraspinous fossa was triangular and more or less flattened. Subscapular fossa was shallow and presented two prominent ridges. The caudal angle of the scapula was terminated in to glenoid cavity which was oval to quadrangular in shape. Cranial and proximal to the glenoid cavity prominent supraglenoid tubercle was observed which had hook shaped coracoid process. Scapula of both the sides were morphologically similar but the morphometrical values for the right scapula were non-significantly higher than the left counterpart (t< 0.05), which may be of some biomechanical importance.
Aim: Chital and sambar are the common wild small herbivores, which are vulnerable to poaching for their meat. Many times poachers claim the wild meat to be that of goat or sheep. Hence, authentic evidences are required to stop such wildlife crime. The present investigation was carried out to study the species specific PCR-RFLP patterns for meat identification of chital and sambar and then differentiation from the meat of goat and sheep. Materials and Methods: Extracted DNA from meat samples were subjected to PCR using the universal primers of 12S rRNA gene. The PCR products were subjected to RFLP and sequencing. Results: The size of amplified PCR products was similar (440 bp) in each species and sequence alignment showed more than 89 % similarities among these species. However, phylogenetic analysis revealed that Chital and Sambar are in one cluster while Goat and sheep are in other cluster. To differentiate between species, restriction digestion of the PCR products was carried out to produce characteristic PCR-RFLP patterns for each species. Restriction digestion with RsaI and AluI enzymes produced distinct PCR-RFLP patterns that differentiated the meat of wild species (chital-sambar) from that of domestic species (goat-sheep). BsrI restriction digestion revealed unique PCR-RFLP pattern in chital differentiating it from the meat of other three species. Restriction digestion with DdeI enzyme led to the production of distinct PCR-RFLP patterns for chital and sambar to identify their meat individually. Conclusion: This study showed the effectiveness of 12S rRNA gene polymorphism in meat identification. The data can be used as evidence against the poachers to convict the wildlife crime in the court of law [Vet World 2013; 6(5.000): 254-259
Aim:This study was conducted to know the epidemiology of gastrointestinal parasites of free-ranging wild herbivores and adjoining livestock of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India.Materials and Methods:A total of 374 fecal samples from wild herbivores (Chital Axis axis - 123, Sambar Rusa unicolor - 94, Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus - 86, and Chinkara Gazella bennettii - 71) and 284 fecal samples of domestic herbivores (cattle - 118, buffalo - 78, and goat - 88) were collected from common grazing land and adjoining area of tiger reserve. Detailed coprological examination for the presence of parasitic eggs/oocysts by direct smear examination, standard sedimentation, and floatation techniques was performed.Results:Fecal samples (n=374) of four different species of wild herbivores were screened. Out of which, 55.61% (n=208) were positive for parasitic infection. Among them, 13.10% (n=49) were positive for mixed parasitic infection of two or more parasite and 42.5% (n=159) were found positive for single parasitic infection. A total of 284 fecal samples of domestic animals were screened from adjoining areas of the tiger reserve. Out of which, 66.54% (n=189) were positive for parasitic infections, out of which 19.71% (n=56) were positive for mixed infection of two or more parasites, and 46.83% (n=133) were found positive for single parasitic infection.Conclusion:Wild herbivores at Panna Tiger Reserve were exposed to parasites including some that are known to be pathogenic; majority of wild animals had mixed infection of Eimeria spp., Trichuris spp., Moniezia spp., Amphistome, Strongyloides spp., Balantidium spp., and Fasciola spp.
Postmortem examination of free-range tigress of Pench Tiger Reserve, MP, India, aged approx 15 years revealed nodule in the pyloric part of the stomach packed with worms and was identified as Gnathostoma spinigerum on the basis of morphology of male and female worms, including eggs.
Aim: The leopard (Panthera pardus) is a widespread species in India. It is protected by the national law as well as by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES, listed in Appendix I). However, illegal trade of leopard's bones continues to threaten its survival in the wild. Literature regarding the ossa coxarum of leopards is very rare. Hence, the present study on gross osteomorphometrical study of the ossa coxarum of 4 adult leopards was performed.Materials and Methods: Gross morphological and morphometric study was carried out on the ossa coxarum of 4 adult leopards. Bones under study were the part of specimen collection of Centre for Wildlife Forensic and Health and also from the protected areas like Kanha tiger Reserve and Van Vihar National Park.
Results:consists of two os-coxae bones i.e. left and right. Each os-coxae consists of three large flat bones viz. ilium, ischium, and pubis. In the leopard, the conjugate diameter of pelvis was 7.10 ± 0.10 cm and transverse diameter was 5.27± 0.04 cm. The length of cranial border, caudal border, and dorsal border was 9.10 ± 0.15 cm, 7.35 ± 0.13 cm and 5.15 ± 0.10 cm, respectively.
Conclusion:The gross morphological and morphometric parameter is established. This data will be useful to compare anatomical diversities among the same group.
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