Biotemas (Nov 2012)
Anatomical description of the ostrich (Struthio camelus) skeleton: case report
Abstract
Ostrich (Struthio camelus) is a bird characterized by its large size, it can achieve 2.8m in height and weight over 150kg. It has an Egyptian origin and then spread throughout Africa. Commercial breeding began about 150 years ago, with the domestication of native animals from South Africa, country which holds the first position in meat supply. Several musculoskeletal diseases were observed in fast-growing birds, such as ostrich. High body weight, associated to a developing bone structure, is indicated as the main cause of disorders of the locomotor system. In this study, an adult male specimen was used, from an ostrich production farm located at the town of Paranatama, Pernambuco, Brazil. After removing soft tissues, bone measurements were performed with caliper and tape measure, and each bone was photographed for documentation and described. This study aims to contribute to increase knowledge on the ostrich skeletal system, as well as provide a basis for muscle development, one of the main targets of commercial exploitation with regard to this species.
