Pesquisa Veterinária Brasileira (Jun 2016)

Movement anatomy of the gluteal region and thigh of the giant anteater Myrmecophaga tridactyla (Myrmecophagidae: Pilosa)

  • Priscilla Rosa Queiroz Ribeiro,
  • André Luiz Quagliatto Santos,
  • Lucas de Assis Ribeiro,
  • Tharlianne Alici Martins de Souza,
  • Daniela Cristina Silva Borges,
  • Rogério Rodrigues de Souza,
  • Saulo Gonçalves Pereira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/S0100-736X2016000600013
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 36, no. 6
pp. 539 – 544

Abstract

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Abstract: Locomotion reveals the displacement and behavior manner of the species in their daily needs. According to different needs of the several species, different locomotor patterns are adopted. The shapes and attachment points of muscles are important determinants of the movements performed and consequently, the locomotion and motion patterns of living beings. It was aimed to associate anatomical, kinesiology and biomechanics aspects of the gluteal region and thigh of the giant anteater to its moving characteristics and locomotor habits. It was used three specimens of Myrmecophaga tridactyla, settled in formaldehyde aqueous solution at 10% and subsequently, dissected using usual techniques in gross anatomy. The morphological characteristics of the gluteal region and thigh that influence the patterns of movement and locomotion of animals, were analyzed and discussed in light of literature. All muscles of the gluteal region and thigh of giant anteater show parallel arrangement of the muscular fibers, being flat or fusiform. These muscles are formed in the joint which the interpotent type biolever act. These morphological characteristics indicate a greater predominance of amplitude and movement speed at the expense of strength. On the other hand, features such as osteometric index and the observation of giant anteater motion indicate the opposite, what reflects this animal lack of expertise in locomotor habits and shows the need of future realization of more detailed studies in this subject.

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