Macroscopic description of thoracic member musculature in Cuniculus paca (Linnaeus, 1766) (Rodentia, Cuniculidae)

Abstract

Cuniculus paca (Mammalia: Cuniculidae), or ‘paca’ is a rodent species in great demand for its meat, which has led to domestication and development of paca farms in the Brazilian Amazon region, as well as in other states. Despite the growing consumption of paca meat, knowledge on muscle anatomy is still scarce. An anatomical description of paca forelimbs will form the basis for future zootechnical and veterinary studies, enabling the development of sustainable production in the Amazon region, as well as the preservation of the species. We studied forelimb anatomy in four (04) adult pacas from the Caboclinho Project of Catuaba Experimental Farm (UFAC) under IBAMA authorization n°509309. Specimens were fixed in 10% formalin and thoracic limbs were dissected, after which anatomical descriptions and photographic records were generated. We found that paca forelimb musculature is similar to that of other groups of domestic animals with regard to the origin and muscle insertion.

Keywords

• Anatomy
• Muscles
• Rodents
• Thoracic limb