Morphometric analysis of the skeleton of the foreleg of raccoon dogs and red foxes

SUMMARY Aim of this work – to perform morphometric analysis of the long bones of the foreleg of raccoon dogs and red foxes. To determine the differences between the sorts and sexes according to the data got. Long bones of 12 adult raccoon dogs and red foxes, kept at the Department of Anatomy and Physiology of Academy of Veterinary of Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, have been analysed: 6 – of raccoon dogs (3 females, 3 males), 6 – of red foxes (3 females, 3 males). Humerus, forearm bones (radius and ulna), and metacarpal bones have been investigated. Bones have been measured according to (Bisaillon A., De Roth L., 1979) method, using mechanical calliper (precision of 0.1 mm). Seven indexes of the bones have been measured according to the data got. When the long bones of female and male raccoon dogs and red foxes have been measured and compared, it has been determined that humerus, forearm and metacarpal bones of the male foxes are longer compared to the female foxes. Significant differences of the bone width have not been determined. Humerus and radius of the male raccoon dogs are longer compared to the female raccoon dogs. Ulna of the female raccoon dogs is longer compared to the male raccoon dogs. Length and width of the metacarpal bones were different marginally. When compared according to the interspecific point of view, long bones of the male foxes are longer than bones of the raccoon dogs. There were no essential differences between widths of the bones. Humerus and forearm bones of female foxes have been longer to the female raccoon dogs Length and width of the metacarpal bones between the sorts has been different marginally. Index of the humerus of the male raccoon dogs (2.16 ± 0.36, 1.63 ± 0.14; p<0.05) is bigger compared to the male foxes. All other indexes have not been significant statistically. Index of the humerus (2,09 ± 0,41, 1,55 ±0,13; p<0,05) and ulna (1,59 ± 0,17, 1,23 ± 0,17; p