A B S T R A C TThe aim of the present study is to analyse the anatomical structure of the nasal cavity of ostrich (Struthio camelus). Twelve heads of adult ostriches of both sex were used. The anatomical description were one by using of normal anatomical dissection of the samples and making several transverse and sagittal sections through the nasal cavity. In addition computed tomography (CT) images were taken to whole head for more investigation and correlate the results of CT scan with that of anatomical sections. The obtained results showed that the nostrils of ostrich are unique as they had nither operculum at entance nor fearhers. The nasal conchae were observed with will developed middle one which also showed more complex scroll in CT images. Nasal gland and infraorbital sinus; related to the nasal cavity also descriped in this study. The obtained result discussed with previous literatures to gave a reliable explanation to the anatomical structure which help to understand disease and possible treatments of the upper respiratory tract in ostrich.

Animal hair examination at a criminal scene may provide valuable information in forensic investigations. However, local reference databases for animal hair identification are rare. In the present study, we provide differential histological analysis of hair of some domestic animals in Upper Egypt. For this purpose, guard hair of large ruminants (buffalo, camel and cow), small ruminants (sheep and goat), equine (horse and donkey) and canine (dog and cat) were collected and comparative analysis was performed by light microscopy. Based on the hair cuticle scale pattern, type and diameter of the medulla, and the pigmentation, characteristic differential features of each animal species were identified. The cuticle scale pattern was imbricate in all tested animals except in donkey, in which coronal scales were identified. The cuticle scale margin type, shape and the distance in between were characteristic for each animal species. The hair medulla was continuous in most of the tested animal species with the exception of sheep, in which fragmental medulla was detected. The diameter of the hair medulla and the margins differ according to the animal species. Hair shaft pigmentation were not detected in all tested animals with the exception of camel and buffalo, in which granules and streak-like pigmentation were detected. In conclusion, the present study provides a first-step towards preparation of a complete local reference database for animal hair identification that can be used in forensic investigations.

The size of subarcuate fossa of six different mammals has been observed. Among the examined species; camel, dog, rabbit and rat show clear subarcuate structure, which was characterized by the shape of fossa, and could be easily measured by using endocast. In these species the parafloccular lobe of cerebellum is isolated from cranial cavity and engulfed by this fossa. However, in donkey, the fossa is unclear or absent. Studies have reported correlated relationship between the subarcuate fossa and the size of skull and certain parts of the cerebellum. The size of the subarcuate fossa is varying from absence of the fossa to large size fossa with its high contribution area of skull size. Dog has the largest subarcuate fossa among the examined species in this study followed by rabbit then camel, after that rat, very small in ruminants and nearly absent in equine. The study reveals the possibility of subarcuate fossa to determine the degree of evolution of the animals, based on variation of this fossa in closely related animals. This order does not follow any previous study in literatures that hypothesis correlation between the size of subarcuate fossa and the size of skull or animal size or even part of cerebellum which evolved in this fossa. The result of this paper supports the hypothesis of the correlation relationship between subarcuate fossa and phylogeny of the animals.

Background The inner ear morphology and size are linked to hearing and balance ability. The goal of this study was to determine the morphology and morphometrics of the dromedary camel's inner ear and how it influences hearing accommodation and equilibrium in the desert environment. Materials and methods Gross morphology, computed tomography images, and the endocast were used to show the inner ear morphology. A caliper and ImageJ software were used to take measurements on a plastic endocast. Results The presence of the subarcuate fossa, flat cochlea, radii curvature of the semicircular canals, particularly the lateral semicircular canal, orthogonality, and the union between the semicircular canals, along with slightly increased saccule and utricle size, maintains camel balance on sandy ground, even during heavy sandstorms. The cochlear basilar membrane length and cochlea radii ratio aided low-frequency hearing and perception over a wide octave range. Conclusion The camel's cochlear characteristics revealed a lengthy basilar membrane, a high radii ratio, 3.0 cochlear canal turns, and a very broad cochlea. The orthogonality of the semicircular canals, the high curvature of the lateral semicircular canal, the presence of the subarcuate fossa, and the confluence between the lateral and posterior semicircular canal were particular specifications that allowed the inner ear of the camel to adapt to desert living.

No abstract