Axial skeletal morphological studies on the helmeted Guinea fowl (Numida meleagridis)

Abstract

This study on the morphological features of bones of the helmeted guinea fowl (Numidia meleagridis) specifically the axial skeleton was conducted for documentation and valuable information on differences when compared with other species of the same order. Ten (10) Helmeted guinea fowls (5 females and 5 males) with an average weight of 3.0 kg were euthanized via jugular vein severance with bone preparation achieved via the use of insect larvae. The skull presented an elongated structure made up of paired and unpaired flat, short and long bones with distinctive features. The frontal bone projected caudodorsally to form a horn like structure, the frontal process at its middle while the vomer was absent. The cervical vertebrae were 14 in number starting from the first (Atlas) to the last vertebra without a rib. Specific distinguishing features were evident in the Atlas, Axis, 3rd to 5th, 6th to 11th and 12th to 14th cervical vertebrae. The thoracic vertebrae presented 7 bones comprising the 1st single free vertebra; notarium (fused 2nd to 5th), 6th single free vertebra and the last 7th vertebrae that fused with the synsacrum which was an ankylosis of the lumbar and sacral vertebrae. The caudal vertebrae were 7 with the last; the pygostyle being distinct in appearance. The ribs were 7 pairs, of which the first two were asternal while the remaining five were sternal and consisted of proximal vertebral and distal sternal portions. The curved uncinate process articulated to the caudal border of the 2nd and vertebral portions of the 3rd to 5th ribs. The guinea fowl proved to be a carinate by presenting a single sternum with dorsolateral processes and a ventral carina. In conclusion, this study revealed that except for the skull, the axial skeleton of the Helmeted Guinea fowl presented similarities to that of the domestic fowl (Gallus domesticus).

Hindlimb Skeletal Structure of the Green-winged Macaw: An Anatomical Study

“…Diverging from the morphology observed in mammals, the femur exhibited a stout, barrelshaped structure, inclined downward and forward, between the hip joint above and the stifle joint below, consistent with observations in other avian species [7]. Characterized by a linear shaft housing four distinct surfaces and two extremities, as depicted in Fig.…”

“…Notably, its lateral surface bore linear serrations, serving as attachment sites for the tendon of the thigh muscle, a feature also observed in guinea fowl [15]. Conversely, its medial surface was concave, featuring an articular facet for the tibia medially and the femur posteriorly, aligning with descriptions in guinea fowl specimens [7].…”

“…While the neck of the femur lacked clear demarcation in the Macaw under investigation, it exhibited well-defined delineation in Emus [9]. Comparatively, the trochanter major extended slightly beyond the head of the femur, akin to findings in guinea fowl [7], contrasting with the Ostrich, where the femoral head surpassed the level of the greater trochanter [10]. Notably, in certain avian species such as the Serpent Eagle and Brown Wood Owl [11], the greater trochanter and femoral head were aligned at an equal level, whereas in the White Cockatoo [6], their development was less pronounced.…”

“…Towards its distal end, the fibula tapered into a free point, articulating at the caudolateral aspect of the tarsometatarsus. Notably, in species such as ducks and guinea fowl, the fibular shaft extended only to the mid-shaft of the tibia [18,7]. However, in the Serpent Eagle and Brown Wood Owl, the fibular shaft extended to the distal third of the tibial shaft [11].…”

“…At the distal extremity, A B C three trochleae were present, demarcated by intercalated clefts, signifying the union of three metatarsal bones. Additionally, a bony canal separated the third and fourth digits, a feature absent in ostriches, emus, and guinea fowl [18,7]. Furthermore, the first metatarsal appeared as a small elongated bone attached at the distal extremity on the medial side, positioned above the first digit [12,3].…”