Descriptive and Comparative Myology of the Hindlimb of the Babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa L. 1758)

Abstract

A description is given of the anatomy of the muscles of the hindlimb of the babirusa (Babyrousa babyrussa L. 1758). Four adult animals, two males and two females were dissected and the results compared with previously published information. Significant differences were found between the accounts and these were analysed within the contexts of material availability and advances in anatomical nomenclature. Comparisons made with published descriptions of the pig (Sus scrofa) showed that the muscular anatomies of the two species are very similar. Those differences which are apparent, despite intraspecies variation in structure, include a thoracic vertebral origin for the M. psoas minor in babirusa but not pig, a smaller gluteal tongue to the M. gluteus medius in the babirusa, a failure of the Mm. gluteus medius to meet on the dorsal midline in the babirusa unlike the case in the pig, the two heads of the M. gluteus accessorius are of unequal size in the babirusa but not in the pig, the vertebral head of the M. obturatorius externus is absent in the babirusa and present in the pig.

Vertebral Column, Rib and Sternal Muscles of Sulawesi Babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis)

“…Functional reasons for some of these have been suggested, and further studies may be expected to help explain at least some of the others. This paper, when taken together with our previous publications (Macdonald et al., 1985; Kneepkens et al., 1989; Macdonald and Kneepkens, 1995; Kneepkens and Macdonald, 2010), completes this survey of the Myologia of the Sulawesi Babyrousa ( Babyrousa celebensis ).…”

“…As in our previous studies of the limb and head muscles (Kneepkens et al., 1989; Macdonald and Kneepkens, 1995; Kneepkens and Macdonald, 2010) an analysis of the functional consequences of the differences between the Babyrousa and the other members of the Suidae did not form part of the formal design of this study of the axial skeleton. However, in preparation for such investigations it is pertinent to note the range of postures and movements exhibited by the Babyrousa and other pigs.…”

“…The Sulawesi Babirusa ( Babyrousa celebensis ) is an endangered suid native to the island of Sulawesi in eastern Indonesia (Macdonald et al., 2008). Recent anatomical and histological studies have expanded our knowledge of the soft‐tissue anatomy of this species (Langer, 1973; Kneepkens et al., 1989; Macdonald and Kneepkens, 1995; Leus et al., 1999, 2004; Agungpriyono et al., 2000; Kneepkens and Macdonald, 2010). Several of these studies were of the limb musculature (Macdonald et al., 1985; Kneepkens et al., 1989; Macdonald and Kneepkens, 1995).…”

Cranial Muscles of the Sulawesi Babirusa (Babyrousa celebensis)

“…This has an impact upon the dietary habits of the animal, and would appear to restrict the animal’s access to tuberous material. An alternative, arboreal food source is available as a result of the animal’s ability to elevate its body and stand upright on its hind limbs (Leus et al., 1992; Macdonald et al., 1993; Macdonald and Kneepkens, 1995). It can reach fruits and leaves of trees more than 1.5 m from the ground.…”

“…Detailed analyses of the anatomy of the forelimb and hindlimb, within the context of new material availability and advances in anatomical nomenclature, have shown the similarities and several differences in limb musculature between Babirusa and the other suids (Macdonald et al., 1985; Kneepkens et al., 1989; Macdonald and Kneepkens, 1995). This study is an extension of that work and reports the results of our dissection of the musculature of the head.…”