​Morphometrical Studies on Skull Bones of Adult Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus)

Background: The Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) is regarded as one of the biggest antelopes in Asia and safeguarded beneath the IUCN since 2003 and under safeguard of ‘Schedule III’ of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This study focused on the detailed gross morphometrical study of mid thoracic ribs of Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus). Methods: The present study was carried out on the skull of six specimens of adult Blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) of either sex. The measurements of various parameters of skull bones were taken with the help of weighing machine, thread, scale and digital Vernier’s calliper. Result: The average length of skull was found to be 40.9±1.08 cm in female, which was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was recorded as 49.5±097 cm. Similarly, the average facial length was found to be 16.6±0.20 cm in female, which was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was recorded as 22.0±0.17 cm. The average left cranio-caudal length of tympanic bulla was found to be 4.1±0.15 cm in female, which was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was recorded as 4.5±0.19 cm. The average length of left zygomatic process of squamous temporal bone was found to be 5.7±0.11 cm in female, which was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was recorded as 7.1±0.08 cm. The average distance between the last incisor and first premolar teeth was found to be 6.3±0.12 cm in female, which was significantly less (P less than 0.05) than that of males, where it was recorded as 8.2±0.17 cm.

On the status of the giant mylodontine sloth Glossotherium wegneri (Spillmann, 1931) (Xenarthra, Folivora)from the late Pleistocene of Ecuador

The late Pleistocene mylodontine sloth Glossotherium wegneri (Spillmann, 1931) (Interandean ­region, Ecuador) has been assigned to Glossotherium Owen, 1839 and Oreomylodon Hoffstetter, 1949 (the latter ranked as a subgenus or genus), and synonymized with G. robustum (Owen, 1842). However, the phylogenetic and comparative analyses conducted here, which include previously undescribed remains, strongly suggest specific distinction for G. wegneri and that there is little, if any, support for generic or subgeneric distinction for Oreomylodon. Among the notable features of this species are the ­presence of an internasal element, marked expansion of the rostrum anteriorly, and dorsoventrally and the palatal region transversely, increased separation of the caniniform tooth from the anterior edge of maxilla, increased relative braincase width, relatively enlarged hypoglossal foramen, and greatly elongated zygomatic process of the squamosal. The resulting single MPT recovered a monophyletic Glossotherium, with the following phylogenetic arrangement of the species of this genus (G. robustum + ((G. wegneri + G. tropicorum Hoffstetter, 1952) + (G. phoenesis Cartelle, De Iuliis, Boscaini & Pujos, 2019 + G. tarijense Ameghino, 1902))).

Marzanoptera tersillae, a new balaenopterid genus and species from the Pliocene of Piedmont, north-west Italy

Marzanoptera tersillae gen. & sp. nov., a new balaenopterid from the Pliocene of the Piedmont in north-west Italy, is described based on a partial skeleton and compared with other living and fossil baleen whales. Marzanoptera tersillae shares characters, such as the shape of the supraoccipital, glenoid fossa of the squamosal and zygomatic process of the squamosal, with ‘Balaenoptera’ bertae. We used a computed tomography scan to view parts of the skull that were otherwise impossible to observe, such as the periotic. A phylogenetic analysis based on 355 character states scored from 87 taxa revealed a well-resolved hypothesis of relationships for Balaenopteridae and a general phylogenetic hypothesis for chaeomysticetes. The monophyly of all superfamily- and family-rank clades and of crown balaenopterid species was confirmed. In addition, a monophyletic group including most basal thalassotherian taxa was recovered. The mollusc fauna associated with the specimen was autochtonous and constituted a residual fossil assemblage indicative of an environmental context located below the base of the storm wave, characterized by a low-energy hydrodynamic regimen. Many shark teeth have been found in close association or embedded within the bones, suggesting a possible scavenging action by two shark species on the whale carcass.

Comparative Study of the Cranio-osteology of Two Lonchophyllinae from Colombia

Lonchophyllinae comprises four genera of Neotropical nectarivorous bats. Inside this subfamily the genus Lonchophylla is one of the most diverse. A total of 51 Lonchophylla skulls from Colombia (L. robusta n=34 and L. thomasi n=17) was studied by means of geometric morphometric methods with the aim to determine their morphological differential characteristics. For this purpose, viscero and neurocranium were evaluated with 12 landmarks on the dorsal aspect of left hemicranium. The two species were statistically different according to size (expressed as skull length) but also to shape (expressed as the set of Procrustes coordinates). Skulls in L. robusta were clearly bigger, with shorter braincase and longer rostra, and their zygomatic process was more latero-caudally displaced, whereas L. thomasi presented a zygomatic process which was displaced more rostrally as well longer braincases. All these detected skull form dissimilarities between both species would be explained by their different alimentary habits, but a combination of dietary analysis and morphological analysis is needed to make stronger inference about diet preferences.

Traumatic orbital ligament avulsion diagnosed with cross-sectional imaging in three dogs

The aim of the study was to describe the clinical and imaging findings of three dogs diagnosed with orbital ligament avulsion. Three immature dogs presented following a facial bite trauma, including multiple skull fractures and ventral, ventrolateral or rostrolateral displacement of the affected eye. The extent of lesions and orbital ligament avulsion were assessed and diagnosed using CT (n=2) or MRI (n=1). Orbital ligament avulsion was identified as an interruption of the linear structure between the zygomatic process of the frontal bone and the frontal process of the zygomatic bone. One dog was treated surgically to correct a visual axis alteration, while the remaining two dogs were managed conservatively. Orbital ligament avulsion is an uncommon condition that should be considered following a facial trauma. Concurrent lesions might necessitate surgical intervention, but it remains unclear if the avulsion of the orbital ligament itself requires a specific treatment.

A new member of fossil balaenid (Mysticeti, Cetacea) from the early Pliocene of Hokkaido, Japan

The family Balaenidae includes two genus and four extant species. Extinct balaenids are known for at least four genus and 10 species. The oldest known record of members of the Balaenidae is known from the early Miocene, but still need more early members of the family to provide better phylogenetic hypotheses. FCCP 1049 from the lower part of the Chippubetsu Formation, Fukagawa Group (3.5–5.2 Ma, Zanclean, early Pliocene) was preliminary described and identified as Balaenula sp. by Furusawa and Kimura in 1982. Later works discussed that FCCP 1049 is different from the genus, and is placed in different clade from Balaenula astensis . The result of our phylogenetic analysis places FCCP 1049 basal to Balaenella brachyrhynus , and is again separated from B. astensis. In this study, FCCP 1049 is re-described and named as Archaeobalaena dosanko gen. et sp. nov. Archaeobalaena dosanko is distinguishable from other balaenids by having a deep promontorial groove of the pars cochlearis of the periotic. Archaeobalaena dosanko can be differentiated from other balaenids, except Morenocetus parvus by having a slender zygomatic process, and posteriorly oriented postorbital process in dorsal view. Archaeobalaena dosanko adds detailed skull, periotic and bulla morphologies for the earlier balaenids.

Case Report: Facial injury due to a firearm projectile in a Brazilian adolescent

Background: Deaths and injuries from firearms are significant public health problems. This article presents a case of face injury caused by a firearm projectile with atrial involvement. Case report: A 13-year-old male Black patient was admitted as an emergency victim of an accident caused by a firearm projectile. On physical examination, a hemorrhage was diagnosed in the right ear pinna region from the wound, and an increase of volume, of hardened consistency, in the right genic region, suggestive of local infection. On radiographic examination, a radiopaque, dense, foreign body was identified in the right zygomatic process region. The patient underwent surgery to remove the projectile. Conclusion: The care provided to the victim of a firearm injury depends on the systemic conditions, the available professional staff, the resources and the infrastructure of the environment. Prior to initiating therapy, it is important to stabilize the patient to ensure survival.

Compared Cranial Osteology of Species of Leptoptilus (Lesson, 1831) (Aves, Ciconiidae)

The species of the Ciconiidae family (Ciconiiformes), commonly known as storks, exhibit a cosmopolite distribution, being represented by swamp birds of medium and large size. The present work aimed to describe minutely and comparatively the cranial osteology of Leptoptilus species. The study was performed based on the description of cranial bones of the species Leptoptilus dubius, L. crumeniferus, and L. javanicus. The studied specimens were previously prepared (dry crania and mandibles). Among the studied characteristics, it was possible to observe some structures of systematic importance, such as the zygomatic process, the temporal fossa, the ectethmoid, the superior maxilla, the quadrate bone that interconnects the palate, the neurocranium, and the mandible, performing a key role in the work of cranial kinesis. Leptoptilus javanicus possesses, in the lateral portion of the cranium, an emargination of the rostrodorsal edge of the postorbital process, not observed in either Leptoptilus dubius or Leptoptilus crumeniferus. The fossa ventralis possesses a projection in the caudal extremities in L. dubius and L. crumeniferus, which is absent in L. javanicus. The transpalatine process is present in both L. dubius and L. crumeniferus and is absent in L. javanicus. The pterygoid process of the palatine is short in both L. dubius and L. crumeniferus, and long in L. javanicus. The ectethmoid is reduced in both L. dubius and L. javanicus, whereas in L. crumeniferus, besides being more developed, it presents a “U” shape. Based on the present study, L. dubius and L. crumeniferus are phylogenetically closer to each other than L. javanicus.