Anatomical Studies on the Vertebral Column of Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak)

Abstract

The vertebral column of barking deer was comprised of 35 segments. The supraspinous process of atlas was represented by a raised tubercle separated by a prominent ridge. Axis had wider dens. The third cervical vertebra had crest like supraspinous process which increased posteriorly. The 4^th, 5^th, 6^th and 7^th cervical vertebrae were characterized by the presence of a tubercle midway along the outer margin of the bony plate.The body of 13^th thoracic vertebra was longer and constricted in the middle with strongly curved anterior and posterior extremities. The elongated plate like transverse processes of 6^th lumbar vertebra were flattened dorsoventrally and projected downward and forward. The fusion of completely fused five sacral vertebrae had two dorsal and four ventral sacral foramina.