Macroanatomy of Bones of Large Frugivorous Bat (Pteropus giganteus)

Abstract

Four large dead frugivorous bats (Pteropus giganteus) were used to investigate the macroanatomy of bones of axial and appendicular skeleton. Study revealed elongated oval shaped skull with incomplete orbital rim, prominent canine teeth, wide zygomatic process, shallow masseteric fossa and straight body of mandible. Vertebral formula was C₇ T₁₃ L₅ S₃ C₂. Among the thirteen pairs of curved and slender ribs, eight pairs were
sternal and rest five pairs were asternal. The thoracic girdle was consisted of broad and expanded triangular scapula, curved slender clavicle and a comma shaped coracoid process. Humerus was long double curved cylindrical bone. Radius was the longest and most powerful among wing bones. Among five digits of wing, only first and second had claws but in case of leg, all the five digits possessed claws. Patella was absent at femoro-tibial articulation. The wing was about four times longer than the leg.