Comparative Gross Morphometrical Study on Appendicular Skeleton of Duck and Fowl

Abstract

The comparative morphometrical study of appendicular skeleton was conducted on twelve birds (six duck and six fowl). Scapula was longer and ilium and ischium was shorter in duck. Clavicle of fowl caudally had well-developed bony plate hypocleidium. The ratio between angle of reflection between clavicular branches in duck and fowl was 3:2. In duck, humerus and radius-ulna was slightly longer than fowl but was not remarkable. In duck, coracoid and carpo-metacarpal was robust and strong but coracoid was shorter and carpo- metacarpal
was longer in duck. Approximate ratio between the width of pelvic girdle of fowl and duck was 1.5:1, respectively. The ratio of maximum diameter of acetabulum was 3:4 in duck and fowl, respectively. Ilio-ischiatic foramen was longer in duck but wider in fowl. A well developed pectineal process was present in fowl and was approximately six times longer than duck. The bones of the wing were comparatively longer in duck which was attributed to heavier wing. Due to lower ground clearance, bones of the pelvic limb was comparatively shorter in duck. Digits were longer in duck which were attributed to webbed digits and swimming habitat.