Gross Morphology and Morphometrical Studies on the Vertebral Column of Indian Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista philippensis)

Abstract

The present study was conducted on the gross anatomical features of the vertebral column of Indian giant flying squirrel (Petaurista philippensis). It belongs to the order rodentia and Sciuridae family. The bones of vertebral column were collected during the post-mortem examination at Veterinary College, Shivamogga, Karnataka. The vertebral formula was found to be C₇, T₁₂, L₇, S₃ and Cy₂₇. The foramen transversarium was noticed in all the cervical vertebrae except in C₇. The width and length of the centrum progressively increased from L₁ to L₇. Haemal arch and haemal processes were observed in Cy₄ to Cy₉ and Cy₁₀ to Cy₁₉ respectively. The variations in neural spine, vertebral body length and transverse process were observed in all the vertebrae. So, these variations in the vertebral column may be attributed to the specialized movements such as gliding, lifting and balancing the body of Indian giant flying squirrel.