Analyze Diet

Morphological character of the shoulder and leg skeleton in Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii).

Abstract: The skeletal feature was observed in Przewalski's horse (Equus przewalskii) and the domestic horse (E. caballus). As results of the observations, remarkable differences were found in the scapula. The caudal border of the scapula in Przewalski's horse is curved in the caudal direction more than that of the domestic horse. Moreover, in the domestic horse, the sharp caudal border is formed by the shift of the outer muscular line (Linea muscularis) to the border. In Przewalski's horse, however, the caudal border is rounded because the outer muscular line does not shift to the border but lies beside it. We suggest that the morphological difference observed between the scapulae of these horses may lead to changes in the shoulder movement with the various attachments of the long head of the triceps muscle (Caput longum musculi tricipitis). The skeletal measurement and the measurement ratio show that the leg skeleton of Przewalski's horse is shorter and thicker than that of the domestic horse. These results show that the center of gravity of Przewalski's horse is low in position and that it has a short stride.
Publication Date: 1999-07-31 PubMed ID: 10427379DOI: 10.1016/S0940-9602(99)80138-1Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
  • Comparative Study
  • Journal Article

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article explores the differences in skeletal structure between Przewalski’s horse and domestic horses with a focus on the shoulder and leg bones. The findings suggest that these differences could impact movement and physical characteristics such as center of gravity and stride length.

Comparative Study of Equine Skeletal Structures

  • The study compares the morphological features of the shoulder and leg skeletons of two horse species – the Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii) and the domestic horse (E. caballus).
  • The researchers conducted detailed observations of the skeletal structures, focusing on the differences between the two species.
  • The findings showed notable variations in the structure of the scapula, or shoulder blade, of the two species.

Scapula Morphology and Muscle Attachment

  • The caudal border, or rear edge, of the scapula in Przewalski’s horse was found to be more curved towards the tail (caudal direction) than that of the domestic horse.
  • In the domestic horse, the rear edge of the scapula is sharp and shaped by the outer muscular line (Linea muscularis) moving to the edge.
  • In contrast, in Przewalski’s horse, this border is rounded because the outer muscular line stays alongside the border, rather than moving to it.
  • The researchers proposed that this morphological disparity between the shoulder blades of the two species might cause variations in shoulder movement due to the different positions of the long head of the triceps muscle attachment (Caput longum musculi tricipitis).

Leg Skeleton and Body Posture

  • The research also analyzed the leg skeleton of both horse species, using skeletal measurements and ratios.
  • The leg bones of Przewalski’s horse were found to be shorter and thicker compared to those of the domestic horse.
  • The research results suggest that the center of gravity in Przewalski’s horse is positioned lower, and these horses have a shorter stride than domestic horses – characteristics that may be attributed to their different leg bone structure.

Cite This Article

APA
Sasaki M, Endo H, Yamagiwa D, Yamamoto M, Arishima K, Hayashi Y. (1999). Morphological character of the shoulder and leg skeleton in Przewalski’s horse (Equus przewalskii). Ann Anat, 181(4), 403-407. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0940-9602(99)80138-1

Publication

ISSN: 0940-9602
NlmUniqueID: 100963897
Country: Germany
Language: English
Volume: 181
Issue: 4
Pages: 403-407

Researcher Affiliations

Sasaki, M
  • University Museum, University of Tokyo, Japan.
Endo, H
    Yamagiwa, D
      Yamamoto, M
        Arishima, K
          Hayashi, Y

            MeSH Terms

            • Animals
            • Animals, Domestic
            • Animals, Wild
            • Bone and Bones / anatomy & histology
            • Bone and Bones / physiology
            • Female
            • Femur / anatomy & histology
            • Horses / anatomy & histology
            • Horses / physiology
            • Humerus / anatomy & histology
            • Male
            • Metacarpus / anatomy & histology
            • Metatarsus / anatomy & histology
            • Muscle, Skeletal / anatomy & histology
            • Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
            • Radius / anatomy & histology
            • Scapula / anatomy & histology
            • Species Specificity
            • Tibia / anatomy & histology

            Citations

            This article has been cited 2 times.
            1. Turghan MA, Jiang Z, Niu Z. An Update on Status and Conservation of the Przewalski's Horse (Equus ferus przewalskii): Captive Breeding and Reintroduction Projects. Animals (Basel) 2022 Nov 15;12(22).
              doi: 10.3390/ani12223158pubmed: 36428386google scholar: lookup
            2. Goto H, Ryder OA, Fisher AR, Schultz B, Kosakovsky Pond SL, Nekrutenko A, Makova KD. A massively parallel sequencing approach uncovers ancient origins and high genetic variability of endangered Przewalski's horses. Genome Biol Evol 2011;3:1096-106.
              doi: 10.1093/gbe/evr067pubmed: 21803766google scholar: lookup