Osteological studies on the vertebrae of the mongolian gerbil meriones unguiculatus in comparison with the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of the syrian hamster mesocricetus auratus and the laboratory mouse mus musculus
Irmer, S.; Wissdore, H.
Zeitschrift fuer Versuchstierkunde 20(5): 241-255
1978
Accession: 006048109
The cervical vertebrae of the Mongolian gerbil, M. unguiculatus, were examined macroscopically and compared with the results of the cervical vertebrae gained from the Syrian hamster (M. auratus) and those of the laboratory mouse (M. musculus). The 6th cervical vertebra of M. unguiculatus is notable by a lam. ventr. lamella ventricalis marking the ventral surface of the pediculus arcus vertebrae on each side. The thoracic and lumbar vertebrae of the Mongolian gerbil, M. unguiculatus, were examined macroscopically and compared with the results of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae gained from the Syrian hamster (M. auratus) and those of the laboratory mouse (M. musculus). The Mongolian gerbil has 12, both the laboratory mouse and the Syrian hamster each have 13 thoracic vertebrae. The spinous process of the 2nd thoracic vertebra is noted as well in the Mongolian gerbil as in the Syrian hamster by its length. The lumbar vertebral column of M. unguiculatus consists of 7, the one of M. auratus and of M. musculus of 6 lumbar vertebrae in each case. The sacral and caudal vertebrae of M. unguiculatus, were examined macroscopically and compared with the results of the sacral and caudal vertebrae gained from the Syrian hamster and those of the laboratory mouse. The 4 sacral vertebrae of each M. unguiculatus and of M. musculus fuse to the os sacrum whereas the os sacrum of M. auratus consists of 3 sacral vertebrae joined synostotically. The number of caudal vertebrae amounts to 12-13 in the Syrian hamster, 20-24 in the Mongolian gerbil and 28 in the laboratory mouse.