Morphometric Studies on the One-Humped Camel Foetus (Camelus dromedarius)

Imam, J.; Hambolu, J. O.; Onyeanusi, B. I.; Ayo, J. O.; Sulaiman, M. H.; Nzalak, J. O.

doi:10.21608/jva.2018.45054

Morphometric Studies on the One-Humped Camel Foetus (Camelus dromedarius)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria

² Department of Veterinary Physiology, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria

10.21608/jva.2018.45054

Abstract

The relationships between the body dimensions, age and weight in the eighty-seven foetuses were determined. Each foetus was weighed and its body dimensions were measured using a string and a measuring tape. The sexes of the foetuses were determined by observing and recording the gonad type in the ventral caudal area. The age of each foetus was determined by measuring the crown- rump length. The mean (± SEM) weight of the foetuses ranged from 50.7 ± 7.4 g - 14350 ± 3372 g. The crown-rump length and body length of the foetuses varied from 15.8 ± 1.2 cm - 104 ± 8.5 cm and 20.5 ± 1.7 cm - 137 ± 11.7 cm, respectively. The tail length and neck length ranged from 3.3 ± 0.2 cm - 24.5 ± 2.4 cm and 5.7 ± 0.5 cm - 36.9 ± 2.6 cm, respec- tively. The relationships between the mean crown-rump length and body length of the foetuses were highly significant (P < 0.001). The mean crown-rump length of the foetuses were significant (P < 0.001) correlated with age, body weight, body length, tail length and neck length. Body length was significantly (P < 0.001) related to age, weight, tail length and neck length. The increase in tail length to neck length occurred at a fairly constant ratio of 1:8.

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