Gross Anatomical Studies on the Pelvic Limb of Indian Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum (Linnaeus, 1766))

The aim of the study is to document the anatomical details of bones of pelvic limb of Indian palm squirrel (Funambuluspalmarum). Samples for the present study were collected from six adult Indian palm squirrels (Funambuluspalmarum) which died due to natural causes. The bones were collected by fresh water maceration technique. The gross anatomy of bones in pelvic limb was studied after fresh water maceration and cleaning.The bones of pelvic limb were found to be similar in structure and number to other rodents and carnivores that have been studied. Oscoxae, the bone of pelvic girdle showed a prominent caudal ventral iliac spine cranial to the acetabulum, tuber ischii was single, incomplete acetabular rim. Pelvic symphysis contained pubis and ischium. The obturator foramen was relatively large and oval. Fovea capitis was shallow in the femoral head; trochanter major, trochanter minor in proximal epiphysis. Trochanter tertius in the femur was connected distally to the mid-shaft region by a ridge. Tibia was the longest bone in body of Indian palm squirrel (Funambuluspalmarum). Two sesamoid bones (febellae), embedded in the tendons of the origin of gastrocnemius muscle. Patella was a small wide square shaped bone that glides on trochlea of femur. Tibia and fibula were two long bones articulated at proximal and distal extremities with wide interosseous space. Tarsals were seven, arranged in three rows and articulate with the metatarsals distally. Five metatarsal bones, I-V were evident of which first one was short. Five digits were present, first one contained two phalanges and the remaining digits contained three phalanges each.