Macro-anatomical investigations of the skeletons of the African giant rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse): Pelvic limb

In this study, 7 African giant rats (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse 1840) were used to investigate the bony fore limb. It was observed that the supraspinous fossa was larger than the infraspinous fossa. The slender, curved clavicles were about 2.53 cm long. The humerus was peculiar and the ridges and the tuberosities were well developed. There was a supracondylar foramen in the mediodistal region of the humerus in all the rats, while 3 of the rats (42.9%) had a supratrochlear foramen. The radius and ulna were distinct but appeared fused in most of the African giant rats used in this study. In the carpal proximal row, radial carpal and intermediate carpal bones were fused to form the Os carpi intermedioradiale. The manus was complete, with five digits. There were two phalanges in the first digit and the other four digits were composed of three phalanges. On the palmar face of the manus there were radial and ulnar sessamoids (ossa sessamoidea palmaria) with an irregular surface. In conclusion, there were some prominent features in the forelimb bones of the African giant rat that typifies them as fast running, burrowing and shoveling rodents.