[en] The musculoskeletal anatomy of the shoulder of many ungulates has been inferred from veterinary model taxa, with uniformity in muscle arrangements and attachment sites often assumed. In this study, I investigated the muscular and osteological anatomy of tapirs and their relatives (Perissodactyla: Tapiroidea), using a combination of gross dissection and digital imaging (photography and laser surface scanning). Dissections of three modern tapir species revealed that the m. infraspinatus originates from both supraspinous and infraspinous fossae for all species, lying on both sides of the distal scapular spine. The epimysial border between the m. supraspinatus and m. infraspinatus origin sites are marked in all species by an ossified ridge, sometimes extending the length of the scapular spine. This "supraspinous ridge" is clearly visible on the scapular surface of both modern and extinct Tapirus scapulae; however, the ridge does not appear present in any non-Tapirus tapiroids examined (e.g., Helaletes, Nexuotapirus), nor in other perissodactyls or artiodactyls. Moreover, the ridge exhibits a clearly distinct morphology in Tapirus indicus compared to all other Tapirus species examined. Combined, these findings indicate that the presence and position of the "supraspinous ridge" may represent a robust phylogenetic character for reconstructing relationships within tapiroids. Unfortunately, any functional locomotor outcomes or benefits of the m. infraspinatus straddling the scapular spine remains elusive. This study represents a firm reminder for anatomists, veterinarians, and paleontologists to (where possible) look beyond veterinary model systems when inferring musculoskeletal form or function in non-model organisms.
Disciplines :
Zoology
Author, co-author :
Maclaren, James ; Université de Liège - ULiège > Département de géologie > Evolution and diversity dynamics lab ; Department of Biology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Wilrijk, Antwerp, Belgium
Language :
English
Title :
Looking back over the shoulder: New insights on the unique scapular anatomy of the tapir (Perissodactyla: Tapiridae).
Publication date :
15 November 2023
Journal title :
Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology
ISSN :
1932-8486
eISSN :
1932-8494
Publisher :
John Wiley and Sons Inc, United States
Peer reviewed :
Peer Reviewed verified by ORBi
Funders :
COB - Company of Biologists FWO - Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek Vlaanderen
Funding text :
I would like to thank the following for their provision of specimens and workspace for this study: Sandra Nauwelaerts, Ellen Goosenaerts, Denise Vogel, Chris Van Ginneken (UAntwerpen); Chris Conroy (MVZ); Christiane Funk (ZMB); Eleanor Hoeger (AMNH); Pepijn Kamminga (RMNH); Josephine Lesur (MNHN); Luc Tyteca (MEO); Frank Zachos (NHMW); Richard Hulbert, Jeanette Pirlo, Rachel Narducci (FLMNH); Chris Widga, Steve Wallace (ETMNH); John Demboski, Andie Carrillo, Kristen MacKenzie, Garth Spellman (DMNS); Mason Kirkland (LSU); Liza Dadone and the staff of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo; Francis Vercammen and the staff of Antwerp Zoo (KMDA); Alex Larsson, Bim Boijsen, Linda Berggren and the staff of Kolmården Wildlife Park. I would also like to specifically thank Martha MacMillan, Eleesha Annear, and Brianna McHorse for their hands‐on assistance during dissections, and both Peter Aerts and Federico Banfi for their assistance in translating foreign texts. Extended thanks to Christine Böhmer (Editor) and both Eloy Gálvez‐López and Cyril Etienne (reviewers) for their constructive comments during review. This study was financially supported by doctoral (11Y7615N) and post‐doctoral (12V8422N) fellowships from the FWO (Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek), an FWO Short‐Stay Travel Grant (Denver, 2022; K207322N), and a Company of Biologists Travel Grant (Kolmården, 2023).
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