Skeletal Anatomy of the Pectoral Girdle, Stylopodium and Zeugopodium of Caiman latirostris (Daudin, 1802) (Crocodylia: Alligatoridae)

Abstract

The development of the skeleton can be better understood through new discoveries, using as reference tissue that is in a dynamic process of formation and resorption. This study used a young adult male specimen of C. latirostris, 1.50m in length, belonging to the collection of the Wild Animal Research Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia, fixed in 10% formol. The specimen’s skin, viscera and pectoral girdle, stylopodium and zeugopodium bone muscles were removed, and the bones were identified, recorded in photographs taken with a digital camera, and described. The findings demonstrate that the characteristics of the skeletal anatomy of the pectoral girdle, stylopodium and zeugopodium of C. latirostris resemble those of its ancestors and extend to the other crocodilians, since they exhibit inter- and intraspecific behavioral similarities.