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Musculoskeletal morphology of the hip and thigh of the black‐footed ferret ( Mustela nigripes ) Virginia L. Naples, Department of Biological Sciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, Illinois 60115
Author(s) -
Naples Virginia L
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.31.1_supplement.577.12
Subject(s) - anatomy , biology , pectoral girdle , femur , paleontology
The pelvic girdle, hindlimb skeleton and hip and thigh musculature of Mustela nigripes, the black‐footed ferret, are described and compared to those of the closely related mustelids, Mustela putorius, the European ferret, Mustela eversmanni , the Siberian ferret, the mustelid outgroup, Neovison vison, the mink, and the distantly related Felis catus . The M. nigripes hindlimb musculoskeletal system reflects the typical mammalian bauplan, although proportions among mustelids and with F . catus differ. Relative sizes and differences in orientations of lines of action in thigh muscles from those of the compared species improve the ability of M . nigripes to run swiftly with flexed knees through small diameter (mostly) Cynomys burrows, and to attack prey underground. While attacking, a ferret grasps the prey, biting the anteroventral side of the neck, and must maintain the grip for long enough to ensure that strangulation occurs. Most kills occur inside cramped tunnels dug by prairie dogs, sized for their body proportions. Skeletal adaptations for this lifestyle in M. nigripes include greater sacroiliac joint range of motion, an enlarged iliac blade, and blocky femoral condylar attachment sites for relatively enlarged gluteal and hamstring muscles. Additionally, reoriented gluteals maximize mediolateral trunk stability; there is no tibial caudofemoralis attachment, and the semitendinosus and biceps femoris join the tendo calcaneus. The latter is reinforced posteriorly by a long, slender tenuissimus. Some adaptations also contribute to bipedality. An upright stance allows ferrets increased height while observing their surroundings, and would be advantageous for seeking predators or prey. Reorientation of pelvic and thigh muscles, which result from more distal insertions into an aponeurosis that includes an expanded quadriceps tendon that also covers the patellar region farther distally. These muscles also insert into the calcaneal tendon, which improves the mechanical advantage of these muscles, increasing the stability of the hindlimb while the ferret is standing bipedally.