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Flashcards in Small Mammal A&P Deck (23)
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1
Q

What are the main differences of the rabbit skeleton

A
  1. Suprahamate bone (scapular process)
  2. Distal 2/3rds of tibia and fibula are fused
  3. Completely fused radius and ulna
  4. Large pinnae. Very vascular and mobile.
  5. Large lateral orbits
  6. Powerful hindlimbs; short forelimbs for digging
  7. Herbivore teeth
2
Q

Describe the digestive system of the rabbit

A

Monogastric with well-developed sphincters - rabbits cannot vomit.
Hind-gut fermenters/ non-ruminant herbivores
Coprophagy
Liver has 4 lobes
Small intestine is long and terminates at caecum (where fermentation of plant material takes place) at the sacculus rotundus (swelling of gut between ileum and caecum). Then onto colon.

3
Q

State the dental formula of rabbits

A

I 2/1 C 0/0 PM 3/2 M 3/3

4
Q

Describe rabbit teeth

A

Open-rooted
Continuously growing
Elongated Jaw
PM and M often referred to as ‘cheek teeth’
Diastema is the gap between the incisors and molars
2nd pair of incisors are vestigial and lie behind 1st pair

5
Q

Describe rabbit respiration

A

Diaphragm is the primary mechanism for respiration
Don’t really use chest muscles
Obligate nose breathers - due to position of the epiglottis
Lungs have 3 lobes in each - cranial lobes are small.
Left lung is smaller than right.

6
Q

Describe the urinary system of rabbits

A
Calcium is excreted in urine 
(in other animals, its excreted in bile)
Turbidity/ cloudiness of urine is dependent on calcium deposits
Produce a lot of urine 
Huge colour range
7
Q

Describe the reproductive system of rabbits

A
Bicornuate uterus - 2 uterine hones
No uterine body
Double cervix
Induced ovulators. Altricial young.
Don't have distinct heat cycles
4 or 5 pairs of mammary glands
Each side can function independently

2 testes in 2 scrotal sacs, cranial to penis.
No os penis
open inguinal ring allows retraction of testes into abdomen.

8
Q

What group of animals do guinea pigs fall into?

A

Hystricomorphs

9
Q

Describe the digestive system of guinea pigs?

A
Very similar to rabbits.
Also exhibit coprophagy - 2nd pellet is not as dry as rabbits. 
Herbivores
Hind-gut fermenters
Monogastric
Large caecum
Relatively long small intestine
6-lobed liver
10
Q

What is unique about guinea pigs?

A

They cant produce their own vitamin C

11
Q

What are myomorphs?

A

Rats, gerbils, mice and hamsters

12
Q

Describe the teeth of myomorphs

A

Open rooted incisors and rooted molars
I 1/1 C 0/0 PM 0/0 M 3/3 = 16
Diastema between incisors and molars.

13
Q

Describe the digestive systems of myomorphs

A

Designed to breakdown a varied diet
Caecum doesn’t ferment so have a longer gut
Herbivorous material moves slowly through the small intestine to accommodate the breakdown of this

May or may not produce caecotrophs
Rats lack a gall bladder
Hamsters have a distinct fore-stomach

14
Q

Describe the reproductive system of myomorphs

A

Bicornuate uterus. Little or no uterine body.
Spontaneous ovulators.
Female rats have 5 pairs of teats.
Female hamsters have 6 pairs of teats

2 testes in external scrotum - can return to abdomen via open inguinal canal in some species.
Have os penis

15
Q

What is unique about hamsters?

A

Have flexible pouches to store food
Little tail stump - no tail
Very small, shallow eye sockets

16
Q

What is unique about gerbils?

A

Prehensile tail used to balance

Can shed their tail as a defence mechanism

17
Q

Describe the feet of rabbits

A

No footpads
5 toes on forefoot; 4 on hindfoot
Entire foot lies flat on ground from toe to hock.

18
Q

How many vertebrae do rabbits have?

A

C7 T12-13 L7 S4 C16

19
Q

Describe the lips of the rabbit?

A

Have split upper lip - philtrum

20
Q

Describe guinea pig teeth?

A

I 1/1 C 0/0 PM 1/1 M 3/3 = 20.

Incisors and cheek teeth are open rooted and continuously growing.

21
Q

Describe the skeletal anatomy of guinea pigs?

A
No tail, 4-6 vestigial coccygeal vertebrae.
C7 T13-14 L6 S2-3 C4-6
Short, stocky legs
4 toes on forefeet; 3 on hindfeet.
Small ears
22
Q

Describe the feet on hamsters, rats and mice?

A

4 toes on front feet and 5 toes on hind feet

23
Q

Describe the reproductive system of guinea pigs?

A

Both male and female have a pair of long inguinal nipples
Bicornuate uterus and 1 cervix
Have an os penis.