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. 2017 Jan 24;79(1):224-229.
doi: 10.1292/jvms.16-0241. Epub 2016 Nov 11.

Mobility of the forearm in the raccoon (Procyon lotor), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

Minao Kamioka  1 , Motoki Sasaki, Kazutaka Yamada, Hideki Endo, Motoharu Oishi, Kazutoshi Yuhara, Sohei Tomikawa, Miki Sugimoto, Tatsuo Oshida, Daisuke Kondoh, Nobuo Kitamura
Affiliations

Mobility of the forearm in the raccoon (Procyon lotor), raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) and red panda (Ailurus fulgens)

Minao Kamioka et al. J Vet Med Sci. .

Abstract

The ranges of pronation/supination of forearms in raccoons, raccoon dogs and red pandas were nondestructively examined. Three carcasses of each species were used for CT analysis, and the left forearms were scanned with a CT scanner in two positions: maximal supination and maximal pronation. Scanning data were reconstructed into three-dimensional images, cross-sectional images were extracted at the position that shows the largest area in the distal part of ulna, and then, the centroids of each cross section of the radius and ulna were detected. CT images of two positions were superimposed, by overlapping the outlines of each ulna, and then, the centroids were connected by lines to measure the angle of rotation, as an index of range of mobility. The measurements in each animal were analyzed, using the Tukey-Kramer method. The average angle of rotation was largest in raccoons and smallest in raccoon dogs, and the difference was significant. In the maximally pronated forearm of all species, the posture was almost equal to the usual grounding position with palms touching the ground. Therefore, the present results demonstrate that the forearms of raccoons can supinate to a greater degree from the grounding position with palms on the ground, as compared with those of raccoon dogs and red pandas.

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Figures

Fig. 1.
Fig. 1.
Axial CT images of left forearms in the raccoon (A), raccoon dog (B) and red panda (C). Centroid of the cross section of ulna (1) and radii in maximal supination (2) and pronation (3). The cross sections were extracted at the position with the largest area in the distal part of ulna. The angle formed by points 1–3 is defined as the range of the pronation/supination angle. Cross bar shows flexor (F) and medial (M) sides.
Fig. 2.
Fig. 2.
Distal (A) and flexor side (B) views of three-dimensional CT images of the left forearm of the raccoon. (1) and (2) show maximally pronated and supinated positions, respectively. R: Radius, U: Ulna.
Fig. 3.
Fig. 3.
Distal (A) and flexor side (B) views of three-dimensional CT images of the left forearm of the raccoon dog. (1) and (2) show maximally pronated and supinated positions, respectively. R: Radius, U: Ulna.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 4.
Distal (A) and flexor side (B) views of three-dimensional CT images of the left forearm of the red panda. (1) and (2) show maximally pronated and supinated positions, respectively. R: Radius, U: Ulna.
Fig. 5.
Fig. 5.
The average of rotation angles of forearms (mean ± standard error of mean). There is a significant difference between different symbols (a and b) (P<0.05, Tukey–Kramer test).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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