Morphology of the Lumbar Vertebrae of Adult Chinkara Gazella bennettii (Sykes, 1831) (Mammalia: Bovidae)

Lumbar vertebrae morphology in adult chinkara is not studied yet. We hypothesised that the lumbar vertebrae morphology of the chinkara would be a typical example of fast running ungulates. This study was designed to study gross morphological and basic osteometric features of the lumbar vertebrae of chinkara. The study was conducted on the lumbar vertebrae of ten male and ten female adults. The gross morphological features of each lumbar vertebra were studied thoroughly, and the osteometric measurements were done using a digital Vernier calliper. The craniocaudal lengths of the vertebral bodies were similar among the first five vertebrae. However, in the sixth lumbar vertebra, the vertebral body length decreased and its width increased. The height and breadth of the extermitas cranialis of the vertebral body, as well as the breadth of extermitas caudalis, increased from L1 to L6. The pediculus arcus vertebrae were connected perpendicularly with the dorsal surface of the vertebral body and their dorsal margins projected laterally. The ventral margins of the left and right Lamina arcus vertebrae attached with the pedicles at 45 degrees. The spinous processes were mostly rectangular and similar in height except for L6, which was lower in height. Length of spinous processes decreased from L1-L6 in both sexes. Sharp bony projections existed on the cranial border on the tips of both transverse processes. The dimensions of the spinal canal increased craniocaudally. Considerable morphological differences in the cranial and caudal articular processes, vertebral arch, transverse processes, spinous processes and vertebral bodies were observed.