Identification Notes &~@~-/~: ~~*~@~,~ 'PTILE

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

CATEGORY Identification Notes &~@~-/~: ~~*~@~,~ ‘PTILE for wildlife law enforcement ~ C.rnrn.n N.rn./s: Al@~O~, c~~~dil., ~i~.xl, Gharial PROBLEM: Skulls of Crocodilians are often imported as souvenirs. nalch (-”W 4(JI -“by ieeth ??la&ularJy+i9 GUIDE TO PRELIMINARY IDENTIFICATION OF CROCODILL4N SKULLS 1. Nasal bones separated from nasal aperture; mandibular symphysis extends to the 15th tooth. 2. Gavialis gangeticus Nasal bones entering the nasal aperture; mandibular symphysisdoes not extend beyond the8th tooth . Tomistoma schlegelii 2. Nasal bones separated from premaxillary bones; 27 -29maxi11aryteeth,25 -26mandibularteeth Nasal bones in contact with premaxillaq bo Qoco@khs acutus teeth, 18-19 mandibular teeth . Tomiitomaschlegelii 3. Fourth mandibular tooth usually fitting into a notch in the maxilla~, 16-19 maxillary teeth, 14-15 mandibular teeth . .4 Osteolaemus temaspis Fourth mandibular tooth usually fitting into a pit in the maxilla~, 14-20 maxillary teeth, 17-22 mandibular teeth . .5 4. Nasal bones do not divide nasal aperture. .. CrocodylW (12 species) Alligator m&siss@piensh Nasalboncx divide nasal aperture . Osteolaemustetraspk. 5. Nasal bones do not divide nasal aperture. .6 . Paleosuchus mgonatus Bony septum divides nasal aperture . .. Alligator (2 species) 6. Fiveteethinpremaxilla~ bone . .7 . Melanosuchus niger Four teeth in premaxillary bone. ...Paleosuchus (2species) 7. Vomerexposed on the palate . Melanosuchusniger Caiman crocodiles Vomer not exposed on palate . ...”..Caiman (2species) Illustrations from: Moo~ C. C 1921 Me&m, F. 19S1 L-.. Submitted by: Stephen D. Busack, Chief, Morphology Section, National Fish& Wildlife Forensics LabDate submitted 6/3/91 Prepared in cooperation with the National Fkh & Wdlife Forensics Laboratoy, Ashlar@ OR, USA ‘—m More on reverse side>>> IDentMcation Notes CATEGORY: REPTILE for wildlife law enforcement -- Crocodylia II CAmmom Nda Alligator, Crocodile, Caiman, Gharial REFERENCES Medem, F. 1981. Los crocodylia de Sur America. Vol. 1. Los crocodylia de Colombia. ~lciencias, Bogota. Mook, C. C. 1921. Skull characters of Recent Crocodilia, with notes on the affinities of the Recent genera. Bull. Amer. Mus. Nat. HiSt. 44123-268. Schmidt, K P. 1928. Notes on South American Caimans. Zool. Ser., Field Mu* Nat. Hst. 12(17):205-231. Smith, H. M. & R. B. Smith. 1977., Synopsis of the her etofauna of Mexico. Vol. 5. Guide to Mexican amphisbaenians and crocodilians, bibliographic addendum II. John !ohnson, N. Bennington, Vt. ..

Copy Link

Recommended publications

American Alligator Alligator Mississippiensis
American Alligator Alligator mississippiensis Class: Reptilia Order: Crocodylia Family: Alligatoridae Characteristics: The average size of an adult female American alligator is 8 feet while a male averages 11 feet. They can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. They have a long snout and the eyes and nostrils are located on top so they can see and breathe while their body remains under water. The easiest way to distinguish between a crocodile and an alligator is to look at the jaw. In an alligator, the fourth tooth on the lower jaw fits perfectly into a socket in the upper jaw and is NOT visible when the mouth is closed. This is not the case in crocodiles. They have incredibly powerful jaws and the teeth are replaced as Range & Habitat: they wear down. Alligators can go through 2,000-3,000 teeth in a lifetime. Found in slow-moving freshwater Behavior: Female alligators usually remain in a small area while males can rivers from North Carolina to the have territories up to two square miles. The young will remain in their Rio Grande in Texas mothers’ areas until they are three years old and then will leave in search of food or are driven out by the large males. Alligators undergo a sort of dormancy when they weather is cold. They will excavate a “gator hole” along a waterway or dig tunnels in areas where water fluctuates. These hollows provide them protection against hot and cold weather and are often used by other animals once the gator has left. Alligators do not have salt glands so they can only tolerate salt water for a brief time (National Zoo).
[Show full text]
Tooth Size Proportions Useful in Early Diagnosis
#63 Ortho-Tain, Inc. 1-800-541-6612 Tooth Size Proportions Useful In Early Diagnosis As the permanent incisors begin to erupt starting with the lower central, it becomes helpful to predict the sizes of the other upper and lower adult incisors to determine the required space necessary for straightness. Although there are variations in the mesio-distal widths of the teeth in any individual when proportions are used, the sizes of the unerupted permanent teeth can at least be fairly accurately pre-determined from the mesio-distal measurements obtained from the measurements of already erupted permanent teeth. As the mandibular permanent central breaks tissue, a mesio-distal measurement of the tooth is taken. The size of the lower adult lateral is obtained by adding 0.5 mm.. to the lower central size (see a). (a) Width of lower lateral = m-d width of lower central + 0.5 mm. The sizes of the upper incisors then become important as well. The upper permanent central is 3.25 mm.. wider than the lower central (see b). (b) Size of upper central = m-d width of lower central + 3.25 mm. The size of the upper lateral is 2.0 mm. smaller mesio-distally than the maxillary central (see c), and 1.25 mm. larger than the lower central (see d). (c) Size of upper lateral = m-d width of upper central - 2.0 mm. (d) Size of upper lateral = m-d width of lower central + 1.25 mm. The combined mesio-distal widths of the lower four adult incisors are four times the width of the mandibular central plus 1.0 mm.
[Show full text]
The Cat Mandible (II): Manipulation of the Jaw, with a New Prosthesis Proposal, to Avoid Iatrogenic Complications
animals Review The Cat Mandible (II): Manipulation of the Jaw, with a New Prosthesis Proposal, to Avoid Iatrogenic Complications Matilde Lombardero 1,*,† , Mario López-Lombardero 2,†, Diana Alonso-Peñarando 3,4 and María del Mar Yllera 1 1 Unit of Veterinary Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Anatomy, Animal Production and Clinical Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Campus of Lugo—University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; [email protected] 2 Engineering Polytechnic School of Gijón, University of Oviedo, 33203 Gijón, Spain; [email protected] 3 Department of Animal Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences, Campus of Lugo—University of Santiago de Compostela, 27002 Lugo, Spain; [email protected] 4 Veterinary Clinic Villaluenga, calle Centro n◦ 2, Villaluenga de la Sagra, 45520 Toledo, Spain * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +34-982-822-333 † Both authors contributed equally to this manuscript. Simple Summary: The small size of the feline mandible makes its manipulation difficult when fixing dislocations of the temporomandibular joint or mandibular fractures. In both cases, non-invasive techniques should be considered first. When not possible, fracture repair with internal fixation using bone plates would be the best option. Simple jaw fractures should be repaired first, and caudal to rostral. In addition, a ventral approach makes the bone fragments exposure and its manipulation easier. However, the cat mandible has little space to safely place the bone plate screws without damaging the tooth roots and/or the mandibular blood and nervous supply. As a consequence, we propose a conceptual model of a mandibular prosthesis that would provide biomechanical Citation: Lombardero, M.; stabilization, avoiding any unintended (iatrogenic) damage to those structures.
[Show full text]
Schneider's Smooth-Fronted Caiman Paleosuchus Trigonatus
Schneider’s Smooth-fronted Caiman Paleosuchus trigonatus Zilca Campos1, William E. Magnusson2 and Fábio Muniz3 1Embrapa Pantanal, CP 109, Corumbá, MS, Brazil 79320-900 ([email protected]) 2Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas da Amazonia/CPEC, CP 478, Manaus, Amazonas 69011-970, Brazil ([email protected]) 3Laboratório de Evolução e Genética Animal, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil ([email protected]) Common Names: Smooth-fronted caiman, Schneider’s 2018 IUCN Red List: Lower Risk/Least Concern. Widespread smooth-fronted caiman, Cachirre, Jacaré-coroa, Jacaré-curuá and remains locally abundant, although quantitative data are una lacking (last assessed in March 2018; Campos et al. 2019). Range: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Principal threats: Habitat destruction, local subsistence Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela hunting, pollution, urbanization, dams Figure 2. Paleosuchus trigonatus. Photograph: Zilca Campos. Ecology and Natural History Paleosuchus trigonatus has a maximum length of around 2.3 m (Medem 1952, 1981). It is well adapted to a terrestrial mode of life and in swift-running waters (Medem 1958). It has a similar distribution to P. palpebrosus, but does not enter the Brazilian shield region or the Paraguay River drainage. In Brazil P. trigonatus is found principally in the rivers and streams of heavily-forested habitats (Magnusson 1992; Villamarím et al. 2017), in igapó forest in the Central Amazon (Mazurek-Souza 2001), and open water or near Figure 1. Distribution of Paleosuchus trigonatus (based on waterfalls in the large rivers such as the Mamoré, Madeira, Campos et al. 2013, 2017). Abunã (Vasconcelos and Campos 2007) and Beni Rivers (Z. Campos, unpublished data).
[Show full text]
Crocodiles Alter Skin Color in Response to Environmental Color Conditions
www.nature.com/scientificreports OPEN Crocodiles Alter Skin Color in Response to Environmental Color Conditions Received: 3 January 2018 Mark Merchant1, Amber Hale2, Jen Brueggen3, Curt Harbsmeier4 & Colette Adams5 Accepted: 6 April 2018 Many species alter skin color to varying degrees and by diferent mechanisms. Here, we show that Published: xx xx xxxx some crocodylians modify skin coloration in response to changing light and environmental conditions. Within the Family, Crocodylidae, all members of the genus Crocodylus lightened substantially when transitioned from dark enclosure to white enclosures, whereas Mecistops and Osteolaemus showed little/no change. The two members of the Family Gavialidae showed an opposite response, lightening under darker conditions, while all member of the Family Alligatoridae showed no changes. Observed color changes were rapid and reversible, occurring within 60–90 minutes. The response is visually- mediated and modulated by serum α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), resulting in redistribution of melanosomes within melanophores. Injection of crocodiles with α-MSH caused the skin to lighten. These results represent a novel description of color change in crocodylians, and have important phylogenetic implications. The data support the inclusion of the Malayan gharial in the Family Gavialidae, and the shift of the African slender-snouted crocodile from the genus Crocodylus to the monophyletic genus Mecistops. Te rapid alteration of skin color is well known among a wide assortment of ectothermic vertebrates and inver- tebrates1. Adaptive skin color changes may occur for a variety of reasons, including communication, thermal regulation, and crypsis1. Te modifcation of skin pigmentation is achieved by either physiological or morpho- logical mechanisms1.
[Show full text]
Master of the Marsh Information for Cart
Mighty MikeMighty Mike:Mike: The Master of the Marsh A story of when humans and predators meet Alligators are magnificent predators that have lived for millions of years and demonstrate amazing adaptations for survival. Their “recent” interaction with us demonstrates the importance of these animals and that we have a vital role to play in their survival. Primary Exhibit Themes: 1. American Alligators are an apex predator and a keystone species of wetland ecosystems throughout the southern US, such as the Everglades. 2. Alligators are an example of a conservation success story. 3. The wetlands that alligators call home are important ecosystems that are in need of protection. Primary Themes and Supporting Facts 1. Alligators are an apex predator and, thus, a keystone species of wetland ecosystems throughout the southern US, such as the Everglades. a. The American Alligator is known as the “Master of the Marsh” or “King of the Everglades” b. What makes a great predator? Muscles, Teeth, Strength & Speed i. Muscles 1. An alligator has the strongest known bite of any land animal – up to 2,100 pounds of pressure. 2. Most of the muscle in an alligators jaw is intended for biting and gripping prey. The muscles for opening their jaws are relatively weak. This is why an adult man can hold an alligators jaw shut with his bare hands. Don’t try this at home! ii. Teeth 1. Alligators have up to 80 teeth. 2. Their conical teeth are used for catching the prey, not tearing it apart. 3. They replace their teeth as they get worn and fall out.
[Show full text]
Alligator & Crocodile Skin Preparation for Tanning Getting Started
Alligator & Crocodile Skin Preparation for Tanning This page is not a basic guide on how to skin an alligator, but we can offer a summary of skinning steps, tips on how to best care for alligator skins, and explain why careful skinning and scraping is important. The proper care of alligator skins begins as soon as the animal is harvested. Here are some helpful tips: Skinning should take place as soon after the harvest as practical. Avoid direct sun or heat on the carcass or skin whenever possible. Keep skin away from blood, entrails, or other contact with dirty surfaces where more bacteria could get into the skin. Always skin carefully avoiding the creation of holes or cuts in the belly pattern. Scrape excess meat and fat from the underside of the skin with blunt knives, paint scrapers, beveled pipes or other dull tools. Removing meat and fat from the skin is very important because of the time necessary to store and ship alligator skins for tanning. This often takes several months and excess meat helps bacteria multiply leading to "red heat" or "slipping" skins. If excess fat is not removed it can prevent salt from properly penetrating the skin. Also, if the fat heats up, it can penetrate the skin and leave grease spots on the finished leather. The purpose of curing alligator skins is to remove moisture from the skin so it can be better preserved before tanning. o A fine grain mixing salt works best and should be applied generously (1/2 to 1 inch thick) and rubbed into all parts of the skin.
[Show full text]
Crocodile Facts and Figures
Crocodile facts The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile species. It can grow up to six metres and is a serious threat to humans. Saltwater crocodiles have evolved special characteristics that make them excellent predators. • Large saltwater crocodiles can stay underwater for at least one hour because they can reduce their heart rate to 2-3 beats per minute. This means that crocodiles can wait underwater until they see prey, or if people are using the same spot regularly, the crocodile can wait underwater until someone approaches the water’s edge. • A crocodile can float with only eyes and nostrils exposed, enabling it to approach prey without being detected. • When under water, a special transparent eyelid protects the crocodile’s eye. This means that crocodiles can still see when they are completely submerged. • The tail of a crocodile is solid muscle and a major source of power, making it a strong swimmer and able to make sudden lunges out of the water to capture prey. These strong muscles also mean that for shorts bursts of time crocodiles can move faster than humans can on land. • Crocodiles have a thin layer of guanine crystals behind their retina. This intensifies images, allowing crocodiles to see better at low light levels. • Crocodiles have a ‘minimum exposure’ posture in the water, which means that only their sensory organs of eyes, cranial platform, ears and nostrils remain out of the water. This means that they often go unseen by prey, but if they are observed, the prey is often not able to tell how big the crocodile is.
[Show full text]
Crocodiles and Alligators Capture Production by Species, Fishing Areas
394 Crocodiles and alligators Capture production by species, fishing areas and countries or areas B-73 Crocodiles et alligators Captures par espèces, zones de pêche et pays ou zones Cocodrilos y aligatores Capturas por especies, áreas de pesca y países o áreas Species, Fishing area Espèce, Zone de pêche 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 Especie, Área de pesca no no no no no no no no no no Broad-nosed caiman ...B ...C Caiman latirostris 5,36(01)001,01 IMO 03 Argentina - - - 90 165 215 2 752 1 652 1 125 705 Brazil - - - - - 10 ... 50 - - 03 Fishing area total - - - 90 165 225 2 752 1 702 1 125 705 Species total - - - 90 165 225 2 752 1 702 1 125 705 Spectacled caiman Caïman à lunettes Caimán de anteojos Caiman crocodilus 5,36(01)001,03 CAI 02 Nicaragua 250 6 440 ... ... ... ... ... ... ... 130 Panama 10 10 250 11 700 13 298 14 694 15 850 4 696 2 210 2 752 1 155 02 Fishing area total 260 16 690 11 700 13 298 14 694 15 850 4 696 2 210 2 752 1 285 03 Argentina - - - - - 1 1 291 2 883 6 083 3 556 Bolivia 17 500 ... 28 170 31 018 43 528 36 299 51 330 44 443 49 115 51 618 Brazil 4 619 8 286 1 253 6 048 12 851 7 004 620 673 10 254 ... Colombia 771 456 832 203 704 313 540 579 555 719 612 041 601 958 974 721 673 062 535 394 Guyana 9 880 9 880 5 917 8 222 3 124 3 310 2 301 3 720 16 707 3 355 Paraguay - 9 750 3 793 8 373 4 409 - - - - - Venezuela 24 640 23 655 19 215 20 349 33 942 63 902 58 346 60 864 23 201 15 489 03 Fishing area total 828 095 883 774 762 661 614 589 653 573 722 557 715 846 1 087 304 778 422 609 412 Species total
[Show full text]
Alligator Awareness
Brochure_Layout 1 8/4/17 9:52 AM Page 1 (including hunting) their own alligator populations. ties each year as a result of nuisance complaints. hunting season. The initial area open to alligator hunt - Management plans still had to be approved by USFWS However, every nuisance complaint call does not result in ing was a 16.5-mile portion of the Pearl River north of and alligators had to be tagged with a CITES the removal of an alligator. Many alligators are removed the Ross Barnett Reservoir, which is home to the densest (Convention on International Trade in Endangered as a result of being in “out-of-place” locations, such as population of alligators anywhere in Mississippi. In 2013, Species) tag. “TSA” refers to the fact that alligators, or residential ponds or yards, swimming pools, marinas, limited alligator hunting opportunities expanded more specifically alligator hides and parts, are very dif - and highways. statewide, on public waterways. ficult to distinguish from the hides and parts of other Numerous complaints are received because alligators endangered crocodilians such as the American Crocodile have lost their natural fear of humans and human activ - To report a nuisance alligator or persons violat- (Crocodylus acutus) or the Chinese Alligator (Alligator ity. This behavior is usually the result of people purpose - ing alligator regulations call your local MDWFP sinensis). ly or indirectly feeding alligators. Feeding alligators is District Office or 1-800-BE-SMART. illegal in Mississippi, due to obvious concerns and danger The Mississippi Alligator Program that can develop when alligators begin to associate a food North Region Office (662) 563-6222 In the 1960's and 70's, alligators from Louisiana were source with human activity.
[Show full text]
Veterinary Dentistry Basics
Veterinary Dentistry Basics Introduction This program will guide you, step by step, through the most important features of veterinary dentistry in current best practice. This chapter covers the basics of veterinary dentistry and should enable you to: ü Describe the anatomical components of a tooth and relate it to location and function ü Know the main landmarks important in assessment of dental disease ü Understand tooth numbering and formulae in different species. ã 2002 eMedia Unit RVC 1 of 10 Dental Anatomy Crown The crown is normally covered by enamel and meets the root at an important landmark called the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). The CEJ is anatomically the neck of the tooth and is not normally visible. Root Teeth may have one or more roots. In those teeth with two or more roots the point where they diverge is called the furcation angle. This can be a bifurcation or a trifurcation. At the end of the root is the apex, which can have a single foramen (humans), a multiple canal delta arrangement (cats and dogs) or remain open as in herbivores. In some herbivores the apex closes eventually (horse) whereas whereas in others it remains open throughout life. The apical area is where nerves, blood vessels and lymphatics travel into the pulp. Alveolar Bone The roots are encased in the alveolar processes of the jaws. The process comprises alveolar bone, trabecular bone and compact bone. The densest bone lines the alveolus and is called the cribriform plate. It may be seen radiographically as a white line called the lamina dura.
[Show full text]
Why Fuse the Mandibular Symphysis? a Comparative Analysis
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY 112:517–540 (2000) Why Fuse the Mandibular Symphysis? A Comparative Analysis D.E. LIEBERMAN1,2 AND A.W. CROMPTON2 1Department of Anthropology, George Washington University, Washington, DC 20052, and Human Origins Program, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 20560 2Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138 KEY WORDS symphysis; mammals; primates; electromyograms; mandible; mastication ABSTRACT Fused symphyses, which evolved independently in several mammalian taxa, including anthropoids, are stiffer and stronger than un- fused symphyses. This paper tests the hypothesis that orientations of tooth movements during occlusion are the primary basis for variations in symph- yseal fusion. Mammals whose teeth have primarily dorsally oriented occlusal trajectories and/or rotate their mandibles during occlusion will not benefit from symphyseal fusion because it prevents independent mandibular move- ments and because unfused symphyses transfer dorsally oriented forces with equal efficiency; mammals with predominantly transverse power strokes are predicted to benefit from symphyseal fusion or greatly restricted mediolateral movement at the symphysis in order to increase force transfer efficiency across the symphysis in the transverse plane. These hypotheses are tested with comparative data on symphyseal and occlusal morphology in several mammals, and with kinematic and EMG analyses of mastication in opossums (Didelphis virginiana) and
[Show full text]