Bone morphometry and function: a comparison between cattle and European elk
Bartosiewicz, L.
Acta Veterinaria Hungarica 35(4): 437-448
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0236-6290 PMID: 3447465 Document Number: 303233
Longitudinal bone growth in 85 cattle and 20 elk (Alces alces (L.) alces) was compared in order to define basic morphometric differences between two related but radically different species of the Ruminantia suborder. Proportions between the six major long bones reflect fundamental differences related to locomotion (as well as domestication) in both the thoracic and pelvic extremities. The results were interpreted in the light of data on muscular development published in the literature. This approach marks an attempt to link the present findings to applied research into the meat production of elk.