Ear configuration as a tool for identification and age determination in camel fetuses [with one table, 4 figures and 3 plates]

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 150 camel fetuses representing the whole prenatal life. The age was represented by months and crown vertebral rump length [CVRL], where they aged from 2.4 to 12.02 months and 2.8 cm to 108 cm CVRL. Several morphological measurements Head length [HL], Interear distance [IED], IED/HL%, Ear length [EL], Ear width [EW], ear-eye distance and ear-mouth distance were carried out. The results revealed that at age 2.4 months [2.8 cm CVRL] first branchial groove [the premordium of external ear] appeared as a growth of mesenchymal tissue surrounding oval opening. At 2.66 - 2.78 months [5.2 - 6.5 cm CVRL] the mesenchymal tissue increased in size to form, two longitudinal folds, rostal and caudal. At 2.91 - 3.55 [8.0 - 15.0 cm CVRL] the caudal fold gradually increased in size forming triangular flap covering almost the external ear opening. At 3.64 - 4.01 months [16 - 20 cm CVRL] the fold reflected caudally. Morphological and biometric studies were followed on ear till full term fetuses where the external ear reached nearly its mature form