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Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons
Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2004.
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University of Pretoria
2013
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| _version_ | 1867613489372069888 |
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| access_status_str | Open Access |
| author2 | Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- |
| author_browse | Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- |
| author_facet | Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- |
| collection | Thesis |
| dc_rights_str_mv | © 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. |
| description | Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2004. |
| format | Thesis |
| id | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/28860 |
| institution | University of Pretoria (South Africa) |
| last_indexed | 2026-06-10T12:36:57.501Z |
| license_str | Other — see source repository |
| provenance_str_mv | Harvested via OAI-PMH from UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| publishDate | 2013 |
| publishDateRange | 2013 |
| publishDateSort | 2013 |
| publisher | University of Pretoria |
| publisherStr | University of Pretoria |
| record_format | dspace |
| source_str | UPSpace — University of Pretoria Institutional Repository |
| spelling | oai:repository.up.ac.za:2263/28860 Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons Skinner, J.D. (John Dawson), 1932- louis.vanschalkwyk@up.ac.za Van Schalkwyk, Ockert Louis Phosphorus Calcium Bone density Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Mineral content Biomechanics UCTD Dissertation (MSc (Veterinary Science))--University of Pretoria, 2004. Apart from its slender appearance, four main factors lead to questions regarding the bone density, mineral content and morphology of the giraffe skeleton: X A rapid vertical growth rate ¡V especially in the neck and metapodials X Biomechanical considerations pertaining to the tall and slender shape of the skeleton X A proportionally larger skeleton in relation to body mass X A seemingly abnormal mineral balance in their diet with possible signs of mineral deficiency (i.e. osteophagia) In this study the skeleton of the giraffe was compared with that of the African buffalo with regards to bone density, skeletal calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) content and certain femoral and metacarpal morphological characteristics. The aim was to establish if, compared to buffalo, the features of the giraffe skeleton differed in any unique way. Fourteen similar bones or parts of bones were collected from carcasses of six adult giraffe bulls and nine adult buffalo bulls. These bones were cleaned, weighed and their volume determined through water displacement, from which their density could be calculated. Hereafter, Ca and P content were analysed in 10 bones from each carcass. Morphological characteristics of cross-sections from femoral and metacarpal shafts were also measured. No significant differences between the density or mineral content of bones in the two species could be found. In both species 19,5% Ca and 9,5% P were measured in defatted bone. Although similar in mineral concentration, the giraffe skeleton contains three times more absolute Ca and P, which translates into a 1,5-2-fold higher dietary requirement for these minerals compared to buffaloes. A gradation in the volume and weight of cervical vertebrae was also seen in giraffes. This could hold biomechanical advantage for the carriage and manoeuvrability of the long neck. Bone wall thickness of the giraffe femur and metacarpus is increased compared to buffaloes. This could hold biomechanical advantage for the slender legs that are subjected to increased vertical forces. Adequate Ca seems to be acquired through very specific browse selection, which seems to be of evolutionary origin, while the acquisition of adequate P seems to be critical and a possible cause for osteophagia. This study is the first of its kind in these species and therefore also provide valuable baseline data for future work in this field. Production Animal Studies unrestricted 2013-09-07T14:22:54Z 2005-02-23 2013-09-07T14:22:54Z 2004-10-20 2006-02-23 2004-10-20 Dissertation Van Schalkwyk, O 2004, Bone density and Calcium and Phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28860 > http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28860 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10202004-065109/ © 2004, University of Pretoria. All rights reserved. The copyright in this work vests in the University of Pretoria. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the University of Pretoria. application/pdf University of Pretoria |
| spellingShingle | Phosphorus Calcium Bone density Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Mineral content Biomechanics UCTD Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons |
| title | Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons |
| title_full | Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons |
| title_fullStr | Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons |
| title_full_unstemmed | Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons |
| title_short | Bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) skeletons |
| title_sort | bone density and calcium and phosphorus content of the giraffe giraffa camelopardalis and african buffalo syncerus caffer skeletons |
| topic | Phosphorus Calcium Bone density Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Mineral content Biomechanics UCTD |
| url | http://hdl.handle.net/2263/28860 http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-10202004-065109/ |