The skull and mandible of the South African baboon.
Date
1975
Authors
Trevor-Jones, Trevor Rubidge
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Abstract
The skull and mandible of the baboon.
This is a morphological study of the skulls and mandibles of 102 specimens from known localities in Southern Africa.
A detailed reference book on the anatomy of the baboon is particularly important because of the increasing use of this animal in medical science.
The skulls and mandibles of captive animals are referred to but are not included in the comparative study since animals in captivity are subject to dietetic disturbances and other factors not yet fully understood.
The cranium of an adult male skull is described in all normae. Comparisons are made with the crania of seven adult male baboons from widely separated known localities. This study shows that two main craniofacial types, with intermediate types, occur among the crania of South African baboons.
Type 1. crania have small maxillary ridges, shallow maxillary fossae, ventrally directed zygomatic bones, large ventral orbital apertures, well developed superciliary ridges, high temporal lines and sagittal crests. Type 11. crania have large flared maxillary ridges, deep maxillary fossae, ventrolateral ly directed zygomatic bones, small ventral orbital apertures, large supraorbital tori, low temporal lines and no sagittal crests.
This apparent1y supports the specific and subspecific claims of some observers. However, a critical examination of the crania of six adult female baboons from the same troop at Bindura, Rhodesia, shows that similar craniofacial types occur among female baboons.
It is possible to associate mandibular types with the craniofacial types in adult male baboons. This is not the case with female baboon mandibles.
Description
This Thesis is submitted to the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Surgery. The examination for this degree was completed in
1947.