Observations on the macroscopic digestive anatomy of the Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus)

Anat Histol Embryol. 2005 Aug;34(4):276-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1439-0264.2005.00611.x.

Abstract

We measured macroscopic anatomical parameters of the digestive tract of 12 female Himalayan tahrs. According to morphological criteria used sensu Hofmann for the classification of ruminants into feeding types - in particular the reticuloruminal capacity measured as wet content weights, the ruminal pillar thickness, the reticular honeycomb structure, the size of the omasum and the size of the parotid glands - tahrs can be classified as predominantly grazing ruminants. As reported in other ruminant species, the length of the large intestine was a more constant parameter over a range of body weights than that of the small intestine. The weight of the parotid glands scaled to metabolic body weight.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Digestive System / anatomy & histology*
  • Digestive System Physiological Phenomena*
  • Female
  • Fermentation
  • Organ Size
  • Ruminants / anatomy & histology*
  • Ruminants / physiology