Bison Versus Cow Metatarsal Morphology

[tracer]

ok, so anyway. i've made some comments in the past regarding subtle differences between the post-cranial bones of bison and cows, so i thought i'd show one example of what i'm talking about. i think i have correctly identified the two bones i'm showing here as a left metatarsal from a bison and a right metatarsal from a cow. please do not focus on relative dimensions between the two, since you could find large or small examples of either. just note the differences between the actual morphology.

the articulating surfaces on the proximal ends of the metatarsals differ substantially.

note the lateral "swellings" on the sides just below the condyles on the bison bone. also note the "flare out" of the groove in the middle of the bone as it goes toward the bottom of the picture.

the groove down the middle of the diaphysis looks more pronounced/deeper in the cow bone.

caudal view of the distal end of the metatarsals. the differences aren't huge but they're there.

[Uncle Siphuncle]

Good work, Tracer...I learn best from having the details put right in front of me in comparative fashion...now if I could only learn to tell a tapir from a horse from a llama thoracic vert......

[Auspex]

This is really good stuff! I know what you've put into working these out; thank you!

[Bullsnake]

Thank you Tracer,

Now if I find any at the river, I'll have a reference without having to ask (hopefully).

On that note, with your expertise, are there published references you'd recommend to distinguish other bones of the two species, or maybe one that you have written?

[tracer]

isbn 0-660-13066-1 ordered from publisher if they've still got it.

[Bullsnake]

Thanks again!