Weights and linear measurements of the body and some organs of the adult male and female African white bellied tree pangolins (Manis tricuspis)

Abstract

The absolute weights of the body, heart, kidneys, spleen, pancreas, liver, gonads, digestive tract and adrenal glands, as well as the absolute linear measurements of the body, digestive tract and oviduct were determined in adult female and male African white-bellied tree pangolins. The relative weights, relative lengths and weight per unit length were derived from the relevant data. Statistical analyses of sex effect showed that all the organs, except the length of the oesophagus relative to the nose-tail length (P<0.05), were not significantly different. The data provided could be helpful in future laboratory investigations where the body-and organ-weights and linear measurements of the captive and wild pangolins would be of practical value


KEYWORDS: Body, Organ, weight, length, relative, pangolin, Manis tricuspis


Nigerian Veterinary Journal Vol.23(1) 2002: 54-60