This is the first known report on the skeletal and muscular systems, and the skin histology, of the pectoral fin of the rare planktivorous megamouth shark Megachasma pelagios. The pectoral fin is characterized by three features: 1) a large number of segments in the radial cartilages; 2) highly elastic pectoral fin skin; and 3) a vertically-rotated hinge joint at the pectoral fin base. These fea...

Plombage, a variant of collapse therapy for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis that uses a variety of foreign materials, was undertaken until the 1950s before the invention of effective antimicrobial therapy. Complications related to previous plombage procedures are not uncommon. Management of these complications can be challenging. We report a patient presenting with extrusion of plombage 59...

A reintroduced white-tailed sea eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) in moderate body condition was found dead and submitted for post-mortem examination. There were no signs of disease on gross pathological Histopathological examination however revealed the presence encysted protozoan parasites pectoral cardiac muscle sections. Polymerase chain reaction amplification extracted genomic DNA sequencing fo...

The reported prevalence of salmonellosis its wild birds is relatively low, though the numl)er of species of birds reported as having the disease or being carriers of the organism is increasilig (Faddoul et al., 1966, Avian Dis. 10: 8994). The course of the disease in binds ralsges from acute to chronic. Affected birds essay recover, become carriers of the organism alsd periodically shed it into...

The cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) demonstrates excellent swimming capabilities; generating highly efficient thrust via flapping of dorsally flattened pectoral fins. In this paper, we present a bio-inspired and free swimming robot that mimics the swimming behavior of the cownose ray. The robot has two artificial pectoral fins to generate thrust through a twisted flapping motion. Each artifici...

Bioaccumulation of Cu, Zn, Hg in muscles and liver tissues of stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus) from the southern Caspian Sea was measured. Effects of condition factor (CF), age and hepatosomatic index (HSI) on metal accumulation were also determined. Some 40 stellate sturgeons were collected using gill nets in winter and spring 2007-2008 from the southern shores of the Caspian Sea. Total...

Purpose: Most studies have examined the effect of stretching and strength exercises on the glenohumeral joint (shoulder joint), on the other hand, due to the importance of the relationship between core stability and pectoral girdle, especially in archery athletes, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of six weeks of core stability exercises on the glenohumeral joint internal rota...

Pectoral fin contact in bottlenose dolphins represents one form of tactile communication. Acoustic communication associated with pectoral fin contact is an additional level of communication that may change or enhance the tactile message between two individuals. In this study, we examine vocalization types associated with pectoral fin contact in a group of captive bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops t...

Amyoplasia congenita, or "classic distal arthrogryposis," is the most common disorder among the congenital, non-progressive, multiple joint contractural conditions named arthrogryposis. The cause remains unknown, and it occurs sporadically. Abnormal neurological examination indicates that movement in utero was diminished as a result of an abnormality of the central or peripheral nervous system,...

Bamboo sharks (Chiloscyllium plagiosum) are primarily benthic and use their relatively flexible pectoral and pelvic fins to rest on and move about the substrate. We examined the morphology of the pectoral fins and investigated their locomotory function to determine if pectoral fin function during both benthic station-holding and pelagic swimming differs from fin function described previously in...