The forelimb musculature of marten ( Martes americana Turton) and fisher ( Martes pennanti Erxleben)

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Leach, Doug
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1977
• Subjects: Martes americana
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z77-003; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z77-003

Extrinsic and intrinsic muscles of the forelimbs of 25 adult fisher and 25 adult marten were described and compared and the importance of these muscles in arboreal locomotion was discussed. The forelimb myology of these two mustelids is structurally similar. The muscles of the forelimb synsarcosis and the muscles that flex the shoulder and elbow joints are particularly well developed. The existence of a strongly developed forelimb musculature needed for cursorial locomotion in marten and fisher apparently potentiates a secondary function in arboreal locomotion.