The Occurrence and Morphology of a Lateral Metatarsal Splint Bone in Moose (Alces alces)

• Published in: The Anatomical Record: Advances in Integrative Anatomy and Evolutionary Biology
• Main Authors: Silvia, William J., Peterson, Rolf O., Silvia, William F., Vucetich, John A., Silvia, Alexander W.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: Digital Commons @ Michigan Tech 2011
• Subjects: Metatarsal; Moose; College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science; Forest Sciences; Alces alces
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.mtu.edu/michigantech-p/3537; https://doi.org/10.1002/ar.21323

Moose (Alces alces) appear to be different from most other cervids in that a well-developed metatarsal splint bone is present. It is found apposed to the plantolateral portion of the cannon bone in over 70 % of adults. It averages 3.3 mm in width and extends about 22% of the total length of the metatarsal. It may be derived through calcification of connective tissue or by elongation of the vestigial metatarsal V. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.