Morphological and Craniometric Features of the Skull of African Savanna Hare (Lepus microtis) Found in North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

African savanna hare (Lepus microtis) belonging to the family Leporidae, is a placental mammal with vast economic and scientific importance ranging from the major source of protein for the teaming population to models of laboratory and genetic studies as well as valued game reserve. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology and craniometric features of the skull of African savanna hare found in North-central Nigeria in an attempt to provide basic anatomical data of this wild rodent. The African savanna hare used were sampled from Gwagwalada area council, Federal capital territory, Abuja, Nigeria. Morphological and craniometric measurements were conducted on six skulls. Results showed a foramen on the nasal bone and a non-serrated lateral margin of the margo supraorbital process of the frontal bone. The maxilla was trabeculated while the temporal bone was spongy-like in appearance. The palatine appeared perforated in a W-shape. For craniometric results, the skull weight was13.4g with the mandible and 9.5g without the mandibles. While the dorsal and ventral skull length was 10.5±0.8 and 7.3±0.9, the dorsal and ventral skull width was 3.1±0.2 and 4.0±0.2 with a dorsal and ventral skull index of 29.52 and 54.79 respectively. The orbital and cranial capacities were 5.8±0.6 and 11.2±0.4, and this could aid the vision and intelligence of this rodent. Our findings have provided baseline information on the skull morphology and craniometrics of the African savannahare, which would be of bene-fit in understanding morphofunctional and paleontological studies with emphasis on adaptive features necessary for domestication of this rodent.