COMPARATIVE SCAPULA MORPHOMETRICS OF WHITE FULANI COW (BOS INDICUS) AND DOMESTIC GOAT (CAPRA HIRCUS)

Within the family Bovidae, body mass and specific locomotor requirements vary drastically between species, necessitating distinct biomechanical adaptations of the appendicular skeleton. This study compared the osteological characteristics of the scapula in the White Fulani cow (Bos indicus), a large-bodied ruminant, and the domestic goat (Capra hircus), a smaller and more agile species. Ten adult scapulae comprising five from White Fulani cows and five from domestic goats were ethically sourced and examined. Morphological features were assessed, and morphometric parameters, including spine length, acromion dimensions, and glenoid fossa radius, were measured using digital calipers. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and expressed as Mean ± SEM. The cow scapula was significantly larger than that of the goat across all measured parameters, with spine lengths 29.9 ± 1.15 cm and 9.5 ± 0.40 cm respectively. Distinct morphological differences were also observed. The cow possessed a well-developed acromion process (3.3 ± 0.15 cm), which was absent in the goat. In addition, the cow exhibited a thicker scapular neck, whereas the goat possessed a relatively deeper glenoid cavity and a more prominent coracoid process. These findings indicate that scapula morphology varies considerably between the two species and may reflect adaptations to their differing functional and locomotor requirements. The cow’s massive body weight may be associated with a reinforced scapular neck and a distinct acromion potentially contributing to muscular stabilization. Conversely, the goat’s osteology, featuring a deeper glenoid and absent acromion, favors agility and joint stability for navigating varied, uneven terrain over sheer weight-bearing capacity.