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Anatomy, histology and elemental profile of long bones and ribs of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

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Abstract

This study evaluated the morphology and elemental composition of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) bones (humerus, radius, ulna, femur, tibia, fibula and rib). Computerized tomography was used to image the intraosseous structure, compact bones were processed using histological techniques, and elemental profiling of compact bone was conducted using X-ray fluorescence. There was no clear evidence of an open marrow cavity in any of the bones; rather, dense trabecular bone was found in the bone interior. Compact bone contained double osteons in the radius, tibia and fibula. The osteon structure was comparatively large and similar in all bones, although the lacuna area was greater (P < 0.05) in the femur and ulna. Another finding was that nutrient foramina were clearly present in the humerus, ulna, femur, tibia and rib. Twenty elements were identified in elephant compact bone. Of these, ten differed significantly across the seven bones: Ca, Ti, V, Mn, Fe, Zr, Ag, Cd, Sn and Sb. Of particular interest was the finding of a significantly larger proportion of Fe in the humerus, radius, fibula and ribs, all bones without an open medullary cavity, which is traditionally associated with bone marrow for blood cell production. In conclusion, elephant bones present special characteristics, some of which may be important to hematopoiesis and bone strength for supporting a heavy body weight.

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Abbreviations

Mg:

Magnesium (12)

Al:

Aluminum (13)

Si:

Silicon (14)

P:

Phosphorus (15)

S:

Sulfur (16)

K:

Potassium (19)

Ca:

Calcium (20)

Ti:

Titanium (22)

V:

Vanadium (23)

Cr:

Chromium (24)

Mn:

Manganese (25)

Fe:

Iron (26)

Ni:

Nickel (28)

Cu:

Copper (29)

Zn:

Zinc (30)

Zr:

Zirconium (30)

Ag:

Silver (47)

Cd:

Cadmium (48)

Sn:

Tin (50)

Sb:

Antimony (51)

pb:

Lead (82)

LE:

Light element from H = hydrogen (1) to Na = sodium (11)

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful for research funding from the Chiang Mai University (CMU) through the research administration office, which provided a budget to the Center of Excellence in Elephant Research and Education.

Authors’ contribution

KN. is a major contributor and designed and conducted all the experiments. K.N. and S.K. scanned all samples in this study using XRF. K.N. performed the CT scans and histology of compact bone. T.P. measured the osteon structures. C.T. and T.A. gave advice and supplied rare samples used in this study. K.N., K.B. and P.S. analyzed all data and performed statistical analysis. K.N, K.B. and J.B. assisted in discussions and writing of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the manuscript to published.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal Bone and Joint Research Laboratory, Department of Veterinary Biosciences and Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand

    Korakot Nganvongpanit, Puntita Siengdee, Kittisak Buddhachat & Tanita Pitakarnnop

  2. Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Center of Excellence in Elephant Research and Education, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, 50100, Thailand

    Korakot Nganvongpanit, Sarisa Klinhom & Chatchote Thitaram

  3. Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute, Center for Species Survival, 1500 Remount Road, Front Royal, VA, 22630, USA

    Janine L. Brown

  4. National Elephant Institute, Forest Industry Organization, Hangchat, Lampang, 52190, Thailand

    Taweepoke Angkawanish

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  1. Korakot Nganvongpanit
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  2. Puntita Siengdee
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  3. Kittisak Buddhachat
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  4. Janine L. Brown
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Correspondence to Korakot Nganvongpanit.

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Nganvongpanit, K., Siengdee, P., Buddhachat, K. et al. Anatomy, histology and elemental profile of long bones and ribs of the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). Anat Sci Int 92, 554–568 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-016-0361-y

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