Functional morphology of the locomotor system in the northern smooth-tailed tree shrew (Dendrogale murina)

The locomotor system of the northern smooth-tailed tree shrew (Dendrogale m urina), one of the arboreal species of Scandentia, was examined by means of macroscopic anatomy. In this study, we describe the muscular system in the shoulder, forearm, hip and crural regions. The M. deltoideus and the acrom ion of the scapula were well-developed. The characteristic postscapular fos sa was distinguishable in the scapula. The M. teres major and M. triceps br achii possessed large bundles and were attached to the postscapular fossa. In the hindlimb region, the M. biceps femoris was inserted into large area of distal hindlimb. The M. tenuissimus was discernible beneath the M. bicep s femoris. We suggest that these findings may contribute to our understandi ng of arboreal locomotion in this species, and that this may typically repr esent the arboreal adaptational pattern of the muscular system in the Scand entia.