Polydactyly in Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)

Authors

ANDRZEJ GUGOLEK
JANUSZ STRYCHALSKI
MALGORZATA KONSTANTYNOWICZ

Abstract

Seven Arctic fox puppies were found to have an extra claw (resembling a canine dewclaw) on their thoracic limb. These individuals came from 2 litters born of 2 different females. The "dewclaw" comprised a claw loosely connected with the limb by soft tissue, and it had the third phalanx (PIII) and a vestigial phalanx. Our results show that the presence of an extra claw on one or both hands in some Arctic fox puppies may, but does not have to, be a dominant trait. The differences between the 2 analyzed litters support the hypothesis that the mode of inheritance of the investigated trait in Arctic foxes could be more complex.

DOI

10.3906/vet-1004-275

Keywords

Polydactyly, thoracic limb, Vulpes lagopus

First Page

277

Last Page

280

Recommended Citation

GUGOLEK, ANDRZEJ; STRYCHALSKI, JANUSZ; and KONSTANTYNOWICZ, MALGORZATA (2011) "Polydactyly in Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)," Turkish Journal of Veterinary & Animal Sciences: Vol. 35: No. 4, Article 9. https://doi.org/10.3906/vet-1004-275
Available at: https://journals.tubitak.gov.tr/veterinary/vol35/iss4/9