Gross anatomy of the musculature of the thoracic limb of the aulacod

OBJECTIVE: The cane rat is a wild rodent appreciated for its meat. Currently domesticated, its breeding is expanding in sub‐Saharan Africa where it originates. However, the pathological problems already identified during the domestication phase of the cane rat on station still constitute a major constraint to the development of aulacodiculture. Our study aims at filling the lack of illustrations on the myology of the thoracic limb of the cane rat METHODOLOGY: We used 16 adults cane rats ranging in age from 3 to 4 years RESULTS: The study of the different muscles of the thoracic limb reveals many similarities in the Glires (rodents and lagomorphs). However, some particularities are noteworthy. Indeed, in the cane rat, the deltoid muscle, as well as the muscles of the forearm, are very developed with its three portions, the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles are fusiform and the triceps brachii muscle has a very bulky long part (caput longum) CONCLUSION: These illustrations will be very effective tools for understanding the muscles of the thoracic limbs and a reliable technical support for veterinary students and practitioners.