A case of polymelia associated with syndactyly in Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826)

Abstract In January 2018, a young male of Didelphis aurita (Wied-Neuwied, 1826), the Brazilian common opossum, was admitted for veterinary evaluation at the Recovery Clinic of Wild Animals of Estácio de Sá University, CRAS, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, due to the presence of a partially duplicated right hind limb. After x-ray evaluation, polymelia associated with syndactyly was diagnosed. The images revealed the following alterations on the right limb: single femur with increased diameter, two tibiae, two fibulae and absence of hallux. The observed malformations were restricted to the hind right limb, which remains functional. This is the first report of such anomalies in an individual of Didelphis aurita.

摘要 2018年1月，一只巴西常见负鼠（Didelphis aurita, Wied-Neuwied, 1826）的年轻雄性个体，因右侧后肢出现部分重复畸形，被送往巴西里约热内卢埃斯塔西奥·德·萨大学野生动物康复诊所（CRAS）接受兽医评估。经X光影像学检查后，确诊为多肢畸形（polymelia）伴并趾畸形（syndactyly）。影像学结果显示右侧后肢存在以下异常：单根股骨且直径增大，伴两根胫骨与两根腓骨，且缺失拇趾。本次发现的畸形仅局限于右侧后肢，该肢体仍保持正常功能。本研究为巴西常见负鼠个体出现此类畸形的首例报道。