LAUSR

Palatine is a cranial bone very less studied in comparative veterinary anatomy. In our study, we performed the comparison of this bone between sheep (Ovis aries L., 1758) and goat (Capra hircus L., 1758), from a sample of 36 and 17 skulls respectively, using methods of geometric morphology. A total of 32 points (4 landmarks and 28 semi-landmarks) were chosen to analyse the horizontal lamina of the palatine bone. Statistically significant differences were reflected for both size and shape. Capra denotes a clear lateral expansion of the bone and rostral and a central contraction, with a relative approach of palatine foramina, while in Ovis foramina are more laterally distant. In our view, this greater width of the horizontal lamina in Capra would be explained by a greater capacity to rub the food compared to Ovis.