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Ectromelia in Morelet's crocodile from Belize.

T R Rainwater1, S T McMurry, S G Platt

  • 1Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH), Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock 79416, USA.

Journal of Wildlife Diseases
|March 12, 1999
PubMed
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Two Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) in Belize were found with ectromelia, a condition causing missing forelimbs. This rare developmental abnormality in crocodilians may impact survival rates but did not affect the health of the affected individuals.

Area of Science:

  • Herpetology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Wildlife Conservation

Background:

  • Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) are a species found in Central America.
  • Developmental abnormalities can occur in crocodilians due to various environmental and genetic factors.
  • Limb agenesis, or the absence of a limb, is a rare congenital malformation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To report the first known cases of ectromelia (limb agenesis) in Morelet's crocodiles.
  • To document the occurrence and characteristics of this abnormality in a wild population.
  • To discuss potential contributing factors and implications for crocodilian development and survival.

Main Methods:

  • Field capture and examination of 642 Morelet's crocodiles in the New River system, Belize.

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  • Detailed external and radiographic analysis of two individuals exhibiting ectromelia of one forelimb.
  • Review of potential etiological factors for developmental abnormalities in crocodilians.

    • Main Results:

    • Two Morelet's crocodiles (Crocodylus moreletii) were identified with ectromelia of a single forelimb.
    • No evidence of scarring or skeletal trauma was found, suggesting limb agenesis of unknown origin.
    • These cases represent the only instances of missing limbs in 642 individuals studied and are the first reported in this species.

    Conclusions:

    • Ectromelia in Morelet's crocodiles is a rare developmental abnormality with an unknown etiology.
    • Factors such as maternal health, nest conditions, and environmental contaminants may contribute to such malformations.
    • While ectromelia may reduce survival rates in hatchlings, the affected adult crocodiles in this study were vigorous and in good condition.