Multiple cranial pathologies in spotted hyaenas, Crocuta crocuta.

Area of Science:

• Paleopathology
• Veterinary Anatomy
• Wildlife Conservation

Background:

• Spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) are perceived as resilient, with limited reported pathologies.
• Understanding physical threats is crucial for ecological studies and conservation of hyena populations.
• Osteopathologies in hyenas are underreported, necessitating detailed investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe and interpret osteopathologies in the crania of spotted hyenas from Central Africa.
• To document the incidence and types of cranial pathologies in Crocuta crocuta specimens.
• To provide insights into the health, biology, and conservation of spotted hyenas.

Main Methods:

• Examination of 52 spotted hyena crania from the Royal Museum for Central Africa (RMCA) collection.
• Computed Tomography (CT) scanning of selected specimens to analyze internal cranial structures.
• Descriptive analysis and interpretation of observed pathologies, including fractures and developmental anomalies.

Main Results:

• 44% of examined hyena crania (23 out of 52) displayed evidence of pathologies.
• Identified pathologies include craniosynostosis, microtia, osteomyelitis, periodontitis, cranial fractures, dental fractures, and bite marks.
• Multiple pathologies were observed in some individuals, with some conditions being novel for the species.

Conclusions:

• Cranial pathologies are more prevalent in spotted hyenas than previously assumed.
• These findings have implications for understanding hyena social behavior, conservation status, and potential sampling biases.
• This study enhances knowledge of hyena health and provides a comparative basis for pathology studies in other carnivorans.