Morphogenetic studies of the rabbit XXXV. Comparison of the weights and linear measurements in normal and heterozygous dwarf rabbits of race X

This report presents the weights of the skeleton and 11 bones, 26 linear measurements of the bones and 17 measurements of the skull of 35 adult heterozygous (Dwdw) dwarf rabbits of race X. The female skeleton is slightly heavier but the long bones of the extremities are heavier in the males. The most varible bones are those with much cancellous bone. As percentages of total skeleton, in rabbits of the same sex, the mandible is the only bone significantly heavier in both sexes of the dwarfs. The ribs and scapula are significantly heavier in normal (dwdw) rabbits. Measurements of the bones are slightly more variable in the males. Only two of the 26 measurements are significantly longer in each sex, but as percentages of body length, 11 are significantly longer in the males and one in the females. The long bones of the extremities are generally longer and narrower in both sexes of the dwarfs. The 17 linear measurements of the skull show no significant sex differences. Six of these, as percentages of body length are greater in dwarf and none in normal females. Only two are significantly greater in dwarf males. The skull measurements are slightly larger in males and somewhat larger as percentages in the dwarfs.