
doi: 10.1111/joa.14070
pmid: 38837363
pmc: PMC11424812
handle: 2268/327527 , 10067/2066280151162165141
doi: 10.1111/joa.14070
pmid: 38837363
pmc: PMC11424812
handle: 2268/327527 , 10067/2066280151162165141
AbstractThe baubellum (os clitoridis) is a bone found in the clitoris of many female eutherian mammals and is homologous to the baculum in males. In contrast to the baculum, the baubellum has received very little attention regarding its morphological or interspecific diversity, or on hypotheses for its function. The presence of the baubellum in bears (Ursidae) has only been established and mentioned in the literature for the Ursus genus, and not for the other genera of bears. Moreover, no scaled photographs are available for baubella of this clade, and the sizes reported vary between sources. We hereby present and describe the baubellum of a spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus), providing a detailed account of baubella in a basal ursid species. The baubellum of Tremarctos is slightly bowed dorsally, with two small prominences at the distal apex. The length of the Tremarctos baubellum in this study is comparable to that of Ursus americanus (American black bear). We infer the specific shape, with longitudinal ridges, of the baubellum in Tremarctos could indicate a discrete function during copulation or sexual arousal. However, future studies, especially regarding the associated soft tissues, will be required to confirm whether this is indeed the case. Our study expands the understanding of baubella within Ursidae, providing new data (including a three‐dimensional model) that can be used to further explore the morphological diversity and function of this enigmatic extra‐skeletal bone.
Male, Anatomie (cytologie, histologie, embryologie...) & physiologie, Ursidae/anatomy & histology, Histology, Bone and Bones/anatomy & histology, os clitoridis, Baubellum, Cell Biology, Anatomy (cytology, histology, embryology...) & physiology, Life sciences, Bone and Bones, Zoologie, Sciences du vivant, spectacled bear, Animals, Female, Anatomy, Biology, Molecular Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ursidae, Developmental Biology
Male, Anatomie (cytologie, histologie, embryologie...) & physiologie, Ursidae/anatomy & histology, Histology, Bone and Bones/anatomy & histology, os clitoridis, Baubellum, Cell Biology, Anatomy (cytology, histology, embryology...) & physiology, Life sciences, Bone and Bones, Zoologie, Sciences du vivant, spectacled bear, Animals, Female, Anatomy, Biology, Molecular Biology, Zoology, Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics, Ursidae, Developmental Biology
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