Anatomical Dissections of a Domestic Cat and Dog to Assess Musculoskeletal Differences Between Two Major Clades
Jack Tseng, Professor
Integrative Biology
Applications for Spring 2024 are closed for this project.
The order Carnivora is split into two major groups, feliformia (cats) and caniformia (dogs). Feliformia and caniformia diverged from a basal lineage ~42 million years ago. Because both groups have been evolving independently for millions of years, their musculoskeletal anatomies reflect differences arising both from new adaptation to different environments as well as evolutionary inherited traits. This project aims to dissect a domestic cat and domestic dog to record the differences in their musculoskeletal anatomy. Dissections will include identifying muscle origin and insertions, recording muscle mass measurements, and, if time permits, conduct mechanical testing on the bones in the form of indentation testing, compression, tension, and three-point bending.
Role: Qualifications: URAP students will be trained in basic dissection techniques, but will need to be extremely detail oriented and patient. If there is time after dissections, URAP students will be involved in CT data segmentation, 3D model construction, and mechanical testing. URAP students will learn muscle and bone identification and gain experience working with vertebrate anatomy.
Qualifications: Ability and willingness to work in a team are required as there will be three of us total (one person dissecting the cat, another dissecting the dog, and the third person acting as the note taker. We will rotate tasks every week). Any class level and major will be considered. Some dissection experience is desirable, but not required.
Day-to-day supervisor for this project: Emily Bogner, Ph.D. candidate
Hours: 6-8 hrs
Related website: https://sites.google.com/site/zjtseng/
Biological & Health Sciences