Polydactyly in Arctic foxes (Vulpes lagopus)

Authors: ANDRZEJ GUGOLEK, JANUSZ STRYCHALSKI, MALGORZATA KONSTANTYNOWICZ

Abstract: Seven Arctic fox puppies were found to have an extra claw (resembling a canine dewclaw) on their thoracic limb. These individuals came from 2 litters born of 2 different females. The "dewclaw" comprised a claw loosely connected with the limb by soft tissue, and it had the third phalanx (PIII) and a vestigial phalanx. Our results show that the presence of an extra claw on one or both hands in some Arctic fox puppies may, but does not have to, be a dominant trait. The differences between the 2 analyzed litters support the hypothesis that the mode of inheritance of the investigated trait in Arctic foxes could be more complex.

Keywords: Polydactyly, thoracic limb, Vulpes lagopus

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