Karakteristik Morfofungsi Muskuloskeletal Regio Cruris dan Digit Kaki Belakang Badak Sumatra (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)

Abstract

Badak sumatra memiliki badan yang relatif besar serta hidup di habitat hutan dengan vegetasi lebat dan berbukit sehingga membutuhkan struktur muskuloskeletal yang dapat menunjang aktivitasnya. Penelitian mengenai kaitan morfologi muskuloskeletal regio cruris-digit dengan fungsinya ini dilakukan untuk menduga peranan fungsional otot dan skelet regio cruris-digit dalam menunjang perilaku badak sumatra di habitatnya. Penelitian dilakukan menggunakan foto-foto arsip preparat skelet dan otot regio cruris-digit, serta video perilaku badak sumatra yang kemudian dianalisis secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan badak sumatra memiliki struktur skelet cruris-digit yang pendek dan kokoh, serta sistem persendian tibiofibular, tarsus, dan metatarsophalangeal yang baik. Perkembangan otot-otot fleksor, ekstensor, aduktor, dan abduktor yang berperan penting dalam menggerakkan serta menahan persendian regio ini. Sistem muskuloskeletal regio cruris-digit kaki belakang badak sumatra mengalami adaptasi yang sangat baik sehingga dapat menahan bobot badan yang besar dengan stabil serta memungkinkan lokomosi efisien di habitatnya.

Sumatran rhinoceros has a relatively large body and lives in a forest with hilly and dense vegetation, thus it requires a musculoskeletal structure that can support its activities. This study on the relationship between the musculoskeletal morphology of the hindlimb’s crural-digit region and its function was conducted to predict the functional role of the muscles and skeleton of the crural-digit region in supporting the behaviour of the sumatran rhino in its habitat. The study was conducted using archival photographs of skeleton and muscle preparations of the crural-digit region, as well as videos of sumatran rhino behaviour which were then analyzed descriptively. The results of the study showed that sumatran rhinoceros has a short and sturdy cruris-digit skeletal structure, as well as a good tibiofibular, tarsal, and metatarsophalangeal joint system. The development of the flexor, extensor, adductor, and abductor muscles plays an important role in moving and holding the joints of this region. The musculoskeletal system of the hindlimbs’s crural-digit region of sumatran rhinoceros is very well adapted to stably support its large body weight and allows efficient locomotion in its habitat.