Alternative methods for the identification of Philippine water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), cattle (Bos taurus) and pig (Sus scrofa domesticus)

Professorial Chair Lecture

San Miguel Corporation Professorial Chair Lecture

Place

University of the Philippines Los Banos, College, Laguna

Date

6-21-2006

Abstract

Three alternative methods for the identification of Philippine water buffalo, cattle and pig are herein described. These are muzzle and palatine printings in the Philippine water buffalo and cattle, and possibly snout printing in the pig. These methods evolved out of examination of the detailed anatomy of the muzzle and hard palate of the water buffalo, and the snout of the pig. The muzzle (planum nasolabiale) is that part of the nose which is bounded dorsally by an imaginary line connecting the superior commissure of the nostrils, laterally by the median wings of the nostrils and ventrally by the upper lip. Its skin is normally dark colored, hairless (except in the Philippine water buffalo) and is marked by numerous polygonat surface elevations or tubercles that are surrounded by grooves. The muzzle is divided externally into equal left and right halves by the philtrum of variable length. The philtrum in some animals is absent. The surface tubercles usually occur singly in the carabao; however, in the ox they may coalesce to form ridges which may run from the median raphe in various patterns and directions. The hard palate (palatum durum) together with its bony support forms the roof of the oral cavity proper. Its tough mucosa is converted into two rows of transversely oriented ridges that are separated at the midline by the palatine raphe. The mucosa is variably pigmented, although, it is generally more pigmented in the ox than in the Philippine water buffalo. Palatine ridges meet at the midline in an end to end manner or alternate with each other. The rostral end of the hard palate is represented by the incisive papilla which is flanked on each side by the dental pads. The snout (rostrum) in the pig is the disc-shaped apex of the nose which is fused ventrally with the central part of the upper lip. Its lateral borders present the nostrils. In live pigs numerous fine hairs are scattered on the surface of the snout. A philtrum runs dorsally from the middle of the upper lip dividing the snout into left and right parts. In scalded specimen, numerous small circularly-shaped surface elevations or tubercles populate the surface of the snout. Muzzle, palatine and snout printings practically require the same supplies and materials such as mimeograph ink and paper. Animals to be printed should be adequately restrained. Before the muzzle, hard palate and the snout are inked, they should be thoroughly cleaned first to remove contaminants. In palatine printing, a mouth speculum is important to keep the mouth open. In the absences of the mouth speculum, the mouth is kept open by pulling the tongue out of the oral cavity. An alcohol may be applied on the muzzle to control secretions of the nasolabial glands. In muzzle printing the ink is applied on the muzzle using index finger, ink pad, or a rubber roller. The index finger is used in snout printing while in palatine printing the first two or three fingers are used. After that, mimeograph paper folded twice (crosswise and lengthwise for muzzle and snout printing) and only lengthwise for palatine printing is gently pressed against the inked muzzle, hard palate and snout. Too much pressure results in a very dark or blurred prints. In cases of retakes, the snout, muzzle and hard palate should be wiped dry. Muzzle prints show clearly the images of the surface elevations or tubercles as black dots of different sizes, occurring singly, in groups, rows or irregular aggregations. In the Philippine water buffalo, the tubercles in the prints are larger and rarely fuse to form ridges or lines as what normally occurs in cattle. The philtrum in both animals is represented by a vertical white line of variable length and width extending from the middle of the upper lip. It is absent in other animals. In palatine prints, the palatine ridges appear as black areas of variable width and length extending laterally from the palatine raphe. The palatine ridges are separated by white lines or spaces also of varied width and length. The numerous small papillae on the caudal free margins of the palatine ridges appear as small black dots which either occur singly or in pairs. The median palatine raphe is represented by a white line which appears straight when the palatine ridges from both sides meet at raphe opposite at each other or irregular when the palatine ridges alternate each other at the median raphe. The incisive papilla is represented by a black area of variable shapes (round, triangular, oval) located between the medial extremities of the dental pads. The latter appear as two large, dark masses at the rostral end of the hard palate. On closer examinations, no two muzzle and palatine prints are exactly identical. Because of this, they could be considered as alternative methods for the identification of Philippine water buffalo and cattle. As for snout printing, the snout prints are not that clear or distinct. The cutaneous elevations or tubercles which are vary distinct in scalded specimens are hardly visible from prints taken from live pigs. This is due to the thick stratum corneum of the skin of the snout and the presence of many fine hairson the snout. Further studies, therefore, should be done on snout printing in order to consider snout printing as an alternative method for pig identification. For palatine printing, there is a need for a mouth speculum specifically for Philippine carabao that will open the mouth wide and also one that is not resisted by the animal. The two most important problems encountered in palatine printing are difficulty in keeping the mouth widely opened and to control head movements. It is therefore recommended that animal record should include muzzle and palatine prints. Muzzle and palatine prints could be likened to human fingerprints.

Location

UPLB Main Library Special Collections Section (USCS)

College

College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM)

Language

English

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