Spinal conformation of domesticated Sri Lankan elephants(Elephas maximus maximus)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate scientifically whether the five spinal conformations (Types 1 to 5) described for the Burmese elephant (Elephas maximus birmanicus) are also present in the Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus). This was done using 140 domesticated elephants and the GAle's five-description system. The results showed thst the five spinal conformation types described for Burmese elephant are also present in the Sri Lankan elephant. Out of the 140 elephants, 23(16perc.) had type 1, 48 conformation. The five types p=0.001, d.f.=4). Further there was a significant difference (fisher's Exact test; p=0.001, d.f.=4) between the number of male elephantas and female elephants falling into the five different types of spinal conformation