PRESENTATION OUTLINE
Cyclopia is a teratology (meaning birth defect) wherein the development of the face of the animal is so affected that it has only one eye towards the center of its head. The term cyclops has its origin from the Greek and later Roman mythology, where it refers to primordial race of giants having a single eye in the centre of their foreheads.
This short-lived kitten suffered from holoprosencephaly, also known as cyclopia or synophthalmia. It was a ragdoll kitten that was born late in 2005, and the photographs circulated online early in 2006.
Aquatic Animals
This shark fetus was discovered by a fisherman. It most likely would not have been able to survive outside of the womb. It is a dusky shark, caught of the coast of California.
In goats cyclopia is also sometimes described as 'monkey face'. Cases have been recorded with one or two normal lambs sharing the womb with cyclops lamb
Full term kid with Cyclopia and "monkey face" - no hair. Note unusual 2 pupils in one large eyeball.
Born with heart beat and lived only a few minutes but appeared brain dead.
One of triplet doe kids with the first 2 being completely normal.
This calf was delivered at a veterinary hospital in Kashmir by a cesarean section. The animal was still born (meaning dead at birth). Its quite rare to see such a distinct cyclopia in calves.
The causes of such fetal monstrosity is not well understood but many substances have been incriminated in its occurance. Predominantly certain alkaloids including cyclopamine, jervine, and cyclopasine are known to cause cyclopia among other birth defects when consumed during early pregnancy.
Ewes have been know to be especially susceptable to Cyclopia from grazing on the Veratum plants.
