The Komodo dragon () is the largest extant lizard and is classified as an endangered species. Despite its rarity, anatomical studies on this species remain limited, hindering a comprehensive understanding of its biology and evolutionary traits. This research presents a detailed anatomical and histological examination of the pelvic limb of a female Komodo dragon, providing valuable insights into the musculoskeletal system of this species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study involved a gross anatomical description of the parotid gland, mandibular gland, monostomatic sublingual gland, polystomatic sublingual gland, and zygomatic gland in 12 adult Eurasian wolves (Canis lupus lupus) (wild free-ranging individuals and their zoo counterparts), including their morphometry and microscopic evaluation using hematoxylin & eosin, mucicarmine, azan trichrome, PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5; AB pH 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe skin of the Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is covered by a form of armour formed mainly of scales, which often co-occur with osteoderms. Scales are keratinized, non-mineralized structures in the uppermost layer of the epidermis that are in contact with each other to form a system in which individual scales are isolated from each other by a softer skin fold zone. In the Varanus, the surface of the scales is flat and smooth (thoracic limb, abdomen, and tail areas), domed and smooth (head area) or domed with conical ornamentation (dorsal surface, pelvic limb-dorsal surface areas).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Komodo dragon is a unique reptile with an elongated tail that exhibits hitherto unknown adaptations and functions. This tail, composed of 60-86 vertebrae, serves diverse ecological and physiological roles. In juveniles, it is essential for an arboreal lifestyle and balance, while in adults, it functions as a tool for defense and offensive actions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: The red panda is currently the only surviving member of the Ailuridae family in the Caniformia suborder. In this study, we provide data on anatomical, morphometric, histological and histochemical examination of the orbital region, eyelids, orbital gland, and eye tunics in two adult males Ailurus fulgens fulgens from the Wroclaw Zoological Garden, Poland.
Methods: The study involved morphometric analysis of the eyeball and selected accessory organs of the eye, along with analysis of the bony orbit, including its morphometry, macroscopic, and microscopic evaluation.
The aim of this study was to describe the morphology of the tongue of the okapi, and to compare the results with other ruminants including browsers, intermediates and grazers. The material was collected post-mortem from two animals from a Zoological Garden. The structure of the okapi tongue, focusing of the shape of the tongue, lingual surface, its papillae and lingual glands, was examined using gross morphology, light and polarized microscopy, and by scanning electron microscopy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe study describes the ultrastructure of the tongue in the Patagonian mara () using light and scanning electron microscopy. Histochemical methods were used for evaluation of lingual salivary glands. The tongue is divided into a small and rounded apex, a narrow corpus, and a significantly wider radix, with a well-developed lingual prominence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Choloepus didactylus is a species belonging to the Choloepodidae family of the Folivora suborder. This study concerns the anatomical, morphometrical, histological and histochemical examination of the eye tunics, eyelids and orbital glands in the three adult Choloepus didactylus coming from the Wroclaw Zoological Garden. The cornea consists of four layers since Bowman's membrane was absent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the Komodo dragon has been included on The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, it is crucial to know in detail its biology as there is a limited availability of research material on these animals-mainly those who died in zoos or whose remains were found in the wild. Anatomy is essential for understanding physiology, identification of diseases, adaptations in the environment, and behavior. In this dissection study, the relationship of individual anatomical structures was analyzed, the anatomy of the active and passive movement system of the thoracic limb was described, photographs were taken, and a radiographic examination was conducted.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
June 2023
The lowland tapir is one of four species belonging to the Tapiridae family of the Ceratomorpha suborder, similar to Rhinocerotidae. This study describes anatomy with morphometry, histology (hematoxylin and eosin, Masson-Goldner trichrome, Movat pentachrome, mucicarmine, picro-Mallory trichrome) and histochemistry (PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn terrestrial mammals, the parotid and mandibular glands secrete different types of saliva into the oral cavity. Both glands were obtained from two female lowland tapirs () and one female aardvark () from the Wroclaw Zoological Garden (Poland) and examined by light microscopy (hematoxylin and eosin, mucicarmine, periodic acid-Schiff, Alcian blue pH 1.0, Alcian blue pH 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough much attention has been paid in the literature to the morphology of the tongue in various animal species, including some Felidae, it has not yet been described in detail in the vulnerable and and the last concern and . Therefore, the present study aimed to characterize the features of the tongue surface, lingual glands and lyssa in the above-mentioned four selected wild species of the Pantherinae and Felinae subfamilies. Macroscopic, histological, histochemical and ultrastructural analyzes were used in the present work.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe present study aimed to characterize the macrostructure and microstructure of the mandibular teeth of the Komodo dragon () and the methods it uses to obtain food. Examinations were performed using a stereoscopic microscope, autofluorescence method, histological method and computed microtomography. A detailed macro- and micro-structural description of mandibular teeth were made.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the study, we data concerning the histological and morphometrical examination of the cornea and palisades of Vogt in the different species of ruminants from the families Bovidae, Camelidae, Cervidae, Giraffidae and Tragulidae, coming from the Warsaw Zoological Garden, the Wroclaw Zoological Garden and the Division of Animal Anatomy. The following ruminant species were investigated: common wildebeest, Kirk's dik-dik, Natal red duiker, scimitar oryx, sitatunga, Philippine spotted deer, Père David's deer, moose, reindeer, reticulated giraffe, okapi, Balabac mouse-deer and alpaca. The cornea of ruminant species such as the common wildebeest, Kirk's dik-dik, Natal red duiker, scimitar oryx, reindeer and Balabac mouse-deer consisted of four layers (not found in the Bowman's layer): the anterior corneal epithelium, the proper substance of the cornea, the posterior limiting membrane (Descemet's membrane) and the posterior corneal epithelium (endothelium).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we present first data concerning the morphological observations of the orbital region, eye tunics, upper and lower eyelids, superficial gland of the third eyelid with the third eyelid, and lacrimal gland in captive adult male Asiatic black bear. The following research methods were used in the work: the eyeball morphometry, the orbital region description, macroscopic description, morphometric and histological analysis of the eye tunics and selected the accessory organs of the eye (Fontana-Masson, hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), Methyl-green-pyronin Y (MGP Y), Movat pentachrome, and picro-Mallory trichrome) as well as histochemical examination (PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAnimals (Basel)
February 2022
The studies conducted so far indicate a negative effect of dioxins on the structure of the alveolar bone and teeth, especially in the developmental period in rats. The research aimed to analyze the indirect effect of dioxins contained in the body of female rats on the structure of the dental organ in their offspring in the neonatal period and to determine the possibility of reducing potential dioxin disorders of the structure of hard tissues in the offspring of intoxicated mothers by simultaneous administration of vitamin E or acetylsalicylic acid (ASA). Another goal of the research was to determine the level of magnesium, calcium and phosphorus contained in bone tissue as indicators of the mineralization process of hard tissues in rats, in the case of using 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo--dioxin (TCDD) and acetylsalicylic acid or α-tocopherol.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe Afrotheria clade includes a large group of extant mammals, and the aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is the only representative of the order Tubulidentata in it. Here, we studied the morphological nature of the orbital region, eye tunics, upper and lower eyelids, superficial gland of the third eyelid, the third eyelid, deep gland of the third eyelid, and lacrimal gland in post-mortem specimens obtained from three captive aardvarks, two young and one adult. The obtained samples were analyzed using macroscopic, histological, and histochemical methods.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the light of recent molecular studies, there are two phylogenetic species of the red panda (): and . The red panda belongs to the endangered species living in the wild only in Asia and is included in the CITES list. Although the biology and diet of this species has been extensively described, the histological structure of the tongue and lingual glands has not yet been characterized in detail in relation to the lifestyle of this mammal under specific conditions and as a basis for comparative anatomical studies of the biodiversity of endemic species.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMast cells (MCs) and Kurloff cells (KCs) were detected in guinea pig ovaries in the follicular and luteal phases of the oestrous cycle. The samples of ovaries were fixed in Mota's basic lead acetate. Toluidine blue was used for detection of MCs and periodic acid-Schiff for detection of KCs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this study, we present the first data concerning the anatomical, morphometrical, histological and histochemical study of the orbit, eye tunics, eyelids and orbital glands in South African Painted Dogs (Lycaon pictus pictus). The study was performed using eyeball morphometry, analysis of the bony orbit including its morphometry, macroscopic study, morphometry, histological examination of the eye tunics and chosen accessory organs of the eye and histochemical analysis. The orbit was funnel shaped and was open-type.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlthough the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract has been characterized in the lowland tapir (), the exact anatomy of its tongue has not been studied. Samples of the lingual papillae and lingual glands were collected from the tongue of an adult female lowland tapir. The microscopic analysis of the structure of the lingual papillae and the histochemical analysis of the secretion of the lingual glands were analyzed.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe pygmy hippopotamus is phylogenetically related to members of both the Suidae and Cetacea. However, differences in their habitats may have resulted in variation in the anatomy and physiology of the ocular adnexa between these species. Therefore, this study focuses on the identification of accessory organs of the eye, which are typical for the pygmy hippopotamus and are comparable to organs present in mammals related to it.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although significant efforts have been put into restituting the European bison (Bison bonasus) and increasing its population, it remains a globally endangered species and requires conservation. Protection programs of bison indicate the need for morphological studies of their individual systems, in order to enhance restitution programs and enable appropriate veterinary care. The aim of this study was to investigate the morphology of the coronary veins of the European bison (Bison bonasus).
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