Deformity or variation? Phenotypic diversity in the zebrafish vertebral column.

Vertebral bodies are composed of two types of metameric elements, centra and arches, each of which is considered as a developmental module. Most parts of the teleost vertebral column have a one-to-one relationship between centra and arches, although, in all teleosts, this one-to-one relationship is lost in the caudal fin endoskeleton. Deviation from the one-to-one relationship occurs in most vertebrates, related to changes in the number of vertebral centra or to a change in the number of arches.

Muscle architecture and muscle fibre type composition in the forelimb of two African mole-rat species, Bathyergus suillus and Heterocephalus glaber.

The scratch-digging Cape dune mole-rat (Bathyergus suillus), and the chisel-toothed digging naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) are African mole-rats that differ in their digging strategy. The aim of this study was to determine if these behavioural differences are reflected in the muscle architecture and fibre-type composition of the forelimb muscles. Muscle architecture parameters of 39 forelimb muscles in both species were compared.

Hind foot drumming: Volumetric micro-computed tomography investigation of the hind limb musculature of three African mole-rat species (Bathyergidae).

Several species of African mole-rats use seismic signalling by means of hind foot drumming for communication. The present study aimed to create three-dimensional reconstructions and compare volumetric measurements of 27 muscles of the hind limb of two drumming (Georychus capensis and Bathyergus suillus) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) species of African mole-rats. Diffusible iodine contrast-enhanced micro-computed tomography (diceCT) scans were performed on six specimens per species.

Hind foot drumming: Myosin heavy chain muscle fiber distribution in the hind limb muscles of three African mole-rat species (Bathyergidae).

Hind foot drumming as a form of seismic signaling plays a pivotal role in the communication of various mammalian species including Bathyergidae (African mole-rats). The aim of the present study was to histologically determine if the action of hind foot drumming would influence the number of type II fibers present in the hind limb muscles of two drumming (Georychus capensis and Bathyergus suillus) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) bathyergid species. Twenty-one frozen muscles of each species were selected for the purpose of mid-belly cryostat sections.

Comparative forelimb morphology of scratch-digging and chisel-tooth digging African mole-rat species.

Bathyergus suillus (Cape dune mole-rat) and Heterocephalus glaber (naked mole-rat) are two species of subterranean burrowing rodents. Bathyergus suillus occurs in soft sandy soils and is regarded as a scratch-digger, while H. glaber is found in hard, compact soils and is a chisel-tooth digging species.

Hind foot drumming: Morphofunctional analysis of the hind limb osteology in three species of African mole-rats (Bathyergidae).

Hind foot drumming is a form of seismic signaling that plays a vital role in the communication of several Bathyergidae species. Hind foot drumming is initiated by the rapid movement of the whole hind limb by flexion and extension of the hip and knee. This study aimed to determine if morphological adaptations of the hind limb osteology were measurable using established morphometric analyses in two drumming (Bathyergus suillus and Georychus capensis) and one non-drumming (Cryptomys hottentotus natalensis) African mole-rat species.

Comparative gastrointestinal morphology of seven golden mole species (Mammalia: Chrysochloridae) from South Africa.

Golden moles are small, fossorial, and primarily insectivorous mammals mostly endemic to South Africa. They belong to an ancient African clade of placental mammals (Afrotheria) that likely radiated from an herbivorous ancestor. Nearly half of the 21 golden mole species are listed as threatened; but remarkably little is known about their basic biology and gastrointestinal tract (GIT) morphology.

Morphometric analysis of the gastrointestinal tract of four African muroid rodent species (Rhabdomys dilectus, Rhabdomys pumilio, Aethomys chrysophilus, and Lemniscomys rosalia).

Several muroid rodent species are distributed throughout southern Africa. Some species are reportedly classified as opportunistic omnivorous rodents consuming plant, seed, and insect material. This study aims to provide a detailed morphometric analysis of the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of four such omnivorous species, including stomach content analysis.

Comparative gastrointestinal morphology of Tachyoryctes splendens (Rüppell, 1835) and Heliophobius emini, (Noack, 1894) two species of East African mole-rats.

Tachyoryctes splendens (Northeast African mole-rat) and Heliophobius emini (Emin's mole-rat) are two African mole-rats that represent separate allopatric rodent families namely Spalacidae and Bathyergidae respectively. While these species consume a similar diet of underground plant storage organs such as roots and tubers, T. splendens has been reported to additionally consume small amounts of aerial foliage.