Two new miniature translucent catfish species of the rare genus Tridens (Siluriformes: Trichomycteridae) from the Madeira River basin, northern Brazil.

Two new miniature species of the trichomycterid genus Tridens are described from the Madeira River drainage, Acre and Rondônia States, Brazil. Until this work, Tridens was a monotypic genus composed solely of Tridens melanops, from the Putumayo/Içá River drainage, upper Amazonas River basin. Tridens vitreus sp.n. is known from upper and middle Madeira River drainage and differs from all other congeners by the lack of pelvic fins and girdle and by vertebra and dorsal-fin ray counts. Tridens chicomendesi sp.n. is known from Abunã River, middle Madeira River drainage and is distinguished from all other congeners by the number of vertebrae, dorsal-fin ray count and anal-fin base colouration pattern. Tr. chicomendesi sp.n. is further distinguished from T. vitreus by a combination of character states regarding the position of urogenital opening, dorsal-fin position, anal-fin position, maxillary barbel length, number of premaxillary teeth, number of dorsal-fin rays, number of anal-fin rays, number of lateral-line system pores, frontal bone anatomy, degree of ossification of maxilla, anatomy of quadrate-hyomandibular joint, size of posterodorsal process of hyomandibula, length of opercular patch of odontodes, number of interopercular odontodes, proportion of upper hypural plate cartilage relative to its area ; by the absence of a proximal, distal and ventral cartilages on ventral hypohyal; by the absence of a lateral process on basibranchial 4; by the presence of a cartilage block on the lateral process of autopalatine, the presence of a well-developed ossification on proximal margin of ventral hypohyal, the presence of hypobranchial foramen; and by the presence of an anterior cartilaginous joint between quadrate and base of posterodorsal process of hyomandibula. This work represents the first species description for the subfamily Tridentinae in more than 30 years and for the genus Tridens since its original description in 1889.

A neglected normal anatomical structure in mammal: a study in bats and tree shrews / Una estructura anatómica normal desatendida en mamíferos: un estudio en murciélagos y musarañas arborícolas

SUMMARY: The myodural bridge is a dense connective tissue connecting muscles and ligaments to the spinal dura mater in the atlanto-occipital interspace. Some researchers believe that the myodural bridge may play a vital physiological role. It is possible, for instance, that the prevention of spinal dura mater infoldings might be involved in regulated cerebrospinal fluid circulation. For instance, it is possible to prevent spinal dura mater infoldings, regulating cerebrospinal circulation. Bats are nocturnal and the only mammals that can perform a genuine and sustained flight, whereas tree shrews are arboreal mammals that often climb to a high altitude of about 10,000 feet. Both animals have lifestyles that are different from other previously studied mammals. The study of these two animals will shed further light on the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. Gross anatomical dissection was used to observe the connections between the deep muscles of the neck and the dura mater at the level of the atlanto-occipital interspace. The existing structures were analyzed using conventional and special histological staining techniques. The suboccipital regions in bats and tree shrews contained the rectus capitis dorsal major (RCDma), rectus capitis dorsal minor (RCDmi), oblique capitis anterior (OCA), and oblique capitis posterior (OCP). Dense connective tissue connects the RCDmi to the posterior atlanto-occipital membrane (PAOM) and the latter to the spinal dura mater. The myodural bridge in these mammals shares a similar structure to the myodural bridge in humans. Histological analyses confirmed that the connective fibers of the myodural bridge were primarily type I collagen fibers. In this study, it is supplemented by the existence of the myodural bridge in mammals. This further demonstrates that myodural bridge widely exists in the normal anatomy of mammals. This provides morphological support for a comparative anatomical study of the physiological function of the myodural bridge.

El puente miodural es un tejido conjuntivo denso que conecta los músculos y los ligamentos a la duramadre espinal en el espacio atlanto-occipital. Algunos investigadores creen que el puente miodural puede desempeñar un papel fisiológico vital. Es posible, por ejemplo, que la prevención de los pliegues de la duramadre espinal pueda estar involucrada en la circulación regulada del líquido cefalorraquídeo. En esta instancia, es posible prevenir los pliegues de la duramadre espinal, regulando la circulación cerebro espinal. Los murciélagos son animales nocturnos y los únicos mamíferos que pueden realizar un vuelo real y sostenido, mientras que las musarañas arborícolas son mamíferos arbóreos que a menudo ascienden a una gran altura de unos 10 000 pies. Ambos animales tienen estilos de vida diferentes a los de otros mamíferos previamente estudiados. El estudio de estos dos animales ofrecerá más información sobre la existencia del puente miodural en los mamíferos. Se realizó una disección anatómica macroscópica para observar las conexiones entre los músculos profundos del cuello y la duramadre a nivel del espacio atlanto-occipital. Las estructuras existentes se analizaron mediante técnicas de tinción histológica convencionales y especiales. Las regiones suboccipitales en murciélagos y musarañas arbóreas presentaban el músculo recto dorsal mayor de la cabeza (RCDma), el recto dorsal menor de la cabeza (RCDmi), el oblicuo anterior de la cabeza (OCA) y el oblicuo posterior de la cabeza (OCP). El tejido conjuntivo denso conecta el RCDmi con la membrana atlanto- occipital posterior (PAOM) y esta última con la duramadre espinal. El puente miodural en estos mamíferos comparte una estructura similar al puente miodural en humanos. Los análisis histológicos confirmaron que las fibras conectivas del puente miodural son principalmente fibras de colágeno tipo I. Esto demuestra además que el puente miodural existe ampliamente en la anatomía normal de los mamíferos. Esta investigación proporciona apoyo morfológico para un estudio anatómico comparativo de la función fisiológica del puente miodural.

Pelvic fin musculature in skates: Morphological variation, phylogeny, and locomotor implications (Chondrichthyes: Batoidea: Rajiformes).

Skates of the order Rajiformes are known to perform benthic locomotion by using their specialized bilobed pelvic fins and thus walking or punting on the substrate. Several studies have investigated the pelvic fin and girdle skeleton but little is known about the muscles responsible for walking performance. The goals of this study, therefore, are to investigate, describe, and illustrate the morphological variation in pelvic musculature among skate species and to discuss the phylogenetic and locomotor implications of the conditions observed. Specimens belonging to 19 of the 36 skate genera currently valid for the order Rajiformes were manually dissected and specimens of Narcine, Tetronarce, and Zapteryx were also examined as comparative material. The pelvic musculature varies among skates, mainly regarding the extension of ventral and dorsal muscles related to the anterior lobe of pelvic fin. All rafijorms examined and the torpediniforms Narcine and Tetronarce possess a complex pelvic musculature associated to the anterior pelvic lobe, which is herein suggested as a synapomorphy of Batoidea with independent losses in guitarfishes and stingrays. Nevertheless, the examination of additional taxa is required to better understand the evolution of pelvic musculature within batoids. The morphological variation observed could indicate different walking abilities as discussed herein but further studies on the locomotion behavior in skates are needed to confirm these assumptions.

Is each horse unique and unrepeatable? An explanation through morphometric and statistical analysis of the limb bones.

Horses went through functional differentiation during their evolutionary and reproductive development, however, some body parts continued to improve their specificity for speed. Regarding this, we evaluated by morphometric analysis the relationship between limb section (LS) differences in the appendicular structures of horses. Two hundred and seven (n = 207) adult horses of different breeds and sex were selected. The limb section was measured by identification of topographic palpable skeleton landmarks with a measurement tape (centimetres). Quantitative variables (limb section) were analysed with PAST Paleontological Statistics Version 3.16. Spearman's ordinal or non-parametric correlation coefficient was used to study the relationship between the limb section of each variable (p < 0.05), with a low coefficient of variation (<30%). In 45 analysed correlations, 35 were statistically significant and 10 were discarded because p > 0.05. These results show that most variables were correlated with each other. As a result, we can imply that some LS of the horse's limbs are correlated with each other, positively or negatively and to a different degree. In conclusion, the correlations between LS lengths determine the size and shape of each horse, making individual horses unique and unrepeatable.

Identification of the myodural bridge in a venomous snake, the gloydius shedaoensis: what is the functional significance? / Identificación del puente miodural en una serpiente venenosa, gloydius shedaoensis: ¿cuál es el significado funcional?

SUMMARY: Myodural bridges (MDB) are anatomical connections between the suboccipital muscles and the cervical dura mater which pass through both the atlanto-occipital and the atlanto-axial interspaces in mammals. In our previous studies, we found that the MDB exists in seven terrestrial mammal species, two marine mammal species, two reptilian species, and one bird species. A recent study suggested that given the "ubiquity" of myodural bridges in terrestrial vertebrates, the MDB may also exist in snakes. Specifically, we focused on the Gloydius shedaoensis, a species of Agkistrodon (pit viper snake) that is only found on Shedao Island, which is in the southeastern sea of Dalian City in China. Six head and neck cadaveric specimens of Gloydius shedaoensis were examined. Three specimens were used for anatomical dissection and the remaining three cadaveric specimens were utilized for histological analysis. The present study confirmed the existence of the MDB in the Gloydius shedaoensis. The snake's spinalis muscles originated from the posterior edge of the supraoccipital bones and the dorsal facet of the exocciput, and then extended on both sides of the spinous processes of the spine, merging with the semispinalis muscles. On the ventral aspect of this muscular complex, it gave off fibers of the MDB. These MDB fibers twisted around the posterior margin of the exocciput and then passed through the atlanto-occipital interspace, finally terminating on the dura mater. We observed that the MDB also existed in all of the snakes' intervertebral joints. These same histological findings were also observed in the Gloydius brevicaudus, which was used as a control specimen for the Gloydius shedaoensis. In snakes the spinal canal is longer than that observed in most other animals. Considering the unique locomotive style of snakes, our findings contribute to support the hypothesis that the MDB could modulate cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pulsations.

RESUMEN: Los puentes miodurales (MDB) son conexiones anatómicas entre los músculos suboccipitales y la duramadre cervical que pasan a través de los espacios intermedios atlanto-occipital y atlanto-axial en los mamíferos. En nuestros estudios anteriores, encontramos que el MDB existe en siete especies de mamíferos terrestres, dos especies de mamíferos marinos, dos especies de reptiles y una especie de ave. Un estudio reciente sugirió que dada la "ubicuidad" de los puentes miodurales en los vertebrados terrestres, el MDB también puede existir en las serpientes. Específicamente, nos enfocamos en Gloydius shedaoensis, una especie de Agkistrodon (serpiente víbora) que solo se encuentra en la isla Shedao, en el mar sureste de la ciudad de Dalian en China. Se examinaron seis especímenes cadavéricos de cabeza y cuello de Gloydius shedaoensis. Se utilizaron tres especímenes para la disección anatómica y los tres especímenes cadavéricos restantes se utilizaron para el análisis histológico. El presente estudio confirmó la existencia del MDB en Gloydius shedaoensis. Los músculos espinosos de la serpiente se originaron en el margen posterior de los huesos supraoccipital y la cara dorsal del exoccipucio, y luego se extendieron a ambos lados de los procesos espinosas de la columna vertebral, fusionándose con los músculos semiespinosos. En la cara ventral de este complejo muscular se desprendían fibras del MDB. Estas fibras MDB se ubican alrededor del margen posterior del exoccipucio y luego atraviesan el interespacio atlanto-occipital, terminando finalmente en la duramadre. Observamos que el MDB también existía en todas las articulaciones intervertebrales de las serpientes. Estos mismos hallazgos histológicos también se observaron en Gloydius brevicaudus, que se utilizó como muestra de control para Gloydius shedaoensis. En las serpientes, el canal espinal es más largo que el observado en la mayoría de los otros animales. Teniendo en cuenta el estilo único locomotor de las serpientes, nuestros hallazgos contribuyen a respaldar la hipótesis de que el MDB podría modular las pulsaciones del líquido cerebroespinal.

Minimizing the damage: a methodological proposal to remove the brains of anurans and squamates

The brain is one of the most important organs of vertebrates. Over the years, several studies have investigated brain features under different approaches, such as comparative morphology. Although many recent studies use non-invasive methods, such as micro-CT scan, some methods require access to the brain, such as histological analyses and cell count methods. In addition, several researchers do not have access to those expensive devices and rely on the traditional dissection to conduct their studies. Still, for most vertebrates, very few protocols are available for removing the brain, especially those committed to minimizing the damage to the specimen for further examinations. Here we describe in detail a method to dissect the brains of anurans and squamates maintaining the specimen's external morphology as undamaged as possible. This simple method can be performed using few tools and can be achieved in the first trials, representing an incentive for more research on vertebrate's brains. This method contributes to the maximum utilization of each animal collected, a positive practice from both ethical and practical perspectives.(AU)

Comparative anatomy of the middle ear in some lizard species with comments on the evolutionary changes within Squamata.

The skeleton of the middle ear of lizards is composed of three anatomical elements: columella, extracolumella, and tympanic membrane, with some exceptions that show modifications of this anatomy. The main function of the middle ear is transforming sound waves into vibrations and transmitting these to the inner ear. Most middle ear studies mainly focus on its functional aspects, while few describe the anatomy in detail. In lizards, the morphology of the columella is highly conservative, while the extracolumella shows variation in its presence/absence, size, and the number of processes present on the structure. In this work, we used diaphanized and double-stained specimens of 38 species of lizards belonging to 24 genera to study the middle ear's morphology in a comparative framework. Results presented here indicate more variation in the morphology of the extracolumella than previously known. This variation in the extracolumella is found mainly in the pars superior and anterior processes, while the pars inferior and the posterior process are more constant in morphology. We also provide new information about the shape of gekkotan extracolumella, including traits that are diagnostic for the iguanid and gekkonid middle ear types. The data collected in this study were combined with information from published descriptive works. The new data included here refers to the length of the columella relative to the extracolumella central axis length, the general structure of the extracolumella, and the presence of the internal process. These characters were included in ancestral reconstruction analysis using Bayesian and parsimony approaches. The results indicate high levels of homoplasy in the variation of the columella-extracolumella ratio, providing a better understanding of the ratio variation among lizards. Additionally, the presence of four processes in the extracolumella is the ancestral state for Gekkota, Pleurodonta, and Xantusiidae, and the absence of the internal processes is the ancestral state for Gekkota, Gymnophthalmidae, and Scincidae; despite the fact that these groups convergently develop these character states, they could be used in combination with other characters to diagnose these clades. The posterior extension in the pars superior and an anterior process with some small and sharp projections is also a diagnostic trait for Gekkota. A more accurate description of each process of the extracolumella and its variation needs to be evaluated in a comprehensive analysis, including a greater number of species. Although the number of taxa sampled in this study is small considering the vast diversity of lizards, the results provide an overall idea of the amount of variation of the middle ear while helping to infer the evolutionary history of the lizard middle ear.

Comparative study of the digastric and the stylohyoid muscles between wild boars (Sus scrofa scrofa) and domestic swine (Sus scrofa domesticus): revisiting the gross anatomy.

Considering Suidae Familie as a perfect and viable experimental biomedical model for research applied to human medicine, it has been sought to describe the comparative anatomy of the digastric and the stylohyoid muscles between boars and domestic swine. Heads of Sus scrofa scrofa and Sus scrofa domesticus were dissected. The digastric muscle presented only one muscle belly as anatomical component of a tendinous origin in the jugular process of the occipital bone, and muscle insertion in the midventral edge of the caudal two thirds of the body of the mandible. Thus, its function is fundamentally associated with the lowering and the retracting of the mandible which, by the way, can deliver greater muscle power at lesser energy expense. For the stylohyoid muscle, the tendinous origin was in the laterocaudal edge of the dorsal third of the stylohyoid bone. The muscle insertion - primarily, was in the lateral and caudal edges from the mid third portion up to the ventral extremity of the thyrohyoid bone, and secondarily as a laterolateral aponeurotic blade which would unite, in a bilateral manner, an insertion that was common to the sternohyoid, the geniohyoid, and the mylohyoid muscles in a median ventral region. This morphology were similar to the two specimens studied expanding the information available, which were completely unknown for the suidae until the moment.

Three-dimensional digitalized and printed tongue models of the cow, dog, pig, and horse for undergraduate veterinary educationh / Modelos tridimensionales digitalizados e impresos de lengua de vaca, perro, cerdo y caballo para la educación veterinaria de pregrado

SUMMARY: This study aimed to construct three-dimensional (3D) anatomical models of the tongue of domestic mammals of veterinary interest. The tongues were obtained from the didactic collection of the Laboratory of Veterinary Macroscopic Anatomy in the Surgery Department of the School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, University of Sao Paulo. Tongues from a cow, dog, horse, and pig were selected for scanning and creation of the 3D-printed models. The printer used a filamentous thermoplastic material, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), which was deposited together with a support resin. In addition to the printing of models, an interactive 3D PDF was generated, creating a didactic collection for students. The anatomical characteristics and peculiarity of the tongues were easily identified in the scanned and printed images. The 3D scanning and printing offered an innovative method of visualizing different anatomical structures and, together with the existing methods, can optimize anatomy teaching in an educational context.

RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo construir modelos anatómicos tridimensionales (3D) de la lengua de mamíferos domésticos de interés veterinario. Las lenguas se obtuvieron de la colección didáctica del Laboratorio de Anatomía Macroscópica Veterinaria del Departamento de Cirugía de la Facultad de Medicina Veterinaria y Zootecnia de la Universidad de São Paulo. Se seleccionaron lenguas de vaca, perro, caballo y cerdo para escanear y crear los modelos impresos en 3D. La impresora utilizó un material termoplástico filamentoso, acrilonitrilo-butadieno-estireno (ABS), que se depositó junto con una resina de soporte. Además de la impresión de modelos, se generó un PDF 3D interactivo, creando una colección didáctica para los estudiantes. Las características anatómicas y la peculiaridad de las lenguas se identificaron fácilmente en las imágenes escaneadas e impresas. El escaneo e impresión 3D ofrecieron un método innovador para visualizar diferentes estructuras anatómicas y, junto con los métodos existentes, puede optimizar la enseñanza de la anatomía en un contexto educativo.

Description of the chondrocranium of the silky shark Carcharhinus falciformis with comments on the cranial terminology and phylogenetic implications in carcharhinids (Chondrichthyes, Carcharhiniformes, Carcharhinidae).

The definition and scope of the genus Carcharhinus has undergone several changes over the years and recent molecular studies have questioned its monophyly by the inclusion of other carcharhinid genera. Although many descriptions of chondrocranium are available for Carcharhinus species, some inconsistences and divergences are found in the literature, mainly regarding the foramina of the orbital region. In this study, the chondrocranium of the silky shark, Carcharhinus falciformis, from specimens caught at the Brazilian coast and the terminology of its components is revised has been described. Chondrocrania of other Carcharhinus species and carcharhinid genera are also examined in order to investigate the phylogenetic significance of chondrocranial morphology. Three new anatomical terms and nine chondrocrania characters are proposed and described in detail. The chondrocranial morphology varies widely among Carcharhinus species mainly regarding the rostrum and nasal capsules. The chondrocrania of Prionace, Nasolamia, and Negaprion are similar to Carcharhinus species and reveal the need to further explore the relationships among these genera. Characters potentially informative for systematics are the shape of rostral node, the preorbital process, and the subethmoidal fossa, and the occurrence of an epiphyseal notch and foramen, and must be included in phylogenetic studies encompassing other carcharhiniforms.

Three-dimensional visualization of the bovine cardiac conduction system and surrounding structures compared to the arrangements in the human heart.

In the human heart, the atrioventricular node is located toward the apex of the triangle of Koch, which is also at the apex of the inferior pyramidal space. It is adjacent to the atrioventricular portion of the membranous septum, through which it penetrates to become the atrioventricular bundle. Subsequent to its penetration, the conduction axis is located on the crest of the ventricular septum, sandwiched between the muscular septum and ventricular component of the membranous septum, where it gives rise to the ramifications of the left bundle branch. In contrast, the bovine conduction axis has a long non-branching component, which penetrates into a thick muscular atrioventricular septum having skirted the main cardiac bone and the rightward half of the non-coronary sinus of the aortic root. It commonly gives rise to both right and left bundle branches within the muscular ventricular septum. Unlike the situation in man, the left bundle branch is long and thin before it branches into its fascicles. These differences from the human heart, however, have yet to be shown in three-dimensions relative to the surrounding structures. We have now achieved this goal by injecting contrast material into the insulating sheaths that surround the conduction network, evaluating the results by subsequent computed tomography. The fibrous atrioventricular membranous septum of the human heart is replaced in the ox by the main cardiac bone and the muscular atrioventricular septum. The apex of the inferior pyramidal space, which in the bovine, as in the human, is related to the atrioventricular node, is placed inferiorly relative to the left ventricular outflow tract. The bovine atrioventricular conduction axis, therefore, originates from a node itself located inferiorly compared to the human arrangement. The axis must then skirt the non-coronary sinus of the aortic root prior to penetrating the thicker muscular ventricular septum, thus accounting for its long non-branching course. We envisage that our findings will further enhance comparative anatomical research.

Pectoral-fin glands and delivery apparatus in the catfish genus Brachyrhamdia Myers, 1927 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae)

The Siluriformes, popularly known as catfishes, are probably the vertebrate group with the highest diversity of venomous animals, even though only approximately a hundred venomous catfishes are reported to date. Venomous catfishes might present a delivery system apparatus, formed by an unbranched ray at the leading edge of pectoral and dorsal fins (spine), which can be stiffened and pungent, while venom glands can be present at the surface of such spines and/or the axillary region. This work investigated the presence, morphology and distribution of glands and pectoral-fin delivery apparatus in the heptapterid Brachyrhamdia genus. Pectoral-fin spine external morphology was compared across all valid species in the genus, histological sections of the pectoral-fin spine and axillary regions of B. heteropleura and B. marthae were produced, and dissections of the pectoral girdle region of the mentioned species were analyzed. The histological sections confirmed the presence of pectoral-fin glands at the surface of the pectoral-fin spine of Brachyrhamdia species, and cellular morphology indicates these glands are probably venomous. Also, we found a piriform gland at the axillary region, whose cell morphology is like the reported for other catfishes. However, we cannot currently confirm or deny axillary gland participation in the venom delivery apparatus. This work constitutes the first report of venom glands in Brachyrhamdia, and the first description of Heptapteridae axillary glands.(AU)

Comparative morphology of tongue surface in Neotropical aerial insectivore bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Comparative morphological characters in Neotropical bats are mostly restricted to external and cranio-dentary complexes, and few studies focusing on other morphological complexes have been carried out. In the case of tongue morphology, comparative analyses of the structure have been restricted to the superfamily Noctilionoidea with a wide range of diets, and Molossidae, a strictly aerial insectivore family. In this paper, we studied the morphology of tongue papillae in 10 aerial insectivore Neotropical bat species, representing six families (Emballonuridae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Mormoopidae, Natalidae, and Vespertilionidae), and data from the previous study of Molossidae were compared. We studied tongues in light and scanning electron microscopes following material preparation protocols. We observed two types of sensitive papillae, circumvallate and fungiform, the latter at times presenting a groove surrounding the papillae. Nine mechanic types were observed, one of them, which we called flaky-like, not hitherto described. All Vespertilionoidea families (Vespertilionidae, Natalidae, and Molossidae) presented, as diagnosing characters, fungiform papillae distributed throughout the tongue, as well as anteriorly at the dorsum, and scale-like papillae on the medial lobe directed laterally and anteriorly. Emballonuridae showed the simplest tongue morphology regarding the presence and abundance of some papillae. Families composing the clade Furipteridae + Thyropteridae + Mormoopidae presented small and non-grooved fungiform papillae, and mechanical bifid papillae were absent. In summary, this study has provided additional traits (putative synapomorphies) of the bat tongue to support the clades on the current bat phylogeny.(AU)

Pectoral-fin glands and delivery apparatus in the catfish genus Brachyrhamdia Myers, 1927 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae)

Abstract The Siluriformes, popularly known as catfishes, are probably the vertebrate group with the highest diversity of venomous animals, even though only approximately a hundred venomous catfishes are reported to date. Venomous catfishes might present a delivery system apparatus, formed by an unbranched ray at the leading edge of pectoral and dorsal fins (spine), which can be stiffened and pungent, while venom glands can be present at the surface of such spines and/or the axillary region. This work investigated the presence, morphology and distribution of glands and pectoral-fin delivery apparatus in the heptapterid Brachyrhamdia genus. Pectoral-fin spine external morphology was compared across all valid species in the genus, histological sections of the pectoral-fin spine and axillary regions of B. heteropleura and B. marthae were produced, and dissections of the pectoral girdle region of the mentioned species were analyzed. The histological sections confirmed the presence of pectoral-fin glands at the surface of the pectoral-fin spine of Brachyrhamdia species, and cellular morphology indicates these glands are probably venomous. Also, we found a piriform gland at the axillary region, whose cell morphology is like the reported for other catfishes. However, we cannot currently confirm or deny axillary gland participation in the venom delivery apparatus. This work constitutes the first report of venom glands in Brachyrhamdia, and the first description of Heptapteridae axillary glands.

Comparative morphology of tongue surface in Neotropical aerial insectivore bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Abstract Comparative morphological characters in Neotropical bats are mostly restricted to external and cranio-dentary complexes, and few studies focusing on other morphological complexes have been carried out. In the case of tongue morphology, comparative analyses of the structure have been restricted to the superfamily Noctilionoidea with a wide range of diets, and Molossidae, a strictly aerial insectivore family. In this paper, we studied the morphology of tongue papillae in 10 aerial insectivore Neotropical bat species, representing six families (Emballonuridae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Mormoopidae, Natalidae, and Vespertilionidae), and data from the previous study of Molossidae were compared. We studied tongues in light and scanning electron microscopes following material preparation protocols. We observed two types of sensitive papillae, circumvallate and fungiform, the latter at times presenting a groove surrounding the papillae. Nine mechanic types were observed, one of them, which we called flaky-like, not hitherto described. All Vespertilionoidea families (Vespertilionidae, Natalidae, and Molossidae) presented, as diagnosing characters, fungiform papillae distributed throughout the tongue, as well as anteriorly at the dorsum, and scale-like papillae on the medial lobe directed laterally and anteriorly. Emballonuridae showed the simplest tongue morphology regarding the presence and abundance of some papillae. Families composing the clade Furipteridae + Thyropteridae + Mormoopidae presented small and non-grooved fungiform papillae, and mechanical bifid papillae were absent. In summary, this study has provided additional traits (putative synapomorphies) of the bat tongue to support the clades on the current bat phylogeny.

Pectoral-fin glands and delivery apparatus in the catfish genus Brachyrhamdia Myers, 1927 (Siluriformes: Heptapteridae)

Abstract The Siluriformes, popularly known as catfishes, are probably the vertebrate group with the highest diversity of venomous animals, even though only approximately a hundred venomous catfishes are reported to date. Venomous catfishes might present a delivery system apparatus, formed by an unbranched ray at the leading edge of pectoral and dorsal fins (spine), which can be stiffened and pungent, while venom glands can be present at the surface of such spines and/or the axillary region. This work investigated the presence, morphology and distribution of glands and pectoral-fin delivery apparatus in the heptapterid Brachyrhamdia genus. Pectoral-fin spine external morphology was compared across all valid species in the genus, histological sections of the pectoral-fin spine and axillary regions of B. heteropleura and B. marthae were produced, and dissections of the pectoral girdle region of the mentioned species were analyzed. The histological sections confirmed the presence of pectoral-fin glands at the surface of the pectoral-fin spine of Brachyrhamdia species, and cellular morphology indicates these glands are probably venomous. Also, we found a piriform gland at the axillary region, whose cell morphology is like the reported for other catfishes. However, we cannot currently confirm or deny axillary gland participation in the venom delivery apparatus. This work constitutes the first report of venom glands in Brachyrhamdia, and the first description of Heptapteridae axillary glands.

Comparative morphology of tongue surface in Neotropical aerial insectivore bats (Mammalia: Chiroptera)

Abstract Comparative morphological characters in Neotropical bats are mostly restricted to external and cranio-dentary complexes, and few studies focusing on other morphological complexes have been carried out. In the case of tongue morphology, comparative analyses of the structure have been restricted to the superfamily Noctilionoidea with a wide range of diets, and Molossidae, a strictly aerial insectivore family. In this paper, we studied the morphology of tongue papillae in 10 aerial insectivore Neotropical bat species, representing six families (Emballonuridae, Furipteridae, Thyropteridae, Mormoopidae, Natalidae, and Vespertilionidae), and data from the previous study of Molossidae were compared. We studied tongues in light and scanning electron microscopes following material preparation protocols. We observed two types of sensitive papillae, circumvallate and fungiform, the latter at times presenting a groove surrounding the papillae. Nine mechanic types were observed, one of them, which we called flaky-like, not hitherto described. All Vespertilionoidea families (Vespertilionidae, Natalidae, and Molossidae) presented, as diagnosing characters, fungiform papillae distributed throughout the tongue, as well as anteriorly at the dorsum, and scale-like papillae on the medial lobe directed laterally and anteriorly. Emballonuridae showed the simplest tongue morphology regarding the presence and abundance of some papillae. Families composing the clade Furipteridae + Thyropteridae + Mormoopidae presented small and non-grooved fungiform papillae, and mechanical bifid papillae were absent. In summary, this study has provided additional traits (putative synapomorphies) of the bat tongue to support the clades on the current bat phylogeny.

Anatomical characteristics of the major salivary glands of puma (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771) / Características anatômicas das glândulas salivares maiores da onça parda (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771)

The morphological knowledge of the salivary glands in wild species is fundamental, since these studiescan be used as conservation strategies, clinical treatments and the preservation of species threatened with extinction. Thus, the aim of the study was to anatomically describe the larger salivary glands: parotid, mandibular, sublingual and molar of the jaguar. For this, two specimens of puma (Puma concolor) were used, after death by road traffic accident, donated by the Clinical Surgical Service Department of the Veterinary Hospital Dr. Halim Atique (UNIRP). The animals were fixed with 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution, dissected, descriptively analyzed and photographed. Morphologically, the parotid gland is grayish-yellow in color, distinctly lobulated, and has a semilunar shape. This gland is located in the posterolateral region of the face and at its ventral end we observe the parotid duct. The mandibular gland presents a slightly rounded outline, a grayish color and its surface is covered by a capsule of connective tissue. This gland is located in the posterolateral region of the face and we find the mandibular duct at its ventral end. The monostomatic sublingual gland is located on the rostral border of the mandibular gland and it is covered by the mandibular lymph nodes. The molar gland is a yellowish-gray membranous protuberance, elongated, with rectangular shape and it lies dorsally to the labial commissure. Based on the dissections, we conclude that the morphological and topographic characteristics of salivary glands of puma follow the same structural pattern described for other species of carnivorous mammals (domestic and wild).(AU)

O conhecimento morfológico das glândulas salivares em espécies silvestres é fundamental, pois podem ser utilizadas como estratégias de conservação, tratamentos clínicos e preservação de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi descrever anatomicamente as glândulas salivares maiores: parótida, mandibular, sublingual e molar da onça-parda. Para isso, foram utilizados dois espécimes de onça-parda (Puma concolor), após morte por atropelamento, doados pelo Setor de Atendimento Clínico Cirúrgico de Animais Selvagens (SACCAS) do Hospital Veterinário Dr. HalimAtique (UNIRP). Os animais foram fixados com solução aquosa de formol a 10%, dissecados, analisados descritivamente e fotografados. Morfologicamente, a glândula parótida possui uma coloração cinza amarelada, é distintamente lobulada e apresenta um formato semilunar. Essa glândula localiza-se na região póstero-dorsal da face, e na sua extremidade ventral observamos o ducto parotídeo. A glândula mandibular apresenta um contorno levemente arredondado, coloração acinzentada e sua superfície é revestida por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo. Essa glândula situa-se na região póstero-ventral da face e na sua extremidade ventral encontramos o ducto mandibular. A glândula sublingual monostomática está localizada na borda rostral da glândula mandibular e apresenta-se coberta pelos linfonodos mandibulares. A glândula molar é uma protuberância membranosa de coloração cinza amarelada, formato retangular alongado que fica situada ventralmente a comissura labial. Fundamentado nas dissecações, concluímos que as características morfológicas e topográficas das glândulas salivares da onça-parda seguem o mesmo padrão estrutural descrito para outras espécies de mamíferos carnívoros (domésticos e silvestres).(AU)

Anatomical characteristics of the major salivary glands of puma (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771) / Características anatômicas das glândulas salivares maiores da onça parda (Puma concolor Linnaeus, 1771)

The morphological knowledge of the salivary glands in wild species is fundamental, since these studiescan be used as conservation strategies, clinical treatments and the preservation of species threatened with extinction. Thus, the aim of the study was to anatomically describe the larger salivary glands: parotid, mandibular, sublingual and molar of the jaguar. For this, two specimens of puma (Puma concolor) were used, after death by road traffic accident, donated by the Clinical Surgical Service Department of the Veterinary Hospital Dr. Halim Atique (UNIRP). The animals were fixed with 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution, dissected, descriptively analyzed and photographed. Morphologically, the parotid gland is grayish-yellow in color, distinctly lobulated, and has a semilunar shape. This gland is located in the posterolateral region of the face and at its ventral end we observe the parotid duct. The mandibular gland presents a slightly rounded outline, a grayish color and its surface is covered by a capsule of connective tissue. This gland is located in the posterolateral region of the face and we find the mandibular duct at its ventral end. The monostomatic sublingual gland is located on the rostral border of the mandibular gland and it is covered by the mandibular lymph nodes. The molar gland is a yellowish-gray membranous protuberance, elongated, with rectangular shape and it lies dorsally to the labial commissure. Based on the dissections, we conclude that the morphological and topographic characteristics of salivary glands of puma follow the same structural pattern described for other species of carnivorous mammals (domestic and wild).

O conhecimento morfológico das glândulas salivares em espécies silvestres é fundamental, pois podem ser utilizadas como estratégias de conservação, tratamentos clínicos e preservação de espécies ameaçadas de extinção. Dessa forma, o objetivo do estudo foi descrever anatomicamente as glândulas salivares maiores: parótida, mandibular, sublingual e molar da onça-parda. Para isso, foram utilizados dois espécimes de onça-parda (Puma concolor), após morte por atropelamento, doados pelo Setor de Atendimento Clínico Cirúrgico de Animais Selvagens (SACCAS) do Hospital Veterinário Dr. HalimAtique (UNIRP). Os animais foram fixados com solução aquosa de formol a 10%, dissecados, analisados descritivamente e fotografados. Morfologicamente, a glândula parótida possui uma coloração cinza amarelada, é distintamente lobulada e apresenta um formato semilunar. Essa glândula localiza-se na região póstero-dorsal da face, e na sua extremidade ventral observamos o ducto parotídeo. A glândula mandibular apresenta um contorno levemente arredondado, coloração acinzentada e sua superfície é revestida por uma cápsula de tecido conjuntivo. Essa glândula situa-se na região póstero-ventral da face e na sua extremidade ventral encontramos o ducto mandibular. A glândula sublingual monostomática está localizada na borda rostral da glândula mandibular e apresenta-se coberta pelos linfonodos mandibulares. A glândula molar é uma protuberância membranosa de coloração cinza amarelada, formato retangular alongado que fica situada ventralmente a comissura labial. Fundamentado nas dissecações, concluímos que as características morfológicas e topográficas das glândulas salivares da onça-parda seguem o mesmo padrão estrutural descrito para outras espécies de mamíferos carnívoros (domésticos e silvestres).

Hemipenial morphology of nine South American species of Mabuya (Scincidae: Lygosominae) with comments on the morphology of the family.

Species of the genus Mabuya are barely recognizable because of their highly conservative external morphology, resulting in unstable systematic and taxonomic status. Considering that hemipenial morphology has been extensively used as a source of systematic information for several groups of Squamata, we described the hemipenial morphology of nine species of Mabuya, searching for diagnostic features useful to taxonomic and systematic studies. To have comparative parameters within the family, we also presented the description of the hemipenes of two other Scincidae species (i.e., Trachylepis atlantica and Tiliqua rugosa). This information, together with the available literature, was analyzed in a comparative framework, allowing us to define some variation for the genus and family. The hemipenial morphology of the species of Mabuya studied is very conservative; features that show subtle variation were the shape of the protuberances present on the asulcate face of the hemipenial body and the presence and type of a lateral fold, on the body. Also, within the family, some variation was found in the shape and length of lobes, length of branches of the sulcus spermaticus, and in the kind of folds and protuberances in both faces of the lobes and hemipenial body. Although these features were not tested in a systematic context, this information suggested variations in hemipenial morphology that could contribute to taxonomic diagnostics and phylogenetic characters. The importance of obtaining proper preparations for gathering accurate information is emphasized, and the use of fresh-killed specimens that shows fewer difficulties for the procedures of preparation is highly recommended.