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Rehorek SJ, Elsey RM, Smith TV. Ontogeny of the nasolacrimal apparatus and nasal sensory systems of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). J Morphol 2022; 283:1080-1093. [PMID: 35723180 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
The nasolacrimal apparatus (NLA) is a feature common to many sauropsid amniotes. It consists of an orbital Harderian gland (HG)whose secretions drain into the nasal cavity, in the vicinity of the vomeronasal organ (VNO), an accessory olfactory organ derived from the olfactory epithelium, and a connecting nasolacrimal duct (NLD). Though not all features are present in all posthatchling sauropsids (i.e., no VNO in crocodilomorphs), it is not clear if this system either never existed or failed to develop during the embryonic stages. The purpose of this study is to histologically describe the ontogeny of the NLA and the main olfactory organ in Alligator mississippiensis. Alligator specimens, from embryonic stage 9 to hatchling, were serially histologically sectioned, stained, photographed, and segmented into different tissues using Abobe Photoshop and then reconstructed using Amira for 3D analysis and quantitative nasal epithelial distribution. Though there was no evidence of a VNO, the rest of the NLA was present. The development of the NLA could be subdivided into four phases: (1) inception of NLD, (2) establishment of orbitonasal connections of NLD, (3) bone development, and (4) nasal cavity growth. Glands mature during this last phase and the nasal region rapidly grows, rotates, and is displaced anteriorly. The gradual proportional increase in nonolfactory epithelial distribution during ontogeny is consistent with the literature. Alligator embryonic nasal and NLD growth differs from that of mammals and squamates. The NLD is connected to the anterior third of the nasal region during its initial attachment, but as anterior nasal growth exceeds posterior growth, it is gradually displaced into the posterior third of the nasal region by hatching. It is unknown whether this is a derived archosaur condition or just another example of the morphological variation seen within sauropsid amniotes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan J Rehorek
- Department of Biology, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Ruth M Elsey
- Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Timothy V Smith
- School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania, USA
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Paszta W, Klećkowska-Nawrot JE, Goździewska-Harłajczuk K. Morphological evaluation of the orbit, eye tunics, eyelids, and orbital glands in young and adult aardvarks Orycteropus afer, Pallas, 1766 (Tubulidentata: Orycteropodidae) - similarities and differences with representatives of the Afrotheria clade. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2022; 305:3317-3340. [PMID: 35202514 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
The 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. We observed choroidal tapetum lucidum fibrosum in all specimens, which was typical for aardvarks. The superficial gland of the third eyelid was a compound multilobar tubular branched gland of a mucous nature. The deep gland of the third eyelid produced a serous secretion. The seromucous secretion was typical for the lacrimal gland. We compared the morphological data of the O. afer skull with that from other endemic African mammals in the Afrotheria clade. We found that other authors provided different anatomical names for some bones and foramina located within the orbit. The types and function of eyelid glands, as well as eyeball glands of aardvarks, can primarily be connected with their habitat. Our study may constitute an introduction to the ontogenesis of individual eyeball glands in aardvarks. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wojciech Paszta
- Wrocław Zoological Garden, Wróblewskiego 1/5, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Joanna E Klećkowska-Nawrot
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska 1, Wrocław, Poland
| | - Karolina Goździewska-Harłajczuk
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wrocław University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Kożuchowska 1, Wrocław, Poland
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Keenan TF, McLellan WA, Rommel SA, Costidis AM, Harms CA, Thewissen 'HJ, Rotstein DS, Gay MD, Potter CW, Taylor AR, Wang Y, Pabst DA. Gross and histological morphology of the cervical gill slit gland of the pygmy sperm whale (Kogia breviceps). Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:688-703. [PMID: 34288509 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Odontocete cetaceans have undergone profound modifications to their integument and sensory systems and are generally thought to lack specialized exocrine glands that in terrestrial mammals function to produce chemical signals (Thewissen & Nummela, 2008). Keenan-Bateman et al. (2016, 2018), though, introduced an enigmatic exocrine gland, associated with the false gill slit pigmentation pattern in Kogia breviceps. These authors provided a preliminary description of this cervical gill slit gland in their helminthological studies of the parasitic nematode, Crassicauda magna. This study offers the first detailed gross and histological description of this gland and reports upon key differences between immature and mature individuals. Investigation reveals it is a complex, compound tubuloalveolar gland with a well-defined duct that leads to a large, and expandable central chamber, which in turn leads to two caudally projecting diverticula. All regions of the gland contain branched tubular and alveolar secretory regions, although most are found in the caudal diverticula, where the secretory process is holocrine. The gland lies between slips of cutaneous muscle, and is innervated by lamellar corpuscles, resembling Pacinian's corpuscles, suggesting that its secretory product may be actively expressed into the environment. Mature K. breviceps display larger gland size, and increased functional activity in glandular tissues, as compared to immature individuals. These results demonstrate that the cervical gill slit gland of K. breviceps shares morphological features of the specialized, chemical signaling, exocrine glands of terrestrial members of the Cetartiodactyla.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany F Keenan
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
| | - William A McLellan
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
| | - Sentiel A Rommel
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
| | | | - Craig A Harms
- Center for Marine Sciences and Technology, North Carolina State University, Morehead City, North Carolina
| | - 'Hans' Jgm Thewissen
- Department of Anatomy/Neurobiology, Northeast Ohio Medical University, Rootstown, Ohio
| | | | - Mark D Gay
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
| | - Charles W Potter
- Department of Vertebrate Zoology, Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, District of Columbia, USA
| | - Alison R Taylor
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
| | - Ying Wang
- University of North Carolina Wilmington, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Wilmington, North Carolina
| | - D Ann Pabst
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina
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Klećkowska-Nawrot JE, Goździewska-Harłajczuk K, Paszta W. Gross anatomy, histological, and histochemical analysis of the eyelids and orbital glands of the neonate pygmy hippopotamus (Suina: Choeropsis liberiensis or Hexaprotodon liberiensis, Morton 1849) with reference to its habitat. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2020; 304:437-455. [PMID: 32445549 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 03/15/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The 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. Moreover, the secretions produced by the superficial gland of the third eyelid, the deep gland of the third eyelid and the lacrimal gland were examined, as they ensure eyeball protection. In the upper and lower eyelids, numerous serous glands where identified, which were typical for the pygmy hippopotamus and similar as in the Cetacea. This study enabled to identify additional folds in the eyelids of the pygmy hippopotamus. Lymphoid follicles and diffuse lymphocytes were not found in the lymphoid region in the upper or lower eyelids and the third eyelid, which was most likely caused by the age of the studied hippopotamuses. An accurate histochemical analysis revealed that the secretions of the pygmy hippopotamus are very similar to the Sus scrofa. The structural differences between the pygmy hippopotamus and representatives of Cetacea are most likely caused by the fact that most of Cetacea live in saltwater and are exposed to more frequent fluctuations in water temperature compared to the pygmy hippopotamus, which lives in fresh water and does not lead a migratory lifestyle like the Cetacea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna Elżbieta Klećkowska-Nawrot
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Karolina Goździewska-Harłajczuk
- Department of Biostructure and Animal Physiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Wroclaw, Poland
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Rehorek SJ, Stimmelmayr R, George JC, Suydam R, McBurney DM, Thewissen JGM. Whale tear glands in the bowhead and the beluga whales: Source and function. J Morphol 2020; 281:316-325. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Susan J. Rehorek
- Department of BiologySlippery Rock University Slippery Rock Pennsylvania
| | - Rapahela Stimmelmayr
- Department of Wildlife ManagementNorth Slope Borough Barrow Alaska
- Institute of Artic BiologyUniversity of Alaska Fairbanks Alaska
| | - John C. George
- Department of Wildlife ManagementNorth Slope Borough Barrow Alaska
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyNortheast Ohio Medical University Rootstown Ohio
| | - Robert Suydam
- Department of Wildlife ManagementNorth Slope Borough Barrow Alaska
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyNortheast Ohio Medical University Rootstown Ohio
| | - Denise M. McBurney
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyNortheast Ohio Medical University Rootstown Ohio
| | - JGM Thewissen
- Department of Anatomy and NeurobiologyNortheast Ohio Medical University Rootstown Ohio
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Ali MJ, Rehorek SJ, Paulsen F. A major review on disorders of the animal lacrimal drainage systems: Evolutionary perspectives and comparisons with humans. Ann Anat 2019; 224:102-112. [DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2019.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2019] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/09/2019] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
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