Partial uncoupling of salt gland blood flow and secretion in the Pekin duck (Anas platyrhynchos)

Cranial and endocranial anatomy of a three-dimensionally preserved teleosauroid thalattosuchian skull

Thalattosuchians represent one of the several independent transitions into the marine realm among crocodylomorphs. The extent of their aquatic adaptations ranges from the semiaquatic teleosauroids, superficially resembling extant gharials, to the almost cetacean-like pelagic metriorhynchids. Understanding the suite of osteological, physiological, and sensory changes that accompanied this major transition has received increased attention, but is somewhat hindered by a dearth of complete three-dimensionally preserved crania. Here, we describe the cranial and endocranial anatomy of a well-preserved three-dimensional specimen of Macrospondylus bollensis from the Toarcian of Yorkshire, UK. The trigeminal fossa contains two similar-sized openings separated by a thin lamina of prootic, a configuration that appears unique to a subset of teleosauroids. Macrospondylus bollensis resembles other thalattosuchians in having pyramidal semicircular canals with elongate cochlear ducts, enlarged carotid canals leading to an enlarged pituitary fossa, enlarged orbital arteries, enlarged endocranial venous sinuses, reduced pharyngotympanic sinuses, and a relatively straight brain with a hemispherical cerebral expansion. We describe for the first time the olfactory region and paranasal sinuses of a teleosauroid. A relatively large olfactory region suggests greater capacity for airborne olfaction in teleosauroids than in the more aquatically adapted metriorhynchoids. Additionally, slight swellings in the olfactory region suggest the presence of small salt glands of lower secretory capacity than those of metriorhynchoids. The presence of osteological correlates for salt glands in a teleosauroid corroborates previous hypotheses that these glands originated in the common ancestor of Thalattosuchia, facilitating their rapid radiation into the marine realm.

Braincase and endocranial anatomy of two thalattosuchian crocodylomorphs and their relevance in understanding their adaptations to the marine environment

Thalattosuchians are a group of Mesozoic crocodylomorphs known from aquatic deposits of the Early Jurassic–Early Cretaceous that comprises two main lineages of almost exclusively marine forms, Teleosauridae and Metriorhynchoidea. Teleosaurids were found in shallow marine, brackish and freshwater deposits, and have been characterized as semiaquatic near-shore forms, whereas metriorhynchids are a lineage of fully pelagic forms, supported by a large set of morphological characters of the skull and postcranial anatomy. Recent contributions on Thalattosuchia have been focused on the study of the endocranial anatomy. This newly available information provides novel evidence to suggest adaptations on the neuroanatomy, senses organs, vasculature, and behavioral evolution of these crocodylomorphs. However, is still not clear if the major morphological differences between teleosaurids and metriorhynchids were also mirrored by changes in the braincase and endocranial anatomy. Based on X-ray CT scanning and digital endocast reconstructions we describe the braincase and endocranial anatomy of two well-preserved specimens of Thalattosuchia, the semiaquatic teleosaurid Steneosaurus bollensis and the pelagic metriorhynchid Cricosaurus araucanensis. We propose that some morphological traits, such as: an enlarged foramen for the internal carotid artery, a carotid foramen ventral to the occipital condyle, a single CN XII foramen, absence of brain flexures, well-developed cephalic vascular system, lack of subtympanic foramina and the reduction of the paratympanic sinus system, are distinctive features of Thalattosuchia. It has been previously suggested that the enlarged foramen for the internal carotid artery, the absence of brain flexures, and the hypertrophied cephalic vascular system were synapomorphies of Metriorhynchidae; however, new information revealed that all of these features were already established at the base of Thalattosuchia and might have been exapted later on their evolutionary history. Also, we recognized some differences within Thalattosuchia that previously have not been received attention or even were overlooked (e.g., circular/bilobate trigeminal foramen, single/double CN XII foramen, separation of the cranioquadrate canal from the external otic aperture, absence/presence of lateral pharyngeal foramen). The functional significances of these traits are still unclear. Extending the sampling to other Thalattosuchia will help to test the timing of acquisition and distribution of these morphological modifications among the whole lineage. Also comparison with extant marine tetrapods (including physiological information) will be crucial to understand if some (and/or which) of the morphological peculiarities of thalattosuchian braincases are products of directional natural selection resulting in a fully adaptation to a nektonic life style.

Cholinergic and adrenergic innervation of lingual salt glands of the estuarine crocodile, Crocodylus porosus

Many marine reptiles and birds possess extrarenal salt glands that facilitate the excretion of excess sodium and chloride ions accumulated as a consequence of living in saline environments. Control of the secretory activity of avian salt glands is under neural control, but little information is available on the control of reptilian salt glands. Innervation of the lingual salt glands of the salt water crocodile, Crocodylus porosus, was examined in salt water-acclimated animals using histological methods. Extensive networks of both cholinergic and adrenergic nerve fibres were identified close to salt-secreting lobules and vasculature. The identification of both catecholamine-containing and cholinergic neurons in the salt gland epithelium and close to major blood vessels in the tissue suggests the action of the neurotransmitters on the salt-secreting epithelium itself and the rich vascular network of the lingual salt glands.

Peptidergic and adrenergic innervation of the lachrymal gland in the euryhaline turtle, Malaclemys terrapin

The controlling factors of lachrymal gland secretions were examined in the euryhaline turtle, Malaclemys terrapin. Histochemical and immunocytochemical methods were used to localize some of the possible neurotransmitters involved. There was no immunoreactivity to choline acetyltransferase, the enzyme synthesizing acetylcholine, nor did the histochemical technique for acetylcholinesterase produce positive results. Immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase labels revealed vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)- and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivity in high concentrations surrounding the secretory tubules and ducts. Substance P produced a weak immunoreactivity in the interstitial space surrounding the ducts. Dopamine beta-hydroxylase, the enzyme synthesizing norepinephrine and epinephrine, was localized around the blood vessels. Immunogold labeling confirmed the presence of VIP- and NPY-like reactivity in nerve varicosities close to the basement membrane of the secretory epithelium, and double-labeling showed VIP and NPY are co-localized within the same nerve terminals. The results suggest that the secretory epithelium may be primarily under peptidergic control while the vascular system is under adrenergic control. This is possibly a new pattern of innervation for exocrine glands and may be related to the particular function of this salt gland in an euryhaline turtle.

Functional hypothalamic angiotensin II and catecholamine receptor systems inside and outside the blood-brain barrier

To elucidate the contribution of various hormones and neuromodulators in the central nervous control of body fluid homeostasis, the saltwater-acclimated Pekin duck represents an ideal model due to the cytoarchitecture of its hypothalamus, and the marked systemic and hypothalamic sensitivity of its osmoregulatory system. Employing animal physiology, electrophysiology, histochemistry and receptor binding techniques, the role of angiotensin II (A II) and norepinephrine (NE) as both circulating hormones and neurotransmitters in central osmoregulation through interaction with neuronal targets inside and outside the blood-brain barrier (BBB) could be investigated. Application of both agents into the systemic circulation or into the cerebrospinal fluid of conscious animals, and the monitoring of hypothalamo-neurohypophyseal antidiuretic hormone ADH (= AVT) release, cardiovascular parameters such as mean arterial pressure (MAP) and avian salt gland function allowed to discriminate between actions of A II and NE at sites within or outside the BBB. Of the latter, the median eminence (ME), the subfornical organ (SFO) or the organum vasculosum laminae terminalis (OVLT) are of prime importance. Receptor autoradiography using radioiodinated ligands specific for A II, alpha 1-, alpha 2- and beta-receptors including the pharmacological characterization of these binding sites permit to establish a molecular correlate of the modulatory actions of both A II and NE.

Osmoregulatory responses of glucous-winged gulls (Larus glaucescens) to dehydration and hemorrhage

The effects of dehydration and hemorrhage on plasma ionic, osmotic, and antidiuretic hormone (arginine vasotocin) concentrations and of hemorrhage on salt gland secretion and glomerular filtration rate were evaluated in glaucous-winged gulls, Larus glaucescens. Dehydration for 24 h did not affect plasma ionic, osmotic or arginine vasotocin concentrations; 72 h dehydration significantly elevated plasma osmolality, plasma sodium and chloride concentrations, and plasma arginine vasotocin concentration, but did not affect plasma potassium concentration. Constant infusion of 0.8 mol.1-1 NaCl increased plasma arginine vasotocin concentration and produced salt gland secretion in seven gulls; four secreted well, while three secreted less well. Removal of 20% blood volume during saline infusion immediately reduced (P<0.001) salt gland secretion rate in all gulls. After bleeding, good secretors maintained glomerular filtration rate and urine flow rate; the poorer secretors increased glomerular filtration rate and became diuretic. Blood replacement returned salt gland secretion rate to the prebleeding level (P<0.05) without affecting salt gland secretions sodium concentration in gulls which secreted well, but did not restimulate salt gland secretion in gulls which secreted poorly. Reinfusion of blood had no effect on glomerular filtration rate. Bleeding and blood replacement did not affect plasma arginine vasotocin concentration.