Sex Determination in Two Species of Anuran Amphibians by Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Ultrasound Techniques

Bioimaging of sense organs and the central nervous system in extant fishes and reptiles in situ: A review

Bioimaging is changing the field of sensory biology, especially for taxa that are lesser-known, rare, and logistically difficult to source. When integrated with traditional neurobiological approaches, developing an archival, digital repository of morphological images can offer the opportunity to improve our understanding of whole neural systems without the issues of surgical intervention and negate the risk of damage and artefactual interpretation. This review focuses on current approaches to bioimaging the peripheral (sense organs) and central (brain) nervous systems in extant fishes (cartilaginous and bony) and non-avian reptiles in situ. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), micro-computed tomography (μCT), both super-resolution track density imaging and diffusion tensor-based imaging, and a range of other new technological advances are presented, together with novel approaches in optimizing both contrast and resolution, for developing detailed neuroanatomical atlases and enhancing comparative analyses of museum specimens. For MRI, tissue preparation, including choice of fixative, impacts tissue MR responses, where both resolving power and signal-to-noise ratio improve as field strength increases. Time in fixative, concentration of contrast agent, and duration of immersion in the contrast agent can also significantly affect relaxation times, and thus image quality. For μCT, the use of contrast-enhancing stains (iodine-, non-iodine-, or nanoparticle-based) is critical, where the type of fixative used, and the concentration of stain and duration of staining time often require species-specific optimization. Advanced reconstruction algorithms to reduce noise and artifacts and post-processing techniques, such as deconvolution and filtering, are now being used to improve image quality and resolution.

Comparative MRI analysis of the forebrain of three sauropsida models

The study of the brain by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) allows to obtain detailed anatomical images, useful to describe specific encephalic structures and to analyze possible variabilities. It is widely used in clinical practice and is becoming increasingly used in veterinary medicine, even in exotic animals; however, despite its potential, its use in comparative neuroanatomy studies is still incipient. It is a technology that in recent years has significantly improved anatomical resolution, together with the fact that it is non-invasive and allows for systematic comparative analysis. All this makes it particularly interesting and useful in evolutionary neuroscience studies, since it allows for the analysis and comparison of brains of rare or otherwise inaccessible species. In the present study, we have analyzed the prosencephalon of three representative sauropsid species, the turtle Trachemys scripta (order Testudine), the lizard Pogona vitticeps (order Squamata) and the snake Python regius (order Squamata) by MRI. In addition, we used MRI sections to analyze the total brain volume and ventricular system of these species, employing volumetric and chemometric analyses together. The raw MRI data of the sauropsida models analyzed in the present study are available for viewing and downloading and have allowed us to produce an atlas of the forebrain of each of the species analyzed, with the main brain regions. In addition, our volumetric data showed that the three groups presented clear differences in terms of total and ventricular brain volumes, particularly the turtles, which in all cases presented distinctive characteristics compared to the lizards and snakes.

Ultrasound description of the coelomic cavity of the axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) in a clinically healthy population: a pilot study

Axolotls (Ambystoma mexicanum) are extensively studied for their relevance in human medical research. Despite being critically endangered in the wild, they have gained popularity as household pets. Although they have been kept in captivity for over a century, detailed descriptions of their coelomic organ anatomy remain limited. Also, this species exhibits significant variations compared to other amphibians. Ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless medical imaging technique, ideally suited for investigating internal organs or structures. This study focused on describing the ultrasound appearance of the axolotl coelomic cavity. It details the identification, localization and parenchymal description of major organs in 28 neotenic axolotls using ultrasound frequencies ranging from 7 to 15 MHz. The accuracy of the results was validated by comparing ultrasound findings with necropsy results from one male and one female axolotl. The heart, lung surface, liver and reproductive tracts were visualized. Measurements, along with confidence intervals, were calculated for the spleen, kidneys, testicles, gastric wall, gallbladder, and pylorus. Occasional detection of hyperechoic millimetric particles in the gallbladder or ascites was noted. However, visualization of the pancreas and bladder was not possible. This research outcomes involve the development of a comprehensive atlas comprising images obtained throughout the study. Additionally, the experiment established a reproducible and readily accessible protocol for conducting anatomy-morphological assessments in axolotl medicine. This protocol stands as a crucial preliminary stage before advancing to lesion identification.

Advances in Animal Anatomy

This Special Issue was the result of reviewing Leonardo da Vinci's anatomical drawings of the bear foot and the horse trunk (among others) [...].

Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIRS) as a Method for Biological Sex Discrimination in the Endangered Houston Toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis)

Biological sex is one of the more critically important physiological parameters needed for managing threatened animal species because it is crucial for informing several of the management decisions surrounding conservation breeding programs. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive technology that has been recently applied in the field of wildlife science to evaluate various aspects of animal physiology and may have potential as an in vivo technique for determining biological sex in live amphibian species. This study investigated whether NIRS could be used as a rapid and non-invasive method for discriminating biological sex in the endangered Houston toad (Anaxyrus houstonensis). NIR spectra (N = 396) were collected from live A. houstonensis individuals (N = 132), and distinct spectral patterns between males and females were identified using chemometrics. Linear discriminant analysis (PCA-LDA) classified the spectra from each biological sex with accuracy ≥ 98% in the calibration and internal validation datasets and 94% in the external validation process. Through the use of NIRS, we have determined that unique spectral signatures can be holistically captured in the skin of male and female anurans, bringing to light the possibility of further application of this technique for juveniles and sexually monomorphic species, whose sex designation is important for breeding-related decisions.