Journal of Anatomy最新文献

{"title":"Semicircular canal morphology in Rodentia and its relationship to locomotion.","authors":"Lily Hou, Ornella C Bertrand, Hiruni N Mudannayake, Campbell Rolian, Susanne Cote","doi":"10.1111/joa.14263","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14263","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Anatomical structures vary among mammals with different locomotor behaviours, including sensory structures such as the semicircular canals (SCCs) in the inner ear. Recent SCC research has examined various mammalian groups, but there has been a lack of research on rodents, the most speciose and diverse mammalian order. In this study, an extant sample of 98 rodent SCCs from 56 species across seven different locomotor behaviour categories (arboreal, fossorial, gliding, ricochetal, semiaquatic, semifossorial, terrestrial) was used to understand the correlations between SCC morphology and locomotion in rodents. Morphological correlates considered include the radius of curvature (R), overall 3-dimensional shape, and angles between pairs of canals (orthogonality). Our results show that agile arboreal taxa have larger R for their body size, and fossorial taxa have smaller R for their body size. Shape among specialized locomotor behaviours (arboreal, gliding vs. fossorial) can be differentiated, while other \"generalist\" categories overlap in morphospace. Specialized locomotor categories can be predicted with greater precision and sensitivity, while other generalist categories tend to be miscategorized as terrestrial. Angles between canals are not consistent across locomotor categories, and more agile groups do not have more orthogonal angles, contrary to our predictions. SCC R and overall shape are robust indicators of specialized locomotor behaviours and can be informative in reconstructing the behaviour of fossil rodents.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144019076","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The vomeronasal system of the Steller sea lion.","authors":"Daisuke Kondoh, Wataru Tonomori, Ryota Iwasaki, Jumpei Tomiyasu, Yuka Kaneoya, Heping Li, Shun Ikuta, Hayao Kobayashi, Yoko Mitani, Mari Kobayashi","doi":"10.1111/joa.14274","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14274","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The vomeronasal system receives pheromones and kairomones in mammals, and its receptor organ and primary integrative center comprise the vomeronasal organ (VNO) and accessory olfactory bulb (AOB), respectively. Because cetaceans, sirenians, and harbor seals no longer have a vomeronasal system, it might not be important to some marine mammals. On the other hand, an AOB has been confirmed in three species of the family Otariidae, although whether they also have a VNO has not been investigated. Therefore, we detailed the morphological and histological features of the VNO of the Steller sea lion (Eumetopias jubatus). The entire VNO extended vertically within the incisive foramen, and its lumen formed a short common duct with the incisive duct to open into the oral cavity. The incisive duct was narrow and passed through the lateral part of the VNO. The VNO was extensively covered with sensory epithelium and with non-sensory epithelium ventrolaterally. A dense arrangement of basal cells in the sensory epithelium implied that a rapid turnover of supporting cells repaired salt-induced damage. The VNO lacked large venous sinuses, suggesting that Steller sea lions pull substances into the VNO by a suction mechanism after closing a nostril. The glands beneath the sensory and non-sensory epithelia contained abundant mucoserous and mucous cells, respectively. Mucous glands in the incisive duct stained positive for Alcian blue (pH 1.0), indicating that these glands protect against seawater. These morphological and histological properties of the VNO of Steller sea lions significantly differ from those of other terrestrial carnivorous species. Immunohistochemical findings of the anti-G protein α-subunits i2 (Gαi2) and o (Gαo) in the AOB revealed that the vomeronasal system of Steller sea lions expresses vomeronasal type-1 receptors coupled with Gαi2 to detect volatile substances, but not type-2 receptors coupled with Gαo to receive water-soluble substances. These findings indicate the importance of the vomeronasal system in marine Steller sea lions, especially when on land.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-05-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144017125","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The evolution of an \"owl-like\" auditory system in harriers: Anatomical evidence.","authors":"Sara Citron, Cristian Gutierrez-Ibanez, Aubrey Keirnan, Vera Weisbecker, Douglas Wylie, Andrew N Iwaniuk","doi":"10.1111/joa.14264","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14264","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Hearing is crucial for predators to detect hidden prey. Owls are perhaps the best example of predators with extreme auditory abilities and anatomical specializations that enhance prey localization by sound alone. Such specializations include enlarged acoustic meatus, asymmetrical ears, and enlarged auditory brain nuclei. Harriers (Circus spp.), medium-sized diurnal hawks, have similar sound-based hunting strategies and abilities to localize sound sources like owls, but whether they have the same anatomical adaptations remains unknown. We provide a quantitative analysis of the harrier's auditory system, combining histology and microCT scanning to analyze both brain and skull anatomy. Harriers differ greatly from other hawks in having enlarged acoustic meatus and expanded auditory brainstem nuclei (nucleus magnocellularis and nucleus laminaris). These are up to 3× and 12× larger, respectively, than in other hawks and are comparable in size to those of owls. However, harriers do not show other traits found in owls such as obvious ear asymmetry, an enlarged endosseous cochlear duct, or an expansion of other auditory nuclei that are enlarged in owls. These data suggest the ability of harriers to localize sound sources arises, in part, from the expansion of two auditory brainstem nuclei that are crucial to calculating interaural timing differences and determining the azimuthal location of sounds. The extent to which harriers can also accurately calculate the elevational component of a sound remains uncertain, but based on our analyses, it seems unlikely that they are as accurate as asymmetrically eared owls. We conclude that the anatomy of the harrier auditory system is \"owl-like,\" and their ability to accurately locate prey via auditory cues is likely enhanced by their unique hunting behavior.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144025963","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of the respiratory vasculature of two species of swamp eels, Monopterus albus and Ophisternon bengalense (Synbranchidae).","authors":"Atsushi Ishimatsu, Mizuri Ishimatsu, Yu Maekawa, Nguyen Thi Kim Ha, Do Thi Thanh Huong","doi":"10.1111/joa.14261","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14261","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We compare the cardiovascular anatomy of two synbranchids (Actinopterygii, Synbranchiformes); Ophisternon bengalense, which only infrequently breathes air when in hypoxic water, and Monopterus albus, which is more strongly dependent on air-breathing. Both species use the buccopharyngeal cavity for aerial respiration. The gill vasculature in O. bengalense comprises four pairs of holobranchs. Filaments are lined with secondary lamellae, the blood space of which is studded with the pillar cells, as in most other teleosts. In comparison, M. albus has only three pairs of gill arches exposed to the surrounding water. Filaments are rudimentary, with the afferent and efferent filamental arteries connected by 8-10 (first arch) or fewer (second and third) parallel vessels. There also are shunt vessels directly connecting the afferent and efferent branchial arteries. The fourth arch artery is a large throughfare vessel embedded in tissue with no branchial ramifications. The aerial respiratory capillaries are distributed with no particular pattern in O. bengalense, whereas the capillaries occur in clusters, each composed of repeatedly turning capillaries in M. albus. The arterial architecture of O. bengalense shows no deviation from the typical teleost pattern. The respiratory capillaries over the buccopharyngeal cavity surface are supplied mainly by the branches of the first efferent branchial artery and drained by the anterior cardinal vein. The efferent branchial arteries are connected by the lateral dorsal aorta. In contrast, the arterial system of M. albus shows notable anomalies. These include complete disruption of the lateral dorsal aorta and the presence of pre-gill arteries to the aerial respiratory capillaries (hyoidean artery, ventral esophageal artery and other smaller ramifications of the first to third branchial arches). We discuss the functional implications of these findings and hypothesize a sequence of evolutionary steps from adoption of air-breathing in fish to the development of double circulation as seen in lungfish and tetrapods.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143967867","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Novel report of an osteogenic tumor in a late Jurassic Mamenchisaurid from Thailand.","authors":"Siripat Kaikaew, Suravech Suteethorn, Anusuya Chinsamy","doi":"10.1111/joa.14266","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14266","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Here we report on an osseous abnormality and multiple fractures in an ulna of a subadult basal Eusauropod (Mamenchisauridae) from the Late Jurassic Phu Kradueng Formation in Thailand. The anatomical deformities were studied using a multi-method approach that included an assessment of its gross morphology, computed tomography (CT), and osteohistology to aid in its diagnosis. The intracortical lesion in the bone is irregularly shaped, has well-defined margins with scattered irregular bony trabeculae especially in its center, and it is surrounded by sclerotic bone and spiculated periosteal reactive tissue. The analysis of the radiology and the histopathological characteristics indicates that the lesion in the ulna is an osteogenic tumor, although we are unable to confidently commit to a more specific diagnosis. CT scan data indicated that the multiple fractures evident in the ulna occurred postmortem and are unrelated to the pathology. This is the first report of an osteogenic tumor in a basal Eusauropoda.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143966697","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Exploring craniofacial fluctuating asymmetry in a South African sample.","authors":"Miksha Harripershad, Leandi Liebenberg, Alison F Ridel, Charlotte E G Theye","doi":"10.1111/joa.14256","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14256","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Biological anthropologists have extensively investigated the relationship between fluctuating asymmetry (FA) and its association with population history and health. However, in South Africa, few studies have been done on skeletal asymmetry and its potential impact on anthropological analyses. The study aimed to examine craniofacial asymmetry within a contemporary South African population, specifically focusing on the association between FA, sex, and population affinity. The sample consisted of cranial micro-focus X-ray computed tomography scans (micro-XCT) from 115 adult individuals. Craniometric landmarks were placed and used to calculate inter-landmark distances (ILDs) to assess size variation, and geometric morphometric methods (GMMs) were performed to assess asymmetrical shape variation. Additionally, two indices assessing FA (FA8 and FA17) were calculated from the left and right ILDs to further explore patterns of asymmetry for various regions of the cranium. Asymmetry was particularly apparent in females and black South Africans, which is consistent with reports in the literature. Significant levels of FA were noted in the nasal and temporal regions, more so for shape than size. While asymmetry potentially may have a minimal influence on biological profile estimations based on craniometry, biological anthropologists should have an understanding of the consequences asymmetry may have on skeletal elements or traits being employed on an individual basis.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144017122","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Dental plate histology of †Ischyodus dolloi (Chondrichthyes, Holocephali), from Antarctica.","authors":"Ignacio Cerda, Soledad Gouiric Cavalli, Marcelo A Reguero","doi":"10.1111/joa.14257","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14257","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In contrast to other cartilaginous fishes (Chondrichthyes), the dentition of the Holocephali consists of six dental plates, four in the upper jaw (two vomerines and two palatines) and two in the lower jaw (mandibulars). While the microstructure of holocephalan dentition has been extensively studied in extant species, similar analyses in fossil taxa are less common. Here, we provide a detailed description and interpretation of the microanatomy and histology of dental plates of the extinct taxon †Ischyodus dolloi Leriche (Chimaeriformes: 'Edaphodontidae'). The study is based on two palatine and two mandibular plates from the Eocene of the Antarctic Peninsula. Our main objectives were to (1) identify the presence and distribution of different tissues; (2) analyze morphological diversity in hypermineralized structures (i.e., tritors) within the dental plates; (3) compare the microanatomy and histology of †I. dolloi with other living and fossil holocephalans; and (4) infer the sequence and mode of tissue formation within the plates. The dental plates are composed of an outer shell enclosing a framework of trabecular dentine, in which hypermineralized dentine (i.e., whitlockin) is deposited to form the tritors. Trabecular dentine becomes compacted by centripetal deposition of circumvascular dentine around vascular canals. The tritors exhibit two morphological types: tritoral rods (first report for 'Edaphodontidae') and tritoral pads. Additionally, a distinct tissue, which we term 'parallelitubular dentine', is formed in the aboral and symphyseal regions. Regarding the growth of dental plates, we identified a developmental pattern in which the full formation of tritors and complete compaction of trabecular dentine follows a mesial-to-lingual, oral-to-aboral, and labial-to-symphyseal sequence. This growth pattern aligns with the spatial order in which the dentinal tissues are progressively removed due to feeding-related wear.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144007180","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Osteohistological analysis of metatarsals reveals new information on pathology and life history of troodontids from the Campanian Dinosaur Park Formation, Alberta, Canada.","authors":"Christiana W Garros, Mark J Powers, Aaron D Dyer, Philip J Currie","doi":"10.1111/joa.14262","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14262","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Troodontidae is a family of small-bodied theropods known predominantly from Asia but are comparatively scarce in North America. In the Dinosaur Park Formation (DPF) of Alberta, Canada, they are known predominantly from isolated material, precluding taxonomic and ontogenetic precision for this clade. Previously never sampled histologically within the DPF, here we attempt to fill in gaps in our knowledge about the life histories of the clade in this formation by histologically surveying metatarsals, which are among the most abundant and identifiable troodontid elements in the DPF. We sampled 11 metatarsals (three metatarsal IIs, three metatarsal IIIs and five metatarsal IVs) of varying sizes and included three pathological individuals to describe the microanatomy of both healthy and pathological metatarsals, determine the ontogenetic status of each element and graph their pattern of growth. Osteohistology reveals that troodontid metatarsals grew and remodelled asymmetrically within the cortex, ceasing growth and remodelling primarily along articular surfaces and entheses. Pathological individuals ranged from displaying features of response to localised stress (chronic callus formation and avulsion/chip fracture) to extreme modification in response to trauma and inflammation at the distal joint. Only the latter appeared to be related to overall growth, suggesting the condition either developed early and stunted growth or another underlying cause was responsible for both the stunted growth and the resulting pathological features observed. Overall, tracking the growth of the specimens reveals that there are at least two growth trajectories within the DPF differentiated by the timing of major growth spurts and growth plateaus. Whether this represents sexual dimorphism, taxonomic diversity, or another form of variation warrants further investigation.</p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143984986","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Special issue: Biomedical imaging in comparative anatomy","authors":"Prof. Sourav Bhattacharjee","doi":"10.1111/joa.14252","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14252","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;The last few decades have registered remarkable advancements in biomedical imaging, where novel platforms and, at times, existing ones with major upgrades have become available to researchers. Anatomy research has harvested the fruits of sophisticated imaging tools to its benefit that, in turn, have not only expanded the scope of anatomical research but have also enhanced the depth of information ingrained in imagery datasets, for example, by gaining higher resolution and deeper tissue permeation (Schramek et al., &lt;span&gt;2013&lt;/span&gt;). Such advanced platforms, coupled with extensive digitisation of datasets, present a range of unprecedented advantages, including data sharing that fosters collaboration and improved digital rendition with 3D comprehension of anatomical structures and investigation of internal tissue fabric with both qualitative and quantitative analyses (Wang et al., &lt;span&gt;2024&lt;/span&gt;). Advancements in algorithm programming are also game changers in the field, where user-friendly and often freely available software programmes provide fertile ground for further exploration.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;While working on this Special Issue, it was not easy to capture a snapshot of the entire spectrum of imaging platforms that the current anatomy researchers are engaging in. A major component of the current biomedical imaging studies is focused on software programming and developing image analysis protocols around a multitude of biological systems, including whole-body imaging, imaging of real-life tissue samples with an understanding of tissue texture, and in vitro tissue mimics, such as tissue spheroids. Fortunately, these platforms enjoy extraordinary adaptability, and their utility is not limited to a single sample prototype. Therefore, the Special Issue needed to be inclusive of samples or species based upon which such a wide range of imaging platforms were developed, given there is enough space for collaboration and cross-fertilisation of ideas across the spectrum of biological samples that anatomy researchers currently deal with.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The scope of the term “comparative anatomy” from the perspective of this Special Issue was about comparing different species, including humans. Thus, a segment of the included papers was based on human specimens, while non-human species were also featured to strike a balance. Being a strong proponent of the One Health approach in medical education, isolating humans from non-human species risks missing the broader picture of how fundamental anatomical mechanisms work, while multiple organs and systems create a collaborative ecosystem for the vertebrates to thrive (Bhattacharjee et al., &lt;span&gt;2022&lt;/span&gt;). Furthermore, as applicable to many imaging platforms, although their utility is demonstrated in a particular species, they bear the potential for simultaneous uses in other species—both human and non-human. Hence, the aim was to forge a successful marriage between the distinct domains of “biomedical imaging” and “compa","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":"246 5","pages":"651-656"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joa.14252","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143831130","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Issue Cover (May 2025)","authors":"","doi":"10.1111/joa.14253","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1111/joa.14253","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Cover image: see R.W.P. Kissane et al., ‘Functional anatomy of the wing muscles of the Egyptian fruit bat (Rousettus aegyptiacus) using dissection and diceCT’, this issue.</p><p>\u0000 \u0000 <figure>\u0000 <div><picture>\u0000 <source></source></picture><p></p>\u0000 </div>\u0000 </figure>\u0000 </p>","PeriodicalId":14971,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Anatomy","volume":"246 5","pages":"i"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-04-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/joa.14253","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143831128","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}