Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-11-23DOI: 10.1111/azo.12488
Gregory A. Lewbart, Giuliano Colosimo, Christopher Gaudette, Tatiane T. Negrão Watanabe, Joshua Parker, Christian Sevilla, Glenn P. Gerber, Gabriele Gentile
{"title":"When pink is a question: Comparative gross and microscopic skin structure analyses reveal the histological basis of skin colour in Galápagos pink land iguanas (Conolophus marthae)","authors":"Gregory A. Lewbart, Giuliano Colosimo, Christopher Gaudette, Tatiane T. Negrão Watanabe, Joshua Parker, Christian Sevilla, Glenn P. Gerber, Gabriele Gentile","doi":"10.1111/azo.12488","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12488","url":null,"abstract":"<p>One of the rarest and most unusual iguanas on the planet is the Galápagos pink land iguana (<i>Conolophus marthae</i>). There have been a number of hypotheses on the source of their pink coloration, including that the colour is from blood and a relative lack of dermal pigmentation. We obtained full thickness skin biopsies of three species and compared tissue from darkly pigmented areas and lightly pigmented surfaces. “Pink” areas of pink iguanas are devoid of pigment cells (e.g. melanophores) and the dermal tissue is rich with aggregates of confluent capillaries. This was in sharp contrast to the minimally vascular (only capillaries were observed) dermal areas of the marine and yellow iguanas. The dermal stratum laxum of every biopsy site contained melanophores except for the pink skin of pink iguanas. Interestingly, marine iguanas have a much thicker epidermal stratum germinativum/granulosum, between 2 and 10 cells thick depending on location, compared to the thinner epidermal stratum germinativum/granulosum of land iguanas (one to three cells thick with most areas possessing just one or two cell layers). These microscopic differences might reflect differences in habitat and ecology of the three species.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"514-523"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-23","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/azo.12488","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138537017","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-11-05DOI: 10.1111/azo.12486
Joachim T. Haug, Viktor Baranov, Florian Braig, Carolin Haug
{"title":"Morpho-ecospaces, or how to measure biodiversity in a different way","authors":"Joachim T. Haug, Viktor Baranov, Florian Braig, Carolin Haug","doi":"10.1111/azo.12486","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12486","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The current biodiversity crisis warrants accurate measuring of biodiversity, often achieved by counting species or higher taxonomic units, with morphological or molecular methods. Alternatively, trait-centred approaches categorise organisms into distinct ecological roles and then count the number of occupied roles to measure biodiversity. Even combinations of trait-based and taxonomic approaches are utilised. However, when investigating the theoretical aspects, all these approaches have significant shortcomings, which complicate a reliable biodiversity measurement, that is, the ignorance of polymorphic species, the sensitivity to the initial classification or the knowledge gap concerning the ecology of the organisms. We outline a non-discrete ecospace approach for which neither pronounced taxonomic expertise nor in-depth knowledge about the ecology of the organisms is required. A morphospace based on quantitative morphological properties is used as a proxy for an ecospace, thus resulting in a continuous morpho-ecospace. With this, decision-making concerning taxonomy or ecology is reduced, as morphology is directly used instead of being first interpreted. Differences usually not considered due to polymorphism or ontogeny can be included in this approach, as well as fossils without species determination. This morpho-ecospace approach is easily applicable and can be combined with already existing approaches, making it broadly applicable.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"496-513"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/azo.12486","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135725559","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-10-29DOI: 10.1111/azo.12487
Lorenzo Alibardi
{"title":"Regeneration and regengrow in multicellular animals derive from the presence of processes of organ metamorphosis and continuous growth in their life cycles","authors":"Lorenzo Alibardi","doi":"10.1111/azo.12487","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12487","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The present review formulates an evolutionary hypothesis on the distribution of regeneration in invertebrates and vertebrates. Regeneration is a basal ancestral property of animals living in aqueous environment where life was generated. The specific life cycles that evolved in each phylum indicate that only adult aquatic animals with asexual reproduction, larval stages and metamorphosis, possess broad regenerative abilities, protostomes or deuterostomes. Regeneration derives from the re-utilization in different forms of numerous developmental gene pathways active during development and the transitional phases of larval metamorphosis. An injured adult animal, composed of differentiated tissues, cannot repeat the same sequence of gene activation of embryogenesis, resulting in a variable regeneration (most aquatic invertebrates and anamiotes). In contrast, species with a genome that is not programmed for producing larvae and intense metamorphosis, mainly terrestrial (numerous nematodes, arthropods and amniotes), cannot regenerate their organs after injury. It is hypothesized that during the evolution of terrestrial animals, they lost genes involved in regeneration so that they repair by wound healing associated with grow (regengrow) or by scarring. Future molecular knowledge on developmental pathways that evolved in regenerating competent animals will tell us whether or not organ regeneration in regenerative incompetent animals will be feasible.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 3","pages":"263-280"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-10-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"136134687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-10-24DOI: 10.1111/azo.12485
Carmen Alicia Marais, Martina Rachel Crole
{"title":"The macroscopical anatomy of the lungs and thorax of the African lion (Panthera leo)","authors":"Carmen Alicia Marais, Martina Rachel Crole","doi":"10.1111/azo.12485","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12485","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The left and right lungs extend from the second rib to the 13th, while only a small portion is present cranial to the 4th rib. The basal border of the left lung extends horizontally from the second costochondral junction (CCJ) to just ventral to the seventh CCJ, and then dorso-caudally to the angle of the 13th rib. The right lung has a similar configuration except for the basal border, which is located above the fifth to the sixth CCJ. The cardiac incisure is more prominent in the right lung and is formed by the notched space between the ventral margins of the cranial and middle lobes. The lungs are well-lobated, with complete fissures laterally but none medially. The trachea and primary bronchi are large and have a wide, thin membranous part. The muscular front limbs could limit cranial thoracic expansion, with the result that the bulk of the functional lung capacity is present caudal to the tricipital line. Recommended sites for intracardiac injections are on either side of the fifth CCJ, and for thoracocentesis, just dorsal to the seventh or eighth CCJ. Care is needed while intubating a lion's trachea because of the delicate membranous part.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"482-495"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/azo.12485","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135267661","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-10-19DOI: 10.1111/azo.12484
Joseph A. DePasquale
{"title":"Formation of Intra-Epidermal bodies (IEBs) is associated with giant macrophage-like cells that patrol fish epidermis","authors":"Joseph A. DePasquale","doi":"10.1111/azo.12484","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12484","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Intra-epidermal bodies (IEBs) are large dynamic circular structures that form within fish scale epidermis. IEBs are believed to reflect the sequestering of intra-epidermal debris, such as damaged or dead cells, within the epidermis. The present report describes an association between a giant cell that patrols the epidermis and the formation of IEBs. The giant cell, likely macrophage-related, is a broadly spread cell with lengths up to ~90 μm and average spread areas >600 μm<sup>2</sup>. Time-lapse video microscopy was used to monitor formation of IEBs and determine any association between the IEB and the giant cells. Giant cells were observed to form IEBs, and as an IEB dissipated a giant cell was observed to exit the area previously occupied by the IEB. These observations suggest the IEB is a transitional form of the giant cell, serving as a temporary compartment to isolate and initiate breakdown of the debris scavenged by the giant cell.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"471-481"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135730047","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-10-13DOI: 10.1111/azo.12483
Maria Domracheva, Valeriia Khabibulina
{"title":"Adhesive organs with complex neuromuscular system: Organization of rhopalioids in Haliclystus auricula James-Clark, 1863 (Cnidaria: Staurozoa)","authors":"Maria Domracheva, Valeriia Khabibulina","doi":"10.1111/azo.12483","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12483","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Staurozoa is a small group of marine stalked jellyfish, some of which have specialized attachment organs — rhopalioids, or so-called anchors. The adhesive function of these organs was mentioned in numerous studies; however, the mechanism of their temporary attachment is still unknown. Moreover, it is assumed that rhopalioids may be homologous to rhopalia of scypho- and cubozoans and provide sensory and integrative functions. Nevertheless, nervous elements associated with rhopalioids are poorly investigated. Thus, we focused on morphological features of rhopalioids in staurozoan <i>Haliclystus auricula</i> James-Clark, 1863 using histological and semithin sections, and also confocal laser scanning microscopy. We described histological organization of rhopalioids and observed four types of epidermal gland cell, which presumably provide the attachment and reattachment to the substrate. Supposedly, the musculature of rhopalioids can also play a role in the attachment and reattachment. We have studied organization of the nervous system in rhopalioids, which includes FMRFamide-, tubulin- and neurotensin-positive nerve clusters and FMRFamide-positive presumptive sensory cells. Based on our results, we assume that rhopalioids, besides the complex attachment, may act like sensory organs and play a role of integrative centres.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"403-418"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135853651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-10-13DOI: 10.1111/azo.12482
Vivien Bothe, Nadia B. Fröbisch
{"title":"Tail regeneration at different ontogenetic stages of the tiger salamander Ambystoma tigrinum suggests possible changes in regeneration between larval and metamorphic individuals","authors":"Vivien Bothe, Nadia B. Fröbisch","doi":"10.1111/azo.12482","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12482","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Urodele amphibians possess remarkable regenerative abilities, allowing them to rebuild lost body parts. Contrary to lizards, salamanders can fully restore their tails, including the neural spine and components of the vertebral column. The axolotl (<i>Ambystoma mexicanum</i>) is the vertebrate model organism for regeneration research due to its ease of breeding in captivity. However, axolotls are paedomorphic, retaining larval somatic features throughout adulthood and do not naturally undergo metamorphosis, a transition phase from aquatic larvae to terrestrial adults with profound morphological and physiological changes. We investigate the influence of metamorphosis on salamander tail regeneration after conspecific biting in the metamorphosing sister taxon <i>Ambystoma tigrinum</i> using histological analysis to answer two key questions: (1) Does regeneration continue during metamorphosis, or is it halted? (2) How does regeneration differ histologically among larval, metamorphosing and postmetamorphic individuals? Our findings demonstrate that regeneration continues even during metamorphic climax, indicating the simultaneous coordination of metamorphosis and regeneration. Additionally, notable distinctions were observed between developmental stages concerning the speed of regeneration and structural differences in the formation of an apical epithelial cap (AEC). While the approach taken in this study necessarily restricts sample size, it offers valuable insights into regeneration in a metamorphosing species under natural conditions.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"450-470"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/azo.12482","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135855401","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-10-04DOI: 10.1111/azo.12481
Maria Clara Rosa Silva, Jeane Rodrigues, Hadda Tercya Lima Silva, Paulo de Souza Jesus, Cristiane Vieira da Cunha, Keid Nolan Silva Souza, Larissa Nunes de Oliveira, Ronaldo Barros Macena, Caio Maximino, Diógenes Henrique de Siqueira-Silva
{"title":"Reproductive cycle of the flying fish Hemiodus unimaculatus (Bloch, 1794) (Characiforms: Hemiodontidae) in the upstream area of the Tucurui hydroelectric plant, Pará, Brazil","authors":"Maria Clara Rosa Silva, Jeane Rodrigues, Hadda Tercya Lima Silva, Paulo de Souza Jesus, Cristiane Vieira da Cunha, Keid Nolan Silva Souza, Larissa Nunes de Oliveira, Ronaldo Barros Macena, Caio Maximino, Diógenes Henrique de Siqueira-Silva","doi":"10.1111/azo.12481","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12481","url":null,"abstract":"<p>The reproductive cycle of <i>Hemiodus unimaculatus</i> in the upstream area of the Tucuruí reservoir in the Tocantins River was described. The animals were collected monthly for 1 year in the Tauiry Village, municipality of Itupiranga, Pará. The individuals had their biometry taken, the gonads removed and weighed to calculate the gonadossomatic index and processed for histological analysis. A total of 103 animals were collected, 87 females and 16 males (sex ratio of 5 females:1 male). The total length and weight of the animals did not vary significantly during the year, the females had an average length of 21,867 ± 1.55 cm and an average weight of 118.63 ± 23.4 g. The males had average length of 20.353 ± 1.39 cm and an average weight of 96.90 ± 20.2 g. Females and males were in developing phases during fall and winter, and Spawning Capable in spring and summer. Spawning Capable females were collected in the fall. The closed fishing season determined for the species does not fully cover its reproductive period. This associated with the imbalance of the sex ratio, and over-fishing of the species may be leading the species population to decline upstream of the Tucuruí reservoir on the Tocantins River.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"439-449"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-10-04","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135596826","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-09-11DOI: 10.1111/azo.12480
Norma L. Manríquez-Morán, Jorge E. González-Espinoza, Saúl F. Domínguez-Guerrero, Gabino de la Rosa-Cruz
{"title":"Reproductive pattern of the southern bunchgrass lizard (Sceloporus aeneus) from Cuautepec de Hinojosa, Hidalgo, Mexico","authors":"Norma L. Manríquez-Morán, Jorge E. González-Espinoza, Saúl F. Domínguez-Guerrero, Gabino de la Rosa-Cruz","doi":"10.1111/azo.12480","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12480","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Squamata is one of the groups of sauropsids with the greatest diversity in life histories. The timing and expression of events related to reproductive phenology are considered among the most important components of squamate life histories. Here we studied the male and female reproductive patterns, clutch size, and clutch frequency of the oviparous lizard <i>Sceloporus aeneus</i> from a population in the southeast of Hidalgo State, Mexico, from April 2010 to March 2011. The gonadal analysis showed that the minimum snout-vent length at sexual maturity in males and females was 46 mm. Both sexes exhibit seasonal reproductive patterns; males present maximum gonadal activity in winter-spring (February–May), and females are vitellogenic in spring-summer (May–July). Clutch size averaged 7 eggs (range 5–9) and did not show a relationship with female body size. Females produce at least two clutches per breeding season. The reproductive patterns described in this study were similar to those observed in other populations of <i>S. aeneus,</i> although some events in the reproductive phenology of both sexes appear to be related to local environmental factors.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 3","pages":"377-386"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2,"publicationDate":"2023-09-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"135981362","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Acta ZoologicaPub Date : 2023-08-29DOI: 10.1111/azo.12479
Juan Fernando Vélez-García, José Roberto Kfoury Junior, Maria Angelica Miglino
{"title":"Evolutionary study of the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles of the domestic cat (Felis catus, Feliformia, Carnivora) based on their topology and innervation","authors":"Juan Fernando Vélez-García, José Roberto Kfoury Junior, Maria Angelica Miglino","doi":"10.1111/azo.12479","DOIUrl":"10.1111/azo.12479","url":null,"abstract":"<p>Extrinsic thoracic limb muscles are a muscular group that supports the thoracic limb in mammals without the clavicle and serve to move the scapula and shoulder joint. However, there are few evolutionary studies of these muscles in <i>Felis catus</i>, which should take into account the topology and innervation of the muscles to hypothesize the muscle derivation from a common ancestor. The main objective of this study was to check the extrinsic thoracic limb muscles in ten cadavers. Intra- and interspecific anatomical variants were found with that formerly described and other felids. Based on the topology and innervation found in this study, the evolutionary derivation was hypothesized. Therefore, the omotransversarius and rhomboideus muscles are derived from the serratus ventralis cervicis muscle. The cleidobrachialis muscle is derived mainly from the m. deltoideus and accessorily from the supracoracoid muscular group. The pectoantebrachialis and pectoralis abdominalis muscles are derived from the pectoralis descendens and cutaneus trunci muscles, respectively. In conclusion, most extrinsic thoracic limb muscles of <i>F. catus</i> may have evolutionary derivations from the last common ancestor of mammals, while some of them are from the last common ancestor of carnivorans or within the family Felidae.</p>","PeriodicalId":50945,"journal":{"name":"Acta Zoologica","volume":"105 4","pages":"419-438"},"PeriodicalIF":1.1,"publicationDate":"2023-08-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"72429794","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}