The aim of the present study was to investigate the sequence of shell bone formation in the embryos of the Pleurodira, Podocnemis unifilis. Their bones and cartilage were collected and cleared before staining. The shell was also examined by obtaining a series of histological slices. All the bony elements of the plastron have independent ossification centers, which subsequently join together and retain two fontanelles until the period of hatching. This turtle has a mesoplastra, which is characteristic of the Podocnemididae. The carapace begins to form concurrently with the ossification of the ribs at the beginning of stage 20. All the plates, except the suprapygal, initiate ossification during the embryonic period. The main purpose of the histological investigation was to highlight the relationship between the formation of the carapace and ribs with that of the neural plates. The costal and neural plates were found not to independent ossification centers, but to be closely related to components of the endoskeleton, originating as expansions of the perichondral collar of the ribs

The mouse, chicken, African clawed frog, and zebrafish are considered ¨model organisms¨ due to their extensive embryological and genetic characterization. However, they are far from representative of known diversity, impairing phylogenetic analyses of developmental patterns. Since squamates have historically received limited attention in developmental studies, we here describe the developmental sequence for Tropidurus torquatus, and provide the first post-ovipositional developmental series for the lizard family Tropiduridae. Fifteen developmental stages are described based on morphological traits such as the eye and accessory visual structures, pharyngeal arches, fusion of facial primordia, limb development, pigmentation, and scales. Organogenesis is already in progression at oviposition (Stage 28), with embryos continuing to develop at the incubation temperature of 30°C ± 1°C, and hatching after 75 ± 5 days, at Stage 42. Comparisons with other lizards show a conserved embryonic sequence, however developmental timing differences were found in features such as the pharyngeal arches, endolymphatic sacs, pigmentation and scales. The development of the phallic and cranial lip of the cloaca anlages are compared with that of other lizards. The order of T. torquatus fore- and hindlimb formation differs from that most commonly observed in lizards. The abundance and close association of this species with urban environments, as well as the ease of capturing and managing females, makes T. torquatus an attractive source of developmental data for future experimental and ontogenetic studies. Anat Rec, 300:277-290, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

The objective of the present study was to analyze chondrogenesis and the ossification pattern of the limbs of Melanosuchus niger in order to contribute with possible discussions on homology and the fusion pattern of autopodial elements and phylogeny. In the Reserva Extrativista do Lago Cuniã, Rondônia, Brazil, six nests were marked and two eggs removed from each nest at 24-hour intervals until hatching. Embryos were cleared using KOH; bone tissue was stained with alizarin red S and cartilage with Alcian blue. Routine staining with HE was also performed. In the pectoral girdle, the scapula showed ossification centers before the coracoid process. In the pelvic girdle, the ilium and the ischium were condensed as a single cartilage, although ossification took place through two separate centers, forming distinct elements in the adult. The pubis developed from an independent cartilaginous center with free end, which reflects its function in breathing. In the initial stages, the stylopodium and the zeugopodium developed from the condensation of a Y-shaped cartilage in the limbs, and differentiation of the primary axis and digital arch were observed. The greatest changes were observed in the mesopodia. In their evolution, Crocodylia underwent a vast reduction in the number of autopodial elements as a consequence of fusions and ossification of some elements. This study shows that the chondrogenesis and ossification sequences are dissociated. Moreover, the differences between M. niger and other species show clear variation in the patterns for these events in Alligatoridae.

O mão-pelada (Procyon cancrivorus) é um carnívoro silvestre, encontrado principalmente na Costa Rica, Bolívia, Colômbia, Guiana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela, Trinidad e Tobago, Panamá, Uruguai, nordeste da Argentina e em todos os biomas do território brasileiro. Conhecido como guaxinim, mão-pelada ou rato lavador têm a peculiaridade de mergulhar na água tudo o que come. Possui hábito noturno e crepuscular, escalador arborícola e terrícola, habitante de áreas arbustivas, preferencialmente próximas a cursos de água, é um bom nadador com ótimas habilidades para cavar, escalar e tem vida solitária. Objetivo foi descrever a morfologia do coração e vasos da base de mão pelada. Foram utilizados três corações de Procyon, provenientes de coletas em rodovias, vítimas de atropelamentos. Para a observação das estruturas do coração, foi realizado o arrebatamento da pele, músculos e a retirada das costelas. Depois de exposto o coração, foi feita a retirada do pericárdio fibroso e seroso para melhor visualização das estruturas, expondo assim o coração e vasos da base. O coração do mão pelada é constituído por  quatro câmaras: dois átrios e dois ventrículos. Na face anterior de cada átrio existe uma estrutura enrugada, em forma de saco, chamada aurícula. Semelhante ao coração dos animais domésticos e silvestres, o coração do mão pelada apresenta  seio venoso, valvas atrioventriculares, músculos papilares e cordas tendíneas. No átrio direito, desemboca as veias cavas cranial e caudal. No ventrículo esquerdo foi observada a veia cardíaca magna, que faz a drenagem sanguínea no coração. O átrio esquerdo juntamente com sua aurícula está situado atrás do átrio direito. As artérias coronárias originam diretamente da aorta e o arco da aorta é formado pela aorta ascendente, onde se encontra o tronco braquiocefálico e a artéria subclávia. As estruturas estudadas foram comparadas com os carnívoros domésticos, como o cão e gato, e com alguns animais silvestres, onde constatou grande similaridade entre estes carnívoros.

RESUMO.-O sucesso na manutenção de uma espécie depende de vários fatores entre eles a eficiência digestiva, sendo assim parâmetros morfométricos do tubo digestório são necessários para o conhecimento dos processos digestivos dos alimentos no organismo animal além de indicar a preferência alimentar de uma espécie. Este trabalho visou descrever morfologicamente os intestinos delgado e grosso, órgãos do sistema digestório de representantes da ordem Xenarthra a fim de fornecer subsídios para a avaliação da dieta e realização de procedimentos clínicos nestes animais, Morphometric parameters of the digestive tract are required for an understanding of the digestive processes of the food in the animal organism, besides indicating the feeding preference of specie. This study aimed to describe morphologically the small and large intestines, organs of the digestive system of representatives of Xenarthra order to provide data for the evaluation of diet and conduct clinical procedures in these animals, whether free-living or captive. At this research, were used in total 7 specimens from three-toed sloths (Bradypus torquatus), nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) and giant anteater (Myrmecophaga tridactyla). The intestines of B. torquatus were short and simple, but at the specimens of D. novemcintus and M. tridactyla the intestines were long and had some peculiarities. We notice the presence of Brunner's glands and structures to increase the surface absorption at the duodenum of all specimens. Only in B. torquatus, we notice that the mesentery remains the jejune attached to the dorsal wall of the abdominal cavity. The ileum represented the lower portion of the intestines in all studied specimens except in M.tridactyla. The cecum in D. novemcinctus and M. tridactyla showed considerable size, glands at the mucosa and was full of food debris, indicating that it was functional. In the mucosa of the colon of all specimens had crypts of Lieberkühn, being more numerous in D. novemcinctus and M. tridactyla. Only in B. torquatus, the rectum showed greater diameter and stiffness compared to the colon. In all species studied, we notice a large glandular surface and lots of goblet cells that produce mucus to facilitate defecation. Our results demonstrate that the conformation and structure of the digestive system reflects more the kind of diet and digestive needs of the animal, than to the family he belongs.INDEX TERMS: Anatomy of the digestive tract, Xenarthra, intestine, morphology, histology.

ABTRACT.To gain an understanding of the detailed anatomical aspects of Mazama gouazoubira (brocket deer), this paper describes the relationships between its spinal cord and the vertebral canal, adding information with a clinical and surgical approach. Three specimens of M. gouazoubira were prepared following the methods normally used in anatomy. The epaxial muscles and vertebral arches were removed to expose the spinal cord and the spinal nerve roots. The dimensions of the medullary segments were measured using a pachymeter with 0.05 mm precision. The spinal cord is cylindroidal, dorsoventrally flattened, with an average craniosacral length of 656.27 mm, and has two dilatations corresponding to the cervical and lumbar intumescences. The cervical, thoracic, lumbar and sacrocaudal segments showed an average length of 175.07, 226.03, 123.47 and 43.63 mm, with indices of 28.02, 35.34, 19.68 and 6.93%, respectively. The medullary cone, whose average length is 46.27 mm, begins between L2 and L3 and ends between S1 and S2, with a mean index of 7.53%. The overall average distance between the nerve roots of the cervical, thoracic and lumbosacral segments was 2.23, 2.06 and 1.98 cm, respectively.Key words: brocket deer, neural system, skeletopy, spinal cord.RESUMO. Anatomia topográfica da medula espinal e relações vértebro-medulares em Mazama gouazoubira Fisher, 1814 (Artiodactyla; Cervidae). Propondo conhecer os aspectos anatômicos pormenorizados de Mazama gouazoubira (veado catingueiro), o presente trabalho descreve as relações entre sua medula espinal e o canal vertebral, adicionando informações com enfoque clínico-cirúrgico. Utilizaram-se três espécimes de M. gouazoubira que foram preparados seguindo métodos usuais em anatomia. Retirou-se a musculatura epiaxial e os arcos vertebrais para a exposição da medula espinal e raízes dos nervos espinais. As dimensões dos segmentos medulares foram obtidas utilizando um paquímetro de precisão 0,05 mm. A medula espinal possui a forma cilindróide, aplanada dorsoventralmente, com comprimento crânio-sacral médio de 656,27 mm, possui duas dilatações correspondentes às intumescências cervical e lombar. Os segmentos cervical, torácico, lombar e sacro-caudal apresentam 175,07; 226,03; 123,47 e 43,63 mm de comprimento médio, com índices de 28,02; 35,34; 19,68 e 6,93% respectivamente. O cone medular de comprimento médio 46,27 mm inicia-se entre L2 e L3 e termina em S1 e S2, com índice médio de 7,53%. A média geral obtida para a distância entre as raízes dos nervos dos segmentos cervical, torácico e lombossacral foi de 2,23; 2,06 e 1,98 cm, respectivamente.Palavras-chave: medula espinal, veado catingueiro, esqueletopia, sistema neural.

Among the Brazilian crocodilian, Caiman crocodilus crocodilus is widely distributed, given its adaptation to diverse habitats and their generalist diet. Information about the reproductive and ethological character of this species is abundant, whereas morphological data are still scarce. This study aimed to identify and report the muscles and their origin and the insertion into the pectoral and forelimb of C. crocodilus crocodilus. We used two male specimens, adults, belonging to the collection of the UFG -Jataí. We performed usual procedures for dissection and further individualization, withdrawal of members, and observation of muscle origins and insertions. The musculature of C. crocodilus crocodilus generally conservative is similar to C. latirostris and A. mississippiensis. The muscles of the pectoral girdle showed little variation among crocodilians. In the forelimb, the triceps muscle has five distinct heads and biceps has only one. The extensor and flexor surface of the hand showed similar topography to A. mississippiensis. We described some differences in the origin and insertion of certain muscles, as well as the classification and topography of some flexor and extensor muscles in the forearm segment. The distal segments showed more variations, which probably reflects the variety of locomotor habits among crocodilians. Keywords: Common caiman; crocodilians; myology; muscle; reptiles. ResumoDentre os crocodilianos brasileiros, Caiman crocodilus crocodilus apresenta ampla distribuição, haja vista sua adaptação a habitats diversificados e sua dieta generalista. Informações de caráter etológico e reprodutivo acerca desta espécie são abundantes, enquanto dados morfológicos são ainda escassos. Objetivou-se identificar e relatar os músculos e suas origens e inserções nos segmentos da cintura e membro torácico de C. crocodilus crocodilus. No estudo, foram utilizados dois exemplares machos, adultos, pertencentes ao acervo da UFG -Jataí. Para isto utilizaram-se métodos usuais em dissecação e posteriormente os músculos foram individualizados, descritos e sua origem e inserção determinadas. A musculatura de C. crocodilus crocodilus é conservativa, sendo similar a C. latirostris e A. mississippiensis. Os músculos da cintura peitoral apresentaram uma pequena variação dentre os

Descriptive anatomy applied to the kinesiology and basic biomechanics of the pectoral girdle, stylopodium and zeugopodium muscles of broad snouted caiman