The microarchitecture of the pangolin's stomach favouring the high chitinous diet has been less waived into, despite extensive morphological investigations. Histological analysis of the microanatomy will provide powerful tools for interpretation to yield reliable insights. We investigated this by fixing the tissues in 10% formol saline for histological analysis. Serial sections at 5 µ m thickness were subjected to general staining methods for light microscopic study (Haematoxylin and eosin, Van Gieson's and Verhoeff's). The results revealed basic structural arrangements in their coats, with a modification of the epithelial lining of cardia and fundus into stratified squamous keratinized epithelium. These modifications were also reflected in the distribution of collagen and elastic fibers in the various layers (coats) of the stomach. The present study has shown that there was an adaptation of the stomach of African tree pangolin to its diet as reflected in the microarchitectural configuration.

A Comparative Study of the Ileum in Rat (Rattus norvegicus), Bat (Eidolon helvum) and Pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as Investigated Using Histological Method Estudio Comparativo del Íleon en Rata (Rattus norvegicus), Murciélago (Eidolon helvum) y Pangolín (Manis tricuspis) Utilizando como Investigación el Método Histológico A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method. Int. J. Morphol., 26(1):137-141, 2008. SUMMARY:The histological and morphometric differences in some parts of the gastrointestinal tracts of rat, bat and pangolin have been well established. This investigation aims at comparatively elucidating any adaptational changes the ileum of the three mammals must have adopted to meet its dietary requirements and also cope with their morphological differences. The investigation was carried out using ten rats, ten bats and ten pangolins of both sexes. The animals were slightly anaesthetized under chloroform inhalation. The intestines were harvested and the ileum excised and fixed in 10% formol saline. The tissues were processed for light microscopic study. The following stains were employed: Haematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Van Gieson and Verhoeff's haematoxylin elastic tissue stain. Stained slides were also analysed morphometrically. The results revealed microstructural modifications which characterized the mucosa as well as the pattern of distribution of the conjuntive tissue fibers in the ileum of the three mammals. These modifications are means of successfully coping with their respective diets and morphological differences. A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method. Int. J. Morphol., 26(1):137-141, 2008. PALABRAS CLAVE: Pangolin; Murciélago; Rata; Íleon; Microanatomía, Tejido Conjuntivo. OFUSORI, D. A; CAXTON-MARTINS, E. A.; KOMOLAFE, O. O.; OLUYEMI, K. A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method. OFUSORI, D. A; CAXTON-MARTINS, E. A.; KOMOLAFE, O. O.; OLUYEMI, K. A.; ADEEYO, O. A.; AJAYI, S. A.; OLUWAYINKA, P. O.; ADELAKUN, E. A.; KEJI, S. T. & ADESANYA, O. A. A comparative study of the ileum in rat (Rattus norvegicus), bat (Eidolon helvum) and pangolin (Manis tricuspis) as investigated using histological method.