Microarchitectural Adaptations in the Stomach of African Tree Pangolin (Manis tricuspis)

Abstract

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.

Comparative Gastric Morphometry of Muong Indigenous and Vietnamese Wild Pigs

“…Currently, reviews on the gastric anatomy of Vietnamese wild pigs indicated that they were very similar in their anatomy to that of the domestic pig [20]. The findings in this study as opposed to the documented reports [17–20] showed that at least the gastric morphometry of the Vietnamese wildpigs in Vietnam have not probably undergone any significant change.…”

“…The result of stomach dimensions once again demonstrated that the change of physiology of stomach is the consequence of the impermanent in “quantity and quality” of food source [16] and the difference in the location of regression illuminates the dissimilarity degree of adaptation [17]. …”

“…The volume of muscularis externa that fluctuated between 0.44 and 0.5 is remarkably higher than in other omnivores (0.180) [17] and much broader than true carnivores (0.07) [22]. This difference is believed to be affected by actual body size and feeding behavior [23].…”

“…This difference is believed to be affected by actual body size and feeding behavior [23]. Additionally, the significant increase of tunica muscularis imply the necessity of increasing surface region for the accurate arrangement of the flexible muscle tissue creating spaces for soft inner parts [7, 17]. Evidently, the metabolic activities require the effectiveness of the chemical and the mechanical process, therefore the smooth muscle fibers are needed for successfully adaptation [17].…”

Captive breeding of pangolins: current status, problems and future prospects

“…This requires us to understand the physiology of pangolin’s digestive system comprehensively. There are some anatomical analysis of pangolin’s digestive system recently (Adeniyi et al 2012; Munyala et al 2011; Ofusori et al 2008), but it is still unknown why pangolin selectively preys on ants and termites. Analyzing pangolin’s digestive enzyme composition and identifying its critical categories may provide us some clues.…”