Skin structure and hair morphology of different body parts in the Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus)

Abstract

The bat skin shows an unusual morphology that corresponds to flying adaptations but also performs multiple functions including a protective barrier against microbes and parasites. Here, we compare the microscopic structure of the skin and hairs collected from the membranes with other body parts in the Common Pipistrelle (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in relation to parasite availability. Statistical analysis of whole‐skin thickness revealed two main groups according to body regions; the first with thin skin (wing and tail membrane) and the second with thick skin (head and dorsum, abdomen, footpad). The density of hair was evaluated by a novel method, and it revealed that the density was significantly higher in the head region than in dorsal and ventral body parts. These differences possibly play a role for bat ectoparasites when choosing the preferred region of their host. Along the axis of each hair, the scale morphology was found to be variable. Hair morphology, however, did not vary among body regions. Mast cells were numerous in the hairy areas around vessels and hair follicles of the dorsum and abdomen, which are easily accessible to ectoparasites. Increased numbers of mast cells in hair‐bearing skin are part of the host adaptation system in parasite‐preferred locations.

A wrinkle in flight: the role of elastin fibres in the mechanical behaviour of bat wing membranes

“…All arm-and handwing tension measurements were normalized to their respective average thickness values, 0.03 and 0.02 mm, respectively. These measurements are consistent with other published values for bat wing membrane thickness [2,27].…”

Skin disease in captive bats: results of an online survey of zoos and rehabilitators in Europe, North America and Australasia

“…In bats, the wing distal to the carpus is particularly at risk of necrosis due to the anatomical paucity of collateral circulation . The skin of the wing membrane is extremely thin with a histologically indistinguishable hypodermis reported in thin areas, which may render them less able to withstand ischaemia due to microthrombi or damage by bacterial or other toxins . Vasculitis is a recognized cause of skin and pinnal necrosis in dogs and other species, which is thought to involve type III hypersensitivity reactions, often associated with underlying causes such as infections, drug reactions or food hypersensitivity .…”

Emerging nonmetabolic functions of skin fat

“…Furthermore, dWAT can substantially differ even in the same species between distinct body sites 11 , and this becomes accentuated in species with highly specialized skin. For instance, in bats, dermal adipocytes are prominent in dorsal and ventral skin, but are largely unidentifiable in the web-like wing skin 12 .…”