Análise morfológica das glândulas anexas do sistema digestório do Tamandua tetradactyla (Linnaeus, 1758).

Abstract

Due to the increasing number of Tamandua tetradactyla specimens that undergo treatment in wild animal sorting centers in all of the Brazilian regions, knowledge of the morphology of these animals has become indispensable to understand their needs, whether in captivity or in free life. It is known that the species usually has a protein-rich diet, mainly from insects such as bees and termites, and, in order to break down molecules and ensure the absorption of nutrients, the digestive system annex glands perform fundamental roles. Therefore, the present work aimed to morphologically analyze the salivary glands, pancreas and liver, as well as the biliary vesicle from six Tamandua tetradactyla specimens provided by the Laboratório de Pesquisa Morfológica Animal (LaPMA), Instituto de Saúde e Produção Animal (ISPA), Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA). The Tamandua tetradactyla has the salivary gland with peculiar anatomy and topography, being a fusion of the parotid, sublingual and mandibular glands, in addition to being constituted by distinct regions and patterns of serous, mucous and mixed acini, in contrast to other wild and domestic animals. The pancreas occurs with ordinary anatomy and topography, and has serous acini and pancreatic islets similar to those found in Myrmecophaga tridactyla specimens. The liver appears complete, formed by 6 lobes and the biliary gland is present, differing from other already described Xenarthrans. The histological analysis shows that the liver has well-structured and organized portal venous system and hepatocyte plates, and biliary vesicle similar to those found in domestic carnivores, constituted by the mucous, muscular and adventitious layers.