Comparative histology and ontogenetic change in the carapace of armadillos (Mammalia: Dasypodidae)

Among extant mammals, the presence of osteoderms is limited to armadillos (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae), being one of its distinctive features. The osteoderms are articulated to form a carapace that covers their body dorsally. In this paper we study the integumentary structures of the armadillos Chaetoph...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Zoomorphology 2015-12, Vol.134 (4), p.601-616
Main Authors: Krmpotic, C. M., Ciancio, M. R., Carlini, A. A., Castro, M. C., Scarano, A. C., Barbeito, C. G.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adipose tissue
Animal Anatomy
Animal Systematics/Taxonomy/Biogeography
Arid climates
Biomedical and Life Sciences
Blood cells
Carapace
Dasypodidae
Dasypodinae
Desiccation
Developmental Biology
Euphractinae
Evolutionary Biology
Follicles
Glands
Histology
Insulating materials
Integument
Life Sciences
Morphology
Ontogeny
Original Paper
Osteoderms
Sebaceous gland
Thermal insulation
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Summary:Among extant mammals, the presence of osteoderms is limited to armadillos (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae), being one of its distinctive features. The osteoderms are articulated to form a carapace that covers their body dorsally. In this paper we study the integumentary structures of the armadillos Chaetophractus vellerosus , Chaetophractus villosus, Euphractus sexcinctus , and Zaedyus pichiy (Euphractinae), Dasypus hybridus , and Dasypus novemcinctus (Dasypodinae) within a comparative framework, aiming to identify patterns common to the family and to the subfamilies Dasypodinae and Euphractinae, as well as peculiarities of each species. Differences between the two subfamilies were observed in the dorsal integument, related to the production of blood cells and the mobility of the carapace. The Euphractinae present more numerous and larger cavities filled with adipose tissue in the osteoderms, as well as more marginal follicles than the Dasypodinae. These provide thermal insulation that could be related to their distribution in cooler climates. The sebaceous glands associated with surface follicles are also more developed in the Euphractinae and could be related to preventing the desiccation of the cornified scales in arid climates.
ISSN:0720-213X
1432-234X
DOI:10.1007/s00435-015-0281-8