Capillary-fiber geometry in pectoralis muscles of one of the smallest bats

Abstract

We previously reported striking similarities in the structural capacity for O 2 flux in the highly aerobic flight muscles of a hummingbird and bat despite their significant differences in capillary-fiber geometry and number, and fiber size. However, the bats of that study ( Eptesicus fuscus, BW 15–16 g) were about 5 times larger than the hummingbirds ( Selasphorus rufus; BW 3–4 g). In this study, ww examined the flight muscle in a bat of approximately the same size as the hummingbird to determine whether features found in the big brown bat would be accentuated or if there would be additional similarities with the hummingbird. The pectoralis muscle of pipistrelle bats Pipistrellus hesperus (BW 3–5 g) was perfusion-fixed in situ, processed for electron microscopy and analyzed by morphometry. Fiber size (group mean ±SE, 314±22 μm 2 at 2.1 μm sarcomere length) and capillary geometry (high degree of tortuosity and branching) were remarkably similar to those in pectoralis muscle of the big brown bat. Thus distances from capillaries to the center of the fibers were not reduced in pipistrelle flight muscle (as in hummingbird) nor was capillary tortuosity and branching further increased (compared with big brown bat). Capillary-fiber surface ratio at a given mitochondrial volume/μm length of fiber was high and similar to that in big brown bat and hummingbird, consistent with the idea that the size of the capillary-fiber interface plays an important role in providing the great O 2 flux potential in these muscles. In addition, capillary-fiber number at a given fiber mitochondrial volume per μm length of fiber was similar to that in other muscles including big brown bat and hummingbird flight muscle, bat hindlimb and rat M. soleus. This supports the notion of a close relationship between capillary number and mitochondrial volume on an individual fiber basis in aerobic muscles.