Abstract
The lesser anteater ( Tamandua tetradactyla ) (Linnaeus, 1758) presents a feed mechanism triggered thanks to the synergistic activity of the extrinsic muscles related to it, with the example sternoglossus muscle. This paper proposes characterizing this muscle, considering the origins and insertions, and discussing the results compared to similar species studied. Five anteaters donated by ICMBio were used. The samples were subjected to dissection procedures for access to the thoracic cavity and visualization of the muscle. The sternoglossus muscle of the lesser anteater originates on the side of the xiphoid process and continues with two bundles of muscles in the cranial direction that join near the base of the tongue, as part of its constitution. During the course of the muscle there is no connection to the hyoid bone and adjacent structures, connecting the cranium to the tongue, which justifies the nomenclature sternoglossus rather than sternohyoglossus. Thus, the combined muscle characteristics demonstrate a specific aspect within the analyzed species and highlight the main function performed by the muscles to move the tongue out of the oral cavity. Therefore, the absence of this muscle makes impossible the animal feed, since its directly related to the seizure of food through tongue.
Highlights
The great biodiversity in Brazil makes this interpreted as a natural reservoir of species (AYRES et al, 2005; VALENTE et al, 2006), which has numerous rare elements of the fauna and flora
During dissection of the cervical and thoracic regions of the anteater to access the muscle in question, it was noted that this originates in the side of the sternum to the xiphoid process and has its insertion at the base of the tongue (Figure 1)
All structures that favor the movement of the tongue come across a more elongated tongue, so it was necessary to increase the length of the muscle bundles so that it was able to move the full extent of the tongue inside and outside the oral cavity (REISS, 1997)
Summary
The great biodiversity in Brazil makes this interpreted as a natural reservoir of species (AYRES et al, 2005; VALENTE et al, 2006), which has numerous rare elements of the fauna and flora. With regard to the seizure of food, it is known that this consists of the species using energy exerted by the muscles related to tongue that animals seize insects.
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