Histological stability of the Malolyakhovsky mammoth tissues to permafrost conditions

Abstract

This work presents a histological analysis of adipose, muscle, cartilaginous tissue, walls of blood vessels and tendons of the Malolyakhovsky mammoth, found on the island of Maly Lyakhovsky of the New Siberian archipelago in 2012, for signs of preservation and stability of tissue structures to permafrost conditions. We have also performed a comparative analysis of the obtained histological data with the data from other woolly mammoths from the available literature. It was revealed that the tissues which were most preserved and resistant to permafrost conditions were the ones with a compact structure of connective tissue. The results of the work and the data obtained are of great importance for further research in the field of paleontology. In the future, they can be used in a comparative analysis with other representatives of woolly mammoths and mammals of the mammoth fauna.