Abstract
The present study analyses the glans penis and baculum morphology of three Brazilian tuco-tucos, Ctenomys torquatus Lichtenstein, 1830, Ctenomys minutus Nehring, 1887 and Ctenomys flamarioni Travi, 1981, in order to identify possible variations and understand some more about this taxonomically complex group. We used fixed penis from 15 previously listed adult specimens. For a more detailed baculum analysis, the penis underwent dissection and diaphanisation, whereas to analyse the glans penis surface we used Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Results showed striking differences in baculum morphology among the three species. While C. minutus have a particular V-shaped proximal baculum tip, C. flamarioni baculum is thin throughout the shaft with rounded proximal and distal tips. Ctenomys torquatus have a shorter and larger baculum, similar to what has previously been described for the species. Glans penis surface microstructure analyses also revealed inter-specific differences, with penial spines varying in shape, size and, especially density. Although C. torquatus has a relatively small penis, it has the largest penial spine density, which suggests a more complex penial ornamentation in this species.
Highlights
The present study analyses the glans penis and baculum morphology of three Brazilian tuco-tucos, Ctenomys torquatus Lichtenstein, 1830, Ctenomys minutus Nehring, 1887 and Ctenomys flamarioni Travi, 1981, in order to identify possible variations and understand some more about this taxonomically complex group
Structures such as penis and baculum are an important part of the mammalian reproductive system and they have been subject of several scientific studies (Patterson and Thaeler Junior, 1982; Bradley and Schmidly, 1987; Simson et al, 1995)
We aim to describe baculum and glans penis morphology in three species of Ctenomys genus found in the southern Brazilian territory: Ctenomys torquatus Lichtenstein, 1830, Ctenomys minutus Nehring, 1887 and Ctenomys flamarioni Travi, 1981, in order to elucidate some more about the morphology of these inconspicuous species
Summary
The present study analyses the glans penis and baculum morphology of three Brazilian tuco-tucos, Ctenomys torquatus Lichtenstein, 1830, Ctenomys minutus Nehring, 1887 and Ctenomys flamarioni Travi, 1981, in order to identify possible variations and understand some more about this taxonomically complex group. Apesar de C. torquatus ter um pênis relativamente pequeno, apresenta a maior densidade de espinhos penianos, o que sugere uma complexa ornamentação peniana nesta espécie. Structures such as penis and baculum are an important part of the mammalian reproductive system and they have been subject of several scientific studies (Patterson and Thaeler Junior, 1982; Bradley and Schmidly, 1987; Simson et al, 1995). If the baculum has an adaptive function is still in debate, but three main hypotheses for its function have been proposed so far: firstly, to facilitate intromission through extra rigidity and support to overcome vaginal friction; secondly, to allow prolonged intromission to assist sperm transport; and last, to provide extra rigidity to stimulate female ovulation (Larivière and Ferguson, 2002)
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