Integumentary Features Research Articles

Adaptive integumentary features of beef cattle raised on afforested or non-shaded tropical pastures

We aimed to analyze the seasonal acclimatization process of Nelore and Canchim cattle raised on two production systems (non-shaded, NS, and integrated crop-livestock-forest, ICLF), based on the dynamics of the morphological and functional attributes of the hair coat and skin during winter and summer. The study was conducted in Brazil, in a low-altitude tropical climate region. A completely randomized 2 × 2 factorial design was adopted as follows: two production systems (NS and ICLF), two breeds (Nelore and Canchim) in a longitudinal structure, with measurements repeated over time through two stations (winter and summer). The experimental animals consisted of 32 Nelore (Bos indicus) and 32 Canchim (5/8 Bos taurus × 3/8 Bos indicus) bulls. The animals were equally distributed between two intensive rotational grazing systems. In both breeds, the hair coat was significantly thicker in winter but longer in summer, which increased epidermal protection. The Nelore bulls had shorter, wider, and thicker hairs, which are attributes that promote heat loss via conduction. The Canchim bulls showed significantly lower hair density and higher epithelium distance to sweat glands, which resulted in higher core temperature and respiratory rate. In turn, Nelore bulls had higher serum concentrations of triiodothyronine and lower serum concentrations of cortisol. However, Canchim bulls more frequently and intensely activated their thermoregulatory system and markedly adjusted their hair coat and hair features to reduce heat gain, especially in summer. Therefore, the anatomical plasticity and functional integumentary characteristics of Nelore and Canchim bulls reflect their acclimatization to tropical conditions.

Comparative analyses of micro‐ and macro‐scale surface structures in the convergent evolution of rain‐harvesting behaviour in lizards

AbstractRain‐harvesting behaviour represents an adaptation for water collection that has evolved in some species of iguanian reptiles inhabiting arid environments. To date, such behaviour has been observed only in members of the families Agamidae and Phrynosomatidae. A common set of integumentary features characterizes these rain‐harvesting species, including scale surface microstructures (SSMs), capillary channels and hinge joints. The influence of variations in these features on rain‐harvesting has been a subject of discussion for many decades. Nevertheless, a comprehensive comparative study of similarities and differences between harvesting and non‐harvesting species on a broader scale remains lacking. In this study, we classify scale surface microstructures into three categories: large hexagons (SSM1), smaller nested hexagons (SSM2) and hinge pits (SSM2H). As the first two SSM types are widespread, they do not appear to be directly linked to the adaptation for rain‐harvesting. Conversely, the presence or absence of hinge pits distinguishes harvesters from non‐harvesters. Additionally, channel hierarchy, width and structure determine the effectiveness of the rain‐harvesting architecture. Only Moloch horridus exhibits distinct integumentary features in comparison to other agamids and rain‐harvesting species. Ancestral character state reconstruction suggests that rain‐harvesting behaviour was likely absent in the ancestor of Iguanians, even though overlapping scales and SSM1 were present. Our findings illustrate that rain‐harvesting species have independently converged upon similar structural solutions to address their water acquisition challenges, building upon shared pre‐existing features.

Colour of adult avian integumentary features reveals differences related toin ovostressors

Developmental stress experienced during the embryonic period has the potential to affect individual quality and to exert long‐term impacts on avian fitness. Avian integumentary characteristics such as skin and feather colour (potential markers of red‐related carotenoid pigmentation or black‐related melanin pigmentation) can affect mate selection and reproductive investment in the wild and can act as honest signals where the level of colour expression correlates with genetic, nutritional or environmental ‘quality’ of the individual. However, little is known about whether embryonic conditions and stressors experiencedin ovopersist to affect integumentary adult feather and skin coloration. In this study, we used digital photography measures of eye‐ring and breast‐band colour, structural body size, feather corticosterone, and moult progression to assess whether temperature and contaminant stress experienced by embryos later impacts ornament expression in 1‐year‐old captive‐reared KilldeerCharadrius vociferus.Study birds had been previously exposed to polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) 126 or DMSO (control) at different incubation temperatures (36, 37.5 and 39 °C)in ovobut were subsequently hatched and reared under identical conditions. We found corticosterone levels at hatch from Killdeer tail feathers were higher in response to increased incubation temperature (but not to PCB exposure), suggesting adrenal activity was affected by temperature during the sensitivein ovoperiod. Digital photography detected individual differences in integumentary colour that covaried with temperature treatment and feather corticosterone at hatch. Birds with higher feather corticosterone levels had chromatically blacker breast‐bands as adults and exhibited signs of earlier moult, structurally shorter tarsi, and longer head bill and culmen. Birds incubated below optimal temperature had chromatically more yellow (less orange) eye‐rings. Overall, we found that digital photography revealed differences in breast‐band and eye‐ring colour and that these variations in integumentary traits can reflect persistent differences in individual size and quality resulting from early life temperature stress.

Transient integumentary structures in Boana riojana (Anura, Hylidae) tadpoles

Abstract Few studies focusing on embryos and/or tadpole skin morphology have described sensory transient organs whose morphological variation could indicate some taxonomical or functional correlations. We explore here some integumentary features of Boana riojana larvae that are rarely mentioned in tadpole descriptions. We provide histomorphological and SEM descriptions of the lateral line system, a series of evenly distributed unpigmented spots, and some symmetrical paired structures dorsal to the oral disc. The latter are previously unreported in any tadpole. Our descriptions reveal that the: 1) the number of lateral lines resembles those for most tadpoles, but with an unusual arrangement of stitches; 2) paired lateral spots are formed by ciliated cells dispersed in clusters unrelated to the lateral line system; and 3) upper-lip related structures are histomorphologically similar to the unpigmented spots. We discuss and suggest that integumentary transient structures in B. riojana represent traits that should be taken into account when describing tadpoles. This new information may help diagnose species and advance our understanding of tadpole ecomorphology and evolution.

An Updated Review of the Middle‐Late Jurassic Yanliao Biota: Chronology, Taphonomy, Paleontology and Paleoecology

AbstractThe northeastern Chinese Yanliao Biota (sometimes called the Daohugou Biota) comprises numerous, frequently spectacular fossils of non‐marine organisms, occurring in Middle‐Upper Jurassic strata in western Liaoning, northern Hebei, and southeastern Inner Mongolia. The biota lasted for about 10 million years, divided into two phases: the Bathonian‐Callovian Daohugou phase (about 168–164 million years ago) and the Oxfordian Linglongta phase (164–159 million years ago). The Yanliao fossils are often taphonomically exceptional (many vertebrate skeletons, for example, are complete and accompanied by preserved integumentary features), and not only are taxonomically diverse but also include the oldest known representatives of many groups of plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates. These fossils have provided significant new information regarding the origins and early evolution of such clades as fleas, birds, and mammals, in addition to the evolution of some major biological structures such as feathers, and have demonstrated the existence of a complex terrestrial ecosystem in northeast China around the time of the Middle‐Late Jurassic boundary.

A Cretaceous eutriconodont and integument evolution in early mammals.

The Mesozoic era (252-66 million years ago), known as the domain of dinosaurs, witnessed a remarkable ecomorphological diversity of early mammals. The key mammalian characteristics originated during this period and were prerequisite for their evolutionary success after extinction of the non-avian dinosaurs 66 million years ago. Many ecomorphotypes familiar to modern mammal fauna evolved independently early in mammalian evolutionary history. Here we report a 125-million-year-old eutriconodontan mammal from Spain with extraordinary preservation of skin and pelage that extends the record of key mammalian integumentary features into the Mesozoic era. The new mammalian specimen exhibits such typical mammalian features as pelage, mane, pinna, and a variety of skin structures: keratinous dermal scutes, protospines composed of hair-like tubules, and compound follicles with primary and secondary hairs. The skin structures of this new Mesozoic mammal encompass the same combination of integumentary features as those evolved independently in other crown Mammalia, with similarly broad structural variations as in extant mammals. Soft tissues in the thorax and abdomen (alveolar lungs and liver) suggest the presence of a muscular diaphragm. The eutriconodont has molariform tooth replacement, ossified Meckel's cartilage of the middle ear, and specialized xenarthrous articulations of posterior dorsal vertebrae, convergent with extant xenarthran mammals, which strengthened the vertebral column for locomotion.

Early evolution of the biological bird: perspectives from new fossil discoveries in China

New discoveries of fossil birds belonging to the Jehol Biota uncovered from Lower Cretaceous lacustrine deposits in northeastern China continue to greatly enrich our understanding of the first major avian radiation. The exceptional preservation of some fossils provides a rare chance to discuss many biological issues that are usually impossible to address in paleontological studies, such as: the ossification pattern of the sternum in the extinct group Enantiornithes, which is unlike that of modern birds and all other archosaurs; the discovery of preserved crop, gizzard, and intestinal contents in several clades which suggest that a near-modern digestive tract including specialized crop morphologies evolved early during avian evolution; and the rare preservation of ovarian follicles which support hypotheses that the right ovary was lost in Aves due to the limitations of powered flight. Together, these data allow a partial reconstruction of the biology of Aves very close to its origin. While no skeletal or integumentary features are recognized to define Aves, we identify two possible soft tissue features that may biologically define Aves relative to other amniotes: the presence of a crop and the loss of the right ovary.

Quantitative dermatoglyphic analysis in patients of oral sub mucous fibrosis

Background - Dermatoglyphics is the collective name for all those integumentary features within the limits to be defined and it applies to the division of anatomy which includes their study. Diagnosis of many diseases which are genetically or non genetically determined like Diabetes mellitus, Schizophrenia, Hypertension, etc can now be aided by dermatoglyphic analysis. Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic precancerous oral disease, specially seen in guthka chewers, but not all the gutkha chewers develops the disease or non gutkha chewers may also develop the disease. Genetic predisposition explains such individual variability. Such genetic predisposition can be explored with the help of dermatoglyphic studies. Objective- The study was aimed at finding the dermatoglyphic markers for the patients of Oral submucous Fibrosis by assessing the quantitative dermatoglyphic parameters. Method- 100 gutkha chewers without Oral Submucous fibrosis and 100 Gutkha chewers with Oral submucous fibrosis were selected for the study and their quantitative dermatoglypphic analysis with specific reference to total finger ridge count (TFRC) and atd angle was carried out and was statistically analyzed. Result- There was significant decrease in mean TFRC and atd angle for the patients of Oral sub Mucous Fibrosis.

A Cross-Sectional Study on the Palmar Dermatoglyphics in Relation to Carcinoma Breast Patients

Dermatoglyphics is a collective term for all the integumentary features (skin patterning of the fingers, toes, palms and soles) and it applies to the division of the anatomy which embraces their study. The purpose of this study was to examine the predominant finger tip patterns in the patients of carcinoma breast. An attempt is also being made to devise a score to assess the risk variables. The fingerprints of 100 carcinoma breast patients were obtained and they were compared with those of 100 females who were not suffering from any malignancy till date. The different quantitative parameters of each hand of both the cancer patients and the controls were studied. The parameters which were included were the fingertip ridge pattern, the ridge count in the individual fingers, the Total Finger Ridge Count (TFRC) and the Absolute Finger Ridge Count (AFRC). There was a significant increase in the arch pattern and a decrease in the radial loops in the right thumb (p<0.001), the left thumb (p<0.001), the left index finger (p<0.001) and the left middle finger (p<0.001). A comparison of all the five fingers of both the left and right hands of the cancer patients with the controls showed an arch pattern (p<0.001) with the highest frequency. The lower values of the TFRC (below 50) were associated with carcinoma breast .The lower values of the AFRC (below 100) were associated with the cancer patients. This study was able to establish a specific finger tip predominance in the Carcinoma breast patients.

Qualitative Dermatoglyphic Analysis of Finger Tip Patterns In Patients Of Oral Sub Mucous Fibrosis

Dermatoglyphics is the collective name for all those integumentary features within the limits to be defined and it applies to the division of anatomy which includes their study. Diagnosis of many diseases which are genetically or non genetically determined like Diabetes mellitus, Schizophrenia, Hypertension, etc can now be aided by dermatoglyphic analysis. Oral submucous fibrosis is a chronic precancerous oral disease, specially seen in guthka chewers, but not all the gutkha chewers develops the disease or non gutkha chewers may also develop the disease. Genetic predisposition explains such individual variability. Such genetic predisposition can be explored with the help of dermatoglyphic studies.100 gutkha chewers with Oral Submucous fibrosis and 100 Gutkha chewers without Oral submucous fibrosis were selected for the study and their qualitative dermatoglypphic analysis with specific reference to finger tip patterns was carried out and was statistically analyzed. Some highly significant patterns were observed in patients with Oral submucous fibrosis.

Manifestações dermatológicas e otorrinolaringológicas na Leishmaniose

INTRODUCAO: A leishmaniose e uma parasitose de grande importância epidemiologica na qual o homem e um hospedeiro acidental do protozoario do genero Leishmania. Dentre as principais apresentacoes clinicas, visceral e tegumentar, encontram-se as formas mucocutâneas, que podem acometer a face e as vias respiratorias superiores, podendo ocasionar lesoes deformantes, com prejuizo funcional. OBJETIVO: Revisar as principais manifestacoes dermatologicas e otorrinolaringologicas da leishmaniose. METODO: Utilizou-se como base de dados a Biblioteca Virtual em Saude (BVS), sendo utilizadas as palavras chave: leishmaniose, leishmaniose mucocutânea, mucosa nasal e nariz. Foram consideradas as referencias datadas de 1999 a 2008. COMENTARIOS FINAIS: Trata-se de uma zoonose, na qual o ser humano e um hospedeiro acidental, acometido apos a picada de insetos dos generos Lutzomya ou Phlebotomus, infectado pelo parasita da especie Leishmania e cujo diagnostico precoce de lesao leishmaniotica e imprescindivel, especialmente quando ha comprometimento nasofaringeo, objetivando a prevencao de deformidades ou prejuizos funcionais. A avaliacao de lesoes cutâneas e/ou mucosas com a definicao precisa do diagnostico de leishmaniose, seja por dermatologistas ou por otorrinolaringologistas, favorece a implantacao do tratamento adequado e, por conseguinte, permite a reducao da disseminacao da doenca.

A pre-Archaeopteryx troodontid theropod from China with long feathers on the metatarsus

The early evolution of the major groups of derived non-avialan theropods is still not well understood, mainly because of their poor fossil record in the Jurassic. A well-known result of this problem is the 'temporal paradox' argument that is sometimes made against the theropod hypothesis of avian origins. Here we report on an exceptionally well-preserved small theropod specimen collected from the earliest Late Jurassic Tiaojishan Formation of western Liaoning, China. The specimen is referable to the Troodontidae, which are among the theropods most closely related to birds. This new find refutes the 'temporal paradox'1 and provides significant information on the temporal framework of theropod divergence. Furthermore, the extensive feathering of this specimen, particularly the attachment of long pennaceous feathers to the pes, sheds new light on the early evolution of feathers and demonstrates the complex distribution of skeletal and integumentary features close to the dinosaur-bird transition.

A new species of Alipumilio Shannon (Diptera, Syrphidae) found in association with the exudate resin of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae)

The adult stage of a new species of flower fly, Alipumilio athesphatus Thompson (Diptera, Syrphidae) is described. The gross morphology and external integumentary features of the egg, third-instar larva and pupa are also presented. All immature stages were found in association with the exudate resin of Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul State, Brazil.