ABSTRACT
The first description of well-preserved fur of one male and one female cubs of the fossil cave lion Panthera spelaea (finds of 2017-2018, Semyuelyakh River, Yakutia, Russia) is presented in comparison with the fur of two cubs (a male and a female) of the extant African lion P. leo and adult lions of both species: the color, differentiation, configuration, microstructure, and internal design of hair of different categories are considered. The coat of the cave lion is similar but not identical to that of the African lion, because it contains a high thick undercoat of spiral-shaped thick and airy down hair. This difference is most pronounced in the cave lion cubs, in which, however, the fur is not differentiated to the same extent as in the adult. The microstructure of hair is species-specific and subject to intraspecific age-related variability. Adaptive features of the hair structure in the cave lion are noted.
Subject(s)
Fossils/anatomy & histology , Lions/anatomy & histology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Animals , Caves , Female , Male , Russia , Species SpecificitySubject(s)
Commerce/economics , Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence , Crime/legislation & jurisprudence , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Tooth , Animal Fur , Animals , Animals, Wild/anatomy & histology , Cattle , China , Conservation of Natural Resources , Crime/prevention & control , Livestock , Population Dynamics , Predatory Behavior , Skull , South AmericaABSTRACT
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is anatomically and physiologically adapted for life in the rocky terrain of alpine zones in Central and South Asia. Panthera uncia is scansorial, and typically hunts solitarily by using overhead ambush of prey, rather than the typical stalking pattern of other large pantherines. In this study, we conducted dissections, detailed documentation, and illustrated the forelimb anatomy of two adult P. uncia specimens (1M/1F). Qualitative and quantitative data revealed an intriguing combination of functional adaptations illustrating a balance between the diverse demands of head-first descent, pouncing, climbing across rocky terrain, restraint of large prey, rapid pursuit, and navigating deep snow. In many forelimb proportions, P. uncia is intermediate between the cursorial Acinonyx jubatus (cheetah) and the scansorial forest dwelling Panthera onca (jaguar). Enlarged scapular and pectoral musculature provide stability to the shoulder girdle during grappling with large prey, as well as support during jumping and climbing. A small, unarticulated bony clavicle may provide greater stability to the forelimb, while still allowing flexibility. In the brachium and antebrachium of P. uncia, there is a functional compromise between the powerful grip needed for grasping large prey and the stability necessary for rapid pursuit of prey over uneven, rocky terrain. A unique bifurcation in the tendon of m. biceps brachii may provide additional functional stability at the radiohumeral joint. Intrinsic muscles of the palmar manus are broad and fleshy, acting as an enlarged surface area to evenly distribute body weight while walking on soft snow. However, muscles that act to provide fine manual manipulation are reduced, as in other large prey specialists. Overall, P. uncia displays morphological adaptive parallels with scansorial, large prey specializing pantherines, such as P. onca, while also showing adaptations for running.
Subject(s)
Forelimb , Panthera , Adaptation, Biological , Animals , Forelimb/anatomy & histology , Panthera/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Large carnivores are generally sensitive to ecosystem changes because their specialized diet and position at the top of the trophic pyramid is associated with small population sizes. Accordingly, low genetic diversity at the whole-genome level has been reported for all big cat species, including the widely distributed leopard. However, all previous whole-genome analyses of leopards are based on the Far Eastern Amur leopards that live at the extremity of the species' distribution and therefore are not necessarily representative of the whole species. We sequenced 53 whole genomes of African leopards. Strikingly, we found that the genomic diversity in the African leopard is 2- to 5-fold higher than in other big cats, including the Amur leopard, likely because of an exceptionally high effective population size maintained by the African leopard throughout the Pleistocene. Furthermore, we detected ongoing gene flow and very low population differentiation within African leopards compared with those of other big cats. We corroborated this by showing a complete absence of an otherwise ubiquitous equatorial forest barrier to gene flow. This sets the leopard apart from most other widely distributed large African mammals, including lions. These results revise our understanding of trophic sensitivity and highlight the remarkable resilience of the African leopard, likely because of its extraordinary habitat versatility and broad dietary niche.
Subject(s)
Ecosystem , Genetic Variation , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Panthera/genetics , Africa , Animals , Female , Gene Flow , Male , Panthera/classification , Population DensityABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Leopardus geoffroyi is a Neotropical wild felid with wide distribution in the south of the South American continent. The objective was to investigate the skeletopy of the intumescentia lumbalis (IL) and conus medullaris (CM) from 11 specimens of L. geoffroyi collected dead on highways. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cadavers were fixed in formaldehyde solution and dissected to allow the dorsal exposure of IL and CM. The cranial and caudal limits were marked with radiopaque pins and radiographic projections were used to determine the skeletopy. The lengths of IL and CM were measured with a pachymeter. RESULTS: In most specimens, the IL was located at the level of L4 and L5 vertebrae, although in 4 (1 male and 3 females) individuals its cranial limit was L3 and in 3 specimens (2 male and 1 female) the caudal limit was L6. The length of IL was 35.6 ± 6.7 mm. The CM had its base predominantly at the level of the L5 vertebra, although in some specimens the base was in L4 and in others in L6. The apex of the CM can be found since the lumbosacral junction until the level of the Cd2 vertebra. The CM measured 74.4 ± 14.3 mm. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the skeletopy, it can be suggested that epidural anaesthesia procedures in L. geoffroyi are safer with the introduction of the catheter through the sacrocaudal interarcual space, as recommended by some anaesthetists for the domestic cat.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Epidural/veterinary , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Spinal Cord/anatomy & histology , Animals , Female , MaleABSTRACT
Skin of mammals vulnerable to extinction, such as the jaguar, is used as a source of material in conservation strategies. The composition of skin is not uniform among species, and the ability to distinguish similarities in skin morphology in animal groups is fundamental in the application of skin tissue for use in biobanks. The aim of our study was to evaluate the structure, composition and capacity for culture of ear skin from the yellow and black jaguars. Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used, focusing on skin thickness, cell quantification and distribution, collagen density, proliferative activity and viability. Histomorphometrical study of the skin showed a total thickness of 273.2 and 274.6 µm for the yellow and black jaguars, respectively. Melanocytes and fibroblasts were, respectively, 9.7 and 23.0 for the yellow jaguar and 11.3 and 26.8 for the black jaguar. A collagen density of 67.0% and 49.0% was observed for yellow and black jaguars, respectively. Both animals presented a proliferative activity varying between 1.20 and 1.30. All tissues could promote cellular detachment, reaching subconfluence in 10-15 days. This kind of information from histomorphometrical features and cell cultures can be essential for a more targeted application of ear skin cryopreservation in this species, as such information will enable understanding the action of substances on tissues during the conservation process.
Subject(s)
Biological Specimen Banks , Panthera , Skin , Animals , Conservation of Natural Resources , Cryopreservation , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Primary Cell Culture/methods , Skin/anatomy & histology , Skin/cytologyABSTRACT
The present study examines cortical neuronal morphology in the African lion (Panthera leo leo), African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), and cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus jubatus). Tissue samples were removed from prefrontal, primary motor, and primary visual cortices and investigated with a Golgi stain and computer-assisted morphometry to provide somatodendritic measures of 652 neurons. Although neurons in the African lion were insufficiently impregnated for accurate quantitative dendritic measurements, descriptions of neuronal morphologies were still possible. Qualitatively, the range of spiny and aspiny neurons across the three species was similar to those observed in other felids, with typical pyramidal neurons being the most prominent neuronal type. Quantitatively, somatodendritic measures of typical pyramidal neurons in the cheetah were generally larger than in the African leopard, despite similar brain sizes. A MARsplines analysis of dendritic measures correctly differentiated 87.4% of complete typical pyramidal neurons between the African leopard and cheetah. In addition, unbiased stereology was used to compare the soma size of typical pyramidal neurons (n = 2,238) across all three cortical regions and gigantopyramidal neurons (n = 1,189) in primary motor and primary visual cortices. Both morphological and stereological analyses indicated that primary motor gigantopyramidal neurons were exceptionally large across all three felids compared to other carnivores, possibly due to specializations related to the felid musculoskeletal systems. The large size of these neurons in the cheetah which, unlike lions and leopards, does not belong to the Panthera genus, suggests that exceptionally enlarged primary motor gigantopyramidal neurons evolved independently in these felid species.
Subject(s)
Acinonyx/anatomy & histology , Lions/anatomy & histology , Neocortex/anatomy & histology , Neocortex/cytology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Animals , Felidae/anatomy & histology , Female , Male , Neocortex/chemistry , Species SpecificityABSTRACT
Differentiation and identification of Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) and Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) claws is a challenging task in wildlife forensics, due to similarity in their morphology, anatomy and chemical compositions as both the species are closely related to each other genetically. ATR-FTIR spectroscopy, which offers a non-destructive and safe alternative technique to other conventional methods, has been employed in the present work to differentiate claws of Royal Bengal Tiger and Indian Leopard. An attempt has been made to differentiate 31 reference claw samples from 16 different Royal Bengal Tigers, 15 different Indian Leopards, and 10 fake claws using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy supplemented with PCA, PLS-DA, and LDA. PCA could not distinguish the samples of two closely related species among themselves as well as from the fake claws. On the other hand, PLS-DA and LDA models both yielded highly significant classification rate for differentiation among the samples of Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, and their fake counterparts. Further, seven blind claw samples that were pretended to be unknown to the analyst of both the species are also examined and identified correctly to their respective groups. The R-Square value obtained for PLS-DA model to differentiate Royal Bengal Tiger, Indian Leopard, and fake claws is 0.99, which is highly significant for predictive accuracy. This study shows that ATR-FTIR spectroscopy with PLS-DA/LDA has a potential to present a rapid, non-destructive, reliable, and eco-friendly approach for the accurate identification and differentiation of Royal Bengal Tiger and Indian Leopard claws.
Subject(s)
Discriminant Analysis , Forensic Sciences , Hoof and Claw/anatomy & histology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Panthera/classification , Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared , Animals , Data Interpretation, Statistical , Linear Models , Pilot Projects , Principal Component AnalysisABSTRACT
The jaguar is categorized as "Near Threatened". Conservation strategies, therefore, are needed which include use of reproductive biotechniques. For implementation of biotechnique use, the reproductive characteristics of the species must be understood, which is currently not the case. This study, therefore, aimed to describe the detailed morphology of jaguar sperm, and to evaluate the sperm mitochondrial activity. Five male adults were used. Slides stained with Rose Bengal were used for morphometric and morphological analyses. The length and the width of the sperm head were measured, as well as the length of the middle piece, the tail, and the total length. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used for ultrastructural analysis. Mitochondrial function was assessed using the marker 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB). The results are expressed as means ± SEM. The most significant morphological abnormalities observed were head (9 ± 1.7%) and tail defects (12.5 ± 3.3%). The width and length of the head were 3.6 ± 0.03 µm and 4.9 ± 0.02 µm, respectively. The middle piece measured 9.7 ± 0.3 µm, the tail measured 54.5 ± 4.4 µm, and the total length of the sperm was 59.5 ± 0.1 µm. Electron-lucent regions and approximately 54 mitochondrial spirals in the middle piece were identified in the nucleus using electron microscopy. The greatest percentages of cells were classified as DAB I (46.6 ± 4.9%) and DAB II (38 ± 4.4%). The data provide detailed information on the sperm characteristics of jaguars and can support research on germplasm conservation for the species.
Subject(s)
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/veterinary , Microscopy, Electron, Transmission/veterinary , Mitochondria/ultrastructure , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Panthera/physiology , Spermatozoa/physiology , Spermatozoa/ultrastructure , Animals , Male , Mitochondria/physiologyABSTRACT
The endocrine portion of mammal testicle is represented by Leydig cells which, together with connective cells, leukocytes, blood and lymphatic vessels, form the intertubular space. The arrangement and proportion of these components vary in the different species of mammals and form mechanisms that keep the testosterone level--the main product of the Leydig cell--two to three times higher in the interstitial fluid than in the testicular blood vessels and 40-250 times higher in these than in the peripheral blood. Marked differences are observed among animal species regarding the abundance of Leydig cells, loose connective tissue, development degree and location of the lymphatic vessels and their topographical relationship with seminiferous tubules. In the jaguar about 13% of the testicular parenchyma is occupied by Leydig cells, 8.3% by connective tissue and 0.3% by lymphatic vessels. Although included in standard II, as described in the literature, concerning the arrangement of the intertubular space, the jaguar has grouped lymphatic vessels in the intertubular space instead of isolated ones. In the jaguar the average volume of the Leydig cell was 2386 microm3 and its average nuclear diameter was 7.7 microm. A great quantity of 2.3 microm diameter lipidic drops was observed in the Leydig cell cytoplasm of the jaguar. The Leydig cells in the jaguar occupy an average 0.0036% of the body weight and the average number per gram of testicle was within the range for most mammals: between 20 and 40 million.
Subject(s)
Panthera/anatomy & histology , Testis/cytology , Animals , Cell Nucleus/ultrastructure , Leydig Cells/cytology , Male , Testis/physiology , Testis/ultrastructure , Testosterone/biosynthesisABSTRACT
Estimating feline abundance becomes particularly difficult, sometimes impossible, due to their elusive behavior and extensive space requirements. Available techniques are expensive and/or poorly efficient, therefore alternative methods are needed. The objective of this study was to assess the possibility of identifying individual jaguars and pumas based on morphometric analyses of their tracks. The footprints of five jaguars and four pumas were drawn and the foot (hind or fore foot, left or right foot) and the substrate were recorded. We took 16 measures from each footprint including lengths, widths, areas and angles. Variables were analyzed by using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and substituted by the first Principal Component (PC) (> 70% variance). We assessed the effect of the substrate and type of foot by means of paired t-student tests, and found differences between fore and hind feet and footprints from the same individual when made on soil or sand. No differences were found between right or left feet. The footprints changed over time as revealed by Multiple ANOVA. Different individuals could be identifyied based on discriminant analyses with more than 70% confidence. We conclude that this method is feasible and can be useful when studying endangered felines.
Subject(s)
Forelimb/anatomy & histology , Hindlimb/anatomy & histology , Panthera/classification , Puma/classification , Animals , Female , Male , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Population Density , Puma/anatomy & histology , Reproducibility of Results , VenezuelaABSTRACT
We microscopically examined the dorsal lingual surface of an old leopard (Panthera pardus). The filiform papillae on the lingual apex were dome-shaped. The connective tissue cores of the filiform papillae resembled a well in shape, while those of the fungiform papillae were not hollow. The filiform papillae on the anterior part of the lingual body were large and cylindrical in shape. The connective tissue cores of these filiform papillae consisted of large conical papillae. The filiform papillae on the central part of the lingual body were large and conical-shaped. The connective tissue cores of the filiform papillae consisted of a large main process. The vallate papillae were surrounded by grooves. The top of the connective tissue core of the vallate papilla had many ditches. These findings are peculiar to the tongue of members of the family Felidae.
Subject(s)
Panthera/anatomy & histology , Tongue/ultrastructure , Animals , Microscopy, Electron, ScanningABSTRACT
Leopardus wiedii (margay) is the only arboreal Neotropical felid able to climb head-first down trees, due to its ability to rotate its tarsal joint 180°. A closely related, similar-sized species, L. geoffroyi (Geoffroy's cat) exhibits more typical terrestrial habits and lacks the arboreal capabilities of L. wiedii. There is osteological evidence that supports a mechanical specialization of L. wiedii's tarsal joint for inversion, but there have been no studies on the myology of this specialization. Based on comparative gross-anatomy dissections of zeugo- and autopodial muscles related to the ankle joint of one margay specimen and two Geoffroýs cats, we identified myological specializations of L. wiedii that support its arboreal abilities. In addition, we documented both species hunting the same prey (domestic pigeon Columba livia, Aves: Columbidae) in captivity, to complement. We report differences in the origin, insertion and belly in 8 of the 10 dissected muscles. At least 3 of these interspecific variations can be associated with strengthening of the main muscles that command inversion/eversion movements of the tarsal joint and support the body weight in the head-down climbing position typical of L. wiedii. Frame-by-frame video reconstructions depict the sequence of movements in these species while hunting and highlight the advantages of the arboreal abilities of L. wiedii.
Subject(s)
Joints/anatomy & histology , Muscle, Skeletal/anatomy & histology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Animals , Female , Hindlimb/anatomy & histology , Hindlimb/physiology , Joints/physiology , Locomotion/physiology , Male , Movement/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Panthera/physiology , Predatory Behavior/physiologyABSTRACT
This study described the morphological features of the Persian leopard (Panthera pardus saxicolor) tongue using light and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The keratinized filiform papillae were distributed all over the entire dorsal surface of the tongue and contained small processes. They were changed into a cylindrical shape in the body and conical shape in the root. The fungiform papillae were found on the apex and margin of the tongue. Few taste pores were observed on the dorsal surface of each papilla. The foliate papillae on the margins of the tongue were composed of several laminae and epithelial fissures. Taste buds were not seen within the non-keratinized epithelium. The vallate papillae were six in total and arranged in a "V" shape just rostral to the root. Each papilla was surrounded by a groove and pad. Taste buds were seen within their lateral walls. Lyssa was visible on the ventral surface of the tongue tip and was found as cartilaginous tissue surrounded by thin connective tissue fibres. The core of the tongue was composed of lingual glands, skeletal muscle and connective tissue. These glands were confined to the posterior portion of the tongue and were composed of many serous cells and a few mucous cells. The results of this study contributed to the knowledge of the morphological characteristics of the tongue of wild mammals and provided data for the comparison with other mammals.
Subject(s)
Connective Tissue/anatomy & histology , Mouth Mucosa/anatomy & histology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Salivary Glands, Minor/anatomy & histology , Taste Buds/anatomy & histology , Animals , Epithelial Cells , Male , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Tongue/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Based on the results of phylogenetic analysis, which showed that flecks are the primitive pattern of the felid family and all other patterns including rosettes and blotches develop from it, we construct a Turing reaction-diffusion model which generates spot patterns initially. Starting from this spotted pattern, we successfully generate patterns of adult leopards and jaguars by tuning parameters of the model in the subsequent phase of patterning.
Subject(s)
Body Patterning/physiology , Models, Biological , Panthera/physiology , Skin Pigmentation/physiology , Animals , Computer Simulation , Feedback/physiology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Skin/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
Disruptive colouration is a visual camouflage composed of false edges and boundaries. Many disruptively camouflaged animals feature enhanced edges; light patches are surrounded by a lighter outline and/or a dark patches are surrounded by a darker outline. This camouflage is particularly common in amphibians, reptiles and lepidopterans. We explored the role that this pattern has in creating effective camouflage. In a visual search task utilising an ultra-large display area mimicking search tasks that might be found in nature, edge enhanced disruptive camouflage increases crypsis, even on substrates that do not provide an obvious visual match. Specifically, edge enhanced camouflage is effective on backgrounds both with and without shadows; i.e. this is not solely due to background matching of the dark edge enhancement element with the shadows. Furthermore, when the dark component of the edge enhancement is omitted the camouflage still provided better crypsis than control patterns without edge enhancement. This kind of edge enhancement improved camouflage on all background types. Lastly, we show that edge enhancement can create a perception of multiple surfaces. We conclude that edge enhancement increases the effectiveness of disruptive camouflage through mechanisms that may include the improved disruption of the object outline by implying pictorial relief.
Subject(s)
Anura/physiology , Moths/physiology , Panthera/physiology , Pattern Recognition, Visual/physiology , Pigmentation/physiology , Snakes/physiology , Animals , Anura/anatomy & histology , Color , Moths/anatomy & histology , Optical Phenomena , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Predatory Behavior/physiology , Snakes/anatomy & histology , Vision, OcularABSTRACT
Wild bonnet macaques (Macaca radiata) have been shown to recognize models of leopards (Panthera pardus), based on their configuration and spotted yellow coat. This study examined whether bonnet macaques could recognize the spotted and dark melanic morph when partially concealed by vegetation. Seven troops were studied at two sites in southern India, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve. The forequarters and hindquarters of the two leopard morphs were presented from behind thick vegetation to individuals at feeding stations 25 m away. Flight reaction times and frequency of flight were obtained from video for only those individuals who oriented towards the models prior to hearing alarm calls. Bonnet macaques exhibited faster reaction times and greater frequency of flight after looking at the spotted morph's forequarter than after looking at either its spotted hindquarter or the dark morph's forequarter. The hindquarter of the dark morph was ignored completely. Artificial neural network modeling examined the perceptual aspects of leopard face recognition and the role of spots as camouflage. When spots were integrated into the pattern recognition process via network training, these spots contributed to leopard face recognition. When networks were not trained with spots, spots did not act as camouflage by disrupting facial features.
Subject(s)
Color , Macaca radiata/psychology , Panthera/anatomy & histology , Recognition, Psychology , Animals , Female , Male , Predatory Behavior , Visual PerceptionABSTRACT
We examined the dorsal lingual surfaces of an adult jaguar (Panthera onca) by scanning electron microscopy. The tongue of the jaguar was about 17 cm long, and the center of the lingual apex became hollow. There were 7 vallate papillae in total. The filiform papilla on the lingual apex consisted of a larger main papilla and some secondary papillae. The connective tissue core of the filiform papilla was mountain-like in shape. The connective tissue core of the fungiform papilla was mushroom-like in shape. The filiform papilla on the anterior part of the lingual body was large and cylinder-like in shape. The connective tissue core of the filiform papilla consisted of a big conical papilla and many rod-like papillae. The filiform papilla on the central part of the lingual body was a big conical papilla. The connective tissue core of the filiform papilla consisted of a rod process and bowl-like structure. The vallate papillae were located on both sides of the posterolateral aspects. The vallate papillae were flattened-oval in shape and the papillae were surrounded by a groove and pad. The top of the connective tissue core of the vallate papilla had a rough surface with no spines.
Subject(s)
Panthera/anatomy & histology , Tongue/anatomy & histology , Animals , Connective Tissue/anatomy & histology , Connective Tissue/ultrastructure , Microscopy, Electron, Scanning , Tongue/ultrastructureABSTRACT
The innervation of the forearm and hand regions of cats has not been well described despite its importance for any surgery or any neurological disorder. It is probably the main area where disorders of peripheral nerves in this species are observed. In felines, the forelimbs facilitate the jump and represent the most important way for capturing prey. The main muscles and nerves involved in this activity are located in the region of the forearm and hand. The aim of the present study was to provide a detailed description of the innervation of the forearm and hand regions of the jaguar and puma, in comparison with that of the domestic cat, contributing thus with the anatomical knowledge of the area for applying it to surgery and pathology. The forearms of three pumas and two jaguars (all of them fixed in formalin) and of six domestic cats (fresh) were dissected. The nerves path and their forearm distribution patterns of all three species were described. The analysed results indicate that the observed variations between species are minimal; thus, the anatomy described for domestic cats can be widely applied to American wild felids.