Lymphomas in seabirds: case reports in a black skimmer (Rynchops niger) and a brown booby (Sula leucogaster).

A black skimmer (Rynchops niger) and a brown booby (Sula leucogaster) were rescued and gross, histopathological, immunohistochemical and polymerase chain reaction evaluations were conducted to investigate the cause of death. There were neoplastic infiltrations of CD3+ PAX5- lymphocytes in the black skimmer and CD3- PAX5+ lymphocytes in the brown booby. Molecular assays for viral agents were negative in both cases. This is the first report of disseminated lymphoma as the cause of stranding and death in these species in Brazil.

Eye morphology of Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) and Clymene dolphins (Stenella clymene).

Recent studies showed that vision and hearing in dolphins are mechanisms for perception of the environment, and transmission of information among individuals. Considering that Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis) are distributed in costal regions, and Clymene dolphins (Stenella clymene) are found in oceanic environments, the objective of this study was to compare the morphology of the eyes of these two species, assessing the differences in eye structures in both environments. Five specimens of Sotalia guianensis and four specimens of Stenella clymene were analyzed. All the specimens were found stranded in the northeastern coast of Brazil. Samples were fixated in 10% formaldehyde, dissected, photographed, processed, and analyzed by optical microscopy. The inferior palpebral region of the two species showed a granular layer, subcutaneous lymphoid tissue, and innervation. Morphometric values of the eyelid structures and eye bulb were greater in S. clymene. The cornea showed four layers in S. clymene: anterior epithelium, anterior lamina, stroma, and posterior lamina. The sclera of S. guianensis showed more melanocytes and presence of mechanoreceptors next to the Harderian gland. It is possible to suggest that the geographical distribution of these cetaceans determine their eye morphology, which is an adaptation to the intrinsic characteristics of the aquatic environment.

Crassicaudiasis in three geographically and chronologically distant Cuvier's beaked whales (Ziphius cavirostris) stranded off Brazil.

The Cuvier's beaked whale (CBW; Ziphius cavirostris) is a cosmopolitan marine mammal found in deep tropical and temperate waters of all oceans. CBW strandings have been recorded sporadically in Brazil; however, there is lack of information available regarding their causes of stranding and/or death. Herein, we report the epidemiologic, pathologic, morphologic parasitologic features and molecular identification of arterial and renal crassicaudiasis by Crassicauda sp. in three geographically and chronologically distant CBW stranded off Brazil. CBW-1 was an adult male stranded dead in Rio Grande do Sul State. CBW-2 was an adult female that stranded alive in Sergipe State and died shortly after. CBW-3 was and adult male that stranded dead in Santa Catarina State. The most relevant pathologic findings in these three CBW were severe, chronic proliferative mesenteric and caudal aortic endarteritis and chronic granulomatous and fibrosing interstitial nephritis with renicular atrophy and loss, and numerous intralesional Crassicauda sp. nematodes. Furthermore, CBW-1 had concomitant gram-negative bacterial pneumonia and pulmonary and hepatic thromboembolism. Morphologic analysis of renal adult nematodes identified Crassicauda sp. in the three CBW. Molecular analyses targeting the 18S and ITS-2 ribosomal loci of renal nematodes in CBW-2 and CBW-3 identified C. anthonyi. It is believed that severe arterial and renal crassicaudiasis likely resulted or contributed significantly to morbidity and death of these animals. These results expand the known geographical range of occurrence of crassicaudiasis in CBW. Specifically, the present study provides the first accounts of arterial and renal crassicaudiasis in CBW off the southern hemisphere, specifically in CBW off Brazil, and to the authors' knowledge, it is the first record of C. anthonyi in the southern Atlantic Ocean.

Origin and insertion of the nerves constituting the braquial plexus of the roadside hawk.

The roadside hawk (Rupornis magnirostris) is a free-living bird that commonly has wing injuries caused by man-made obstacles when flying. Studies that describe the topographic anatomy of the wings of this species are necessary to assist in the treatment of possible wing lesions. For this reason, the present work aimed to describe the origin and insertion of the nerves that constitute the brachial plexus in roadside hawks. Five roadside hawk carcasses donated to the Animal Anatomy Laboratory of the São Judas University Center, UNIMONTE campus, by CEPTAS (Center for Research and Screening of Wild Animals) were used for the study. The brachial plexus of the roadside hawk was formed by the union of the ventral branches of the spinal nerves located between C9-C10-T1-T2-T3. The ventral branches joined together and formed four short trunks which later united again by exchanging nerve fibers and constituting a big caliber branch. This is divided into two nerve cords (dorsal and ventral) which are destined to specific muscular groupings. The dorsal cord originates the axillary, anconeal and radial nerves, and is responsible for innervating the extensor muscles. The ventral cord originates the pectoral, bicipital, median-ulnar, median and ulnar nerves, and is responsible for innervating the flexor muscles.

Morphology of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue in odontocetes.

This study describes the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in odontocetes from the Brazilian coast and freshwater systems. Seven species were evaluated and tissue samples were analyzed by light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and immunohistochemistry. Laryngeal tonsil was a palpable oval mass located in the larynx, composed of a lymphoepithelial complex. Dense collections of lymphocytes were found in the skin of male fetus and calf. Clusters of lymphoid tissue were found in the uterine cervix of a reproductively active juvenile female and along the pulmonary artery of an adult female. Lymphoid tissues associated with the gastrointestinal tract were characterized by diffusely arranged or organized lymphocytes. The anal tonsil was composed of an aggregate of lymphoid tissue occurring exclusively in the anal canal, being composed of squamous epithelium branches. MALT was present in different tissues and organic systems of cetaceans, providing constant protection against mucosal pathogens present in their environment.

Reproductive morphology of female Guiana dolphins (Sotalia guianensis).

The reproductive morphology of cetaceans is poorly studied and, despite the large number of strandings, reports on this subject are scarce due to access to carcasses mostly in an advanced state of decomposition. The present study aimed to describe histological characteristics of the female genital tract of Sotalia guianensis, in order to assist in future studies on the reproductive biology of these animals. Females of different ages, from stranding events on beaches in northeastern Brazil, were used. Fragments of all organs were collected and processed for light and scanning electron microscopy. Histological analyses showed that these structures were similar to those found in terrestrial mammals, with some peculiarities, such as the presence of differentiated cells in the vulvar subepidermal layer, not described in the literature on cetaceans. Reproductive studies with a morphological description of the female genital organs are extremely important, since they would enable a better understanding of the species reproductive physiology and assist in the development of new strategies for the species conservation.

Morphology of the eyeball from the Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae).

Aquatic mammals underwent morphological and physiological adaptations due to the transition from terrestrial to aquatic environment. One of the morphological changes regards their vision since cetaceans' eyes are able to withstand mechanical, chemical, osmotic, and optical water conditions. Due to insufficient information about these animals, especially regarding their sense organs, this study aimed to describe the morphology of the Humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) eyeball. Three newborn females, stranded dead on the coast of Sergipe and Bahia, Brazil, were used. Samples were fixed in a 10% formalin solution, dissected, photographed, collected, and evaluated through light and electron microscopy techniques. The Humpback whale sclera was thick and had an irregular surface with mechanoreceptors in its lamina propria. Lens was dense, transparent, and ellipsoidal, consisting of three layers, and the vascularized choroid contains melanocytes, mechanoreceptors, and a fibrous tapetum lucidum. The Humpback whale eyeball is similar to other cetaceans and suggests an adaptation to diving and migration, contributing to the perception of differences in temperature, pressure, and lighting.

Mecanoreceptores da mucosa palatina de avestruz (Struthio camelus): estudo ao microscópio de luz / Mechanoreceptors of the palatine mucosa of ostrich (Struthio camelus): light microscope study

Foram estudados corpúsculos de Herbst da mucosa palatina de avestruz em nível de microscopia de luz. Os corpúsculos compõem-se de uma cápsula externa, cápsula interna e axônio central. A cápsula externa apresentou numerosas lamelas, enquanto que a cápsula interna mostrou estrutura de folhas compactas. Os corpúsculos apresentaram formato ovalado ou circular e circundado por espessos feixes de fibras colágenas. Cada lamela estava composta de uma densa rede de fibras espessas. Os axônios terminais estavam situados ao longo do eixo, terminando em um bulbo terminal. As fibras da cápsula externa, coradas por Picrosirius e examinadas no microscópio óptico sob luz polarizada, revelou a presença de fibras colágenas do tipo I em verde e na região periférica observou-se grande quantidade de fibras colágenas do tipo III. Os corpúsculos apresentaram-se envoltos por células planas e envoltos por fibras colágenas.

Herbst corpuscles of the palatine mucosa of ostrich were studied by light microscopy. The corpuscles are composed of an outer core, inner core and central nerve terminal. The outer core presents numerous lamellae, while the inner core shows compact structure of cytoplasm sheets. The corpuscles are elongate or oval in shape and are surrounded by bundles of collagen fibers. Each lamella is composed of a dense network of thick fibrils. The terminal axons are located along the axis and form a bulb terminal. The fibers of external core stained by Picrosirius and examined by polarized light microscopy revealed to be green in color like type I collagen fibers, and at the periphery is a large amount of collagen type III. The corpuscles are surrounded by flat cells and dense collagen fibers at the periphery.

Glândula submandibular de ratos com envelhecimento: observações ao microscópio eletrônico de varredura de alta resolução / Submandibular gland of rats with ageing: observations with high resolution scanning electron microscopy

As características tridimensionais dos componentes intracelulares de células acinares e de ductos foram reveladas usando o método ósmio-DMSO-ósmio. As amostras foram maceradas em solução de tetróxido de ósmio diluído após a fratura na solução de dimetil sulfoxido. As lamelas do retículo endoplasmático granular são reveladas entremeadas por várias mitocôndrias. As lamelas do retículo endoplasmático granular são localizados ao redor dos núcleos na porção basal e estas estruturas são observadas em imagens tridimensionais de microscopia eletrônica de alta resolução.

The three-dimensional characteristics of the intracellular components of acinar and ductal cells were revealed using the osmium-DMSO-osmium method. The samples were macerated in diluted osmium after fractured in DMSO solution. The stacks of the rough endoplasmic reticulum are revealed intermingling by several mitochondria. The lamellae of the rough endoplasmic reticulum are located around the nuclei at basal portion and these structures are shown in three-dimensional HRSEM images.