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Parotid salivary gland ultrastructure in an omnivorous neotropical bat: evolutionary diversity at the cellular level
Author(s) -
TANDLER BERNARD,
PHILLIPS CARLETON J.,
NAGATO TOSHIKAZU
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
zoologica scripta
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.204
H-Index - 64
eISSN - 1463-6409
pISSN - 0300-3256
DOI - 10.1111/j.1463-6409.1988.tb00117.x
Subject(s) - biology , ultrastructure , insectivore , frugivore , omnivore , salivary gland , parotid gland , zoology , exocrine gland , anatomy , secretion , ecology , biochemistry , pathology , medicine , habitat , predation
The parotid salivary gland in an omnivorous neotropical bat, Carollia perspicillata (L.), was studied by transmission electron microscopy and compared to the parotid gland in other species of bats and in mammals in general. The parotid acinar secretory granules were found to be unique among mammals: they consist of a finely punctate matrix containing a variety of electron dense inclusions ranging from punctate densities to complex cage‐like geodesic structures. The parotid acinar product in Carollia perspicillata is intermediate in morphology between that formed by homologous secretory cells in insectivorous/carnivorous bats and that in frugivorous bats. Both the intercalated and striated ducts probably release additional secretory products into the saliva.