Morphological peculiarities in the integument of enigmatic anomalurid gliders (Anomaluridae, Rodentia). Issue 3 (26th May 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Panyutina, Aleksandra A.; Chernova, Olga F.; Soldatova, Irina B.
• Is Part Of: Journal of anatomy. Volume 237:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 404
• Page End: 426
• Publication Date: 2020-05-26
• Subjects: hair -- patagium -- scaly organ -- scaly‐tailed squirrels -- skin -- unciform element -- vibrissae; Anatomy -- Periodicals; 571.3
• DOI: 10.1111/joa.13211
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8782

Abstract

Abstract: Scaly‐tailed squirrels, the most poorly known group of gliding mammals, hold the record for variety of remarkable integument peculiarities. One of the most striking of these features is the scales on the tail, which apparently allow them to reduce energy costs when positioning themselves on a tree trunk. No less interesting is a peculiar spur that supports the flying membrane: the unciform element ('spur'). Despite the peculiarity of such elements, their nature has not yet been studied. Using anatomical, histological methods and scanning electron microscopy we studied the structure of the skin and its derivatives in five of the six species from both genera of extant gliding scaly‐tailed squirrels (Anomaluridae, Rodentia): Idiurus macrotis, Idiurus zenkeri, Anomalurus beecrofti, Anomalurus pusillus and Anomalurus derbianus . In addition to the common mammalian skin structures, such as hair, vibrissae, sebaceous glands, meibomian glands of eyelids and eccrine sweat glands of the palmar and plantar pads, these animals have unique species‐specific skin derivatives (the tail scaly organ and its specific glands, vibrissae of the withers, patagium and its hair brush) that play a significant role in their adaptation to gliding and to their environment in general. The structure of the elbow spur is also described and hypotheses on its evolutionary origin from the tendon of the triceps muscle are presented. Abstract : The scaly‐tailed squirrels are characterized by a unique set of the integument features. Long hairs on the edge of the membrane improve its properties as an airfoil, and specific sensitive hairs on the nape allow animals feel the space behind their back. The unique collagen‐cartilaginous spur that grows from the elbow helps to maintain the membrane in flight. These and other peculiarities are associated with specific habits of anomalures which combines gliding and roosting in hollow tree trunks.