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A histological study of cutaneous glands in the brown brocket deer

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Abstract

We examined the histological structure of 8 skin areas thought to contain cutaneous glands of potential importance in scent communication in 16 brown brocket deerMazama gouazoubira Fisher, 1814, using standard histological techniques. Frontal areas and preorbital sacs had scant glandular development. Sebaceous gland development was prominent in vestibular nasal glands and prepucial glands. Apocrine sudoriferous glands and sebaceous glands were well developed in tarsal glands, the caudal skin area and the interdigital glands of front and hind feet. The tail had a unique arrangement of apocrine sudoriferous glands. Anal glands had moderate glandular development, and metatarsal glands were absent. Several of these glandular areas may be important in the chemical communication among brocket deer.

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Correspondence to Patricia Black-Décima.

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Associate editor was Joseph F. Merritt.

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Ajmat, M.T., Chamut, S. & Black-Décima, P. A histological study of cutaneous glands in the brown brocket deer. Acta Theriol 49, 93–102 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03192511

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