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Comparative histology and ontogenetic change in the carapace of armadillos (Mammalia: Dasypodidae)

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Abstract

Among extant mammals, the presence of osteoderms is limited to armadillos (Xenarthra, Dasypodidae), being one of its distinctive features. The osteoderms are articulated to form a carapace that covers their body dorsally. In this paper we study the integumentary structures of the armadillos Chaetophractus vellerosus, Chaetophractus villosus, Euphractus sexcinctus, and Zaedyus pichiy (Euphractinae), Dasypus hybridus, and Dasypus novemcinctus (Dasypodinae) within a comparative framework, aiming to identify patterns common to the family and to the subfamilies Dasypodinae and Euphractinae, as well as peculiarities of each species. Differences between the two subfamilies were observed in the dorsal integument, related to the production of blood cells and the mobility of the carapace. The Euphractinae present more numerous and larger cavities filled with adipose tissue in the osteoderms, as well as more marginal follicles than the Dasypodinae. These provide thermal insulation that could be related to their distribution in cooler climates. The sebaceous glands associated with surface follicles are also more developed in the Euphractinae and could be related to preventing the desiccation of the cornified scales in arid climates.

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Acknowledgments

We thank Rubén Mario for his helpful contribution to the preparation of the sectioned material. Robert V. Hill and an anonymous reviewer greatly improved the original manuscript through their critical evaluation. We thank María Bernarda Epele for her help in the microCT acquisition. This work was supported by the Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas in Argentina PIP CONICET 00806 and PICT 2013-2633 (to M.R.C.).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CONICET, La Plata, Argentina

    C. M. Krmpotic, M. R. Ciancio, A. A. Carlini & C. G. Barbeito

  2. División de Paleontología Vertebrados, Museo de La Plata, Paseo del Bosque s/n, B1900FWA, La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    C. M. Krmpotic, M. R. Ciancio, A. A. Carlini & A. C. Scarano

  3. Cátedra de Anatomía Comparada. Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Museo, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 122 y 60 s/n, B1900FWA, La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    M. R. Ciancio & A. A. Carlini

  4. Laboratório de Paleontologia de Ribeirão Preto, Faculdade de Filosofia, Ciências e Letras de Ribeirão Preto, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. dos Bandeirantes 3900, Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, 14050-901, Brazil

    M. C. Castro

  5. Departamento de Ciencias Ambientales, Universidad Nacional de Avellaneda, España 350, Avellaneda, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    A. C. Scarano

  6. Cátedra de Histología y Embriología, Facultad de Ciencias Veterinarias, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, 118 y 60 s/n, B1900FWA, La Plata, Provincia de Buenos Aires, Argentina

    C. G. Barbeito

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  1. C. M. Krmpotic
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Correspondence to C. M. Krmpotic.

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Communicated by A. Schmidt-Rhaesa.

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Krmpotic, C.M., Ciancio, M.R., Carlini, A.A. et al. Comparative histology and ontogenetic change in the carapace of armadillos (Mammalia: Dasypodidae). Zoomorphology 134, 601–616 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-015-0281-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-015-0281-8

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