Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)
Abstract Background The visual system of desert rodents demonstrates a rather high degree of development and specific features associated with adaptation to arid environment. The aim of this study is to carry out a descriptive investigation into the most relevant features of the sand rat eye. Result...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2018-11-01
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Series: | Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology |
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Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41936-018-0056-0 |
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author | Ouanassa Saadi-Brenkia Nadia Hanniche Saida Lounis |
author_facet | Ouanassa Saadi-Brenkia Nadia Hanniche Saida Lounis |
author_sort | Ouanassa Saadi-Brenkia |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Abstract Background The visual system of desert rodents demonstrates a rather high degree of development and specific features associated with adaptation to arid environment. The aim of this study is to carry out a descriptive investigation into the most relevant features of the sand rat eye. Results Light microscopic observations revealed that the eye of Psammomys obesus diurnal species, appears similar to that of others rodent with characteristic mammalian organization. The eye was formed by the three distinct layers typical in vertebrates: fibrous tunic (sclera and cornea); vascular tunic (Iris, Ciliary body, Choroid); nervous tunic (retina). Three chambers of fluid fundamentals in maintaining the eyeball’s normal size and shape: Anterior chamber (between cornea and iris), Posterior chamber (between iris, zonule fibers and lens) and the Vitreous chamber (between the lens and the retina) The first two chambers are filled with aqueous humor whereas the vitreous chamber is filled with a more viscous fluid, the vitreous humor. These fluids are made up of 99.9% water. However, the main features, related to life style and arid environment, are the egg-shaped lens, the heavy pigmentation of the middle layer and an extensive folding of ciliary processes, thus developing a large surface area, for ultrafiltration and active fluid transport, this being the actual site of aqueous production. The ciliary muscle is poorly developed and the dilator pupillae is not apparent. Conclusions The ocular globe of sand rat demonstrates a high degree of development and several specific features associated with adaptation to life style and arid environment. |
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institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2090-990X |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-20T02:21:10Z |
publishDate | 2018-11-01 |
publisher | SpringerOpen |
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series | Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology |
spelling | doaj.art-9ecc444f38c64fe9bb2b55750d0ddde32022-12-21T19:56:48ZengSpringerOpenJournal of Basic and Applied Zoology2090-990X2018-11-017911610.1186/s41936-018-0056-0Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828)Ouanassa Saadi-Brenkia0Nadia Hanniche1Saida Lounis2Department of Biology, University of Boumerdes Faculty of SciencesLaboratory of Biology and Physiology of Organisms, Neurobiology, University of Sciences and Technology Houari BoumedieneDepartment of Biology, University of Boumerdes Faculty of SciencesAbstract Background The visual system of desert rodents demonstrates a rather high degree of development and specific features associated with adaptation to arid environment. The aim of this study is to carry out a descriptive investigation into the most relevant features of the sand rat eye. Results Light microscopic observations revealed that the eye of Psammomys obesus diurnal species, appears similar to that of others rodent with characteristic mammalian organization. The eye was formed by the three distinct layers typical in vertebrates: fibrous tunic (sclera and cornea); vascular tunic (Iris, Ciliary body, Choroid); nervous tunic (retina). Three chambers of fluid fundamentals in maintaining the eyeball’s normal size and shape: Anterior chamber (between cornea and iris), Posterior chamber (between iris, zonule fibers and lens) and the Vitreous chamber (between the lens and the retina) The first two chambers are filled with aqueous humor whereas the vitreous chamber is filled with a more viscous fluid, the vitreous humor. These fluids are made up of 99.9% water. However, the main features, related to life style and arid environment, are the egg-shaped lens, the heavy pigmentation of the middle layer and an extensive folding of ciliary processes, thus developing a large surface area, for ultrafiltration and active fluid transport, this being the actual site of aqueous production. The ciliary muscle is poorly developed and the dilator pupillae is not apparent. Conclusions The ocular globe of sand rat demonstrates a high degree of development and several specific features associated with adaptation to life style and arid environment.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41936-018-0056-0DesertRodentsEyeHistologyRetinaCornea |
spellingShingle | Ouanassa Saadi-Brenkia Nadia Hanniche Saida Lounis Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828) Journal of Basic and Applied Zoology Desert Rodents Eye Histology Retina Cornea |
title | Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828) |
title_full | Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828) |
title_fullStr | Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828) |
title_full_unstemmed | Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828) |
title_short | Microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent Psammomys obesus (Cretzschmar, 1828) |
title_sort | microscopic anatomy of ocular globe in diurnal desert rodent psammomys obesus cretzschmar 1828 |
topic | Desert Rodents Eye Histology Retina Cornea |
url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s41936-018-0056-0 |
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