Descripción y comparación morfométrica, morfológica externa e histológica de la hoja nasal en Carollia brevicauda y C. perspicillata (Chiroptera: Phyllostomidae)
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Carollia stands out for being one of the most abundant genera within the Phyllostomidae (nasal leaf bats), characterized by its complex taxonomic history (based mainly on inconveniences for the identification of its species). This study evaluated the possible morphometric, morphological external and histological variations of the main regions of the nasal leaf in C. brevicauda and C. perspicillata (Lanza, Herradura and Costilla); in order to be used as characters for the discrimination of these two species. A total of 10 morphometric variables (GLN, LOS, BOS, LOH, BOH, BOR, INW, MhS, MhH and MhR) were evaluated in 39 adult specimens (C. brevicauda = 30, C. perspicillata = 9) by taking photographic records and the measurement of the main regions of the nasal leaf; subsequently, they were recorded in contingency tables and evaluated by means of linear statistical analyzes (Kruskal-W) and multivariate analyzes (APD and AFD). Three nasal leaves per species were used for histological analyzes; being fixed in 10% formaldehyde and processed with histological techniques of HyE, Masson's Trichromic and Immunohistochemistry with S100. The results of the morphometry indicate that there are statistically significant differences in the shape of the spear between the species, otherwise the horseshoe and the rib; however, this feature is not visible to the naked eye. Similarly, statistical differences were found in the 7 variables of the nasal region, being the variables related to the width of the spear, horseshoe and rib the most significant, but presenting all, a high intraspecific variation. Histologically, an important number of sebaceous glands associated with the hair follicles indicate the importance of keeping the villi found throughout the nasal leaf stable and functional. A wide variety of muscular disposition was observed (especially in the horseshoe) and a series of tactile receptors, including some nerve fibers distributed throughout the organ (even associated with the hair follicles) and Merkel cells, demonstrating the properties of coordinated and sensitive mobility of the nasal leaf; being able to be associated to the feedback in the flight and to the processes of echolocation of the bats. These results constitute a contribution to the taxonomic characters of the group and to the descriptive studies in the external morphology of the nasal leaf; as well as the first contribution in the histological description of the nasal leaf of C. brevicauda and C. perspicillata.