IUCN/SSC Otter Specialist Group Bulletin
©IUCN/SCC Otter Specialist Group
Citation: Barbosa, P.M.L., Esteves, P.S., Santos, A.L. and Carvalho Junior, O. (2021). Vascularization of the Aortic Arch in Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis, Olfers 1818). IUCN Otter Spec. Group Bull. 38 (3): 173 -182
Vascularization of the Aortic Arch in Neotropical Otter (Lontra longicaudis, Olfers 1818)
Procassia M. L. Barbosa1,2, Pricila S. Esteves2, Alan L. Santos1, and Oldemar Carvalho Junior2
1Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina; Departamento de Zootecnista e Desenvolvimento Rural, Rod. Admar Gonzaga, s/n, Itacorubi-SC
2Instituto Ekko Brasil, Servidão Euclides João Alves, S/N, Lagoa do Peri, 88066-000, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil. e-mail: atendimento@ekkobrasil.org.br
(Received 5th October 2020, accepted 6th December 2020)
Abstract: Lontra longicaudis is a semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal that belongs to the Mustelidae family and Lutrinae subfamily. It is found in South and Central America, from southern Mexico to Uruguay and up to 3,000 m altitude. In this study, vascularization of the aortic arch is described in the neotropical otter. Eight animals were studied, three puppies and five adults from the Otter Project of the Instituto Ekko Brasil. The results indicate that the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery originated from the aortic arch in all animals studied. This pattern is similar to that found in wild and domestic carnivores. The brachiocephalic trunk arises three arteries, the left common carotid artery, the right common carotid artery, and the right subclavian artery, the latter two being emitted from a common trunk. The right and left subclavian arteries give origin to five vessels represented by the vertebral artery, the superficial cervical artery, the internal thoracic artery, the costocervical trunk, and the axillary artery.
Keywords: physiology; morphology; carnivorous; Mustelidae
INTRODUCTION
Despite numerous publications on Lontra longicaudis, there is still little information about its anatomy, morphology and physiology. Most studies concern the diet (Quadros and Monteiro-Filho, 2001; Uchôa et al., 2004; Quintela et al., 2008; Carvalho-Junior et al., 2010a, 2010b; Rheingantz et al., 2011), conservation status (Rodrigues, 2013) or the geographic distribution (Carvalho-Junior et al., 2012).
Energy analysis and economic evaluation of the otter was carried out by Carvalho Junior (2016). Knowledge of morphological aspects is essential in determining diversity, adaptation, and intra-specific variability. This work aims to investigate the origin of the collateral branches of the aortic arch.
The circulatory system is responsible for transporting blood through tissues, bringing oxygen and nutrients to different areas of the body, and collecting the carbon dioxide that results from cellular metabolites. The aortic artery is the main vessel that distributes arterial blood to all systems. The head, neck, chest cavity, and chest organs are supplied with blood from the arteries that emerge from the aortic arch. Knowing the distribution and behavior of the arteries that originate from the aortic arch contributes to the understanding of the morphology, compared anatomy, and the clinic and surgery of wild animals.
The origin of the collateral branches that emerge from the aortic arch assumes a varied disposition between domestic and wild animals. These variations are already well described (Nickel et al., 1981; Sisson et al, 1975; Barone, 2010; Dyce et al., 2017; König and Liebich, 2020).
Studies with several species have shown a varied disposition in distributing the arteries that emerge from the aortic arch in wild animals. Among the species studied, Agouti paca (Oliveira et al., 2001), Didelphis albiventris (Reckziegel et al., 2003, Schimming et al., 2016), Chinchilla lanigera (Araújo et al., 2004), Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris (Culau et al., 2007), Kerodon rupestris (Magalhães et al., 2007), Lepus europaeus (Brudnicki et al., 2007), Myocastor coypus (Campos et al., 2010), Mazama gouazoubira (Schimming et al., 2012), Tamandua tetradactyla (Pinheiro et al., 2012), Ozotoceros bezoarticus, Mazama gouazoubira and Axis axis (Perez and Erdogan, 2014), Galea spixii (Oliveira et al., 2015), and Callithrix penicillata (Souza Neto et al., 2019).
Publications with Procyon cancrivorus (Santos et al. 2004), Leopardus pardalis (Martins et al., 2010), Mustela sp. (Quesenberry and Carpenter, 2012; Fox and Marini, 2014), Cerdocyon thous (Engel et al., 2013; Lima et al., 2016), and Lontra canadensis (Baitchman and Kollias, 2020), demonstrate that the origin of the collateral branches of the aortic arch maintains the same pattern observed for domestic carnivores. However, there are some variations between species, as Engel et al. (2013) mentioned for Cerdocyon thous.
METHODS
This study was conducted at the Animal Refuge Research Laboratory of the Instituto Ekko Brasil in partnership with the Wild Animals Research Laboratory at the Federal University of Santa Catarina (LAPAS/UFSC). The project's methodology for processing otters was authorized by the Animal Use Ethics Committee (CEUA/UFSC), process 23091.001975/10-24. Eight Lontra longicaudis were used, three female offspring, one adult male, and four adult females. All animals are part of the scientific collection of Instituto Ekko Brasil and were found dead by residents, run over by cars, drowned in fishing traps, or retaliation by fishermen, and stored at -20 °C until necropsies were performed.
The animals were thawed, and the left common carotid artery was cannulated to fill the arterial vascular system with Latex Neoprene 450, stained in red. Subsequently, the animals were fixed in a 10% aqueous formaldehyde solution. After fixation, specimens were dissected, and access to the thoracic cavity was done through the lateral opening of the ribs and the sternum's removal.
The adjacent structures were dissected, and the vessels were identified. Schematic drawings were made for each vascular system, and the most representative specimen photographed for documentation. The study was based on the nomenclature adopted by the International Committee on Veterinary Gross Anatomical Nomenclature (2017).
RESULTS
In the eight animals studied, the brachiocephalic trunk represented the first branch of the aortic arch, followed by the left subclavian artery as independent branches (Fig. 1). The branches originating from these arteries also did not show variations between the analyzed specimens.
The internal thoracic artery appeared at the level of the first intercostal space, inside the thoracic cavity, and advanced in the caudoventral direction towards the sternum and transverse muscle of the chest. At the chest entrance, the right and left subclavian arteries branched into two arteries, the superficial cervical artery that supplies the cervical musculature's ventrolateral surface, and the axillary artery that supplies the muscles of the thoracic limbs.
The brachiocephalic trunk followed cranially over the trachea’s ventral face and emitted three branches, the left common carotid artery, the right common carotid artery, and the right subclavian artery.
In all specimens studied, the left common carotid artery was the first branch emitted by the brachiocephalic trunk, followed by the formation of a common trunk that originated the right common carotid artery and the right subclavian artery at the level of the first intercostal space, in the right antimere of the thoracic cavity (Fig. 2).
In the eight animals analyzed the right and left subclavian arteries emitted five branches: the vertebral artery, the costocervical trunk, the internal thoracic artery, the superficial cervical artery, and the axillary artery (Fig. 3).
The vertebral artery went craniodorsally towards the cervical vertebrae. The costocervical trunk originated from the subclavian right after the vertebral artery and proceeded to the cervical region's dorsal muscles and the chest (Fig. 4).
DISCUSSION
The study of anatomy in domestic animals shows that the origin of the vessels that emerge from the aortic arch varies according to species, and the same occurs in wild animals. Considering the carnivorous order, the treatises on animal anatomy (Nickel and Seiferle, 1981; Sisson et al, 1975; Barone, 1996; Dyce et al., 2019; König and Liebich, 2020), describe that the aortic arch gives rise to the brachiocephalic trunk and then to the left subclavian artery. This same disposition was verified in this study, as well as in Lontra canadensis (Baitchman and Kolle, 2000), in Procyon cancrivorus (Santos et al., 2004), in Mustela sp. (Fox and Marini, 2014; Quesenberryand Carpenter., 2020) Leopardus pardalis (Martins et al., 2010), and in Cerdocyon thous (Lima et al., 2016).
With the results obtained in this work, it is possible to suggest a pattern in the origin of the vessels that emerge from the aortic arch in carnivores, whether wild or domestic, although variations may occur. Example for such variation are cases mentioned by Culau et al. (2004), when they reported the ectopic origin of the right subclavian artery and the bicarotid trunk in a dog, and by Engel et al. (2013) studying Cerdocyon thous, originating from a bicarotid trunk in the aortic arch.
In the neotropical otter, the origin and disposition of the arteries in the brachiocephalic trunk is following that described for domestic carnivores (Sisson et al, 1985; Nickel et al., 2010; Dyce, 2017; König and Liebich, 2020), where the brachiocephalic trunk first originates the common carotid artery left and posteriorly the right common carotid arteries and the right subclavian artery.
A study carried out with Leopardus pardalis (Martins et al., 2010) presented these same results. However, Santos et al. (2004), studying a specimen of Procyon cancrivorus, report that the brachiocephalic trunk of this species undergoes a trifurcation at the level of the first intercostal space, in the left antimere of the thoracic cavity, originating the left and right common carotid arteries, and the right subclavian artery. Indeed, Sisson et al (1975) mentions that the brachiocephalic trunk may present this trifurcation in domestic carnivores.
In Cerdocyon thous (Lima et al. 2016), the brachiocephalic trunk first originated the right subclavian artery and followed in a bicarotid trunk typical right and left carotid arteries. Filho and Borelli (1970), in a study with 240 cats (Felis catus domestica), reported that 75 animals showed the formation of the bicarotid trunk.
Wild carnivore work evidenced the dispositions described in the treatises of animal anatomy and comparative anatomy for the origin of the vessels’ brachiocephalic trunk in domestic carnivores. The arrangement found in Lontra longicaudis and Leopardus pardalis were the same as those mentioned for domestic animals. These animals have a standard trunk between the right common carotid and right subclavian arteries after the left common carotid artery’s origin.
In the carnivorous order such as Lontra canadensis (Baitchman and Kollias, 2020), Leopardus pardalis (Martins et al., 2010) and Cerdocyon thous (Lima et al., 2016), the subclavian arteries gave rise to the collateral branches: vertebral artery, costocervical trunk, internal thoracic artery, superficial cervical artery and axillary artery, the same branches found in our study. This same origin was also mentioned in Mustela sp. (Fox and Marini, 2014; Quesenberry et al., 2020). However, Santos et al. (2004) did not mention the vertebral artery and the axillary artery as branches originating from the subclavias in Procyon cancrivorus. Our results align with what is described in the literature for dogs and cats (Filho and Borelli, 1970; Sisson et al, 1975; Dyce et al., 2019; König and Liebich, 2020).
This work describes the organization of the branches that originate from the aortic arch in a neotropical otter and notes that the origin of these vessels is similar to that described for domestic carnivores, and for wild carnivores. In carnivores in general, the brachiocephalic trunk and the left subclavian artery emerge directly from the aortic arch. Thus, we can conclude that this pattern of origin of vascularization of the aortic arch is shared, both for domestic carnivores and wild carnivores.
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Résumé: Vascularisation de l’Arc Aortique chez la Loutre à Longue Queue (Lontra longicaudis, Olfers 1818)
Lontra longicaudis est un mammifère carnivore semi-aquatique appartenant à la famille des Mustelidae et à la sous-famille des Lutrinae. On la trouve en Amérique du Sud et en Amérique centrale, du sud du Mexique à l’Uruguay, jusqu’à 3000 m d’altitude. Dans cette étude, la vascularisation de l’arc aortique est décrite chez la loutre à longue queue. Huit animaux ont été étudiés, trois loutrons et cinq adultes du Projet Loutre de l’Institut Ekko Brasil. Les résultats indiquent que le tronc brachiocéphalique et l’artère sous-clavière gauche provenaient de l’arc aortique chez tous les animaux étudiés. Cet agencement est similaire à celui trouvé chez les carnivores sauvages et domestiques. Le tronc brachiocéphalique provient de trois artères: l’artère carotide commune gauche, l’artère carotide commune droite et l’artère sous-clavière droite, les deux dernières étant émises par un tronc commun. Les artères sous-clavières droite et gauche donnent naissance à cinq vaisseaux représentés par l’artère vertébrale, l’artère cervicale superficielle, l’artère thoracique interne, le tronc costocervical et l’artère axillaire.
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Resumen: Vascularización del Arco Aórtico en la Nutria Neotropical (Lontra longicaudis, Olfers 1818
Lontra longicaudis es un mamífero carnívoro semi-acuático que pertenece a la familia Mustelidae y la subfamilia Lutrinae. Se encuentra en América del Sur y Central, desde Mexico hasta Uruguay y hasta 3.000 m de altitud. En este estudio, se describe la vascularización del arco aórtico en la nutria neotropical. Se estudiaron ocho animales, tres crías y cinco adultos, del Proyecto Nutria del Instituto Ekko Brasil. Los resultados indican que el tronco braquiocefálico y la arteria subclavia izquierda se originaron en el arco aórtico en todos los animales estudiados. Este patrón es similar al encontrado en carnívoros silvestres y domésticos. El tronco braquiocefálico origina tres arterias, la arteria carótida izquierda común, la arteria carótida derecha común, y la arteria subclavia derecha, siendo las dos últimas emitidas a partir de un tronco común. Las arterias subclavia derecha e izquierda dan origen a cinco vasos respresentados por la arteria vertebral, la arteria cervical superficial, la arteria torácica interna, el tronco costocervical, y la arteria axilar.
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Resumo: Vascularização do Arco Aórtico em Lontra Neotropical (Lontra longicaudis, Olfers 1818)
Lontra longicaudis é um mamífero carnívoro semiaquático que pertence à família Mustelidae e à subfamília Lutrinae. É encontrada na América do Sul e Central, do sul do México ao Uruguai e até 3.000 m de altitude. Neste estudo, a vascularização do arco aórtico é descrita na lontra neotropical. Foram estudados oito animais do Projeto Lontra do Instituto Ekko Brasil, sendo três filhotes e cinco adultos. Os resultados indicam que, em todos os animais estudados, o tronco braquiocefálico e a artéria subclávia esquerda originam-se do arco aórtico. Este padrão é semelhante ao encontrado em carnívoros selvagens e domésticos. O tronco braquiocefálico origina três artérias, a artéria carótida comum esquerda, a artéria carótida comum direita, e a artéria subclávia direita, sendo as duas últimas emitidas a partir de um tronco comum. As artérias subclávias direita e esquerda dão origem a cinco vasos representados pela artéria vertebral, a artéria cervical superficial, a artéria torácica interna, o tronco costocervical e a artéria axilar.
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