Morphological analysis of cutaneous smell gland of Callithrix jacchus compared to Callithrix kuhlii (Callithrichidae, Primates)

Abstract

The objective of this work was to be describe the morphological characteristics of the Callithrix jacchus and C. khulii cutaneous smells glands. Three animals of each species, previously fixed in formaldehyde 10%, were used. The glandular areas were analyzed macroscopically and microscopically between the two species. Macroscopically, the glands of the pubic and anal regions were more developed than they were in the esternal region. Microscopically, the epidermis was thin, constituted by one or two layers of squamous epithelium with a fine layer of keratin. The dermis was composed of a dense, irregular collagenous connective tissue with a pillous follicle. Sudoriparous and sebaceous glands were sometimes found associated with pillous follicles. In the pubic regions of both males and females, these sebaceous glands presented histological arrangements in “rose” format (multiacinar), very developed and in greater quantity than other areas. It was thus inferred that the thin epidermis could be related to the facilitation of the glandular secretion that can substitute the keratin in this region, beyond the substance production that assists in the recognition of each specimen.

Keywords

• Callithrichidae
• histology
• smell gland