Analysis of the Green Turtle Esophagus Chelonia Mydas (Linnaeus, 1758), Testudines, Cheloniidae

Abstract

The esophagus is a muscular tube whose function is to transport food from the mouth to the stomach and basically contain the same layers as the rest of the digestive tract. The morphological knowledge of structures involved in basic physiological processes in organisms is extremely important in the acquisition of ecological and evolutionary knowledge about species. This study produces morphological information proving the structures found in the green turtle's esophagus. The animals were dissected according to the methodology used by Wyneken, allowing analysis of external and internal morphological characteristics of the esophagus. The samples were processed for microscopic analysis by light and scanning electron microscopy. It was observed that the esophagus presents thin and conical dermal papillae facing the stomach throughout the mucosa to the gastroesophageal portion, decreasing its size at the end of its extension, covered by a thick keratin layer on keratinized pavement epithelial tissue. It is concluded that the esophagus of Chelonia mydas is covered by a layer of conical keratinized dermal papillae important to exert the mechanical and protective function of the mucosa of this organ, considering that the feeding of these animals is extremely abrasive, besides serving as protection so that the food does not return.

Morphological evaluation of the ileum, proximal colon and distal colon of green turtles (Chelonia mydas) dead on the slopes in the Environmental Protection Areas of Cananéia-Iguape-Peruíbe and Mosaic Jureia-Itatins Conservation Units, Peruibe-SP

“…For light microscopy, parts of the samples were dehydrated in an increasing series of ethanols (70 to 100%) and diaphanized in xylol, with subsequent inclusion in histological paraffin, 5 μm thick cuts were performed on the microtome (Leika, German) and stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) (MAIA, 1979). The images were obtained through the Nikon Eclipse E-800 light microscope at Advanced Center in Diagnostic Imaging (CADI -FMVZ/USP), (MELO et al, 2019).…”

“…The samples were dried in a LEICA EM CPD 300 critical point apparatus and, then, glued with carbon glue on aluminum stub bases and subjected to silver plating on the EMITECH K550 device. Finally they were analyzed and photographed in scanning electron microscope LEO 435VP at Advanced Center for Diagnostic Imaging (CADI-FMVZ/USP), (MELO et al, 2019).…”

“…The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is considered the most abundant species on the Brazilian coast , with a greater number of occurrences (strandings, bycatch and sightings), and spawning in the regions of oceanic islands, such as Fernando de Noronha, Trindade and Atol das Rocas (ALMEIDA et al, 2011;MARCOVALDI et al, 2011). It is possible to observe the presence of individuals' juveniles in the coastal region of Brazil, such as the city of Peruíbe, located on the South Coast of the State of São Paulo (LOPES et al, 2018(LOPES et al, -2019MARCOVALDI et al, 2011;SANTOS et al, 2011).…”

Structural description of sea turtle fibropapilloma

“…5µm thick cuts were made in the microtome (Leica German) and stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and Mallory stain. The images were obtained through the Nikon Eclipse E-800 light microscope (22).…”