Intestine vascularization of sloth (Bradypus variegatus SCHINZ, 1825)

Abstract

Article historyCommon sloth (Bradypus variegatus) is a mammal that belongs to the superorder Xenarthra, typical from neotropical regions, with geographic distribution from Honduras to northern Argentina. Our study aimed to describe the intestine blood supply of these Bradipodids in order to collaborate with the clinical-surgical for these animals. For that, ten animals, included four females and six males, were sampled from the collection of the Anatomy Division,

Aortic branches and rete mirabile of the limbs of two‐toed sloth (Choloepus didactylus)

“…Souza et al (2010) found that the large intestine (colon and rectum) of the giant anteater ( Myrmecophaga tridactyla ) is vascularized directly by the caudal mesenteric artery and that it arises inferior to the left renal artery. This conformation of the arteries and their irrigation is similar to those found in C. didactylus and B. variegatus by Alcântara et al (2020).…”

“…As in other xenarthers (Alcântara et al, 2020;Carvalho et al, 2014;Ferreira et al, 2013;Souza et al, 2010), C. didactylus presents anatomical variations in the abdominal aorta, which directly implies interventions clinical and surgical, since the veterinarian can find peculiarities when performing procedures in the species of this group.…”

“…Furthermore, in B. variegatus, different models of cranial mesenteric artery distribution were observed. In the study by Alcântara et al (2020), 10% of the animals presented the cranial mesenteric artery as the artery responsible for irrigating the entire intestine, with the caudal mesenteric artery being absent. Another 30% had the insertion of the cranial and caudal mesenteric arteries in a single trunk, which, together with the celiac artery, formed the celiac-mesenteric trunk.…”