Morphological variation of the brachial plexus in four phyllostomid bat species (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae)

Abstract

Despite the remarkable morphological modifications that occurred in the thoracic limbs of bats, information about the brachial plexus in this group is still scarce. The present study aimed to describe the origin, structure, and distribution of these peripheral nerves in four Phyllostomidae species. Both antimeres of six Artibeus lituratus, five Desmodus rotundus, seven Glossophaga soricina, and five Phyllostomus hastatus—all adult males from the Adriano Lúcio Peracchi Collection (UFRRJ)—were dissected. After complete exposure of the structure, we found that the brachial plexus of D. rotundus and P. hastatus is formed by the same roots (C5–T1), whereas the fourth cervical spinal nerve and the second thoracic spinal nerve are present in G. soricina (C4–T1) and A. lituratus (C5–T2), respectively. There was intraspecific variation and asymmetry in the origin of the structure and the combinations of nerve segments forming terminal branches. The distribution to the target muscles and patagium, however, was not subject to significant variation in our sample. Data presented here support the presence of two prevailing conditions in distribution of nerves to the bat muscles, and the innervation of the membranes seems to be explained by embryogenesis. Although the brachial plexus in phyllostomid bats is similar to that of other terrestrial Laurasiatheria, aspects identified in these bats, apparently unique to Chiroptera, may be related to anatomical changes in the thoracic limbs functionally linked to flight.

Ecomorphology and sensory biology of bats

“…The embryonic precursor gives rise to adult wings with specialized flight musculature and integumentary expansions that form the wing. In a study of the brachial plexus in bats, Toledo et al (2023) note that the range in number of contributing ventral rami (“roots”) is greater in bats than in most mammals. The authors discuss the possibility that the specialized flight musculature may relate to the inclusion of more nerve roots.…”