Sloths (Bradypus variegatus) as a polygastric mammal

Abstract

Fermentative herbivorous animals have peculiar conformations of the digestive system. It is known that B. variegatus obtained the capacity for evolutionary adaptation, due to their ecology and eating habits. However, despite the literature on feeding management for this species, there is a lack of published information regarding its gastric morphology, and such information would support a better understanding on the diet and digestion of these individuals. We found seven gastric compartments, which histologically revealed three distinct patterns: an aglandular keratinized fraction (mechanical stomach) and two glandular fractions, one a mucus secretor and the other one composed of acid secreting cells (chemical stomach). With these evidences we understand that these individuals have gastric resemblance to ruminants, with some inherent peculiarities of this species, including the transit of the bolus.

Computed Tomography Evaluation of Frozen or Glycerinated Bradypus variegatus Cadavers: A Comprehensive View with Emphasis on Anatomical Aspects

“…The esophageal rupture in its cervical portion, observed in one of the corpses, is probably related to an attempt to insert an esophageal catheter, as this fact was described in the animal's medical record, but this alteration may also be due to a bad disposition of the oral contrast or a morphological alteration in the esophagus [28]. The location of the esophagus corroborates the studies that identified the structure and its location in dissected samples of B. variegatus [29].…”

“…In B. variegatus, the stomach is highly complex, presenting four gastric chambers that are subdivided into seven compartments [29,30]. In the exam performed in this study, contrast highlighted only part of these chambers, probably due to the small volume of contrast administered and also to the absence of gastrointestinal motility.…”

Topography and morphometry of the infraorbital and mandibular foramen of the common sloth (Bradypus variegatus) for use in the application of perineural anaesthesia

“…These animals have developed anatomically and physiologically in line with their eating habits, with a digestive system that has ruminal characteristics and molarized teeth that are constantly worn down in the act of grinding vegetable matter (Azarias et al., 2006; Mesquita et al., 2021). The oral health of animals is closely related to the maintenance of nutritional health, reproductive capacity, longevity and quality of life (Magalhães et al., 2019).…”