The Digestive System of the Arctocephalus australis in Comparison to the Dog as a Land-Carnivore Model

Abstract

Marine mammals play a critical ecological role as both predator and prey. They are divided into three groups that share similar adaptations to their aquatic life, but that have very different origins and life patterns: sirenians, pinnipeds, cetaceans. The species object of our interest is the South American fur seal or Arctocephalus australis, a carnivore classified within the group of pinnipeds. The objective of the present study was to evaluate whether the anatomical characteristics of the Arctocephalus australis’ digestive system are similar to that of other land-carnivores or if, on the contrary, this species shows anatomical adaptations related to their life in the ocean. The study was carried out on 11 cadavers of the species Arctocephalus australis, made up of two adults and nine juveniles, by means of the anatomical dissection of their entire isolated digestive system. We demonstrate that, with several exceptions, the anatomical characteristics of the digestive system of the Arctocephalus australis are similar to those in other carnivores. Therefore, our data constitute an important contribution for clinical diagnostic and conservation purposes, for both veterinarians and biologists.

Endoscopic and surgical treatment of non‐neoplastic proximal duodenal ulceration in dogs, and anatomical study of proximal duodenal vascularisation

“…In order to better understand the reason for the localisation of ulcers in the proximal duodenal, an anatomical study of the vascularisation of this part of the intestine was included. The vessels injected with the foam were thoroughly filled, confirming what has previously been described in horses and other species (Grandis et al ., 2021; Martín‐Orti et al ., 2022; Ramadania et al ., 2022). The authors found an evident submucosal vascular network in the first half inch of the duodenum, proximal to the duodenal papillae in all the specimens examined.…”