Comparative analysis of cetacean integument

• Grant number: 13/26517-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: March 01, 2014
• End date: December 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal Investigator: Maria Angelica Miglino
• Grantee: Estella Zago Becegato
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Once the skin of aquatic mammals has different characteristics, a morphological study of the integumentary system of Odontocetes and Mysticetes would be an important tool to obtain valuable information on key anatomical adaptations for survival of animals in the environment. This study aims to describe the histological features of the integumentary system of humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae), Guiana dolphin (Sotalia guianensis) and Clymene dolphin (Stenella clymene). Skin fragments of animals from both sexes and different age classes (calf, young, adult), stranded dead in the catchment area of the Sergipe-Alagoas basin, will be used. All samples will be obtained from the Institution Fundação Mamíferos Aquáticos - FMA. Fragments of all organs will be processed to light and electron microscopy techniques as well as immunohistochemistry and histomorphometry.