Imaginological study of axial skeleton and celomatic organs of reptiles Squamatas: atlas of topography anatomy

• Grant number: 19/01711-4
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Effective date (Start): April 01, 2019
• Effective date (End): December 31, 2022
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Veterinary Medicine
• Principal researcher: Maria Jaqueline Mamprim de Arruda Monteiro
• Grantee: Jeana Pereira da Silva
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Botucatu. Botucatu , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Obtaining clinical diagnosis in reptiles is a challenge because clinical signs are usually nonspecific and physical examination is very limited by physiological and anatomical factors compared to mammals. The advances in imaging modalities have been increasingly progressive in Veterinary Medicine, as well as in the area of wild animals, using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging devices that can provide data and anatomopathological descriptions of various structures in patients in vivo. Imaging tools such as radiography, ultrasonography and computed tomography are of paramount importance for evaluation of celomatous organs and determination of the diagnosis of diseases in reptiles, considering the great anatomical difference and architecture of the celomathic cavity and systems such as cardiorespiratory, which results in large changes in image interpretation compared to mammals and/or birds. There are several endangered species of reptiles in the Brazilian territory, such as lizards, snakes, crocodilians and testudines, and the main causes of threats to these animals are degradation and loss of habitat, introduction of invasive species, pollution, diseases and changes climate change. Given this scenario, the need for conservation of endangered species is observed, and the necessary measures include preserving habitats and controlling the direct exploitation of these animals. In addition, the creation of reptiles as domestic animals and the permanence of these in zoos has been growing over time, requiring care by veterinary specialists, so the search for knowledge is inevitable. The large number of species of snakes and lizards in captivity combined with the high inter- and intraspecific morphological variability makes the analysis of the diagnostic images challenging for the veterinarian. Considering that many imaging techniques used in reptiles are extrapolated from those used in domestic animal medicine, this work is extremely important because it will provide data about the normality of these structures in order to contribute to the diagnostic interpretation and elucidation of diseases in these species, determining the most appropriate treatment strategy and verifying the benefits of using these modalities in conjunction with other diagnostic tools. (AU)