Phenotypic Morphometry and Gross Anatomy of Certain Visceral organ with Scanning Electron Microscopy of Liver as well as Lung of Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus)
Anil Deka *
Department of Anatomy & Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Munmun Sarma
Department of Anatomy & Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Daoharu Baro
Wildlife Trust of India, Kokrajhar, Assam, India.
Prabhat Basumatary
Field Director Office, Manas Tiger Reserve, Barpeta Road, Assam, India.
Birendra Nath Bhattacharyya
Directorate of College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Abhijit Deka
Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Dhruba Jyoti Barpujari
Department of Animal Reproduction, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Jiten Rajkhowa
Department of Veterinary Anatomy & Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
Arup Das
Department of Surgery and Radiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
U. Barman
Department of Veterinary Clinical Complex, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Veterinary and Fishery University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The Indian gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a critically endangered crocodilian species for which detailed anatomical information remains limited. In particular, studies on its phenotypic morphometry, gross anatomy of visceral organs, and scanning electron microscopic features of the liver and lungs are scarce. Such anatomical investigations may provide useful baseline information for comparative anatomical studies and wildlife veterinary assessment. This descriptive investigation examined the phenotypic morphometry, gross anatomy of selected visceral organs, and scanning electron microscopic features of the liver and lung of an Indian gharial. A female carcass recovered near the Nijlaguri River in Assam was subjected to post-mortem examination. External measurements were recorded, the visceral organs were examined, and liver and lung tissue samples were fixed in 2.5% glutaraldehyde for scanning electron microscopy. The reported body length, tail length, chest girth, neck girth and body weight were 6 ft 11 inches, 2 ft 8 inches, 11 ft 11 inches, 1 ft 7 inches and 27.45 kg, respectively. Gross examination showed that the liver comprised right and left lobes, with the right lobe larger than the left. The stomach formed a sac-like enlargement between the oesophagus and duodenum. The lungs had dorsal and ventral borders and lateral and medial surfaces, while the trachea divided into left and right bronchi. The heart was four-chambered, the kidneys showed distinct cortical and medullary regions, and the ovary was elongated and attached to the mesovarium. Scanning electron microscopy revealed pulmonary alveoli, bronchus-associated lymphoid tissue and a net-like structure. Liver images showed hepatic sinusoids, hepatocytes, vascular and biliary structures, and red blood cells within the sinusoids. These findings provide descriptive anatomical observations from a single specimen that may support further comparative investigations.
Keywords: Phenotypic morphometry, gross anatomy, Indian gharial, visceral organs, scanning electron microscopy, liver, lung