Postnatal Ontogeny of Nasal Turbinals in the Big Brown Bat, Eptesicus fuscus
Tim D. Smith1,*, Kathryn E. Stanchak2, Sarah E. Downing3, Nicholas A. King1, Veronica B. Rosenberger1, Thomas P. Eiting4,5, Abigail A. Curtis2, Paul A. Faure6, and Sharlene E. Santana2,7
1School of Physical Therapy, Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock, PA 16057.2Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195. 3Department of Physical Therapy, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, PA 15282.4Department of Physiology and Pathology, Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, Las Cruces, NM 88001.5Department of Biology, New Mexico State University, Las Cruces, NM 88001.6Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour, McMaster University, Hamilton, ON L8S 4L8, Canada.7Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195.*Corresponding author.
Journal of North American Bat Research, Volume 2 (2024): 1–16
Abstract
Nasal turbinals, scrolled thin bones of the nasal cavity, increase surface area for conditioning inspired air or for olfaction in mammals. To assess function in Eptesicus fuscus (Big Brown Bat), we quantify surface area of respiratory and olfactory turbinals from birth to adult size, using data from microCT scans before and after iodine staining. Surface area of each turbinal is significantly correlated with postnatal age and cranial length. The surface area of the maxilloturbinal and first ethmoturbinal (ET I) grows faster, relative to skull size, than surface area of caudal ethmoturbinals or the frontoturbinal. Histological examination of selected specimens reveals ET I grows disproportionately more presumptive respiratory mucosa than olfactory mucosa, supporting the hypothesis that ET I has a dual function. Lastly, we find that distribution of olfactory mucosa in the caudal nasal cavity diminishes with age. Our findings suggest a reduction in olfactory function in E. fuscus, perhaps due to a diminished role in food acquisition by this aerial insectivore.
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Journal of North American Bat Research is valued by the academic, agency, NGO, and private-sector research community as a respected and trusted source for science related to all aspects of the biology, ecology, and conservation of bats, Order Chiroptera, and their habitats in North America, from Canada to Panama, and the West Indies (Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and Lesser Antilles). Manuscripts based on studies outside this region that provide information on species within the region may be considered at the Editor’s discretion.