A comparative histological examination of scent glands in selected chiroptera

This study entailed a histological examination of the scent glands of selected bats. The data allowed me to compare glandular sexual dimorphism in each species and to compare the glandular areas. Scent glands of bats from the families Emballonuridae (Peropterxy macrotis, Saccopteryx bilineata, Saccopteryx leptura, Taphozous melanopogon, Taphozous nudiventris), Hipposideridae (Hipposiderous fulvus, Hipposiderous ater), Phyllostomidae (Sturnira lilium) Molossidae (Molossus ater and Molossus sinaloe), and Vespertilionidae (Rhogeessa tumida) were sectioned, stained and examined under the light microscope. Glandular hairs from T. melanopogon and S. lilium were also observed using the Scanning Electron Microscope. All the glands were typical of those of other mammals, consisting of sebaceous and/or sudoriferous glands. There were greater similarities in structure within than between families. The scent glands I studied show sexual dimorphism, with females having rudimentary or no glands. The glandular areas of male T. melanopogon and S. lilium are associated with specialized hairs, "osmetrichia". The antebrachial wing sacs of the emballonurids P. macrotis, S. bilineata, S. leptura show differences in size and location and possess only small amounts of glandular material. The wing sacs do not appear to be glands.