Background: The African painted dog is classified as a relic canid lineage, inhabiting areas south of the Sahara. The fennec fox is the smallest member of the Canidae family, found in the Arabian Peninsula and northern Sahara. Methods: The gross anatomy and light microscopic examination of the oral cavity glands were studied in five adult captive South African painted dogs and five adult captive fennec foxes from the Wroclaw Zoological Garden, Poland. In this research, the zygomatic gland, monostomatic sublingual gland, polystomatic sublingual gland, mandibular gland, and parotid gland were examined for their topography, morphometry, histology, and histochemistry using hematoxylin and eosin, azan trichrome, mucicarmine, PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5, AB pH 2.5 PAS, and HID. Results: We found that the parotid glands were consistently the largest, followed by the mandibular and sublingual glands (both monostomatic and polystomatic). The zygomatic gland was the smallest in both South African painted dogs and fennec foxes. Interestingly, there were noticeable differences in the size, shape, and even composition of the secretory products between the two species. The zygomatic and polystomatic sublingual glands in the South African painted dog and the fennec fox were complex branched tubular. In the South African painted dog, the monostomatic gland was a branched tubular compound gland, while in the fennec fox, it was a branched tubuloalveolar compound gland. The mandibular gland in hunting dogs was a branched tubular compound gland, while in the fennec fox a branched tubuloalveolar compound gland. The parotid gland in the fennec fox was a branched acinar compound gland, whereas in the painted dog was a branched tubuloacinar. Conclusions: The basic structure of their glands is similar to that of other terrestrial carnivores, indicating a shared evolutionary origin and function. However, differences in the composition of their secretory products can reflect adaptations to their specific diets. This research provides valuable insights for veterinary medicine and underscores the importance of further studies. By analyzing wild canid populations and including a broader range of species with diverse diets, we could gain a deeper understanding of how diet influences salivary gland morphology within the Canidae.

Objectives: The red panda is currently the only surviving member of the Ailuridae family in the Caniformia suborder. In this study, we provide data on anatomical, morphometric, histological and histochemical examination of the orbital region, eyelids, orbital gland, and eye tunics in two adult males Ailurus fulgens fulgens from the Wroclaw Zoological Garden, Poland. Methods: The study involved morphometric analysis of the eyeball and selected accessory organs of the eye, along with analysis of the bony orbit, including its morphometry, macroscopic, and microscopic evaluation. Microscopic evaluation encompassed histological and histochemical staining, with the former involving hematoxylin & eosin (H&E), Movat pentachrome, picro-Mallory trichrome, Fontana-Masson, and the latter including PAS, AB pH 1.0, AB pH 2.5; AB pH 2.5/PAS, and HDI. Results: The upper (UE) and lower (LE) eyelids presented well-developed tarsal glands, sebaceous glands, and a characteristic simple alveolar gland (producing a mucous secretion). The palpebral part of the lacrimal gland was present. A single lymphoid follicle was observed only in the upper eyelids. The superficial gland of the third eyelid (SGTE) was a multilobar acinar complex that produces mucous secretion and is contained within the interlobular ducts of numerous aggregates of lymph nodes. The third eyelid (TE) was T-shaped and composed of hyaline tissue, containing CALT. The lacrimal gland (LG) also revealed a multilobar acinar complex that produced mucous secretion, with a single lymphoid follicle. The cornea consisted of 4 layers, as Bowman’s membrane was absent. The Vogt palisades composed of 7–10 layers of epithelial cells were demonstrated. The pupil was horizontally ovoid at rest (post-mortem). The sphincter pupil and the dilator pupil were well developed. Macroscopically, the tapetum lucidum appeared as a milky, non-opalescent crescent. Histologically, the choroidal tapetum lucidum cellulosum consisted of 5 to 9 layers of loosely packed oval cells. The retina showed a composition similar to that of terrestrial nocturnal carnivores. Conclusions: The results of our research indicate that the anatomical features of the eye and orbital region in the red panda share similarities with those described in the Musteloidea clade, as well as the Canidae and Ursidae families.

The Harderian and lacrimal glands are the main orbital glands of the avian lacrimal apparatus and contribute to the tear film, nictitating membrane function, and local protection of the ocular surface. Although the ocular adnexa have been well described in domestic birds, the morphology and function of these organs remain poorly characterized in free-living species. This study aimed to characterize the morphology and histochemistry of these glands in the Great Spotted Woodpecker. The material consisted of 18 individuals found dead in the natural environment in Poland. Gross anatomical, morphometric, histological, and histochemical analyses were performed. Both glands occupied typical orbital positions. The secretory units of the Harderian gland consisted of one predominant epithelial cell type, contrasting with the more heterogeneous epithelial organization reported in some other avian species. Both glands were compound tubuloacinar structures. The Harderian gland opened into the lower conjunctival sac, whereas the smaller lacrimal gland drained into the dorsal conjunctival sac. The Harderian gland had a more homogeneous secretory parenchyma and a well-developed excretory duct system. The overall morphology of both glands was comparable to that described in other birds. However, the histochemical secretory profile differed from that reported in several species: the Harderian gland produced mainly acidic mucosubstances, whereas the lacrimal gland showed a mixed secretory profile. The immune component of both glands had a diffuse and periductal distribution, which contrasted with the pattern described in some birds. These findings show that the Harderian and lacrimal glands are structurally and histochemically distinct and suggest complementary roles in ocular surface maintenance in this species. At the same time, the results indicate selected morphological and functional differences compared with both domestic and other free-living birds.

Background: The aardwolf skulls were analyzed and compared to the spotted hyena, the brown hyena and the striped hyena, using specimens from Polish and South African collections. Addressing gaps in detailed anatomy and morphometrics, this study used extensive analyzes, encompassing 64 morphometric parameters and 7 indices, to examine the morphology and morphometrics of cranial and mandibular structures and quantify interspecific and intraspecific variation. Results: The comparative analysis of hyena skulls revealed significant differences between the aardwolf and the other three species. The aardwolf consistently had the smallest and proportionally narrowest skull, characterized by high morphological stability and a wide neurocranium. The brown hyena and spotted hyena had the largest skulls; however, the brown hyena showed greater homogeneity, while the spotted hyena displayed higher absolute variability. Morphologically, the aardwolf’s basilar part was cylindrical, unlike the pyramidal shape in the spotted hyena, and it possessed prominent nuchal tubercles that were reduced in the brown and spotted hyenas. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that the morphological and morphometric features of the aardwolf’s skull are highly specialized and fundamentally distinct from the other three hyena species, reflecting its unique dietary niche. The powerful skulls of the spotted and brown hyenas, in contrast, correlate with their roles as apex predators and scavengers.

This study focused on an archaeozoological analysis of the morphology and osteometry of bovine proximal phalanges. The examined material consisted of 446 complete specimens recovered from an archeological site in Wrocław, Poland (St. Vitus and St. Catherine Streets and New Market Square). The assemblage was divided into eight chronological groups spanning the period from the Early Middle Ages to the Modern Era. The archaeozoological investigation included osteometric measurements and an assessment of morphological variation. Observed changes in bone dimensions were interpreted in relation to patterns of animal exploitation, successive stages in the development of proto-urban and urban settlement in Wrocław, and environmental influences. A critical evaluation of the osteometric data demonstrated that the greatest length of the proximal phalanx should not be used as an additional proxy for estimating withers height when complete metapodial bones are absent from an archeological assemblage. Furthermore, computed tomography (CT) analysis revealed the presence of metal alloys within the medullary cavity of several bones, indicating intentional human modification of the material in the past.