Morphological and Histochemical Adaptations of the Urinary System in the male Euphrates Jerboa (Scarturus euphraticus)
Morphological and Histochemical Adaptations of the Urinary System in the male Euphrates Jerboa (Scarturus euphraticus)
Nabeel Abd Murad Almamoori1*, Hassaneen Sharoot1, Aqeel Mohsin AL-Mahmodi2, Abdulrazzaq B. Kadhim1, Hazem K. Almhanna1
ABSTRACT
The Euphrates jerboa is particularly interesting because of its capacity to survive with very little water intake and its unusual adaptation to desert conditions. This study examined the urinary system anatomy and histology of the male Euphrates Jerboa, focusing on adaptations to its arid environment. The jerboa’s kidneys, located in the sub-lumbar region, were irregularly bean-shaped, with the right kidney positioned more cranially. Notably, they lacked surrounding fat, instead covered by a thin fibrous dense irregular connective tissue layer. Kidney size and weight measurements revealed minor differences between left and right kidneys. Internally, the kidneys displayed a distinct cortex and medulla, characteristic of a unipapillary structure. The ureters extend caudally from the renal hili, traversing the abdominal and pelvic regions. The urinary bladder, situated in the pelvic cavity, is short, compressed, and pear-shaped. Histologically, the kidneys consist of a capsule, cortex, and medulla. The cortex contains renal corpuscles, while the medulla houses tubules, including proximal and distal convoluted tubules, and collecting ducts. The ureters possess a star-shaped lumen and three layers: mucosa, muscularis, and adventitia. The urinary bladder comprised four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis, and serosa. Comparison with other mammals revealed both similarities and differences. While basic kidney morphology and histology aligned with typical mammalian structures. The jerboa’s kidneys were relatively small compared to body weight and lacked perirenal fat, potentially reflecting adaptations to arid conditions. The left kidney’s shape also showed slight variation. Ureters and bladder exhibit general mammalian features, although the bladder was small and compressed.
Keywords | Euphrates jerboa, Morphological, Histochemical, Peri-renal fats urinary system, Arid adaptation, Mammalian
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July 2025
Adv. Anim. Vet. Sci., Vol. 13, Iss. 7,
