NASAL MUCOSA RESEMBLING AN OLFACTORY SYSTEM IN THE COMMON MINKE WHALE (BALAENOPTERA ACUTOROSTRATA)

Although it has long been assumed that modern cetaceans lack nervous system structures that mediate olfaction, recent studies suggest that mysticetes still maintain olfactory nerves. We collected samples of the mucous membrane covering the cribriform plate at the bottom of the dorsal nasal meatus fr...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inCetacean Population Studies Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 25 - 28
Main Authors HIROSE, Ayumi, KISHIDA, Takushi, NAKAMURA, Gen
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Publication Committee for Cetacean Population Studies 28.12.2018
Subjects
Baleen whale
Histology
Nasal cavity
Olfaction
Olfactory epithelium
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Summary:Although it has long been assumed that modern cetaceans lack nervous system structures that mediate olfaction, recent studies suggest that mysticetes still maintain olfactory nerves. We collected samples of the mucous membrane covering the cribriform plate at the bottom of the dorsal nasal meatus from a mature female common minke whale. The samples were then thin-sectioned and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Microscopic observations revealed that the mucosa was covered with a pseudostratified columnar epithelium with vessels, glands, and nerve plexuses in its lamina propria. These histological characteristics resembled those of the olfactory epithelium in terrestrial mammals, suggesting that mysticetes do indeed possess a sense of smell.
ISSN:2434-5571
2434-558X
DOI:10.34331/cpops.1.1_25