Histochemistry of flight muscles in the Jamaican fruit bat, Artibeus jamaicensis: implications for motor control.
Two fast-twitch fiber types are histochemically identified in the primary flight muscles of Artibeus jamaicensis. These are classified as type IIa and IIb according to an acid-preincubation staining protocol for myosin ATPase. All fibers in the bat flight muscles exhibit relatively intense staining properties for NADH-TR, suggesting a high oxidative capacity. The glycolytic potential of all fibers is rather low, as assessed by stains for alpha-GPD. This two-type histochemical profile appears to parallel biphasic electromyographic patterns observed in these muscles and leads us to propose that flight muscle histochemistry and activation are mediated by a "two-gear" neuromuscular control system. In contrast, earlier studies on Tadarida brasiliensis demonstrate the existence of a "one-gear" neuromuscular control system, exemplified by the presence of one fiber type. These observations are discussed with respect to the natural history and flight styles of several species.
Hermanson
J W
JW
Department of Biology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30322.
Foehring
R C
RC
D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D002685:Chiroptera / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005426:Flight, Animal; D005993:Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D006651:Histocytochemistry; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity / Q000502:physiology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000201:enzymology*; D009246:NADH Tetrazolium Reductase / Q000378:metabolism; D013194:Staining and Labeling
D005993:Glycerolphosphate Dehydrogenase; D009246:NADH Tetrazolium Reductase; D000251:Adenosine Triphosphatases