Morphology of intestinal villi in African antelope (Artiodactyla: Bovidae).
Villous morphology in 16 species of African antelope varied from finger-like and leaf-like to ridge-like forms. Some species showed uniform villi whereas it was variable in others. There was a slight indication that leaf-like and finger-like forms become more frequent in the distal regions of the small intestine. The variation in morphology was not associated with body size or phylogeny, but did show a significant correlation with diet: species with high moisture content and/or high fibre levels (equivalent to low bulk values) in the digesta were more likely to have ridges, which were the lowest of the villi.
Woodall
P F
PF
Department of Anatomical Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia.
Skinner
J D
JD
D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D004032:Diet; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D007422:Intestines / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013045:Species Specificity