Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq

Authors : Rabeea Hazim Mohammed, Shireen Yaseen Qasim, Ekhlass Khaleefah Hamid

Pages : 145-150

Doi:10.31594/commagene.1661571

View : 53 | Download : 174

Publication Date : 2025-12-18

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Studying the anatomy of the eye in different organisms offers considerable insights into their evolutionary strategies and adaptations. The present work focuses on the examination of the ocular structure in Pipistrellus kuhlii, a common species of bat found in Nineveh, Iraq. Our research aimed to contribute to enhancing the understanding of how this bat has altered its visual system in response to its environmental niche. Twelve adult bats weighing 5.5 - 6g were captured alive. Bats were anesthetized, and eyeballs were enucleated from the orbit, maintained in 10 % formaldehyde, and then the histological analysis process was performed. The present study first indicated that the Pipistrellus kuhlii eye has quite elaborate adaptations, certainly connected with efficient foraging in low light conditions. The retinal structure is specific, with no folding, but features a high density of rod cells for dim light and tracking prey during nocturnal activities. Second, a quite different layout of photoreceptor cells (cones) concerning color vision. These findings would challenge the general idea that bats have very limited color vision. The current research may offer useful information on the complex visual adjustments of flying mammals and increase our understanding of bats\\\' vision.
Keywords : Pipistrellus kuhlii, yarasa görmesi, göz yapısı, uçan memeliler, avlanma adaptasyonları

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