Comparative Study of Pancreas of Frugivorous, Carnivorous and Insectivorous Bat

Abstract

Bat is an unique flying mammal represented by more than hundred genera which shows variable feeding habits like frugivorous, insectivorous, nectar eater, carnivorous,  sanguivorous etc.  In the present work the pancreas of bats were studies which have the different dietary habits. Rousettus leschenaulti a frugivorous bat, Megaderma lyra lyra a carnivorous bat and Scotophilus heathi an insectivorous bat were selected. The pancreas of  Rousettus leschenaulti was bilobed with head, neck and body with tail having a length between 1.2 to 1.7 cm. long. The pancreas of Megaderma lyra lyra was axe or hatchet shaped having a length of 1.0 to 1.5 cm. containing head neck and body. The pancreas of Scotophilus heathi was serrated leaf shaped having two lobes one shorter than the other consisting of head neck and body. The body weight  pancreas weight ratio was observed it was to be   1.02 mg./ gm. body weight in Rousettus leschenaulti, 3.63 mg./ gm. body weight in Megaderma lyra lyra and   5.28  mg./ gm. body weight in  Scotophilus heathi.The endocrine islets of Langerhan’s was found to be in between 3000 µ² to 36000 µ² having several hundred islet cells in Rousettus leschenaulti, 200 µ² to 3500 µ² in diameter consisting of few to hundred cells.in  Megaderma lyra lyra and  75 µ² to 3900 µ² containing few islet cells in Scotophilus heathi. All islet shows variable percentage of alpha, beta and delta cells secreting different hormones.

Keywords :- Bat, Pancreas, Rousettus leschenaulti, Megaderma lyra lyra, Scotophilus heathi.