Anatomy, histology and some aspects of histochemistry of the stomach in two primitive microchiroptera

The two openings of the stomach lie parallel to each other in both the species since the gastroduodenal junction is directed craniad. The fundic caecum ofTaphozous longimanus forms a distinct chamber due to the presence of shelves, one projecting from the dorsal side and the other from the ventral side. The cardiac glands ofTaphozous longimanus are unique and composed almost entirely of mucous secreting cells. These glands ofRhinopoma kinneari have very deep foveolae. Pepsinogen cells are abundant in the fundicregion of the stomach of both the species. There is no pepsinogen cell in the transitional zone and the pyloric glands contain mostly mucous secreting cells. The interstitial mucous cells of the cardiac glands and a part of the cranial half of the fundic caecum inRhinopoma kinneari contain acidic sulphated mucins. The histochemical characteristics of the gastric glands in the two bats have been described.