NEW AND PECULIAR CYTOPLASMIC MEMBRANOUS BODIES IN THE ACINAR-CELLS OFTHE HARDERIAN-GLAND OF THE ARMADILLO CHAETOPHRACTUS-VILLOSUS

A new and peculiar morphological feature in acinar cells of the Harder ian gland of the South American armadillo Chaetophractus villosus (Mam malia, Dasipodidae) is reported. The gland of adult males and females was studied at macroscopic, microscopic and electron microscopic level s. The gland is the largest structure in the bony orbit. It is located in its medial (nasal) and basal side. It shows a tubulo-alveolar stru cture characterized by large alveoli with a single layer of columnar o r cuboidal cells. Myoepithelial cells are located between the secretor y ones and the basement membrane. The peculiar morphological feature c onsists of large intracellular membranous bodies located in the supran uclear cytoplasmic region. They are seen in every acinar cell of males and females. Their size is prominent being almost as large as the nuc leus. Only one body is observed in each cell. The structure of the bod ies displays an outstanding geometrical pattern which differs complete ly from other membranous structures described in other species.