MORPHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THE LUNGS IN THE RED FOX (VULPES VULPES LINNAEUS, 1758)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32782/naturaljournal.15.2026.8Keywords:
vertebrates, morphology, respiratory organs, lungs, morphotopography, histoarchitecture, morphometryAbstract
The red fox (Vulpes vulpes Linnaeus, 1758) is the most common representative of the family Canidae among vertebrate mammals in wild fauna, long serving as an object of industrial, zoological, and scientific interest. Adapting well to various conditions, this species is widely distributed across natural and anthropogenic biotopes, including forests, open areas, suburban regions, and even urbanized zones. Consequently, morphological studies of wildlife at the organ level, particularly regarding the respiratory system, are of particular relevance. The respiratory system in vertebrates is one of the most critical functional systems, providing gas exchange, thermoregulation, acid-base balance regulation, and participation in immune defense. Furthermore, comparative interspecies studies of the respiratory apparatus are essential for understanding evolutionary adaptations and assessing functional health status. The study aimed to determine the macro- and microscopic morphological features of the lungs in the red fox. Macroscopically, it was established that the interlobar fissures of the lungs are significantly deep, reaching the main bronchus. All lung lobes (right and left) are not connected by parenchyma, except for the cranial and middle lobes of the left lung, which are joined in the dorsal region. According to organometric data, the total lung length is 14.9 ± 0.35 cm, width is 13.1 ± 0.3 cm, and thickness is 6.8 ± 0.28 cm. Based on these indicators, the lung development index is 114 ± 0.35 %, which corresponds to the expanded-elongated type. The histoarchitecture of the bronchi includes three layers: mucous, fibro-cartilaginous, and adventitial. Morphometric analysis showed that the outer diameter of the large bronchi is 3478.4 ± 28.92 μm, while the inner diameter is 1750.2 ± 12.38 μm. The wall thickness of such bronchi is 864.1 ± 9.32 μm, specifically: mucous membrane – 367.8 ± 7.78 μm, fibro-cartilaginous layer – 404.6 ± 4.83 μm, and adventitia – 91.7 ± 1.55 μm. Histometric studies revealed a statistically significant decrease in linear parameters in the middle bronchi (р ≤ 0.01) and terminal bronchioles (р ≤ 0.001) compared to large bronchi, reflecting the structural patterns of the bronchial tree based on the degree of branching. According to the results for the lung parenchyma, the respiratory portion accounts for 52.74 ± 0.62 %, while the connective tissue framework accounts for 47.26 ± 0.75 %. Furthermore, the average alveolar volume is 90.4 ± 1.55 thousand μm³. The results obtained from the morphological studies of the red fox lungs significantly deepen the understanding of the morphofunctional characteristics of the respiratory system in carnivores and can be utilized in interspecies comparative analyses and the modeling of pathological conditions in veterinary practice.
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