Research Article

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

Volume: 9 Number: 2 December 18, 2025
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Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq

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

Supporting Institution

University of Mosul/ Mosul-Iraq

Ethical Statement

All experiments involving handling and euthanasia of animal were approved according to the university committee of animal care and the use of animals in study.

Thanks

We would like to thank the University of Mosul/ Mosul-Iraq for providing support to this study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Behavioural Ecology, Animal Behaviour

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

August 6, 2025

Publication Date

December 18, 2025

Submission Date

March 20, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 19, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 9 Number: 2

APA
Mohammed, R. H., Qasim, S. Y., & Hamid, E. K. (2025). Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq. Commagene Journal of Biology, 9(2), 145-150. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1661571
AMA
1.Mohammed RH, Qasim SY, Hamid EK. Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq. Comm. J. Biol. 2025;9(2):145-150. doi:10.31594/commagene.1661571
Chicago
Mohammed, Rabeea Hazim, Shireen Yaseen Qasim, and Ekhlass Khaleefah Hamid. 2025. “Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus Kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq”. Commagene Journal of Biology 9 (2): 145-50. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1661571.
EndNote
Mohammed RH, Qasim SY, Hamid EK (December 1, 2025) Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq. Commagene Journal of Biology 9 2 145–150.
IEEE
[1]R. H. Mohammed, S. Y. Qasim, and E. K. Hamid, “Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq”, Comm. J. Biol., vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 145–150, Dec. 2025, doi: 10.31594/commagene.1661571.
ISNAD
Mohammed, Rabeea Hazim - Qasim, Shireen Yaseen - Hamid, Ekhlass Khaleefah. “Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus Kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq”. Commagene Journal of Biology 9/2 (December 1, 2025): 145-150. https://doi.org/10.31594/commagene.1661571.
JAMA
1.Mohammed RH, Qasim SY, Hamid EK. Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq. Comm. J. Biol. 2025;9:145–150.
MLA
Mohammed, Rabeea Hazim, et al. “Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus Kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq”. Commagene Journal of Biology, vol. 9, no. 2, Dec. 2025, pp. 145-50, doi:10.31594/commagene.1661571.
Vancouver
1.Rabeea Hazim Mohammed, Shireen Yaseen Qasim, Ekhlass Khaleefah Hamid. Morphological and Histological Investigation of the Ocular Structures in the Adult Insectivorous Bat (Pipistrellus kuhlii) in Nineveh, Iraq. Comm. J. Biol. 2025 Dec. 1;9(2):145-50. doi:10.31594/commagene.1661571