Microanatomy of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
- 1Department of Veterinary Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
- 2Comparative Anatomy, Neuroscience and Environmental Toxicology, Department of Veterinary Anatomy, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is a terrestrial mammal with well-developed olfactory, visual, and auditory senses. This study presents the first detailed histomorphological and histomorphometric description of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog.
Results: Six adult hedgehogs (three males and three females) were examined using standard histological techniques, histomorphometric analysis was performed on representative sections using Fiji/ImageJ software. The cerebellum displayed the classical trilaminar cortical organisation comprising molecular, Purkinje cell, and granular layers overlying a fibrous white matter core. The molecular layer was the thickest cerebellar cortical layer (139.44 ± 5.84 μm), followed by the granular layer (115.67 ± 14.75 μm), while the Purkinje cell layer was the thinnest (23.84 ± 5.30 μm). Distinct cerebellar glomeruli were observed within the granular layer as pale eosinophilic regions interspersed among densely packed granule cells. The olfactory bulb consisted of seven layers: the olfactory nerve layer, glomerular layer, external plexiform layer, mitral cell layer, internal plexiform layer, granule cell layer, and subventricular zone. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the granule cell layer was the thickest olfactory bulb layer (248.30 ± 16.37 μm), whereas the mitral cell layer (17.74 ± 4.75 μm) and internal plexiform layer (15.74 ± 3.28 μm) were comparatively thin. Mitral, tufted, periglomerular, and granule cells were readily identifiable, reflecting the hedgehog’s reliance on olfaction for behaviours such as foraging and predator avoidance.
Conclusions: The cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog conform to the conserved structural organisation observed in other mammals. The combined histological and histomorphometric findings provide baseline quantitative and qualitative data for comparative neuroanatomical studies and suggest adaptations associated with the species’ sensorimotor and olfactory specialisations.
Graphical Abstract:
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BibTeX
@article{kpasham2026microanatomy,
title = {{Microanatomy of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)}},
author = {Luimommei Zethan Kpasham and Augustine Chigozie Ajaebili and Olumayowa Olawumi Igado},
journal = {BMC Neuroscience},
year = {2026},
month = jul,
doi = {10.1186/s12868-026-01033-2},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-026-01033-2},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Microanatomy of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)
AU - Luimommei Zethan Kpasham
AU - Augustine Chigozie Ajaebili
AU - Olumayowa Olawumi Igado
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/07/31
JO - BMC Neuroscience
DO - 10.1186/s12868-026-01033-2
UR - https://doi.org/10.1186/s12868-026-01033-2
AB - Background: The African pygmy hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris) is a terrestrial mammal with well-developed olfactory, visual, and auditory senses. This study presents the first detailed histomorphological and histomorphometric description of the cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog. Results: Six adult hedgehogs (three males and three females) were examined using standard histological techniques, histomorphometric analysis was performed on representative sections using Fiji/ImageJ software. The cerebellum displayed the classical trilaminar cortical organisation comprising molecular, Purkinje cell, and granular layers overlying a fibrous white matter core. The molecular layer was the thickest cerebellar cortical layer (139.44 ± 5.84 μm), followed by the granular layer (115.67 ± 14.75 μm), while the Purkinje cell layer was the thinnest (23.84 ± 5.30 μm). Distinct cerebellar glomeruli were observed within the granular layer as pale eosinophilic regions interspersed among densely packed granule cells. The olfactory bulb consisted of seven layers: the olfactory nerve layer, glomerular layer, external plexiform layer, mitral cell layer, internal plexiform layer, granule cell layer, and subventricular zone. Histomorphometric analysis revealed that the granule cell layer was the thickest olfactory bulb layer (248.30 ± 16.37 μm), whereas the mitral cell layer (17.74 ± 4.75 μm) and internal plexiform layer (15.74 ± 3.28 μm) were comparatively thin. Mitral, tufted, periglomerular, and granule cells were readily identifiable, reflecting the hedgehog’s reliance on olfaction for behaviours such as foraging and predator avoidance. Conclusions: The cerebellum and olfactory bulb of the African pygmy hedgehog conform to the conserved structural organisation observed in other mammals. The combined histological and histomorphometric findings provide baseline quantitative and qualitative data for comparative neuroanatomical studies and suggest adaptations associated with the species’ sensorimotor and olfactory specialisations. Graphical Abstract:
SN - 1471-2202
ER -