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The skin of Ichthyophis (Amphibia: Caecilia): an ultrastructural study
Author(s) -
Fox Harold
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
journal of zoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.915
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1469-7998
pISSN - 0952-8369
DOI - 10.1111/j.1469-7998.1983.tb02092.x
Subject(s) - ultrastructure , biology , epidermis (zoology) , dermis , amphibian , anatomy , ecology
The skin of the adult Ichthyophis spp. has been investigated using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the various epidermal and dermal integral cellular components of this genus, of the order Caecilia, are compared and contrasted with those of members of the Anura and Urodela among the Amphibia. In general the epidermis of Ichthyophis is typically amphibian in appearance, though in terms of size the cells are large and of urodelan dimensions. Apart from the epithelial cells, in addition the epidermis includes a number of specifically different cells, some doubtless arising in situ , possibly from the stratum germinativum, others entering the epidermis from elsewhere. The dermis of caecilians is unique among living amphibians in possessing scales located in pockets, and for completeness their gross structure and arrangement are described and existing information on their ultrastructure is summarized. The cellular composition and arrangement of the dermal glands are described and the glandular components in the Amphibia are compared.