« Previous AbstractComparative anatomy and phylogeny of the cloacae of salamanders (Amphibia: Caudata). VI. Ambystomatidae and Dicamptodontidae    Next AbstractChanges in the aromatic profile of espresso coffee as a function of the grinding grade and extraction time: a study by the electronic nose system »

J Morphol

Title:		"Histology and ultrastructure of the caudal courtship glands of the red-backed salamander, Plethodon cinereus (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)"
Author(s):		Sever DM; Siegel DS;
Address:		"Department of Biological Sciences, Southeastern Louisiana University, Hammond, Louisiana, 70402"
Journal Title:		J Morphol
Year:		2015
Volume:		20141113
Issue:		3
Page Number:		319 - 330
DOI:		10.1002/jmor.20342
ISSN/ISBN:		1097-4687 (Electronic) 0022-2887 (Linking)
Abstract:		"Caudal courtship glands (CCGs) are sexually dimorphic glands described in the skin of the dorsal tail base of some male salamanders in the genera Desmognathus, Eurycea, and Plethodon in the family Plethodontidae. These glands are believed to deliver pheromones to females during courtship, when the female rests her chin on the dorsal tail base during the stereotypic tail straddling walk unique to plethodontids. Although CCGs have been studied histologically, no investigations of their ultrastructure have been made. This article presents the first study on the fine structure and seasonal variation of CCGs, using the plethodontid Plethodon cinereus. The CCGs vary seasonally in height and secretory activity. The mature secretory granules observed in males collected in October and April consist of oval, biphasic granules that are eosinophilic and give positive reactions to periodic acid-Schiff for neutral carbohydrates but do not stain for acidic mucosusbtances or proteins with alcian blue and bromphenol blue, respectively. Granular glands, some of which contain mucous demilunes, are twice as large as CCGs, are syncytial (unlike CCGs), and stain for proteins. Mucous glands are similar in size to CCGs, but are basophilic, show no seasonal variation in secretory activity, and stain positive for acidic mucosubstances. CCGs do not resemble cytologically the sexually dimorphic mental glands of some plethodontids, which contain round or oval granules filled with an electron-dense amorphous substance. The CCGs are similar histologically to sexually dimorphic skin glands described in some anurans, but more comparative work is needed"
Keywords:		Animals Courtship Exocrine Glands/chemistry/*ultrastructure Female Male Mucus Pheromones/metabolism Proteins/analysis Scent Glands/chemistry/*ultrastructure Seasons Secretory Vesicles/chemistry/ultrastructure Skin/ultrastructure Urodela/*anatomy & histolo;
Notes:		"MedlineSever, David M Siegel, Dustin S eng Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't 2014/11/14 J Morphol. 2015 Mar; 276(3):319-30. doi: 10.1002/jmor.20342. Epub 2014 Nov 13"