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J Morphol

Title:		"Specialized mucous glands and their possible adaptive role in the males of some species of Rana (Amphibia, Anura)"
Author(s):		Brizzi R; Delfino G; Pellegrini R;
Address:		"Department of Animal Biology and Genetics, University of Florence, Firenze, Italy"
Journal Title:		J Morphol
Year:		2002
Volume:		254
Issue:		3
Page Number:		328 - 341
DOI:		10.1002/jmor.10039
ISSN/ISBN:		0362-2525 (Print) 0022-2887 (Linking)
Abstract:		"A structural and ultrastructural study was carried out on the cutaneous glands in some species of Rana (R. dalmatina, R. iberica, R. italica, R. 'esculenta,' and R. perezi), giving particular attention to the mucous secretory units. Two different types of mucous glands occur in R. dalmatina, R. iberica, and R. italica. Besides the ordinary mucous units, which are randomly distributed over the body surface in both males and females, a further population of mucous glands was observed on the male dorsal skin. The latter is recognizable by the peculiar morphology of the epithelial cells and some characteristics of the secretory product. Specialized mucous glands are absent in both sexes of R. 'esculenta' and R. perezi. The possible adaptive role of the specialized mucous glands is discussed in light of the absence of vocal sacs in males of R. dalmatina, R. iberica, and R. italica. Chemosignals released by sexually dimorphic mucous units may replace vocal communication during the breeding season and so play an important role in female attraction and/or territorial announcement. The morphology and possible function of the specialized mucous glands in the three species of Rana are compared with the breeding glands of other frogs and with the hedonic glands of some urodeles (Salamandridae and Plethodontidae), which are known to produce pheromonal substances during courtship"
Keywords:		"Adaptation, Physiological/physiology Animals Epithelial Cells/metabolism/ultrastructure Exocrine Glands/*metabolism/*ultrastructure Female Male Microscopy, Electron Mucus/*metabolism Ranidae/*anatomy & histology/physiology Sex Characteristics Sexual Behav;"
Notes:		"MedlineBrizzi, Rossana Delfino, Giovanni Pellegrini, Roberta eng Comparative Study 2002/10/19 J Morphol. 2002 Dec; 254(3):328-41. doi: 10.1002/jmor.10039"