Title: | "Structure of the sexually dimorphic gland of Cycloramphus fuliginosus (Amphibia, Anura, Cycloramphidae)" |
Author(s): | Goncalves VF; de Brito-Gitirana L; |
Address: | "Laboratory of Animal and Comparative Histology, Department of Histology and Embryology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Av. Trompowsky s/no, CCS, bl.B1-017, Cidade Universitaria, Ilha do Fundao, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21540-970, Brazil" |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.micron.2007.08.005 |
ISSN/ISBN: | 0968-4328 (Print) 0968-4328 (Linking) |
Abstract: | "Cycloramphus fuliginosus males (Amphibia, Leptodactylidae) have discoid glandular elevations on the abdominal inferior body region which are considered a characteristic of genus. In this work, this sexually dimorphic gland of C. fuliginosus was investigated by low vacuum scanning electron microscopy, light microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. In this cycloramphid, the covered integument exhibits the basic structure: the epidermis, a keratinized squamous stratified epithelium with flask cells, and the dermis. The dermis is subdivided into spongious and compact dermal layers. In the iliac gland region, an aggregate of small mucous glands and larger syncytial tubuloalveolar glands occur in the spongious dermis, and they do not go beyond the Eberth-Katschenko layer limit. The adenocytes of the mucous gland produce neutral glycoproteins, in contrast to the larger tubuloalveolar glands that elaborate a proteinaceous secretion. Myoepithelial cells surround the alveoli, and play an important role in the secretion extrusion. The final secretion, elaborated by the iliac gland, is a mixture of mucus and protein. Both secretions are important to the cycloramphid biology, and may act as pheromone and/or as chemical parental care" |
Keywords: | "Abdomen/*anatomy & histology Animals Anura/*anatomy & histology Dermis/cytology/ultrastructure Epidermal Cells Epidermis/ultrastructure Exocrine Glands/*cytology/*ultrastructure Male Microscopy, Electron, Scanning Microscopy, Electron, Transmission Protei;" |
Notes: | "MedlineGoncalves, Vanessa Figueira de Brito-Gitirana, Lycia eng England 2007/10/02 Micron. 2008; 39(1):32-9. doi: 10.1016/j.micron.2007.08.005. Epub 2007 Aug 23" |