About this Environmental Science article

Structure of the scales of Dermophis and Microcaecilia (Amphibia: Gymnophiona), and a comparison to dermal ossifications of other vertebrates by Louise Zylberberg; Marvalee H. Wake is a Environmental Science article available to read on EtoBox.

## Abstract The structures of the dermal scales and the cells surrounding the scales in two species of gymnophione amphibians were studied using histochemistry and light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Scales are composed of a basal platt of several layers of unmineralized collagenous fibers topped with mineralized squamulae. Squamulae are composed of numerous mineralized globules and mineralized, thick collagen fibers. Mineralization is therefore both spheritic and inotropic. Isolated flattened cells lie on the outer surface of the squamulae and seem to be involved in mineral deposition. Cells that line the basal plate synthesize the collagenous stroma of the plate. Each scale lies in a thin connective tissue pocket, and a large connective tissue pouch includes several scales in each annulus. The similarities of gymnophione scales to elasmoid scales of osteichthyans are largely superficial. Aspects of mineralization and of pocket development differ considerably. There are also similarities, as well as differences, in the gymnophione scales and osteoderms of amphibians and of reptiles. We consider that such dermal structures have arisen many times in diverse lineage

Author

Louise Zylberberg; Marvalee H. Wake

Publisher

John Wiley and Sons; Wiley (John Wiley & Sons); John Wiley & Sons Inc.; Wiley (ISSN 0362-2525)

Published

1990

Language

EN

Field

Environmental Science (Physical Sciences)