Active generation glands present in neonates of some Cordylid Lizards: A case study of Cordylus macropholis (Sauria: Cordylidae)

Journal of Morphology
P le Fras N MoutonC Alexander Searby

Abstract

Generation glands are holocrine epidermal glands occurring on the ventral aspect of the thigh of cordylid lizards. In most species these glands seemingly start to differentiate with the onset of sexual maturity, but macroscopic signs of generation gland activity were noted in neonates of the large-scaled girdled lizard, Cordylus macropholis. The glands of neonatal, subadult, and adult individuals were examined microscopically using standard histological techniques. The glands of the five neonatal specimens examined, including both males and females, all had the same basic structure and displayed two layers of mature glandular material. In subadult and adult specimens, the number of layers varied from seven to nine. The structure of the generation glands of C. macropholis is similar to that of the few other Cordylus species that have been described to date. They are of the protruding kind with multiple mature glandular generations. Juveniles of an additional 12 cordylid species have been examined for the presence of active generation glands. Active glands were found to be present in neonates of C. tasmani and C. tropidosternum, both of which are, like C. macropholis, terrestrial species. In C. cordylus and C. coeruleopunctatus, ...Continue Reading

Citations

Dec 5, 2013·Journal of Morphology·P le Fras N MoutonChris Broeckhoven

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Trending Feeds

COVID-19

Coronaviruses encompass a large family of viruses that cause the common cold as well as more serious diseases, such as the ongoing outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19; formally known as 2019-nCoV). Coronaviruses can spread from animals to humans; symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and breathing difficulties; in more severe cases, infection can lead to death. This feed covers recent research on COVID-19.

Blastomycosis

Blastomycosis fungal infections spread through inhaling Blastomyces dermatitidis spores. Discover the latest research on blastomycosis fungal infections here.

Nuclear Pore Complex in ALS/FTD

Alterations in nucleocytoplasmic transport, controlled by the nuclear pore complex, may be involved in the pathomechanism underlying multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and Frontotemporal Dementia. Here is the latest research on the nuclear pore complex in ALS and FTD.

Applications of Molecular Barcoding

The concept of molecular barcoding is that each original DNA or RNA molecule is attached to a unique sequence barcode. Sequence reads having different barcodes represent different original molecules, while sequence reads having the same barcode are results of PCR duplication from one original molecule. Discover the latest research on molecular barcoding here.

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

Chronic fatigue syndrome is a disease characterized by unexplained disabling fatigue; the pathology of which is incompletely understood. Discover the latest research on chronic fatigue syndrome here.

Evolution of Pluripotency

Pluripotency refers to the ability of a cell to develop into three primary germ cell layers of the embryo. This feed focuses on the mechanisms that underlie the evolution of pluripotency. Here is the latest research.

Position Effect Variegation

Position Effect Variagation occurs when a gene is inactivated due to its positioning near heterochromatic regions within a chromosome. Discover the latest research on Position Effect Variagation here.

STING Receptor Agonists

Stimulator of IFN genes (STING) are a group of transmembrane proteins that are involved in the induction of type I interferon that is important in the innate immune response. The stimulation of STING has been an active area of research in the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases. Here is the latest research on STING receptor agonists.

Microbicide

Microbicides are products that can be applied to vaginal or rectal mucosal surfaces with the goal of preventing, or at least significantly reducing, the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Here is the latest research on microbicides.