Morphology and ultrastructure of possible integumentary sense organs in the estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Journal of Morphology
Kate JacksonJohn H Youson

Abstract

The skins of crocodylids and gavialids can be distinguished from those of alligatorids by the presence of darkly pigmented pits, known as integumentary sense organs (ISOs), on the postcranial scales. The structure of ISOs, in Crocodylus porosus, was studied using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The stratum corneum of the epidermis in the area of the ISO is thinner, while the stratum germinativum is thicker, relative to other regions of the integument. Beneath the epidermal layer the ISO region has a paucity of collagen fibers relative to the rest of the dermis. Widely dispersed fibrocytes, nerve terminals, and chromatophores occur throughout the ISO region of the dermis, but these elements are concentrated in the area immediately beneath the stratum germinativum in the ISO region. The morphology of the ISOs suggests that they are sensory organs. It has traditionally been assumed that sensory organs on the amniote integument have a mechanosensory function. However, alternate functional interpretations of this structure are possible, and a resolution awaits further work. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

References

Jun 1, 1970·The Journal of Experimental Zoology·H P Baden, P F Maderson
Dec 31, 1973·Zeitschrift Für Anatomie Und Entwicklungsgeschichte·M von Düring

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Citations

Jun 12, 2019·Royal Society Open Science·Jenna M Crowe-RiddellKate L Sanders
May 17, 2002·Nature·Daphne Soares
Jun 10, 2016·Open Biology·Jenna M Crowe-RiddellKate L Sanders
Nov 9, 2012·The Journal of Experimental Biology·Duncan B Leitch, Kenneth C Catania
Nov 28, 2021·Macromolecular Rapid Communications·Yan-Song ZhangChia-Rong Lee

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