Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus
Abstract Background Amphibians have evolved a remarkable diversity of defensive mechanisms against predators. One of the most conspicuous components in their defense is related to their ability to produce and store a high variety of bioactive (noxious to poisonous) substances in specialized skin gla...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2018-06-01
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| Series: | Zoological Letters |
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| Online Access: | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40851-018-0095-x |
| _version_ | 1818269692215689216 |
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| author | Marion Wanninger Thomas Schwaha Egon Heiss |
| author_facet | Marion Wanninger Thomas Schwaha Egon Heiss |
| author_sort | Marion Wanninger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Amphibians have evolved a remarkable diversity of defensive mechanisms against predators. One of the most conspicuous components in their defense is related to their ability to produce and store a high variety of bioactive (noxious to poisonous) substances in specialized skin glands. Previous studies have shown that T. verrucosus is poisonous with the potential to truly harm or even kill would-be predators by the effect of its toxic skin secretions. However, little is known on form and function of the skin glands responsible for production and release of these secretions. Results By using light- and scanning electron microscopy along with confocal laser scanning microscopy, we show that T. verrucosus exhibits three different multicellular skin glands: one mucous- and two granular glands. While mucous glands are responsible for the production of the slippery mucus, granular glands are considered the production site of toxins. The first type of granular glands (GG1) is found throughout the skin, though its average size can vary between body regions. The second type of granular glands (GG2) can reach larger dimensions compared with the former type and is restricted to the tail region. Despite their different morphology, all three skin gland types are enwrapped by a distinct myoepithelial sheath that is more prominently developed in the granular (i.e. poison-) glands compared to the mucous glands. The myoepithelial sheath consists of one layer of regularly arranged slender myoepithelial cells that run from the gland pore to the basal gland pole. Conclusions This study shows that the skin in the Himalayan newt T. verrucosus displays one mucus- and two poison gland types enwrapped by a myoepithelial sheath. Contraction of the myoepithelium squeezes the glands and glandular content is released upon the skin surface where the secretion can deploy its defensive potential. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-12T20:58:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d6c4c7162e3b405782eeea133251fb97 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-306X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-12T20:58:25Z |
| publishDate | 2018-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Zoological Letters |
| spelling | doaj.art-d6c4c7162e3b405782eeea133251fb972022-12-22T00:12:15ZengBMCZoological Letters2056-306X2018-06-014111010.1186/s40851-018-0095-xForm and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosusMarion Wanninger0Thomas Schwaha1Egon Heiss2Department of Integrative Zoology, University of ViennaDepartment of Integrative Zoology, University of ViennaInstitute of Zoology and Evolutionary Research, Friedrich-Schiller-University of JenaAbstract Background Amphibians have evolved a remarkable diversity of defensive mechanisms against predators. One of the most conspicuous components in their defense is related to their ability to produce and store a high variety of bioactive (noxious to poisonous) substances in specialized skin glands. Previous studies have shown that T. verrucosus is poisonous with the potential to truly harm or even kill would-be predators by the effect of its toxic skin secretions. However, little is known on form and function of the skin glands responsible for production and release of these secretions. Results By using light- and scanning electron microscopy along with confocal laser scanning microscopy, we show that T. verrucosus exhibits three different multicellular skin glands: one mucous- and two granular glands. While mucous glands are responsible for the production of the slippery mucus, granular glands are considered the production site of toxins. The first type of granular glands (GG1) is found throughout the skin, though its average size can vary between body regions. The second type of granular glands (GG2) can reach larger dimensions compared with the former type and is restricted to the tail region. Despite their different morphology, all three skin gland types are enwrapped by a distinct myoepithelial sheath that is more prominently developed in the granular (i.e. poison-) glands compared to the mucous glands. The myoepithelial sheath consists of one layer of regularly arranged slender myoepithelial cells that run from the gland pore to the basal gland pole. Conclusions This study shows that the skin in the Himalayan newt T. verrucosus displays one mucus- and two poison gland types enwrapped by a myoepithelial sheath. Contraction of the myoepithelium squeezes the glands and glandular content is released upon the skin surface where the secretion can deploy its defensive potential.http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40851-018-0095-xSalamanderSkin glandsPoison glandsAnti-predator adaptation |
| spellingShingle | Marion Wanninger Thomas Schwaha Egon Heiss Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus Zoological Letters Salamander Skin glands Poison glands Anti-predator adaptation |
| title | Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus |
| title_full | Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus |
| title_fullStr | Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus |
| title_full_unstemmed | Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus |
| title_short | Form and Function of the skin glands in the Himalayan newt Tylototriton verrucosus |
| title_sort | form and function of the skin glands in the himalayan newt tylototriton verrucosus |
| topic | Salamander Skin glands Poison glands Anti-predator adaptation |
| url | http://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s40851-018-0095-x |
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