Comparative and functional study of integumentary system of two different reptiles: adaptation to their different modes of life | ||||
| The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine | ||||
| Article 2, Volume 73, Issue 6, October 2018, Page 6802-6811 PDF (411.69 K) | ||||
| Document Type: Original Article | ||||
| DOI: 10.21608/ejhm.2018.16723 | ||||
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| Authors | ||||
Samy A. Saber1; Boshra A. ElSalkh2; Ali G. Gadel-Rab3; Fatma A. Mahmoud4; Asmaa A. El-Dahshan2; Doaa I. Gewily  2
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| 1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Boys branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| 2Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Girls branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt | ||||
| 3Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt | ||||
| 4Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt | ||||
| Abstract | ||||
| Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the structure and function of the integumentary system of two reptile''s species (Bosc’s fringe toed-lizard (Acanthodactylus boskianus, A. boskianus)and spotted fan-fingered gecko (Ptyodactylus guttatus , P. guttatus) and discussed the influence of different behaviors on their structure (keratinzation and pigmentation, claws, adhesion pads and sensory hairlets). Material and methods: the present study used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the structure of skin layers of A. boskianus and P. guttatus. Results: the thin epidermal layer of Acanthodactylus boskianus was covered by hard keratinized horny epidermal scales, while the epidermal layer of Ptyodactylus guttatus was well distinguished and covered by soft keratinized layer. Moreover, in P. guttatus the scales were non-overlapping along the whole length of the body with dome-like shaped on head region, while in A. boskianus the scales were overlapping and articulating with each other by thin hinge. In the present study the dermis of A. boskianus, was the deeper layer of collagenous connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels and nerves, while, the dermis of P. guttatus was formed of both collagenous and adipose tissues. Three types of chromatophores (melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores) were distinguished in the skin of both studied species. In A. boskianus, the melanophores were black, large and have dendrites invaginates in the stratum basale of epidermis. The iridophores (reflecting pigments) were scattered in the dermis with large number in the ventral skin than the dorsal one. In P. guttatus, melanphores they were larger, blackish brown and scattered within dermis beneath the iridophores with less number in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus. Xanthophores (absorbing pigment) were more prominent in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus. Conclusion: examination of the skin of the two studied reptile species revealed great variations in distributionof chromatophoresthrough the whole bodyreflecting the adaptation of each animal to different modes of life. | ||||
| Keywords | ||||
| skin; Scales; chromatophores; foraging activities; Reptiles | ||||
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