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16723

Comparative and functional study of integumentary system of two different reptiles: adaptation to their different modes of life

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Last updated: 03 Jan 2025

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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.  

DOI

10.21608/ejhm.2018.16723

Keywords

skin, Scales, chromatophores, foraging activities, Reptiles

Authors

First Name

Samy A.

Last Name

Saber

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Affiliation

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Boys branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

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First Name

Boshra A.

Last Name

ElSalkh

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Affiliation

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Girls branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

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Orcid

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First Name

Ali G.

Last Name

Gadel-Rab

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Assiut, Egypt

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First Name

Fatma A.

Last Name

Mahmoud

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Assuit University, Assiut, Egypt

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Orcid

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First Name

Asmaa A.

Last Name

El-Dahshan

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Girls branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

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Orcid

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First Name

Doaa I.

Last Name

Gewily

MiddleName

-

Affiliation

Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science (Girls branch), Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

Email

doaa_esmail2000@yahoo.com

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-

Orcid

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Volume

73

Article Issue

6

Related Issue

3486

Issue Date

2018-10-01

Receive Date

2018-10-15

Publish Date

2018-10-01

Page Start

6,802

Page End

6,811

Print ISSN

1687-2002

Online ISSN

2090-7125

Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/article_16723.html

Detail API

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/service?article_code=16723

Order

2

Type

Original Article

Type Code

606

Publication Type

Journal

Publication Title

The Egyptian Journal of Hospital Medicine

Publication Link

https://ejhm.journals.ekb.eg/

MainTitle

Comparative and functional study of integumentary system of two different reptiles: adaptation to their different modes of life

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Article

Created At

22 Jan 2023