THE CALCIFIED AMORPHOUS LAYER OF THE SKIN OF BUFO-MARINUS (AMPHIBIA, ANURA) uri icon

abstract

  • The integument of Bufo marinus is surveyed. It is similar to that of other anurans and contains the three chromatophores common to anurans. The skin of these toads contains more than 28% minerals deposited as small crystals in a mucopolysaccharidepositive amorphous layer between the stratum compactum and the stratum spongiosum. These crystals reveal a high content of calcium and phosphorus aggregated in and near membranebound vesicles which have an appearance very similar to matrix vesicles. Electron microscopy gives the appearance that these vesicles are associated with flbroblasts located between alternating bundles of collagen. Histochemical studies indicate that the amorphous layer possesses many of the characteristics commonly associated with mineralized cartilage or bone. Copyright 1987, Wiley Blackwell. All rights reserved

published proceedings

  • JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

author list (cited authors)

  • SAMPSON, H. W., CANNON, M. S., & DAVIS, R. W.

citation count

  • 10

complete list of authors

  • SAMPSON, HW||CANNON, MS||DAVIS, RW

publication date

  • September 1987

publisher