Loss of traditional mucous glands and presence of a novel mucus-producing granular gland in the plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii

Abstract

All amphibians are thought to possess two distinct types of dermal gland: mucous and granular. Mucous glands typically produce an acidic, flocculent and carbohydrate positive secretion that keeps skin moist and helps maintain homeostasis. In this study, we use a battery of histochemical tests to identify these traditional mucous glands in the dermis of the plethodontid salamander Ensatina eschscholtzii. The periodic acid-Schiff, alcian blue, toluidine blue and carmine reactions reveal the absence of both acidic glycosaminoglycans and traditional mucous glands. Instead, E. eschscholtzii produces neutral mucus in specialized granular glands, which we name mucus-producing granular glands (MPGGs). The loss of traditional mucous glands is a derived trait for Ensatina. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London.