Cutaneous serous glands in south-american anurans: An ultrastructural comparison between hylid and pseudid species

Abstract

An ultrastructural analysis of the secretory processes in serous cutaneous glands of some hylid species (Scinax acuminata, S. fuscovaria, S. nasica and Hyla nana) and one pseudid species (Pseudis paradoxa) revealed similar features, from the early steps to advanced maturational phases. The most consistent and peculiar trait was the occurrence of granules with repeating substructures, resulting from multi-focal condensation of the dispersed material contained in the Golgian vesicles, which represent the early feature of the secretory activity. Since the ultimate granule features derive from comparable pathways of sequential processes - including early secretory activity and maturation - the similar repetitive substructure is proposed as a trait informative on the taxonomic relationships between the species considered. Comparable granule features in serous glands of different species confirm the close systematic framing of Hyla and Scinax among Hyli-nae, while stressing phylogenetic relationships between the hylid and pseudid families. © 2002 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.