Cell and Tissue Research

, Volume 177, Issue 3, pp 325–330 | Cite as

Structure and position of receptors within scales bordering the toes of gekkonids

  • Uwe Hiller
Article

Summary

In gekkonids, the scales bordering the toes or the adjacent tissue possess subepidermal and intraepithelial receptors in addition to setae-bearing organs. The position of subepidermal lamellated corpuscles seems to be correlated with the size of the species. The larger the adult animal the more frequently is this type of receptor found laterally in the toe. This can be explained in connection with the vibration-sensitive function of lamellated receptors. Intraepithelial axon terminals were found close to the setae-bearing sensilla in one species only. They are surrounded by numerous tonofibrils and may function as receptors for mechanical (pressure-) stimuli.

Key words

Reptilian scales Receptors Innervation Ultrastructure 

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 1977

Authors and Affiliations

  • Uwe Hiller
    • 1
  1. 1.Dept. Physiology and EcologyMünster UniversityMünsterGermany

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