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Identification of the epidermal “Stiftchenzellen” of frog tadpoles by electron microscopy

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Summary

Differentiated surface epidermal cells observed in the skin of tadpoles of Rana temporaria by electron microscopy have been identified with the Stiftchenzellen originally described by Kölliker in 1885. The cells have apical microvilli or a single apical projection and appear to have synaptic associations with nerve fibres in the epidermis. The distribution, dimensions and structure of the cells are in agreement with descriptions from light microscopy and are consistent with previous suggestions that the cells are sensory in nature. In addition, there are fine structural resemblances to the gustatory cells of fish and of amphibians which suggest that the Stiftchenzellen are chemoreceptors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, University College London, London, UK

    Zary Whitear

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  1. Zary Whitear
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Thanks are due to Dr. H. Fox for lending the micrograph of Figure 8

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Whitear, Z. Identification of the epidermal “Stiftchenzellen” of frog tadpoles by electron microscopy. Cell Tissue Res. 175, 391–402 (1976). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218717

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00218717

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