Skip to main content
Log in

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

  • Published:
Cell and Tissue Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Armett, C.J., Hunsperger, R.W.: Excitation of receptors in the pad of the cat by single and double mechanical pulses. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 158, 15–38 (1961)

    Google Scholar 

  • Bryant, S.V., Breathnach, A.S., Bellairs A. D'A.: Ultrastructure of the epidermis of the lizard (Lacerta vivipara) at the resting stage of the sloughing cycle. J. Zool. (Lond.) 152, 209–219 (1967)

    Google Scholar 

  • Düring, M. v.: Zur Feinstruktur der intraepidermalen Nervenfasern von Nattern (Natrix). Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 141, 339–350 (1973a)

    Google Scholar 

  • Düring, M. v.: The ultrastructure of lamellated mechanoreceptors in the skin of reptiles. Z. Anat. Entwickl.-Gesch. 143, 81–94 (1973b)

    Google Scholar 

  • Düring, M. v.: The ultrastructure of cutaneous receptors in the skin of Caiman crocodilus. Abh. Rhein. Westf. Akad. Wiss., Westd. Verl. Opladen 53, 123–134 (1974)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiller, U.: Form und Funktion der Hautsinnesorgane bei Gekkoniden. I. Lichtrasterelektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen. forma et functio 4, 240–253 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Hiller, U.: Elektronenmikroskopische Untersuchungen zur funktionellen Morphologie der borstenführenden Hautsinnesorgane bei Tarentola mauritanica L. (Reptilia, Gekkonidae). Zoomorphologie 84, 211–221 (1976)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilyinsky, O.B.: “On” and “off” responses in mechanoreceptors. Fiziol. Zh. SSSR 52, 99 (1966). English translation in Fed. Proc. Translation, Suppl. 26, T948–T952 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilyinsky, O.B., Volhova, N.K., Cherepov, V.L.: On the structure and function of Pacinian corpuscle. Fiziol. Zh. SSSR 54, 295–302 (1968). English translation in Neurosciences Translations 6, 637–643 (1968/69)

    Google Scholar 

  • Lynn, B.: The form and distribution of the receptive field of Pacinian corpuscles found in and around the cat's large foot pad. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 217, 755–771 (1971)

    Google Scholar 

  • Maderson, P.F.A.: Histological changes in the epidermis of the tokay (Gekko gecko) during the sloughing cycle. J. Morph. 119, 39–50 (1966)

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishi, K., Sato, M.: Depolarizing and hyperpolarizing receptor potential in the non-myelinated nerve terminals in Pacinian corpuscles. J. Physiol. (Lond.) 199, 383–396 (1968)

    Google Scholar 

  • Palade, G.E.: A study of fixation for electron microscopy. J. exp. Med. 95, 285–298 (1952)

    Google Scholar 

  • Proske, U.: Vibration-sensitive mechanoreceptors in snake skin. Expl. Neurol. 23, 187–194 (1969)

    Google Scholar 

  • Quilliam, T.A.: Differences in structure of three lamellated nerve endings. J. Anat. (Lond.) 97, 229 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Quilliam, T.A., Armstrong, J.: Mechanorezeptoren. Endeavour 12, 55–60 (1963)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ziswiler, V., Trnka, V.: Tastkörperchen im Schlundbereich der Vögel. Rev. suisse Zool. bd79, 307–318 (1972)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

I am very grateful to Prof. Dr. H.J. Dieterich, University of Münster, Dept. of Anatomy, for carrying out the perfusion and Miss Kruse and Miss Seidel for technical assistance

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hiller, U. Structure and position of receptors within scales bordering the toes of gekkonids. Cell Tissue Res. 177, 325–330 (1977). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220308

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00220308

Key words

Navigation