Studies Of Structure And Function Of The Skin Of Phrynocephalus Frontalis And Eremias Vermiculata

The aves originated from ancient reptiles.The avian feathers evolved from skin appendages of reptile.The research of reptilian skin and appendages is helpful to the study of the origin and evolution of avian feathers.Microstructures of skin of Phrynocephalus frontalis Strauch and Eremias vermiculata Blanford was investigated by using the paraffin sections.The expression of these proteins(PCNA,p63 protein,β-catenin and laminin) participating the cell proliferation and differentiation in the skin of the Eremias vermiculata Blanford were investigated by using the immunohistochemical technique in this experiment.The results show the structure of skin of the Phrynocephalus frontalis Strauch is same to that of the Eremias vermiculata Blanford. Their epidermis consists of,from outside to inside,oberhauchen,β-layer, mesos layer,α-layer and germinal layer.But their morphological difference of germinal layer is significant.The skin scales of Phrynocephalus frontalis Strauch have the skin sense receptors of which the structure is identical to the counterpart of Phrymocephalus przewalskii Strauch.While there is no skin sense receptors in the skin of Eremias vermiculata Blanford which is similar to the counterpart of Phrynocephalus frontalis Strauch.PCNA and p63 protein expressed in the bottom of germinal layer.β-catenin expressed in the germinal layer,but its distribution was uneven.Laminin expressed in theα-layer.In conclusion,we regard the relationship between the Phrynocephalus frontalis Strauch and Eremias vermiculata Blanford is distant.The skin sense receptors are high specialized functional structure.The research about the skin sense receptors is helpful to the study of the evolutionary relation between the avian feathers and the reptilian scales.The immunohistochemical study show the three proteins(PCNA,p63 protein,β-catenin) all expressed in the germinal layer.It imply that the germinal layer plays an important role in the cell proliferation and the development of inner epidermal generation.