Morphology And Histology And Microornamentation Studies On Skin And Skin Sense Organs Of Some Lizards Of Lacertidae And Agamidae

Toad-headed lizards(Phrynocephalus frontalis) are the dominant and endemic reptiles in the desert of northern China. The difference in scale structures and density of skin sense organs(SSOs) of P. frontalis have been described poorly. The button-like SSOs of Eremias vermiculata and Eremias multiocellata have never been studied before. Besides, morphology of regenerated SSOs and microornamentation of some lizards were also reported poorly.We studied the skin and SSOs of different regions of some lizards by scanning electron microscopy and histology and photomicrograph and statistic analysis. The results are as follows: 1. The structure of scales of P. frontalis varies according to the location of scales. Maximal number of SSOs per scale is found on the infralabials. Comparing the density on unit area of SSOs among dorsal and corresponding ventral scales of head, four legs, trunk and tail, the highest mean density of SSOs is located on the ventral caudals, and the lowest is encountered on the middle dorsals. Whereas the density of SSOs on four legs contrast with positions what is mentioned above. 2. The epidermis of P. frontalis consist of five layers, from outside to inside, there are oberhautchen, β-keratin layer, mesos layer, α-keratin layer, stratum germinatum. β-keratin layer providing physical protection from abrasion on ventral scales is thicker than dorsal scales. 3. There are button-like SSOs distributing on head of E. vermiculata and E. multiocellata. There are not any sensory hair on their SSOs differing from those desert lizards. These SSOs are found on the small granular surrounded scales of ocular, nasals, loreals, labials and chin-shields of E. vermiculata. There are not any SSOs on the trunk and tail scales of E. vermiculata. 4. In the renewal phase, the epidermis of Phrynocephalus grumgrzimailoi can be devided into two genetations. Outer epidermal generation and inner epidermal generation, the outer epidermal generation consists of, an outer oberhautchen, outer β-keretin layer, outer mesos layer, outer α-keratin layer, lacunar tissue and a clear layer. The inner epidermal generation consists of an inner oberhautchen, inner β-keratin layer and a basal layer. 5. The microornamentation pattern of some lizards can be devided into two basic types: polygonal cells pattern and strap-shaped cells pattern. The polygonal cells pattern occurs most frequently in these Agamidae lizards, while strap-shaped cells pattern occurs in Lacertidae lizards.Based on results above, it is suggest that: the SSOs of lizards have mechanoreceptive function and can possibly have sensory function to thermal radiation and vibration. The strap-shaped cells pattern of Lacertidae lizards may reduce friction during locomotion and also enhances dirt shedding, while honey-comb cells pattern of Agamidae appear to suppress shine.