The Histology of Callous Scales of the Males of Asian Rock Agamas, Laudakia caucasia and Laudakia himalayana (Reptilia: Agamidae)

Tatjana N. Dujsebayeva

Abstract


The topography, morphology, histology and histochemistry of callous scales in the integument of the males of two species of Asian rock agamas, Laudakia caucasia and Laudakia himalayana have been examined. The study reveals that callous scales are holocrine epidermal glands with callous secretion similar to mesos-layer of normal squamate epidermis in its morphological appearance and histochemical composition. The secretion from the entire surface of callous scales is spread over the substrate during lizard locomotion and use by the animals as chemocommunicative agent.

Keywords


Sauria; Agamidae; Laudakia caucasia; Laudakia himalayana; integument; callous scales; topography; histology

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30906/1026-2296-1998-5-2-160-164

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