The microscopic anatomy of epidermal glands in two species of gekkonine lizards, with some observations on testicular activity.
The gross and microscopic anatomy of epidermal glands has been studied in laboratory maintained tokays (Gekko gecko), and house geckos (Hemidactylus bowringii) captured from the wild throughout the year. Annual testicular activity in the house gecko has also been studied. While no significant differences in glandular development at various times have been observed in G. gecko, there are clear-cut annual cycles in H. bowringii. The evolution of epidermal glands in gekkonid lizards is reviewed; the cellular dynamics of beta-glands are compared with those of unspecialized epidermis; the possibility that gekkonine epidermal glands respond to quantitative variation in circulating testosterone titers is discussed.
D000005:Abdomen; D000818:Animals; D005260:Female; D008116:Lizards / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D008297:Male; D010481:Perianal Glands / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000166:cytology; D012867:Skin / Q000033:anatomy & histology*; D013737:Testis / Q000502:physiology*