Literaturdatenbank
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Ehrenfeld, J. G., & Ehrenfeld, D. W. (1973). Externally secreting glands of freshwater and sea turtles. Copeia, 1973(2), 305–314.
Added by: Admin (09 May 2010 16:30:56 UTC) |
| Resource type: Journal Article BibTeX citation key: Ehrenfeld1973 View all bibliographic details  |
Categories: General Keywords: Chelonia, Chelonia mydas, Cheloniidae, Kinosternidae, Morphologie = morphology, Physiologie = physiology, Schildkröten = turtles + tortoises, Sternotherus, Sternotherus odoratus Creators: Ehrenfeld, Ehrenfeld Collection: Copeia |
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| Abstract |
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The axillary and inguinal glands of the sea turtle Chelonia mydas, and the freshwater turtle Sternotherus odoratus, were studied using light microscopic and histochemical techniques. These externally secreting glands are remarkably similar in the two species. They consist of holocrine lobules surrounded by a thick capsule of striated muscle. Within each lobule large cells arise from an epithelial layer and produce droplets of a secretion product. The secretion material in both species contains a PAS-positive, protein-rich, non-acidic substance. In S. odoratus, additional cells, elaborating droplets of free lipid, are present. We propose that these glands in turtles be named "Rathke's glands," after their discoverer. It is likely that Rathke's glands are homologous structures within the order Testudines. Their secretion product probably functions as a defensive substance to ward off predators; however, other functions in intraspecies communication cannot be ruled out.
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