ABSTRACT
Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the structure and function of the integumentary system of two reptile's species [Bosc's fringe toed-lizard [Acanthodactylus boskianus, A. boskianus] and spotted fan-fingered gecko [Ptyodactylus guttatus , P. guttatus] and discussed the influence of different behaviors on their structure [keratinzation and pigmentation, claws, adhesion pads and sensory hairlets]
Material and methods: the present study used light and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the structure of skin layers of A. boskianus and P. guttatus
Results: the thin epidermal layer of Acanthodactylus boskianus was covered by hard keratinized horny epidermal scales, while the epidermal layer of Ptyodactylus guttatus was well distinguished and covered by soft keratinized layer. Moreover, in P. guttatus the scales were non-overlapping along the whole length of the body with dome-like shaped on head region, while in A. boskianus the scales were overlapping and articulating with each other by thin hinge. In the present study the dermis of A. boskianus, was the deeper layer of collagenous connective tissue with a rich supply of blood vessels and nerves, while, the dermis of P. guttatus was formed of both collagenous and adipose tissues. Three types of chromatophores [melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores] were distinguished in the skin of both studied species. In A. boskianus, the melanophores were black, large and have dendrites invaginates in the stratum basale of epidermis. The iridophores [reflecting pigments] were scattered in the dermis with large number in the ventral skin than the dorsal one. In P. guttatus, melanphores they were larger, blackish brown and scattered within dermis beneath the iridophores with less number in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus. Xanthophores [absorbing pigment] were more prominent in P. guttatus than that of A. boskianus
Conclusion: examination of the skin of the two studied reptile species revealed great variations in distribution of chromatophores through the whole body reflecting the adaptation of each animal to different modes of life
ABSTRACT
Aim of the work: the present study aimed to illustrate the osteological characters of the appendicular skeleton of two Egyptian lizard species, Acanthodactylus boskianus and Ptyodactylus guttatus and clarify the relationship between characteristics of the appendicular skeleton and mode of their locomotion of the two species. A. boskianus is diurnal insectivorous lizard forage in open area and it is a generalized ground-dwelling species and P. guttatus is a diurno-nocturnal omnivorous gecko which is a highly specialized climbing on vertical substrates
Material and methods: in the present study we used Alizarin red and Alcian blue as double skeletal staining to investigate the the bony and cartilaginous pattern of limbs and girdles of A. boskianus and P. guttatus
Results: in P. guttatus, the pectoral girdle was characterized by the presence of the interclavicles was dagger in shape and partially fused with clavicles, while it was cruciform and completely fused with the clavicles in A. boskianus. In P. guttatus, the epicoraoid was well developed, broad bony plates and fused with the interclavicles, while in A. boskianus it was narrow cartilaginous, plates and overlap in the mid-line. Moreover, in P. gutattus two fenestrae were appeared within coracoid and scapula with un-fenestrated cartilaginous sternum, while one fenestra appeared in both coracoid and sternum of A. boskianus. On other hand, the pelvic girdle of P. guttatus had complete fusions between the pubis, ischium and ilium, while in A. boskianus the pubis articulated poster-omedially with the ischium. In both P. gutattus and A. boskianus, the forelimbs posture was in horizontal plane, while the hind limbs were in vertical plane. In P. gutattus both the fore and hind limbs were relatively equal in length, while the fore limb in A. boskianus was greatly shorter than the hind limb
Conclusion: the P. gutattus is considered as a one of climbers species which have stout appendicular skeleton to support the climbing process on the vertical surface with relatively short limbs, while A. Boskianus is ground-dwellers and also good climbers and use their claws to walk and climbing on rocky areas and these abilities of locomotion depend on the flexibility of skeletal elements of its appendicular skeleton