Scale architecture of the palmar and plantar epidermis of Polychrus acutirostris Spix, 1825 (Iguania, Polychrotidae) and its relationship to arboreal locomotion
Contribuinte(s) |
UNIVERSIDADE DE SÃO PAULO |
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Data(s) |
20/10/2012
20/10/2012
2009
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Resumo |
In tetrapod squamates, the diversity of micro-ornamentations of the epidermis of the contact areas of hands and feet is generally associated with constraints and modalities related to locomotion. Polychrus acutirostris is a medium-sized lizard that occurs in open heterogeneous habitats in South America, such as the cerrados, caatingas, and fallow lands. It progresses slowly on branches of various diameters in its arboreal environment. It can also move more rapidly on the ground. The hands and feet are prehensile and may be considered an adaptation for grasping and climbing. Epidermal surfaces from the palmar and plantar areas of the hands and feet of P. acutirostris were prepared for SEM examination, and studied at various magnifications. They show three major levels of complexity: (1) scale types, organized in gradients of size and imbrication, (2) scalar ornamentations, organized by increasing complexity and polarity, and (3) presence of Oberhautchen showing typically iguanian honeycomb micro-ornamentations. The shape and surface structure of the scales with their pattern of micro-ornamental peaks, which improve grip, and the grasping hands and feet indicate that P. acutirostris is morpho-functionally specialized for arboreality. (C) 2009 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved. Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq) Brazil[307542/2006-8] Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq) UMR 7179 France UMR 7179 France[CNRS/MNHN/UMPC-P6/Coll.Fr.] |
Identificador |
ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER, v.248, n.3, p.183-193, 2009 0044-5231 http://producao.usp.br/handle/BDPI/27609 10.1016/j.jcz.2009.09.002 |
Idioma(s) |
eng |
Publicador |
ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG |
Relação |
Zoologischer Anzeiger |
Direitos |
restrictedAccess Copyright ELSEVIER GMBH, URBAN & FISCHER VERLAG |
Palavras-Chave | #Polychrus #Lizard #Arboreal adaptation #Scale ornamentation #Scale microstructure #Scale micro-ornamentation #GEKKOTAN ADHESIVE SYSTEM #LIZARDS #GECKO #EVOLUTION #MICROSTRUCTURE #REPTILIA #ANOLIS #FOOT #ATTACHMENT #SURFACES #Zoology |
Tipo |
article original article publishedVersion |