Development of harderian gland during metamorphosis in anurans

Shirama, Kazuhiko; Kikuyama, Sakaé; Takeo, Yuji; Shimizu, Kiyoshí; Maekawa, Kyutaro

doi:10.1002/ar.1092020309

Cited by 16 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 15 publications

(15 reference statements)

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“…Further studies are needed to determine the inception and rate of development of these glands in salamanders. In comparison to frogs, it has been found that the orbital gland develops later during metamorphosis in the fully aquatic Xenopus in comparison with that of the other more terrestrial frogs (Shirama et al, ). Aquatic lifestyles appear to have no effect on relative development of amniote orbital glands (Saint Girons, ; Burns, ; Sakai, ; Rehorek et al, ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A re‐examination and re‐evaluation of salamander orbital glands

Rehorek

Grand-Pierre

Cummings

et al. 2013

The Anatomical Record

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The amphibian integument contains numerous multicellular glands. Although two of these, the nasolabial and orbital glands and the associated nasolacrimal duct (NLD), have historically received considerable attention, interpretation of the original observations can be problematic in the context of current literature. Salamanders, in particular, are frequently regarded as at least indicative of aspects of the morphology of the common ancestor to all extant tetrapods; hence, an understanding of these glands in salamanders might prove to be informative about their evolution. For this study, the orbitonasal region of salamanders from three families was histologically examined. Three themes emerged: (1) examination of the effect of phylogeny on the nasolabial gland and NLD revealed a combination of features that may be unique to plethodontid salamanders, and may be correlated to their nose-tapping behavior by which substances are moved into the vomeronasal organ; (2) ecology appears to impact the relative development of the orbital glands, but not necessarily the nasolabial gland, with smaller glands being present in the aquatic species; (3) the nomenclature of the salamander orbital gland remains problematic, especially in light of comparative studies, as several alternate possibilities are viable. From this nomenclatural conundrum, however, it could be concluded that there may be a global pattern in the location of tetrapod orbital gland development. Molecular questions in terms of ontogeny and genetic homology affect the nature of the debate on orbital gland nomenclature. These observations suggest that rather than reflecting an ancestral condition, salamanders may instead represent a case of specialized, convergent evolution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A re‐examination and re‐evaluation of salamander orbital glands

Rehorek

Grand-Pierre

Cummings

et al. 2013

The Anatomical Record

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“…In Rana pipiens, it develops at late metamorphosis when external and internal larval corneal layers fuse (Kollros and Kaltenbach, 1952). Shirama et al (1982) described the first gland in Rana japonica at late prometamorphis. In Bufo bufo japonicus and in Xenopus laevis the gland develops around climax stage.…”

Section: Amphibiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Organogenesis of the Harderian gland: A comparative survey

Baccari

1996

Microsc. Res. Tech.

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“…Today many authors still assume that the main functional role of the Harderian gland in anurans is the lubrication of the eye (Shirama et al. 1982; Chieffi et al.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Today many authors still assume that the main functional role of the Harderian gland in anurans is the lubrication of the eye (Shirama et al 1982;Chieffi et al 1996;De Rienzo et al 2002). However, there are some investigations pointing to other tasks of this secretory organ.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The nasolacrimal duct of anuran amphibians: suggestions on its functional role in vomeronasal perception

Nowack

Wöhrmann-Repenning

2010

Journal of Anatomy

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Tear secretions discharged by the Harderian gland are suggested to function as a solvent for molecules sensed by the vomeronasal organ (VNO) in anurans. It has been assumed that chemical stimuli are absorbed at the surface of the eye to be carried -together with the lacrimal fluid -into the nasal cavity via the nasolacrimal duct. In the study presented herein, we examined the intranasal anatomy of 10 different anuran species to analyse the opening region of the nasolacrimal duct and its functional relationship with the VNO and the external naris. In addition, vital staining of the nasal cavities was conducted. Our results indicate that stimuli reaching the VNO are more likely to be ingested through the nostril than via the eye. In many cases the intranasal orifice of the nasolacrimal duct shows a close proximity to the external naris and simultaneously we observed a noticeable distance to the VNO. We suggest that the secretions of the Harderian gland are carried to the external naris by the nasolacrimal duct, where they bind chemical stimuli that are subsequently actively transported into the VNO. In some of the investigated species the opening region of the tear duct was situated in a more caudal part of the nasal cavity and closer to the VNO. In these cases a conspicuous system of channels can be found, which is suspected to carry the intruding medium of smell from the nostril to the nasolacrimal aperture.

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Development of harderian gland during metamorphosis in anurans

Cited by 16 publications

References 15 publications

A re‐examination and re‐evaluation of salamander orbital glands

A re‐examination and re‐evaluation of salamander orbital glands

Organogenesis of the Harderian gland: A comparative survey

The nasolacrimal duct of anuran amphibians: suggestions on its functional role in vomeronasal perception

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