Microstructure of scales in selected lizard species

Abstract

In the present study, it was hypothesized that micromorphology of the surface of many lizard scales appears to mimic the topography of the habitat in which they live. Many authors have suggested that the microstructure of the superficial surface of scales have undergone important adaptations and have functional value in lizards. In this study, we investigated the variation and adaptation of the micromorphology and microstructure of the superficial surface of the dorsal and ventral scales from the mid-body region of Stellagama stellio (Agamidae), Stenodactylus petrii (Gekkonidae), Acanthodactylus boskianus (Lacertidae), Eumeces schneideri (Scincidae), Trachylepis quinquetaeniata (Scincidae), Scincus scincus (Scincidae), Varanus griseus (Varanidae), Chameleo chameleon (Chamaeleonidae). Skin specimens were prepared and analyzed using scanning electron microscopy. The dorsal and ventral scale surfaces had microstructure in the studied species and they exhibited unique patterns that somewhat resembled the topography of the microhabitats in which they lived. Similarity was detected in the three most related species, those having a common family, Scincidae. Ecomorphological relationships were detected between the dorsal and ventral scale microstructures and microhabitats. We conclude that environmental factors have observable influences on the microstructure of lizard scales.

Morphological study of the integument and corporal skeletal muscles of two psammophilous members of Scincidae (Scincus scincus and Eumeces schneideri)

“…The omnivorous Berber skink ( E . schneideri) also lives in similar biotopes, but with relatively dense vegetation (Allam, Abo‐Eleneen, & Othman, 2017). These two skinks share a common behavioral ecology by living in sand, almost all the time for S .…”

Ontogenetic scaling patterns of lizard skin surface structure as revealed by gel‐based stereo‐profilometry

“…,b; Allam et al. ). Remarkably, however, only a few studies have quantified the 3D structure of squamate skin surfaces, with data limited to microstructures on the ventral scales of snakes (Baum et al.…”

“…A number of recent studies have documented substantial variation in a range of morphological characteristics of the skin surface structures of squamate reptiles (Arnold, 2002;Gower, 2003;Schmidt & Gorb, 2012;Spinner et al 2013a,b;Allam et al 2019). Remarkably, however, only a few studies have quantified the 3D structure of squamate skin surfaces, with data limited to microstructures on the ventral scales of snakes (Baum et al 2014a,b), and no study to date has evaluated the relationship between 3D scale structure and body size variation.…”

“…; Allam et al. ), squamate skin is also functionally diverse (Gorb, , ), playing important roles in camouflage (Spinner et al. ), communication (Cuervo et al.…”

“…The skin surface structure of squamate reptiles, in particular, has since evolved to be exceptionally diverse, with extensive morphological variability, even among closely related species (Arnold, 2002;Broeckhoven et al 2018). In addition to its structural complexity across multiple length scales (Arnold, 2002;Gower, 2003;Schmidt & Gorb, 2012;Spinner et al 2013a,b;Bucklitsch et al 2016;Allam et al 2019), squamate skin is also functionally diverse (Gorb, 2005(Gorb, , 2009, playing important roles in camouflage (Spinner et al 2013a), communication (Cuervo et al 2016), locomotion (Irschick et al 1996;Autumn et al 2000;Russell & Johnson, 2007;Baum et al 2014a,b), self-cleaning (Watson et al 2015), mitigation of water loss (Dmi'el, 2001) and protection from physical damage (Broeckhoven et al 2015).…”