The structure of the pigment cells in the turtle Trionyx sinensis.

Gopalakrishnakone, P.

doi:10.1679/aohc.49.421

Cited by 19 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…2007), are infrequent or rare in the turtle integument, as indicated in the present study. Rare iridophores and xanthophores were found in the skin and along blood vessels in inner organs of the soft‐shelled turtle Trionix sinensis Wiegmnn 1835 (Gopalakrishnakone 1986). This specific point can be definitely established after the ultrastructural analysis of turtles with a blue coloration.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians

Alibardi

2011

Acta Zoologica

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Alibardi, L. 2011. Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians. —Acta Zoologica (Stockholm) 00:1–11. The cytology and distribution of chromatophores responsible for skin pigmentation in chelonians is analyzed. Epidermal melanocytes are involved in the formation of dark spots or stripes in growing shelled and non‐shelled skin. Melanocytes rest in the basal layer of the epidermis and transfer melanosomes into keratinocytes during epidermal growth. Dermal melanophores and other chromatophores instead remain in the dermis and form the gray background of the skin. When dermal melanophores condense, they give origin to the dense spots or stripes in areas where no epidermal melanocytes are present. In the latter case, the epidermis and the corneous layer are transparent and reveal the dermal distribution of melanophores and other chromatophores underneath. As a result of this basic process of distribution of pigment cells, the dark areas visible in scales can have a double origin (epidermal and dermal) or a single origin (epidermal or dermal). Xanthophores, lipophores, and a cell containing both pterinosomes and lipid droplets are sparse in the loose dermis while iridophores are rarely seen in the skin of chelonians analyzed in the present study. Xanthophores and lipophores contribute to form the pale, yellow or oranges hues present among the dark areas of the skin in turtles.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians

Alibardi

2011

Acta Zoologica

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“…Melanomacrophages are pigment cells with characteristic eumelanin-containing organelles (Gopalakrishnakon, 1986). These cells are in the dermis, lung, and liver of turtles (Hou, 1999).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pathology of Aural Abscesses in Free-Living Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina Carolina)

Brown

Richards

Robertson

et al. 2004

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Aural abscess or abscess of the middle ear is common in free-living Eastern box turtles (Terrapene carolina carolina) of Virginia (USA) and elsewhere. Although its etiology remains unknown, hypovitaminosis A has been suggested on the basis of similar lesions occurring in captive chelonians fed diets that are deficient in vitamin A. This hypothesis was supported by significantly greater body burdens of organochlorine compounds (reported disruptors of vitamin A metabolism) and a nonsignificant trend toward lower serum and hepatic vitamin A levels in free-living box turtles with this lesion. The tympanic epithelium was evaluated in 27 box turtles (10 with aural abscesses and 17 without). Lesions of the tympanic epithelium of box turtles with aural abscesses included hyperplasia, squamous metaplasia, hyperemia, cellular sloughing, granulomatous inflammation, and bacterial infection. These changes were more severe in turtles with aural abscesses than in those without and were more severe in tympanic cavities that had an abscess compared to those without when the lesion was unilateral. Organs from 21 box turtles (10 with aural abscesses and 11 without) from the study population were examined for microscopic lesions, and minimal histopathologic changes were found, none of which were similar to those found in the tympanic epithelium. Histopathologic changes in box turtles with aural abscesses were consistent with a syndrome that may involve hypovitaminosis A.

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“…Hepatic pigmented cells in the sinusoids and portal canals are described as Kupffer cells (Sichel, 1984), and Scalia et al (1988) found melanosynthetic activity in these hepatic aggregations in the old world tortoise, Testudo graeca. The only other chelonian species in which melanin containing cells have been described in detail is the Asian Trionychid turtle, Trionyx sinensis (Gopalakrishnakone, 1986). In summary, pigment cell centers are morphologically and biochemically differ-ent in different taxonomic groups and in different organs of the same species, phagocytizing melanin in some and synthesizing it in others.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Melanomacrophage Aggregations and Their Age Relationships in the Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon flavescens (Kinosternidae)

Christiansen

Grzybowski

Kodama

1996

Pigment Cell Research

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Microscopic examination of the pigment cell aggregations in the liver and spleen of mud turtles (Kinosternon flavescens) suggests that the morphology and behavior of these cells is consistent with the melanomacrophages described in teleost fishes and the pigmented "Kupffer cells" described in frogs and reptiles. These cells contain massive amounts of melanin, substantial lipofuscin, and some hemosiderin consistent with their phagocytic function. Similar-appearing isolated pigmented macrophages are solitary in the liver, spleen, lung, and kidney. Number and size of the largest hepatic aggregations increase almost linearly with turtle age so that in old turtles they may constitute up to 20% of the liver volume. This increase may result from hepatic recruitment of macrophages throughout the life of the turtle and suggests that size and number of melanomacrophage aggregations may serve as a marker for senescence in otherwise healthy turtles of this species.

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The structure of the pigment cells in the turtle Trionyx sinensis.

Cited by 19 publications

References 16 publications

Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians

Observations on the ultrastructure and distribution of chromatophores in the skin of chelonians

Pathology of Aural Abscesses in Free-Living Eastern Box Turtles (Terrapene Carolina Carolina)

Melanomacrophage Aggregations and Their Age Relationships in the Yellow Mud Turtle, Kinosternon flavescens (Kinosternidae)

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