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A comparative ultrastructural study on ultimobranchial glands of some Israeli anurans (Bufo viridis, Rana ridibunda and Hyla arborea)

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Summary

The comparative fine structure of ultimobranchial (UB) glands of adult Israeli anurans (Bufo viridis, Rana ridibunda, Hyla arborea) taken in the wild during the breeding season is presented. Common aspects of the UB secretory cells are considered with especial reference to secretory granules, lipid droplets and tonofilaments. In B. viridis a second cell type with large electron-dense cytoplasmic granules is found in UB follicles. R. ridibunda and H. arborea UB follicles have a second cell type similar to goblet cells in appearance and these appear to be discharging their mucoid contents into the lumina of the follicles. The possible significance of these various cell types is considered.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Zoology, Bedford College, University of London, England

    Raymond Coleman

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  1. Raymond Coleman
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I am indebted to the Central Research Fund of London University for an award for apparatus and travel enabling a short research visit to the Dept. of Zoology, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem and am particularly indebted to Dr. Dvorah Boschwitz and her colleagues for their enormous help during my visit. I would also like to thank Alan D. Phillips for his assistance in the analysis of the material made possible by an award from the Science Research Council. My thanks are also due to Raynor L. Jones for his excellent technical assistance.

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Coleman, R. A comparative ultrastructural study on ultimobranchial glands of some Israeli anurans (Bufo viridis, Rana ridibunda and Hyla arborea). Z. Zellforsch 129, 40–50 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307108

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00307108

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