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Skin biology of reptiles and amphibians

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 December 2011

E. Elkan
Affiliation:
Department of Histopathology, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex and Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2XA 3PN
J. E. Cooper
Affiliation:
Department of Histopathology, Mount Vernon Hospital, Northwood, Middlesex and Department of Pathology, Royal College of Surgeons of England, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London WC2XA 3PN
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Synopsis

The Reptilia and Amphibia are two distinct groups of vertebrates. However, they show a number of similarities, such as ectothermy and ecdysis, and are therefore compared and contrasted in this paper.

The physical features of the skin of reptiles and amphibians vary considerably; in the case of the amphibians the skin is usually relatively thin and may play a part in respiration while that of the reptile is often thick and impervious due to heavy keratinisation. Little is known of the ‘climate’ of the integument and there are relatively few data on its chemistry. Various pathogens may gain entry to the skin but usually this necessitates breaching the epithelium or taking advantage of existing damage.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Royal Society of Edinburgh 1980

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