THE VENTRAL EPIDERMIS OF PELOBATES SYRIACUS (ANURA: PELOBATIDAE)

ABSTRACT The ventral epidermis of Pelobates syriacus was studied in juveniles and adults. Towards metamorphic climax, the epidermis of the tadpole changes markedly and cells generally decrease in volume. At the same time the surface layer cells flatten. These cells form the stratum corneum under which the replacement layer is visible. Flask-shaped cells rich in mitochondria appear in the stratum spinosum and reach up to the stratum corneum. After metamorphosis the epidermis contains five to six cell layers arranged in three strata: stratum corneum, stratum spinosum, and basal layer.