Comparative histochemical studies of the liver in amphibians associated with their phylogeny and diverged mode of living
2003
Inoue, A. (Shimane Univ., Matsue (Japan). Faculty of Life and Environmental Science) | Akiyoshi, H.
Abstract Background/aims: Amphibians are usually regarded as an intermediate group falling between fishes and reptiles, and have three orders: Gymnophiona, Urodela and Anura. They are widely distributed both geographically and ecologically. Their habitat ranges from water to land, and vertically from apical areas in trees to bottom layers in water. We studied on the correlation between the liver structures in the three orders of amphibians and their phylogeny or diverged mode of living. Methods: Forty-four species amphibians were collected from Hokkaidou to Iriomote island in Okinawa except Typhlonectes sp., Bombina orientalis and Xenopus leavis. Livers were fixed by perfusion with paraformaldehyde, cut paraffin sections, and observed by light microscope. The cytoskeletal components of the hepatic stellate cells were identified by immuno-histochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and a-smooth muscle actin. Results: Among the three orders of amphibians, Gymnophiona and Urodela were characterized both the pigmentation in hepatic lobules and the development of lymph vessels in liver capsules and Glisson's sheath. Conclusions : The present study indicates that there are differences in the pattern of hepatic histochemical components in the amphibians examined at this time. We discussed their phylogeny and diverged mode of living into three orders.
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