1
|
Chiu ES, Gjeltema J, Woolard KD, Affolter VK. Miliary osteoma cutis in a climbing mantella frog (Mantella laevigata). Vet Dermatol 2024. [PMID: 38938127 DOI: 10.1111/vde.13273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
A climbing mantella frog (Mantella laevigata) was presented with nodular thickened skin. Histological examination revealed dermal nodules composed of differentiated bone consistent with miliary osteoma cutis, a non-neoplastic condition where bone is abnormally deposited within the skin. This is the first report of idiopathic osteoma cutis in an amphibian.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elliott S Chiu
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Jenessa Gjeltema
- Department of Medicine and Epidemiology and Karen C. Drayer Wildlife Health Center, University of California, Davis, California, USA
- Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento, California, USA
| | - Kevin D Woolard
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| | - Verena K Affolter
- Department of Pathology, Microbiology, and Immunology, University of California, Davis, California, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Falk D, Wings O, Unitt R, Wade J, McNamara ME. Fossilized anuran soft tissues reveal a new taphonomic model for the Eocene Geiseltal Konservat-Lagerstätte, Germany. Sci Rep 2024; 14:7876. [PMID: 38654038 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-55822-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024] Open
Abstract
The Eocene Geiseltal Konservat-Lagerstätte (Germany) is famous for reports of three dimensionally preserved soft tissues with sub-cellular detail. The proposed mode of preservation, direct replication in silica, is not known in other fossils and has not been verified using modern approaches. Here, we investigated the taphonomy of the Geiseltal anurans using diverse microbeam imaging and chemical analytical techniques. Our analyses confirm the preservation of soft tissues in all body regions but fail to yield evidence for silicified soft tissues. Instead, the anuran soft tissues are preserved as two layers that differ in microstructure and composition. Layer 1 comprises sulfur-rich carbonaceous microbodies interpreted as melanosomes. Layer 2 comprises the mid-dermal Eberth-Katschenko layer, preserved in calcium phosphate. In addition, patches of original aragonite crystals define the former position of the endolymphatic sac. The primary modes of soft tissue preservation are therefore sulfurization of melanosomes and phosphatization of more labile soft tissues, i.e., skin. This is consistent with the taphonomy of vertebrates in many other Konservat-Lagerstätten. These findings emphasize an emerging model for pervasive preservation of vertebrate soft tissues via melanosome films, particularly in stagnation-type deposits, with phosphatization of more labile tissues where tissue biochemistry is favorable.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Falk
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, T23 TK30, Ireland.
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Lee Rd, Cork, T23 XE10, Ireland.
| | - Oliver Wings
- Natural History Museum Bamberg, Staatliche Naturwissenschaftliche Sammlungen Bayerns, Fleischstraße 2, 96047, Bamberg, Germany
| | - Richard Unitt
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, T23 TK30, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Lee Rd, Cork, T23 XE10, Ireland
- Copper Coast UNESCO Global Geopark, Knockmahon, Bunmahon, X42 T923, Ireland
| | - Jon Wade
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford, OX1 3AN, UK
| | - Maria E McNamara
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University College Cork, Distillery Fields, North Mall, Cork, T23 TK30, Ireland
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Lee Rd, Cork, T23 XE10, Ireland
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Mingo V, Foudoulakis M, Wheeler JR. Mechanistic modelling of amphibian body burdens after dermal uptake of pesticides from soil. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123614. [PMID: 38387548 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2024] [Accepted: 02/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
Amphibians are currently considered to be covered by pesticide Environmental Risk Assessment schemes by surrogacy assumptions of exposure and susceptibility based on typical laboratory test species such as fish, mammals, and birds. While multiple reviews have shown for this approach to be adequate in the case of aquatic stages, the same cannot be definitively stated for terrestrial stages. Concerns have risen that exposure of amphibians is likely to be highly influenced by dermal absorption, primarily due to the high permeability of their skin and the lack of a protective layer, such as fur or feathers. It is thus hypothesized that dermal uptake could be a significant route of exposure. Consequently, it is necessary to determine the relative importance of different exposure routes that might affect the integrated toxicity outcome for terrestrial amphibian life-stages. Here, a one-compartment Toxicokinetic model was derived and tested using a publicly available dataset containing relevant exposure and uptake information for juvenile anurans exposed to 13 different pesticides. Modelled body burdens were then compared to measured burdens for a total of 815 individuals. Overall, a good concordance between modelled and measured values was observed, with the predicted and measured body burdens differing by a factor of 2 on average (overall R2 of 0.80 and correlation coefficient of 0.89), suggesting good predictivity of the model. Accordingly, the model predicts realistic body burdens for a variety of frog and toad species, and overall, for anurans. As the model includes rehydration (implicit in the evaluated studies) but currently does not account for metabolism, it can be seen as a worst-case assessment. We suggest toxicokinetic models, such as the one here presented, could be used to characterize dermal exposure in amphibians, screen for pesticides of concern, and prioritize risk assessment efforts, whilst reducing the need for de novo vertebrate testing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James R Wheeler
- Corteva Agriscience, Bergen op Zoom, North Brabant, the Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Xu S, Dai Q, Zheng Y. Male spiny frogs enter the underwater battlefield with loose skin exhibiting enhanced penetration of capillaries into the epidermis. ZOOLOGICAL LETTERS 2023; 9:19. [PMID: 37803369 PMCID: PMC10557191 DOI: 10.1186/s40851-023-00219-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 08/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023]
Abstract
The skin has multiple functions, and capillaries can penetrate the epidermis to shorten the diffusion path while allowing maintenance of overall epidermal thickness for nonrespiratory roles. However, a method for quantifying the capillary penetration extent is lacking. Such a method may facilitate making comparisons and detecting associations, potentially making the extent a useful variable in biological studies. We quantified the extent as the ratio of the average minimum thickness of epidermis overlying each capillary to the average epidermal thickness along a skin section and then explored its performance in the Emei mustache toad, Leptobrachium boringii, a species in which breeding males with loose skin call and fight each other with maxillary spines underwater. The ratio showed informative associations with other variables, such as perfused capillary density. It displayed small intragroup variation and could be more sensitive than other variables in revealing structural differences in the skin. The ratio estimates were lowest and were correlated with epidermal and stratum compactum thicknesses in breeding males, i.e., a covariation but not reinforcement against stabbing, constituting early evidence consistent with the increased extensibility of loose skin conferring a defensive advantage during combat in amphibians. In addition, our results lead to the hypothesis that high hemoglobin density along subepidermal capillaries favors the maintenance of low blood partial oxygen pressure and hence increases cutaneous oxygen uptake. We also provide evidence supporting the new idea that the cooccurrence of loose skin and underwater calling found in some frogs can be explained by the latter benefiting from a large functional respiratory surface area. Awareness of the usefulness of the ratio may promote its application and the quantification of the penetration. Regarding exchange surface design, these findings for L. boringii imply a case in which looseness increases surface area as well as prevents damage.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Shuang Xu
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Qiang Dai
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Yuchi Zheng
- Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, #9 of Section 4, Ren-Min-Nan Road, Wuhou District, Chengdu, 610041, Sichuan Province, China.
- Key Laboratory of Southwest China Wildlife Resources Conservation (Ministry of Education), China West Normal University, Nanchong, 637009, Sichuan, China.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Ajduković M, Ukropina M, Cvijanović M, Vučić T, Ivanović A. Histological changes of the skin during postembryonic development of the crested newt Triturus ivanbureschi (Urodela, Salamandridae). Ann Anat 2023; 249:152097. [PMID: 37011824 DOI: 10.1016/j.aanat.2023.152097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amphibian skin has been studied for many decades, especially the metamorphic changes in the skin of frogs. Less attention has been paid to salamander skin. Here, we describe changes in the skin structure during postembryonic development in a salamandrid species, the Balkan crested newt Triturus ivanbureschi. METHOD Using traditional histological techniques we examined the skin in the trunk region of three premetamorphic larval stages (hatchling, mid larval and late larval) and two postmetamorphic stages (juvenile, just after metamorphosis, and adult). RESULTS In larval stages, skin consists only of the epidermis, which gradually develops from the single epithelial cell layer in hatchlings, to a stratified epidermis with gland nests and characteristic Leydig cells at the late larval stage. During metamorphosis, Leydig cells disappear, and the dermal layer develops. In postmetamorphic stages, skin is differentiated on stratified epidermis and the dermis with well-developed glands. Three types of glands were observed in the skin of the postmetamorphic stages: mucous, granular and mixed. Gland composition appears to be stage- and sex-specific, with juveniles and adult female being more similar to each other. In juveniles and adult female, there are a similar proportion of glands in both dorsal and ventral skin, whereas in adult male granular glands dominated the dorsal skin, while mixed glands dominated the ventral skin. CONCLUSION Our results provide a baseline for future comparative research of skin anatomy in salamanders.
Collapse
|
6
|
O'Donohoe MA, Rosset SD, Regueira E, Haddad CF, Basso NG, Hermida GN. Comparative skin histology of neotropical odontophrynid frogs. ZOOL ANZ 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jcz.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
|
7
|
Mari RDB, Mori GM, Vannucchi FS, Ribeiro LF, Correa CN, Lima SKS, Teixeira L, Sandretti‐Silva G, Nadaline J, Bornschein MR. Relationships of mineralized dermal layer of mountain endemic miniature frogs with climate. J Zool (1987) 2022. [DOI: 10.1111/jzo.12982] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- R. de B. Mari
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
| | - G. M. Mori
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
| | - F. S. Vannucchi
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
| | - L. F. Ribeiro
- Mater Natura – Instituto de Estudos Ambientais Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| | - C. N. Correa
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
| | - S. K. S. Lima
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
| | - L. Teixeira
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
- Mater Natura – Instituto de Estudos Ambientais Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| | - G. Sandretti‐Silva
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
- Mater Natura – Instituto de Estudos Ambientais Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| | - J. Nadaline
- Mater Natura – Instituto de Estudos Ambientais Curitiba Paraná Brazil
- Departamento de Zoologia Universidade Federal do Paraná Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| | - M. R. Bornschein
- Departamento de Ciências Biológicas e Ambientais, Instituto de Biociências Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) São Paulo Brazil
- Mater Natura – Instituto de Estudos Ambientais Curitiba Paraná Brazil
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Lajevardipour A, Vilagosh Z, Appadoo D, Davis J, Juodkazis S, Wood A. Spectroscopy of excised skin patches exposed to THz and far-IR radiation. BIOMEDICAL OPTICS EXPRESS 2021; 12:4610-4626. [PMID: 34457435 PMCID: PMC8367247 DOI: 10.1364/boe.424267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Applications of far infrared (Far-IR) and terahertz (THz) radiation in areas such as healthcare and security are fast-growing. As a consequence, humans and the environment are becoming more exposed to mm-wave and Far-IR radiation than previously. We examined typical skin-care and sunscreen ingredients and propitiatory products with transmission FTIR, ATR-FTIR and THz-time domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) methods using fresh and dehydrated toad and fresh human skin samples for their absorption properties in these frequency ranges. The skin hydration compounds glycerol and sorbitol have comparable absorption characteristics to physiological bulk water. Products containing these and similar hydrating compounds have significant Far-IR absorption characteristics. The sunscreen ingredients ZnO (20 micron), TiO2 (mesh 325), and graphene platelet demonstrate a generally poor Far-IR absorbance, with TiO2 displaying some frequency-specific absorption in the 3-6 THz and 12 THz regions. The Far-IR absorbance of proprietary sunscreens was, however, shown not to be significant. The absorption properties of melanin, collagen, bound water, and other constituents are significant in dehydrated skin samples but are not of the same order of importance as the hydrating agents examined.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alireza Lajevardipour
- Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
- Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
| | - Zoltan Vilagosh
- Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
- Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
| | - Dominique Appadoo
- ANSTO-Australian Synchrotron, THz/Far-IR Beamline, Clayton, Vic 3168, Australia
| | - Jeffrey Davis
- Optical Sciences Centre, School of Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
| | - Saulius Juodkazis
- Optical Sciences Centre, School of Science, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
- World Research Hub Initiative (WRHI), School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1, Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Andrew Wood
- Department of Health Sciences and Biostatistics, School of Health Sciences, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
- Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bioeffects Research, Swinburne University of Technology, Hawthorn, Vic 3122, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Vanburen CS, Norman DB, Fröbisch NB. Examining the relationship between sexual dimorphism in skin anatomy and body size in the white-lipped treefrog, Litoria infrafrenata (Anura: Hylidae). Zool J Linn Soc 2019; 186:491-500. [PMID: 33551467 PMCID: PMC7797633 DOI: 10.1093/zoolinnean/zly070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Revised: 08/09/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
Abstract
Amphibians transport water, oxygen, carbon dioxide and various ions (e.g. sodium
and potassium) across their skin. This cutaneous permeability is thought to
affect their ability to respond to environmental change and to play a role in
global population declines. Sexual dimorphism of skin anatomy has been accepted
in some species, but rejected in others. The species in which such dimorphism
has been detected have all been sexually dimorphic in body size, with males that
are smaller and have thinner skin. It is unclear whether this difference in skin
thickness manifests a functional difference or if it is related to body size
alone. Skin thickness (epidermis, spongy dermis, compact dermis and total
thickness) was examined in males and females of the white-lipped treefrog
(Litoria infrafrenata). Although the skin of males is
absolutely thinner than that of females, this difference is explained by body
size differences between the sexes. Overall, we conclude that skin thickness in
male and female L. infrafrenata correlates with body size
dimorphism and suggest that future studies on amphibian skin anatomy include
measures of body size, test the ecological significance of sexually dimorphic
skin anatomy and better document the prevalence of sexually dimorphic amphibian
skin anatomy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Collin S Vanburen
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany
| | - David B Norman
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nadia B Fröbisch
- Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany.,Institute for Biology, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| |
Collapse
|