Comparative Histological Analysis of Caspian Thin-Toed Gecko (Reptilia, Squamata) and Persian sturgeon (Actinopterygii, Acipenseriformes) Skin

Abstract

We carried out a comparative study on Caspian thin-toed gecko with Persian sturgeon. The skin plays a role in preventing damage to internal organs from mechanical stress and the harmful effects of sunlight, and is colored depending to the environment to protect against enemies. It also plays the role in the recognition and reproduction of members. The epidermis of Tenuidactylus caspius (Eichwald, 1831) resembles mammals and birds more than the epidermis of reptiles. The stratum corneum layer of the epidermis is the same thickness in the same body area of the Caspian thin-toed gecko representatives. T.c. insularis, which live by the seaside in horizontal position, have relatively few stratum corneum cells that cover the underside of the body, however, there are many air-filled cavities inside these cells. The stratum corneum underside of T.c. caspius, which are adapted to living in a vertical position, have a large number of cells, but they are flatter and have fewer air cavities. The stratum compactum layer of the dermis in the T.c. caspius, is denser and more compact than in the T.c. insularis. Acipenser persicus (Borodin, 1897) epidermis consist of outermost surface layer, middle layer and stratum germinativum. In sturgeon, the outer surface of skin is covered with a cuticle. Below it are mucous cells, taste buds and stratified flattened cells. The stratum compactum of Acipenser persicus is thick and covers the body like a shield