Epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation in the beak of tadpoles of Rana dalmatina

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AbstractEpidermal cell proliferation and differentiation during formation of the beak in tadpoles of Rana dalmatina. Acta Zoologica (Stockolm). The beak utilized in tadpoles of R. dalmatina for crushing vegetables is formed of cornified cell layers. A row of large wedge‐like cells forms a central pile that produces the sharp corneous lamina of the beak. The labial and oral surfaces of the beaks also accumulate corneous material during proliferation and differentiation of keratinocytes from the epidermis to form a sheath around the central corneous cells. Corneocytes are shed during the growth of tadpoles. Electron microscopy reveals that keratin and mucus granules are main components of these keratinocytes. Electron‐dense organelles of unknown composition and with inside lamellae are also present. Using immunohistochemistry after post‐injection of 5BrdU, a marker of cell proliferation, the main timing of formation of the beak has been determined. After 2–5 h from injection, labelled nuclei of keratinocytes are seen in the basal layer, and sparse suprabasal labelled nuclei are detected after 5 h. Labelled keratinocytes are seen in suprabasal layers at 2 days post‐injection. At 5 and 6 days labelled keratinocytes are present in central corneous cells and in the lateral shell of corneocytes forming the labial and oral beak sides. Shedding a complete stratum corneum likely takes more days, but this depends on feeding usage.