SEM Study of Skin Sense Organs in Two <i>Uromastyx</i> Species (Sauria: Agamidae) and <i>Sphenodon punctatus</i> (Rhynchocephalia: Sphenodontidae)

Abstract

External morphology and distribution of sense organs in the integument of Uromastyx assmussi and U. hardwickii and also of tuatara, Sphenodon punctatus were studied using SEM. Bristless skin organs in both species of Uromastyx and Sphenodon have large diameter (to 160 μm) and are few in the number (0 – 1 per scale) on cephalic and flank body scales. The reduction of sense organ number is discussed with respect of possible significance of this character in agamid system.