Die Bedeutung des Serumeiweissbildes zur Diagnose vonBufo calamita Laur.,Bufo viridis Laur. und deren Bastarden (Amphibia,Anura, Bufonidae)

Summary Electrophoretic investigations of the serum protein patterns of natterjacks (Bufo calamita Laur.) from the Iberian Peninsula and from Western and Central Europe, and of green toads (Bufo viridis Laur.) from Central Europa, Asia Minor and North Africa show that the two species differ disctinctly in the position of their albumin fractions. The identification of problematic specimens can result from the production of mixed serum with specimens of both species. As the albumin fraction of hybrids is doubled according to this method, it is also suitable for demonstrating the existence of such hybrids in natural populations.     

Epitheliophagy: intrauterine cell nourishment in the viviparous alpine salamander, Salamandra atra (Laur.)

The intrauterine nourishment of the viviparous alpine salamander, Salamandra atra, has been demonstrated to consist of two phases: oophagy - after hatching from the jelly membrane, the developing embryo ingests the remaining disintegrated, unfertilized egg mass. Epitheliophagy - a special cranial portion of the uterus wall, the zona trophica, is stimulated by the presence of the embryo. After the yolk mass has been exhausted, the developing embryo is supplied with epithelial cells as nourishment until the end of pregnancy. The epithelial cells of the zona trophica are released into the uterus lumen by partial necrosis of the underlying connective tissue. Regeneration and detachment of the uterine epithelium occur simultaneously in different regions of the zona trophica. A special dentition enables the embryo, according to its position in the uterus, to feed directly on the zona trophica.     

Presence of presumptive interdigitating cells in the spleen of the natterjack,Bufo calamita

Summary The periphery of splenic lymphoid follicles, an area rich in reticulum fibers, contains presumptive interdigitating cells characterized by low electron density, scantiness of cytoplasmic organelles, abundant surface foldings and, sometimes, electrondense granules of unknown significance.     

Mitosenverteilung in der larvalen Rumpfepidermis vonSalamandra maculosa Laur.

Summary In the larval epidermal trunk region ofSalamandra maculosa, the total number of mitoses of both sides is approximately the same. This applies to the differentiated Leydig cells as well as to the rest of the epidermis cells.With respect to the meristic segmentation of the trunk, we find within the single segments a regular rise of the mitotic rate, which alternates from one side to the other.From the total number of mitoses found in the epidermis of the trunk, approximately 40% can be accounted for to the dorsal and 60% to the ventral region of the trunk. The number of cells is the same for both the ventral and dorsal region.     

Immunohistochemical demonstration of an SRIF-like system in the brain of the reptile: Lacerta muralis Laur

Summary The distribution of an SRIF-like substance in the brain of normal lizards (Lacerta muralis Laur.) has been determined. SRIF is shown to be present in neural cell bodies in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, the hypothalamo-hypophysial tractus and the median eminence.Contrat INSERM, No. 74.1.444.35.     

Compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral testis after unilateral castration in the toad,Bufo melanostictus (Schn)

Zusammenfassung Nachweis kompensatorischen Wachstums des nach einseitiger Kastration verbleibenden Hodens bei indischer Krötenart (Bufo melanostictus (Schn)). Zunahme von Gewicht, Grösse und Spermienzahl.