Integumentary of Amphibians Biology Essay Example

Amphibians started adapting their integumentary system throughout evolution. More keratin has developed on the corneum and outer skin layers, providing a tougher stratified epidermis and dermis, containing mucous glands and serous glands. Amphibians in early days were found to be covered in a very bony outer layer with lack of pigmentation cells and a less keratinized epidermis. The mucous glands aid in gas exchange and create a slippery slime to the body and integument. This works as an advantage when trying to escape predators or escape our hands, when needing to be handled. In some amphibians the mucous glands are surrounded by a poison gland exterior lining. These poison glands within the dermis layer will enable the production of a slimy fluid when they feel the need to deter a predator. This fluid is toxic and unpleasant in smell and taste, therefore deteriorating the predator away. This acts to prevent desiccation as well. Pacman frogs (ceratophrys) are an example of amphibians in which possess poison glands and secrete a slimy fluid when they feel threatened. It is best to wash your hands after handling to prevent this fluid from working into the skin. This is the same before handling as well, the oils we secrete from our hands can be damaging if absorbed into the frog’s belly. So, it’s best to not handle amphibians on a regular basis and to ensure clean hands without use of harsh soaps or sanitizers before handling. A great method is to wet and moisten your hands before handling your amphibian. The slime that is produced is scientifically called Hydrophylax Bahuvistara, research has found small molecules within the slime that are able to destroy strains of flu viruses. Though some amphibians possess these poison glands in which produce the toxin fluid, it is not potent enough in toxicity to pose any serious risk to humans.

Amphibians are actually considered a transitional species being that some are aquatic and terrestrial. The main issues the integument faces in amphibians is physical abrasions, as even though throughout evolution the skin has become tougher, amphibians still have a very delicate integument in which can easily be wounded or damaged. Desiccation (dryness) as seen in some pet stores frogs may be kept without sufficient humidity and some new hobbyist or keepers may not understand the level of moisture, dampness and humidity that need to be maintained. This causes the moistened layers within the integumentary system of an amphibian to dry and shut down. The amphibian will become dehydrated and the desiccation will be fatal. Amphibian’s skin does not have a sufficient amount of keratin to defend against harsh abrasive UVB light or sun. The extreme rays giving off from the sun or UVB can be damaging. Most amphibians will be found in shaded areas of their natural habitat and that is why a 2.5 – 5 % UVB lighting is all that is needed. The warts on some toads are actually part of a specialized sensory receptor, they use to convey distinct sensory modalities. Lastly yes! Amphibians do shed their skin just like a lizard, usually several times throughout the year. The sloughed shed has a very soft consistency and is usually consumed or becomes degraded into the soil. They actually shed to keep their skin from hardening. Amphibians will breathe through their skin especially when in water, therefore if the skin doesn’t shed fully, the inconsistent parts of the shed is able to harden, and this will create more of an effort for them to breath oxygen through the hardened layers. This is why desiccation is a big issue as well, since amphibians absorb oxygen from the air through their skin, the process is only efficient when the skin is moist. Frogs and toads can usually rely on dew for moisture or ceratophrys will burrow to absorb moisture from damp soil/substrate. Dew is water droplets absorbed through the frogs/toad’s groin (Gastrointestinal) by sitting on a wet vegetation or surface. Through this process of absorption and the gas exchange aided by the mucous and posion glands, the accumulation of secreting substances in the glands resemble the macroglands reported in salamanders and anurans in which make for the slippery/slimy coated body. Some thicker slimed amphibians have a greater defense with this thicker slime acting as a shielding exterior layer.