THE VENTRAL EPIDERMIS OF PELOBATES SYRIACUS (ANURA, PELOBATIDAE)

The ventral epidermis of Pelobates syriacus was studied in juveniles a nd adults. Towards metamorphic climax, the epidermis of the tadpole ch anges markedly and cells generally decrease in volume. At the same tim e the surface layer cells flatten. These cells form the stratum corneu m under which the replacement layer is visible. Flask-shaped cells ric h in mitochondria appear in the stratum spinosum and reach up to the s tratum corneum. After metamorphosis the epidermis contains five to six cell layers arranged in three strata: stratum corneum, stratum spinos um, and basal layer.