ON PLANTAR GLANDULAR ORGANS IN MUSTELIDS (MUSTELIDAE, MAMMALIA)

Specialized skin plantar organs are specific for some Mustelidae taxa. They are plantar tenar pads with central cavity which opens on the su rface of the pad. Numerous dermal eccrine glands give ducts into this cavity and thick epidermis protrusions cover the cavity and skin aroun d the opening of the organ. An analyze of topography and structure of the plantar organs shows that they are characteristic for the genera M artes, Gulo, Meles, Lutra and Vormela. They are absent however in the genera Mustela, Lamprogale, Eira, Taxidea, Melogale, Mephitis and Enhy dra. Taxonomical and functional significance of the organs is discusse d.