Cutaneous glands in the Australian hylid Litoria caerulea (Amphibia, Hylidae)

Ultrastructure of cutaneous glands is described in the Australian hylid Lit oria caerulea. Three main types of glands could be distinguished in both ve ntral and dorsal skin: mucous, serous or I:ranular, and lipid glands. Both mucous, and to some extent, serous glands show a PAS-positive reaction. Som e of the granular-serous glands react to lipid staining. In addition, a ver y large gland confined to the dorsal skin of the head reacts to lipid stain ing. Apparently more than one type of dermal gland is involved in lipid sec retion. The subject of skin lipid secretion is discussed in relation to the ecophysiological adaptations of this xeric-inhabiting frog.