ULTRASTRUCTURE OF VENTRAL EPIDERMIS IN THE TERRESTRIAL AND AQUATIC PHASES OF THE NEWT TRITURUS-VITTATUS (JENYNS)

The ultrastructure of the ventral epidermis is described in the aquati c and terrestrial phases of the newt Triturus vittatus (Jenyns). In bo th phases, the stratum corneum is characterized by a large number of k eratinocytes and bundles of tonofilaments. Mitochondria-rich flask cel ls were found in both phases. The main difference was found in the abu ndant tuberculi on the surface, and in the number of stratum corneum r eplacement layers found in the terrestrial phase. The epidermis of the aquatic phase did not show any resemblance to the aquatic larval stag e, thus no Leydig cells could be found.