VERTEBRATE INTEGUMENT

Structure for Support and Protection

Outline
Development of the vertebrate integument
General structure of the vertebrate integument
Epidermis and its derivatives
Dermis and its derivatives

Comparative anatomy of the vertebrate integument and

derivatives

DEVELOPMENT OF THE
VERTEBRATE INTEGUMENT
Embryonic Origin of the Integument

Development of the Integument

Skin precursors
Delineate at the end of

neurulation
Ectoderm epidermis
Mesoderm

dermomyotome
dermatome dermis
Retrieved from http://skeletalsystemdev.weebly.com/embryological-source-of-skeletal-system.html

Development of Integument
Neural crest cells migrate

between epidermis and

dermis.
Neural crest pigment cells

and body armor

Nerves and blood vessels

are added.
Figure 6.1 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

Development of Integument

Figure 6.1 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

STRUCTURE OF THE
VERTEBRATE INTEGUMENT
Layers and Derivatives

 Epidermis
Stratified epithelium

Dermis
Connective tissues

Hypodermis or

subcutaneous layer

Figure 31-1 C. Hickman, C. et al. 2001 McGraw Hills

Vertebrate Integument

Epidermis
Fish

Figure 6.6 (left) and 6.7 (right) Kardong, K.

2012 McGraw Hills

Tetrapod

Tetrapod Epidermis

Dermis
Fish

Tetrapod

Retrieved from http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/16labman05/lb7pg8.htm and http://kreativestudios.com/Tooltip/05Integument/03dermis.html

Epidermal Derivatives
Cornified structures
Baleen
Scute
Beak

Nails, claws, hooves

Horn and antler

Hair and feather

Epidermal Derivatives
Other cornified structures
Rattles
Roosters comb
Knee pads

Ischial callosities

Epidermal Derivatives: Glands

Epidermal Derivatives in Fishes

Unicellular glands
Usually secretes mucus
Club cells
Binucleate
Granular cells
Goblet cells

Sacciform cells
Secrete toxin

Retrieved from
http://203.250.122.194/lecture/systemic%20pathology/htmsys/sys01.htm

Epidermal Derivatives in Fishes

Multicellular glands
Photophores
Deep sea teleost
Slime glands
Hagfishes

Poison gland
Teleost

Photophores (above), slime glands (below-left) and poison glands (below-right)

Epidermis Derivatives in Tetrapods

Multicellular glands
Mucus gland

Poison gland

Retrieved from http://www.savalli.us/BIO370/Anatomy/4.FrogSkinLabel.html

Epidermis Derivatives in Tetrapods

Multicellular glands
Sudoriferous or sweat gland

Sebaceous or oil gland

Retrieved from
http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/education/curriculum/vm8054/labs/lab15/lab15.htm

Dermal Derivatives
Dermal bones
Dermal scales

Retrieved from (up) http://www.studyblue.com/notes/note/n/bones-teeth-and-cartilage/deck/ 937258

and (down) http://www.biocyclopedia.com/index/general_zoology/osteichthyes_bony_fishes.php

 Epidermis
Melanocytes

Langerhans cells
Merkels cell

Dermis
Macrophages
Pigment cells

Fat cells

Retrieved from
http://neuromedia.neurobio.ucla.edu/campbell/skin/wp.htm

Other Structures in the Integument

Skin Colorization
Results from the interaction

among physical and

structural properties of the
integument
Function as
Cryptic (concealing)
Aposematic (warning)

Skin Colorization
Important in
Species recognition

Establishment of territories
Courtship
Communication
Thermoregulation in reptiles

Changes in color is due to physiology

Fishes, amphibians, and reptiles

Skin Colorization
Differential scattering or Tyndall effect
Blue light scattered by air in barbs
E.g. Blue-colored feathers of kingfishes, blue
jays, bluebirds, and indigo blunting

Pigment colors
Brown, black, red, orange and yellow

color

 Melanophores
Synthesize melanin

Anamniotes and reptiles:

Melanosome may migrate to
maximize or concenrate the color.
Birds and mammals:
Pigment is transferred to feathers,
hair, and other pigment cells.

Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v97/n3/fig_tab/6800867f3.html

Skin Colorization

 Xanthophores
Contain yellow granule

Erythrophores
Contain red granules
Iridophores
Contain guanine
Produces silvery or iridescent skin
Found in ectotherms and iris of the eye
of some birds

Retrieved from
http://www.nature.com/hdy/journal/v97/n3/fig_tab/6800867f3.html

Skin Colorization

THE VERTEBRATE INTEGUMENT

Comparative Anatomy

Fish Integument
Epidermis

Dermis

Thin

Thick

Made up of living cells

Made up of connective tissue

Arrange into plies

Keratin less extensive

Limited
Derivatives
Unicellular glands common
Multicellular glands

Give rise to dermal bones and

scales
Supports multicellular glands

Living Agnathans
Hagfishes

Lampreys

Retrieved from http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/special_integument1.htm

Ostracoderms and Placoderms

Sources: (left) retrieved from http://taggart.glg.msu.edu/isb200/fish.htm and

(right) Figure 6.8 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hill

Chondrichthyes

Sources: Retrieved from (left) http://kentsimmons.uwinnipeg.ca/16cm05/16labman05/lb7pg8.htm and

http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/special_integument1.htm and (right) Figure 6.5 Kardong, K.
2012 McGraw Hill

Chondrichthyes: Placoid Scales

Retrieved from http://www.savalli.us/BIO370/Anatomy/2.SharkSkinLabel.html and

http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/special_integument1.htm

Osteichthyes
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Squamous epithelial cell

Mucous cells
Cuboidal epithelial cells
Alarm cells
Scale pocket with scale
Dermis
Skeletal muscles
Chromatophores
RBC

Retrieved from http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/

Osteichthyes: Rhomboid Scale

Cosmoid scales:
coelecanth

Ganoid scales:
gars and bowfins

Osteichthyes: Elasmoid Scale

Cycloid

Ctenoid

Development of Fish Scales

Tetrapod Integument
Epidermis

Dermis

Basal cells alive

Thick

Surface cells specialized

Composed of connective

Extensive keratinization

Derivative
Multicellular glands

Cornified structures

tissue
Upper layer loose

connective tissue
Deep layer dense irregular
connective tissue

Amphibians
Juvenile
Epidermis
Basal cells
Apical cells

Leydig cells scattered

Dermis composed of

fibrous connective tissue

Adult
Leydig cells absent
Epidermis
Stratum corneum,

granulosom, spinosum, and

basale
With nuptial pads

Amphibian Integument

Cross section of frog skin. A: Mucus gland, B: Chromatophore, C: Granular poison gland,
D:Connective tissue, E: Stratum corneum, F: Transition zone, G: Epidermis, H: Dermis
Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amphibian#Anatomy_and_physiology

Amphibian Integument

Retrieved from (L-R) http://www.californiaherps.com/salamanders/pages/t.granulosa.html and

http://www1.dnr.wa.gov/nhp/refdesk/herp/html/feat_rapr.html

Derivatives of the Amphibian Integument: Glands

Salamander

Frog

Retrieved from http://people.biology.ufl.edu/sahilber/VertZooLab2007/Vert%20Zoo%20Images/Lab%204

Derivatives of the Amphibian Integument

Parotid gland

Osteoderm

Reptiles

Sources: Retrieved from (up-left) http://borbl426-526.blogspot.com/2014/01/lab-1-general-anatomy-of-reptiles.html and (down-right)

http://cas.bellarmine.edu/tietjen/AnimalDiversity/Integument.htm; (up-right) Figure 6.13 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

Reptiles
In lizards and snakes
Undergoes ecdysis or molting

Turtles and crocodiles

Sloughing off of old cornified layers

Retrieved from (left) : http://www.hiltonpond.org/thisweek020808.html and (right) http://www.cals.ncsu.edu/course/zo150/mozley/fall/snakeskin.jpg

Derivatives of the Reptilian Integument: Horny Plates

Derivatives of the Reptilian Integument

Claws

Setae

Derivatives of the Reptilian Integument

Osteoderms
Form a series of gastralia
Stiffen the pleuroperitoneal cavity
Found in crocodiles and Sphenodon

Apical pits
Near the posterior margin of the

epidermal scale
Protrudes a tiny hair-like filament
Retrieved from http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/special_integument2.htm,
http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skeleton_photos/amniote_skeleton_photos.htm, and
http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/photo.php?id=181121&cpage=0&size=big

Derivatives of the Reptilian Integument

Glands are restricted to selected areas.
Femoral glands
Located on the hindlimb underside
Secretion restrains female during copulation
Scent glands
Of different location
E.g. anal area of turtles

Retrieved from (up) http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/lizards/481434-bearded-dragon-red-spots.html

and (down) http://www.herpsofnc.org/herps_of_NC/turtles/Steodo/steodo.html

Derivatives of the Reptilian Integument: Glands

Box 1, Fig. 1, Box Essay 6.2 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hill

Avian and Mammalian Integument

Retrieved from http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/avian_integument.htm

Bird

Sources: Figure 6.14 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hill;

Retrieved from http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/avian_integument.htm and
http://eaglenest.blogs.wm.edu/2011/03/05/incubation-brood-patch/

Derivatives of the Avian Integument: Feathers

Pterylae

Feather Parts

Retrieved from (left-right) http://www.artlex.com/ArtLex/f/feather.html and http://courses.washington.edu/chordate/453photos/skin_photos/special_integument2.htm

Retrieved from http://www.poultryhub.org/physiology/bodysystems/integumentary-surface-of-the-bird/

Types of Feathers

Feather Development

Retrieved from http://people.eku.edu/ritchisong/feather_evolution.htm and http://www.upei.ca/~morph/webct/Modules/Integument/claws.html

Feather Development

Figure 6.16 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

Feather Evolution
First used in insulation
Protofeathers conserve

body heat.
Evolved to aid gliding

and flight
Favorable effect on

airstream
Retrieved from http://www.transitionrig.com/feathers.htm

Flight using Feathers

Figure 6.19, Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

 Salt glands
Located at the head

Uropygial glands
Located at the base of the tail
Secretes lipids and protein products

Cornified structures
Beak, claws and scales

Retrieved from (left-right)

http://bio1152.nicerweb.com/Locked/media/ch44/albatross.html
http://www.christyyuncker.com/Cranesocialdisplays.shtml

Derivatives of the
Avian Integument
Few glands

Mammals

(right) retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK26865/ and (left) Figure 6.21 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument: Hair

Retrieved from (right) http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/education/curriculum/vm8054/labs/lab15/lab15.htm and

(left) http://www.vetmed.vt.edu/education/curriculum/vm8054/labs/lab15/IMAGES/HAIRXSEC.JPG

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument

Hairs
Fur or pelage
Guard hairs
Underfur
Reduced or lost in marine mammals

Vibrissae or whiskers
Quills (porcupine)

Retrieved from http://mayang.com/textures/Nature/html/Fur%20and%20Skin/index.html and

http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/why-whiskers/http://www.northrup.org/photos/porcupine/

Hair Development

Retrieved from http://9e.devbio.com/article.php?ch=12&id=128

Early development of the hair follicle and

primitive hair shaft.
(A) Initial state of epidermal epithelium
atop dermal mesenchyme.
(B) Signal initiates local proliferation of
the basal keratinocytes in the epidermis.
(C) Proliferation of epidermal stem cells
results in the formation of the hair germ,
which signals the dermal mesenchymal
cells to aggregate beneath it into a
dermal papilla.
(D) The papilla signals the continued
proliferation of the hair germ, making it
into a hair . The dermal papilla cells
proliferate and tightly aggregate.
(E) The primitive hair shaft engulfs the
dermal papilla and forms the inner hair
root directly above the papilla.
(After Philpott and Paus, 1998.)

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument:

Hair and Associated Glands

Retrieved from (left)

http://anatomy.kmu.edu.tw/BlockHis/Block12/slides/block15_25.html and (right)
http://www.ouhsc.edu/histology/Glass%20slides/44_08.jpg

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument:

Scent Glands

Retrieved from http://cat-chitchat.pictures-of-cats.org/2014/06/scent-producing-structures-of-male.html

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument:

Mammary Gland

Sources: (left) Figure 6.23 Kardong, K. 2012 and (right) retrieved from,
http://nursingcrib.com/anatomy-and-physiology/anatomy-and-physiology-of-mammary-glands-breast/

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument:

Cornified Structures

Figure 6.24 and 6.25 Kardong, K. 2012 McGraw Hills

Figure 6.26 Kardong, K.

2012 McGraw Hills

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument:

Cornified Structures

Hair horn

Derivatives of the Mammalian Integument:

Cornified Structures
Baleen
Thin, horny sheets of the oral epithelium

Each sheet is fringed along the edge.

Fringes act like combs/sieves that strain food out of the flowing water.

Retrieved from http://alumniexhibits.com/illustration.html