Histological Insights into the Gastrointestinal Tract of Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae)
Year 2026,
Volume: 16 Issue: 1, 72 - 79, 01.03.2026
Esra Akat Çömden
,
Melodi Yenmiş
,
Muhterem Elif Demirağ
Abstract
In the present study, we carried out a comprehensive histological examination on the gastrointestinal system of a widely distributed frog Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae). The aim was to reveal the structural adaptations and functional properties of the digestive system of this amphibian species. The gastrointestinal tract consists of four main layers from inside to outside: mucosa, submucosa, muscularis externa, and serosa. The stomach structure of P. bedriagae's innermost mucosa layer consists of columnar cells that secrete mucus. The small intestinal features have deep folds and are lined with columnar and goblet cells. The large intestinal mucosa layer has smaller folds and is lined with columnar epithelial cells, with an increasing abundance of goblet cells noted from the small to large intestinal system. Notably, P. bedriagae's small intestine lamina propria also included abundant dense lymphoid aggregates, which may have a role in the immune defense of the frog. Overall, through a histological analysis of the digestive tract on P. bedriagae we have provided valuable information on the structural adaptations for digestion and uptake of nutrients for this amphibian species. These results contribute fundamental reference data to perform more effective research in amphibian anatomy and ecology.
Ethical Statement
Ethics Committee Approval was obtained for the animal experiment in this article with the decision of “Ege University Animal Experiments Local Ethics Committee” dated: 25.07.2018, numbered 2018-077.
Supporting Institution
This study was not supported by any project.
References
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Akat, E. & Göçmen, B. (2019). Histological and histochemical aspects of the digestive tract of Lyciasalamandra billae arikani Göçmen & Akman, 2012 (Urodela: Salamandridae). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 71, 525–529.
-
Bani, G., Formigli, L. & Cecchi, R. (1992). Morphological observations on the glands of the oesophagus and stomach of adult Rana esculenta and Bombina variegata. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 97, 75–87.
-
Cone, R. A. (2009), Barrier properties of mucus. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 61(2), 75–85.
-
Domeneghini, C., Arrighi, S., Radaelli, G., Bosi, G., & Veggetti, A. (2005). Histochemical analysis of glycoconjugate secretion in the alimentary canal of Anguilla Anguilla L. Acta Histochemica, 106, 477–487.
-
Duellman W. E. & Trueb L. (1994). Biology of Amphibians. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press.
-
Fabrezi, M., & Cruz, J. C. (2020). Evolutionary and developmental considerations of the diet and gut morphology in ceratophryid tadpoles (Anura). BMC Developmental Biology, 20, 1–17.
-
Gallego-Huidobro, J. & Pastor, L. M. (1996). Histology of the mucosa of the oesophagogastric junction and the stomach in adult Rana perezi. Journal of Anatomy, 188(2), 439–444.
-
Goldberg, S. (2023). Notes on reproduction of Levant Green Frogs, Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae), from Israel. The Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 58, 26–27.
-
Kierszenbaum A. L., Tres L. L. (2012). Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology. USA, Elsevier Health Sciences.
-
Kraus, F. (2009). Alien Reptiles and Amphibians: A Scientific Compendium and Analysis. Honolulu, USA, Springer Science & Business Media.
-
Lillehoj, E. P. & Kim, K. C. (2002). Airway mucus: its components and function. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 25(6), 770–780.
-
Liquori, G. E. Zizza, S., Mastrodonato, M., Scillitani, G., Calamita, G. & Ferri, D. (2005). Pepsinogen and H, K-ATPase mediate acid secretion in gastric glands of Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Caudata). Acta Histochemica, 107(2), 133–141.
-
Liquori, G. E., Mastrodonato, M., Zizza, S. & Ferri, D. (2007). Glycoconjugate histochemistry of the digestive tract of Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Caudata). Journal of Molecular Histology, 38, 191–199.
-
Liquori, G. E., Scillitani, G. Mastrodonato, M. & Ferri, D. (2002). Histochemical investigations on the secretory cells in the oesophagogastric tract of the Eurasian green toad, Bufo viridis. The Histochemical Journal, 34(10), 517–524.
-
Mikinu-Takagaki, Y. & Hotta, K. (1979). Characterization of peptic inhibitory activity associated with sulphated glycoprotein isolated from gastric mucosa. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 584, 288–297.
-
Muikham, I., Srakaew, N., Chatchavalvanich, K., & Chumnanpuen, P. (2017). Microanatomy of the digestive system of Supachai's caecilian, Ichthyophis supachaii Taylor, 1960 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona). Acta Zoologica, 98(3), 252–270.
-
Rahman, M. M. (2014). Impact of temperature fluctuations on gut histology of the cricket frog, Fejervary alimnocharis (Anura: Dicroglossidae). Journal of Bio‐Science, 22, 15–20.
-
Roberton, A. M. & Wright, D. P. (1997). Bacterial glycosulphatases and sulphomucin degradation. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, 11, 361– 366.
-
Romão, M. F., Santos, A. L. Q., Lima, C. F., Desimone, S. S., Silva, J. M. M., Hirano, L. Q., Viera, L. G. & Pinto, J. G. S. (2011). Anatomical and topographical description of the digestive system of Caiman crocodilus (Linnaeus 1758), Melanosuchus niger (Spix, 1825) and Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier, 1807). Journal of Morphology, 29, 94–99.
-
Ruiz, M. C., Abad, M. J., Gonzalez, B., Acosta, A. & Michelangeli, F. (1993). Comparison of acid and pepsinogen secretion control by oxyntopeptic cell of amphibians. Acta Cientifica Venezolana, 44(2), 89–94.
-
Secor, S. M. (2005). Evolutionary and cellular mechanisms regulating intestinal performance of amphibians and reptiles. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 45, 282–294.
-
Shi, Y. B. (2000). Amphibian Metamorphosis: from Morphology to Molecular Biology. Wiley-Liss, New York.
-
Srichairat, N., Taksintum, W., & Chumnanpuen, P. (2022). Histological and histochemical characteristics of the oral, pharyngeal and accessory digestive organs in the water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) from Thailand. Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia, 51(6), 703–711.
-
Stevens C. E. & Hume I. D. (1995). Comparative Physiology of the Vertebrate Digestive System. New York, Cambridge University Press.
-
Wallace, J. L. & Granger, D. N. (1996). The cellular and molecular basis of gastric mucosal defense. The FASEB Journal, 10, 731–740.
-
Womble, M., Pickett, M., & Nascone-Yoder, N. (2016). Frogs as integrative models for understanding digestive organ development and evolution. In Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology (Vol. 51, pp. 92–105). Academic Press.
-
Yang, M., Rahimnejad, S., Zhang, C., Song, K., Lu, K., & Wang, L. (2020). Histomorphology of gastrointestinal tract in bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana and evaluation of the changes induced by a soybean meal‐based diet. Aquaculture Research, 51(1), 164–174.
Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae)'nin Gastrointestinal Sistemine İlişkin Histolojik Bilgiler
Year 2026,
Volume: 16 Issue: 1, 72 - 79, 01.03.2026
Esra Akat Çömden
,
Melodi Yenmiş
,
Muhterem Elif Demirağ
Abstract
Bu çalışmada, yaygın olarak bulunan Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae) kurbağasının gastrointestinal sistemi üzerine kapsamlı bir histolojik analiz gerçekleştirilmiştir. Söz konusu amfibi türünün sindirim sistemine ait yapısal adaptasyonlar ile işlevsel özelliklerin ortaya konulması amaçlanmıştır. Gastrointestinal sistem, içten dışa doğru mukoza, submukoza, muskularis eksterna ve seroza olmak üzere dört ana katmandan oluşur. P. bedriagae (Levanten ova kurbağası) midesinin en içteki mukoza tabakası mukus salgılayan silindirik hücrelerden oluşur. İnce bağırsak yapısı derin kıvrımlar, silindirik ve goblet hücreleri içerir. Kalın bağırsak mukoza katmanları daha küçük kıvrımlara sahiptir ve silindirik epitel hücreleri kaplıdır. İnce bağırsaktan kalın bağırsak sistemine doğru giderek artan goblet hücreleri görülmektedir. P. bedriagae'nin ince bağırsak lamina propriasının, kurbağanın bağışıklık savunmasında rol oynayabilecek bol miktarda yoğun lenfoid yapılar içerdiği dikkat çekicidir. Genel olarak, P. bedriagae'nin sindirim sisteminin histolojik analiziyle, bu amfibi türünün sindirim ve besin alımına yönelik yapısal adaptasyonları hakkında değerli bilgiler sağlanmıştır. Bu sonuçlar, amfibi anatomisi ve ekolojisi alanında daha etkili araştırmalar yapmak için temel verileri sağlamaktadır.
Ethical Statement
Bu makalede yer alan hayvan deneyi için “Ege Üniversitesi Hayvan Deneyleri Yerel Etik Kurulu” nun 25.07.2018 tarih ve 2018-077 sayılı kararı ile Etik Kurul Onayı alınmıştır.
Supporting Institution
Bu çalışma herhangi bir proje tarafından desteklenmemiştir.
References
-
Akat, E. & Göçmen, B. (2019). Histological and histochemical aspects of the digestive tract of Lyciasalamandra billae arikani Göçmen & Akman, 2012 (Urodela: Salamandridae). Acta Zoologica Bulgarica, 71, 525–529.
-
Bani, G., Formigli, L. & Cecchi, R. (1992). Morphological observations on the glands of the oesophagus and stomach of adult Rana esculenta and Bombina variegata. Italian Journal of Anatomy and Embryology, 97, 75–87.
-
Cone, R. A. (2009), Barrier properties of mucus. Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 61(2), 75–85.
-
Domeneghini, C., Arrighi, S., Radaelli, G., Bosi, G., & Veggetti, A. (2005). Histochemical analysis of glycoconjugate secretion in the alimentary canal of Anguilla Anguilla L. Acta Histochemica, 106, 477–487.
-
Duellman W. E. & Trueb L. (1994). Biology of Amphibians. Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University Press.
-
Fabrezi, M., & Cruz, J. C. (2020). Evolutionary and developmental considerations of the diet and gut morphology in ceratophryid tadpoles (Anura). BMC Developmental Biology, 20, 1–17.
-
Gallego-Huidobro, J. & Pastor, L. M. (1996). Histology of the mucosa of the oesophagogastric junction and the stomach in adult Rana perezi. Journal of Anatomy, 188(2), 439–444.
-
Goldberg, S. (2023). Notes on reproduction of Levant Green Frogs, Pelophylax bedriagae (Anura: Ranidae), from Israel. The Bulletin of the Chicago Herpetological Society, 58, 26–27.
-
Kierszenbaum A. L., Tres L. L. (2012). Histology and Cell Biology: An Introduction to Pathology. USA, Elsevier Health Sciences.
-
Kraus, F. (2009). Alien Reptiles and Amphibians: A Scientific Compendium and Analysis. Honolulu, USA, Springer Science & Business Media.
-
Lillehoj, E. P. & Kim, K. C. (2002). Airway mucus: its components and function. Archives of Pharmacal Research, 25(6), 770–780.
-
Liquori, G. E. Zizza, S., Mastrodonato, M., Scillitani, G., Calamita, G. & Ferri, D. (2005). Pepsinogen and H, K-ATPase mediate acid secretion in gastric glands of Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Caudata). Acta Histochemica, 107(2), 133–141.
-
Liquori, G. E., Mastrodonato, M., Zizza, S. & Ferri, D. (2007). Glycoconjugate histochemistry of the digestive tract of Triturus carnifex (Amphibia, Caudata). Journal of Molecular Histology, 38, 191–199.
-
Liquori, G. E., Scillitani, G. Mastrodonato, M. & Ferri, D. (2002). Histochemical investigations on the secretory cells in the oesophagogastric tract of the Eurasian green toad, Bufo viridis. The Histochemical Journal, 34(10), 517–524.
-
Mikinu-Takagaki, Y. & Hotta, K. (1979). Characterization of peptic inhibitory activity associated with sulphated glycoprotein isolated from gastric mucosa. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 584, 288–297.
-
Muikham, I., Srakaew, N., Chatchavalvanich, K., & Chumnanpuen, P. (2017). Microanatomy of the digestive system of Supachai's caecilian, Ichthyophis supachaii Taylor, 1960 (Amphibia: Gymnophiona). Acta Zoologica, 98(3), 252–270.
-
Rahman, M. M. (2014). Impact of temperature fluctuations on gut histology of the cricket frog, Fejervary alimnocharis (Anura: Dicroglossidae). Journal of Bio‐Science, 22, 15–20.
-
Roberton, A. M. & Wright, D. P. (1997). Bacterial glycosulphatases and sulphomucin degradation. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, 11, 361– 366.
-
Romão, M. F., Santos, A. L. Q., Lima, C. F., Desimone, S. S., Silva, J. M. M., Hirano, L. Q., Viera, L. G. & Pinto, J. G. S. (2011). Anatomical and topographical description of the digestive system of Caiman crocodilus (Linnaeus 1758), Melanosuchus niger (Spix, 1825) and Paleosuchus palpebrosus (Cuvier, 1807). Journal of Morphology, 29, 94–99.
-
Ruiz, M. C., Abad, M. J., Gonzalez, B., Acosta, A. & Michelangeli, F. (1993). Comparison of acid and pepsinogen secretion control by oxyntopeptic cell of amphibians. Acta Cientifica Venezolana, 44(2), 89–94.
-
Secor, S. M. (2005). Evolutionary and cellular mechanisms regulating intestinal performance of amphibians and reptiles. Integrative and Comparative Biology, 45, 282–294.
-
Shi, Y. B. (2000). Amphibian Metamorphosis: from Morphology to Molecular Biology. Wiley-Liss, New York.
-
Srichairat, N., Taksintum, W., & Chumnanpuen, P. (2022). Histological and histochemical characteristics of the oral, pharyngeal and accessory digestive organs in the water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator) from Thailand. Anatomia, Histologia, Embryologia, 51(6), 703–711.
-
Stevens C. E. & Hume I. D. (1995). Comparative Physiology of the Vertebrate Digestive System. New York, Cambridge University Press.
-
Wallace, J. L. & Granger, D. N. (1996). The cellular and molecular basis of gastric mucosal defense. The FASEB Journal, 10, 731–740.
-
Womble, M., Pickett, M., & Nascone-Yoder, N. (2016). Frogs as integrative models for understanding digestive organ development and evolution. In Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology (Vol. 51, pp. 92–105). Academic Press.
-
Yang, M., Rahimnejad, S., Zhang, C., Song, K., Lu, K., & Wang, L. (2020). Histomorphology of gastrointestinal tract in bullfrog Rana (Lithobates) catesbeiana and evaluation of the changes induced by a soybean meal‐based diet. Aquaculture Research, 51(1), 164–174.