ISSN:
1432-234X
Source:
Springer Online Journal Archives 1860-2000
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Summary The patterns of arrangement of connective tissue fibres and muscle fibres were recorded in the anterior tail region of three newt species, Triturus cristatus, T. alpestris and T. vulgaris. In the axial connective tissue, arrangements are found well adapted to impede other movements than lateral flexion and thus in agreement with similar systems present in fishes and lower chordates. The arrangement as well as the total amount of perimysial fibres in the newt's tail show a close agreement with the same characteristics of perimysial connective tissue in the m. lateralis of fishes. As in fishes we may expect these fibres to play a distinct part in the establishment of a firm contact between axial skeleton and lateral muscle mass. In the lateral musculature of the newts studied, the helical patterns of arrangement of the muscle fibres, seen in fishes, were absent. The patterns present are not in accordance with a uniform degree of contraction of the muscle fibres throughout the lateral musculature but they do show a tendency in that direction. It is suggested that in adult newts the muscle fibres show more diversity in their physiological characteristics than in fishes and amphibian larvae.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF00298803
