Chemical characterization of the adhesive secretions of the salamander Plethodon shermani (Caudata, Plethodontidae).

ABSTRACT: Salamanders have developed a wide variety of antipredator mechanisms, including tail autotomy, colour patterns, and noxious skin secretions. As an addition to these tactics, the red-legged salamander (Plethodon shermani) uses adhesive secretions as part of its defensive strategy. The high bonding strength, the fast-curing nature, and the composition of the biobased materials makes salamander adhesives interesting for practical applications in the medical sector. To understand the adhesive secretions of P. shermani, its components were chemically analysed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), amino acid analysis, and spectroscopy (ATR-IR, Raman). In addition, proteins were separated by gel-electrophoresis and selected spots wer

SUBMITTER: von Byern J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5532285 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature