Dermal Denticle Diversity in Sharks: Novel Patterns on the Interbranchial Skin.

ABSTRACT: Shark skin is covered in dermal denticles-tooth-like structures consisting of enameloid, dentine, and a central pulp cavity. Previous studies have demonstrated differences in denticle morphology both among species and across different body regions within a species, including one report of extreme morphological variation within a 1 cm distance on the skin covering the branchial pouches, a region termed "interbranchial skin." We used gel-based profilometry, histology, and scanning electron microscopy to quantify differences in denticle morphology and surface topography of interbranchial skin denticles among 13 species of sharks to better understand the surface structure of this region. We show that (1) interbranchial skin denticles differ across shark species, and (2) denticles on the leadin

SUBMITTER: Gabler-Smith MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8694198 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature