Female cloacal anatomy in the spectacled salamander, Salamandrina terdigitata (Amphibia: Salamandridae)

Abstract

The cloacal region of female Salamandrina terdigitata from seasonal samples was studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. Externally this region is quite flat and the cloacal orifice a lipless slit leading to a cavity formed of a cloacal tube and chamber, the walls of which are lined with predominantly mucigenous epithelium. Connected to these cavities are two tubular, exocrine gland complexes ensheathed by myoepithelium, spermathecae, and ventral glands. The spermathecal tubules contain sperm from autumn to spring. During the same period, the glandular epithelium produces a secretion which is mixed with sperm in the tubule lumen. The gland ducts of the spermathecae open separately into the cloaca, in areas lined with ciliated epithelium. In ventral glands, secretory epithelium is particularly active during the laying period, suggesting that the secretion of this glandular complex plays a role during oviposition.