A scanning electron microscopic study of differentiation of the digital pad in regenerating digits of the kenyan reed frog, Hyperolius viridiflavus ferniquei.

ABSTRACT

Newly metamorphosed Kenyan reed frogs, Hyperolius viridiflavus ferniquei, are able to regenerate amputated digits. The terminal digital pad is also completely reformed. Differentiation of the regenerating digital pad was studied by scanning electron microscopy. External differentiation of the digital pad began late in the second postamputational week with the appearance of small patches of specialized epidermal cells on the ventral surface of the regenerating digit. The differentiation of the pad spread out radially until late in the fourth week, when its overall shape approximated that of the normal digital pad. The appearance of patches of digital pad epidermis on the ends of spike regenerates arising from the forearm was also confirmed.