Some histomorphological and histochemical characteristics of the digestive tract of the snake-eyed lizard, Ophisops elegans Menetries, 1832 (Squamata: Lacertidae)

The current study was designed to evaluate some histomorphological and histochemical characteristics of the digestive tract of Ophisops elegans, the most common lizard species in Turkey. The digestive tract was mainly composed of esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine. Each of these consisted of mucosa, submucosa, tunica muscularis and serosa, as in higher vertebrates. The folded esophageal mucosa had ciliated columnar epithelium with mucous secreting goblet cells which stained positive with PAS (Periodic Acid Schiff) and AB (Alcian Blue) procedures. The surface of the columnar cells of the gastric mucosa and gastric glands of stomach were strongly stained with PAS, but did not show any reaction with AB. The mucosa of small intestine was composed of columnar epithelium with goblet cells that exhibited a strong positive reaction to both PAS and AB. Despite the fact that the mucous secreting cells of the large intestine displayed a strong positive reactivity with PAS, they exhibited a weak reaction with AB. In addition, some statistical differences in AB /PAS staining cellular area and epithelial cell/nuclear area among the parts of the digestive tract were noted. The area of PAS positive material in goblet cells was much greater than the area of AB positive mucosubstances (GAGs) in the large intestine.