Perry S F, Bauer A M, Russell A P, Alston J T, Maloney J E
Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada.
J Morphol. 1989 Jan;199(1):23-40. doi: 10.1002/jmor.1051990104.
The lungs of the New Caldeonian gecko Rhacodactylus leachianus were examined by means of gross dissection and light and electron microscopy. This tropical species, which is the largest living gecko, possesses two simple, single-chambered lungs. Right and left lungs are of similar size and shape. The lung volume (27.2 ml.100 g-1) is similar to that of the tokay (Gekko gecko) but differs in that the gas exchange tissue is approximately homogeneously distributed, and the parenchymal units (ediculae) are very large, approximately 2 mm in diameter. The parenchymal depth varies according to the location in the lung, being deepest near the middle of the lung and shallowest caudally. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy reveal an unusual distribution of ciliated cells in patches on the edicular walls as well as on the trabeculae. Secretory cells are very numerous, particularly in the bronchial epithelium, where they greatly outnumber the ciliated cells. The secretory cells form a morphological continuum characterized by small secretory droplets apically and large vacuoles basally. This continuum includes cells resembling type II pneumocytes but which are devoid of lamellar bodies. Type I pneumocytes similar to those of other reptiles cover the respiratory capillaries, where they form a thin, air-blood barrier together with the capillary endothelial cells and the fused basement laminae. The innervation, musculature, and vascular distribution in R. leachianus are also characterized. Apparent simplification of the lungs in this taxon may be related to features of its sluggish habits, whereas peculiarities of cell and tissue composition may reflect demands of its mesic habitat.
通过大体解剖、光学显微镜和电子显微镜对新喀里多尼亚壁虎（Rhacodactylus leachianus）的肺部进行了检查。这种热带物种是现存最大的壁虎，拥有两个简单的单腔肺。右肺和左肺大小和形状相似。肺体积（27.2 ml·100 g-1）与大壁虎（Gekko gecko）相似，但不同之处在于气体交换组织大致均匀分布，实质单位（小叶）非常大，直径约为2毫米。实质深度根据肺内位置而异，在肺中部附近最深，尾部最浅。扫描电子显微镜和透射电子显微镜显示，纤毛细胞在小叶壁以及小梁上呈斑块状异常分布。分泌细胞非常多，尤其是在支气管上皮中，其数量大大超过纤毛细胞。分泌细胞形成一个形态连续体，其特征是顶端有小分泌滴，基部有大液泡。这个连续体包括类似于II型肺细胞但没有板层小体的细胞。与其他爬行动物相似的I型肺细胞覆盖呼吸毛细血管，在那里它们与毛细血管内皮细胞和融合的基底膜一起形成薄的气血屏障。还对新喀里多尼亚壁虎的神经支配、肌肉组织和血管分布进行了描述。该分类群中肺的明显简化可能与其行动迟缓的习性有关，而细胞和组织组成的特殊性可能反映了其湿润栖息地的需求。
