Histological and Gene Expression Analyses of the Arm and Finger Macroglands of Two Hyloxalus Frogs (Dendrobatidae)

TL;DR

This study explores specialized glands in two poison frog species and their role in pheromone production during courtship.

Contribution

The study identifies a novel pheromone-producing gland in frogs and reveals SPF expression in previously unlinked serous glands.

Findings

Both Hyloxalus species express SPF in finger glands, suggesting a role in pheromone production.

The BAG in H. nexipus is composed of serous glands that also produce SPF, a new finding.

H. azureiventris lacks visible arm swelling but still expresses SPF in fingers.

Abstract

Chemical communication during courtship is well documented in salamanders and newts, but its role in frogs is less understood. In some Neotropical poison frogs, males exhibit specialised mucous glands (SMGs) in the hand integument that express high levels of sodefrin precursor‐like factors (SPFs), an amphibian pheromone. Some species also show integumentary swellings at the distal upper arm—known as the black arm gland (BAG)—of unclear function. We used histology and RNA sequencing to analyse the arm and finger integument of
Hyloxalus nexipus
and
H. azureiventris
to examine glandular composition, gene expression and potential pheromone production. We confirmed the co‐occurrence of two sexually dimorphic macroglands—swollen fingers and BAG—in
H. nexipus
, a rare trait in dendrobatids. Both structures differentially expressed SPF, suggesting complementary roles in courtship. We also provide the first histological characterisation of the BAG in
H. nexipus
and the homologous region in
H. azureiventris
, revealing that both are composed of specialised serous glands (SSGs). Notably, SPF expression in the BAG of
H. nexipus
indicates that SSGs, previously not linked to this function, can also produce proteinaceous pheromones. In
H. azureiventris
, no differential SPF expression was found in the arm, making its reproductive role uncertain. Both species expressed SPF in their fingers; thus, we hypothesise that
H. azureiventris
may have specialised glands despite lacking visible swelling, based on other dendrobatids where SPF is upregulated in male fingers with SMGs linked to pheromone production. Our findings reveal a novel pheromone‐producing gland and emphasise the complexity of chemical communication in dendrobatid reproduction.

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