Dental laminae and teeth of embryonic Ichthyophis glutinosus (L.) (Amphibia: Gymnophiona)

Light microscopic studies of dental lamina anlagen and the form and order of primary teeth were undertaken on embryos of Ichthyophis glutinosus. The palate dental lamina responsible for the dentition of the vomers and the palatine portions of the maxillopalatines develops unpaired on the lingual sides of these bones. Similarly, the upper jaw dental lamina is undivided in the rostro-median; it originates lingual to the premaxillaries. Orally paired and aborally unpaired, the dental laminae of the lower jaw are laid down along the inner sides of their respective bony anlagen. Of these, the orally undivided dental lamina corresponds to the dental portion of the caudally fused lower jaw bones while the aboral pair of dental laminae correspond to the splenial portions. When fully developed, the primary teeth are unbladed-conical and divided. They are labio-marginal, monostichous and pleurally anchored.