Table 1 Main morphological and histochemical characteristics of the three types of poison glands (COM, PAR and PER)

Topological distribution

Typical of dorsal warts. Present in other body regions in all species

Typical of macroglands. Exclusively in Rs e Rj, in dorsal warts and other body regions

Exclusive at the periphery of macroglands

Morphological characterization

Spherical granules with heterogeneous subunits. Syncytium with low density and many conspicuous nuclei

Elliptic and homogeneous granules, without internal subunits. Syncytium with high density and low number of nuclei

Elliptic or spherical granules, with internal subunits.

Dense syncytium with conspicuous nuclei

Histochemical characterization of granules

Positive to proteins, lipids and biogenic amines

Positive to acid glycoconjugates, lipids and biogenic amines

Positive to proteins, lipids and biogenic amines