ABSTRACT. This study deals with
anatomical, histochemical and
ultrastructural adaptations of the alimentary
canal of the Uromastyx aegyptius and the
Spalerosophis diadema to their food habits.
Proteins and nucleic acids are highly
pronounced in the alimentary tract mucosal
cells of the studied two species. A variable
distribution of proteins and nucleic acids
was observed in the different regions of the
alimentary tract mucosa of the studied two
species. The activity of alkaline phosphatase
showed obvious variations not only among
different organs, but also between the two
species. At the ultrastructural level, the
oesophageal mucosal cells contained oval
shaped euchromatic nucleus with condensed
chromatin and the perinuclear cytoplasm
contained some electron-light vesicles. The
gastric mucosal cells contained oval shaped
euchromatic nucleus with condensed
chromatin and the cytoplasm contained
many rough endoplasmic reticulum, also
many tonofilaments formed thick bundles
which converged at the adherence junction
in the lateral membranes. The small and
large mucosal intestinal cells contained oval
euchromatic nuclei and their cytoplasm
contained few electron-light vesicles, also
their lateral membranes showed many
interdigitations. In spite of their difference
in taxonomy, habitat, mode of feeding and
their vital activities, they show more or less
a similarity in the histochemical and
ultrastructural patterns of their alimentary
tract mucosa. This study can be applied to
distinguish between different species of
reptiles and for establishment of natural
reserves.