The presence of modified granular glands in male and female Aneides lugubris (Amphibia: Plethodontidae)

Both male and female Aneides lugubris possess modified granular glands posterior to the cloaca. These glands are morphologically and histochemically similar to courtship glands that are found only in sexually mature males of other plethodontid species. Gland size is sexually dimorphic; glands are significantly larger in males than in females. Although these glands stain similarly to courtship glands, their function in A. lugubris is presently not known.